How to handle tailgating

What are your most hated driving habits? Having someone bearing down the back of your car at a far-too-fast speed might be near the top of the list.

There’s good reason for this, too. National Highways data confirms tailgating is a factor in around 1 in 8 collisions on England’s motorways and A-roads - with 147 people killed or seriously injured by tailgating in 2024.

But what can you do to manage tailgating safely? We’ll take a look at the things you can do to stay safe, calm and how you can potentially get other drivers ‘off your back’.

What is tailgating?

Essentially, tailgating is driving at a speed where the gap between a car and the one in front is too small, increasing the risk of a collision or road traffic accident. It falls under Rule 126 of The Highway Code:

"Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear. 

You should

• leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front so that you can pull up safely if it suddenly slows down or stops. The safe rule is never to get closer than the overall stopping distance (see Typical Stopping Distances diagram, shown above)
• allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying faster-moving traffic and in tunnels where visibility is reduced. The gap should be at least doubled on wet roads and increased still further on icy roads
• remember, large vehicles and motorcycles need a greater distance to stop. If driving a large vehicle in a tunnel, you should allow a four-second gap between you and the vehicle in front.

If you have to stop in a tunnel, leave at least a 5-metre gap between you and the vehicle in front."

While the distance depends on the speed you are travelling at, it’s generally expected you leave a 2-second gap between your car and the one in front. This gap should be doubled to 4 when driving in wet conditions and 20 in snow and ice.

Tailgating is counted as a careless driving offence that could lead to severe crashes and even fatalities, with potential punishments including:

• £100 fine
• 3 points on your licence
• Driving ban
• Prison sentence

While a tailgate is the hinged door at the back of a vehicle that provides access to the boot, it’s worth noting it has a different definition in the United States, where it often refers to a social gathering where people enjoy food and drink outside the back of a car before or during a major sporting event.

Who are the different types of tailgater?

Just Drive listed the following as different ways drivers can tailgate…

• Aggressive - These are drivers who want you to get out of the way. They’ll use intimidating tactics to make you feel uneasy.
• Oblivious - Drivers can often go on autopilot and not realise how little a gap they’re leaving.
• Impatient - These tailgaters seem to appear behind learners or any other driver they perceive as driving too slowly.

A Confused.com poll discovered some of the reasons why people have tailgated in the past:

• Other drivers moving too slowly.
• Impatience.
• Trying to get other drivers to move out the way.
• Not realising they’re doing it.
• Driving too fast.

How to deal with a tailgater behind you

• Stay calm

Keep your eyes on the road ahead and don’t brake too fast or accelerate aggressively. Try to leave the tailgater to it.

• Increase your own gap

By increasing the gap in front of you, you reduce the need for sudden braking, which protects you from being rear-ended by the person behind

• Create space

Increase the gap by gradually easing your foot off the accelerator. This should give the other driver a hint, especially if they’re unintentionally tailgating.

• Drive at a consistent speed

If and when they want to overtake you, sticking to a consistent speed within the speed limit will make it easier for them to do so.

• Let them pass

If it’s safe to do so, you can give yourself peace of mind by pulling into a side road, lay-by or slower lane and letting the tailgater drive past. Once they move past, they will no longer be your problem - but if they continue, they might be pulled over the police.

There are also some things you shouldn’t do...

Don’t speed up or slow down too abruptly, and don’t retaliate as this is unlikely to make the tailgater back off.

Why is tailgating dangerous?

Some drivers may get scared or frustrated when being tailgated, leading to errors of judgment that can put them and others - including the tailgater - at risk.

There’s also the chance that one person tailgating can cause the people behind them to go heavy on the brakes and also collide.

What damage can be caused by tailgating?

In addition to potential injuries to yourself, tailgating could cause physical damage to various car parts including:

• The boot.
• Rear lights.
• Licence plates.
• Wheel alignment.
• Bodywork.
• Windows.

If the worst does happen and you find yourself without a car after receiving a tailgating shunt, you can still stay on the road with temporary car insurance. Comprehensive as standard, it helps keep you moving.

Sources

https://news.sky.com/story/more-than-140-killed-or-injured-in-tailgating-incidents-each-year-13390718

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/too-close-for-comfort-stay-safe-stay-back/

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/tailgating

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/driving-advice/tailgating-what-you-need-to-know/

https://www.confused.com/compare-car-insurance/guides/too-close-for-comfort-how-to-deal-with-tailgaters

https://just-drive.co.uk/learning-to-drive/dealing-with-tailgaters/

https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/blog/cars/tailgating-explained-what-it-is-and-how-to-spot-it/

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/tips-advice/105529/what-tailgating-definition-penalties-and-how-avoid-it

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rnzlgr0eno