If you are tailgated, what is an appropriate response?

• A. Increase following distance; change lanes if safe; avoid confrontation.
• B. Slam on brakes to warn the tailgater.
• C. Speed up to create space.
• D. Stop moving until tailgater passes.

Answer: (A)

Tailgating increases the risk of a rear-end crash, so the safest move is to create more space and avoid escalating the situation. Start by gently easing off the accelerator to maintain a steady, predictable speed and increase the following distance behind the vehicle in front of you. If traffic allows and it’s safe, signal and move to a different lane to let the tailgater pass, which reduces the pressure on you and lowers the chance of a collision.

Avoid confrontation and aggressive actions. Do not brake suddenly or slam on the brakes to “teach” them a lesson, and don’t speed up to widen the gap only briefly before joining the tailgater again, since that often makes things worse. Stopping or lingering in traffic until they pass is not a reliable or safe strategy and can cause confusion or backups.

By keeping calm, increasing space, and changing lanes when safe, you reduce risk and make it easier to respond to any hazards that appear.