Back

End of the road for tailgaiters

19 January 2021

We all know the message – Stay Safe, Stay Back. But how often do you look in your rear-view mirror and see another driver invading your space? 

Highways England are trialling the use of cameras to catch tailgaiters on the M1 in Northamptonshire and have so far recorded 26,000 tailgating offenders in the first two months, with another four months to go. 

Of these, 3,700 were repeat offenders with some drivers being caught tailgating up to 12 times on the same 150-metre stretch of road where the cameras have been installed.

Tailgating is an offence for which drivers can usually receive a fine of up to £100 and three penalty points on their licence.  

Highways England’s Head of Road Safety Jeremy Philips said that the aim of the new cameras is to “make drivers aware of their behaviour and encourage better driving.

“We understand that most tailgating is unintentional by drivers who are simply unaware they are dangerously invading someone else’s space. But not leaving enough space between you and the vehicle in front can be very frightening and intimidating — it could also prove fatal.”

More than 130 people were killed or seriously injured in incidents involving tailgating in 2018. According to Highways England, tailgating is a factor in ‘around one in eight casualties on England’s motorways and major A roads’.

We at Marshall Leasing are pleased to see Highways England taking action on the issue of tailgating. Safety is our top priority, and we are delighted to be able to offer our own telematics service, MarshallMatics. If you would like to find out more about how we can help you keep your drivers safe, please get in touch at info@marshall-leasing.co.uk or by calling 01480 414541. 

Back