One of the most infuriating experiences on the road is when another vehicle tails you, pressuring you to speed up - especially if you're already at the speed limit and shouldn't accelerate further.
Shockingly, one in six drivers admit to retaliating in this situation, despite the inherent danger. These irate motorists confess to brake checking tailgaters, risking both a collision and damage to their own car. Frustrated drivers are seemingly so desperate to communicate their displeasure to the tailgater that they're willing to risk an accident. They appear to believe they're the victim and have the right to respond in this manner.
However, while being tailgated can be incredibly annoying and intimidating, drivers are advised never to brake check other motorists. The clear risk is a potential crash if the tailgating car can't react quickly enough to stop, reports Birmingham Live. Both police and insurance companies frown upon brake checking that results in accidents, with the brake checker likely to be held accountable.
This could even lead to a charge of dangerous driving, which carries hefty fines and potentially even a prison sentence, depending on the circumstances. Dick Lovett, the company behind the study, revealed: "Roughly 1 in 6 (17%) drivers told us they brake check other drivers if they're driving too close behind them. Young drivers (18-24) are the worst for this, where more than double the amount (36%) say they brake check.
"Brake checking is a bad driving habit that involves sharply hitting your brakes with another vehicle behind you for no other reason than warning the driver behind you that you think they're too close. The intention is to make the unsuspecting driver slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid rear-ending your vehicle.
"Many people do this from the belief that insurance companies would find the victim of the brake check at fault for not leaving enough space, but brake checking is illegal, and you can be charged with dangerous driving if you're caught. Dangerous driving in the UK can carry an unlimited fine and a two-year prison sentence."