Prepare for the California DMV Traffic School Test. Study with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and understand with detailed explanations. Get cleared for your driving confidently!

Multiple Choice

Which practice helps you maintain safety if a tailgater is behind you and cannot be avoided?

When a tailgater is behind and you can’t avoid them, the safest approach is to ignore the pressure and create space. Do not engage or react aggressively. Instead, stay calm, keep a steady speed or gently ease off the accelerator to increase the distance between you and the vehicle behind you. If it’s safe to do so, signal and safely change lanes or pull over to let the tailgater pass. This reduces the risk of a rear-end collision and gives you more time to react to traffic ahead. Braking hard, speeding up, or getting into an argument increases the chance of a crash and escalates the situation.

When a tailgater is behind and you can’t avoid them, the safest approach is to ignore the pressure and create space. Do not engage or react aggressively. Instead, stay calm, keep a steady speed or gently ease off the accelerator to increase the distance between you and the vehicle behind you. If it’s safe to do so, signal and safely change lanes or pull over to let the tailgater pass. This reduces the risk of a rear-end collision and gives you more time to react to traffic ahead. Braking hard, speeding up, or getting into an argument increases the chance of a crash and escalates the situation.