More than 26 per cent of Irish motorists drive too close to the vehicle in front, according to a study carried out by the RAC.
The survey, carried out in Cork, found that at one point on the South Ring, more than one in three cars were tailgaiting.
The survey also showed that close to 50 per cent of drivers were travelling too close to the vehicle in front when clusters of vehicles were measured. Research by the Highways Agency in the UK suggests that close following (or "tailgating") is a contributory factor in more than one third of all accidents on motorways. Tailgating is also a major cause of road rage on motorways.
According to Ailbhe Sharp, Manager of the RAC School of Motoring: "We carried out a tailgaiting survey in Dublin last year and the results of that showed that on average 20 per cent of drivers were driving too close to the vehicle in front."
These latest survey results have prompted the RAC to call for motorists in Cork to obey the "two-second rule" when driving. It is also calling for further research in Ireland to be carried out into an innovative system of "chevron" roadmarkings that appear to be contributing to lessening tailgating in some areas of the UK. Large chevrons - shaped like an upside-down v - are printed on the road at set distances and motorists are encouraged by roadside signage to maintain a set number of chevrons behind the car in front.
A previous study by the Transport Research Laboratory in Britain has shown accident reduction of 56 per cent at chevrons sites, compared to the same stretch of road before the chevrons were installed.
Although chevron markings may help drivers keep their distance from one another, drivers have a responsibility to keep two-seconds from the vehicle in front, and adjust their distance according to weather and traffic conditions.
Ailbhe Sharp said: "Tailgating limits the ability of motorists to be able to react swiftly to events which may be happening further along the route, and significantly increases the chances of a pile-up.
"We would urge drivers to obey the 'two-second rule' when driving, and adjust their distance according to local weather conditions." The survey was carried out to coincide with the opening of the RAC School of Motoring in Cork.
