It's rare that I get tailgated, probably because I tend to drive slightly faster than most, and possibly because these days most of my motoring is in rusty, dented bangers.
A few years ago I was in a 1.2 Corsa and was being tailgated by a group of teenagers in a hot hatch. As I approached some lights, where I was turning right, the lights turned green and I had a clear enough view to take the right turn quickly, so i did, left foot braking on the way into the bend, opposite locked and powered away from teh apex. Once back in the straight I took great delight in seeing that the hot hatch had been spun by its driver. They caught me up at the next set of lights and I could see that the driver was being ridiculed by his mates for not being able to drive a hot hatch as well as a 1.2 Corsa could be driven.
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I read often, only post occasionally
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It's rare that I get tailgated,
Same here. It's usually me that doing the tailgating ;o)
Nothing worse than having a driver in front of you that dawdles.
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"A few years ago I was in a 1.2 Corsa and was being tailgated by a group of teenagers in a hot hatch. As I approached some lights, where I was turning right, the lights turned green and I had a clear enough view to take the right turn quickly, so i did, left foot braking on the way into the bend, opposite locked and powered away from teh apex."
In a 1.2 Corsa?
Did you then wake up?
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MoneyMart
Current car: 55-reg Audi A4 2.5 V6TDi Quattro flappy-paddle
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there should be a law against going tooooo slow...as well as too fast
too slow is just as dangerous....
no-one has the right to make people do the same speed as what they are doing. only last week i was "stuck" doing 30mph in a 50 mph limit....no-one else in front..and was given the finger when i overtook....i only wanted to do 45mph
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www.storme.co.uk
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The type of road I was travelling on was a fairly winding country road but was a 'A' classified road so the speed limit was 60, i maintained a steady 40 after slowing down from around 55 which IMO was not unreasonable but far too slow for Mr Mercedes Sprinter driver.
After reading your posts (thank you) I've decided to email the said drivers company. If there is a reply i'll endevour to tell you here.
I really am fed up with this sort of thing and this is not the first time. I will absolutely not be intimidated by some oik in a white van.
All I ask is that cars maintain a safe distance behind me.. is that really too much to ask?
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having still an ongoing neck injury from a tail slammer before suing was fashionable i totally agree with you, i get the feeling that people are not switched on anymore and dont even know thet are doing it.
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\"a little man in a big world/\"
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Yeah, give his company a ring - they'll probably be very interested, and if they're not, you've done all you can.
I probably wouldn't slow down excessively when this kind of thing happens, although I know it's tempting! It only enrages the following driver, and makes them more likely to do something dangerous. Just drive normally, and indicate them past on the next straight bit.
I don't mind people driving faster than me at all, and generally like to help them through for two reasons:
a) Fast driving can be fun, and I do it myself when I can be bothered to make the effort
b) They're less likely to cause an accident in which I'm involved.
Good luck with the company!
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HOW PATHETIC!
You freely admit to driving as slowly as you can to wind this guy up, then want to complain to his company (or the police), thus risking him losing his job?
Have you ever heard the phrase "live and let live"?
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MoneyMart
Current car: 55-reg Audi A4 2.5 V6TDi Quattro flappy-paddle
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>>Have you ever heard the phrase "live and let live"?>>
I understand the point you are making but a speed limit sign is just that, not a command.
You can drive, within reason, at whatever speed you deem necessary or safe according to the circumstances.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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I'm with MoneyMart on this one - if you could tell he wasn't happy with you doing 55mph surely it would be better to let him pass you than deliberately slowing down?
I can't remember the exact details but from when i passed my test i seem to remember that you could fail or at least pick up minors for impeding the progress of others, so in view of this you were probably just as guilty as he was.
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Well, I'm with Stuart. Slowing down should make it easier for the tailgater to pass anyway, but miraculously they often fail to do so, preferring to sit a few inches away. I was driving in icy conditions recently, as quickly as I felt was safe (like DD I'm usually the one doing the overtaking) but there wasn't much traction on a rural road with some twists & turns, so I was doing under 30. I ended up with someone tailgating me so close that I couldn't see her lights. I gradually slowed, blipping the left indicator two or three times, and was down to about 15 mph and over two miles later before the fool finally overtook. There was no way I was going to drive faster, but I knew there was an even greater chance than usual that the car behind could hit me thanks to the slippy conditions. As far as I was concerned, if this was going to happen I wanted the impact to be at as low a speed as possible.
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
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"the speed limit was 60, i maintained a steady 40"
There's an argument for sugesting otherwise - if you want to drive that slowly, you should be prepared to facilitate others who may wish to pass, surely?
