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Last updated: 24 March 2026

Following too closely (tailgating) is a common risk on UK roads — and it isn’t a “van driver” problem. It’s a gap-judgement problem that affects everyone, especially when traffic is busy and people feel rushed.

The fix is simple in principle: understand stopping distance, and give yourself a consistent time gap that grows when conditions get worse.

Knowing your distances: stopping distance = thinking + braking

The Highway Code breaks stopping distance into:

• Thinking distance (time to spot a hazard and react), plus
• Braking distance (distance travelled after braking begins)

Its “typical stopping distances” table gives a useful guide in good conditions:

• 20mph: 12m (6m thinking + 6m braking)
• 30mph: 23m (9m + 14m)
• 40mph: 36m (12m + 24m)
• 50mph: 53m (15m + 38m)
• 60mph: 73m (18m + 55m)
• 70mph: 96m (21m + 75m)

These are guidance figures. Real stopping distance can be longer with rain, ice, worn tyres, heavy loads, poor brakes, distraction, fatigue, or downhill gradients.

The everyday rule that works: the two-second gap (and more in rain/ice)

Instead of trying to estimate metres, use time:

• The Highway Code advises drivers to allow at least a two-second gap to the vehicle in front on faster roads, and to make the gap wider as speed increases.
• The same guidance says the gap should be at least doubled on wet roads, and increased further on icy roads.

Simple method: pick a fixed point (sign, lamppost). When the vehicle ahead passes it, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two”. If you pass the point before you finish, you’re too close.

Why vans need extra discipline when loaded

A van that’s heavily laden can take longer to stop and may be less stable under harsh braking. If you’re carrying tools, stock, or towing, build in extra margin:

• Increase your following gap
• Anticipate stops earlier
• Keep loads secured so shifting weight doesn’t worsen braking control

Should tech be doing this for us?

Forward collision warnings and adaptive cruise can help, but they’re a back-up. Safe following distance still comes down to driver choices: time gap, speed, and being willing to ease off when someone cuts in.

Sources

1. The Highway Code stopping distances (PDF table)
2. GOV.UK / National Highways: two-second rule and increasing the gap in wet/icy conditions
3. National Highways tailgating guidance citing the two-second rule