If someone is driving aggressively behind you, you should:
- Try to get out of the aggressive driver’s way. ✓
- Stare at the driver as he or she is passing you.
- Speed up as he or she is passing you.
- Block the passing lane.
Answer: A. Try to get out of the aggressive driver’s way.
Try to get out of the aggressive driver’s way.
Why this is the answer
The handbook’s defensive driving section says to adjust your driving to other motorists’ actions. If someone is aggressively changing lanes as they approach from behind, anticipate that they will probably pass and possibly cut you off, so slow down and be ready to brake. That fits moving out of the aggressive driver’s path rather than staying in a contest with them. The other choices would keep you near the driver or interfere with the pass.
Why the other answers are wrong
- B. Stare at the driver as he or she is passing you. — Staring at the driver keeps your attention off the road and does not fit the handbook advice to anticipate the pass and adjust your driving.
- C. Speed up as he or she is passing you. — Speeding up while the aggressive driver passes fights for space instead of slowing down and being ready to brake as the handbook advises.
- D. Block the passing lane. — Blocking the passing lane challenges the aggressive driver and contradicts the defensive approach of making adjustments to avoid a crash.
Remember it
Let the aggressive driver go by; give space and slow down instead of competing.