Being tailgated (new driver)

[AncientWasp]

Recently passed and got a hatchback as that's all I need. I stick to the speed limit but I'm finding a lot of people don't (I'm told some people memorise where the speed cameras are?) But what I'm getting annoyed at is almost always having someone (men) in SUVs or vans driving about an inch away from me, seen a few shaking their head, throwing their hands up etc.
I let them overtake where possible, but obviously not always safe. Is this something I just have to put up with? Highly doubt they'd be doing it if I were male and in an SUV.

Squirt them with your windscreen wash 😂

Tailgaters are dicks. Sometimes I slow down loads to piss them off but I realise that probably enrages them more.

Pull over where you can, make as much room as possible and take reg numbers. Get a front and rear dash cam.

I should 😂 i could understand if i were going much slower but I'm doing 29/30 in a 30 zone for example. I was taught in lessons not to speed up until I've passed the speed sign e.g. 30 to 40, but I've seen many people speeding up well in advance.

Dashcam is a very good idea!

I had someone do this to me the other day, they then overtook me and nearly crashed into a bollard in the middle of the road, then they proceeded to do the same to the car in front. Unfortunately these men think they are so very important, and seem to enjoy having something to be angry about. I just completely ignore them and drive how I am comfortable.

Keep your eyes on the road ahead, don’t look behind you to see what people in cars behind are doing. If the people behind crash into you, it’s their responsibility. If you’re paying attention to drivers in cars behind you and crash into the car in front, in the best case scenario your insurance premium will go up. 30 in a 30 zone is totally reasonable.

Ignore them and drive at the speed you are comfortable at. The speed limit is the maximum speed, not the minimum.

Thank you. I may be more sensitive to it as I'm new, hopefully I'll get better at ignoring them

Yep, it is something that happens, and yes, you should ignore them. I’ll be honest, I don’t stick to speed limits religiously, but I don’t tailgate people who do.

I might be paranoid but I'm convinced they target women in smaller cars..

Do you have P plates on OP?

No, i was told I'd get 'bullied" if i put them on

You need to learn to tune them out. This business of pulling over to let them pass means a) they've interfered with your day by making you stop for them and b) they've learned that the behaviour (tailgating) gets them what they want. Which makes them keep doing it.
Which adds to the entitlement and makes it more dangerous for everyone.

That's because it's your only experience to draw from. I can assure you they also tailgate my Land Rover. I just don't care enough to give them the time of day.

Ignore and just leave a little more distance in front of you. If they crash into you, you then don’t hit the car in front and it’s not your problem, it’s theirs
I drive the same way to work every day, it’s a 40 zone and every day people are doing the hands up, wanker gesture, shaking their head before flying past me
they want to do 60, I don’t

Put dashcams front and back with signs saying they are there.

Bet the fuckers pull back as soon as they clock the signs.

And I have absolutely no doubt that the cunts target women alone. Because they are cunts.

That’s completely understandable, you will get more confident with more experience. I’ve been driving for over 20 years, and I drive a lot, so I know it’s them in the wrong not me and that I don’t have to change what I’m doing!

I lightly dab my brakes just so the lights come on sometimes which makes them keep back especially if I do it more than once and appear a bit unpredictable.
Learn to fade them out, it’s hard because you do need to watch out for emergency vehicles coming up from behind while tuning the idiots out

Congratulations on passing! Just keep to the speed limit and remember that you have as much right to be there as they do. Keep your head - don't let them intimidate you, because that way, accidents lie. It's just something you have to get used to.

I had some w*anker sitting on his horn behind me down country lanes once for about two miles. I memorised his number plate and just by chance saw him parked up later. I left a note on his windscreen telling him what I thought of him and that I was reporting him to the police :) (Which I did, but he had a passenger and I didn't, so they said it would be their word against mine, but anyway...)

I always slow down in people tailgate. Reduces the stopping distance.

The thread made me think of this (pic to follow)

You’re right. It didn’t happen when my big burly DH drove our small car.

Try a P plate. And memorising cameras is stupid, because cops often set up speed traps, or might drive unmarked cars, so they won't get away with it forever. Or you could get a sign for your car saying dashcam recording your driving!

I did driver training and it said to slow down slightly.
I have tapped brakes before
I've even put my hazards on once when a right bellend was very dangerous.

My small child turns around and gives them a stare. They have no shame or decency

I lightly dab my brakes just so the lights come on sometimes

I also do the windscreen wiper fluid trick.

I think if they know you are confident (ie won't be bothered), they tend to ease off.