Tailgating

23rd April 2025

Our Ref’s: FOI2025/02584, 02533 & 02551

Request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 Ref No’s: FOI2025/02584, 02533 & 02551

****PLEASE NOTE THIS RESPONSE IS A COLLABORATED RESPONSE FROM BEDFORDSHIRE POLICE, CAMBRIDGESHIRE & HERTFORDSHIRE CONSTABULARIES****

I write in connection with your request for information received on 24th March.  I note you seek access to the following information:

Please may I request the following information, which relates to citizen-submitted video evidence of so-called ‘tailgating’ – ie, another motorist driving too close to the vehicle in front: 

-           The number of citizen-submitted pieces of video/imagery evidence reported to the force (either via the Force’s own online portal or via the Nextbase ‘National Dash Cam Safety Portal’) that specifically references ‘tailgating’ (ie, another motorist driving too close to the vehicle in front) in the submission.
-           The number of video/dash cam evidence submissions (relating to tailgating) there has been in past three years, broken down by year
-           The number of tailgating evidence submissions which resulted in a successful prosecution (by year, if possible)
-           Please can prosecutions be identified by road/location.

I am required by the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (The Act) to handle all requests in a manner that is blind to the identity of the requestor. Any information released in response to a request is regarded as being published and therefore, in the public domain without caveat.

Response: Following your request, searches were conducted within the collaborated Cameras, Tickets & Collisions Unit of the three Force’s, for information relating to tailgating.

Unfortunately, these searches failed to locate any records / documents relevant to your request. 

This is because tailgating is not a standalone offence, it falls under “Drive a vehicle without due care and attention or Drive a vehicle without reasonable consideration to others”.

So, although the online forms may include space for the member of the public to enter the word “tailgating” - that information is not recorded on our system in a searchable format and therefore cannot be reported on.

Accordingly, I have determined that Bedfordshire Police, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire Constabularies do not hold the information you have requested.