Things You Should Do If You're Being Tailgated: Don't Slam On Your Breaks

If you're being tailgated by another car, you might be tempted to hit the brakes. But Jennifer Stockburger of Consumer Reports magazine says don't even think about it. Stockburger is sharing advice after a video emerged showing an SUV tailing another car on a Wisconsin highway. The driver in the front car touches his brakes, causing the SUV to swerve and veer out of control, eventually smashing into the grassy median. Stockburger says never touch the brake and don't drop your speed. #InsideEdition

[stevehawkins]

The tailgater going into the ditch was a simple matter of poetic justice IMO.

[lancelude]

So this is pretty much saying, "Eventually give in to the tailgaters by moving out of their way and fuel their behavior"

[Marinexize]

I would not feel bad if they crashed. They asked for it!!

[treecityrider]

Aggressive tailgaters deserve exactly what happened to that suv

[sirkermy]

This is like saying "Just ignore them" if you're getting bullied

[Sleepdroidstudios]

I love the title. However, my car doesn't have "breaks". I have "brakes", but no "breaks". Come on Inside Edition.

[kokolovitch]

I routinely get tailgated when I’m in the right lane, even when the left lane is open, and cars continuously blow past us. This is obviously to intimidate you. But I don’t let them push me, I stay exactly where I’m at, and that is the best thing to do, plus they have to be fuming like crazy.

[Emily-jhli]

DO NOT PULL OVER for a tailgater. I did once. The guy who was behind me also stopped and was approaching my car screaming. Luckily I got back on the road and avoided physical alterations with that large man but it was definitely a situation I'd like to avoid again.

[Venyche]

I have a sunroof so I throw change straight up and watch it hit their windshield lol

[mindlessgonzo]

*Brake. Jesus, Inside Edition, learn to use the right spelling.

[taohudson]

I normally do reduce my speed slightly just to reduce the risk and the stopping distance in case any potential hazards around do cause me to have to break. Yes of course, this may provoke the tailgater to potentially overtake. However, this is the safest method out of all possible scenarios, in my opinion.

[naywahn]

I love how they changed lanes AFTER the crash! LMAO

[Andrew-mbzd]

F that. They flash the highbeams I take my foot off the gas

[kkdqxwg]

Yeah I slow down when people tailgate me. If they crash passing me that's on them. What really should happen is these narcissus should have their licenses pulled indefinitely.

[dylansee]

But what if I want to check my breaks real quick?

[alexpalmer]

I was being tailgated on the highway, and I signalled to indicate I was moving over. The guy responded by getting closer and cutting me off. He acted like it was nothing, and started tailgating the other poor guy. You just can't win sometimes.

[josephwatson]

so the solution to stop tail gaters is to let them tail gate? I don't think so. I'd take pride in the fact knowing I caused someone to get hurt from tail gating

[hux]

Another method: use your windshield washers. Some of the spray will go behind you onto the tailgater's windshield and they'll back off. Sounds weird, I know. But I've tried it countless times and it works every time.

Better yet: it never causes anyone to flip out because everyone needs to clean their windshield from time to time, so it isn't perceived as retaliatory.

[Petermason_]

When I'm getting tailgated and there is no traffic I just slowly start going slower till they back off

[ec]

Screw that. Tailgaters get what they deserve. They think they own the freaking road. There's no excuse to be tailgating.