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Original poster

Warning for tailgating - just curious

238 replies

Jimdandy · 29/12/2020 21:45

I’ve been sent the attached - completely accept it and it’s worked, I’ll change my ways (I honestly don’t normally do it, but get frustrated as there's a lot of lane 2, 3 and 4 hoggers, but I still see why I shouldn’t and won’t again)

But I’m just really curious how they detect it from the cameras? Just interested in the technology and how it works.

Anyone know? I drove this route everyday so on my best behaviour now.

Warning for tailgating - just curious
Warning for tailgating - just curious
OP posts:
YouokHun · 29/12/2020 23:57

[quote Jimdandy]@AnyFucker I’ve realised that! Considering all the awful driving I see everyday I wonder where all these perfect, sanctimonious Mumsnet drivers are GrinGrinGrin[/quote]
I can tell you where I was on Tuesday 22nd January 2012 at about 6pm if you like @Jimdandy?

Lalliella · 30/12/2020 00:00

I certainly have found something that triggers a lot of mumsnetters! Nice that you can make light of this OP. My mum was being tailgated and had to break suddenly and the twat behind her ran into the back of her car. We all found it hilarious.

Keep your fucking distance.

mineofuselessinformation · 30/12/2020 00:00

I'm so pleased for you that you got your little thrill out of this thread, OP.
In the meantime, you might want to think about all of the people that you've inconvenienced or made anxious by your careless driving.
Or, maybe you won't.... Hmm

Doodlebug5 · 30/12/2020 00:01

This is brand new for the Northamptonshire junctions. Its a trial.

Its a shame the highways agency havent got the cash to turn on the actual speed cameras in the town and surrounding areas. Lots of cash to send out lots of letters though which amount to nothing and put brand new trial cameras in.

Catsneezies · 30/12/2020 00:03

Sorry @Jimdandy the Jim in your name made me assume you are a man!

Mamanyt · 30/12/2020 00:03

@Jimdandy

LOL, yeah, that seems to be a frequent problem on MN. The original question is ignored for comments on everything else in the world! I do try to pay attention. Sorry I was so vague on details. Techie son's explanation had lots of "So, Mom, ( X + Y) / Q = YOU ARE TOO CLOSE!"

SilverBirchWithout · 30/12/2020 00:03

It’s a shame letters are not also automatically sent to these driver’s insurance companies - so their premiums get automatically increased.

In my opinion tailgating is an indication of a particular type of driver and driving style. Generally more aggressive, believing their journey is more important than others, lack of courtesy or awareness of other drivers, risk-taking yet poor at evaluating risk, unawareness of road safety and the impact of their actions on others...

Driving is strange - every driver believes they are safer and more competent than other road users. Very few people admit they are wrong - so well done OP.
Many years ago I got caught speeding (36 in a 30 zone) - I opted for the speed-awareness course and it really opened my eyes and changed my driving behaviour. I can’t imagine what it must be like to live with the knowledge your poor driving was responsible for killing or maiming someone for life.
And of course the thought of those good boys and girls in car boots being hurt is even more terrifying 😟

TwelveDogsOfChristmas · 30/12/2020 00:09

@hansgrueber
Due to this thread I've just checked and undertaking isn't illegal in the UK although it could be a contributory factor in a dangerous driving case. In the US I found undertaking very hard to accept but now when I am driving there it doesn't bother me at all .

It is only not illegal if you do it in very specific circumstances which don't include because you're pissed off that someone is in a lane that you deem them not fast enough to be in, in fast moving motorway traffic. See relevant excerpt from Highway Code quoted on ask the police website below.

Warning for tailgating - just curious
allalongtheshore · 30/12/2020 00:19

I was tailgated - having very recently passed my driving test - on winding country roads with newborn in the back of my car.

Tailgater attempted to overtake me just as a tractor came in the opposite direction, I pulled onto a verge and bust my tyre.

Continued to drive on it because I was so terrified by the tailgater who continued to pursue me. I was hugely relieved when I found a village to pull over to. Tailgater pulled over too and banged on my window to tell me - you have a flat tyre.

Yes. Because of you, you weirdo lone woman intimidating prick.

PerveenMistry · 30/12/2020 00:26

@SilverBirchWithout

It’s a shame letters are not also automatically sent to these driver’s insurance companies - so their premiums get automatically increased.

In my opinion tailgating is an indication of a particular type of driver and driving style. Generally more aggressive, believing their journey is more important than others, lack of courtesy or awareness of other drivers, risk-taking yet poor at evaluating risk, unawareness of road safety and the impact of their actions on others...

Driving is strange - every driver believes they are safer and more competent than other road users. Very few people admit they are wrong - so well done OP.
Many years ago I got caught speeding (36 in a 30 zone) - I opted for the speed-awareness course and it really opened my eyes and changed my driving behaviour. I can’t imagine what it must be like to live with the knowledge your poor driving was responsible for killing or maiming someone for life.
And of course the thought of those good boys and girls in car boots being hurt is even more terrifying 😟

I agree they are more dangerous than speeders and should be heavily penalized.

