Being followed too closely by a tailgater, whether they’re completely oblivious to what they’re doing or driving aggressively on purpose, can be very frightening. You’re well aware of how close that car looks in the rearview mirror, and you’re always wondering if they’re going to cause an accident.
Moreover, you start to become nervous about everything that’s happening ahead of you. If a light turns yellow and you hit the brakes, are they going to run into you? What if a child or an animal runs into the street? Driving becomes much more stressful when someone is tailgating your car, so what should you do?
Do not increase the risks
First and foremost, don’t make the road a more dangerous place to drive. People will sometimes tell you to tap your brakes or even hit them aggressively to get the person to back off. Don’t do this. You can cause a car accident that otherwise would have been avoided. You can also trigger a road-rage incident because they will take this as an aggressive action.
Do let them pass
What this driver is doing is unfair to you because it puts you in danger. This often makes people feel angry, and the last thing they want to do is move over and let the tailgater pass, precisely because that’s probably what the tailgater wants them to do. However, allowing them to pass is also the safest option for you and everyone else around you on the road, so it’s wise to do this if you can.
What if they still hit you?
If you do get involved in an accident caused by a dangerous driver, and you suffer serious injuries, then you need to know how to seek financial compensation for your losses.
