Drivers are still not getting the message about the dangers of tailgating nearly four years after the police gained new powers to tackle the issue, new research suggests.

Police officers can issue £100 fines and three points for tailgating.

According to figures published by Confused.com, although one in five drivers (22%) admit to tailgating, just 260 drivers have been prosecuted for tailgating since on-the-spot penalties were introduced in August 2013.

Intended to help the police with tackling problem motorists, the measures mean officers can issue £100 fines and three points for drivers spotted tailgating or lane hogging rather than taking them to court. Yet four in five (79%) drivers remain unaware that tailgating is an offence.

The Confused.com study also reveals that four in five (82%) UK drivers have been tailgated while driving and nearly half (42%) agree more should be done to tackle the issue.

The research also illustrates the risks of tailgating, with over two-thirds (68%) of respondents believing tailgating causes accidents while one in five (19%) say they have had an accident or near miss on account of being tailgated by another driver.