Keep
A Cushion Behind You
Watch
for tailgaters!
If
someone is following you too closely, be careful.
Tap your brake lightly a few times to warn the tailgater
of your slowing down. This will flash your brake lights
as a warning. Brake slowly before stopping.
"Lose"
the tailgater as soon as you can by changing lanes.
If you cannot change lanes, slow down enough to encourage
the tailgater to go around you. If this does not work,
pull off the road when it is safe and let the tailgater
pass.
A
simple request to calm down probably won't get to a
tailgater's mind. It's as if some internal discomfort
governs tailgaters' actions, making them drive dangerously.
Any obstacle in their way may release their anger which
is only one component of their explosive behavioral
pattern.
There
are three simple psychological tests that can help you
understand them – and help prevent you from being
one, too.
Test
1. If you see anyone driving too slow for present
conditions, obstructing the left (fast) lane at a slow
speed, or simply blocking your way, try to find a reasonable
explanation for their behavior. Once you understand
why they are behaving the way they are, you'll feel
less angry and frustrated. You'll feel even better if
you refrain from making any gestures or verbally abusing
them.
Test
2. Think of the safety of your maneuver. Even today's
cars in combination with modern road make tailgating
extremely dangerous, especially for the tailgaters themselves.
Sudden braking by the car ahead often lead to a collision.
The higher the speed, the more severe the damage. And
if the tailgater is driving a high-suspension pickup
and has to swerve, it may tip over. Another danger is
how many drivers now carry firearms. How safe would
you be if the driver you are tailgating made you stop
at a shoulder, and had a handgun?
Test
3. Are you sure everybody likes your driving style?
Fellow citizens who criticize your behavior might even
file a report of it. You can be convicted in court of
reckless driving if the report was filed by a police
officer. The result may be devastating for you: high
fines and skyrocketing insurance premiums are the least
of your worries. You may even be jailed for up to six
months.
If
you don't believe you need to share the road with other
drivers, you should consider therapy or giving up your
license.
Splitting
the Difference
Sometimes
there will be dangers on both sides of the road. For
example, there may be parked cars to the right, and
oncoming cars to the left. In this case, the best thing
to do is "split the difference." Steer a middle
course between the oncoming cars and the parked cars.
If
one danger is greater than the other, give the most
room to the most severe danger. Suppose there
are oncoming cars to the left of you and a child on
a bike to the right. The child is most likely to make
a sudden move. Therefore, give him or her a lot of room,
which may mean moving closer to the oncoming cars.
Allow
A Cushion for Problem Drivers
Give
extra room to certain types of road users:
 |
Drivers
who cannot see you. Someone who cannot see you may
enter your path without knowing you are there. People
who have trouble seeing you include: |
|
Drivers
at intersections or driveways whose view is
blocked by buildings, trees, or other cars. |
|
Drivers
backing out of driveways or parking spaces. |
|
Drivers
whose windows are covered with snow or ice. |
|
Pedestrians
with umbrellas in front of their faces or
hats pulled down over their eyes. |
|
People
who are distracted. Even when others can see
you, allow extra room if you think they may
be distracted. People who may be distracted
include: |
|
Delivery
persons. |
|
Construction
workers. |
|
Children
-- they may run into the street without
looking. |
|
Drivers
or people who are talking to each other,
taking care of children, or looking
at maps. |
|
People
who may be confused. A person who is
confused is very likely to make a move
without looking. People who may be confused
include: |
|
Tourists,
particularly at complicated intersections. |
|
Drivers
who slow down for what seems to be no
apparent reason. |
|
Drivers
looking for a house number. |
|
Drivers
in trouble. If another driver makes
a mistake, do what you can to help.
Drivers who need help include: |
|
Drivers
who pass you as you approach a
curve or an oncoming car. |
|
A
driver who is about to be forced
into your lane by a vehicle, pedestrian,
bicyclist, obstruction, or fewer
lanes ahead. |
|
|
|
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