Younger drivers could be less safe on the road than older motorists according to newly released data.
A poll revealed that young drivers are more likely to tailgate other vehicles, with 63 per cent of drivers aged between 18 and 24 admitting to doing so.
This means that they are two times as likely to tailgate as the average of every other age bracket, as reported by the Daily Express.
READ MORE - First symptom of Omicron comes before you fall ill - and you can hear it
On the other hand, only 19 per cent of those aged 65 or over admitted that they drive too close to other vehicles.
Head of Marketing at BookMyGarage Jessica Potts stated that it was “concerning” younger motorists had a higher chance of putting other road users at risk.
She said: “Tailgating is evidently a big problem on UK roads.
“It’s likely every driver can remember a time when they’ve been the victim of it.
“Drivers should always make sure they leave plenty of space between them and the vehicle in front to reduce the risk of rear-end collisions.
“Likewise, drivers in front should avoid frustrating other motorists in a way that encourages them to tailgate in the first place – for example, by keeping in the left-hand lane on dual carriageways and motorways unless overtaking.
“It’s interesting to see such a large disparity in the results between younger and older drivers.
“Despite being the most inexperienced motorists on the road, it’s concerning that young drivers appear to be far more likely to tailgate.”
The research from BookMyGarage suggests at least 13 million UK drivers have tailgated at some point.
However, almost all motorists (86%) said they believe tailgating was a common issue on UK roads.
The data shows Londoners were far more likely to tailgate than other regions.
A massive 57 percent of drivers in the capital admitted to breaking the rules, implying tailgating is more of an issue in urban areas.
According to BookMyGarage, tailgating is considered an act of careless driving which can see motorists punished.
They warn drivers can be fined up to £100 and issued three penalty points on their licence.
However, in some circumstances, the overall consequences can be more drastic.
If tailgating results in a serious accident, drivers could find they are issued a driving ban.
The RAC has urged drivers to look for certain “tell-tale signs” to avoid being tailgated.
They said: “Always be aware of your position on the road and who is around you.
"If you’re pulling on to a motorway, observe which vehicles are keeping a safe distance from the car in front.
“If you can see a motorist driving too close to the car in front – remember them and don’t be tempted to pull out in front of them at a later stage.
“Never pull out into a gap that’s too small or if a car is quickly approaching the space.”
