What do you do about tailgaters?

Well, in general, I don't get tailgated much, if I'm in traffic, I stay in the right lane and/or aggressively pass people to get clear. I use the rear view mirror a lot, so I usually see someone coming up and get out of the way before they have a chance to tailgate. I am lucky to live in the area I drive in, I don't get into situations where there's a ton of traffic and I'm getting tailgated due to volume. Even in major rush hour traffic going through San Francisco I hardly get tailgated.

The reasons I think people get tailgated are because there's open road ahead of you and you're blocking someone, or someone thinks tailgating will help them get around traffic and/or they're simply just a bozo. Sometimes people tailgate to get a look at an exotic, but for me they usually pull up alongside more often than tailgate to see the car.

If they are tailgating to go faster than me or just to pass me , I move over as soon as I can, so they can get by. If I'm stuck and can't get over right away, I signal so they know I see them and I'm doing my best.

If they are tailgating because they are inattentive, or being a bozo, I get as far away from them as I can. I try to stay out of traffic pockets on the highway to avoid that, and in town I don't drive fast, but I drive aggressively to try and stay away from situations like that.

If they are tailgating to give the car a look, I pull over so they can come up on the side. This happens rarely, most people checking out the car come up on the side in the first place.

Sometimes, in any of these cases, if it is clear road, I just nail it and let nature take its course.

I find most of the time someone is tailgating me, I'm in the fast lane when I shouldn't be, or they just need a way to get past traffic and I'm their last obstacle. So I get out of the way as soon as I can. That's rare, actually - I'm usually the one trying to get around people (but I rarely tailgate, as it's a hassle and doesn't really get me around them any faster anyway - note that when you are tailgating, it often doesn't seem like you are, and when people are tailgating you they might not realize it either. Also, sometimes when you fly up on someone who isn't paying attention, it seems like you are tailgating but you just surprised the person - that works the other way too).

I think the worst thing to do when someone tailgates is to slow down or impede their progress. Even if they are being a jerk, it's a fight you can't win. Just let them go.

 

If I don't feel like speeding up to make some more space I just wave them on past, or move over.
I have had a few incidents (not in the Ferrari) with road rage drivers. One threw a tire iron at me after I made a derogatory comment about the apprent need for him and his passenger to perform mutual fellatio on each other. The other time an orange soda was thrown into my car by a random redneck that was pissed that he could not catch up to me in traffic. He threw the soda in while I was stopped at the turn into my neighborhood. Both times the other guy got arrested for "attack with a deadly missile." Good times!

BT

 

F that; have you heard about my hidden remote paintball gun

 

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHshshshshshshshshshshshshshshsh..............!!!
At least you didn't mention mine ! ! !

 

I usually just ask if they have another burger or Italian sausage hero.

 

If someone follows me too closesly, and then stops behind me at a light, I usually stick my head out the window, look back at them, and then make the $$ gesture by rubbing my thumb against my fingers, like it's going to cost you $$ to replace my rear clam when you plow into me if I have to stop quickly.

I've been thinking of getting a license plate frame that says "Back off! My brakes are better than yours."

 

drop a beer can....just joking. ;-) I switch lanes..

 

In any car... let 'em pass. One day they will tick off the wrong person and that person will take care of them for me and everyone else.

I've seen this happen. One guy cut off another guy very abruptly (I was following at a distance), then we all approached the red light. Well the guy who was cut off decided to exit his car and have a 'chat' with the guy who cut him off. I don't know what came of it, but lesson learned for me!

 

Tailgaters:

1st. Slow down hoping to make them pass.

2nd. IF they don't do in #1, I slow way down or off their way to make them pass

figure if they are in that much of a rush, I don't need to either be part of their problem

or

part of their future mistake.

rik

 

+1 Good comments. I agree. Many times you yourself are the reason why people tailgate.

Kai

 

I agree Rik, I especially like the way you summed it up although i don't usually get tailgated.....i usually, when there is a safe place for them to pass, i just back off the throttle, wave 'em by, and groove to the tunes.

 

Break hard. Repeatedly. Then when they try to pass, speed up & force them to collide w/ on-coming traffic. I get it all the time in my Miata. Carry a 357 or 44 mag to wave around while they try to pass for that extra touch.
PS: I could use a new paint job in Montego Blue.

 

If I'm on a winding road in the Ferrari, and they can tailgate, all the more power to them. If I'm on the freeway, I'm generally in the slow lane, or driving with friends. So I don't mind. If I'm driving he Honda, I'm usually in the HOV lane, so that isn't a problem. On the bike, I just keep going faster and faster, until they disappear or fall down.

Art

 

Just change lanes. No biggie - doesn't matter what car I'm driving. I'm just not in that
much of a hurry. "Slower traffic keep right"

 

I like this approach. While I don't have a Ferrari, I do have intimate familiarity with the roads where I live, and can drive them quickly without braking or crossing the double yellow line.
Most people can't drive these roads without braking, and get caught out going into a tight corner too hot. That is usually all it takes to slow them down.
If I'm on the highway, I only use the left lane for passing - easier not to get caught by the CHP for speeding.

 

I find this the case most of the time when I'm out for a drive too.

I dont seem to experience this in my SUV even though I'm frequently looking out the rear view. Maybe I'm more in tune realizing someone is too close and tailgating in the Fcar.

Either way, there is definetly a particular habit with other drivers when in the Fcar. Even my Gfriend notices this too.

Ultimately, people are curious and arent considering anything else other than getting the closest look possible. Can't blame them they are rare to see and beautiful to look at.

My solution is this.......

I take the largest hand-full of coin, part quarters, and just rise them above the roof line and prove, or in most cases dis-prove the aerodynamics of the rear-enders vehicle.



JUST KIDDING...

I SLOW DOWN GENTLY OR PULL TO ANOTHER LANE..
WHO NEEDS THE AGGRAVATION. LET EM BYYYYYYYY......

 

I block the 2nd lane and keep pace with the car next to me...

 

LOL ya thats it..........................

 

It is always better to have an as/s/hole in front of you than behind you!!

 

It all depends on where. If I'm on a residential or city street, I'll usually slow for a block then come to a complete stop before turning into a driveway or other street. If I'm on the highway, I'll feather the brake pedal but stay on the gas. This way they slam on their brakes and I'm not flirting with being rear ended by the ******.

 

+1 for where I am on the subject.

 

Here's a tip. If you are in traffic while getting tailgated, open up more space between you and the car ahead. That way you won't have to use all your braking power in the event of a jam and give the butthead a fighting chance to not rearend you. I have also tapped the brake with left foot. That often works. where possible, I'll run a pick play like getting around one car in front and not leave room for Mr(s). tailgater between.

Dave

 

I have seen this to, a car was making some very very dangerous passing on a smooth country road, he got caught at a light ahead and the man behind him got out and started yelling at him.

 

ROFL!!!!! i LOVE it!

In reality what i did was slow down and give them a point-by. Had too many aholes and ricers do some of the MOST STUPID things around me when driving the Fcar. G-d i soooo do not miss those days of aholes. Now drive a BIG Ford Superduty and lemme tell you, no one does stupid stuff around me (due to the truck) and no one cuts me off

 

HA I actually did this on my Fiat 850 spider some 15 years ago, the car was uber slow so people always followed to close and I let them have it, shot a double stream some 30 feet behind me. Got into many verbal and physical fights because of it too....