What do you do when you're being tailgated on the motorway?
Discussion
I just increase the gap in front. So that the gap between the tailgater and the car behind me is about the same as if we were both maintaining a normal separation.
By the time I've posted this someone will no doubt have told you to move in to L2, but if you are following someone else that's irrelevant.
By the time I've posted this someone will no doubt have told you to move in to L2, but if you are following someone else that's irrelevant.
edd344 said:
(Not asking what you should do, asking what you personally do).
What do you do when you're on the motorway in lane 3 and there is cars in front of you and you've got someone tailgating you? I tend to go by the rule if there's a car in front of me I'm not moving...
Any rule that isn't "what action can I take right now that minimises any risk to me and other people on the road" is the wrong rule.What do you do when you're on the motorway in lane 3 and there is cars in front of you and you've got someone tailgating you? I tend to go by the rule if there's a car in front of me I'm not moving...
And yes, if matey behind is that desperate to get 20 yards further up the road then I'll move out of the way and wish him well on his way. Life's too short for anything else.
Its very boring, but if they are at the point they have disappeared from my wing (door) mirrors and causing a distraticion in my rear view, I pull into l2 when possible.
Obviously as I was in l3 to overtake slower traffic it slows me down a bit.
Once upon a time I would have wanted to kill them, life’s too short. Staying in l2 for a minute or two then returning to l3 when I need to is far less stressful in the long run. Plus it leaves me in control of the situation, I can smile and think what a tw9t. Rather than end up in a fist fight.
Obviously as I was in l3 to overtake slower traffic it slows me down a bit.
Once upon a time I would have wanted to kill them, life’s too short. Staying in l2 for a minute or two then returning to l3 when I need to is far less stressful in the long run. Plus it leaves me in control of the situation, I can smile and think what a tw9t. Rather than end up in a fist fight.
If I'm being tailgated it's because the car behind wants to go faster than I do so I move over at the first opportunity and let them by. It rarely happens because to me part of driving is not holding other people up including those that want to break the speed limit as that is up to them.
It involves using the rear view mirror regularly, something many seem to struggle with.
It involves using the rear view mirror regularly, something many seem to struggle with.
cb1965 said:
If I'm being tailgated it's because the car behind wants to go faster than I do
You might of missed the part where I said there is a car in front of you... If it was up to me I'd do 100mph all the way home every day (Not here for a speed lecture) but unfortunately this isn't the case on most of our motorways at commuting times, but I'm not going to tailgate someone when there is clearly a line of cars up ahead.cb1965 said:
If I'm being tailgated it's because the car behind wants to go faster than I do so I move over at the first opportunity and let them by. It rarely happens because to me part of driving is not holding other people up including those that want to break the speed limit as that is up to them.
It involves using the rear view mirror regularly, something many seem to struggle with.
Although I agree, I think we all know the op is describing a situation where the road is likely busy and he is at the back of a string of cars in a que type scenario. It involves using the rear view mirror regularly, something many seem to struggle with.
In your scenario you should have anticipated the approaching car and moved over before the tailgating could take place. It sounds like you need to check your mirrors and improve your anticipation.
If I'm being tailgated in L1 I don't usually do anything; just leave the CC set on whatever high-50s-ish mph it was set at and wait until the tailgater gets bored.
If I'm in L2/L3 then it's because I'm overtaking slower stuff and couldn't be accused of hanging about if I'm at 70+ mph. If I'm at less than 70mph in L2/L3 it's because the car in front of me (or the one in front of them) is travelling slower.
In any case, I'll ignore the tailgater and just move back to L1 once I've finished the overtake.
I'm usually more than minimum stopping distance behind the vehicle in front - often 1.5-2x stopping distance - so I don't need to adjust my speed for tailgaters nor fiddle with the cruise control when the vehicle in front periodically varies its speed by +/-5mph.
So, basically, I ignore motorway tailgaters. My car has front and rear dashcams which would show their behaviour (and mine) in the event of an accident.
Same in 30mph areas; ignore them; they're being recorded should anything happen.
If they're a 'professional' driver and driving particularly unprofessionally, I'll consider showing their employer with the video.
However, on minor A roads or B roads I might be in the mood for a bit of cross-country fun through some twisties. Most tailgaters are pretty poor drivers and can't cope with a few bends. Last year an aggressively-driven Qashqai nearly went off the road into the ditch on the other side after trying to tailgate my Swift Sport at speed through a sharp S-bend - they subsequently dropped far behind into the distance.
