When someone follows too closely
When the driver behind leaves too little distance, create more space ahead so you can brake earlier and more smoothly.
What you cannot control
You cannot force the driver behind to keep their distance. You can change your own position and leave more room for your own braking.
Do not let the car behind distract you
When someone follows closely, it is easy to start checking the mirror too often. Keep track of the car behind, but spend most of your time watching the road ahead: you may need to brake or avoid an obstacle there.
Do not let them set your pace
The driver behind should not pressure you into riding faster than conditions allow. Maintain a safe speed and look for an opportunity to separate from that car.
Watch the gap behind
When traffic slows, watch whether the driver behind slows too. The gap may stay the same, grow, or keep shrinking. That change shows whether they are reacting in time.
Increase the gap ahead
If someone is close behind, gradually increase the gap to the car ahead. This gives you more time to notice traffic slowing and begin braking earlier and more smoothly.
Signal your braking early
If you are about to slow down, a light touch of the brake can illuminate the brake light in advance without noticeable deceleration. This gives the driver behind more time to notice the change.
Look further through traffic
Do not focus only on the car directly ahead. As far as your view allows, watch for brake lights and speed changes farther ahead. The sooner you notice traffic slowing, the more calmly you can respond.
Do not close the gap immediately
When traffic speeds up again, do not rush toward the car ahead. While the driver behind remains too close, keep the larger gap in front. It will give you more time if you need to brake again.
Let them pass
When there is a suitable place, let the driver who is following too closely pass. Afterward, you will no longer need to monitor their movements in your mirror.
Use the next safe opportunity
On a multilane road, you can change lanes and let the car move ahead. If there is nowhere to change lanes, wait for a place where you can let it pass or stop briefly. Do not try to get away by speeding up.
Choose a place to let the car pass
Do not move into a pothole, sand, or a narrow shoulder to let a car pass, and do not do it before a blind corner. Find a suitable place first.
What not to do
Do not brake sharply, even for a moment, to frighten the driver behind. They may increase their following distance afterward, but they may also become angry. Their next actions are difficult to predict.