How to deal with a Tailgater
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ธ.ค. 2018
- How should you deal with a Tailgater? Should you try to get away? What would you do?
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Closer you get, slower I go. If you're in that much of a rush, you can overtake me.
that's increasing certain risks. Keep around the allowed maximum speed if possible and just look as far ahead as you can and brake as early as you can when you see stuff in front of you unfold that merits it. Otherwise, just go on with you getting from A to B. I can understand going somewhat slower because of a tailgater, but not by alot.
@@AwoudeX it actually mekes it safer. At slower speeds if you are being tailgated and have to stop suddenly it reduces the impact because both are going slow.
I totally get the argument because this is definitely way safer, but when possible, I think it's sensible to allow the person to overtake you on a one lane road (AKA pull over / park for a brief moment to let them pass you, this only applies in areas with relatively lower speed limits and very light traffic)
Bonus points if they go ahead of you speeding down the road, slam on the brakes and get into a potential collision or accident, only for you to end up passing them as they have to deal with the incident.
@@secnep yes. However some people seem to refuse to pass but stay right behind you. It is very annoying.
And the ones that do actually pass and go speeding down the road acting like an idiot.. I call them Stater Bate. Like smokey and the bandit. State patrol see them and not notice me. 😁
Precisely the logic I was forced to use while I was driving home from work this afternoon. As I was approaching a roundabout, a lorry started tailgating me. I slowed down, but he just got closer and closer until I eventually said to myself “Fuck this, I don’t feel safe with that bloody great thing this close to the back of my car” and I let him pass me, which he did, accompanied by a long blast on his horn. I’ve been told that it’s not the right thing to do when being tailgated, but that lorry weighed upwards of 7 tonnes, and I drive a much lighter MX-5, which weighs just 1 tonne, so if it had rear-ended me, he’d have most likely squashed me like a cardboard box. It’s not the first time this has happened to me and something tells me that it ain’t gonna be the last. The way I see it is that I have a valid argument for letting tailgaters pass so that what they hit ain’t gonna be me, but others keep telling me that the tailgater will be at fault if he crashes into me (a lot of good that’ll do me when I’m smashed up into little pieces and the only way to clear my remains off the road is with a road sweeper), so what I’m dealing with here is a classic case of catch-22.
I am legitimately the 1 in a thousand of the people who actually drive the correct distance from the car they're following. And I drive a BMW. Must make me one in a million! I Just don't understand why people drive so close to the car in front of them; all it does is limit your view of the road and mean that if anything does happen, you're a lot less likely to be able to get out of it.
I ran a 5-Series for a few years. Responsible driver, just like yourself. What I noticed was being tailgated by people in Corsas and other similar compact cars. It was written off in 2014 when a new driver (he'd passed test just the week before) ploughed in the back of it so hard that he bent the floor pan, thus unsafe to repair. He was driving a VW Polo. That was completely wrecked. Stupid little child.
I usually do not have that big issue with BMW drivers.. But SUV drivers are real assholes in traffic in Sweden. Always trying to get ahead taking the lane that will turn off and then in last second dart back making the other drivers having to break. That behaviour is from mostly SUV drivers, some BMW drivers are also over representated but not that much :) Cheating traffic like that makes me angry because it creates queues when there wouldnt have been any if people just kept in line...
@@paulanderson79 Usually drivers in an S-class or other exec level cars are fine as they don't want to explain to their accounts department why their company car is in bits.it is usually the drivers of entry level BMWs or Mercs who feel they have achieved God-like status because of their bonnet badge.Smoky old ones with diy tinted windows or foreign plates are best given a wide berth too.
@@briforks7681 that's a pretty accurate appraisal of the situation.
@@matthewboothman129 That's how the M5 gets jammed up in holiday season. These people don't use motorways one year to the next. When they finally do they go into indicator overdrive causing complete confusion, and then drive far too close. What happens? The whole road ends up slowing into queues. Having created the queue what happens now? They spend twenty minutes changing lane constantly in a bid to get a couple of car lengths ahead of those either side of 'em. Thus exacerbating the problem.
Who tailgates a learner car lol. What's the thinking process behind that...
If you can't smell their chuff you're not close enough 😂😂 In realty it's confidence thinking they're invincible driving a 2L BMW. But when things go bad they go straight into the back of you I've seen wayy too many accidents due to talegating it's not even funny.
More like lack of thinking process.
