Dangerous tailgating and undertaking on the motorway : how can it be "justified"?

Question

And why aren't there more traffic police to clamp down on such behaviour?

It gets particularly annoying when you're in the fast lane, overtaking a long line of traffic, and you're AT the speedlimit when some p**k comes up right behind you, insisting you go considerably OVER the speedlimit, giving you no othen option than to do so.

Where in the highway code does it say that some people "own the road"?!

Answer 1

In most cases when you are overtaking on motorways you need to be breaking the speed limit. Thats just a fact. If you're overtaking a car at that's going 65mph and you are travelling 70mph it takes a long time to overtake and that will annoy everyone behind you but it's still no reason to tailgate though.

Answer 2

It can't be justified.  It is the height of bad manners and antisocial.

I take my time to overtake in such instances, then pull in to lane two.  When the prick accelerates, I floor it and leave them for dust.  F*** 'em.

Answer 3

It's just ignorance and stupidity on their part. Also, I do believe that more traffic citations should be issued for aggressive behavior like tailgating.

Answer 4

It can't be justified some people think they're invincible.

Answer 5

If you are maintaining the speed limit, just move back over when you have cleared the line of cars to your right.   It's best not to let the car behind you intimidate you into breaking the law yourself by speeding up.  Keep an eye on them, though.  They may do something stupid (beyond tailgating) that may compromise your safety.  DO NOT touch your brakes.  If you do, you're simply aggravating the situation.

Answer 6

Cops wait until it's to late to do anything. As for the idiots that come flying up behind me,if I'm going the posted speed limit. To bad for them. I'm neither speeding up or getting out of their way. And the more of an idiot they make out of themselves the longer it takes for me to pass the slower traffic.

Answer 7

It can't, I am always temped to slam my brakes on, and let the tailgater have 2 tonnes of landrover and a tow bar in their grill.

Never done it but, if you are following a brunette driving a black Discovery, and you are a tailgater, BEWARE!

Answer 8

Personally I think you should just get out of the way as fast as you can. People like you just hold up traffic.

Answer 9

Where in the highway code does it state that we have a fast lane on the motorway?

If you are travelling at the maximum permitted speed and are  over taking a line of vehicles, just stick to the limit. YOUR the one controlling the speed of your vehicle, not the person behind. Do you think that if you got caught for speeding the police would accept the excuse of "the guy behind made me do it"? I don't think so!

Also, in response to MAN290663, I find it hard to believe that a 44tonne truck would come up behind you in the inside lane doing 75 mph, when they are (should be) governed to 56mph. After all, if your doing 70, I would expect you to be in the outside lane, unless you talking about a quite piece of motorway and at night.

It also appears that from some of the answers given, people find it acceptable to either "touch the brakes", or "slowly apply the handbrake". Not only are these actions dangerous, but does it not make those people as bad as those that cause you to do this action?

Answer 10

For a start, there is NO SUCH THING as a FAST lane on a motorway! Please get that in your head before you even think about complaining about other peoples behaviour.

Second, when did you last have your speedo calibrated, so you can say EXACTLY at what speed you are travelling at?

I'm afraid it's people like you that causes other people to act in the way you are complaining about.

Third, you could move into the middle lane, which if you're not overtaking, you should be in, or even the inside (NOT slow lane)!!

Answer 11

You do have an option dont speed up and do your best to either continue driving or find a spot to move in and as for the police, I find myself asking that same question everyday.

It seems that they are never there when they are needed, drive safe.....be careful.

Answer 12

I drive on Rte 2 in Massachusetts and everyday I see drivers like that. Idiots. Pure simpletons. Go the speed limit and ignore them. Or call 911. I see state troopers on Rte 2 and they will pull over those drivers. I laugh everytime I see it happen. Why? Because they are such jerks with no sense in their heads. There are so many accidents and so many deaths that result. Massachusetts is the 4th state for the worst drivers.  People complain about high insurance rates. It's a puzzle. Idiots.

Answer 13

Where does it say in the Highway Code that there is a "fast lane" on a motorway or dual carriageway??

The biggest danger on our roads are people who THINK they know the law, but in reality, don't.  They then come onto Yahoo! Answers and complain about other people's driving...

Answer 14

but sometimes you get the idiot who wont move over into a nearside lane at 60 mph. then i will tailgate or undertake them , complete with a hand gesture to say what i think of them

a tip for everyone who doesnt like idiots screaming up behind them too close-- dont touch your brakes , slowly pull up your handbrake. the driver behind will not see any brake lights and will s**t himself.  it is so funny

Answer 15

Stick to the speed limit and if they insist on getting close just touch your brakes until the lights come on if often causes them brown pants and makes then slow down. if you do it well you don't lose any speed.

there is no justification for undertaking or tailgating if the other drivers are at the speed limit and in the correct lane.

if someone is slow an in  the outside line when they should be on the inside a quick flash of lights followed by overtaking them then cutting all the way back to the inside lane often works but don't get so close you clip their car!

just because they ar breaking the rules is no justification for you to do the same - and if you get done for speeding then its not a mitigating circumstance as you are in control of the speed you drive and should ignore other peoples impatience.

sometime you're doing 70 in the inside lane and a 44 tone lorry comes up behind you at 75 flashing their lights - its intimidating but the brake trick works.

Answer 16

You should not be in the fast lane if you are going only the speed limit.

Answer 17

You are quite right, they are not justified, especially overtaking on your left. Quite apart from being illegal, it is bad mannered and purile.  

Dont stamp on your brakes, hand gesture or get wound up. Remember, people can only upset you if you give them permission.  Just keep your wits about you, watch out for these morons and avoid hitting them. That way, whatever speed you are travelling at you can be sure that you will get to your destination in one piece. Pity the fool (as Mr T might have said) as there is a distinct possibility they may not arrive at home that evening!

Answer 18

as the highway code instructs you should,

a) slow down leave a bigger gap between you and the car in front.

b) when safe to do so move back into lane 2

in adition  to the above rules a quick flash of the brake lights wakes people up.

tailgating on the motorway causes accidents and holds up traffic safe driving does not

there are cameras all along our motorways and if an operator sees fit they can issue tickets for tailgating

Answer 19

It can't be justified, there is no good reason to ever tailgate someone. You are looking for trouble if you tailgate.

Answer 20

'behaviour'? 'traffic police'? British, huh?

He is not giving you no option than to speed. He is giving you no option other than to slow down to a speed safe enough for him to be as close as he is behind you.

Sooner or later (probably sooner) he will dart around you, showing you he has a middle finger.

Smile and blow him a kiss (even if you're a guy!).

Answer 21

It can't be justified,  and they can insist you go faster,  but that doesn't mean you have to join their stupidity and do so.

I love to brake for tailgaters!