Hundreds of Kiwis are voicing their confusion over the correct way to deal with angry tailgaters when driving.
Multiple Reddit posts discussing the controversial road issue have left people even more conflicted on what the right thing is to do.
Several people described tailgating as "dangerous" and "risky", particularly on corners.
"I wish tailgaters would just wait a few hundred metres for the passing lane rather than doing it on a double yellow as we're both driving around a corner," one woman said. "If you want to get yourself killed on the roads don't do it around me.
"Even waiting a couple kilometres to overtake me is safer and easier than risking overtaking on a double yellow going what seems about 20 kilometres over the limit," she said.
"If someone is driving recklessly, there's a good chance they might cause an accident. I don't want them anywhere near me when it happens," another person added.
"I really, really wish people would chill out and slow down. It breaks my heart to see the road toll at this time of year. Precious people who won't be home for Christmas."
The discussion comes as this year's road fatality number soars to 318.
"People need to learn to stay in their lane and drive to the limits of themselves and their car," another person added.
Some Kiwis admitted they have never allowed tailgaters to pass.
"If I'm driving the speed limit, I'm not going to pull over to facilitate someone speeding. Their inability to follow road rules isn't my problem," one person said.
"I just don't see why I should have to take the time to stop so some impatient asshole can go unnecessarily fast," another said. "If they're tailgating me aggressively then I might pull over but only for my safety".
Others agreed letting them pass was "rewarding bad behaviour".
"Pulling over for them encourages their behaviour and they will try to intimidate everyone else," one person said.
"Dangerous drivers continue to be dangerous and speed because they keep getting away with it," another said.
"Stop rewarding bad behaviour and dangerous driving. I have a right to be on the road, driving at the correct speed," a third added. "They're the ones that kill innocent people on our roads, learn to have some patience."
Others said allowing angry tailgaters to pass was a way of protecting themselves.
"It's not a legal requirement but it's safer to pull over when safe to let them pass before they do something stupid and overtake you dangerously," one person said.
"Just let them pass, don't put yourself at risk," another added.
So how should people actually deal with tailgaters?
The NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said several serious crashes on Aotearoa's roads are caused by dangerous passing.
"Generally, when driving on a motorway, people should keep left, unless passing," an NZTA spokesperson told Newshub.
"Out on the road, if you've been driving slower than the speed limit, don't speed up when you reach a passing lane if other vehicles are following - give them the opportunity to pass you safely," the spokesperson added.
NZTA stressed the importance of maintaining a safe following distance at all times.
"Don't tailgate, following too closely increases your chance of a crash," NZTA posted to Facebook.
"In good conditions you should leave a two-second gap between you and the vehicle in front. In bad conditions, like when it's raining, leave a four-second gap."
"To safely pass another vehicle, you need to be extremely careful. You must have a clear view of the road ahead, to make sure you can finish passing safely," NZTA's website reads.
"You must also pay close attention to the vehicle you're passing; in case it changes its course."
