Millions of UK drivers breaking Highway Code two-second rule every day

Millions of drivers are seemingly unaware of a crucial two-second rule they should be adhering to on the roads. Everyone should know they shouldn't get too close to the car in front, an irritating habit known as tailgating. But many probably don't know exactly how far back they should be staying.

POLL: Do you support a ban on pavement parking?[2] Motorists should leave at least a two-second gap to the vehicle in front - and four seconds if it's raining. A new survey by Dick Lovett found one in four drivers don't leave the minimum two-second gap.

These drivers may not be necessarily deliberately tailgating but may have misjudged what they think is an acceptable amount of space to give the car in front. Not keeping back at least two seconds increases the chances of a crash should the vehicle in front brake sharply. Get all the latest motoring news sent to your inbox by signing up to our new newsletter here[3]

Alex Lee, motoring expert at Dick Lovett, said: "Choose something fixed, like a lamppost or road sign. "When the car in front passes it, start counting 'one-thousand-and-one, one-thousand-and-two.' "If you pass the marker before you finish, you're too close.

"In the rain, double your count to four seconds, and in ice or snow, leave as much as ten times the normal gap. "Braking distances can rise sharply, so there's no such thing as leaving too much space in poor weather." Alex added: "Metres are hard to judge when you're moving, but time works at any speed.

"Counting seconds keeps it simple, whether you're in town at 30mph or on the motorway at 70mph"

References

1. ^ UK motorists face new driveway charge from October (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ Do you support a ban on pavement parking? (xd.wayin.com)
3. ^ Get all the latest motoring news sent to your inbox by signing up to our new newsletter here (www.birminghammail.co.uk)