20 Feb 2026
Drivers in the Midlands score below the national average for road manners as 106 serious tailgating incidents were recorded last year
****Please note this release is under embargo until 08.00 on Mon 23 Feb 2026****
Interview opportunities are available. Pls contact the National Highways Media Team via: pressoffice@nationalhighways.co.uk or call: 0844 693 1448 and select option 1. Links to moving footage showing examples of tailgating can be downloaded via a link in the Notes to Editors section.
- Tailgating was a factor in 106 fatal or serious injury collisions on motorways and major A-roads in the Midlands last year.
- 36% of drivers in the Midlands admit to tailgating.
- Midlands rated fourth out of six regions on National Highways’ manners map.
- Nationally 4.9 million drivers say their manners slip behind the wheel when they’re under pressure, especially when running late.
Drivers in the Midlands score below the national average for road manners – and National Highways is urging drivers to leave space as tailgating remains a major danger, contributing to 106 serious incidents on the region’s motorways and major A-roads last year.
Despite Britain priding itself on politeness and consideration, millions of drivers feel their day-to-day manners worsen when they are driving as new research from National Highways reveals widespread tailgating, and declining road etiquette.
Almost 5 million drivers nationally say their manners slip behind the wheel when they’re under pressure, especially when running late.
A further 2.4 million admit tailgating deliberately to push slower drivers to speed up.
Caption: HGV closely following a car on the M5 in the West Midlands
In the Midlands, 36% admit to tailgating – showing how common the behaviour remains.
National data suggests that running late is the biggest trigger for poor driving etiquette (27%), followed by tiredness (20%) and peak time commuting (16%).
With 37% of drivers rating road etiquette in the region as good, the Midlands ranks fourth out of six regions across England in National Highways’ new ‘manners map’ that highlights where behaviours are better and where they fall short.
Caption: Footage taken from the rear of a National Highways vehicle on the M6 near Birmingham
Colin Stevenson, Road Safety Information Lead at National Highways, said:
“While the regional picture varies it’s clear that tailgating remains a real concern. It may seem harmless, but it can put everyone on the road at risk. Following too closely means there is less time to react and stop safely if the vehicle in front slows down or stops.
“Leaving a safe gap makes driving safer, keeps traffic moving more smoothly, and is a simple courtesy that helps everyone feel more relaxed behind the wheel. A good rule of thumb is the two second rule, which should be doubled in wet conditions or when visibility is reduced.”
Nationally, tailgating contributes to around 8% of people killed or seriously injured each year on motorways and major A-roads, based on long term Department for Transport data.
Dr Neale Kinnear, a behavioural psychologist specialising in driving behaviours, said:
“Most of us see ourselves as considerate people, but driving is a unique context. It’s goal focused and often time pressured. When we’re running late or behind other traffic, frustration can build. In that moment, closing the gap can feel like taking control or making progress.
“The reality is different. Drivers tend to overestimate how much time, if any, they save by pushing on. As frustration rises, perspective on the importance of keeping a safe margin, and the impact it has on others can be lost.”
Caption: Vehicles close following and hard braking on the M6
The Highway Code advises drivers to leave at least a two second gap from the vehicle in front on faster moving roads. This allows time to think and stop safely.
Tailgating is also an offence. Police can take action if they believe a driver is too close to the vehicle ahead, which can result in a £100 fine and three penalty points.
Further details, and to access the interactive manners map, please click the following link: Too Close to Comfort, Stay Safe, Stay Back.
— ENDS —
Notes to editors
For practical tips on safer driving and to learn more about keeping a safe distance, visit National Highways: Tailgating and how to avoid it.
To access footage
Footage can be downloaded via the Frame.io platform via the following link:
https://next.frame.io/share/77a9887d-bcee-462b-81f9-8b3112461ea0/
There are three files to download:
Media Cuts.mp4 A compilation of footage filmed earlier this month from a National Highways traffic officer vehicle on the M6 around Birmingham.
TPV footage.mp4 Dashcam footage that has been shared with us by Thames Valley Police
M5 footage.mp4 Dashcam footage recorded on the M5 in the West Midlands. The company who operate the HGV were contacted about the manner of the driving.
Additional footage that can also be used includes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLL_IgNyyZk
HGV tailgating on the M42 in Warwickshire was sent to Warwickshire Police as part of Operation Snap.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-cWUIuNbEI&list=PL97acKxwGOTMwSxW-Woi2ltbZ7TOt6Kf7&index=1
This is referenced as middle lane hogging on our YouTube channel but also shows an example of close tailgating.
About the research
- Findings are from a Walnut Omnibus survey (January 2026) with a nationally representative sample of UK driving licence holders. Results were weighted to reflect the UK driving population.
- Population estimates (e.g. 4.9 million, 2.4 million) were calculated by applying survey proportions to the estimated number of UK licence holders.
Regional breakdown used in the manners map
South West
- 46% rate their driving etiquette as good
- 31% admit to tailgating
- 85 recorded killed or seriously injured incidents on the region’s motorways and major a-roads
North West
- 45% rate their driving etiquette as good
- 34% admit to tailgating
- 60 recorded killed or seriously injured incidents on the region’s motorways and major a-roads
Yorkshire & North East
- 39% rate their driving etiquette as good
- 36% admit to tailgating
- 71 recorded killed or seriously injured incidents on the region’s motorways and major a-roads
Midlands
- 37% rate their driving etiquette as good
- 36% admit to tailgating
- 106 recorded killed or seriously injured incidents on the region’s motorways and major a-roads
East of England
- 46% rate their driving etiquette as good
- 35% admit to tailgating
- 124 recorded killed or seriously injured incidents on the region’s motorways and major a-roads
London & South East
- 40% rate their driving etiquette as good
- 41% admit to tailgating
- 222 recorded killed or seriously injured incidents on the region’s motorways and major a-roads
About the manners map methodology
Each region was assigned an overall driving etiquette score based on four equally weighted factors:
- How drivers in that region rate general driving etiquette in their area – Walnut Omnibus survey (January 2026).
- How drivers nationally rate the etiquette of that region – Walnut Omnibus survey (January 2026).
- How many drivers in that region admit to close following when someone ahead is driving slowly – Walnut Omnibus survey (January 2026).
- Total number of collisions where ‘following too closely’ is recorded as a contributory factor – based on 2023 DfT STATS19 police recorded collisions data.
- Each factor was converted into a banded score (0, 1, 2 or 3), reflecting relative performance compared to the national average.
- A region’s final etiquette score is the average of its four factor scores.
About collision statistics
- References to road casualty statistics use DfT STATS19 data reported by police, which includes contributory factors.
- ‘Following too closely’ is a contributory factor in around 8% of people killed or seriously injured each year on England’s motorways and major A roads. This equates to an average of around 147 KSIs per year, based on five‑year averages 2016–2023, excluding 2020/21.
About Dr Kinnear
Dr Neale Kinnear is a Chartered Psychologist and behavioural scientist, former Head of Transport Safety at TRL, and a trustee of the Road Safety Trust.
About National Highways
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
View our press releases online at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/press/
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via its website (https://trafficengland.com), local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/about-us/social-media-use/.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option below:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) & out of hours for urgent enquiries
Option 2: North West (between 9am & 5.30pm)
Option 3: Yorkshire, Humber and North East (between 9am & 5.30pm)
Option 4: West Midlands (between 9am & 5.30pm)
Option 5: East Midlands (between 9am & 5.30pm)
Option 6: East (between 9am & 5.30pm)
Option 7: South East (between 9am & 5.30pm)
Option 8: South West (between 9am & 5.30pm)
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