To contact Tesco about their truck driver tailgating me?

[OkapiCarrot]

Even at 5mph over the motorway speedlimit in an attempt to get him to give me some space, the driver was basically up my backside for a good 10 minutes until I took my exit! I was in the left lane and there was plenty of space for him to overtake me if he had felt the need.

DH also said he was staring at me as I exited, and took his numberplate down. It was pretty scary to say the least (especially as I'm somewhat new at motorway driving) and if I'd had to brake we would have been smooshed

Toomanycats99
That is so frustrating!
I told DH to take a picture just in case of this, but sadly he refused in case it angered the driver!

Really Opal? That's truly awful. I hope as I have the plate number they'll be able to respond to it, here's hoping.

Unfortunately, yes. I had the number plate, trailer number, and a not too brilliant shot of the driver but very identifying regardless.
Hopefully you'll get someone who actually cares because to be fair to Tesco, the person I spoke to sounded peed off and disenchanted.

The good news is that the same dashcam also caught some exceptional driving by an LGV driver that probably saved a couple of lives.
I called that company too and spoke to the manager suggesting he buy the driver a nice thank you gift for doing the company proud.

If it was someone doing home deliveries they might do something. If it was an HGV driver doing store deliveries I doubt they will - Tesco have form for ignoring video footage of drivers breaking the law and they don't respond.

However, that doesn't mean you should just roll over. If you've got the time and energy, report him.

Was it through roadworks? I have never known a motorway have a speed limit of 50mph.

Are you sure it was a 50mph road and not a national speed limit?

To be honest I was that frightened I didn't get a good look at what the truck actually was, as I could only really see the grills but no livery in my mirror anyway. It was DH who told me it was Tesco. So it might have been home deliveries? But it seemed awful large!

It was definitely a 50mph. It was the M77 just before the pollokshaws exit. Certain stretches are 60mph but that particular stretch is a 50mph (with large road signs and a few overhead signs displaying this, you know the kind with the flashing red xs as well). I have a up to date say nav also in the car which displays the current speed limit.

Motorways can often have variable speed limits set to regulate the flow of traffic. Either that or the poor OP was on the M1 which has had roadworks going on for bloody years with a 50 limit.

OP, tailgating is aggressive and dangerous. Def report the driver.

I think most lorries on cruise control will just stay at their 56mph limit even through the roadworks. They have limited driving hours and sometimes 5moh is a the difference between getting home and not. I often see them pulling out to go round people who have slowed down to 48. If your speed wasn't constant and you were fluttering between say 48 and 52 the lorry wouldn't slow down as quickly as you will from one to the other and will probably get closer.

I think all car drivers should have to do (controlled, off the public highway) manoeuvring etc of a HGV to understand the differences and their stopping distances etc.

Oops, x post with OP.

Sparklingbrook, many motorways have variable speed limits (e.g. M62) with overhead signs stating the current speed limit, if they are a 'smart' motorway. They use a speed limit of 50 if it is congested or poor visibility.

sparklingbrook
No roadworks! The road was lovely and clear for once, clear on the right hand lane but I needed to stay in the left for my exit.

Yes I appreciate that smart motorways have variable speed limits . I was envisaging a motorway with a permanent speed limit of 50 or assuming roadworks.

Lampygirl
I consider myself a courteous driver around buses and HGVs (and everyone really), it wasn't really a case of me not know how to manoeuvre around him (as he was behind me?) than him not bothering to scoot into the (empty) right lane for a few seconds to get by me. I couldnt have gone any faster as I knew my exit was coming up, and I was already over the speed limit.

What do you suggest I should have done?

Yes, you need to complain OP. Glad you got their reg number. Makes me so angry when people tailgate me, and I always drive at maximum speed limit (not at all impatient). Especially when I have my DS in the car (with a baby on board sign), I tend to switch to the right lane. I let them undertake me (since they can't be bothered to switch themselves), and usually I bib to alert them of their idiotic behaviour. If I have to emergency stop, my DS is going to get a huge impact from the idiot crashing into the back of my car. I've had far too many arguments with other drivers, who don't care about the safety of other road users. Yes, driving has made me an angry person. Don't give into the pressure to speed up OP, and make sure you do report them.

I hate this part of the M77 because of this. Most drivers seem to think the 50mph speed limit is optional.