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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if it's worth reporting a tailgating?

58 replies

ClaireLumia · 09/01/2017 20:29

I was followed today by a very aggressive driver who drove dangerously close to me for more than a mile through an area which went from 30mph, then 40mph, then 50mph. So as I increased speed he did too although I stayed at 40 in the 50 part due to how close he was behind as he would have had no chance in hell of not running into me should I have needed to stop suddenly.

In the past I've probably had a bit of a moan about it when I got home and then forgot about it. However I now have a rear window dash cam that's recorded all of this so was wondering if it's worth reporting the driver to the police.

OP posts:
VanillaSugar · 09/01/2017 20:30

Yes, do - don't forget that the law has changed and this is a motoring offence now.

Original poster
ClaireLumia · 09/01/2017 20:30

*oops meant tailgator in title.

OP posts:
whyohwhy000 · 09/01/2017 20:32

Yes, report.

dingdongdigeridoo · 09/01/2017 20:33

Ooh I didn't know this was an offence now. I must get a dash cam, as there's a certain stretch of road where I always have some twat up my arse.

booellesmum · 09/01/2017 20:33

I would. You have evidence and can tell them it was intimidating.
If they speak to the tailgater it may stop them doing it to someone else.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 09/01/2017 20:34

Please do. This is such a dangerous habit of too many drivers.

Original poster
ClaireLumia · 09/01/2017 20:40

To be honest I thought everyone would tell me I'm overreacting. I'll get the footage off the dash cam and report in the morning.

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Daisyfrumps · 09/01/2017 20:44

if someone didn't have a dash-cam, can tailgating still be reported with the reg no, description of the car and driver?

BlackCatsRule · 09/01/2017 20:49

Please do these types of people are very dangerous

MooMooKerchu · 09/01/2017 20:59

Slightly different question (and sorry to jump on) but if someone did something on the motorway that they shouldn't have done, would you report?

wasonthelist · 09/01/2017 21:05

I hope you get a good outcome op, can't abide tailgating

LeopardPrintSocks1 · 09/01/2017 21:07

Next time pull over and let them go past. I did this and it was a company car so I called them and spoke to his manager. Absolute dickhead

Allthebestnamesareused · 09/01/2017 21:30

Be careful because if you were doing 40 in a 50 I am sure that the Highway Code suggests that driving too slow can be either dangerous or driving without due care and attention as you are causing a hazard to other road users. It suggests driving within 5mph of speed limit

AVeryBigHouse · 09/01/2017 21:34

I think in these circumstances, driving at 40 in a 50 would be covered by 'driving at appropriate speed according to the conditions' .

Definitely report.

GymBunnyWannabe · 09/01/2017 21:39

You'll put yourself in hot water by showing you did 40 in a 50

lapsedorienteerer · 09/01/2017 21:40

I find turning my fog lights on (and then off) does wonders, the tailgater thinks you have put your foot on the brake.....

Evergreen17 · 09/01/2017 21:48

Please do, for everyone's safety.
It is a very dangerous habit Sad

Evergreen17 · 09/01/2017 21:51

Gym when you are right that you should drive to speed limit, you can change that depending on weather conditions or in a situation like this were OP felt if she had to stop suddenly it will be dangerous due to him being so close. He should have overtaken the OP too!

Kai1977 · 09/01/2017 21:54

Report.

And how can they possibly take issue with slowing down to make the conditions safer for yourself and the other driver?

allybally73 · 09/01/2017 21:57

Speed limit of 50, is maximum speed for that road, it is not an instruction to drive at 50 mph. You drive at a speed appropriate for the conditions.

I find it worrying that there would appear to people on this thread that don't know this.

Evergreen17 · 09/01/2017 22:00

Ally you are right that is maximum speed and not compulsory speed, and if wet, foggy, bends you need to adjust your speed accordingly.
However you shouldnt do 30 in a 50 unless circumstances described above.
I tend to do (weather permitted) 45-50 on a 50 for example. I was taught like this

Evergreen17 · 09/01/2017 22:02

But I am a new driver so interested im other opinions

Original poster
ClaireLumia · 09/01/2017 22:17

I've just got my IT Guru (aka The teenager) to create a YouTube channel for me and upload the footage if anyone wants to have a look. It gets clearer about half way through when I remembered to use the rear windscreen wiper!

OP posts:
allybally73 · 09/01/2017 22:19

Evergreen the speed you drive at, up to the limit, is entirely at your discretion, unless there are road signs indicating a minimum speed limit. In 25 years of driving I'm yet to see one.

I'm not advocating people driving at 25 mph In 50 zones btw, I'm just trying to say that you shouldn't feel under pressure to drive faster than you are comfortable, because some twonk is driving up your arse.

Oakmaiden · 09/01/2017 22:28

Gosh - he/she does get very close in the middle section, don't they? And it was wet too, so even more dangerous...

Yeah, I would report that.