Too Close for Comfort? Stay Safe, Stay Back.

Too Close for Comfort? Stay Safe, Stay Back

Does someone standing too close to you make you feel uneasy? The same feeling applies on the road.

 

Tailgating can lead to road users feeling anxious and uncomfortable. 

Intentional or not, tailgating continues to be a safety issue. It contributes to an average of 147 people being killed or seriously injured every year on our motorways and major A-roads. 

By maintaining a safe distance, you actively reduce the risk of collisions and ensure a more comfortable and secure experience for every driver, cyclist, and pedestrian using our roads.  

Stay safe stay back ident

  • East

  • East

    Ranked fifth for road-etiquette in the UK where:

    • 46% of people think road-etiquette is good
    • 35% of drivers admit to tailgating
    • 124 serious incidents recorded in 2023 where close following was a factor

  • South East

  • London and South East

    Ranked sixth - last place - for road-etiquette in the UK where:

    • 40% of people think road-etiquette is good
    • 41% of drivers admit to tailgating
    • 222 serious incidents recorded in 2023 where close following was a factor

  • South West

  • South West

    Ranked best for road-etiquette in the UK where:

    • 46% people think road-etiquette is good
    • 31% of drivers admit to tailgating
    • 85 serious incidents recorded in 2023 where close following was a factor

  • Midlands

  • Midlands

    Ranked fourth for road-etiquette in the UK where:

    • 37% people think road-etiquette is good
    • 36% of drivers admit to tailgating
    • 106 serious incidents recorded in 2023 where close following was a factor

  • North East

  • Yorkshire and North East

    Ranked third for road-etiquette in the UK where:

    • 39% people think road-etiquette is good
    • 36% of drivers admit to tailgating
    • 71 serious incidents recorded in 2023 where close following was a factor

  • North
    West

  • North West

    Ranked second best for road-etiquette in the UK where:

    • 45% people think road-etiquette is good
    • 34% of drivers admit to tailgating
    • 60 serious incidents recorded in 2023 where close following was a factor
A woman invading another woman's personal space in canteen
Personal space is a thing, on and off the road.
Person closely following another person on foot
You’d never get this close on foot, right? Tailgating is just as uncomfortable.
Four people in a queue where one person is standing very close to the other person
Too close in everyday life? You’d naturally create space. Be considerate on the roads too.

Make the Change: Two Seconds is all it takes

Our message is simple. Maintain a safe following distance of at least two seconds. This isn't just a rule; it's a small, conscious change that makes a huge difference to everyone's safety and driving experience.

Here's what you need to know:

  • Maintaining a safe following distance (at least two seconds) is an easy yet crucial action. It not only enhances safety but also fosters a more relaxed and considerate driving environment. 
  • Driving too close to the vehicle in front creates a sense of pressure for the other driver and evokes the same unsettling feelings as standing unnecessarily close to someone in everyday life. 
  • To use the two-second rule, pick a fixed point ahead like a bridge or sign. When the vehicle in front passes it, count "one thousand one, one thousand two." If you reach that same point before you finish counting, you're too close – slow down to create more space.
  • Remember to double this gap in wet weather and increase it even more when it's icy for safe stopping. 

Small changes in driving behaviour can have a big impact on overall road safety and everyone’s wellbeing on the road.

By making adjustment to how you drive, you can help create safer, smoother, and less stressful journeys for yourself and everyone else on the road.  

Don’t get too close for comfort.

Stay safe stay back ident

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