What should you do when being tailgated?

When being tailgated, increasing your following distance is the safest and most effective action to take. By doing so, you create additional space between your vehicle and the one in front of you, which provides a greater buffer zone in the event of sudden stops or emergencies. This extra space allows for safer braking and helps prevent a collision if the tailgating driver does not stop in time.

Maintaining your speed might seem reasonable, but it does not address the issue of the tailgater being too close, which can lead to more serious consequences in the event of abrupt stopping. Decreasing your following distance would exacerbate the risk, as it places you closer to the vehicle ahead and reduces your ability to respond effectively. Changing lanes frequently could cause confusion and unpredictability for other drivers, increasing the risk of accidents. Therefore, creating a safe buffer by increasing your following distance is the most responsible option to enhance safety.