A survey has revealed that more than 40% of motorists are ‘an accident waiting to happen’ as they drive too close to the car in front on motorways.

The figures come from a nationwide survey of 15,000 vehicles conducted by the National Motorway Month Group. The results also show that more than 70% of drivers were travelling too close to the vehicle in front when clusters of vehicles were measured.

Recent research by the Highways Agency suggests that close following is a contributory factor in more than one third of all personal injury accidents on the motorway network. Tailgating is also a major cause of road rage on motorways.

National Motorway Month is a joint initiative by RAC Foundation and Auto Express Magazine, with support from BSM, Institute of Advanced Motorists and the Highways Agency, to encourage safer driving on our Motorways. The campaign will run through August.

The survey results have prompted the group to call for drivers to obey the ‘2- second rule’ when driving, and also for further research to be carried out into an innovative system of roadmarkings that appear to be contributing to lessening tailgating in some areas.