What do you do when someone tailgates your F-car?

I find generally they are just trying to get close to take pics, videos or hear the car - I generally move over, slow down a bit and let them pull alongside. If they are just distracted or jerks then I pull over and in some case off the road just to get away from them - I have a lot more to lose than they do.

 

It took me awhile to realize the number of people who would speed up to catch you to take a photo or confirm what kind of car they were seeing. If possible, I move over and maintain speed.

If they just want to get by me, they do so. If they want to take a photo with their phone, I stay there shortly while watching the road for both of us. If they wave, smile or give me a thumbs up (the most common reactions), I wave back, drop down a gear and get going. As noted, some folks want to hear the car, so that does that for them and they leave me alone.

I'm sensitive to the fact the car is a possible distraction, so I tend to adjust how I drive to the reality of how others react and do my best not to let them get me and them into a collision. If all else fails, I slow down (or speed up) and get out of the way. I'm already driving the best car on the roadway (IMHO) so I don't have anything to prove and lots to lose to do otherwise.

Bob H

 

Just having fun brother . I ALWAYS keep/give a Ferrari or a motorcycle atleast 2-3 car lengths out of respect and safety.

I constantly monitor my mirrors and if someone is in more of a hurry than I am, 99.99% of the time I will move over for them.

 

Here in Italy we have something known as the "safety distance" which is not clearly defined. Basically, if you hit the guy in front of you, you violated the safety distance. If you didn't hit him, you're OK. In other words, drafting (no matter how close) is just fine but bump drafting is a violation of the law. It actually makes sense, but the Italians push it to the limit all the time.

Consequently, people regularly drive too close, in my opinion, most of the time. If I drive at a comfortable distance behind someone, sure enough the guy behind me will invariably pass to fill whatever gap I leave. Basically, if you don't want to be passed, you have to leave a gap ahead of less than one car length. Bottom line, it's sort of like slow speed NASCAR.

All this is fine when I'm driving my Fiat, but I frankly don't like it in my Ferrari especially since I tend to leave a large gap ahead to minimize stone dings. The answer, of course, is to drive like a maniac. That's the same technique I use on my Ducati too because I REALLY don't like when someone tailgates me when I'm on a motorcycle.

Having said that, I can report that I've never seen an Italian rear-end another car. Unlike American drivers, the Italians are at least paying attention. Most accidents are roll-over events from running out of skill on a curve or from coming around a blind curve and hitting one of our absolutely insane bicycle riders.

 

I do not think you realize what you just did, thanks for the laugh.

 

My company uses "The Smith Driving System" and anyone driving a company insured vehicle (route trucks or company cars for execs & sales reps) is trained how to use the system to drive safely. We are a route based business and I have been the instructor for our location for about 8 years.

The recommended course of action for someone following too close is to give yourself more of a cushion in traffic so you lessen the chances of you having to make a panic stop and when possible make a safe lane change to let the tailgater pass. Just to give yourself a check you should always allow 4-5 second minimum following distance on the car in front of you most people are at 2-3 seconds. If I were you I would be more concerned with rear ending someone while driving your Ferrari. Hit someone and they will claim every injury down to a hang nail. Happens to national companies all the time. People reach into deep pockets all the time. Besides "Whatsa behind you is nota importante!"

 

I like to hit my windshield washers. At a good enough clip some of the residual will overshoot the car and get em. Next thing I see is their wipers on and a fist shaking out the window at me. It backs them off though.

 

I do nothing but obey the speed limit. They hit me.....they're buying a whole bunch of new parts and when their insurance company stops by to review it....they get the bad news. And as we know, bring your checkbook because Enzo wants his too!!!!

 

You are assuming they have insurance. There are a very large number of uninsured motorists out there. Even in states with mandatory insurance, they still don't have it. Especially with the bad economy and illegal immigration, more and more are not carrying insurance. The last two times I have been hit by someone else, my uninsured motorist coverage had to kick in because I was hit by uninsured motorists. Do you really think someone driving a $500 beater is bothering to pay $50-100/month for insurance?