Maybe you should put YOUR boss's number on the boot, so people sick of your dawdling can express their feelings too...?
Just a thought!
N
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You can drive, within reason, at whatever speed you deem necessary or safe according to the circumstances.
Try telling that to a GATSO or scamera partnership.
Edited by Webmaster on 26/10/2007 at 01:40
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HOW PATHETIC! You freely admit to driving as slowly as you can to wind this guy up, then want to complain to his company (or the police), thus risking him losing his job? Have you ever heard the phrase "live and let live"? ------------ MoneyMart Current car: 55-reg Audi A4 2.5 V6TDi Quattro flappy-paddle
Don' be ridiculous. If he doesn't want to drive at 55 with a tailgater attached then I agree with him - slow down. If t/g wants to pass he can do - Stuart didn't say anything about obstructing him as I recall.
As to t/g losing his job, one complaint isn't going to do that - but if he provokes regular complaints he will rightly face some questions.
I assume that as Stuart is considering reporting this one that it was more aggressive tailgating than the norm, or he'd be reporting somebody every day.
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I can honestly say i don't have a problem with people tailgating me, perhaps it's because i'm happy to make good progress on roads where i can and i concentrate on the road in front of me rather than looking in my rear view mirror and measuring how far away people behind me are.
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Quote : "Stuart didn't say anything about obstructing him as I recall."
Quote from Stuart's original post : "I drive as slow as i can if you tailgate me"
Nuff said imo.
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MoneyMart
Current car: 55-reg Audi A4 2.5 V6TDi Quattro flappy-paddle
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Apology for calling Moneymarket ridiculous. BH I disagree with you also. To say Stuart is as much to blame as an irresponsible and aggressive driver, especially one who proably does it for a living and should know better, cannot be right.
I usually force these people to pass by lifting off and indicating left on a straight bit (having done exactly what Staurt did in the meantime - slowed down). It amazes me how often I almost have to come to a halt before they pass - often they seem to be hynotically attached rather than actively looking to get by - on one occasion I did come to a halt, still with t/g attached and a chap with a phone clapped to his ear had to reverse to get round me. That was my fault too I suppose?
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The TG's who remain glued and don't overtake when possible, seem to be getting off on the TG'ing. Strange how they seem wary of overtaking.
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The point is the driver did not try and pull over more likely slowing down needlesly were no one can overtake then increasing speed when anyone starts to overtake.
My problem is not with those who want to travel faster but with those who seek to regulate others speed with out understanding that some people run to a very tight schedule and bad driving is likely to delay the folowing drivers causeing them to try and make up lost time for example by doing 40 in a 30 etc.
If a driver is traveling close to the limit i am usualy content to folow but not at significantly reduced speeds with usualy totaly uncercery and dangerouse breaking for oncoming vehicles and bends.
paul
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i usually find that the smaller the car you are in the bigger the tailgating problem, ie if i am in a fiesta i seem to get tailgated a lot but if im in a mondeo i dont, I hate tailgaters and it stems from being rammed from behind by one 20 years ago when i had to do an emergancy stop, i therefore will not have a small car as an everyday vehicle.
As regards complaining then yes as someone at HO might take notice because of their duty of care or might dismiss you,but you will have done your best.
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\"a little man in a big world/\"
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Why report the driver? this person was probably trying to keep to a tight schedule, restrited by speed cameras, changing speed limits and bad driving exibited by those who refuse to le others pass prefering to hold them back and iritate.
This is pathetic behaviour.
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Why report the driver? this person was probably trying to keep to a tight schedule, restrited by speed cameras, changing speed limits and bad driving exibited by those who refuse to le others pass prefering to hold them back and iritate.
So that makes it ok to endanger my life, and his own, and other motorists with his aggressive behaviour?
As for those who iritate? well like I say I WILL not be intimidated by anybody.
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Gards use of the word "probably" is an unconvincing attempt to whitewash dangerous driving. Restricted by speed cameras perhaps, but obviously not speed limits:) Any more stereotypes to justify oafishness?
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>>>HOW PATHETIC!>>>
ok, i'm travelling at 55 and I have a van as close as he can get to my rear for several miles. I reduced my speed so if there is an accident through me braking sharply (child running out etc) it would be less severe.
Yes pathetic not for me though.
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I don't mind being stuck behind things like lorries doing 40mph as i know they are only doing their job and if they could go any quicker pretty much all of them would. However someone who decides to drive at such a speed when they are more than able to go quicker deserve all the grief they get.
