What is the preferred method for dealing with tailgaters?

Question

1. Slam on the brakes
2. Drop steel ball-bearings out the window
3. Slow down very gradually until you can see the veins popping out of their heads

Answer 1

1 and 2 are dangerous and illegal. Right now Jessica Hall a mother of three that hurled a McDonald's cup of ice into a car that cut her off Interstate 95 was sentenced to a two years probation for the offense being spared a two-year prison term. To drop or throw anything can cause a mortal crash and send you strait to jail. Slamming brakes for no legitimate reason is illegal and a good way to end yourself in a ball of fire if the other tailgater's car hits you too hard.

To speed up as one user suggested is just plain dumb, it can cause an accident and you will be responsible not the tailgater, no one can force you to speed up; just keep calm and slow to the minimum legal speed, you can put on your emergency light too, that will let them know you are not planning on going any faster, eventually the tailgaters will change lanes because they want to go faster than you.

Answer 2

What I do is No 3

Answer 3

I've been looking for a mechanic who will install back-firing heat-seeking missiles on my rear bumper that I could use to vaporize tailgaters, but they all either laugh or sigh and shake their head at my request.

Failing that, I usually just get out of the way and let them pass. I think they're better off tailgating somebody else. After all, someone out there besides me has got to have those bumper missiles. On the other hand, you never know if they're taking their child to the emergency room or something like that. Usually when I see someone tailgating or driving aggressively, I think to myself "that lady has to go to the bathroom really bad!"

Answer 4

Well, #1 is likely the most effective, but #3 sounds like the most fun! In addition to slowing down gradually, especially on a narrow two-lane roads with a steady oncoming traffic flow, you'll want to speed up again if they try to pass you. (This is especially entertaining on long drives with the kids!)

Answer 5

If you really wanna piss off a tailgater, just pull the hand brake hard quckly. You'll slow down suddenly without the brake lights coming on. I think you can figure it out from here.

Answer 6

1.slow down gradually
2. then when they pass and there is another car in the other lane going the same speed, speed up gradually so you can block them in so they cannot pass at all... then watch the veins pop out of their heads.

all the while, pretend like you don't even realize they are there....

Answer 7

You are suppossed to "tap" the breaks so they get the hint. If you have an older car or you just want a new one, or you are in the mood to sue, then I would slam on the brakes.

Wait for the cops before getting out of the car. Say that you are too injured to get out.

That should work quite nicely

Answer 8

I know the last one worked on me. I was late for work one morning and I must admit I was tail gating this guy. When I got real close, he had a bumper sticker that read:
THE CLOSER YOU GET, THE SLOWER I GO.
And he did. As soon as I could, I passed him. Now when someone tail gates me I slow down. Sometimes I get the one fingered salute, but I can live with that.

Answer 9

3!!!!! All the way! When I was younger and a bit more brave, I slammed on my brakes. but now that their are kids in the car. I need to be smart! :) Although 2 would be awesome!

Answer 10

Slowing down below the speed limit usually does the trick.