One-fifth of motorists 'an accident waiting to happen'

More than 20% of Irish motorists are "an accident waiting to happen" because they drive too close to the car in front of them, according to the RAC School of Motoring.

The school said a recent survey of 1,500 cars travelling on motorways and dual carriageways out of Dublin found that one-fifth were driving too close to the car in front.

The practice of "tailgating" is believed to be a contributory factor in a third of all accidents on motorways.

The RAC School of Motoring said drivers should leave a gap of one metre for every mile-per-hour that they are travelling at.