If you sense a car following you while you are on foot, what should you do to increase your safety?

Turning around and walking in the opposite direction is a prudent response when you sense a car following you while on foot. This action allows you to assess the situation better and determine the intentions of the driver without continuing on a path that may lead to an unsafe encounter. By changing direction, you create distance between yourself and the vehicle, which can help you feel safer.

Moreover, if the driver has ill intentions, the change in your course could disrupt their plan and allow you to move toward a safer location, such as a public area. In contrast, running toward the nearest store could draw attention to you and may not necessarily provide safety immediately. Ignoring the vehicle and continuing to walk or waving to the driver may inadvertently escalate the situation, as it does not address the instinctive feeling of being followed. Engaging further with the situation without taking precautionary measures could compromise your safety.