How To Deal With Tailgating

There is nothing as frustrating as driving on a two-lane road and having a vehicle so close behind you, that you fear to brake lest they hit you in the rear. On a four-lane highway, the fear is less, but the sight of another car so close makes for nervous driving.


1. Pull over and allow the vehicle behind you to pass, if it is safe to do so. This is always the most rapid way of getting rid of a tailgater. If the car behind you is catching up, there's a good chance the driver wants to go faster. If it's safe to do so, let him/her.


2. On narrower roads, use turnouts to allow others to pass when it is safe to do so. In many places, it is required that slower traffic use turnouts. Elsewhere, it is simply polite.


3. On a winding road, do not speed up so drastically at passing lanes that others cannot pass. Many drivers go slowly and cautiously around curves and then get on a straightaway and feel that they have the space or visibility to dart ahead. Have the patience to let others past.


4. Slow down gradually. If somebody is following you too closely to be safe, slow down, but do not make it a sudden move. Most likely they will take the opportunity to pass you when it is possible and take the hint to give you a bit more space until then. Should an accident occur, at least it will occur at a slower speed.


5. If you are comfortable driving a bit faster and it is safe, then try speeding up. It might be that you are driving too slowly.


6. Maintain a constant speed. This allows the tailgating driver to predict when he can pass you. Avoid speeding up and slowing down to send him a message - this only increases his frustration level.


7. In multi-lane traffic, if you find yourself getting repeatedly tailgated, try driving a safe distance behind a truck. Drivers approaching from behind will see the truck and get into another lane before ever getting close.


8. Look in the rear mirror, and use your hand on the mirror, as if you were waving back and forth, to signal him to get off your bumper.


9. Tap your brakes lightly a few times, so that he/she sees your brake lights, but not so hard that you actually slow down. This is another signal for them to back off. (Don't brake hard to 'teach them a lesson' - this will only end up causing an accident, which is worse for everybody.)


10. Be courteous to other drivers and avoid crowding behind them or following too closely.


Do not allow the other driver to make you nervous. He or she will move away or slow down, pass, or turn off eventually.