Turn Off Tailgators

Here you go, driving along and minding your own manners. Perhaps you drive the same route on your daily commute, and you are trying to enjoy the trip.

Suddently, you glance in your rear-view mirror and notice a car quickly approaching from behind. The other driver scowls, as he rides your bumper.

How unnerving! You find yourself hoping you won't have to brake suddenly, because you really don't want to become acquainted with this pushy person. Exchanging license numbers with a tailgator, next to both your damaged vehicles, is no way to begin a friendship!

Obviously, slamming on your brakes to teach this over-assertive individual a lesson, is not really an option.

Tailgating is dangerous.

If you should stop suddenly for some unforeseen reason (such as a child or an animal darting into the road), the other driver will not have sufficient response time to stop as well.

Many accidents (particularly rear-end collisions and lane-passing accidents) occur this way each year.

Aggressive Driving

"Following Too Closely" is a ticketable offense in many states. It is considered "Aggressive Driving," and it can contribute to road rage.

In Illinois, for example, here is the state-published guideline:

Two-Second Rule: Following a vehicle too closely is called "tailgating." Use the two-second rule to determine a safe following distance. Select a fixed object on the road ahead such as a sign, tree or overpass. When the vehicle ahead of you passes the object, count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two." You should not reach the object before you count to one-thousand-two. If you do, you are following too closely. Most rear-end collisions are caused by the vehicle in back following too closely.

Other states (such as Minnesota, Colorado, Arkansas, and more) recommend a three-second rule for minimum following distances.

In other words, if you are traveling at 35 mph, there should be at least 104 feet between your vehicle and the one behind you. In adverse weather, even more space should be allowed.

What can you do, if someone drives too closely behind your vehicle?

Send a message!

If someone is tailgating, or following too closely, you can tap your brakes gently a couple of times. This will cause your brake lights to flash. Hopefully, this will alert the driver behind you and encourage him to slow down to a safe following distance.

If you tap your brakes a couple of times, and the other driver does not back off, you have a few options.

Speed Up.

Are you driving too slowly for traffic? You might speed up a bit to allow more room, if you can safely do so and remain within the speed limit. (Of course, the other driver may increase his speed as well.)

Slow Down.

Slow down gradually, if you can safely do so. This may encourage the following driver to decelerate as well. (Be sure to check your mirrors, in case he closes the gap between cars even more.)

Switch Lanes.

Nothing is more annoying to an aggressive driver than to find a slower car putting along in the passing lane. If you are traveling at a reduced pace, you can simply pull into the slower lane and allow the faster car to pass. Glance behind you first, in case the impatient racer is zipping around you!

Pull Over.

Turn off at a street or exit, or pull over in a safe spot. (If the following car gets too close, or actually contacts your bumper, then this is your best option. Stay in your vehicle, with the doors locked, until the other car is gone.)

Offer No Surprises.

When you are ready to make a turn, be sure to signal your intentions early, so the following driver will have a chance to respond and allow you to decelerate for your turn.

Call the Cops.

If the other driver begins to badger you, you should use your cell phone to alert authorities to the aggressive driver, so that other drivers will not be endangered. Often, if a rabid roadster sees you picking up your phone, he will decide to leave you alone. If he is deliberately bothering you, and not merely rushing, he may opt to choose another (phoneless) victim.

Avoid Interaction.

Stranger-danger is not just for kids. At times, aggressive drivers can be angry drivers as well. It is important to avoid inciting road rage by engaging in inter-vehicular communication. Try to maintain your cool and avoid interacting with the other driver in word or gesture. It's just not worth the risk!

Besides, what will you really prove by making a statement or flashing a rude sign at a total stranger? Once he has blasted past you, he will not change his behavior. He will cruise up to the next crowd of cars and act the same way.

The safest plan of action is simply to let him go, and don't give him the power of affecting your outlook.