The UK’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Drives

Highways England reports that over 100 people are killed in the UK each year as a result of motorists driving too close to the vehicle in front, so it’s important that you’re aware of how much room you should allow in order to drive safely.

Ideally, you should allow at least a two second gap. Let the car in front of you pass a fixed object, such as a lamp post, and count how many seconds it takes for you to pass the same point. If it’s less than two seconds, you may need to back off.

Look out for cyclists

Always check your mirrors and blind spots to look out for cyclists, and take care when approaching roundabouts, using junctions and changing lanes.

You should always give a cyclist plenty of space when you’re overtaking. The Highway Code states that you should leave as much space as if you were overtaking a car. Also, use your indicators to show your intentions. Signalling either left or right in plenty of time means cyclists can react accordingly, reducing the risk of a collision.

Don’t use your mobile phone at the wheel

If your mobile phone pings while you’re driving, it can be tempting to take a quick peek. However, it’s important to remember that using your phone at the wheel is actually illegal.

Did you know you’re twice as likely to have an accident if you’re texting while you’re driving than if you were drink driving? According to the Transport Research Laboratory, your reaction time is 2.8 times greater when compared to someone who is at the drink-drive limit in England and Wales, so you may want to think twice before you reach for your phone.