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Why not just indicate and pull over so he could get past. Only fools tailgait and in the event of an emergency stop he would be in your boot.
Why try and antagonise the van driver by slowing down?
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I am starting to get a feeling of deja vu....
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´tailgait´
funny walk caused by applicaion of WVM´s boot to lane-hogger´s backside in motorway service station, after frank and full exchange of views regarding lane discipline.
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TGs are simple folk - I don't think the equation
Tailgate + Agression = driver gets out of your way
It'll lead only to more tailgating.
When driving, what's in front of me should be a concern. People on tight schedules/running late/power trips/with no brain behind me shouldn't.
If someone is going too slow in front of me, I'll keep my distance until I can get past them. Not hard, really.
Lee -- Do you have any conceivable reason for even getting up in the morning?
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Driving slowly while being aware of following traffic and keeping as far as possible out of its way is one thing. Driving too slowly and staying in the way is another.
I get the impression that a small proportion of posters here are aggressive mimsers and galloping pains in the fundament. Indeed about the same proportion as that of the obstructive idiots one comes across on the road daily.
Bad cess to them, and congratulations to some of the others. Really this argument is pointless as some people are too silly to recognise when they are wrong.
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>>>HOW PATHETIC!>>> ok, i'm travelling at 55 and I have a van as close as he can get to my rear for several miles. I reduced my speed so if there is an accident through me braking sharply (child running out etc) it would be less severe. Yes pathetic not for me though.
You're PATHETIC because of your attitude demonstrated in your intital post : quote "I drive as slow as I can if you tailgate me"
Don't try and backtrack by quoting safety reasons - just admit it, you didn't like the way someone else was driving, so you deliberately retaliated by driving in a manner likely to annoy and cause inconvenience. And even having done so, you still can't let it lie and want more by squaling to his employer. (how cowardly).
If safety was really your concern, you would pull over and stop at the earliest convenience.
One day you will do this to the wrong person. One day you will receive a slap (or worse).
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MoneyMart
Current car: 55-reg Audi A4 2.5 V6TDi Quattro flappy-paddle
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Don't try and backtrack by quoting safety reasons - just admit it, you didn't like the way someone else was driving, so you deliberately retaliated by driving in a manner likely to annoy and cause inconvenience.
It's not just a matter of "didn't like": can you understand that following someone too closely is dangerous? That it's illegal for a good resaon?
And even having done so, you still can't let it lie and want more by squaling to his employer. (how cowardly).
What an outrageous swine he is, reporting aggressive and dangerous driving! The rat! Just between you and me, I bet you he's the sort of lowlife who also would also report someone who who threatened to physically attack someone ;)
If safety was really your concern, you would pull over and stop at the earliest convenience.
In extremis, he may have done that. But are you really saying that he wasn't any safer being tailgated at 40 than at 55? (Remember, at 40mph the kinetic energy is halved)
But bearing in mind what you say below, I'll now remember never to risk stopping if I encounter that sort of driver.
One day you will do this to the wrong person. One day you will receive a slap (or worse).
Truly charming. Clear the road for bullying drivers, and don't dare report them -- or get beaten up.
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I get the impression that a small proportion of posters here are aggressive mimsers and galloping pains in the fundament. Indeed about the same proportion as that of the obstructive idiots one comes across on the road daily. Bad cess to them, and congratulations to some of the others. Really this argument is pointless as some people are too silly to recognise when they are wrong.
Absolutely! I couldn't have put that better myself.
Congratulations, Lud.
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"A few years ago I was in a 1.2 Corsa and was being tailgated by a group of teenagers in a hot hatch. As I approached some lights, where I was turning right, the lights turned green and I had a clear enough view to take the right turn quickly, so i did, left foot braking on the way into the bend, opposite locked and powered away from teh apex." In a 1.2 Corsa? Did you then wake up?
How is driving technique dependant on engine size?
Muppet.
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How is driving technique dependant on engine size? Muppet.
"....opposite lock and powered away from the apex"
Muppet x2
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MoneyMart
Current car: 55-reg Audi A4 2.5 V6TDi Quattro flappy-paddle
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To quote, I drive as slow as I can if i tailgate.
This is WHY I called you pathetic!
What a sensible mature atitude, Not only do you hold others up by not being sensible enough to pull over you further seek to cause a confrontaion and iritate the folowing driver.
There is room on the road for everyone however some comonsense is needed.
Paul
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This is WHY I called you pathetic!
Enough of the personal insults please.
DD.
