As a driver, there are few things more obnoxious than having another vehicle mere feet behind your rear bumper, driving aggressively in an attempt to make you get out of their way so they can zoom on off down the road. This behavior is known as tailgating. Drivers that are prone tailgating other vehicles may also exhibit other forms of aggressive or dangerous driving as well, such as unsafe lane changes, excessive speeding, or weaving erratically through traffic.
Tailgating is frustrating not only because it is an impolite practice, but also because it can easily lead to a preventable crash. Aggressive driving is connected to tens of thousands of collisions annually, causing considerable injuries and property damage to other innocent motorists and bystanders. While auto accident attorneys in Geneva and other regions are able to recoup some financial losses for victims, the aftermath of a collision can cause significant physical and mental harm that cannot be fixed with money. In this article, we discuss techniques to protect yourself from tailgaters while driving.
Stay Calm & Drive Normally
Dealing with an unpredictable, dangerous driver can be very stressful, especially if you don’t have a lot of experience behind the wheel. One of the best things you can do to keep yourself and your passengers safe is to drive as normally and predictably as possible. If you begin driving erratically in an attempt to stay in front of the tailgater, your actions may inadvertently put you and other motorists at even greater risk of injury or death. Stay calm, obey the speed limit, and drive as normally as possible, given the circumstances.
Brake Gently
It can be tempting to hit the brakes abruptly to get a tailgater to back off and give you some breathing room. However, this can cause a serious collision if the tailgater isn’t paying attention or they attempt to make a dangerous maneuver instead of slowing down. So-called “brake checking,” when you slam on the brakes to get the car behind you to slow down or stop, can also cause the tailgater to become even more irate. When you are dealing with an unpredictable driver, the last thing you want to do is make them act more dangerously by making them angrier!
Get Out of the Aggressive Driver’s Way
If you can safely get out of a tailgater’s way, you should do so as soon as possible. If you’re on a multi-lane road or freeway, change lanes to give the tailgater plenty of space to pass you and continue on their way. If you are on a single-lane road or it’s not possible to change lanes safely, pull off the road into a designated turnout area or parking lot when you are able to. While it may feel like conceding defeat to a rude driver, avoiding a collision and keeping your vehicle’s occupants safe is what matters most!
Avoid a Physical or Verbal Confrontation
It goes without saying, but you should never attempt to confront an aggressive driver. Avoid giving a tailgater a dirty look, rude gesture, or verbal scolding, even if their behavior is egregious. Confronting a bad driver with the truth of their own actions may seem like a great idea in principle, but it is likely that the situation will escalate into an argument or even turn into a physical altercation. Getting injured or having your vehicle damaged over another person’s poor driving is a terrible outcome for you and your loved ones.
Avoiding Tailgaters While on the Road
Tailgaters pose a considerable threat to themselves and everyone else on the road. Whenever possible, you should make every effort to get out of an aggressive driver’s way, allowing them to pass without putting yourself and your vehicle at risk. We hope this article helps you stay safe the next time you encounter a tailgater while behind the wheel!