Motorists are being urged to ‘back off’ from the car in front as figures highlight the need to keep bad habits in check.

A total of 250 motorists were penalised by Dorset Police last year for bad driving habits, including tailgating.

The figures were obtained through a Freedom of Information request, submitted by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

Between January 1 and December 31 2016, 152 motorists were handed fixed penalty notices by Dorset Police for driving without due care and attention.

In the same period, 98 drivers were handed fixed penalty notices for driving without reasonable consideration to other users.

Police Inspector Joe Pardey, of the traffic unit, said: “If someone is tailgating behind you we would advise that you pull over at the next safe place and wait for the person to pass.

“Tailgating is an offence under driving without due care and attention or careless driving which can carry a fine and points on your licence.

“Make sure you follow the two second rule. Leave a sufficient distance between you and the driver in front.

“If you are able to get the number plate of the vehicle tailgating behind you, please email it to dorsetroadsafe@dorset.pnn.police.uk and a record can be kept and monitored.

“Dorset Police will continue to tackle poor driving and educate motorists to reduce the number of casualties on Dorset’s roads.”

Dorset Police encourages safer driving during Community Road Safe mornings provided by the force in conjunction with the SafeWise charity, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Kwik Fit.

These sessions are funded directly from course fees generated when motorists break the law on Dorset’s roads.

The mornings include a demonstration from the fire service on what to do if you are first on the scene of a collision, a demonstration from Kwik Fit on tyres and general car maintenance and a workshop with the Driver Awareness Scheme tutors on how to stay safe on Dorset’s roads.

Brett Dixon, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers, added: “The figures highlight the need for drivers to keep bad habits in check. 
“Driving too close, or ‘tailgating’, is a bad habit of which many drivers are guilty. It is incredibly dangerous, as well as anti-social, and can be really intimidating for other drivers.
“When in traffic drivers are advised to leave enough space so that they can see the tarmac between their car and the car in front.
“In the UK we have 50 per cent more traffic per kilometre than the European average - this, coupled with bad driving habits could cause needless collisions, injuries which should have been avoided and claims on your insurance. 
“Some injuries could easily be avoided if drivers backed off and left a bit more room.”


For more information on how to attend a Community Road Safe morning visit eventbrite.co.uk/o/dorset-police-road-safety-department-12167226536