Motorists using hand-held mobile phones are twice as likely to be involved in an accident by driving too close to the car in front, a new study of driver behaviour has revealed.
An online survey of 1,998 drivers conducted for the National Safety Council, showed more than a third (36 per cent) of those who admitted to using a hand-held mobile phone while driving have been involved in a collision or a near miss as a result of tailgating.
This compares to 15 per cent of those surveyed who said they never use a hand held mobile while driving. Tailgating is the practice of travelling too close to the vehicle in front.
The research reveals that more than one in five of those surveyed (22 per cent) have been involved in a collision or a near miss as a result of tailgating.
Commenting on the results, Mr Pat Costello Chief Executive of the National Safety Council said: "Tailgating can and does cause road crashes. It is dangerous but preventable by keeping a proper distance between yourself and the vehicle in front. This research also highlights that avoiding distractions while driving is essential to maintaining an appropriate distance."
"Before a vehicle comes to a stop it will have travelled a certain distance before the driver has reacted to the need to bring it to a stop and, even after you have applied the brakes, further ground will be covered before it stops.
"The actual stopping distance is therefore a combination of reaction distance and braking distance. Also, if you are tired or distracted (i.e. using a hand held phone), your reaction time will increase," he said.