©TAITO CORPORATION 1978, 2020 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. SEARCH ONLINE FOR MORE INFORMATION Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front gives Thinking and stopping times you time to react and stop if you need to, so we can all Never get closer than the overall stopping distance. get where we want to safely.

20 mph = 12 metres (39 feet) or Braking distance 6m 6m Driving too close to the vehicle in carrying a minimum £100 fine (32 km/h) 1.3 seconds front is dangerous, intimidating and penalty points and in some Thinking distance 30 mph = 23 metres (75 feet) or and causes accidents, especially cases more severe penalties or 9m 14m 1.7 seconds (48 km/h) Minimum distance required when driving at speed. court appearance. to stay safe on dry 40 mph = 36 metres (91 feet) or Average car length = 4 metres 12m 24m (64 km/h) 2.0 seconds (13 feet) is a factor in 1 in 8 It’s easy to tailgate casualties on ’s unintentionally. You may be 50 mph = 53 metres (174 feet) or 15m 38m motorways and major A roads. cut-up or misjudge the speed of (80 km/h) 2.4 seconds the vehicle in front, and in turn 60 mph = 73 metres (240 feet) or Tailgating is an offence of driving leave an unsafe gap. 18m 55m (96 km/h) 2.7 seconds without due care and attention,

70 mph = 21m 75m 96 metres (315 feet) or (112 km/h) 3.1 seconds

If you are being tailgated, just drive normally and do not speed up. If able, signal left and move over when it is safe to do so, Thinking time Braking distance Safe stopping distance so the vehicle behind can overtake. Tailgating is where the gap between you and the car in front is too close for you to be able to stop safely, if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes.

The Code says you The gap should be at least should “allow at least a doubled on wet roads and two-second gap between you increased further on icy roads and the vehicle in front on roads or when visibility is poor. carrying faster-moving ”. Dependant on your vehicle type, The two seconds are made up a greater distance may of the time needed for thinking be necessary. and stopping. If you need help accessing this or any other Highways England information, please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you.

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