Once I was driving to work on a Thursday night, late evening, about 9pm and there was not many around. I turn right after a traffic light and came on towards a learner who was doing about 5mph no lie on a quiet 40 road, I couldn’t move round, could barely move. They weren’t indicating on the road about, we were going the same way. The instructor was obviously terrible and I was so torn because obviously I felt bad for the learner as they were obviously not doing too well, and had no confidence so I didn’t want to put them off driving, I didn’t want to be late for work, and it was the instructor who should’ve been pushing their pupil and telling them to speed up and not slow down like 1 mile from the junction and indicate correctly
I love tailing learners when they slow down i get closer 😋
@@handsoffmycactus2958 so how does this make tailgating someone who can only go 5mph a good idea to tailgate exactly? If theyre really bad drivers and you spook them into breaking, neither you nor them will be going any mph after having to stop and swap insurance information. I swear, the small intelligence of the tailgater..
I had a tailgater driving behind me earlier this week, I got him back when I catch him running a red light with my dash cam and submitting the footage to the police. The next day I got a call from the police station telling me that the driver has been charged.
😂😂👌🏼
That's a quick response! It took over a month to see the outcome of my submission
Where was this?
queen/king behaviour
i need to try this !
I had a tailgater one night when I was driving home on the country lanes. Each village I passed through has a 30 mph speed limit, which I observed, to the noticeable frustration of my tailgater!
At one village, but took his chance and overtook me at high speed. Immediately some blue lights appeared from behind, and pulled him over! It was a great feeling, I'm not going to lie!
I would have laughed my ass off.
Karma, they call it - I've been driving since 1985 and haven't experienced it once, despite driving trucks for most of that time!
I’m sure it was an audi, bmw or white van driver
@@Georgetown327 I drive an Audi TT, and always try to be considerate of the safety and convenience of other road users and pedestrians.
I got tailgated in my Evo 6 by the Police! Trying to get me to exceed the speed limits. Eventually pulled me over and started to spout rubbish, until he saw the video cameras.
My attitude has always been, if you want to push me to go faster then I will only push you to go slower. Don't push me and I wont push you.
I always stay way back from learner drivers (and keep a good distance in general), nothing worse than a tailgater
yeah. That van is stupid for following that closely. They are just putting themselves in danger.
Likewise I like to give learner drivers plenty of space so they don’t feel any more pressure we all have to start somewhere wish there were more nice people like you then driving would be a more pleasant experience 😊
Hugs it's a van driver. Can you really expect anything less?
Don't forget about bikers. I always try to stay as far away as possible because even low speed collision can lead to death.
And what if they are doing 5mph? What you gonna do then? Just stop on the road I suppose? For how long ?
I always just wash my windscreen a lot.
My windscreen sparkles too. 😆
Tailgating is a daily occurrence. Often many times a day.
It really does ruin any fun in driving.
I can't imagine how it must feel to be an elderly driver nowadays, they must be petrified at times.
< they must be petrified at times.> Or oblivious.
Been driving ten years however i've watched several of your situational videos just to remind myself as drivers we never stop learning. Keep up the great work!
Ten years you're still a learner!
I'm used to be a driving instructor and have forty two years of driving.
Still learning.
Some drivers never stop learning
Some drivers never started learning
Some drivers never learn
I passed my driving test months ago, yet I still can’t stop watching these videos!
Me too! Im addicted 😂😂
Same lol
I passed 10 years ago. I still watch videos like this. You never stop learning when it comes to driving.
Same here kinda, not been driving long but I think it's good for us. Kinda like revision or something.
i passed 2 years ago and still watch them
Excellent videos Ashley. As a retired ADI, I would add, for Tail gaters I would stress that when slowing down to reduce risk, the driver does so very gradually and definitely not use the dangerous 'brake checking' illegal practice.
Tailgating is bullying, especially behind a learner, I mean the learner could be your daughter, son - everyone has to learn
I dealt with one differently (a BMW driver). I pulled to a slow stop, forcing them to stop at the correct side of an island with nowhere to go. Then I popped my boot latch, got out of my car, opened the boot fully, and invited them to climb in. Suffice to say, they kept a respectable distance after that. To be clear, there was no other traffic behind them, and so I didn't hold anyone up, except the tailgater.
Cheers for the video Ashley, I got tailgated on a national speed limit road with ice on it on my first driving test and I panicked and failed. I'm passed now but I still think about that guy whenever someone tailgates me, they grind my gears a lot and this advice had helped me try to get over that hump. 👍
@Kris Nicholson yep especially on a higher speed road. There is no reason they can't overtake safely.
I was once driving a 7.5 tonner just past Carlisle on the M6 when the road went to total white ice so I carefully eased down to 40, 35, 30, the artic behind barrelled down past me with his foot down, I glanced over and he looked happy. A little down the road I again got the chance to glance out of my side window at the driver but this time I was seeing him through his windshield as he was in the process of jack knifing on ice, as I physically showed my amusement to the fellow I did note the very sad expression on his face just before I left him ploughing into the central reservation. I made good time into Galashiels that night too considering the weather.
