Tailgating is the action of a driver driving behind another vehicle while not leaving sufficient distance to stop without . What should you do when another driver is tailgating? Using car lengths to measure following distance often means you're tailgating. Gradually slow down and change lanes so the tailgater can get around you. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aggressive driving is one of the leading causes of accidents in the United States. In B.C. Tailgating is a form of aggressive driving that can lead to rear-end collisions and even multi-car accidents. Question If another driver is tailgating you, you should: Answers Move into the left lane. For more information, contact our team or enter your zip code on our home page for an instant quote. When you encounter an aggressive driver tailgating you should? Most state laws allow cell phone use in emergency situations. The safe distance for each country is different but in general, the driver should keep a distance greater than half of the speed in meters or a time gap of two seconds. When the cars tail lights line up with the object youve chosen, youll need to count up to two seconds. If a tailgater follows you, you should know the best ways to de-escalate the problem. Drivers on the street actually can take these ways on how to deal with tailgaters to avoid the crashes. Another way to deal with tailgating is to keep your speed consistent and avoid braking. For these cases, South Carolina uses modified contributory negligence to decide who is liable. Gradually slow down . However, proving that another driver is tailgating you can be complicated. Contact us at (214) 295-1008 to schedule a consultation. Unfortunately, its also a very common behavior on the streets today. While it would technically be the fault of the driver behind you, if you got into an accident, its still your car thats been hit and damaged. Remain alert to other drivers' behaviors on the road. Unfortunately it can also result in an accident that would be your fault. It often happens when a driver is irritated or believes the car in front of them is driving slowly. If you were in a rear-end collision, or are being accused of tailgating or following too closely, give us a call at 604-608-1200. So keep the constant speed to let the driver behind you safely pass when they have an opportunity. The proper distance for drivers is usually referred to as a "2 second" or "3 second" rule. We offer various auto insurance discounts and coverage to fit your needs in case of an accident. The short answer is yes, tailgating is considered illegal in most US states. It can also lead to road rage. Lets start from the most dangerous types of tailgaters, which is aggressive tailgaters. You can even put on your cruise control, if you are able to do so. Driving closely behind another car is a dangerous situation known as tailgating, and its important to understand how to handle it. If you do not feel it is safe to drive the speed of the flow of traffic, you should drive in the slow lane or on another road. 2022 Jason R. Schultz P.C., All Rights Reserved, Reproduced with Permission Privacy Policy, Website Built by Foster Web MarketingWebsite Powered By Dynamic Self-Syndication (DSS). If you're being tailgated, be extra cautious when you brake. Report the driver. Follow a truck, YUP! It can also lead to road rage. We know that you are really angry if someone tailgates you on the street. Should you find yourself being tailgated, our advice is simple: remain calm, do not speed up and let the other driver pass if safe to do so. And if the accident happens, they may not realize their fault or be confused about why the accident happened in innocent. ", "Not to tap your brakes. Our compassionate and dedicated lawyers have nearly 250 years of combined litigation experience, and many of them have been recognized as South Carolina Super Lawyers. Not only is this dangerous, but it could make you partially at fault for the accident if the tailgater hits you. Look on the back of your state-issued driver's license to find the number in the future. Because theyve encountered someone in their own lane, they may decide to pass you on the right. Keep calm and carry on. These behaviors are only annoying, and tailgaters might take them as signs of aggression. The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles ( FHSMV ) reported that there were up to 400,000 car accidents in the year 2019, and tailgating is one of the leading causes. When drivers have to stop abruptly, tailgaters . And remember to not become a tailgater yourself. Tailgating is a common cause of traffic crashes. Fill out the quick contact form below for a fast and free case consultation. Now lets look more into what to do if someone is following you too closely. This is a general rule of thumb for safe distances between cars. and stop counting when you pass that spot. If the driver behind you is following too closely, slow down slightly and allow them to pass. When a passing lane appears, keep to the right unless you need to pass the person in front of you. Rain, snow and ice greatly increase stopping distance. D. Increase the distance between you and the vehicle ahead. When one driver follows another so closely that there is little time to react, this action puts both drivers and those around them at risk of an accident. Were glad this was helpful.
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Learn about yourself with Quizzes or try our brand new Train Your Brain word game. We have all experienced it, and it is definitely an uncomfortable situation for the leading driver. If your car is equipped with cruise control, this is a great time to take advantage of it. The correct answer is B, D Pulling over to the left to let them past is . 1. Moreover, they assume that tailgating can cause serious accidents somewhere by someone, not by them. Interacting with a tailgating driver can cause anxiety and stress. The truck is also big enough for other drivers to see it from a distance. Once they've passed, continue driving at a safe speed and maintain a generous distance between your car and theirs. Read more articles about. This will trigger the brake lights and give the tailgater a chance to slow down and avoid colliding with you. Nobody likes a tailgater Tailgating doesn't make the person in front of you drive faster. Instead, stay calm, concentrate on driving safely, and try to get out of their way. If you try to speed up to get over the tailgater, do you think it is possible? Now that you know what to do when an aggressive driver is tailgating your vehicle, you can help keep yourself and other drivers safe on the road. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. wants to make sure you know your rights to compensation for injuries sustained in a car accident. Working with an experienced attorney can help you navigate the states contributory negligence statute. As a driver, you should pay attention to driving first, look forward, check the situation, maintain the safe distance are what you should do. Pay extra attention to your driving until youve been able to remove yourself from the situation. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Handle-Tailgaters-on-the-Road-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Handle-Tailgaters-on-the-Road-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d5\/Handle-Tailgaters-on-the-Road-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid66713-v4-728px-Handle-Tailgaters-on-the-Road-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"