Advice: How do you stop people from tailgating you?
Discussion
Flat in Fifth said:
..or make a 360 round an island...
Blimey - that's a bit extreme.
"Hmm, I'm being tailgated, I think I'll do a lap of the Isle of Wight!"
Mind you it would be a good excuse to make a lap of the derestricted parts of the Isle of Man!
Keep up with that!!
Well, that's a good way to lose a tailgater. Lead them like a lost sheep to the Isle of man and then welly it 
OK, here's another type of tailgater for you all, came across him this morning (van unsurprisingly):-
You're in the inside/middle lane, awaiting a gap in the next lane out. You're indicating, and the gap/end-of-traffic has just reached you. And as you're starting move, in your mirror you suddenly spot some tw@t haring up behind you in your lane and indicating to move into the spot you're moving into, only they're moving across at the same time as you (albeit 15-20mph quicker), so it's not like they've got right-of-way. Often this will be after undertaking a car behind you.
Should you:-
a) Abort your manoeuvre, swing back into the middle lane, and brake as needed;
b) Continue the manoeuvre, hold hand up to say thankyou regardless of them planting themselves firmly in your rear-bumper with lights blazing and horn going;
c) Continue the manoeuvre, wait until they've slowed to your speed, then completely fail to accelerate, making the aggressive, impatient *%&£ realise their bullying attitude won't work.
I have to confess I plumped for (c) - I was already moving, to abort would've meant braking and swerving, and the level of aggression was breathtaking and I wasn't in the mood. But I also know (c) wasn't the right answer.
Thoughts?
You're in the inside/middle lane, awaiting a gap in the next lane out. You're indicating, and the gap/end-of-traffic has just reached you. And as you're starting move, in your mirror you suddenly spot some tw@t haring up behind you in your lane and indicating to move into the spot you're moving into, only they're moving across at the same time as you (albeit 15-20mph quicker), so it's not like they've got right-of-way. Often this will be after undertaking a car behind you.
Should you:-
a) Abort your manoeuvre, swing back into the middle lane, and brake as needed;
b) Continue the manoeuvre, hold hand up to say thankyou regardless of them planting themselves firmly in your rear-bumper with lights blazing and horn going;
c) Continue the manoeuvre, wait until they've slowed to your speed, then completely fail to accelerate, making the aggressive, impatient *%&£ realise their bullying attitude won't work.
I have to confess I plumped for (c) - I was already moving, to abort would've meant braking and swerving, and the level of aggression was breathtaking and I wasn't in the mood. But I also know (c) wasn't the right answer.
Thoughts?
this also happens when you get on to a motorway or dual carriageway from the slip road with other cars also joining the multi-lane road. They guy behind plants it to cut you off. I view that as a bit selfish, but he can't know your plans.
If I am behind in those circs and am moving into lane 2 to pass traffic, I try to anticipate what the guy in front who has just joined is going to do, so I don't cut him off.
In answer to the actual question...you should of course have seen the wvm hareing up behind and anticipated what he was going to do so you could time your manoeuvre before or after him and not have to take precipitous action! :-)
However in practice when the circs do occur, I try not to get in front and have wvm up me chuff! Even if I am going to be traveling faster and end up overtaking, I would rather let him go by first.
Graham
If I am behind in those circs and am moving into lane 2 to pass traffic, I try to anticipate what the guy in front who has just joined is going to do, so I don't cut him off.
In answer to the actual question...you should of course have seen the wvm hareing up behind and anticipated what he was going to do so you could time your manoeuvre before or after him and not have to take precipitous action! :-)
However in practice when the circs do occur, I try not to get in front and have wvm up me chuff! Even if I am going to be traveling faster and end up overtaking, I would rather let him go by first.
Graham
havoc said:
OK, here's another type of tailgater for you all, came across him this morning (van unsurprisingly):-
You're in the inside/middle lane, awaiting a gap in the next lane out. You're indicating, and the gap/end-of-traffic has just reached you. And as you're starting move, in your mirror you suddenly spot some tw@t haring up behind you in your lane and indicating to move into the spot you're moving into, only they're moving across at the same time as you (albeit 15-20mph quicker), so it's not like they've got right-of-way. Often this will be after undertaking a car behind you.
