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.

If your speedo says 29 then you’re actually driving at around 26-27, which is probably why people behind you are getting frustrated.

If they’re getting frustrated to that extent then they shouldn’t be driving. There is no excuse for driving dangerously - which tailgating is.

Driving 3mph under the speed limit is nothing. It’s the 40mph middle lane hoggers on motorways that need to be taken off the roads.

Tbf round my way there's so many hyundai i20s going 10mph+ below the speed limit I do genuinely wonder if their speedometers underead massively. There's no logical reason why they can never actually do the speed limit

Are you definitely doing 30? Because I get tailgated on occasion but I can't say it's a frequent occcurance, especially not in a 30/40.

The only times it's really a problem are unknown country roads where I know I'm probably going a bit slowly, in which case I pull over or dual carriageways/motorways where the cars want to go 80+ and I just ignore them. I've never had someone shake their hand or throw their hands up

My father used to always say “Their hurry is not your worry”. I ignore them and let them pass if they want. But it definitely improved when I brought a bigger car.

You could drape a heavy coat around the passenger seat and wedge a man’s hat above it on the headrest…

or a cheap fluorescent gilet/tabard similarly.or on the rear seats.

I did once wonder about placing reflective bacofoil in the rear window after similar problems on a dark winter commute - but I don’t know the legality of that.

The first thing my 1995 driving instructor drilled into me was “we won’t be impeding anybody else’s journey”. Today’s driving instructors seem to think it’s fine to take a learner who won’t go above 27mph on a NSL bypass rather than use the 30mph through road and work up to it. 🤯

Chill out, girl racer. They're allowed on the road too and you don't have to like it.

haha. I was trying to find a similar one that said doing 60 in a 60, got beeped by Dave the van driver behind, so now we're both doing 40. 😂

Jokes aside, given the aggression from (mainly men) drivers, probably best to just ignore any impatient or angry drivers. Easier said than done I know.

But yeah, dashcam; shouldn't need it but there we are then! (TWATS!)

I think you do often get more hassle in a smaller car. Not sure I have noticed more tailgating but when I was regularly switching between a large and small car I was getting cut up significantly more in the smaller car.

How I deal with tailgating depends on my mood . I sometimes pull over and let them pass, other times I just ignore and if I can see in the mirror take pleasure in seeing them get redder and redder.

I have a very “ladies” style and colour car, and I get this a lot. DH has a hulking great muddy land rover and he doesn’t; I noticed when he drives us.

I did use P plates and they actually helped. It means people think you may be erratic and endanger them.

Your thread reminded me to buy that bumper sticker that says I have a black box/insurance spy box fitted so I can’t speed.

Your definitely paranoid. I don’t know what it is about people on this site and being so anti men. Not everything is “because your a woman”. Half the time they won’t even know. I’m a woman and I drive an SUV and whilst I wouldn’t tailgate, we have a 30 road where some drivers do 15 and it’s infuriating

I’m not suggesting you do this, but I used to press the clutch & pop the gearstick into reverse, so the reverse lights came on. Really freaks the fuckers out.

Just pull over and let them pass, then they’re not your problem anymore.

You’re going to have to grow a thicker skin OP. Stop worrying about what’s going on behind you and concentrate on what’s in front of you.

I've been driving for decades and have driven many different sizes and types of vehicles for many hundred thousands of miles. I'm currently driving one of three, and ride passenger to my v large DP in the same vehicles and I can tell you with fair certainty, it's not personal.

It's their behaviour, it's not linked to who you are. Ignore them, let them get on with it. Your goal is getting from A to B as calmly as possible. That means don't let them affect your concentration or rattle you into memorising numberplates or brake checking them, or engaging in any other bullshit, although the latter is very tempting. Don't play. Just carry on, think to yourself, see you at the next traffic lights, when they eventually roar past you. And you will. And on with your day.

Why do you think cars are fitted with rear view mirrors? Of course you don't only look in front of you when driving.

I've been driving nearly 20 years and someone yesterday decided to be a dick and tailgate me off the motorway onto the slip road. I just went to the left and let him go, then he had to stop at the lights only a few metres ahead of me.

I would love there to be a list of tailgaiters so we know not to date them or work for them

Or hire them!

yes but you also have to try and match the speed the others are doing on the road, which is also in the highway code. Joining a motorway at 40mph is a disaster waiting to happen.

Insurers like them as well you may get a reduction on your insurance.

Don't rely on your sat nav for your speed, use the actual speed dial in your car.

If you get a dash cam, let your insurance company know. They may reduce premiums. If not on installation but when renewing.

Im ex navy and when I drove on weekend leave, I'd put my white topped cap in the back shelf. Same colour as traffic cop and with my uniform jacket being very dark blue/black, the number of drivers racing up behind my girlie car then slamming on brakes thinking I was a traffic cop.

Think of them as inadequate losers racing to work as shit sweepers on a slaughterhouse afraid of being "quartered" on the time clock. Apologies to any shit sweepers at slaughterhouses who are safe drivers.

I am tail gated at least once a week in 20, 30 and 40 mile zones despite being at the limit or slightly over in some cases. I always get up to speed ASAP because it was drummed into me during my driving lessons to not slow others down and get up to speed.

In my experience, about 90% of the time its male drivers. The other 10% is women SUV drivers without fail and this is increasing where I live. They also like to ignore who has right of way on the regular and try to intimidate me because they have bigger cars. I normally refuse to move so they have to reverse and follow the rules.

OP, just ignore and do you. Occasionally I might slow down a tad for fun if its tail gating. Fuck 'em I say!

Inidicated speed on Sat nav is more accurate than the speedo....generally to within 0.1 mph