Most people have accidentally tailgated someone else at one point in their lives. Much of the reason for this is just that the only way to avoid tailgating is to follow the three-second rule and always maintain three seconds between vehicles. But it’s fairly common for someone to follow at a slightly shorter distance and believe that it’s still safe.
However, tailgating in any form is actually very dangerous, whether it’s done aggressively or accidentally. It reduces the reaction times that the rear driver has to unexpected events. It reduces the visibility that they have ahead of them. It increases the odds of a chain reaction crash. It could also make the driver in front feel nervous or anxious, which may increase the odds of driving errors and accidents.
But what if someone tailgates you?
Avoiding accidental tailgating is only half of the battle. You can also be put at greater risk of an accident if someone else decides to tailgate your vehicle. If this happens, what should you do?
The basic goal is to let the person pass. You can do this by slowing down, moving to the side of the lane or even pulling off of the road entirely. If it’s a busy road, you likely want to find a parking lot or somewhere else where you can exit the roadway. But, regardless of the strategy you choose, it makes you safer if you allow them to pass. Just be sure not to escalate the situation, give them a chance to go around, and then continue on driving safely.
If they do still cause an accident that leads to injuries, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation for your losses.