Should you:-
a) Abort your manoeuvre, swing back into the middle lane, and brake as needed;
b) Continue the manoeuvre, hold hand up to say thankyou regardless of them planting themselves firmly in your rear-bumper with lights blazing and horn going;
c) Continue the manoeuvre, wait until they've slowed to your speed, then completely fail to accelerate, making the aggressive, impatient *%&£ realise their bullying attitude won't work.
I have to confess I plumped for (c) - I was already moving, to abort would've meant braking and swerving, and the level of aggression was breathtaking and I wasn't in the mood. But I also know (c) wasn't the right answer.
Thoughts?
That happens to me a lot. I have my right hand indicator on, about to pull into a large gap in the lane to my right to overtake the car in front of me, when the guy behind me (who's often been following me for a while) boots it and swerves around my right hand side, blocking me. You need to keep your wits about you, especially in a mid engined car with not much rear three quarter visibility! (or indeed a transit van, which doesn't have any rear three quarter - you'd think these idiots would realise the danger seeing as they drive such a vehicle!).
Another common one was also mentioned above - when you're joining a motorway and the guy behind you accelerates and blocks your move into lane 1, or even lane 2 if the case may be.
My theory is that people who drive boring tin boxes and/or don't have any interesting CDs to listen to play games with other people just to pass the time.
RobM77 said:
My theory is that people who drive boring tin boxes and/or don't have any interesting CDs to listen to play games with other people just to pass the time.
Quite possibly true...especially if they have a large vehicle which isn't theirs.
(a) has got to be the safe answer, but it happens so often on the M1 it gets difficult to remain calm and let these idiots drive past you...this twit just appeared 'out-of-nowhere' (and I check mirrors religiously), and I'd been signalling for a good 20-30secs waiting for someone to let me out (which didn't happen!).
gridgway said:
this also happens when you get on to a motorway or dual carriageway from the slip road with other cars also joining the multi-lane road. They guy behind plants it to cut you off. I view that as a bit selfish, but he can't know your plans.
assuming I understand correctly.
In order to stop people coming down and nicking my space on the main carriageway then I take command position on the on-slip. Ideally this is lane 2 so the guy (and its always a guy) cannot overtake and position alongside and prevent me from merging into the space on lane 1. I think that's what you mean.
Occasionally have seen where someone undertakes in lane 1 of the on-slip, positions themselves to your left and then try to force their way onto the main carriageway into the pace you already occupy in lane 1. Well that is OK assuming that I have somewhere to go in lane 2, but if not where am I gonna go muppet?
If I think that will happen, ie the undertake along the on-slip then I position straddling the white line, yes it is bolshie but tough, suck it up sunbeam.
Also I don't get the people who have been happy to drive at a certain speed with a certain space in front of them but open the taps as soon as they see a planned manoeuvre into 'their' lane. Deliberate jousting with vehicles is not on, and worthy of a tug as far as I'm concerned.
Flat in Fifth said:Agreed on point 2 - 'posession' of a lane is ridiculous, aggressive and dangerous.
If I think that will happen, ie the undertake along the on-slip then I position straddling the white line, yes it is bolshie but tough, suck it up sunbeam.
Also I don't get the people who have been happy to drive at a certain speed with a certain space in front of them but open the taps as soon as they see a planned manoeuvre into 'their' lane. Deliberate jousting with vehicles is not on, and worthy of a tug as far as I'm concerned.
Point 1 - I am noticing increasing numbers of drivers (mainly reps or execs) not waiting for the dotted lines marking the slip-road merging with the M-way, but instead cutting across the chevrons before the merge...if they do this you're stuffed, wherever you position yourself, as they are established on the M-way before you and they're usually aggressive enough to cause you bother either joining the M-way or trying to pull out into J2. The only solutions there are:-
- join them (wrong answer - just escalates things)
- wait for them then pull across after them
I have said before, the lack of trafpol over the last few years IS causing a deterioration in driving standards, mainly increased aggression and reduced consideration. Because people know they're "safe" from prosecution, barring that 0.0001% chance of tangling with a BiB in an unmarked car. Makes you want to drive a tank, not a sports car!!!