@@darthwiizius I would love something like that to have happen to me
because I would pull the car over walk back to the vehicle and point at him and start laughing 🤣
@@jackwatsonepic626
It was funny, I know schadenfreude is not nice but damn it was funny.
As a motorcyclist I get very concerned about tailgaters as they often put me in a lot of danger without them realising. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable pulling over (as I've had a couple of people needlessly road rage over me filtering and I wouldn't want to end up in a confrontation if that's the reason they're tailgating) but I may consider taking a detour. Great video and helpful as always!
If the law allows for it, arm yourself. It's last resort but would really stop confrontation in its tracks when they see you're armed(opening jacket with concealed firearm now showing). If someone put your life at risk then you should point it out and it shouldn't deter you that the other person may become violent. The gun acts as a safety measure. May seem irresponsible, but I'd say it's more irresponsible to let potentially deadly behavior in traffic slide. I don't like confrontation either, but sometimes you just have to bite the sour apple and do the right thing.
And a great way to get 5 police cars after you who will use lethal force, because of people seeing you waving with a gun. Then a box with spikes that you can release onto the road is less bad.
You don’t have to filter just because most dick head bikers do! You are not a sheep! You are individual so ride like it!!!
@@ivortheengine14 it is legal to filter.
@@ivortheengine14 What's the point of motorcycles if you can't filter?
I had a guy tailgate me the other day and he was so close I could not even see his registration plate and I was doing 5 over the speed limit. I don't understand these idiots. Getting so close is pointless, all it does is stress them out! I also don't understand why people park inches behind you at a red light. If I break down, that means extra reversing and steering for them. I think these people are just abusers and are probably assholes to everyone else in their life. I also don't understand why they just don't overtake? I cannot tell you how many times I have been in a dual carriageway and some loser just wants to sit behind you when the right lane is free.
I’ve been in the situation of being tailgated doing about 25+ in a very quiet 30 area, no other traffic, I won’t say I pulled in as such just slowed so much and moved a little to the left that I ended up stationery next to the kerb, and the tailgater stationery behind me! They even got out of their car to remonstrate with me, demanding why I stopped.
Oh god I think I’d cry lmao
Have twice in my 40 years of driving. Indicated, pulled over to a gentle stop and the tailgater has had to reverse before going around. So intent on sticking like a magnet but not paying attention.
@@user-cy3ox5uh9b I think that's what it is. It's like they're in a trance. They see the back of a car in front and believe all they have to do is follow it as closely as possible oblivious to everything else they should be paying attention to. As a vulnerable road user (motorcyclist) nothing is more terrifying.
@@user-cy3ox5uh9b Same. Stuck up my arse.
Thing I find is that tailgaters are usually extremely bad at overtaking. They don't seem to understand that there's nothing to gain by sitting close to the car head of them. I've slowed down on many occasions and they just sit there. They don't even try to get past. I also notice they're usually driving woefully under-powered cars as well.
Tailgaters come in many guises as well. Quite often I find elderly drivers will tailgate in towns because they have one speed everywhere. That speed is usually 44mph because that's just about the speed they can engage 5th / 6th gear without the engine stalling. They generally drive Vauxhall Corsas.
My own father (age 81) is a very good example of this breed. He sits on motorways at 55 mph. Thus forcing all the lorries into lane 2, which in turn forces everyone else into lane 3. I consider this to be f***in' selfish and f***in' dangerous.
Yeah, some people just don't know that you should keep distance so they just sit right behind you even if they aren't trying to pass you.
@@progste Funnily enough I find overtaking much easier from a couple of hundred feet back. It's called vision :-) but these idiots don't understand the concept.
Maybe they think they’re in NASCAR and drafting would actually make overtaking easier xD
You’re absolutely right! I’ve in fact, been undertaken several times by tailgaters. Not only illegal but dangerous too
Yes, those ignorant so and sos come up close through villages when I'm doing 28mph, but are nowhere to be seen when we're off on the open road at 59mph.
Same in storms or at roadworks.
Idiots.
They can't do anything other than their chosen fixed speed, regardless of conditions.
I normally punish tailgaters by following the rules of the road. Stopping at stop signs and going 5 over the speed limit is enough to cause them to go nuts.
Matija you mean 5 under the speed limit? Going faster won’t do much they’ll just speed up too
I don’t know how I ended up here but this doesnt work in America. We have this thing called multiple lanes so tailgaters can cut you
@@erickgzpro6865 l wondered!
The last thing I want to do is cause other drivers to go nuts. Better to be defensive than aggressive
I drive sooooo slow I can hear them swear. It drives them wild. The madder they get, the slower I go. Baiting Transit/Audi/BMW drivers is one of life’s pleasures.
