What do you do when someone is tailgaiting you?

Question

This is my biggest pet peeve, what do you do?

Answer 1

If possible, I try to slow down and change lanes so they will pass me. It's not worth it to provoke a maniac into road rage. It also doesn't really help to get angry, it only upsets you and they don't even understand why you're mad.

Answer 2

Being on both sides of this situation on a regular basis & driving 20 min in town & 15 min on the freeway every day (one way), I can relate.

If it's a freeway, get out of the left lane/fast lane(s) and into a slower lane where people are driving about the same speed you want to drive.

I hate when a person is not using the left lanes for passing, but they go whatever speed they want cuz no one is in front of them cuz everyone else in that lane has left them in the dust. Just cuz you're not in a hurry doesn't mean you have to hold everyone else up. That's just extremely inconsiderate & selfish.

After all, tailgating is how they let you know they want to pass and go faster than you... it's better than them blaring their horn at you. Not saying it's right, just a fact of life.

If it is a 2 lane road, pull off when you get a chance cuz you'll only infuriate them by driving slower as many other answers suggest. If you're not in a hurry to get where you are going, be polite enough to let those that are get by you and don't be a road hog.

I tend drive the speed limit, 65mph (mostly cuz I save $ on gas -- I get about 30 more miles out of a tank of gas that way) but I move over as soon as it is safe to do so. And I live in a place where the average freeway speed is like 80, so as I said, I can relate to both sides of the situation.

Whatever you do, don't let the tailgater bother you or make you nervous. Just get out of the way at your first opportunity.

After all, if tailgating is your biggest pet peeve, then I'm sure a tailgaters' big pet peeve is slower drivers. =oP So if you get out of the way, you both win!

Answer 3

Slow down and let them pass, then wish bad things on them as they pass. People who have been rear-ended are especially nervous about cars following too close, and I've been rear-ended before. If it ever happens to them, they'll learn how much it bugs us.

By the way, to the person who said to slam on the brakes, bad idea! You risk being blamed for the accident if any witness can verify what you did. And injuries from that sort of accident can hang on for a long time. I still haven't healed all the way from an accident from 5 years ago. And dealing with insurance companies is a real pain in the patootie!

Answer 4

I usually slow down,especially if I was already going over the speed limit but still not going fast enough for an idiot.
My Jeep's backup lights do not work when you put it in reverse. My mechanic put in a toggle switch that I use to activate them when I'm backing up. This little switch works well for tailgaters too.Since I can flip it on at any time,I've used it a few times when someone was dangerously close to my bumper. They back off real quick if they think I've put it in reverse.

Answer 5

It depends on how many payments you have left on your car and how high your insurance is.

Or you could just put a bumper sticker that says I brake for tailgaiters on your bumper. Then do it.

Answer 6

I'll usually get out of their way if I can. I know I can't stand it if someone is driving real slow in the passing lane and won't let you get around them. It's just not worth pissing people off on the road anymore ...... you never know who's on crack or who has a gun.

Answer 7

If I can I change lanes or pull over. If I can't do that I tap my breaks a few times. This usually works because they don't know when I'll make a complete stop.

Answer 8

if there are two lanes going in our direction, I find a big rig, pull up next to it, and set my cruise control so I stay with it. Eventually, the tailgaters back off once they figure out I'm not letting 'em pass. I once kept it up all the way thru South Carolina

Answer 9

Just pay no attention to that person behind you, just act
like they are not there
Watch the traffic in front of you instead like I do because
we live in a dangerous world
people carry guns and they could harm us

Answer 10

I know I'm not supposed to do this, but I slow down. It's especially great if you're on a one lane road and they can't pass you! They hate you, but I go the speed limit!