It’s a common experience to find another motorist following you at a distance that is dangerously close. Tailgating is the commonly used term for following too closely, and there are several possible explanations.
Some drivers do realize how far back they should be to be safe. Others do, but they get distracted and creep closer. Others are just in a rush and believe hugging your tailpipe will allow them to speed on past at the first opportunity. Then there are some who do it out of aggression.
You cannot know their motives
While you might think you know why a driver is tailgating you, you cannot know for sure. That person with steam coming out of their ears may not be out to get you – it may be that their wife is in labor in the back seat and they are trying to get to the hospital. Or that person who appears to not be paying attention may actually be sitting at a constant two seconds from you, because they wrongly believe that is a safe distance to be. The minimum safe following distance is three seconds, which should increase when conditions are less than ideal.
Try to make it easy for them to pass you
One thing you must never do is brake check a tailgater. It’s best not to engage with them in any way. Your best bet is to try to make it easy for them to pass you. How you do this will depend on the exact situation. In some cases, you can simply move over to the right to let them pass. On a narrower road, it might mean pulling over or taking a turnoff you do not need, just to allow them to pass. If you do pull off, think carefully about where you will go. It is often recommended to choose somewhere like a gas station where there are others who can step in if an aggressive driver follows you and wants to cause a scene.
If they run into the back of you before you can allow them to pass, it is important to stay calm and call the emergency services. Then think about getting legal guidance to file a claim for any damage and injuries they caused you.
