If another driver is following your car too closely (tailgating you), the best thing to do is to safely let them pass rather than react aggressively. Here’s how to handle it:
Stay calm: Do not engage in any hostile behavior. Avoid brake-checking (hitting your brakes to startle them) – that’s extremely dangerous and could cause a crash. Also don’t yell, gesture, or otherwise escalate the situation. Keep your cool.
Allow them to pass: If you’re on a multi-lane road, you can signal and carefully move to a slower lane (generally the right lane) to let the tailgater go by. On a two-lane road where you can’t change lanes, look for a safe spot to pull over (such as a turnout or wide shoulder) and let them pass. Even just slowing down slightly (not braking hard, just easing off the accelerator) can encourage them to go around you if passing is allowed.
Maintain steady speed: Continue driving at a safe, steady speed. Don’t speed up excessively; that often won’t satisfy a tailgater and just puts you at risk. Also, don’t keep tapping your brakes – that can aggravate them or cause an accident if they don’t react in time.
Increase your own following distance: This may sound counterintuitive, but if someone is tailgating you, by increasing the distance between you and the car in front of you, you ensure that if there’s a sudden stop ahead, you can slow down more gradually. This can prevent the tailgater from rear-ending you because you won’t have to brake as abruptly.
If they don’t pass: Sometimes a tailgater won’t or can’t pass. In that case, just continue to focus on the road ahead and drive safely. Eventually either the road will widen or they’ll turn off. If you feel endangered (for instance, if the person is aggressively pursuing you), you might consider taking a turn you didn’t plan to (to get away from them) or, in extreme cases, driving to a public area or even a police station.
Remember, tailgating is often a result of impatience or aggression on the other driver’s part. You can’t control their behavior, but you can control your response. The goal is to minimize the risk of a collision. By letting them go ahead, you remove the immediate threat of being rear-ended. It’s generally not satisfying to your ego to “let them win,” but it’s the safest course. Once they speed off, you can continue safely. No matter what, do not engage in road rage. Keep yourself safe.