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When I posted an example above of having been tailgated in icy conditions, I used the following phrase: "as quickly as I felt was safe". That's what informs my driving style, and it's why I tend to be the person doing the overtaking rather than holding up the traffic. I like to get where I'm going as quickly as possible, not waste time on the road, etc. However, I have occasionally had to remind myself that what I feel is a safe speed may not be what the driver in front feels is a safe speed. Being considerate of other road users cuts both ways.
When waiting to overtake, I tend to avoid being just a few feet (or inches!) behind for very practical reasons. It makes it more difficult for me to get past safely (I have actually compared which is the easier option, and it's always easier from further back), it puts me and the car in front at greater risk of a collision that will be deemed my fault and will bump up my premiums, it forces me into a "brake/accelerate/brake" style of driving which puts me under more stress and ultimately slows me down, losing out on overtaking opportunities! That's why I don't tailgate, but I still seem to manage to overtake when I want to most of the time.
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andymc
Vroom, vroom - mmm, doughnuts ...
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Quite right andymc. A lot of us including me need reminding sometimes that the sort of driving that makes us grind our teeth in utter contempt seems desperately fast and dangerous to some of these people.
Part of the problem is that the driving test is all conducted under 50mph on urban roads. There are people who never progress beyond this level except for the acquisition of bad habits and a resentful, beleaguered attitude.
I agree thougnh that the adult drivers among us should show compassion by noticing them as little as possible. We just have to hope that none of them go sneaking to the fuzz with exaggerated tales about our recklessness. If I know plod he won't take much notice, but you never know.
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I drive as slow as i can if you tailgate me>>>
Well thanks for all your replies and insults.
My final 2 points is that i'm staggered that some of you actually condone tailgaters.. Amazing!
..and that i shall continue to slow down if anybody decides to follow me 3 ft from my bumper. Nothing posted here has changed my mind.
regards Stuart.
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Oh, come on. EVERYONE knows that the effective technique for dealing with a tailgater is the give the brakes a good test. *Runs*
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When thought about dispassionately, there aren't many adavntages to driving an ageing Land Rover as everyday transport. I don't do so now but I did for a few years. One advantage, particularly because the LR was slow, was that car tailgaters didn't bother me. I could only see their roof in the mirror and I often couldn't go faster even if I wanted to. The rear crossmember gave the impression would make a mess of any bonnet that hit it, even if, in truth, it was mostly composed of rust!
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Excellent SS. And speaking from bitter personal experience, I can recommend those beleaguered for whatever reason by tailgaters to invest in a solid towbar.
'You shoulda seen the other guy.'
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I drive as slow as i can if you tailgate me ... ..and that i shall continue to slow down if anybody decides to follow me 3 ft from my bumper.
That's entirely up to you. If you want to increase the risk of being hit up the rear, then do so. It won't bother me one iota.
--
L\'escargot.
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>> I drive as slow as i can if you tailgate me ... >> >> ..and that i shall continue to slow down if anybody decides >> to follow me 3 ft from my bumper. That's entirely up to you. If you want to increase the risk of being hit up the rear, then do so. It won't bother me one iota. -- L\'escargot.
Yep... or until someone unsavoury takes exception and gives you a slap!
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MoneyMart
Current car: 55-reg Audi A4 2.5 V6TDi Quattro flappy-paddle
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What is this fixation with "slapping"? I take it that you deem it acceptable for people to hit other people if they disagree with their driving style? Surely we should concentrate on ridding the roads of these "unsavoury" characters rather than being intimidated by them if we "dare" to express displeasure in a non-confrontational way?
To put MY feelings on here, I don't slow down to "annoy" tailgaters, I get out of their way at the earliest opportunity. I drive quickly and efficiently, but there are instances, especially in M-way roadworks, where people tailgate and it's UNACCEPTABLE. These people DO need to be reported, regardless of what these "ooh life's tough deal with it I am a big manly rep look at my paddles" folk say.
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.. oik in a white van.
That's being a bit presumptuous!
oik ~ Noun. An unsophisticated, uncultured and objectionable person. Derog.
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L\'escargot.
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".. oik in a white van.
That's being a bit presumptuous!
oik ~ Noun. An unsophisticated, uncultured and objectionable person. Derog."
Presumptuous? Au contraire - sounds an almost perfect definition of the driver concerned in the circumstances described, driving in such an intimidating manner - irrespective of whether he was driving a white van or a yellow Rolls Royce. We all know exactly what he was doing, so I am somewhat surprised at the number of posts which seem to suggest that his behaviour on a busy motorway was acceptable.
Jack
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