Tailgating drivers everywhere

[mag2305]

I'm sure this isn't really something new and I might be totally wrong but since the pandemic, I feel like there's always cars sitting really close behind and often kind of agrressive, like swerving out slightly to created pressure I guess or some overtake. Has driving become more aggressive? Is it because people are frustrated? Is it just this area (busy area in Essex)?
Maybe it's just me noticing it more. I'm not a slow or fast driver, just stick to the speed limit. I've got a toddler and one of those baby in board stickers which might piss people off and make them tailgate even more, I don't know. I was always quite a confident driver as I used to drive in Central London regularly which can be interesting, lol! So I was never easily intimidated by other drivers. But the tailgating and overtaking is every day round here and I'm more nervous now on the road which I never felt before. Maybe it's also being a mum now too, just feeling more protective. Don't know.
Anyone else feel this?

@Macncheeseballs

Escooters are a drop in the ocean compared to the death and carnage that cars cause

And death and carnage from cars will happen because escooter riders are mostly young kids running about the roads on them. "I've bought you an escooter dd/ds off you go and play on the roads with the big bad cars".......madness.

It's not "people", it's overwhelmingly men who do this imo

@teenage THIS.
Can't ever remember a tailgating female.

For me tailgaters are roughly 50/50 male/female - but I accept other's experience differs.
I don't think most of them are trying to intimidate - they are just inattentive or poor drivers, the same people who invade your personal space in the queue for the tills because they are incapable of being behind anyone.

@DynamoKev would you be of the male genre at all?

'Male genre' is an appropriately fluid term :D

[quote EL8888]@Rainbowx yep the standard of driving in Essex is woeful. It’s interesting going elsewhere, where the standard is usually better[/quote]
Sadly all the incidents seen on Essex roads are also common on SE London roads. :(

The most important thing is to not let any such situations get to you. Ignore, ignore, ignore. Turn your music up and continue calmly on your way. You're not responsible for anyone else's dickish behaviour. Please don't let them upset you or your driving x

@mag2305

Nothing to do with tailgating but e-scooters are becoming quite a hazard in my area just to add to the mix. Had one today scooting down the middle of the road into oncoming traffic!

Around here, (SE London) there are groups of youths aged from about 12 - 15 years who think it is fun to cycle in a large group across the width of the road. They often cycle on the back wheel only, and weave in and out of the traffic, bringing it to a standstill.

They seem to revel in the hoots and hand signs from drivers, I just give them a very wide berth, they don't seem to get how vulnerable they are...

@MissMarplesGoddaughter that sounds really scary. Like you say, they're so vulnerable.

I'm sure Essex isn't much different to other places in the south east of the country and other home counties. We are in a bottle neck in the south east and it's so densely populated.

I wonder where the best place to drive in the UK would be?

[quote Heneage]@DynamoKev would you be of the male genre at all? [/quote]
Yes I am, why do you ask?

[quote mag2305]@MissMarplesGoddaughter that sounds really scary. Like you say, they're so vulnerable.

I'm sure Essex isn't much different to other places in the south east of the country and other home counties. We are in a bottle neck in the south east and it's so densely populated.

I wonder where the best place to drive in the UK would be?[/quote]
I enjoy driving much more once I get North of Manchester on the whole.
Not UK, but France is pretty good outside Paris - good roads and low population density. Anyone who tailgates you there will take the first chance they get to overtake.