Tailgating tops motorway danger list
An overwhelming majority of motorists consider tailgating as the most dangerous driving offence on a motorway.
In a survey conducted by breakdown and road safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist, 85% of drivers said tailgating was the most hazardous motorway situation, well ahead of using a mobile phone (66%).
Hogging the middle lane while the left hand lane is empty came third with nearly two thirds believing stricter enforcement was necessary.
Attitudes were surprisingly accepting of speeding with over half saying they would welcome increases to the speed limit. Just a fifth of those surveyed wanted speeding should be more vigorously policed.
David Williams, CEO of GEM Motoring Assist, said: “Drivers need to make sure they are taking every precaution if they are planning to use a motorway and be fully aware of the dangers.
“We believe that bad motorway driving such as tailgating and driving in the middle lane when the left hand lane is empty should definitely be more strictly enforced as it is this kind of careless driving that can lead to frustration, annoyance and possible accidents.
“It is shocking that a large number of motorists are in favour of raising the motorway speed limit as research shows that this would considerably increase the number of casualties, levels of carbon emissions and fuel consumption. Safety is our top priority for UK drivers and we hope by warning the public of these dangers we can help raise awareness and in turn make roads a safer place.”
Top 10 Motorway Dangers
1. Tailgating
2. Driving whilst using a mobile phone
3. Driving in the middle lane when the left hand lane is empty
4. Changing lanes without adequate observations or signals
5. Driving on the hard shoulder to avoid traffic
6. Entering a motorway from a slip road without adequate observations or signals
7. Driving too slowly
8. Speeding
9. Use of the outside lane by LGV’s
10. Stopping on the hard shoulder when there is no emergency
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