Why do people tailgate?
- Thread starter totallyfixed
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
mustang1
Legendary Member
- Location
- London, UK
While I agree with you, I have to say I hate those people who drive in the right lane of the north circular road at the speed limit, with no other cars in the left or middle lanes, and when they're ready tonexit, they'll just move over to the left lane and exit.
Wrt the tailgating. Yeah I hate that. The only realistic and safe thing to do is slow down because if you need to apply hard brakes due to circumstances in front of you, itll make the guy behind crash into your car. So to mitigate this, you have to aplly brakes gently which means leaving a lot more space to the car in front.
I hope I explained that reasonably.
mustang1
Legendary Member
- Location
- London, UK
I think some people become aggressive (or more aggressive) when they get into a car.
Andy_R
Hard of hearing..I said Herd of Herring..oh FFS..
- Location
- County Durham
There is a particularly twisty turny road nearby which is used as a rat run to avoid going through Durham city centre. It has few safe overtaking places. I drive at the speed limit and if I get tailgated, I'll slow right down (almost to walking speed if the tailgating is particulary aggressive). Like Drago, I too have a self-gratifying great big tow hitch on the back of the car, so I'm not particulary fearful of someone trying to shunt me in a fit of pique.
Kestevan
Last of the Summer Winos
- Location
- Holmfirth.
I suspect it's the same sense of perceived anonymity that fuels the "keyboard warrior".
Certainly I've found that the aggressive little prick who is prepared to rev their engine, blow their horn and shout at a cyclist as they speed past, more often than not becomes a quiet little mouse, afraid to make eye contact or do anything other than stare straight ahead when you catch them at the next set of lights.......
bikingdad90
Guru
If I get tailgated and I am in the right hand lane I simply slown down to the speed of the car I am passing on the left and drive along parallel to them 'blocking' the opportunity to overtake until the tailgater gets the message to back off. Never failed yet!
Consequently causing massive tailbacks and potential accidents further back - nice one!
[QUOTE 3922636, member: 9609"]why would chris gently slowing down cause accidents further back ? perhaps due to vehicles further back tailgating each other...
if Chris was slowing down simply to annoy or irritate the driver behind then that would be wrong, however if he were to gently reduce his speed as he believed the tailgater may cause an accident then I would say he was well within his rights, common sense would dictate the lower the speeds in an accident the better and the highway code advises always to slow when danger presents. - certainly speeding up to appease the tailgater would be very ill advised.[/QUOTE]
As discussed before and in the highway code - Chris should ignore the driver behind and move out of the overtaking lane when he has passed the vehicle he is overtaking. He should not take the law into his own hands or antagonise the driver(s).
if Chris was slowing down simply to annoy or irritate the driver behind then that would be wrong, however if he were to gently reduce his speed as he believed the tailgater may cause an accident then I would say he was well within his rights, common sense would dictate the lower the speeds in an accident the better and the highway code advises always to slow when danger presents. - certainly speeding up to appease the tailgater would be very ill advised.[/QUOTE]
As discussed before and in the highway code - Chris should ignore the driver behind and move out of the overtaking lane when he has passed the vehicle he is overtaking. He should not take the law into his own hands or antagonise the driver(s).
Tin Pot
Guru
It's Twattery like that that causes accidents and instigates road rage.
Stop trying to teach people lessons and start driving properly. No one gives a shoot about your message.
glasgowcyclist
Charming but somewhat feckless
- Location
- Scotland
earlestownflya
Well-Known Member
- Location
- earlestown.merseyside
if someone is up my arse...i just move out of the way at the earliest and safest opportunity...i will add though in the case of speed limits,the speed limit appropriate for your vehicle on the road you are on should be achieved if it is safe to do so and your vehicle is capable...see too many cars travelling on motorways not doing 70mph.... it inhibits traffic flow and can be an obstruction that other drivers have to deal with...no doubt leading to accidents.
deptfordmarmoset
Full time tea drinker
- Location
- Armonmy Way
Baa brains.
bikingdad90
Guru
[QUOTE 3922636, member: 9609"]why would chris gently slowing down cause accidents further back ? perhaps due to vehicles further back tailgating each other...
if Chris was slowing down simply to annoy or irritate the driver behind then that would be wrong, however if he were to gently reduce his speed as he believed the tailgater may cause an accident then I would say he was well within his rights, common sense would dictate the lower the speeds in an accident the better and the highway code advises always to slow when danger presents. - certainly speeding up to appease the tailgater would be very ill advised.[/QUOTE]
To add to my further statement and back up @User9609 once the car behind has backed off I always blip the accelerator to complete the pass and then pull over back into the left hand lane. Usually such incidence last than a minute and anyway if a tailgater is in such a hurry why should I risk getting hit and spun if he/she tries to push me out the way before I complete the overtake or for some reason I have to brake or swerve suddenly before completing the overtake manoeuvre. Surely it is better to have enough room all round to move safely?
I will also add to comments about twattery when I am overtaking I am doing between 70-80mph and slowing down to no less than 70mph. I would never go below 70mph in the right hand lane with a tailgater as that would be idiotic and certainly antagonising. If I couldn't make a blinking obvious they are too close I will simply wait until the safest opportunity to pull over and let them continue past.
if Chris was slowing down simply to annoy or irritate the driver behind then that would be wrong, however if he were to gently reduce his speed as he believed the tailgater may cause an accident then I would say he was well within his rights, common sense would dictate the lower the speeds in an accident the better and the highway code advises always to slow when danger presents. - certainly speeding up to appease the tailgater would be very ill advised.[/QUOTE]
To add to my further statement and back up @User9609 once the car behind has backed off I always blip the accelerator to complete the pass and then pull over back into the left hand lane. Usually such incidence last than a minute and anyway if a tailgater is in such a hurry why should I risk getting hit and spun if he/she tries to push me out the way before I complete the overtake or for some reason I have to brake or swerve suddenly before completing the overtake manoeuvre. Surely it is better to have enough room all round to move safely?
I will also add to comments about twattery when I am overtaking I am doing between 70-80mph and slowing down to no less than 70mph. I would never go below 70mph in the right hand lane with a tailgater as that would be idiotic and certainly antagonising. If I couldn't make a blinking obvious they are too close I will simply wait until the safest opportunity to pull over and let them continue past.
Moon bunny
Judging your grammar
- Location
- Basking in my own brilliance.
If I have set off with plenty of time to complete my journey I will travel at the speed I am comfortable with. If someone behind has a problem with that they should have left earlier. Someone who has difficulties dealing with slower traffic should carefully consider if they should be driving at all.
I doubt if many motorists crash into trees and walls because they are going too slow.