This should be the standard for driving instructors. Not just skill teaching but mindfulness and attitude on the road. Brillant
I drive my wife to work, I can pretty much guarantee getting at least one tailgater every time. It does seem to be getting worse, or I notice it more!
Couldnt agree more,its definitely getting worse
I feek like driving with you is a lesson of life rather than driving
It gets me that some big lorry drivers tailgate. Don't they know how long it takes themselves to stop even in perfect conditions? I know my car isn't exactly big but it's not exactly small enough that it disappears behind your dash!
@Kris Nicholson yeah I know that but I shouldn't have a lorry up my arse when I'm doing 60 on a 60 mph road though.
@Kris Nicholson There is no excuse for tailgating. So no, a lorry tailgating cannot be explained. No matter what vehicle you drive, you must keep a safe distance. Read the highway code if you don't believe me.
@Kris Nicholson You know nothing about me.
@Kris Nicholson You have obviously never read the highway code then.
Not to mention the long hours they do which causes them to fall asleep. Whether they can see ahead or not. Only takes them a few seconds eyes closed in an average speed check area and BOOM! They've just sandwiched a car into another and paramedics need to try find the body because its now mush. I respect lorry drivers whenever I can but the ones who tailgate and go 56 in a 50 need their licences taken off them!!
I live in the USA and tailgating is a major problem. Everybody is in a rush. The worst and most stupid tailgater is one that follows a big truck on the freeway just one car length behind at 60 MPH. If that truck's taillights are not working and the truck stops short, the tailgater will soon be missing his head.
I get people so close behind me that I can’t see their number plate in my rear view mirror
I get people so close behind me that it looks like the driver is my passenger in the backseat :)
Always pull over when safe to do so.
Perhaps you’re the problem?…
A tip for you all. I am a professional driver and I drive too close to the car in front. I failed an advanced driving course for that reason. But listen, I don't ever think "Hey, why don't I drive closer to that car in front", it just happens subconsciously. If they brake or whatever I think "uh oh... Doing it again". But I have a rule, never bully a slow driver. If they are too slow, I either find a safe place to over take or wait till a junction and then go the way that they don't.
Anyway, that isn't the tip. This is..... It amazes me that more people dont or won't do this.... If I am travelling on an unfamiliar road at night and I'm being tailgated. I pull over and let them pass.
What's the point in holding them up?
But more importantly, I can concentrate on the road rather than being irritated by their lights.
And I can then follow their lights along the dark road, which is easier than driving into darkness.
Everyone's a winner.
@ The Man From Volantis. Agree with you on that one. If its practical, just let them pass by. What's the point of stressing your day by constantly looking at them. As drivers, it's not are place to enforce the HWC. If some one is in a rush let them by. There could be an emergency and they need to be somewhere like yesterday - it's for them to justify the case if they get caught. Too many nutters on the road and I can't be bothered with it all.
Subconsciously?
My natural instinct is to stay well away from cars in front.
Unless on a race track!
Great video 👍
I can’t stand people who tailgate 😤😤😤 There is no need for it. It’s not my problem that the tailgater is in a rush. Maybe they should of thought a little bit and left earlier to get to their destination. Silly people. Don’t realise the possible consequences of their actions.
Well, in my area we have some 80 kph roads and one major 100 kph road. And people who drive 65 kph on the 80 and 80 on the 100, then I'm gonna move in their mirror and signal to them. Seeing lots of tailgaters there
If you decide to go below the speed limit, I'm going to tail-gate you. Your fault not mine.
Dan Man It’s not a target. Chill out while driving, you’ll get less wrinkles.
@@wiki1172 True, but I can tell you: when you're stuck behind someone doing twenty under, and you're not allowed to overtake, and you're behind them for over ten kilometers tensions rise 😉
@@danman4545 If you tailgate someone that's going a couple ks under the speed limit your an idiot that's not something to boast about you lack logical thinking all your doing is putting yourself at risk of smacking into the back of them and wasting a lot more time exchanging insurance, a lot of the time people that are going a bit below the speed limit don't know where their going and are looking at the GPS Ive seen it a million times they suddenly brake and pull into a street what are the pros of tailgating please tell me, do you like having to concentrate 10x more on not hitting someone. Do you think your a better driver for doing it? The worst kind of tailgaters are those who do it even when the traffic isn't even going anywhere ahead. Case in point I have a mate whose an electrician and he always drives tailgating people he thinks hes better than everyone else on the road I hate being in the car when hes driving and his other friends say exactly the same thing behind his back and there's good reason to because hes rear ended someone 3 times he came so close when I was in the car with him once he just slammed his brakes on in time. The stupid thing is most of the time hes not even going anywhere important or with a time constraint which is also the case for most people that do it. If your not going to go defuse a nuclear bomb then there is 0 reason to tailgate unless their doing a ridiculously slow speed which then you should just use the horn anyway and not put yourself in danger.
