To hate it when people drive too close??

[mintyfresh]

I've had two really awful experiences on the road this week with people tailgating me. It doesn't make me go any faster and one of them got so close I was really freaked out! Why do people do this? I know it is just a small thing but it really gets me down when people drive so badly and inconsiderately

get yourself a tow bar (it protects the back of your car) and the slam your brakes on obviously not if dc's in car

but i'm evil

sorry *then slam your brakes on

adjust your mirror so you can't see them - works for me
half the time they're not being aggressive just crap drivers. my sis does this and has no idea she's doing it (she's not the world's best driver)

I've thought about slamming on the brakes but I usually have dd in the car so don't dare do this. I should add that I live in a very rural area so sometimes you get people doing it for miles before they can overtake you grrr!

you can also try driving slower and slower and slower and slower til eventually they get the hint
positive reinforcement - when they back off, you speed up

seriously though maybe not best to engage although it does always make me feel better! if it happens all the time, do think about just moving your mirror and looking in it less - essentially it is their lookout not yours if they are driving too close

I usually just tap the brakes with my left foot 3-4 times, they usually realise eventually that you're not braking and get the message and back off, probably not the best solution but makes me feel like I'm giving them a message without being too aggressive iyswim?

I hate this when I am driving past a school. The signs say 20 mph people, I'm not driving slowly just for the hell of it you know!

I usually drive really slowly if someone does this to me.

Just drive ever so sllllllloooooowwwwlllllly.

AAnd then give them a little wave as they oover take you with their face all .

If you flick your sidelights on and off quickly, the red lights will look like you're braking but you don't risk a crash. If they're too close for you to want to brake.

Yep, drop down to just below the speed limit. Then laugh at them when they fly past at the next overtaking opportunity.

I have no doubt that the slowing down winds them up and I always feel better for laughing at them.

I was tailgated by a Royal Mail lorry couple of weeks ago, on a very winding, hilly and very wet road. He was so close I couldn't see his licence plate and as a lot of the journey was downhill, very steep downhill, it was really horrible.

The only thing that cheered me up was as he was in a Royal Mail lorry I guessed where he was going, so when the depot came in sight I slowed down to 20mph and crawled past. Made me feel a little better. I was scared but livid - I've got 3 small dcs and the thought of being mashed up and unable to care for them just because of some idiots impatience leaves me steaming.

Wave them back in the mirror. If they don't drop back, slow down to let them overtake or pull over until they get past you and then report them to the depot, or police. Life too short to worry about these fuckwits killing you.

yes, it's horrible, unsafe and unnecessary!
it has the effect of slowing me right down.
i start slowing down when people get too close, and put the hazards on if they are dangerously close.
another good bit of advice i've had is to increase the stopping distance with the car in front. that gets you focussing a little less on the car behind.
Avril i had never thought to wash the windows no doubt i'll have the opportunity to try that out on monday!
whatever you do, stand your ground, and make sure that you are drively safely irrespective of other people's behaviours

I always make the DCs turna round and stare at them. That usually shames them into backing off.
Although I am going to try the window cleaning too - great idea Avril .

turn around