Being tailgated (new driver)

It being the maximum speed and not a target is literally in the highway code 🙄

This sort of nonsense is the reason so many drivers try to join motorways at 40mph.

You are absolutely correct in that they tailgate smaller cars more.

I had a sporty car which would have typically been owned by males.
I don’t think I got tailgated once.

It went into the garage and I borrowed a little car and I was shocked by how often I was tailgated, even though I was going the same speed at my fast car.

I don’t know if it’s a sex thing or not.

I will be honest though, although I never tailgate anyone I do sometimes assume that smaller cars are going to be slower and dither more than the BMWs, Audis etc.
If I see one and I know 2 lanes are going to go into 1, then I’ll quickly overtake them so I’m not stuck behind them.

When it comes to tailgating you just need to ignore it.
Move your rear view mirror if it helps.
Never let them push you to go faster.

Speed limiter, P plates (personally recommend these) and develop a thick skin. They are racing towards a speeding ticket. I always drive the speed limit and don't encounter this too often. Occasionally pull over if safe and let them go if they are distracting.

I tend to slow down slightly to make it easier for them to overtake and get past me. Also make sure you have plenty of space between yourself and the vehicle in front if the vehicle behind you is being a dickhead

I don't think it is because you're a woman - my husband gets this just as much and he's a big man in a mercedes estate. They're just dicks - it's not personal. You do need to grow a thicker skin unfortunately - which will come with time.

Terrible advice. Of course you should always be aware of whats behind you by checking your mirrors regularly!

You're paranoid.

They can't tell you're a woman.

How many times have you driven a larger car in order to make this comparison?

Aye. Don't let them intimidate you. I slow down a bit me.

Take your P plates off. I found I got bullied on the road with them on.

Nobody seems to want to stick to the speed limit these days. Sometimes you have to really hold your nerve.

My driving instructor gave me the most excellent advice 30 years ago when I was learning.

The tailgaters (and other idiots) are going to have an accident one day, and it’s likely to be nasty. So smile and let them pass because you don’t want to be anywhere near them when they do.

I don’t speed up, but I do let them go by when they want.

These men target anyone. The difference is they are probably less likely to get verbally abusive and let it escalate to confrontation with a man.

Don’t brake test them. If they have a dashcam, that will go against you. Stick to the speed limit. If there is heavy traffic in front of you, slow down and put some distance between you and the car in front so it doesn’t become a multi-car accident. Keep driving and ignore them.

If you don’t feel safe, pull over when you can but honestly you’re just going to slow yourself down and let them keep getting away with it. Not official advice but you can spray them with your washer fluid. If they overtake you but only get one car ahead, they get very frustrated if you laugh at them or clap at them. You do need to be careful standing up to these pricks sometimes. I had some throw something at my window when I didn’t let them bully me. This was before dashcams and the police were useless because it was my word vs theirs.

How does that prove anything other than on a particular journey tour husband didn't encounter any tailgate wankers

No one except the people who do it know why they do it, imo there are simply some unpleasant people on the road, i think you attributing too much thought to them

I do not agree that letting them pass makes them think they can do it more often. These are drivers who will tailgate everyone regardless, it doesn’t matter who you are, how fast you drive or what you do.

If it puts you on edge and makes you very anxious then pull over and let them by, it’s the safest thing to do and they will just go and do it to someone else. There will always be drivers like this, they’re common unfortunately

I just become the politest and most courteous driver in the world and just let every body out at side roads and pedestrians cross whenever i can.
Just to piss the in-patient bully off even more.
It's great fun, particularly if they are close enough to be visible getting wound up in my rear view mirror.

In over 20 years of driving I don’t recall it being women very often, if ever!! Some may but it’s not generally women drivers is it

Thia.
And shock horror.... women do it too!
Shocking I know

I lightly dab my brakes just so the lights come on sometimes

I also do the windscreen wiper fluid trick.

I think if they know you are confident (ie won't be bothered), they tend to ease off.

I did driver training and it said to slow down slightly.
I have tapped brakes before
I've even put my hazards on once when a right bellend was very dangerous.

My small child turns around and gives them a stare. They have no shame or decency

Try a P plate. And memorising cameras is stupid, because cops often set up speed traps, or might drive unmarked cars, so they won't get away with it forever. Or you could get a sign for your car saying dashcam recording your driving!

You’re right. It didn’t happen when my big burly DH drove our small car.

The thread made me think of this (pic to follow)

I always slow down in people tailgate. Reduces the stopping distance.

Congratulations on passing! Just keep to the speed limit and remember that you have as much right to be there as they do. Keep your head - don't let them intimidate you, because that way, accidents lie. It's just something you have to get used to.

I had some w*anker sitting on his horn behind me down country lanes once for about two miles. I memorised his number plate and just by chance saw him parked up later. I left a note on his windscreen telling him what I thought of him and that I was reporting him to the police :) (Which I did, but he had a passenger and I didn't, so they said it would be their word against mine, but anyway...)

I lightly dab my brakes just so the lights come on sometimes which makes them keep back especially if I do it more than once and appear a bit unpredictable.
Learn to fade them out, it’s hard because you do need to watch out for emergency vehicles coming up from behind while tuning the idiots out

That’s completely understandable, you will get more confident with more experience. I’ve been driving for over 20 years, and I drive a lot, so I know it’s them in the wrong not me and that I don’t have to change what I’m doing!