Protect Your Car Insurance Premium By Maintaining A Safe Braking Distance

Driving at speed and too close to the vehicle in front – tailgating, as it’s known - has to be one of the most dangerous of all bad driving practices and is the cause of many accidents.

Not surprisingly tailgating is a pet hate of many motorists, yet unless we take great care, getting a little too close for safety is something we can all do inadvertently whilst driving a car. It’s something to avoid if you want to keep your insurance premiums down when carrying out a car insurance rate comparison.

Avoid Tailgating and Tailgaters

First and foremost, tailgating can have disastrous consequences because, should anything occur which causes the driver in front to brake, the one close behind might not be able to react in time.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, the leading driver’s eyes and concentration being fixed on the vehicle looming large in the rear-view mirror increases the threat. As a result their own reactions can be that much slower to situations, such as the traffic ahead suddenly braking or any other potential hazard. And if tempers are getting frayed as well, there’s even greater distraction and potential for an accident.

The best way to deal with tailgaters is to let them pass you at the earliest safe opportunity. Under no circumstances should you try to make them to keep back by touching the brake or switching on fog lights to give the impression of braking, as this could result in an accident behind you. It may even antagonise the tailgater into further dangerous and aggressive acts.

Always Maintain a Safe Stopping Distance

The way to protect yourself, your passengers and your car insurance premium is to drive no closer than the safe stopping distance to the vehicle in front. As a rule of thumb, the Highway Code advises that on fast roads you should allow at least a two-second gap between your vehicle and the car in front. The typical stopping distances shown in the Highway Code are:

In wet weather conditions this should be at least doubled, and on icy roads increased further still. Greater care should also be exercised when towing a caravan or trailer.

Avoid Driving Distractions >>