Many people across Ohio rely on the safe use of the roads to go about their daily activities. Usually, they are able to do this without issue. Unfortunately, there are times where drivers can run into trouble.
Road traffic accidents are common enough in the state to be worthy of concern. There are a number of different factors that can lead up to an accident, with driver distraction, impairment, speeding and reckless driving being some of the more notable sources. Among the most frequent causes of road traffic collisions is tailgating. Tailgating warrants further consideration as not only does it cause drivers to feel unsafe while on the road, it also significantly increases their chances of being injured.
What is tailgating?
Essentially, tailgating amounts to a vehicle driving far too closely behind you. This is dangerous for many reasons and can result in serious crashes. When a driver is too close to you, you are likely to become distracted, meaning that you lose focus on other potential hazards. If you do have to stop quickly, the vehicle behind will not be able to brake in time and will almost certainly run into you. For this reason, the state of Ohio has implemented laws that govern how closely moving vehicles can follow one another.
What can you do about aggressive tailgaters?
There may be times where someone is accidentally following too closely, but often tailgating is linked to aggressive driving. Usually, the driver just wants to get past you, so the best solution is to give them what they want. As long as it is safe to do so, you should not attempt to obstruct them from overtaking. It is also possible that they desire some sort of reaction from you. Responding with aggressive behavior yourself will only serve to escalate the situation and put you at risk of harm. You always have the option to report the person to the authorities, so don’t rise to aggressive tailgaters, it simply isn’t worth it.
Protecting yourself on the roads in Ohio is paramount. If you have been hurt in a car accident, there may be options open to you to make a claim for legal compensation.