That’s not tailgating. I wish i had video of people actually tailgating me sometimes, you can’t even see the front of the car
The Truth Is Out There the dashcam does make the van look further away though
@@PixiBoii yeah but he said just over a car length. Tailgating is even less than that, as the first comment said, you often can't see the lights or numberplate.
technicalscience it’s still tailgating, just not as bad as it could be
To me, tailgating is pretty much any distance to the front car that doesn't allow for a safe stop, should the front car break. Sure it can always be worse but it's still bad regardless because there will be an accident should the front hard have to stop to avoid an accident themselves.
@@madman2u brake
Tail- gating. Potentially a very dangerous situation, that many thoughtless drivers engineer. A stationary car door opening; a young child dashing into the road for his football. A spilt second to react and take decisive action. While the vehicle behind you, rides on your back bumper.
Full marks to you for managing this serious situation and keeping calm.
@jonniejam-shovel6405 : How do you spill a second? 🤔
I remember being in hospital once and on the lunch menu was "spilt pea soup."
I asked the nurse who spilt the soup! 🤣🙃
@@scented-leafpelargonium3366 😁 my fingers got split while typing.😌
Activate windscreen wipers and the water will spray onto them. Works every time.
how shit is your car that it misses your windscreen that much? my 13yo golf doesnt spray anything but my screen
@@thepeacockk chill out dude, I can feel your road rage already. We don't need your toxic comment. Back off and stop tailgating my comment.
@@ABESuperKiteDay" tailgating my comment" lul
@@thepeacockk Where do you think the water goes after the screen has been wiped? Onto their screen every time.
If only there was some sort of device to clear the windscreen......
One of my best driving memories is when I decided to let a van driver past who was tailgating me all the way down a 30 zone by simply pulling over (something I’ve never done before), van flies past and around corner there’s a safety camera van 😂 karma is a bitch
Karma served, however don't call them by their propaganda name it's a speed camera van or police ATM no safety is served by them.
Haha yea safety van! That’s complete spin - correct name would be revenue generator / fee earner
Its been some years since I passed my test, since then I have driven in all weathers and all terrains, having driven up the McKenzie river in Canada. The advice that really stuck with me as Ashley Neal CLEARLY demonstrated was "You can not control what other people do, you can only control your own actions" this from my driving instructor on advanced driving / escape and evation. Nicely done.
"It is a life skill". Cannot stress this enough. Thank you.
Yet again another quality video. I passed my test in May this year and these are really helpful. Keep up the cracking work!
Great video, I can’t stand tailgaters, I remember when I passed my test in October I used to really let them get to me and increase my speed to get away from them, but when I checked in my rear view mirror again I accidentally ran a red light because of this.
Now I do what you demonstrated in this video as it’s the best method of dealing with tailgaters
I also have a bumper sticker that says “the closer you get, the slower I’ll go!” 😂😊
I should get one of those stickers!
Every time I see them stickers I tailgate until they go slow enough for me to overtake😂
Ohh no did u get ur license taken off u
If you speed up on a straight road, the only thing that'll happen is they'll speed up too. Twisties is a different game because nobody keeps up with me in the twisties 😁
always van drivers who tailgate
White van men have a reputation for a reason, of course audi and BMW are notorious too and sadly volkswagen drivers at least in the newer models aren't much better either.
And pickup/4x4s
@@Strider9655 Pickups yes but most 4x4s are not even 4x4 but rather crossovers driven by impatient school mums. Your average real 4x4 driver is usually fine. Its semantics I know.
@@gravemind6536 True, "faux by faux" is closer to the correct term, take a Nissan Micra driver, jack their cars suspension, stick a "Juke" badge on it and watch them turn into a monster behind the wheel.
Probaly companies car so they drive like retards cause they don’t care
I often aim to put myself behind a motorcyclist or scooter just to stop people tailgating them. Can't stand to see how selfish people are to tailgate someone that is so exposed.
Over the many years of my driving career, I have learned these techniques, but as I learned myself to drive and did just the test in a learner car, it’s nice to hear that you teach it from the start, well done, you’re an inspiration. 👍
You mean you taught yourself to drive
@@nearlyretired7005 yes, I stand corrected, thank you for your help.
I can remember being on the A40 westway in London once, doing 60mph, I got tailgated
Foot off the accelerator
50mph still tailgated
40mph still tailgated
30mph still tailgated
25mph blared his horn, flashed his lights, still tailgated
20mph he undertook
Got to the Euston road lights, we were side by side at the lights
You were clearly in the wrong and what you did was illegal. Why are you in the second lane if you aren't overtaking?
