What to do if someone Drives too Close behind you
As more and more of our small towns and villages are expanding into larger towns and cities, along with the new shopping centers and parking lots come people and their vehicles. What was once a quiet road leading into town may now be a launch ramp onto a major thru-way, meant to quickly speed morning commuters to an office or job. Their idea of what is safe on the highway may not be the same as what you learned in a driver's education class and many newer drivers have had to pick up their skills from friends, family, and if they're lucky - perhaps a driving instructor.Whether you are driving on a country back road or on the Interstate, maintaining a safe driving speed is always key. As a general rule, the faster you are traveling, the less reaction time you will have for breaking or a maneuver. Still, this doesn't stop some drivers from wanting to get there faster and often we encounter them climbing up from behind. What is the safest way to shake them off?The most obvious, depending on where you are driving, is to steer slightly to the right and allow them to speed by. If there is a shoulder and you are in need of a moment to recover, feel free to do so. Sometimes the aggressive driving speed of a tailgater may cause you to drive at speeds you are not used to, making you feel unsafe. This can occur when being tailgated by a large truck. Take a moment to gather yourself before proceeding further. This isn't a race! Check your left side-view mirror for oncoming traffic and take care getting back on the road.If you are traveling in a busy traffic situation, more than likely, no one is making much headway either and have already noticed your predicament. Signal to change into the lane immediately to your right. Other drivers behind will make the space for you to move into. Take this opportunity just as soon as you see the safe opening, and allow the speeding tailgater to move along. If they are upset, concentrate on your own driving and do not get involved. You may feel you are rewarding a bully in letting them push you around on the road, but everyone's safety is the concern. We have no idea what is going on in another driver's head and it's best to simply let it go. There may be a real emergency, in which case, you've done your part to assist them.If on the other hand, there is no place for you to maneuver, lower your driving speed slightly but still maintain a safe driving position. Without tapping or using your brakes, you will send a clear message to the tailgating driver that you are not speeding up and they should check themselves. Follow the above mentioned lane changing direction as soon as the opportunity arrives.If you truly believe someone is tailgating you with the intent to follow or cause you harm in any way, now is the time to very carefully locate your cell phone and/or drive directly to the nearest police station or well-lighted and attended gas station. Have the car make and model and license plate number ready to report to authorities. They'll take it from there. Do not get out of your car if you are feeling threatened. Honk your horn and flash your lights to gain attention and alert others of your situation.In many cases, a tailgater is oblivious to how their speed is dangerous, believing that their style of aggressive driving is the way of the road. Everyone is doing it in order to "make time," and the left-most lane is the travel or thru lane for those who are not using the Interstate locally. Perhaps they have never been tailgated by a state trooper who is clearing the left lane! Generally, slower traffic to the right and for exiting the highway, but the middle lane and following posted speed limits is the way to go. Use the left lane for passing.Then there are simply aggressive "jerky" drivers who think they can do as they please. They can be dangerous and need to be checked, but do not feel you need to be the one to teach them a driving lesson. Police officers are trained in high speed driving techniques and know how to deal with aggressive drivers. Concentrate on getting to where you are going safely and try not to laugh too hard when you see your tailgater has been pulled over up ahead.
