If a driver is tailgating you, what should you do?

Increasing your following distance and allowing the tailgating driver to pass is the safest and most effective response. When a driver is tailgating, they are close behind you, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision, especially if you need to brake suddenly. By increasing your following distance, you provide yourself more space to react to any unexpected situations, which helps to prevent accidents.

Allowing the tailgater to pass can alleviate the pressure they may be placing on you, allowing for a more relaxed driving experience. This also eliminates the potential for frustration or impatience, which could lead to aggressive driving behavior.

It's important to maintain a calm demeanor and manage the situation safely, which is best done by creating space rather than engaging with the tailgater through aggressive maneuvers, such as speeding up or braking suddenly. Changing lanes can be effective as well, but it may not always be safe or possible depending on traffic conditions. Increasing following distance is the most universally applicable and safest method in this scenario.