How should you respond to someone tailgating you?

Maintaining a steady speed and allowing the tailgater to pass when it is safe is the most appropriate response in this situation. Tailgating can be a result of impatience or aggressive driving, and reacting with sudden changes in speed or lane changes can increase the risk of an accident. By keeping a consistent speed, you are providing the tailgater with the opportunity to safely overtake you when possible. This approach minimizes the risk of causing a collision and keeps the situation from escalating.

Decreasing speed suddenly may provoke the tailgater further or lead to potential rear-end collisions. Speeding up to create distance might lead to reckless driving behavior and does not alleviate the issue if the tailgater decides to follow closely at higher speeds. Aggressively changing lanes can create dangerous conditions for all drivers involved, as it may surprise the tailgater and lead to unpredictable maneuvers. Overall, staying calm and allowing the tailgater to pass in a safe manner promotes safety on the road.