Tailgating awareness monitors

The department is trialling new tailgating awareness monitors to test the impact of real-time feedback on unsafe driver behaviour.

This Australian first technology will detect unsafe tailgating behaviour and display a message in real-time on electronic message boards similar to the Speed Awareness Monitors (SAMs) that notify drivers in real-time when they are speeding.

The trial aims to encourage safe driving behaviour by providing a positive message to drivers when they are following at a safe distance and a warning message when they are too close. 

This technology is not being used to enforce tailgating offences and drivers will not be penalised.

Importance of tailgating awareness

Tailgating is a major contributor to road trauma in Queensland. Tailgating is commonly listed as a 'pet peeve' for Queensland motorists.

The tailgating monitor technology provides a way to increase awareness of safe following distances and how close is too close.

Safe following distance

Safe following distance is not expressly prescribed in legislation or road rules, however, a driver must keep a 'sufficient distance' behind a vehicle travelling in front of them so they could stop safely to avoid a crash.

'Sufficient distance' will vary depending on:

• vehicle speed
• the driving conditions
• the type of vehicle.

Learn more and watch a video on safe following distances.

What drivers will experience

Electronic message boards will be installed close to detection sites and deliver a message designed to influence drivers to correct their behaviour on the spot.

The technology calculates the time between cars:

• ‘Safe gap’ will be displayed in green if vehicles are travelling more than 2 seconds apart.
• ‘Too close’ will be displayed in red if vehicles are travelling less than 2 seconds apart.

These times have been chosen to take into account differences in road conditions and location.

The monitors will operate 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and alert drivers to following distance. They will not result in infringement notices.

Trial locations

There will be up to 4 trial locations in urban and regional areas. Locations are not being publicised, as the purpose of the trial is to test both the technology and the impact on driver behaviour. It is important that data collected represents regular daily traffic at each site.

Managing the trial

The department is managing the trial of this new technology to help save lives as an action in the Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2022–24.

Improving road safety and driving behaviour requires more than just enforcement. The trial is part of a broader approach to educating and guiding drivers to reflect on their behaviour through both positive and negative reinforcement in real-time.

This trial is an important step in developing new technology to improve road safety and the results of the evaluation will inform any decision to continue or expand the program.

Privacy

Images captured by the system will only be viewed by authorised personnel in the conduct of their official duties.

Images will be stored in compliance with all relevant privacy legislation, policies and standards, including the Information Privacy Act 2009.