DRIVING home from Stroud to Cam I have twice in the last couple of months had to break suddenly because an animal has suddenly run across the road right in front of me.

Driving home from Stroud to Cam I have five times in the last couple of months been followed by a car tailgating me, barely a car's length behind me in the 30mph areas, most of the way home.

I thank my lucky stars that the first time I had to break suddenly to avoid hitting a rabbit there was no-one behind me. And the second time the driver behind me was a sensible distance behind .

I wasn't driving too slowly - probably 31-32 in the 30mph areas - and when I speeded up in the derestricted roads, the drivers mostly didn't keep up with me. I could decide to hit the rabbit rather than brake, so that the car behind me doesn't crash into me - but suppose it's a child running into the road next time?

Are these tailgating drivers so dim that they don't understand about stopping distances? Have they so little imagination that they can't see what would happen if the driver in front of them has to slam on the brakes?

And it's always worse in the 30mph roads (eg Box Road or through Leonard Stanley) - so these drivers clearly want me to exceed the speed limit. It is quite intimidating to be followed in this way and I do pull over to let people pass where there is an opportunity to do so, but sometimes there isn't.

There is a 'two second rule' that gives a good indication of stopping distance at most speeds. "Only a fool breaks the two second rule" takes about two seconds to say (and not saying it may result in the 'fool' hitting the car in front and ending up in hospital or worse).

Perhaps the tailgating drivers might also like to think how they might explain potential whiplash or worse injury they've caused to other driver's husband, wife, children or grandchildren.

Hilary Fowles

St Bartholomews Close

Cam