Agreed havoc regarding slipping standards. Tbh I'm not sure if its a case of 'I know the rules but stuff it because I won't get caught', or just simply not understanding or wanting to understand.
If these 'reps' understood that the penalty for crossing the chevrons was an obligatory 3 pts and scale 3 fine with possible disqualification I bet they wouldn't be in such a rush to save 0.3 nanoseconds on the journey.
Bit like the abuse of zig zags outside schools and pedestrian crossings. The other night woman in an MGTF showed a stupid bit of parking blocking the view of a busy pelican crossing. I hope her kebab was worth it because it ended up being a very expensive one.
If these 'reps' understood that the penalty for crossing the chevrons was an obligatory 3 pts and scale 3 fine with possible disqualification I bet they wouldn't be in such a rush to save 0.3 nanoseconds on the journey.
Bit like the abuse of zig zags outside schools and pedestrian crossings. The other night woman in an MGTF showed a stupid bit of parking blocking the view of a busy pelican crossing. I hope her kebab was worth it because it ended up being a very expensive one.
Flat in Fifth said:
In order to stop people coming down and nicking my space on the main carriageway then I take command position on the on-slip. Ideally this is lane 2 so the guy (and its always a guy) cannot overtake and position alongside and prevent me from merging into the space on lane 1. I think that's what you mean.
thats not quite what I meant, but I agree with your thoughts about the onslip. I was thinking when you join into lane 1 with car(s) behind joining. You then wait for the gap to pull out and overtake a slower car in front in lane 1. The gap gets to the person behind before it gets to you (IYSWIM) and he/she pulls out and past you even if you are signalling. Not sure they are strictly wrong, but at least bad-mannered.
GRaham
gridgway said:
In order to stop people coming down and nicking my space on the main carriageway then I take command position on the on-slip. Ideally this is lane 2 so the guy (and its always a guy) cannot overtake and position alongside and prevent me from merging into the space on lane 1. I think that's what you mean.
thats not quite what I meant, but I agree with your thoughts about the onslip. I was thinking when you join into lane 1 with car(s) behind joining. You then wait for the gap to pull out and overtake a slower car in front in lane 1. The gap gets to the person behind before it gets to you (IYSWIM) and he/she pulls out and past you even if you are signalling. Not sure they are strictly wrong, but at least bad-mannered.
GRaham
Yes I find that happens to me quite often and it does look a bit pushy, but I'm not seriously bothered, and I'm certainly not going to make a competition of it. I'm usually content to get safely into lane 1 and settle in before making any further moves.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
gridgway said:
In order to stop people coming down and nicking my space on the main carriageway then I take command position on the on-slip. Ideally this is lane 2 so the guy (and its always a guy) cannot overtake and position alongside and prevent me from merging into the space on lane 1. I think that's what you mean.
thats not quite what I meant, but I agree with your thoughts about the onslip. I was thinking when you join into lane 1 with car(s) behind joining. You then wait for the gap to pull out and overtake a slower car in front in lane 1. The gap gets to the person behind before it gets to you (IYSWIM) and he/she pulls out and past you even if you are signalling. Not sure they are strictly wrong, but at least bad-mannered.
GRaham
Don't get close to traffic ahead coming down the on slip with you, leave yourself room ahead & effectively holding those behind you back a little. When coming down the on slip & you've identified your gap you can then accelerate away from traffic behind you & on to the motorway. They will not then be on your offside shoulder to prevent you getting out.
vonhosen said:
In order to stop people coming down and nicking my space on the main carriageway then I take command position on the on-slip. Ideally this is lane 2 so the guy (and its always a guy) cannot overtake and position alongside and prevent me from merging into the space on lane 1. I think that's what you mean.
thats not quite what I meant, but I agree with your thoughts about the onslip. I was thinking when you join into lane 1 with car(s) behind joining. You then wait for the gap to pull out and overtake a slower car in front in lane 1. The gap gets to the person behind before it gets to you (IYSWIM) and he/she pulls out and past you even if you are signalling. Not sure they are strictly wrong, but at least bad-mannered.