@@BaldMancTwat Put your own driving in order before you criticise others
@@Keithbarber he's right, wtf you doing!
@@jasonsensation46 as you wasn't there, none of your business it didn't affect you did it?
@@Keithbarber still a bellend to others
Around here, if you did that, they'd probably overtake and at the very least start jabbing the brakes in front of you.
Best thing i've found for tailgaters was fitting a flashing LED to my rear dashcam, even Audi drivers back off when they spot the camera.
I wish my driving instructor was half as good as you mate, such a good attitude towards everything.
I have to say, your videos arent only entertaining, but also very very helpful and educational and help a lot in getting better at driving. Thanks for your shared expierience. Its highly appreciated
I slow down and also increase distance to the car in front for more slowing/stopping distance.
Hopefully with technology improving in cars maybe one day there will be a alarm in the car like seatbelt alarm that goes off when your driving too close to the car I front of course it would be speed related. Plus can’t be disabled by a lap top in your local garage.
Good advice, I would slow slightly depending on the risk. Also in some situations if the tailgater persisted I would consider pulling over and stopping. Also in traffic I would suggest the 4 second bubble, nominally keeping to the 2 second rule following traffic, increase this if the vehicle behind is following closer than 2 seconds, creating the 4 second bubble.
Thanks for this, I finally understand WHY it's best to slow right down, I always understood it to carry on going the same speed and to ignore them, and worry about what's in front, this way they're a lot less likely to risk hitting you from behind, thus hurting themselves. This video, however, proves a better lesson, and that it's better to lessen the risk for everyone by slowing right down
You have to slow down as if you are towing a trailer as you are now the unwitting manager of a two car "train". You have to allow extra stopping distance in the event of a sudden hazard happening such as an opened door or a heedless child crossing the road ahead. I used to speed up in order to try and get away from the tailgater in my early days driving because I thought I was in the wrong. A few close shaves saw an end to that behaviour quick enough.
@@jgdooley2003 Brilliant. When i am towing, i am sometimes telling a "dad joke" to my wife: "Look at that m0r0n behind us, so close!" (which is in fact the trailer :D still giggling, sorry). BUT it contains a lot of truth to compare it with a tailgater and vice versa. It is your "additional load" one way or the other. Brilliant point of view, thanks.
I've been driving for 22 years now and thanks to watching your videos i did something for the first time the other night. I had a BMW SUV driving right up my backside very dangerously . When i had the chance i put on my indicator to pull in safely and let him pass. Thank you for making me a better driver Ashley , much appreciated.
Nice one. As my dad used to say, best to have tailgaters in front of you rather than behind.
Probably the best thing to do in all honesty
Absolutely, slow down reduce the risk with added bonus of peeing them off.
Even if they decide to cross the center lane so they can overtake you so they can break check you, this is still a good idea. Your chances of rear ending them are reduced when they break check you. If you have a dash camera and they pull this stunt and you hit them then that camera footage is your witness when dealing with the police and courts.
As a professional driver this works for me.
How to stop tailgaters?
Solution: Add a rear facing dash cam, and have a "Smile, you're on camera" type of sticker which is clearly visible. They will soon change their driving habits when they know they're being recorded.
Another that has worked for me on many occasions, especially on motorways, is keep at a constant speed (Don't brake check or do any hand jesters which could lead to antagonising them, and/or causing road rage).
Just put your hazards on for a brief amount of time, they will usually back off when they realise you're not being bullied to speed up and/or break the speed limit.
This usually leads to them doing one of these actions;
They will now hesitate to pass you and sit behind you at a good distance.
Or they will overtake you very cautiously, as they question their stupidity.
No need to say anything, make hand jesters, or have eye contact as they pass. This will prevent them having an accuse to rage at you.
This seems to stop any stupid shenanigans from the typical road rage that you usually see from tailgaters who end up brake checking each other in rage, which could lead to an accident.
That was fantastic. I normally stop if I can but never thought to reduce risk by slowing down. Makes sense when you think about it.
If a tailgater (asshole) drives into the back of you, it's always their fault. Also try to take into consideration that they're suffering from a lack of intelligence.
Pretty much the technique I've always used, I always figured if it takes X yards to stop from Y mph then that applies at both ends of my vehicle and if I can't control the distance then I'll control the speed instead, but tbh I never knew if I was just being facetious claiming it was for safety. Feel so much better about it now that I've seen you do the same.
I love this guy's steadiness, and his road placement is brilliant.
That was exactly the instruction I was given during motorcycle training, slow and increase the stopping distance to vehicles in front. Give yourself space to stop but also the space for the tailgater to stop with room for you between the two vehicles.
