Login
My Garage
New hero

The two-second rule: What it is and why it still matters

By Mathilda Bartholomew | July 10, 2025

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

Are you leaving enough space? A third of drivers aren’t. Find out how tailgating impacts safety, repairs, and fuel costs.

The two-second rule: What it is and why it still matters

Let’s be honest, we’ve all had someone sit way too close behind us on the motorway. It’s annoying, it’s dangerous… and a lot of us are guilty of doing it ourselves.

A new study has revealed that a third of UK drivers either ignore or don’t know about the two-second rule, the basic bit of driving advice that says you should leave at least two seconds between your car and the one in front.

If you don’t, you’re not just annoying other drivers, you’re putting yourself at serious risk. That two-second gap gives you time to react if the car ahead suddenly brakes. And if you're not leaving it, you're tailgating, which is one of the top causes of crashes on UK roads.

In fact, Highways England says one in eight casualties on major roads are caused by tailgating. Yet despite that, a recent AA Accident Assist survey of over 12,500 drivers found that 25% admit to ignoring the rule, and 1 in 20 didn’t even know it existed.

And here’s the real cost: in 2024, over half of crash repairs involved new bumper replacements, according to AA data. Modern bumpers are packed with tech like parking sensors and radar for adaptive cruise control, so repairs are more expensive and take longer than ever.

Plus, tailgating kills your fuel economy. Constant braking and accelerating wastes fuel, and it could drive up your insurance if you end up in a bump. So yeah, it’s costing you more than you think.

Tim Rankin from AA Accident Assist summed it up: “It seems driver behaviour towards tailgating remains unmoved, with it being an all too regular experience on the roads. Regardless of motorways or local streets, drivers feel intimidated by others following too close behind."

He recommends, "By allowing at least a two-second gap between yourself and the car in front, you significantly reduce the risk of crashing into that vehicle.

"Similarly, if you are being tailgated, where safe to do so, pull over and let them pass. It is better to cut them loose rather than feel frustrated and try to slow them down."

The reality of tailgating in numbers:

  • Over 100 people are killed or seriously injured every year in crashes caused by tailgating
  • More than 4,000 tailgating-related crashes happen annually
  • Over 6,000 injuries result from those crashes

To try and get the message across, Highways England launched a campaign called ‘Don’t Be a Space Invader’, using the classic arcade game theme to call out bad habits. It’s even got F1 legend Nigel Mansell fronting it, who said:

"Tailgating is a driving habit I utterly deplore. Not only is it aggressive and intimidating, but it can lead to a crash with a tragic outcome."

So next time you’re out on the road, think twice before sitting on someone’s bumper. You’re not saving time, you’re risking lives.

Related Articles

Range Rover just got a bold new logo
Range Rover has a fresh new look. Here’s what’s changing, what’s staying, and why it matters as the brand goes electric.
Jul 10, 2025
The Rimac Nevera R just became the fastest electric car ever
Looking for the world’s fastest electric car? The Rimac Nevera R just hit 268 mph and crushed 24 records. Check out its jaw-dropping specs...
Jul 10, 2025
Emerging Electric Vehicle Brands: Essential Insights
If none of these names sounds familiar, well done: you’re precisely the kind of individual these brands are eager to attract
Jul 10, 2025
Government announces £92 billion to fix UK roads – Is your route on the list?
From the M60 to the A66 – find out which UK roads are being upgraded in a new 92 billion pound Government investment.
Jul 09, 2025