Motorists are being urged to stick to the 'two-second rule' to steer clear of a £100 penalty. Officials at National Highways point out that tailgating stands as "the single biggest issue that drivers find irritating or intimidating". Although some may inadvertently fall into the habit, others become tailgaters after being cut-up or misjudging the speed of the car ahead. It is to blame for one in every eight collisions on England's major roads.
To try to stop this practice, National Highways says use the two-second rule. The rule is easy to understand and remember - and can keep you and others safe on the roads. The two seconds accounts for the time needed for thinking and braking, as explained by National Highways. You basically need to be two seconds behind the car in front - and there's an easy way to do it without even counting.
Want to avoid a £100 fine for tailgating? It's simple, according to experts: as you follow another vehicle, select a stationary roadside object – like a bridge or signpost, reports Lancs Live. Now just remember eight words. Once the car you're trailing passes the chosen marker, recite to yourself: "Only a fool breaks the two-second rule.".
Should you reach the object before completing the saying, you're driving too close. And remember, wet or icy conditions demand an even wider berth, as do vehicles such as HGVs, due to their longer required stopping distances. National Highways says: "Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front gives you time to react and stop if you need to. If you don't leave a minimum two-second gap, you could be putting yourself and others in danger.".
