Transport Insights

The AA is again flagging up the dangers (and irritation) of tailgaiting – and it’s right to do so.

The motoring organisation says that, in to a survey of 12,014 drivers, more than a quarter (27%) named tailgating as the most irritating behaviour carried out by “other drivers”.

The poll also found that a fifth (19%) of drivers are “hacked off” by middle lane hoggers, while one in six (16%) get annoyed at drivers picking up and using a mobile phone when they are behind the wheel.

A study carried out by AA Accident Assist in 2023 also highlighted driver frustration over tailgating and in another survey last year more than half (55%) of drivers said it had been getting worse in recent years.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said:

Drivers need to leave sufficient space from the car in front to stop needless crashes. The harsh reality is that every driver feels the pain of crashes caused by tailgating with increased insurance premiums.

 As well as being more mindful when driving, we need more cops in cars to help stop dangerous and anti-social driving behaviours before the spiral into more serious incidents.

This National Highways webpage (from which I borrowed the graphic) says that is a factor in one in eight collisions on its network.

My experience of driving on local and strategic roads is that there are always cars ahead that appear to be braking repeatedly – an indication that they are too close.

Generally if you want to leave a little more space, you can just let your foot off the accelerator.

Admittedly, some vehicles, such as EVs, show brake lights when regenerative braking is in use and a driver lifts their foot off the accelerator but in many others the car is doing the braking because it senses that it’s too close.

Obviously, some drivers just like to bully the driver in front.