How to deal with annoying tailgaters

[Wacky Racer]

Just let them pass and annoy somebody else.

Not rocket science.



Discuss.

[MikeGTi]

Unless you've invested in dash cams, in which case it's best to incite some kind of incident and then post on YouTube so that people can see how bullied you were.

[StuTheGrouch]

Ignore them. Though other options include:

1. Jumping on the brakes (a very stupid thing to do)
2. Extended washing of the windscreen
3. Lifting off the accelerator

Personally I just ignore them. They tend to be the 40 mph everywhere crew so tail gate through villages and built up areas but then reduce to a speck on the horizon once we reach a national speed limit.

[Ahimoth]

Problem there is, quite a bit of the time they're not actually interested in passing.

[Blue Oval84]

MikeGTi said:

Unless you've invested in dash cams, in which case it's best to incite some kind of incident and then post on YouTube so that people can see how bullied you were.

Whilst shouting "You're on camera! BD58 GHN!"

[daemon]

On a motorway - i let them pass. I'd rather not have a retard in a 2 ton death missile on my back bumper.

On other roads, if theres opportunity to let them pass i'll pull over a bit and let them overtake, otherwise i ignore.

[Laurel Green]

Increase your braking distance from the vehicle in front, then ignore them.

[rallycross]

just get out of the way and let them get on with it
they are faster than you
move over
it only takes 3 seconds to let someone past
let them harass the next person and get on with your life

[mikeveal]

If you're not holding them up (heavy traffic in front of you is holding you up too): ignore (and repeatedly clean windscreen).
If you're being held up by someone who should be moving over: let them pass. An aggressive tailgater often clears the road for you.
If they're dangerous: let them pass. It's not worth the agro, plus you can only avoid the accident they've caused by running into the back of someone if that 'someone' isn't you.

If you're holding them up: move over.

[Blanchimont]

I've got a dash cam, but it seems people fall into 2 groups.

Those who upload every little demeanour on the roads and take great pride in putting it on youtube. These tend to be st drivers themselves.

The other sort is the ones who leave it in there recording away and never touch it unless they see/are in a crash.

I tend to just carry on as normal, but increase the gap to the car in front a bit, or just think "prick" and carry on as normal.

[5-Oh]

Another, more childish/fun option is to stick to the limit rigidly and then when you reach the NSL signs, leave them for dead. Depending on what they're driving, obviously

[anonymous-user]

Ignore them and or slow down a little.

[Cyder]

5-Oh said:

Another, more childish/fun option is to stick to the limit rigidly and then when you reach the NSL signs, leave them for dead. Depending on what they're driving, obviously

Me in Mx5 vs meathead in VW Amarok yesterday.
He didn't want to keep up on the twisty NSL roads for some reason. Spoilsport!

[MacW]

So nobody else uses the oil and caltrop dispensers?

Nope?

Just me then...

[funinhounslow]

Couple of blips of the hazards?

When cycling I just look back and make prolonged eye contact - this works almost every time...

[evilandy]

Accelerate to your vehicles top speed as fast as you can and see if they have the balls to keep up with you.

[Mojocvh]

funinhounslow said:

Couple of blips of the hazards?

When cycling I just look back and make prolonged eye contact - this works almost every time...

I see a fatal flaw in that plan....

[Monkeylegend]

evilandy said:

Accelerate to your vehicles top speed as fast as you can and see if they have the balls to keep up with you.

Yep, hand their asses to them on a plate seems to be flavour of the week.

[Vizsla]

evilandy said:

Accelerate to your vehicles top speed as fast as you can and see if they have the balls to keep up with you.

155 on a country lane? What could possibly go wrong

[Slow]

Cyder said:

5-Oh said:

Another, more childish/fun option is to stick to the limit rigidly and then when you reach the NSL signs, leave them for dead. Depending on what they're driving, obviously

Me in Mx5 vs meathead in VW Amarok yesterday.
He didn't want to keep up on the twisty NSL roads for some reason. Spoilsport!

Driving the Range Rover locally I would have the cruise at 60ish on nsl roads and have someone in a sportyish car (3 series, golf gti etc)rapidly catch me, would reach the twisties and they would be left for dead. People seem to fail to understand the fact that cars can take corners above 45mph.