 

I do this all the time in my other cars. Very effective! When driving my Ferrari, I pull over when convenient and let them pass. I'm not engaging in tricks or aggressive braking with a tail-gater in my 308.

 

Lesser car? Lol. When I see a lesser car on the road, I just pull over and get off the road. I can't be seen driving with the commoners. How dare those dbags without an Italian car think they can drive in my tire tracks.


Mark

 

That's why there's Hagerty!!! Somebody else s paying to fix my pretty red Italian car!!!

 

I do not allow people to ride in my blind spot or tailgate no matter what I'm driving that day. I motor away soon as I can.

 

I let them take pictures, see the car for a few moments and then take the next turn. To enjoy the car and it's capablity, I usually drive early in the morning or late in the evening so the possibility of tailgating or other distractions are less. I don't mind sharing but I do like to keep the car safe and ready for the next venture.

 

LMAO good one Mark.

I see so many great cars on the road but I quit taking pictures for safety reasons and usually the picture quality suffers anyway. Tailgating ANY vehicle is not wise but then again most drivers are not wise. For instance sitting in traffic or at a light I always leave at least one full car length but low and behold the idiot behind me stops so close that I cannot even see their headlights. Drivers like that do not realize ie know how competent the driver is behind them or them and so on....

Thank God I had the common sense to carry full coverage plus "uninsured motorist" coverage but said fool would still be getting an ear full.

 

In any of my vehicles I have had tailgaters and will in the duture have them it boils down to most people don't know how to drive, and very little to how much your car is worth matter at fact the could give two s h I ts wht your car is worth.


Depending on my mood and how close they are depends on if they get a brake check and yes I have done it in my Ferrari.
I can't stand tail gating ****s

 

Just drive away!!! You have the equipment,not them...IlDottore

 

The 'duture' sounds scary, should I start hoarding ammo?

 

I just tap the brake pedal for a few seconds with my left foot while maintaining or increasing speed with my right foot.

 

Mike has hit it on the nose again.

Always be respectful and do not let them dictate your actions. I find it uncomfortable when they tail in my blindspot but remember that is their best viewing position and they are probably not thinking about things from your perspective.

 

If you are being tailgated while driving your Ferrari, you are not getting full enjoyment out of it!

 

That's one method.

One advantage to living on the East Coast:
When they're following too close, straddle a pothole.
Eventually they'll figure out that they need to be able to see the road.

For some reason, that never worked in MA. I never could understand it. If they have no regard for speed limits or following distances, why do they let the no passing zone stop them?

 

I just slow down enough that the guy passes me. Wave or smile as he goes by but am pleasant. Much rather have him in front where I can see him than in back.

 

For all my cars, including my DB9, I have the same rules:
1) make no sudden changes to speed
2) ensure I have extra room between myself and the car in front of me
3) keep an eye on the tailgater but don't be obvious about it
4) if I am driving too far above the speed limit, start slowing down a big to make myself legal

In my experience, many tailgaters are looking for a reaction, or assert their road dominance. The actions above deny them the ego boost they want.

 

Typically not a problem for me, especially in the F-car. However, just an hour ago this problem came up. I was driving home on a 4 lane boulevard near my house when some sort of Audi decides I shouldn’t have passed him and now he needs to assert his masculinity and chase me into my next turn.

This isn’t just any turn, this is my most favourite 90 degree turn for the last 10 years or so. I won’t bore you with the details, but let’s just say I have run it many times. With Mr. “I’ll prove my manhood is not small” on my tail, I navigate the turn in one of my usual carves and a nice blast on exit. I check the rear view mirror and all I see is an Audi fishtailing from side to side and floundering about. Poor fool. Probably shat his pants and was shocked the stability control didn’t save him. He did tromp on it to catch up afterwards, but I slowed it down and stayed safe. He didn’t get too close after that.