Why you should just let a tailgater pass

On Behalf of | Dec 9, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

Drivers tailgate for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes, they have no idea that they’re doing it, and they think that the following distance they’ve chosen is safe when it really isn’t. They’re just oblivious. In other cases, they know full well that they’re tailgating because they are angry with the driver ahead of them over some perceived slight, or because they want that person to drive faster.

If you are driving and someone starts tailgating you, it’s very natural for this to make you quite nervous. It feels like an accident is imminent because that car is just way too close, and you’re well aware that if you have to hit the brakes, they may hit you. So what should you do?

You have to do what doesn’t feel fair

Many people respond by brake-checking that driver or doing something else that escalates the situation. But that’s the exact opposite of what you want to do. What you should really do is simply take any opportunity to let them pass, either by slowing down so they can get around you in a passing lane or by switching lanes. In some cases, you may even want to pull over and let them go around.

Yes, this doesn’t feel fair. That’s why a lot of drivers don’t like to do it. They don’t think that they shouldn’t have to accommodate a rude, aggressive driver. And it is unfair, and you shouldn’t have to, but if your goal is to lower the risk of being involved in an accident, then it is certainly the best decision you can make.

That said, tailgaters cause car accidents every single day, and you can’t always avoid them. If you get injured, you need to know how to seek compensation for medical bills and other costs.