Nothing is more obnoxious than a car that just won’t get off your tail. Tailgaters are an all too common problem when driving on Texas roads. Tailgating can lead to dangerous, even fatal, road rage. It is important when you come across a tailgater that you handle the situation safely. Correctly dealing with a tailgater can mean the difference between life and death. Here is what you need to do when someone doesn’t get off your tail.
Remain Calm
A common first reaction to dealing with a tailgater is to get upset and lash out. An outburst is exactly the reaction the tailgater wants from you. Instead of lashing out, take a deep breath and focus on the road.
Drive Safely
Don’t try to speed up or drive unexpectedly. Remain at your current safe speed and focus on getting to a place where you can pull off the road in a calm and slow manner. Don’t try to make any sudden turns that may catch the tailgater off-guard. A sudden turn can result in the tailgater hitting your bumper and executing a pit-maneuver. A hit like that will result in your car violently spinning around on the road and put you at risk for a car accident.
Call the Police
If the tailgater has remained on your back bumper driving aggressively despite your attempts to pull onto other streets, and you feel as though the driver has threatened your safety, you should call law enforcement. Try to pull into a public area and remain in your car until police arrive.
Do Not Approach
A tailgater may just be someone in a hurry to get to a destination, or a tailgater can be someone who is not in the right state of mind. You don’t want to risk getting hurt. It is better to let well-equipped police officers deal with the pesky tailgater. If the tailgater has damaged your car or caused injury, contact an experienced attorney immediately.
If you have been involved in a car accident due to a tailgater, contact Todd R. Durham today. Call (214) 222-4000 to schedule your initial consultation.
