Colin Crosby Heritage Tours

Back Off Plate to Discourage Tailgating

A simple device has been unveiled which could help to discourage one of the major forms of irresponsible driving.

The Back Off Plate, developed by Dr Brian Clifford Of Aberystwyth, has been shown recently at the British Invention Show at Alexandra Palace.

The idea is to prevent the dangerous practice of tailgating.

Dr Clifford explained “It’s a distinctive yellow triangular shape with the numbers seven, five and three in decreasing size in black.

So if a driver, travelling at 70mph, can read the figure seven on the Back Off Plate of the car in front they are travelling too close.

Likewise, if they can read the figure five when travelling at 50mph, they need to back off and for 30mph the figure three.”

Sounds like a good idea.