I agree with the point that you shouldn't have to pull over to let tailgaters pass. After all you'll end up having to wait until a big line of vehicles pass by and it'll only encourage them to tailgate again. A local newspaper firm have suggested this but I don't see any pros out of it.
I still remember what my late dad said about tailgaters. Let's see of I can recall his exact words! "Bollocks to them behind ya! You just mind how your driving. Not your fault they're in a hurry".
@Minions Minions I'm not sure of today's standards of testing as I've passed mine 4+ years ago. I have been tailgated in many-a lessons and from what I remember on my tests - I haven't had any minors for 'failing to keep up with traffic' or some rule along that line.
@Kris Nicholson Of course! I don't condone any hot pursuits of any sort :P
Kris Nicholson well doing 25% under the speed limit should be a fail... you don’t have to slow down that much, just keep at the speed limit when someone tailgates. The reason they are tailgating to behind with is probably because you weren’t even doing the speed limit
I was cruising along on one lane road about 8mph over in a 55...and I glanced in mirror and this Dodge Avenger was literally 5 inches from bumper....I tried ignoring for a mile and finally brake checked him..then he,went crazy zooming up..flashing brights...putting turn signal on trying to get me to stop....finally went around and it was some young teenager..I'm so mad at myself for not stopping and walking up on his car.......I feel like he will keep harassing people because I let him get away with it...
Jeff polara It’s always the people in Dodge Avengers, old Camry’s, and other low powered or repulsive cars that tailgate. And yes they get instantly pissed when you brake check them as if you’re the one in the wrong.
@@Sawashi32 Same with the damn bright headlights..they can blind you but if you dare do it back they freak out...
Something I've noticed in the last year of driving (been driving for nearly 20 years) is that a tailgater usually has much less ability to forward anticipate. This means you often lose them in places like roundabouts because you can see its clear much earlier, whereas they're too busy looking at the back of your car because they're busy not trying to hit your back, instead of everything else. I find this absolutely bliss watching their poor driving actually cost them more time.
Hi Ashley great video and great sound advise 😀😀👍👍
I had someone tailgate me on my lessons on a dual carriageway, flashing his lights at me telling me to move over, I was doing the speed limit there was no way I was moving until I was ready to do so.
Great channel - any advice or future episodes for dealing with tailgating lorries on motorways etc would be much appreciated. Had a recent experience with a lorry probably less than 2m from my bumper through 50mph road works where all traffic was funnelled into a single lane - absolutely terrifying and no-where to go. Seems to be a problem with lorry driving standards on our faster roads that’s getting worse and worse.
When I was learning to drive many years ago, I came up to a roundabout and braked a little later than I should have. I stopped at the line fine, but the car behind bumped into us. I shat myself, but my instructor said, "Don't worry about it, he hit the tow ball and suffered more damage than us." And off we drove! I never did see what happened to the other guy's bumper, but my instructor's tow ball suffered not at all.
Excellent video, sound advice and more good advice for dealing with tailgaters is always welcome. I like your risk based approach 👍
It's taken me decades to learn how to deal with tailgaters, but advice like this early on would have accelerated that learning process enormously.
It's worse at night, especially if they have terribly aligned dip beams that dazzle you the closer they get. I'm very quick to pull in and let them go these days and my life is just better for it. I may be handing them a win for their bad behaviour but the psychological benefit from the win would no way mitigate the stress of dealing with the tailgater. Jog on pal, hope you don't cause a crash, and if me letting you go has decreased the chance of that, got to be a good thing.
Couple weeks ago I had three idiots as I was driving back with my mum from town.
First time, at the roundabout I decided a bit late to change into the second lane although I actually didn't need to, though I did it wrong, I should of checked my mirror before I indicated. So as I did it the other way around, the car behind just shot out as soon as I indicated meaning I couldn't (but I was all good luckily as I wanted to go straight). So that was definitely a lesson there to look first to have an advantage... as well as try to be more prepared what lane I want.
2nd idiot, that used the road merging as a reason to overtake and fly past. I just slowed a bit to allow them, as better impatient buggers be ahead rather than behind.
3rd most relevant idiot.. On a country lane as we were coming to a sharp turn that then has another sharp corner with a bridge you have to creep around looking through the trees to go over safely.
This driver was just right up my backside worse than this van. I just crept around the bend and around the bridge on the corner a fair amount slower than I would of done without them sniffing my backside.
After the bridge there is a sweet dirt layby so I just quickly stopped in there for them to go ahead.
