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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To slow down when tailgated

177 replies

HoneyIshrunktheBiscuit · 03/08/2017 11:55

Nothing annoys me more than arseholes who tailgate. When I was a new driver I found it incredibly intimidating and now I refuse to be scared by these road bullies.

Just been tailgated, right up my bum, on the motorway in the left lane. Plenty of space to overtake but not the guy was right up there. So I slowed down to about 65 - I couldn't have gone much faster anyway as there was a car only a little in front doing just under 70. When I pulled off on tothe exit junction he was effing and jeffing and gesturing at me.

OP posts:

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 03/08/2017 12:51

Oh God. Every single day on my 40-minute commute (combination of windy country roads and a fairly main A road).

It is ALWAYS a bloke. I must admit to slowly slowing down for peevish reasons - have got down to 15 mph before (it's a 50 mph road) before you see their frustration and effing and blinding switching into realisation that they are the reason... (very few safe places to overtake).

WHY!!!! WHY IS SHE DRIVING LIKE THAT STUPID BITCH WHY IS SHE... oh shit, hang on, it's me...

infuriating! And I'm usually on or near the speed limit anyway!

Original poster

HoneyIshrunktheBiscuit · 03/08/2017 12:51

meltor where did I say it was empty? I said there was space to over take.

Don't understand what is so unbelievable about my story?

OP posts:

JassyRadlett · 03/08/2017 12:52

So you're saying that you were sat in the left hand lane of an empty motorway doing 65 miles an hour and a nasty driver tailgated you for no reason what so ever?

Seems totally likely.

Yep. Some drivers are arseholes who enjoy a power play. Assume it is compensating for unsatisfying aspects of their lives.

WaxOnFeckOff · 03/08/2017 12:52

Some folk are just oblivious regardless. I once watched an arsehole tailgate a police car - that didn't end well.

itshappening · 03/08/2017 12:53

It is the correct official advice I think. My driving instructor and driving books said to increase space between you and the car ahead in this situation.

araiwa · 03/08/2017 12:55

I concentrate on whats in front of me- thats my responsibility. I dont let people behind bother me

KungFuEric · 03/08/2017 12:55

Goodness GreenFingers do you realise how dangerous that style of driving is? I'm sure that man would have overtaken had there been an opportunity, but with oncoming traffic there can quite often not be. Was there not a trail of cars behind you at the time of you doing 15mph? Why do you feel the need to turn driving into some sort of point scoring exercise?

ppeatfruit · 03/08/2017 12:56

Driving In rural and urban France we get tailgated ALL the time , and we are not slow drivers, we have read that the driving instructors here actually INSTRUCT the learners to do it! It's changing a little but there are many who do it dangerously at every opportunity,totally disregarding the road\weather conditions. DH was stopped at a pedestrian crossing and a fool literally slammed into his boot, luckily he was in a Jeep and the idiot got stuck under it!

OliviaStabler · 03/08/2017 12:58

Happened to me a few months ago. Going from one motorway to another the turn is very tight and the speed limit is 40 mph. Some bloke comes right up behind me, dangerously close. I was like WTF! He later passed me and bibbed his horn and was clearly shouting something at me (how he thinks I could have heard anything he said with his windows closed I don't know). I made a rude gesture at him and drove on

RideOn · 03/08/2017 12:59

I slow down too for reasons already mentioned

to increase distance between me and car infront incase they do actually hit me from behind
so that we are both going slower if an accident happens
so it is easier for them to overtake/gives them more reason to overtake and so gets rid of them.

I think if they are stupid enough to drive like that, then speeding up wont help.

Original poster

HoneyIshrunktheBiscuit · 03/08/2017 12:59

As lovely as it would be to just concentrate on what's in front of me, I was taught to check my mirrors including my rear view mirror regularly. A good driver should be aware of what's behind them not just what's in front.

OP posts:

Libitina · 03/08/2017 13:01

There is no slow and fast lane.

I always slow down if someone is tailgating me. I especially like to be in the outside lane when they do this so that I can match my speed to the car (or preferably lorry) on the inside of me, so that I do the worlds longest and slowest overtake. Twunt behind me just gets even more frustrated then.

thepumpk1neater · 03/08/2017 13:02

I'd do the same OP. Isn't that the official advice, to slow down?

araiwa · 03/08/2017 13:03

I know whats behind me but theres not much i can do about so i dont worry about it or change my behaviour

ppeatfruit · 03/08/2017 13:04

Yes HoneyIshrunk I heard that in the advanced drivers' course, they are supposed to know what vehicle is 3 cars behind!

MaisyPops · 03/08/2017 13:04

I especially like to be in the outside lane when they do this so that I can match my speed to the car (or preferably lorry) on the inside of me, so that I do the worlds longest and slowest overtake. Twunt behind me just gets even more frustrated then
See that's the sort of this that I just find unecessary, a bit like another poster dropping to 15mph.
If it makes you feel awesome then good for you. I just think it's stupid.

swingofthings · 03/08/2017 13:05

Mmmm, reading this thread, it is becoming apparent that they are as many poor drivers than they are aggressive ones. Both are clearly convinced the other one is the bad one!

KungFuEric · 03/08/2017 13:06

Libitina if your aim is to match the speed of the vehicle in the inside lane you aren't overtaking, you are just using the lane incorrectly and frustrating other road users.

Highway Code says overtaking should be performed quickly and safely, neither of which you seem to want to do.

ppeatfruit · 03/08/2017 13:07

Surely in the OT lane of a motorway you have to OT and return to the middle lane or inside lane as fast as is legally possible? Not slow down, that is extremely dangerous.

MeltorPeltor · 03/08/2017 13:07

I don't understand it. I drive at the speed limit, don't speed, yet never have problems with tailgaters.

I fail to see WHY someone would sit behind you voluntarily if they could overtake, makes me think that there is more to this story than just you driving perfectly legally and correctly and someone choosing to be an arse hole. Just because.

KinkyAfro · 03/08/2017 13:08

firesuit so slow down a little and wait behind the lorry until your exit. Speeding up to overtake and then cutting in front across two lanes to take your junction is equally twattish. What's the rush?

newmumFeb17 · 03/08/2017 13:08

Most annoying thing ever OP! It's seems to be particularly bad where I live.. Especially when you're travelling at the speed limit anyway! There seem to be many drivers on the m25 that think the speed limit doesn't apply to them.

I saw someone recently with a bumper sticker that said "the closer you get, the slower I'll go!"

ppeatfruit · 03/08/2017 13:12

I agree Afro .

KungFuEric · 03/08/2017 13:13

There's something about driving in metal boxes that gives people a sense of power over other people that can be rather unpleasant, on both ends of the scale.

Original poster

HoneyIshrunktheBiscuit · 03/08/2017 13:14

I find it much harder to believe you've never been tailgated to be honest. Unless you are a tailgater.

OP posts:

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