Drivers could be fined £100 for an action that is common among many motorists.
Major Highway Code changes were introduced in January, with motoring organisations urging drivers to familiarise themselves with the driving rules again. Rule 126 has been amended to add that tailgating will be enforced by police, as a dangerous and careless driving offence.
The rule reads: "Tailgating is where the gap between you and the vehicle in front is too small for you to be able to stop safely if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes. Tailgating is dangerous, intimidating and can cause collisions, especially when driving at speed.
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"Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front gives you time to react and stop if necessary. Dangerous and careless driving offences, such as tailgating, are enforced by the police."
Anyone caught tailgating can be hit with a £100 fine and three points on their licence. Confused.com says if your tailgating were to result in a serious accident, it could also land you a driving ban - or even a prison sentence.
National Highways' 'Stay Safe, Stay Back' campaign says tailgating is a factor in one in eight collisions. Their survey found one in four drivers admitted driving too close to the car in front, making it difficult to stop in an emergency.
NH has issued the following advice for diving safely if you are tailgated or want to avoid being tailgated:
Just drive normally
The key is to not let the tailgater's poor behaviour negatively influence your own driving. Simply continue to drive safely and cautiously, aware but not affected by their presence.
Allow them to overtake
Keep a steady speed so they may overtake. Alternatively, pull to the side of the road, or turn off at a petrol station, but only if it is safe to do so.
Clearly signal
Ensure the tailgater has a clear idea of your intentions by signalling early and changing your speed well in advance of a turn off.
Keep left
Keep in the left-hand lane unless overtaking. Some tailgaters argue that ‘middle-lane hoggers’ cause tailgating. Don’t give tailgaters an excuse.
What you shouldn’t do
Don’t speed up
Generally this will encourage the tailgater to speed up behind you. Continue to travel at a safe speed. Do not allow the pressure from the tailgater to influence you to drive unsafely.
Don’t slow down
Intentionally slowing down to irritate the close follower or tapping the brake lights can trigger road rage and cause more dangerous scenarios to arise.
Don’t stare in the rear-view mirror
It can be tempting to stare at the driver behind but this can cause you to lose focus on what’s in front of you.
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