Bedell & Stripto

Helping Those Who Have Been Injured Recover For More Than 25 Years

What should you do when someone tailgates you?

On Behalf of | Jun 21, 2026 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

One common issue drivers face is when another vehicle is tailgating them. Even if they are already going at the posted speed limit, the person behind them is simply not maintaining a safe following distance. This can be very stressful since it clearly increases the odds of a serious accident.

If you find yourself in this position, the main rule to keep in mind is that you should never escalate things. Do not try to brake-check the other driver, for example, by suddenly slamming on your brakes aggressively. Instead, focus on trying to get the other driver to pass your vehicle, helping to keep yourself safe.

Changing lanes

One way to do this on a multi-lane road is simply to switch to another lane. If you are being tailgated in the left lane on the interstate, for example, find a break in traffic and merge to the right.

Slowing down

While you should not aggressively hit your brakes, it can sometimes help to gradually slow down. The goal is simply to encourage the tailgater to pass, and slowing down gives them larger gaps in oncoming traffic to do so.

Pulling off the road

In the most extreme situations, you may even think it is safest to briefly pull off the road. Stop to get gas or go through a drive-through, for example, or just pull into a nearby parking lot.

No matter what tactic you use, your goal should always be to focus on safety. But even if you do so, you could be injured in an accident another driver causes, and you need to know how to seek financial compensation for medical bills and more.