What should you do if you are being followed closely by a tailgater?

When you are being followed closely by a tailgater, it’s important to maintain control and ensure your safety, which makes encouraging them to pass by riding at a steady speed the most appropriate response. This strategy helps to avoid escalating the situation and reduces the risk of a collision. By maintaining a consistent speed, you provide the following driver the opportunity to safely pass you when it’s clear to do so.

This approach allows you to remain predictable, which is especially important on a motorcycle where stability is crucial. Swift maneuvers like changing speed or braking could lead to unexpected reactions from the tailgater, potentially resulting in an accident. Keeping a steady speed also allows you to focus on your riding without unnecessary distractions.

Other choices may suggest actions that could create hazardous situations. Accelerating might just encourage a faster pace that is unsafe for road conditions, while braking suddenly could lead to a rear-end collision with the tailgater. Changing lanes can be effective in certain situations but may not always be readily available or safe, depending on traffic conditions. Thus, riding at a steady speed to encourage the tailgater to pass is the safest and most prudent choice.