You are probably aware of the importance of keeping a safe following distance from the vehicle in front when on the road. The recommended minimum is three seconds, but when anything in the equation is less than ideal, that should increase. It could be the road being wet, you feeling tired or your tires needing changing, among other things.
So how can you shake a driver behind you who is not leaving enough of a gap? Should you signal, flash your brake lights or what?
You don’t want to exacerbate the situation
Let’s say you check your brakes. That will slow your vehicle slightly, bringing the driver behind even closer and increasing the chance of a crash. It’s also illegal and could see you blamed if a crash were to occur. So avoid it.
Signaling can also be problematic. Maybe the driver will understand your hand gesture or horn honk as you intend it. Or maybe they will take offense and perhaps even think your hand gesture is a rude one. This could anger them, perhaps causing them to move even closer or drive aggressively in some other way.
It is up to you to protect yourself
While it is the other driver who is in the wrong and who should fall back, it’s is you who will have to adjust your driving. Unless they realize they are too close and drop back voluntarily, it is you who will have to increase the distance.
Sometimes you can just accelerate a little to increase the gap. Sometimes you can move over a lane to let them pass. Other times, such as on roads with only one lane in your direction, you might need to pull over or turn off to remove yourself from danger.
Doing what you legally and safely can to avoid a crash is best, even when someone else is in the wrong.