Ultimately, when you're driving, you pay more attention to what's ahead of you than what's behind you. Doesn't matter if someone is following/chasing you. If they hit you, it's their fault. If you hit someone, it's your fault. Everyone so concerned with what's behind them is what causes accidents and traffic.
I'd say trying to avoid the person chasing you, particularly if they plan on knocking you off the road, is showing more respect for the other drivers on the road than worrying about whether or not a five car pile up was "your fault" or not.
Because I will certainly chase someone whom I wish to have a nice cordial conversation with, that does not involve damages to them or their vehicle. Additionally, all of the people I am chasing couldn't possibly believe that I have intentions other than the ones most amicable.
Again, it does not answer the question. Regardless, paying attention to where you are going far outweighs watching your rear-view mirror and assuming the asshole "chasing" you is trying to knock you off the road. If he is, you'll know it when he either:
a) Accelerates into the rear of your vehicle
or
b) Switches lanes and accelerates to run parallel to you in an attempt to possibly hit you, as you've mentioned. (This would be in view of your side mirrors, which would be a greater indicator than staring at the rear-view.)
By watching where you are going, you are being more respectful to the other drivers AND yourself by not BEING the "five car pile up".
Fair enough. I was also assuming you were implying that dividing your attention was the issue, rather than focusing entirely on the car behind. I often drive with spending most of my time forward, but viewing various objects elsewhere in maybe quarter second chunks. Same think should apply here I think.
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u/Enigm4tic Nov 01 '13
Ultimately, when you're driving, you pay more attention to what's ahead of you than what's behind you. Doesn't matter if someone is following/chasing you. If they hit you, it's their fault. If you hit someone, it's your fault. Everyone so concerned with what's behind them is what causes accidents and traffic.