Facts That Will Make You Think Twice About Tailgating
Rules and regulations of the road are ultimately there to protect drivers and road users, allowing people to get from A to B as safely as possible.
Some of these regulations include advised stopping distances, which can change in different weather conditions. However, there may be times when you find yourself being tailgated by another driver, usually through frustration, anger or unawareness.
Most of the time, tailgating is unintentional and people are unaware that they are dangerously invading someone’s space but did you know that one in eight of all road causalities are caused by people who drive too close to the vehicle in front!
Risks
- Putting yourself and others in danger.
- Distracting the driver in front by making them feel targeted and intimidated.
- If you are involved in a collision, this will likely impact your insurance premiums and no-claims discounts.
- Studies show that a driver’s typical reaction to being tailgated is surprise, anger and contempt, with a spike in heart rate.
What you should do if you are being tailgated
Keep a steady pace
Maintaining a consistent speed means you aren’t allowing the tailgater to negatively affect your driving. Be aware but not affected!
Allow them to overtake
There is a good chance they want to be passed you so let them overtake if its possible. You could always pull in or turn off if it is safe to do so.
Clearly signal
The tailgater should have a clear indication of your intentions to turn off before you do so, so that they can slow down to avoid a collision.
What you shouldn’t do if you are being tailgated
Don’t slow down
As tempting as it may be, slowing down can actually trigger road rage and cause the situation to become even more dangerous.
Don’t speed up
On the other hand, speeding up doesn’t help either. You could end up over the speed limit and generally, the tailgater will speed up behind you. Stick to a steady speed.
Don’t be distracted
When someone is tailgating you, it is very hard not to become hyper aware of them, in your rear-view mirror. However, if you are concentrating on what they are doing, you aren’t concentrating on what is happening in front of you.
Highways England launched a campaign called #staysafestayback which addresses and raises awareness of tailgating, and is supported by the likes of former Formula 1 World Champion Nigel Mansell, President of the Institute of Advanced Motorists RoadSmart, Thatcham the motor insurer, the National Express, the National Police Chiefs Council, leading road safety bodies Brake and the Institute for Advanced Motorists.
You can sign up for a free sticker pack, to show your support for the campaign by visiting the Highways England website.
