If you’ve ever felt the pressure of a car looming in your rear-view mirror, you’re not alone—and if you’re the one doing the looming, it might be time to rethink your habits.
One Australian state is taking a bold new step to tackle one of the country’s most dangerous and irritating driving behaviours: tailgating.
But before you worry about copping a fine, here’s what you need to know about the state’s new ‘tailgating awareness monitors’—and why they matter for all road users, especially those of us who’ve been driving for decades.
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is rolling out a trial of tailgating awareness monitors at up to four locations across both urban and regional areas. These high-tech devices use cameras and sensors to measure the distance between vehicles, displaying real-time feedback to drivers via electronic message boards.
If you’re keeping a safe distance—more than two seconds behind the car in front—you’ll see a reassuring green ‘Safe Gap’ message.
But if you’re following too closely, less than two seconds behind, a red ‘Too Close’ warning will flash up, reminding you to back off.
The monitors operate 24/7, and while their exact locations are under wraps, you can expect to see them popping up in busy spots where tailgating is a known problem.
Unlike speed cameras or red-light cameras, these tailgating monitors aren’t about catching you out and issuing fines.
The TMR has made it clear: the cameras are for awareness, not enforcement. Images are only viewed by authorised personnel for official purposes, and no penalties will be issued based on the monitors’ findings.
However, don’t get too comfortable—if a police officer spots you tailgating, you can still be fined $376 and lose a demerit point. And while Queensland law doesn’t specify an exact ‘safe following distance,’ the general rule is to leave enough space to stop safely if the car in front brakes suddenly. The two-second rule is a good guide, but in wet or poor conditions, you should leave even more room.
Tailgating isn’t just annoying—it’s dangerous. According to the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), more than 20 per cent of drivers admit to tailgating or verbally abusing other motorists. The RACQ’s latest Annual Road Safety Survey also found a worrying rise in aggressive driving across the state.
Road safety remains an ongoing conversation, and initiatives like tailgating awareness monitors bring new approaches to tackling risky driving behaviours. While these monitors won’t issue fines, their goal is to encourage safer driving habits and reduce accidents on the road.
What do you think about this approach? Do you believe awareness monitors will make a difference? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Also read: Roadside safety law tightened—slow down or cop a $960 fine