MrsTravers · 30/12/2020 00:28

Tailgaters are awful but I disagree that lane hoggers aren't dangerous. I prefer to drive in the inside lane (ideally not tailgated by lorries!) and it drives me mad when I have to pull out into the middle and then the outside lane so as not to undertake a member of the Middle Lane Residents Association. It's lazy driving and requires other drivers to perform unnecessary manoeuvres and in general the other driver is completely oblivious to the fact they've made you do it, as they potter along at 60mph. And particularly irritating when the motorway becomes 4-lanes, and they move over so there are two inside lanes and only one to overtake them.

Glad you have learned your lesson OP but it would be nice to think all dangerous driving is being addressed. I often wonder how much unused motorway capacity there is in this country with so many drivers unwilling to use the inside lane.

waterlego · 30/12/2020 00:30

Like a other poster, I’ve sometimes found that glaring at tailgaters via the rear view mirror can be effective, along with an upturned palm one-armed shrug. I think this only works with those who are just absent-minded and don’t really realise they are tailgating (the passive kind).

Our car has a cruise control setting which also sets safe distance from the car in front, so it decelerates/brakes automatically to maintain safe stopping distance- very useful for motorway driving. Even though I have never been a tailgater and have always strived (striven? strove?) to maintain safe stopping distances, I was initially surprised at just how big those safe distances are when the car does it for me. You need a whole lotta space to stop in, especially when you’re driving at 70. Bloody annoying though when you’re maintaining that safe distance and another driver jumps into the gap so you have to drop back 🙄😆

Tyredofallthis1 · 30/12/2020 00:30

This is why I'm too scared to drive on motorways.

There is a 50mph stretch on the way home from school pick up. I don't have a problem driving up to the speed limit, but it's only a short stretch, has some tight bends and hills, and slows down from 50mph to 30mph unexpectedly as you come around a bend. I'm used to the road, so know the drill. Son and I have discussions about who is going to overtake me unsafely along this stretch as we assess the cars behind us.

There's usually a BMW or Audi once a week, and a few times we have had to manoeuvre around a driver overtaking unsafely and coming the other way (not dual carriageway, just two lanes). I'm usually pretty much on the speed limit, depending on conditions.

I find it actually a little unnerving, so I can't imagine coping on a motorway.

waterlego · 30/12/2020 00:31

*another

Taikoo · 30/12/2020 00:33

Serves you right.

I had a massive arsehole in a post office van tailgate me at 8:00 am in the centre of a quiet, small town on a Saturday. There was no-one else on the road. I stayed within the speed limit.

lcdododo · 30/12/2020 00:39

Lane hoggers are just as dangerous
As are those going considerably under the speed limit

Thewiseoneincognito · 30/12/2020 00:40

My god OP your nails look utterly filthy. May I gently suggest a decent manicure? 🤢

NoSquirrels · 30/12/2020 00:46

But I’m just really curious how they detect it from the cameras? Just interested in the technology and how it works.

Same as average speed cameras. It uses ANPR
at regular distances. Both yours and the car you were tailgating would have shown up for a prolonged stretch with an unsafe distance between.

Glad you won’t do it any more, OP. It’s fucking horrible wherever you are. And I think a lot of people who do it mindlessly (rather than aggressively flashing and racing up behind) are a bit surprised by how it has the absolute opposite effect on drivers in front. It’s not that they’re massively crap, not moving over. It’s that you’ve spooked them and made it harder.

PhilCornwall1 · 30/12/2020 00:47

Bloody annoying though when you’re maintaining that safe distance and another driver jumps into the gap so you have to drop back 🙄😆

Urghh, this winds me right up.

You can always bet the person doing it is driving a ..... no I better not go there, thats a whole other can of worms!!!!

Agoodbriskwalk · 30/12/2020 00:48

Tailgating is nasty, bullying behaviour.

I'm not going to be intimidated by people like you for driving at the speed limit.

Chanandlerbong01 · 30/12/2020 00:52

Maybe they can introduce them for the idiots who undertake, too

It sounds like you are in the wrong lane if people are undertaking you. Lane hogging slows a lot of people down unnecessarily.

Back to the main topic though, I’m glad something is being done about tailgating. Nothing annoys me more on the road than someone up my arse flashing lights when I’m stuck behind a car going miles under the speed limit and nowhere to move to.

3rdNamechange · 30/12/2020 00:59

They aren't called 'fast lanes' and 'slow lanes'

PhilCornwall1 · 30/12/2020 01:07

@3rdNamechange

They aren't called 'fast lanes' and 'slow lanes'
It does make me giggle when I see them called this.
1forAll74 · 30/12/2020 01:16

Why were you tailgating anyway, were you preoccupied with doing something else, and not concentrating on the road and other vehicles.

I had someone tailgating me some months ago, I could see in my rear view mirror, that this man was on a hand held phone, I felt like ramming my brakes on, but didn't want my car smashed up at the rear, but wouldn't have minded his car being smashed at the front.!

BubblyBarbara · 30/12/2020 01:18

Chuck it in the bin. It's not a notice of intended prosecution so means exactly bugger all in a formal sense and can be ignored.