If a tailgater is behind you and you cannot safely let them pass immediately, what should you do?

If a tailgater is behind you and you cannot safely let them pass immediately, what should you do?

• A. Increase speed to create space.
• B. Maintain your own safe following distance and, if safe, allow the tailgater to pass.
• C. Brake suddenly to deter.
• D. Pull over to the right and stop.

Answer: (B)

When someone is tailgating, the priority is to reduce risk by keeping your own safe following distance and creating a safe opportunity for the other driver to pass when possible. Trying to speed up to create space can backfire, escalating the situation and increasing the chance of a crash. Braking suddenly to deter a tailgater is a common cause of rear-end collisions and should be avoided. Stopping in traffic on the shoulder or in a lane is dangerous and should only be done if you can do so safely and legally, not as a routine response. The best approach is to maintain a steady, safe following distance and, if it’s safe, allow the tailgater to pass. This helps reduce risk for you and others on the road.

When someone is tailgating, the priority is to reduce risk by keeping your own safe following distance and creating a safe opportunity for the other driver to pass when possible. Trying to speed up to create space can backfire, escalating the situation and increasing the chance of a crash. Braking suddenly to deter a tailgater is a common cause of rear-end collisions and should be avoided. Stopping in traffic on the shoulder or in a lane is dangerous and should only be done if you can do so safely and legally, not as a routine response. The best approach is to maintain a steady, safe following distance and, if it’s safe, allow the tailgater to pass. This helps reduce risk for you and others on the road.