Space to the rear ...

As they say in pantomimes ... Look behind you ...

If you feel that the vehicle behind is following too closely, it probably is! This is nothing personal, not even if they flash you to get out of the way ...

To find out more about the type of people who are following too close, click here to read about 'Tailgaters'.

In order to protect yourself from those following too closely behind, you need to increase the safety gap in front of your vehicle. By doing this you will allow enough room for both yourself and the driver behind to stop safely if an emergency situation arises. 

Another, and perhaps easier, way to control this gap on a clear road, is to allow the following vehicle to overtake; this will make no difference to your journey time but it will increase your level of safety (in fact, this may reduce your journey time by the several weeks that would otherwise be spent in hospital!).

Reversing

When you are reversing, you have direct control over your rear safety gap. The important point to remember here is to drive slowly, so that you can easily stop safely when you are taken by surprise by something or someone behind (you will be!).

Click the forward arrow to find out other peoples space ...