Tailgating
Keep safe distance and handle close followers
Tailgating - following too closely - is both a dangerous behavior to engage in and a stressful situation to experience. Understanding safe following distances and how to handle tailgaters protects everyone.
Why This Matters
Rear-end collisions are among the most common accident types. Proper following distance gives you time to react to sudden stops. When tailgated, you need extra caution.
Key Actions to Take
Maintain 2-3 second following gap in good conditions
Increase to 4+ seconds in poor conditions
If tailgated, do not brake check or slow down abruptly
Gradually reduce speed and let tailgater pass
Pull over if necessary to let aggressive driver pass
Do
- Stay calm when being tailgated
- Increase YOUR following distance for safety buffer
- Move over when safe to let them pass
- Focus on your own driving
Don't
- Brake suddenly to "teach them a lesson"
- Speed up to create distance
- Make eye contact or gestures
- Let them pressure you into unsafe speed
Pro Tips
Count seconds using fixed points: one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two
When tailgated, gently tap brakes to flash brake lights
Report aggressive tailgating to authorities if safe to do so
Important Warning
Never brake check a tailgater. If they hit you, you may be found partially at fault. Your safest response is always to let them pass.
Related Scenarios
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