New driver, stressful incident

I would just forget about it. The other driver probably has.

Just forget about it. I’m sure she’s not going to report you, she probably won’t even have seen you. But in future, just ignore these idiots. There are many of them. You were doing nothing wrong. Don’t flip people off or get angry, it’s a waste of your energy and at worst they could follow you and have some sort of road rage attack. It’s not worth the stress.

Of course you wont be reported! I'd have given the fingers too. If someone tailgates me I often slow down rather than speed up. Dont be encouraged to go faster if you can't do so safely on an unknown or winding road

You drive to the speed limit.
Are you displaying P plates?
If not get them.
It warns people to keep away.

No one has any patience at the moment.
You won't get in trouble for the finger!

Just be confident driving at the speed you feel safe to drive at. Other people need to learn patience

What's she going to say? Officer, I was tailgating this woman for 3 miles, then I overtook her and she swore at me. No, I can't show you any dashcam footage, because it will show me driving like a twat. What do you mean, wasting your time?

The speed is a limit, not a target, especially on a country road with twists and turns. I drive on roads that it would not be safe to go at 60 on even though the sign says its allowed

OP, when I put L plates on people were considerate and lovely.

As soon as I put P plates on I had incredibly dangerous and rude behaviour.

I told my boys not to use them.

My daughter used her P plates for a year.
If it's any consolation the driving test is much harder now and only 52% of drivers past first time.So well done.
You pottle along.
Nutters who tailgate are 'dying to meet you' as they say in Spain. Don't let some idiots bad driving put you off.

There are people who hate those who drive within the speed limit and with proper regard for the road conditions .... it is their problem, not yours. Try and find somewhere they can overtake safely and gently slow down for them.
I hate them too.
I live in an area of country lanes and it is so frustrating that some drivers do not understand that when a 30 limit ceases after a village it is not an instruction to drive at 60 regardless of the road conditions.

Getting angry at other people's driving is punishing yourself for their stupidity.

Just think that and let it wash over you, you can't control other people behaviour.

Honestly @SilentAmberWaspbe kind to yourself, we all had to gain confidence once!

And don't worry about giving her the finger, she deserved it and I probably give 3 drivers the finger every day so 🤷‍♀️🤣

It's stressful being a new driver. You'll toughen up in time. It's normal.

Lots of people are total arseholes. Give them a half a ton vehicle and traffic rules and it brings out the worst in them.

We left London in 2020 and lived somewhere that needed driving everywhere. Bear in mind I've been driving since 2006.

We moved back to central London last year and the driving issue was a part of it. It was just pissing me off. I'd take walking, the tube or a bus over driving everywhere all day every day. Even with a baby in a wet winter. It's bliss.

Don’t worry, OP. It can be stressful when idiots who can’t or won’t drive properly try to bully you. As a PP said, best thing is for you to slow down so that if you do have to brake suddenly you’re less likely to be rear-ended or at least not so badly, and the other driver might be able to get round you. Also if you slow down you’re more likely to be able to find somewhere to pull in to let the fool pass you. You don’t need to prove to this sort of person that you’re capable of driving at the max safe for the road (let alone faster!)

Get a nextbase camera it goes over your rear view mirror and one touch it lights up so people tailgating back of as they think its recording them it works for me .Especially impatient van delivery drivers. Also the speed signs do not always reflect the road or weather conditions. There is nothing to report really the police will only look at dash cam footage. Tailgating is also a offence so get a camera it will also help you not to react as you will hear your self on it.

You’re driving sounds fine, and you’re absolutely not going to be reported and get into trouble for giving her the finger!

But it’s not great that you (in your words) lost your temper while driving.

I always slow down when this happens and give them a wave through the rear view mirror because I’m petty like that!

My driving instructor had a saying that I still find helpful today - ‘let them take their speed somewhere else’. Basically, they’re the ones with the problem, not you. You drive at the right speed for you, and if they feel a desperate need to overtake, let them.
Just let their idiocy wash over you.

You are not going to get charged for this, so relax.
However, the important lesson here is this driver has upset you to the point you had an emotional response. This is something you really need to try and work on in order to drive safely.
How you manage this is personal to you, but the golden rule of when you are being tailgated is to remain calm and ensure you are going at a safe speed. If the tailgater has left no safe stopping distance, you may need to be a bit slower than before to ensure you can react in time to hazards on the road.
Zone them out, remain calm, and pull over only if safe to do so.

Just forget about it. There are many idiots on the road. Of course you won't be reported.

You know you are allowed to pull over and let them pass right? That’s what I sometimes do when someone is following me too closely.

it can feel really scary to have someone up your butt when driving