How should you respond to tailgating?

How should you respond to tailgating?

• A. Brake suddenly to deter.
• B. Ignore and remain at same distance.
• C. Do not challenge; increase your following distance, and allow the tailgater to pass when safe.
• D. Speed up to create gap.

Answer: (C)

When someone is tailgating, the priority is to create a safe space cushion and avoid escalating the situation. The best approach is to keep a steady speed, increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react, and, when it’s safe, let the tailgater pass. This reduces the risk of a rear-end collision and removes the immediate pressure to react to the other driver’s behavior. Avoid braking abruptly, ignoring the tailgater, or speeding up to create distance, as those actions can make things worse. If possible, signal and move to the right lane to allow them to pass, and if conditions are tough, extend your following distance even further and stay calm.

When someone is tailgating, the priority is to create a safe space cushion and avoid escalating the situation. The best approach is to keep a steady speed, increase your following distance to give yourself more time to react, and, when it’s safe, let the tailgater pass. This reduces the risk of a rear-end collision and removes the immediate pressure to react to the other driver’s behavior. Avoid braking abruptly, ignoring the tailgater, or speeding up to create distance, as those actions can make things worse. If possible, signal and move to the right lane to allow them to pass, and if conditions are tough, extend your following distance even further and stay calm.