“Dear Gabbie” is written with the simple hope of bringing a few smiles to your day and is not meant to replace the advice of professionals… especially your mom!

Dear Gabbie,

It seems drivers are more impatient than ever, and so many are riding my bumper these days! How can I get them to stop?

For the love of all that is good and holy, can all you tailgaters just back off our Buick booties and Toyota tushies?!

Here is the simple advice I gave my own new-driver cubs when they were a little too close to the car ahead (while I instinctively jammed a brake pedal that did not exist):

 “How about taking your foot off of the gas pedal for just a few seconds to create more space?” [Insert highly-offended teenage eye roll here!]

This isn’t ground-breaking guidance, as everyone on the planet who has taken driver’s training has heard of this technique. So, how about we ALL work on applying that little nugget of knowledge? 

But, not surprisingly it isn’t the tailgater who wrote asking for advice. Dang it.

Gone are the days when you had the option of jamming on your brakes or clearly hand-signaling to the tailgater that he or she is “number one” (in so many words). With the heightened occurrence of road rage nowadays, nobody should risk antagonizing someone who might be one thread-width away from keeping their cool.

Instead, control what you can. Make it easy for the tailgater to pass when it’s clear and legal; slow down a bit and hug that right line. Or, try gradually slowing down. Sometimes those “bumper sniffers” just need a clue they’re a tad too close.

If you’re still dealing with a Backend Brat, it’s time to put on that blinker and make a safe turn onto a side road or into a parking lot. Let that car continue ahead of you, then merge back on the main road and continue on your merry way, with your emotional well-being intact!

Then, I implore you, resist the urge to zoom up and ride their bumper.

Safe travels!

Gabbie