Road safety charity Brake has raised the emotive issue of motorway tailgating.

According to the charity, tailgating is a major worry for most motorists but many admit to doing it themselves.

This comes on the back of a survey by insurance company Direct Line and Brake of 1,000 drivers, which revealed that 57% owned up to leaving less than a two-second gap between themselves and the next vehicle.

Furthermore, 28% admitted to tailgating monthly or more often, with men being worse offenders than women.

Yet the poll also revealed that 95% of drivers worry about tailgating with 44% concerned every, or most, times they drive on a motorway.

The poll also showed that 60% break the 70mph motorway speed limit by 10mph or more, with almost 30% doing so at least monthly.

As many as 69% of men, and 53% of women, do 80mph or more on motorways, with 36% of men and 22% of women speeding regularly.

Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: 'Almost all drivers are concerned about the danger posed by other people tailgating on motorways, and yet a shockingly high proportion admit driving too close and speeding themselves.

'Traffic laws are not just for other people; all drivers can help make our motorways safer.'