It’s unnerving when someone begins tailgating you aggressively. In the mirror, it looks like that car is right on your back bumper. This is exaggerated if it’s a large vehicle, such as an SUV or a pickup truck.
You know that it’s dangerous to have someone driving that close to you. They are certainly not following the three-second rule and staying far enough back that they could avoid a crash in an unexpected situation. So what should you do to keep yourself safe?
Don’t engage and let them go around
First of all, you need to stay calm and don’t engage with the person. Don’t “brake check” them or do anything else aggressive to escalate the situation. If you do have to slow down, do it carefully and slowly so that they have time to react.
If you find a space where you can let them go around, it is usually best to do so. You may have to find a safe place where you can pull off to the side of the road or wait until there is a passing lane.
People sometimes complain that they feel like they shouldn’t have to let the tailgater go around them. They didn’t do anything wrong, and they were driving safely, but the tailgater was the one who was being unsafe. While all this is true, it is still far safer for you to simply allow them to pass to ensure that you stay out of an accident.
What if an accident still happens?
Sometimes, your best efforts are not enough, and another driver makes a mistake that causes serious injuries. If you do get injured in a crash, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation.