How to Deal with Tailgaters (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to deal with a tailgater? ›

If you're on a multi-lane road, move over to the right when it's safe, giving the driver a chance to pass you on the left. If you're on a single-lane road, consider pulling into a well-lit parking lot or gas station to let them pass. Stay steady. Speeding up and slowing down can increase your chance of getting hit.

The best thing to do is quite simple: Simply change lanes and let them pass. If you're in a single land and they're being aggressive (and assuming speeding up isn't an option), simply slow down and pull over to the side and let them pass.

Leave a greater buffer between you and the car in front of you if you are being tailgated. If the car in front is bigger like a truck, leave an even greater buffer. If you are being tailgated, find a safe way to allow the car behind you to pass. If you can, pull over by the side of the road or change lanes.

Reduce your speed: Slow down gradually by easing off the gas pedal. This might encourage the tailgater to overtake you. Pull over: If safe to do so, signal and move over to let the tailgater pass.

Sometimes, tailgaters do not realize they are driving too close or making you uncomfortable. In this case, you can try to communicate with them politely and calmly. You can use your turn signals, flash your brake lights, or tap your horn lightly to signal them to back off.

Let the tailgater pass: If the tailgater is behind you, switch lanes or even pull over to let them pass. Maintain your speed: Stay consistent with your speed so that other drivers can safely pass if they must. Using cruise control when conditions allow, is a way to keep your speed predictable for you and other drivers.

Slowing down will force tailgaters to give you the space you need to stay at a safe distance. However, don't drastically drop speed without warning. Doing so might end up causing the very same accident you were trying to avoid. Instead, slow down gradually.

They're in a hurry and stuck in traffic

People are often rushing from one place to another. They may tailgate because they're in a hurry and don't want to be late. If you're in stop-and-go traffic, prepare to adjust your speed frequently to avoid tailgating the vehicle in front of you.

Don't Brake Abruptly: Gradually slow down and signal your intentions. Change Lanes Safely: Use turn signals to let tailgaters pass if possible.

Slow down gradually.

If you are on a two-lane road where passing is permissible and you're already going as fast as you are comfortable going, slow down and encourage the tailgater to pass.

What is the main cause of tailgating? ›

Some of the most common reasons drivers tailgate include: Impatience. A driver may be running late or in a rush to reach their destination quicker causing them to tailgate the driver in front of them to pressure them to move out of the way or speed up. Aggressive driver.

Reckless Driving: Why People Brake Check

Brake checking is often a result of road rage, as it can be seen as a way to get back at the other driver. In some cases, brake checking may even be an attempt to commit insurance fraud.

The two-second rule is a rule of thumb by which a driver may maintain a safe trailing distance at any speed. The rule is that a driver should ideally stay at least two seconds behind any vehicle that is directly in front of his or her vehicle.

Tailgating is where the gap between you and the car in front is too close for you to be able to stop safely, if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes. The Highway Code says you should “allow at least a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front on roads carrying faster-moving traffic”.

When this is the case, you should slow down. While slowing down may seem like the last thing you should do—as tailgating is often a signal that the other driver wants you to move faster—slowing down is usually the safest thing.

Tailgate driver is power driving. Turn on your right turn signal light and slowly change lanes or move into the roadside shoulder when safe to do so and allow the driver to pass on by.

When being followed by a tailgater, what should you first try to do? Maintain the speed limit until you hit an area where they can pass safely, then slow down to allow them to pass. Never brake check or speed up to dangerous levels to ditch them.