What Is Tailgating and How Should You Avoid this Technique?

Have you ever found yourself in a road situation wherein you were followed by a vehicle too closely from behind? That’s called tailgating, and not at all a desirable driving habit. Whether you are stuck in traffic or simply in hurry, tailgating a car is never a good idea, and no one should ever justify it. Of all driving habits, tailgating is strictly denounced by the instructors of the best driving school in Granville. In fact, tailgating can distract the drivers and lead to crashes and other kinds of mishaps on the road. And if you have tailgated ever, you should change your driving style instead of defending the technique. Here’s how you should go about the problem.

Maintain a safe distance – Do you tailgate other cars on the road? Give up on the habit, and that’s the only solution. We don’t preach aggressive driving habits here. In case, you want to stop someone from tailgating you, be mindful and take calculated moves. When you see them trying desperately to get ahead of you, it is better to let them pass. You may slow down, and pull over if needed. To avoid the tailgater, you can consider changing the lane. All in all, never respond or engage with the tailgater if you want to be safe.

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Keep your cool – The problem is drivers have little patience today. They are too quick to respond, engage in aggression, and land themselves in trouble. If you go by what the experts of the best driving school in Granville have to say, you should keep calm and learn to let it go. When someone tailgates, you may feel an urge to accelerate the speed, but avoid doing so at all costs. Instead, you should maintain a constant speed and a safe distance to allow the driver to pass your car. Remember, you should not drive too slowly either because it can frustrate the tailgater.

Defensive driving – You can solve half of your driving-related problems if you practice defensive driving. Distracted, ignorant, and aggressive drivers tend to tailgate others on the road, without being mindful of the consequences of this illegal driving technique. Yes, you read that right, tailgating is illegal across NSW. If you dare to indulge in this practice, it can land you in legal problems. We understand it’s scary when someone tailgates you, but defensive driving is your way to go, no matter what.

Drive a car with safety features – Do you drive a car with safety features that prevent tailgating and car accidents? That’s great! For instance, automatic emergency braking senses vehicles ahead and pushes the brakes to slow down or stop your car. Further, this feature can be paired with a technology called forward collision warning that warns the driver of an impending crash by monitoring the distance between your car and the vehicle ahead of you. Thus, investing in a feature-rich car may also be helpful in ensuring your safety.

Conclusion – At BTB Driving School, our instructors lay the foundation for effective and defensive driving through customised lessons and personalised training. If you are semi-skilled and want to join a refresher course, feel free to get in touch with the best driving school in Granville. With our guidance, you will the learn the basics of defensive driving and become a competent driver. Contact us now!