Driving too close to the vehicle in front – called tailgating – is a major cause of accidents on UK roads. For HGV and lorry drivers, keeping a safe distance is even more crucial due to the size and weight of their vehicles. Road safety group Brake found that 6 out of 10 drivers admit to tailgating at times, even though it’s dangerous. That’s why the Highways Agency and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) advise all road users, especially professional drivers, to follow the 2-second rule. This simple technique can prevent accidents and keep traffic moving efficiently.
Why Keeping Your Distance Is Important
Tailgating isn’t just risky – it also causes traffic congestion and delays, particularly on motorways and A-roads where HGVs operate most frequently. Simon Sheldon-Wilson, from the Highways Agency, highlights some concerning statistics:
- 14% of road crashes happen due to tailgating.
- These crashes contribute to £3 billion in congestion-related costs annually.
- The agency manages 430,000 road incidents every year, many involving vehicles following too closely.
For HGV and lorry drivers, leaving enough space is essential. Due to their greater mass, HGVs require much longer stopping distances than cars. Proper spacing helps prevent accidents, improve traffic flow, and reduce sudden braking, which can be particularly hazardous when carrying heavy loads.
The Science Behind Tailgating
Larger vehicles have longer braking distances, which makes tailgating even more dangerous. Consider these stopping distances:
- At 30 mph, a standard car needs around 23 metres to stop, but an HGV may require nearly twice that distance.
- At 70 mph, a car needs 96 metres, while an HGV requires at least 150 metres – that’s longer than a football pitch!
- On steep declines, HGVs take even longer to stop due to momentum and load weight.
For professional drivers, not leaving enough space could result in serious, multi-vehicle accidents that cause severe damage, injuries, or fatalities. Not only does this put lives at risk, but it can also lead to long delays, road closures, and financial losses for transport companies.
The Role of Load Weight and Road Conditions
HGV drivers must also consider how load weight and road conditions affect braking distance. A fully loaded lorry can take twice as long to stop as an empty one. Wet or icy roads make stopping even harder. That’s why keeping extra space between vehicles is vital.
The 2-Second Rule: A Simple Trick for HGV Drivers
The 2-second rule is an effective way to check if you’re keeping a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.
How to Use It
- Pick a fixed point on the road, such as a road sign or bridge.
- As the vehicle in front passes that point, start saying:
“Only a fool breaks the 2-second rule.” - If your vehicle reaches the same point before you finish saying it, you’re too close! Slow down and increase the gap.
Weather and Road Conditions Matter
For HGV and lorry drivers, maintaining an even greater following distance is crucial when road conditions are poor:
- Wet roads: Double the gap to 4 seconds.
- Snow or ice: Increase the distance significantly to allow for much longer stopping times.
- Fog: Use fog lights and maintain extra space to account for reduced visibility.
- High winds: Trucks and lorries are more vulnerable to strong winds, so maintaining distance can help avoid sudden lane drifts.
What If You’re Being Tailgated?
Being tailgated in an HGV can be stressful, but reacting safely is key. Here’s what to do:
- Ease off the accelerator gradually to create a bigger gap ahead.
- Stick to the left-hand lane where possible, allowing faster vehicles to overtake safely.
- Avoid sudden braking, as this could cause a rear-end collision.
- Stay calm and professional – do not try to “teach” the tailgater a lesson.
- Turn on hazard lights briefly if needed to alert the driver behind.
- Use CB radio or vehicle telematics to report aggressive drivers if necessary.
Tailgating is not just dangerous – it’s illegal. If caught, drivers could face fines, penalty points, or even disqualification in severe cases.
Why Do People Tailgate HGVs?
Some drivers wrongly assume that following closely behind a lorry or HGV will allow them to overtake faster. Others misjudge braking distances. As a professional driver, being aware of this behaviour helps you stay defensive and keep yourself and other road users safe.
Another reason for tailgating is impatience in slow-moving traffic. Cars often follow closely behind lorries because they assume they will move faster if they pressure the driver. However, this only increases the risk of a collision.
Are UK Roads Safe for HGVs?
Despite the volume of HGV traffic, UK motorways have fewer fatalities than similar roads in Europe. However, breakdowns and collisions can still cause major delays. Many of these disruptions could be prevented if all drivers kept a safe following distance.
Motorways operate most effectively when vehicles move at a steady and predictable speed. Tailgating contributes to “phantom traffic jams”, where sudden braking forces a chain reaction of slowdowns, affecting HGV drivers who rely on continuous movement to meet delivery schedules.
The best way to ensure smooth journeys? Keep your distance and anticipate traffic ahead.
Technology for Safer Driving
Many modern HGVs come equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to help maintain safe distances, such as:
- Adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts speed to maintain a safe gap.
- Collision warning systems, which alert drivers if they’re too close to another vehicle.
- Automatic emergency braking, which can apply brakes if a crash is imminent.
- Lane-keeping assist, which helps prevent drifting due to wind or fatigue.
Professional drivers should make full use of these technologies while also practicing good road habits.
Safe Spacing Saves Lives
Keeping a safe distance isn’t just a best practice – it’s a lifesaving rule. Whether you’re an HGV driver, a motorist, or a motorcyclist, following the 2-second rule (or more for larger vehicles) helps prevent accidents, reduces congestion, and improves safety for everyone on the road.
For fleet operators and logistics companies, enforcing safe driving habits reduces accidents, prevents insurance claims, and improves delivery efficiency. Investing in driver training and telematics can help ensure that every journey is a safe one.
Remember: Only a fool breaks the 2-second rule. So, keep your distance, drive responsibly, and ensure a safer journey for all road users.