What should you do if you are being tailgated?

When you are being tailgated, changing lanes to allow the driver to pass is the most appropriate action. This approach promotes safety for both you and the aggressive driver behind you. By moving to another lane, you create distance between your vehicle and the tailgater, reducing the risk of a collision should the tailgater fail to brake in time or misjudge the distance needed to stop.

Gradually slowing down can also be effective, particularly if changing lanes is not possible. However, it’s important to do so without abrupt movements that could confuse or provoke the tailgater further. Providing a safe opportunity for the tailgater to overtake you helps maintain a calmer driving environment and prevents escalating the situation.

The other options—such as speeding up to get ahead, braking suddenly, or ignoring the behavior—can lead to riskier scenarios. Speeding up may not resolve the situation if the tailgater decides to match your speed, while braking suddenly could increase the likelihood of a rear-end collision. Ignoring the tailgater does not address the immediate risk and may leave you vulnerable to further aggressive driving behavior.