This is the shocking moment a lorry causes a pile-up after smashing into the back of a car.
The dramatic footage has been released to highlight the danger of tailgating .
Tailgating is when you're not keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front.
The measure of 'safe distance' depends on the speed at which you are travelling, visibility and other road conditions.
Captured by a Highways England patrol vehicle on the M6 in Cheshire , the video shows several cars having to brake sharply before one is struck from behind by a lorry.
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The car is then propelled onto the hard shoulder by the sheer force of the bump.
The Government-owned company's head of road safety Richard Leonard said: "This footage is a startling reminder about the dangers of driving too closely to the vehicle in front.
"It clearly shows that if you get too close to the car in front, you won't be able to react and stop in time if they suddenly brake.
"We also know that tailgating makes the driver in front feel targeted and victimised, distracting their attention from the road ahead and making them more likely to make a mistake.
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"It is intimidating and frightening if you're on the receiving end. If that leads to a collision, then people in both vehicles could end up seriously injured or killed.
"We want everyone to get home safe and well."
Tailgating falls under the careless driving offence and could land you with a £100 charge and three penalty points on your licence.
Should a serious collision occur because of tailgating, penalties can result in a driving ban or even a prison sentence.
