Shock crash footage shows why you should never tailgate on the motorway

SHOCKING dash cam footage has revealed why you should never tailgate on the motorway. Highways England has released the video in a bid to prevent UK motorists from driving dangerously. Captured by a motorway patrol vehicle, the video shows several cars suddenly slamming on the brakes on the M6 in Cheshire. The majority of drivers […]

SHOCKING dash cam footage has revealed why you should never tailgate on the motorway.

Highways England has released the video in a bid to prevent UK motorists from driving dangerously.

Captured by a motorway patrol vehicle, the video shows several cars suddenly slamming on the brakes on the M6 in Cheshire.

The majority of drivers are able to avoid crashing, except for one car which didn’t leave enough space between the car in front.

After slamming into a line of vehicles, the four-wheel drive is hit from behind by a speeding heavy goods vehicle.

Tailgating is the most common cause of frustration for drivers, a new study by Highways England has revealed.

Almost 90 per cent of drivers say they have either been tailgated or seen it happening while driving on the motorway, while a a quarter of motorists admit to tailgating.

The Highway Code states that you should leave a two second gap between your car and the one in front of you when driving.

If driving in wet conditions, this gap should be doubled to four seconds.

Richard Leonard, head of road safety at Highways England, said: “This footage is a startling reminder about the dangers of driving too closely to the vehicle in front.

“It clearly shows that if you get too close to the car in front, you won’t be able to react and stop in time if they suddenly brake.

“It is intimidating and frightening if you’re on the receiving end. If that leads to a collision, then people in both vehicles could end up seriously injured or killed.”