It’s never fun to be followed by a tailgater. They’re driving so close to the back of your car that it feels like they could hit you at any moment. Maybe they’re angry and aggressive as they try to pass, or maybe they’re just in a hurry and trying to pressure you to speed up.
Either way, how should you respond? Some drivers are tempted to hit the brakes to scare the tailgater into backing off, but this can lead to an accident, and the front driver could be found at least partially responsible. So what’s the right way to handle a tailgater?
Let them pass
The best approach is to let the tailgater pass as soon as it’s safe to do so. They only pose a risk to you while they’re behind you. Don’t respond with anger or frustration, and don’t speed up just to please the tailgater, especially if it means breaking the speed limit.
Instead, consider gradually slowing down. On a two-lane road, this gives the tailgater more opportunity to pass safely by increasing the relative distance between oncoming cars.
If you’re on the interstate, try to merge into a different lane. For example, if you’re in the left lane passing slower vehicles, move back into the right lane as soon as it’s clear so that faster drivers behind you can go by.
On some rural roads, if it’s safe and legal, you may even be able to pull over. Some drivers will briefly stop in driveways or parking lots to let tailgaters go around.
What if you’re injured in an accident?
Letting a tailgater pass is wise, but it’s not always possible. Unfortunately, negligent drivers can still cause serious accidents. If you’re injured, it’s important to understand how to pursue financial compensation for medical bills and other related expenses.