What do you do when you are being tailgated?

Question

I just hate it when I'm being tailgated. Tonight, I had a car full of young boys, the driver on a cell phone to boot. I tried to ignore it, but I had my son in the car with me who was doing a good job of distracting me, and furthering my aggitation. With that, I did my usual "pull over and let the other car pass", while at the same time telling my son I need to pay attention to the road. Are there better ways to handle tailtgaters? I see the potential risk of an accident in pulling over as i did, but I was just a bit overwhelmed at the time.

Answer 1

I would tap the brakes, and see if they back off. If they continued to tailgate I would slam on the brakes and hope they hit me.

I sell used cars. I would be happy to sell one to their insurance company!!

Not the recommended action but if you want to tailgate me you have to deal with the consequences.

Answer 2

break check

Answer 3

not much you can do

slowing down and letting them pass is safer than totally pulling over.

I don't recommend this but I have a old truck and a lot of insurance. but I hit the brakes hard and see how how alert they are.

it usually pisses them off then they want to run you off the road and yell but it's a free country and I can be just a big a fool as they can lol

Answer 4

i just floor it

Answer 5

I don't do anything,they can either pass me or deal with it..   Awesome another thumbs down,more please....

Answer 6

You did the right thing, just make sure you signal quite a distance in advance. Just explain to your son why you are doing it and tell him the dangers of talking on the phone and driving at the same time and the dangers of tailgating. But just once when you were going slow enough and by yourself wouldn't you like to hit the breaks? I know I've thought of it, but would NEVER do it. I'd hate to injure and one including myself.

Answer 7

I slow down; that's what they say to do in driver's ed courses. At least if you're going slower and they do hit you, it'll be a less serious accident, and they're more likely to just pass you. I agree--that's completely obnoxious and I hate it even more now that I have a baby. You can also tap your brakes or turn on your head lights so it looks like you tapped your brakes. I'm a fan of the middle finger but I don't recommend that because it could get you shot.

Answer 8

I always tap my brakes a bit. if that does not work, I put on my hazards or the tried and true method of doing one mile under the speed limit..LOL  hope you go by a policeman and they will get pulled over for tailgating.It is hard but it is very rewarding when they do back off. try not to stress out because that makes the situation worse!

Answer 9

I break out the Beer and Brats and have a tailgate party.

Answer 10

Drive really slow so they can catch up as much as possible than turn on your wiper, letting the "bug juice" spray all over their front window.

Answer 11

If you are being tailgated, change lanes.



If someone wants to pass, slow down and let them.

Don't return gestures.

Stay behind the person who is angry at all costs (they can do less damage if you are behind them)

If necessary, pull off the road or take an exit and let them go on by.

Don't make eye contact.

Call 911 as your last resort.

Answer 12

Signal before you pull over, that's the best policy, unless you're ready to pick-up a fight...

Answer 13

You did great. I personally, I would have tapped the breaks. Not slammed them. My uncle would have been the one to do that. I feel that if I can not see there bumper, they are too close. Tap the brakes. They should get the message.

Answer 14

There's really nothing you can do other than get pissed and get out of the jerk's way

Answer 15

Pull over and let them pass--it is better to be away from them. Check to see if you are driving at the proper speed--sometimes people tailgate SLOWER drivers to try to get them to move.  Just let them pass. pull over carefully. There are ways--like throwing nuts and bolts out your window--but DO NOT try that move.

Answer 16

not much you can do safely, slow a little and hope they pass or pull over.