Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car crashes that occur in Pennsylvania. Most often, these incidents are caused by one driver following another vehicle too closely. Here, we want to examine what you can do if you are being tailgated. If another driver is following you too closely, the steps that you take could help prevent you or others on the roadway from sustaining injuries or property damage in an accident.
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Keep Your Cool
If you notice that you are being tailgated, your reaction may be one of surprise or even anger. However, you need to stay as calm as possible. Your initial reaction to being tailgated could control the entire scenario. Let any emotions pass over, and then get back to your defensive driving.
Brake Slowly
Inevitably, you will have to slow down when someone is tailgating you. This could include slowing down due to traffic in front of you or if you are coming up on a stop light or stop sign. However, if you know that a vehicle is following you too closely, slowing down could become a problem and could increase your chance of being rear-ended. Be extra cautious when you apply the brakes. Do not slam on your brakes for any reason unless it is an emergency braking situation.
In general, if you are being followed too closely, try to slow down a little earlier than usual and slower than you typically do.
Change Lanes
If you are able to do so on the roadway, you can change lanes in order to allow the vehicle following you too closely to pass by. For instance, if you are in the left lane of traffic and are being tailgated, activate your turn signal, look for clear spot to the right, and change lanes. Hopefully, this resolves the issue. Let the tailgater pass, and then change lanes again if you need to.
Drive at Your Comfortable Speed
If you are being tailgated, it is crucial for you to continue operating or vehicle at the speed limit or a speed below the speed limit that is comfortable for you. In some cases, it is impossible for drivers to change lanes to allow a tailgater to pass them. Do not speed up when this occurs in an attempt to put some distance between you and the person behind you. Going over the speed limit or driving too fast for conditions will only increase the safety risks for yourself and others around you.
Do Not Engage
It is crucial to stress just how important it is not to engage with other drivers in a road rage scenario. Do not look at the other driver menacingly, use any gestures that could aggravate the situation, or slam on your brakes. Road rage situations can become very dangerous. Individuals have become hurt and killed due to arguments on the road over something seemingly non-consequential things. However, once anger sets in, events can escalate very quickly. Your goal should be to de-escalate any situation by staying calm and not overreacting.