The disclosure includes embodiments for identifying a transmitter of a Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) message. In some embodiments, a method for an ego vehicle includes modifying an operation of a communication unit of the ego vehicle to receive a V2X message that includes identification data of a transmitter of the V2X message. The method includes executing a proactive vehicle control operation on the ego vehicle to modify a distance between the ego vehicle and a preceding vehicle ahead of the ego vehicle so that the distance satisfies a distance threshold. The method includes determining whether the preceding vehicle is the transmitter based on the identification data so that a reliable determination is achieved to improve a driving safety of the ego vehicle responsive to the distance satisfying the distance threshold.