Tailgating is a common and extremely dangerous behavior. A driver is considered tailgating when they follow another motor vehicle too closely without leaving enough room to make an abrupt stop if necessary. This reckless driving behavior increases the risk of rear-end collisions. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one-third of all traffic accidents involving multiple cars are caused by tailgating.
If you sustain injuries in an accident caused by a tailgating driver, hire a seasoned tailgating accident law firm to protect your rights and hold the at-fault driver liable for your losses.
Tips for Safe and Defensive Driving
Reduce your risk of a tailgating accident using the following tips:
- Keep a Safe Distance
Avoid following too close behind the car in front of you. It’s important to understand and implement the three-second rule. You choose a roadside marker such as a road sign or tree. Then, once the vehicle in front of you passes that marker, it should take you at least 3 seconds to pass the same spot. In bad weather or road conditions, you may need to maintain as much as a 10-second following distance.
Keeping a safe distance gives you enough time to recognize a hazard and react if the vehicle in front of you suddenly breaks or turns. And if the other driver crashes into something, your vehicle will not be impacted.
- Let the Tailgaters Pass
If someone is tailgating your vehicle, using an evasive maneuver is the best way to respond to them. If you’re on a multi-lane road, move into the adjacent lane when it’s safe and let them pass. If you’re on a single-lane road, consider pulling over to move out of the driver’s way.
Making eye contact, yelling, or gesturing toward the tailgater is not advisable. Such actions could escalate the situation and trigger the other driver to respond with road rage.
- Do Not Speed or Brake Check
No matter how tempting, don’t slam your brakes if you think a car is following too close behind. Brake checking could trigger a tailgating or road rage incident.
In addition, you should only increase your speed within your comfort level because another driver is tailgating you. Instead, maintain the speed limit or change lanes.
- Always Focus on the Road
Road conditions can change swiftly, particularly when driving on the interstate. Look out for changes in speed, debris on the road, construction zones, sudden weather changes, and the behavior of other road users. These things can cause distractions and often cause erratic driving, which can trigger tailgaters to follow too closely.
- Be Extra Cautious at Night
You must be more vigilant when driving at night because of limited visibility. Also, tailgaters are predominantly hazardous at night because of the headlights. If you notice a driver following you closely, avoid them and get out of their headlights.
- Drive Cautiously in Inclement Weather
Tailgating becomes more hazardous during bad weather conditions since the roads may not be in the best shape for abrupt stops. If you are driving on slick or icy roads, breaking suddenly could result in slipping and sliding and ultimately losing control of your vehicle. And if someone is tailgating you, they may not have enough time to react before rear-ending your car.
So, drive slower when weather conditions are poor and maintain enough distance between you and the vehicle you’re following.
- Be Mindful of the Speed Limit
Driving the posted speed limit is one way to drive defensively and avoid tailgating incidents. Driving under the speed limit or going slower than the traffic flow can trigger tailgaters to behave irrationally. So, follow the posted speed limit unless you’re in congested traffic or there are adverse weather conditions.
- Make Sure Your Car Has a Good Braking System
If the vehicle in front of your slams on its brakes abruptly or gets into a crash with another car, you must be able to stop quickly and avoid hitting them. This is why it’s important to ensure the braking system on your vehicle is in good working condition.
If something unexpected happens, you’ll be able to break sooner, which can help ensure the safety of all road users.
Bottom Line
Driving defensively and knowing how to respond when you’re being tailgated is the best way to avoid conflicts and tailgating accidents. Stay calm, drive safely, and leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you.
