Maintaining a safe distance between your vehicle and the one in front is essential to ensure adequate reaction and braking time should they suddenly stop.

Remember the 2 second rule, to ensure you have adequate space between you and the vehicle in front.

Choose a static object ahead, such as a bridge, tree or road sign. When the vehicle ahead passes the object, say to yourself, ‘only a fool breaks the two-second rule.’

If you reach the object before you finish saying it, you’re too close and need to drop back. In poor weather, or when towing, increase to four seconds.

Reacting negatively to tailgaters can put you at further risk, so stay calm.

Drive normally: Don’t let them negatively influence your own driving.

Allow them to overtake: Keep a steady speed so they may overtake, or pull over when safe & legal to do so.

Clearly signal: Ensure the tailgater has a clear idea of your intentions.

Keep left: Keep in the left-hand lane unless overtaking.

Don’t speed up: This may encourage the tailgater to speed up behind you.

Don’t slow down: Don’t irritate them or tap the brakes as this can trigger road rage and cause more dangerous scenarios to arise.

Don’t stare in the mirror: You will lose focus on what’s in front of you.
Lane hogging

Lane hogging is when motorists remain in a middle lane longer than necessary, and is illegal. The middle and outside lanes are for overtaking or providing more space for those who’ve stopped on the hard shoulder.

The Highway Code is essential reading for everyone. It’s updated regularly, so it’s important that everyone reads it – not just learner drivers:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code

National Highways offers information and educational videos around driving on motorways on their website:

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/road-safety/driving-on-motorways