"Drivers who “tailgate” drive too close to the car in front are a
menace. They probably don’t realise how intimidating their habit is.
The most benign interpretation is that they are simply trying to
indicate to the guy in front that they want to get past. That’s all
very well, if the person in front has somewhere to go - but that isn’t
always possible. Other lanes may be busy too, and it isn’t always an
option to remove yourself instantly from the path of the tailgater.
Yet statistics tell us the single most common crash in the UK is the classic rear end shunt. So what can we do to avoid it?
The easiest thing to do is remove ourselves from the problem. Aim to
change lanes on the motorway or dual carriageway, but only when it is
safe to do so. Clearly indicate your intention to pull over. That way
you can let the tailgater get past you, even if he or she is driving
too fast for the conditions and/or breaking the speed limit.
Don’t be tempted to impose the speed limit on somebody who is
clearly hell bent on breaking it. And if you choose not to let the
tailgater past, there is a danger that he will try to “undertake” you,
posing an additional risk for other road users.
We are often asked what can you do if you’re being tailgated in a 30mph zone on a single carriageway?
Pulling over here may not be practical either. But do not be
intimidated into speeding up just because somebody is right on your
back bumper. Instead, create an additional stopping distance between
you and the vehicle in front so that you when you do brake, you can do
so smoothly. Think of yourself as adding a little “buffer” zone for the
tailgater, whether he appreciates it or not. When the time comes to
brake, you can do so gently, giving a clear signal of your intention
via your stop lights. The more time your stop lights are on, the more
time the tailgater has to register that and pull back."
"Drivers who “tailgate” drive too close to the car in front are a
menace. They probably don’t realise how intimidating their habit is.
The most benign interpretation is that they are simply trying to
indicate to the guy in front that they want to get past. That’s all
very well, if the person in front has somewhere to go - but that isn’t
always possible. Other lanes may be busy too, and it isn’t always an
option to remove yourself instantly from the path of the tailgater.
Yet statistics tell us the single most common crash in the UK is the classic rear end shunt. So what can we do to avoid it?
The easiest thing to do is remove ourselves from the problem. Aim to
change lanes on the motorway or dual carriageway, but only when it is
safe to do so. Clearly indicate your intention to pull over. That way
you can let the tailgater get past you, even if he or she is driving
too fast for the conditions and/or breaking the speed limit.
Don’t be tempted to impose the speed limit on somebody who is
clearly hell bent on breaking it. And if you choose not to let the
tailgater past, there is a danger that he will try to “undertake” you,
posing an additional risk for other road users.
We are often asked what can you do if you’re being tailgated in a 30mph zone on a single carriageway?
Pulling over here may not be practical either. But do not be
intimidated into speeding up just because somebody is right on your
back bumper. Instead, create an additional stopping distance between
you and the vehicle in front so that you when you do brake, you can do
so smoothly. Think of yourself as adding a little “buffer” zone for the
tailgater, whether he appreciates it or not. When the time comes to
brake, you can do so gently, giving a clear signal of your intention
via your stop lights. The more time your stop lights are on, the more
time the tailgater has to register that and pull back."
For this and other advanced driver tips see:
http://www.advanced-driving.co.uk/driving-tips/
I don't go to mythical places with strange men.
-- Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul.