Which strategy helps avoid tailgating?

• A. Do not engage and increase following distance
• B. Turn on your hazards and stop on the road
• C. Speed up to create space
• D. Wave the tailgater to pass immediately

Answer: (A)

Safe following distance is key to avoiding tailgating. The best approach is to not engage and to gradually increase the distance to the vehicle in front. By keeping more space, you give yourself extra time to react if traffic slows and reduce the chance of a rear-end collision if the tailgater gets closer. Remaining calm and avoiding abrupt moves or signaling others to hurry helps prevent escalation.

The other options introduce risk or encourage unsafe behavior. Turning on hazards and stopping on the road creates a new hazard for other drivers. Speeding up to create space can feed the tailgater’s urge to push closer and isn’t predictable. Waving the tailgater to pass immediately can lead to an unsafe pass and potential collision. If a tailgater is persistent, safely changing lanes or letting them pass when possible is a prudent option.