When someone starts tailgating, it’s easy to focus on the severe danger this puts you in. It’s easy to act emotionally. Many people do things like slamming on their brakes or slowing down even more just to make the tailgater angry. This is the beginning of a potential road rage situation.
Instead of doing that — and putting yourself and everyone else in danger — focus on solving the problem. Yes, the tailgater is a problem, and they are putting you in danger. Instead of being angry, think about how you can eliminate that danger.
On multilane roads like the interstate, the easiest way is often just to move to another lane. Why the tailgater didn’t switch lanes, you may never know. But if you can easily get out of their way and let them continue on, do it. Don’t get mad. Don’t get frustrated. Just try to get them off of your rear bumper and stay safe from their poor choices.
It’s also wise to drive more carefully. If possible, touch your brakes lightly when you need to slow down. Give them time to react. Since they’re so close to you, they have far less time, and they may cause an accident. The best way to solve that problem is with slow, careful braking so that they can also slow down and pass by when you turn.
Tailgating does cause accidents, no matter what you do to solve the problem. If you get seriously injured in one of these crashes, make sure you know what rights you have to compensation.