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Tailgating danger highlighted

A new report from tyre manufacturer Avon Tyres claims that 45% of motorists regularly increase their chances of a serious accident by tailgating.

Researchers monitored vehicles travelling at an average speed of 50mph and recorded those that failed to leave significantly less than the recommended gap of two seconds in the dry and four seconds in the wet.

The group found most likely to tailgate were those who drive for a living - four of every five taxis and 98% of lorries did not leave a sufficient gap. This compared to an average of 50% for passenger vehicles, and a surprisingly low figure of just over one in 10 for van drivers.

The most common time for tailgating was during the afternoon rush hour when the rate leapt to nearly 60%. The figure fell to 32% around midday.

"Tailgating not only reduces the ability to avoid a crash if sudden braking is needed, it also acts as a means of intimidating the driver in front," says Malcolm Jones of Avon Tyres.

Avon's findings come shortly after an RAC Foundation study revealed tailgaters are the biggest cause of worry for British motorists.

For full article visit: http://www.easier.com

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