More than 70 motorists were penalised by Cambridgeshire police last year for bad driving habits, including tailgating.

“The figures highlight the need for drivers to keep bad habits in check,” said Brett Dixon, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.

“On this Injury Prevention Day we will step up our campaign encouraging drivers to ‘back off’ from the car in front. Driving too close, or ‘tailgating’, is a bad habit of which many drivers are guilty. It is incredibly dangerous, as well as anti-social, and can be really intimidating for other drivers.

“In the UK we have 50 per cent more traffic per kilometre than the European average - this, coupled with bad driving habits could cause needless collisions, injuries which should have been avoided and claims on your insurance.

“Some injuries could easily be avoided if drivers backed off and left a bit more room.”