TRL has been commissioned by the Highways Agency (HA) to investigate the effectiveness of vehicle stickers known as decals on close following behaviour.

As part of this work, HA is hoping to raise awareness of the dangers of following too closely by enlisting the help of organisations who are willing to fix stickers to their vehicle. 

The decals due to their size - approximately 19cm x 47cm - are suitable only for either vans or lorries and will be provided at no cost to those companies who take part.

The relevant text is only readable to drivers who have left a gap of less than three seconds between their vehicle and the vehicle displaying the decal.

Therefore if a driver is driving at 50mph, for example, and is able to read the ‘50’, this indicates that they are driving too close.

If they have left a safe following distance, defined as a three-second gap, they will not be able to read the ‘50’ when driving at 50mph: similarly for speeds of  ‘30’ and ‘70’.

If you would like to receive free stickers for the vehicles in your fleet, or would like further information, please contact Poppy Husband by emailing phusband@trl.co.uk.