GRaham
Don't get close to traffic ahead coming down the on slip with you, leave yourself room ahead & effectively holding those behind you back a little. When coming down the on slip & you've identified your gap you can then accelerate away from traffic behind you & on to the motorway. They will not then be on your offside shoulder to prevent you getting out.
Now why didn't I think of that? Well never mind, we're learning something useful now! Thank you Von.
Best wishes all,
Dave.
vonhosen said:
Don't get close to traffic ahead coming down the on slip with you, leave yourself room ahead & effectively holding those behind you back a little. When coming down the on slip & you've identified your gap you can then accelerate away from traffic behind you & on to the motorway. They will not then be on your offside shoulder to prevent you getting out.
Works for me.
Don't know about others, but in light-moderate 'traffic' (i.e. still flowing >70mph), I tend to look over my shoulder for 'gaps' in lanes 1 and 2, occasionally 3 also if needed, to plan how I can most efficiently get up to cruising speed (c.85mph). If you do it right, as vonhosen suggests, you can avoid the numpties behind ever becoming an issue.
Where it's most difficult is in heavy-but-moving traffic, where you've got to wait for gaps.
The offical advanced drivng line is to leave sufficeient space in front of you for both yourself and the tailgater to stop in -double the two second rule?
There is, I think, a certain amount of unawareness in younger drivers of the meaning of stopping distances.
The ones that get me though are the tailgaters that hang on your arse and when there is a perfectly adequate oppurtunity to overtake, just sit there!!!! Doh!
Also, why, on a perfectly empty motorway, do ppl cut in in front after thay have overtaken instead of 'politely' giving you some distance before they move back into your lane????
Rgds
Mel
There is, I think, a certain amount of unawareness in younger drivers of the meaning of stopping distances.
The ones that get me though are the tailgaters that hang on your arse and when there is a perfectly adequate oppurtunity to overtake, just sit there!!!! Doh!
Also, why, on a perfectly empty motorway, do ppl cut in in front after thay have overtaken instead of 'politely' giving you some distance before they move back into your lane????
Rgds
Mel
Melv said:
The offical advanced drivng line is to leave sufficeient space in front of you for both yourself and the tailgater to stop in -double the two second rule?
There is, I think, a certain amount of unawareness in younger drivers of the meaning of stopping distances.
The ones that get me though are the tailgaters that hang on your arse and when there is a perfectly adequate oppurtunity to overtake, just sit there!!!! Doh!
Also, why, on a perfectly empty motorway, do ppl cut in in front after thay have overtaken instead of 'politely' giving you some distance before they move back into your lane????
Rgds
Mel
comfort i think, or indecision and lack of ability on their part,
it is the same as those who drive in lane 2, particularly women, they slow down to the speed of whatever is in lane 2 then when it clears speed up again rather plan ahead and pass it by moving into lane 3 which can be rather annoying
your last remark: i do it if you're sat in lane 2 and lane 1 is empty just to make a point, but it depends on your definition of being cut up i usually pull-in when i see you in my nearside mirror which is well before you appear in my interior mirror it just the way i have them set
EmmaP said:
This is annoying. It happens really because most people have no real consideration for stopping distances. I usually lift off the gas and increase the distance in front of me. Most important thing though, I believe, is to not get annoyed.
Ist what I do.. increase the gap.. take deep breath.. give space to overtake. However - I do have one fave Gatso und I am afraid I make it earn its cash..
Ist by a garage. obscured by bus shelter und I do not know why but I always seem to be buzzed by tailgater here. Ist a wide road .. look like a 40 mph if I am to be honest so can see from his point of view. I am too slow at 29 mph..
Only.. I know ist 30 mph.. I know there are cams around und aware of a regular mobile addy as well
But have serious fear of anything too close to tailpipe for comfort.. und
.. admit it has root in what happened all those years ago . I admit .. I do look at my drives with objective eye und recognise a subjective perception on "too close to me". Anyway.. if they do not overtake und I feel threatened on this road. Nip into forecourt.. they accelerate und "pingy- pingy!"
Well .. if they had not been tailgating und attempting to bully me - they would have seen it - nicht?
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