Rules of the Road: Don’t Give In To Tailgaters…

The pressure of being in congested traffic with another car riding close behind you can be stressful. That other car is making you feel as if you need to go faster than you’re comfortable going by tailgating you so closely but it’s important that you stay calm. You cannot let other drivers dictate the way you drive, otherwise you’re not practicing the kinds of defensive driving skills necessary to be as safe as possible when you’re on the road.

When you notice that someone is tailgating you, or following you too closely, rather than speed up to match their speed, you should slow down. This allows the driver behind you to pass more easily when there’s an opportunity while not forcing you into a driving speed that you’re not comfortable at. When the traffic doesn’t allow that car behind you to pass, you should still avoid the temptation to speed up and simply maintain your current speed. This is, of course, all assuming that you’re driving at the recommended speed limit and not driving slowly to the point where you’re holding up traffic.

The problem with trying to speed up to accommodate tailgaters is that you can’t be certain it will appease them. You could increase your speed by a few miles per hour but then they may begin tailgating again and you’ll need to go a little faster in order to satisfy them. It’s a slippery slope and one that can lead to serious injuries.