Motorists fear 'tailgating' the most

More than half of all motorists regarded both activities as "highly dangerous", a poll by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) found.

Drivers who overtake on single carriageway roads when there is oncoming traffic, and those who cut others up forcing them to brake, were viewed as the next most dangerous threats to safety.

The survey showed that more women (60%) than men (47%) thought tailgating was highly dangerous and more women (61%) saw phoning and driving as highly dangerous compared to men (44%). Only 40% of young drivers thought tailgating was highly dangerous, compared with 55% for all other age groups.

Former transport minister Steve Norris, a member of the IAM Council, said: "Many of Britain's motorists regard other drivers as lacking basic road safety skills. Tailgating and phoning while driving are activities which are a clear threat to the safety of others."

The IAM is calling on the Highways Agency and other local highway authorities to paint more chevrons on motorways and other fast roads to remind drivers to leave a two-second gap to the car in front.