What can you do when a following vehicle fails to observe the safe following distance? Do you honk to ask them to stop or slam on your brakes?
You can safely deal with a tailgater with practical tips. These include:
Stay calm
Asking a tailgater to stop their aggressive behavior through honking, yelling, using gestures and so on, takes your attention away from driving. Accordingly, you may make a mistake that can lead to an accident.
Although difficult, you should remain calm when dealing with a tailgater to focus on the road.
Further, different factors contribute to tailgating, including drunk driving and habitual aggressive driving. A driver engaging in these behaviors may get easily irritated if you slam your brakes or yell, which can worsen their aggressiveness.
Keep a consistent speed
Some people tailgate because they are in a hurry, particularly when they can’t overtake. Therefore, someone may tailgate to get you to increase your speed. Or you may feel compelled to speed up to maintain a safe following distance.
It’s vital to maintain a consistent speed so the driver behind can pass safely. Avoid slowing down and suddenly increasing your speed.
Give them room
When it’s safe for the following driver to pass, give them room. If there is no chance for them to pass yet they keep endangering you with their actions, find a well-lit open parking lot or gas station and pull over.
If you are concerned about your safety, perhaps the tailgater refuses to pass even when you give them room or pulls over as well, call the local authorities.
It’s not uncommon for tailgating to cause an accident. If you are injured in such a situation, get legal help to understand your options.