What is what to do when being tailgated?

Being tailgated can be a stressful and dangerous situation. Here's what you can do:

• Stay Calm: The most important thing is to remain calm. Don't react aggressively, as this could escalate the situation and lead to an accident. Focus on maintaining control of your vehicle.

• Increase Following Distance: Gradually increase the distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. This provides you with more time to react if the tailgater causes the vehicle ahead to brake suddenly. This relates to <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/safe%20following%20distance">safe following distance</a>.

• Avoid Brake Checking: Never "brake check" the tailgater (slamming on your brakes to scare them). This is extremely dangerous and could cause a collision, making you liable.

• Maintain a Consistent Speed: Try to maintain a consistent, legal speed. Avoid speeding up in an attempt to get away from the tailgater, as this could put you and others at risk.

• Move Over (If Possible and Safe): If it's safe to do so, and if there's another lane available, move over and let the tailgater pass. Signal your intention to change lanes. This action falls under <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/lane%20changing%20techniques">lane changing techniques</a>.

• Don't Engage: Do not make eye contact or gestures towards the tailgater. Avoid any actions that could be interpreted as aggressive or confrontational.

• Pull Over (If Necessary): If the tailgating is persistent and you feel unsafe, consider pulling over to a safe location, such as a well-lit area with other people around. Let the tailgater pass.

• Report Aggressive Driving (If Appropriate): If the tailgating escalates to aggressive driving behavior (e.g., excessive speeding, weaving in and out of traffic), you can report it to the police, if it's safe to do so, but avoid doing this while actively being tailgated. Focus on driving safely. Consider using a hands-free device, if available. Report such instances under <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/reporting%20aggressive%20driving">reporting aggressive driving</a> protocols.

• Be Predictable: Drive predictably and signal your intentions clearly. This helps the tailgater anticipate your actions and reduces the risk of a collision. Focus on applying <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/defensive%20driving%20strategies">defensive driving strategies</a>.