Another driver is following you too closely (tailgating) on an Oregon road. What's the recommended response?
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A.
Speed up to put distance between you and the tailgater.
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B.
Move right if you can; otherwise slowly reduce your speed. Correct
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C.
Flash your brake lights repeatedly.
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D.
Brake hard to send a message that they're too close.
The answer is "Move right if you can; otherwise slowly reduce your speed."
The manual's two-step rule: if a right lane is available, move over so the tailgater can pass. If not, slowly reduce your speed; this may encourage them to pass or to stop tailgating. Never brake hard to send a message; the manual warns you could get hit from behind. Drivers who pick D are treating hard braking as a way to communicate with the tailgater, but the manual directly forbids that response.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Speed up to put distance between you and the tailgater.
The manual directs you to make space by moving right or slowing down, not by accelerating away. This answer confuses creating a space cushion with outrunning the tailgater; the manual nowhere recommends increasing speed.
C. Flash your brake lights repeatedly.
The manual's prescribed responses are moving right or slowly reducing speed, not signaling at the driver behind you. This answer substitutes a signaling stunt for the manual's actual rule (move right, then slowly reduce speed).
D. Brake hard to send a message that they're too close.
The manual explicitly says never brake hard to discourage tailgating; you could get hit from behind. This answer treats hard braking as a communication tool, but the manual directly forbids it as a tailgating response.
This question tests your knowledge of Defensive Driving in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Space Cushion Behind," p.28..
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