If I'm in L2/L3 then it's because I'm overtaking slower stuff and couldn't be accused of hanging about if I'm at 70+ mph. If I'm at less than 70mph in L2/L3 it's because the car in front of me (or the one in front of them) is travelling slower.
In any case, I'll ignore the tailgater and just move back to L1 once I've finished the overtake.
I'm usually more than minimum stopping distance behind the vehicle in front - often 1.5-2x stopping distance - so I don't need to adjust my speed for tailgaters nor fiddle with the cruise control when the vehicle in front periodically varies its speed by +/-5mph.
So, basically, I ignore motorway tailgaters. My car has front and rear dashcams which would show their behaviour (and mine) in the event of an accident.
Same in 30mph areas; ignore them; they're being recorded should anything happen.
If they're a 'professional' driver and driving particularly unprofessionally, I'll consider showing their employer with the video.
However, on minor A roads or B roads I might be in the mood for a bit of cross-country fun through some twisties. Most tailgaters are pretty poor drivers and can't cope with a few bends. Last year an aggressively-driven Qashqai nearly went off the road into the ditch on the other side after trying to tailgate my Swift Sport at speed through a sharp S-bend - they subsequently dropped far behind into the distance.
Edited by Ron99 on Friday 8th February 09:11
I'll increase my gap to the car in front and/or pull left at the first safe opportunity and let them be a menace to someone else. I'd rather be safe than right and I never saw the point in getting upset or self-righteous about other people's poor driving.
On really busy motorways I just sit in lane one away from all the stressed rep-mobile drivers trying to make progress by climbing into each others boots.
On really busy motorways I just sit in lane one away from all the stressed rep-mobile drivers trying to make progress by climbing into each others boots.
Edited by kambites on Friday 8th February 08:57
If there is just one car in front, and he's lane hogging, and someone comes up close behind, I'll move over and let him "have a go" at moving the guy up front out the way. I certainly won't just sit there.
I've been stuck in many a line where there is one hogger up front and no one behind will do anything. Often a quick flash of headlights will send the massage and get it to move. But often, no one will do that .
My "rule" is if I am not making overtaking progress, move to lane 2, then apply the same rule again, move to lane 1. Then usually you have a free lane to undertake everyone :-)
Only real exception is very heavy traffic where constant lane changing just adds to the congestion.
If someone super aggressive comes up behind I just move. I've tried to brake check a super aggressive guy years ago and he went mental. It got frightening enough that I called the police.
I've been stuck in many a line where there is one hogger up front and no one behind will do anything. Often a quick flash of headlights will send the massage and get it to move. But often, no one will do that .
My "rule" is if I am not making overtaking progress, move to lane 2, then apply the same rule again, move to lane 1. Then usually you have a free lane to undertake everyone :-)
Only real exception is very heavy traffic where constant lane changing just adds to the congestion.
If someone super aggressive comes up behind I just move. I've tried to brake check a super aggressive guy years ago and he went mental. It got frightening enough that I called the police.
Johnnytheboy said:
I just increase the gap in front. So that the gap between the tailgater and the car behind me is about the same as if we were both maintaining a normal separation.
This - compensating for the bad driving of others is / should be a standard part of driving...If cars ahead stop more suddenly than expected, there is now space - it doesn't have to be a lot of extra space as reading ahead means that the need to stop suddenly would be rare...
If its a busy motorway and there's no safe opportunity to move left without impinging on the braking distance of drivers in L2 and they're right up my chuff I'd first ease off and give myself more space up front. If they persisted the failsafe is to pop the hazards on and gradually slow a little, no braking. Tends to work.
Ultimately I let these people by when I can, as long as doing so doesn't impede others. If and when traffic clears you inevitably pass them again as they never seem to want to go that fast, they're just dangerously inept muppets, put politely.
Ultimately I let these people by when I can, as long as doing so doesn't impede others. If and when traffic clears you inevitably pass them again as they never seem to want to go that fast, they're just dangerously inept muppets, put politely.
RogerDodger said:
If there is just one car in front, and he's lane hogging, and someone comes up close behind, I'll move over and let him "have a go" at moving the guy up front out the way. I certainly won't just sit there.
I've been known to do that. I'm in a liveried van so I'm not going to be trying to bully a lane hog out of the way.So some big 4x4 w
ker comes barrelling up behind me, I'll let him have a go and we both end up getting past. 
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