If they want to be impatient, let them be so and don't be involved where possible. But where you have no choice, regardless if there's a vehicle infront, and especially if it's on country lanes with sharp corners, just kindly let them realise that tailgating is going to just cause you to take your time more to eliminate them ramming you when you would have to slow down just shortly up the road, which they'd then be the ones claiming you brake checked them. So better avoid that at all costs.
That third idiot sums most tailgaters up... There's no consideration of whether the vehicle in front is likely to brake or awareness of any other hazards. On a quiet motorway in dry daylight or cresting the brow of a hill with restricted visibility at night on an unlit road when it's -5C, makes no difference, they will still drive with their eyes focused on to your boot lid, less than a second behind. Averting their gaze only to look at their passenger. If I have no choice but to be driven by one of these people, its constant harsh acceleration and slamming on the brakes, phrases such as "I don't know what happened" , "it came out of nowhere" or, my personal favourite, "they just stopped!" ready to come out when they slam into someone.
Sadly with us driving schools we have got that L on the back and its like a red flag to a bull some people get a thrill out of hassling learner drivers, you'd be surprised by the amount of looks
and hand gestures we get when performing the pull up on right manoeuvre . Its about time a legislation was brought in which would fine drivers for abusing learner drivers.
It may, in some cases, amount to driving without due care, already in legislation.
12/6 22. Once had an almost thankful of dodgy fuel causing restarting problems after staling & decided to fit towing eyes that would reduce any time open to danger if total failure occured. Had an extra one - so car was ready fore & aft to be towed to safety promptly. Noticed that pm homeward bound following traffic did'nt seem so impatient whilst these were in place. Have since often considered painting them in dayglow & leaving the rear one in place but unsure of current rules despite there being no exposed sharp hazards.
These videos are great thank you. Quick question. When you refer to yourself as taking over driving in this video are you referring to dual foot controls?
If someone tailgates me, I just go slower, then if I see them yelling etc. In my centre mirror, when they overtake me I just smile and wave😂
If I can be bothered, I blow them a man kiss.
I just use screen wash and slow down for tailgaters haha
Thats lol indeed. You can adjust the sprayers to shoot a little bit over the roof lol.
If you go below the speed limit you also break the law , you are one of those begrudged drivers on the road that plays games if you don’t like tailgaters pull over just let them pass why play games ?
@@iamasmurf1122 it isn't breaking the law to go slower than the speed limit, you nugget, it's not playing games either it's reducing the risk.
@@flemit35 depends. If all u are in traffic lane and u are going slower than the speed limit u are putting yourself in danger and the people around you. They don't have the patience to drive with u and most likely will try to overtake you..
@@projectxgaming you don't have a clue but thanks for the input,
This situation is getting more common every day, well done team Ashley,👍👍👍.
I like to use the bubble principle which is I have an imaginary bubble around my car, if someone drives close behind me that pushes the bubble forward meaning that I leave more space out in front incase of an issue plus a small reduction of speed.
Most of it isn’t tailgating it’s just the way these knobs drive these days
I thought they were driving fast for the conditions, then I realised that the setting was still on 1.5 speed from a previous video I was watching earlier!
When I have a tailgaiter (assuming not a motorway) I just gradually slow down until they get the message... NEVER do a break check as you will be at fault for any accident.
I would essentially also slow down, now that I got to hear your point of view. I believe the safest and most practical way to slow down, is to simply release the gas pedal, no matter what gear, essentially. Sure, you could press the brake slightly, but the tailgater could end up braking really hard, thinking I'm going to brake hard. Brake checking is never an option, since while the tailgater would have something to learn about the cons of tailgating, it would not ever be the solution. Simply, just release the gas pedal, and the engine will essentially slow you down, so it won't look like to him that you're stopping or anything that would catch him off guard.
As a jobbing carpenter I rely on my van for work, I leave in plenty of time so I don't have to rush to get there, and if someone tailgates me I go a bit slower just in case I have to brake suddenly.
The problem is that by going slower the Tailgater may become even more frustrated as they see you are not keeping up with traffic ahead of you as its moving away from you and as such he might then actually get closer to you to urge you to go faster. Remember you are in a bigger vehicle being a van and you take up more room so the Tailgater will have less observations of what is happening in front of you. He is actually driving blind and as such will not see or respond to anything in front of your van. So realising that you have a blind driver behind you that will continue to be of concern to you and your safety its best to let them overtake and that will relieve your concerns and danger. However the Tailgater, knowing no different and probably instructed to drive in that way will continue to do what they seem to do best and that is becomes a danger to all other road users. even tho many of them do not know this. Its about time the police and other institutions including training organisations, the DVSA for one, realised the dangers of Tailgating and did something about it
I would have done nothing, just continue like before.
Until you have to break for some reason to avoid an accident and they slam into you, potentially causing you permanent injury or pain.
@@madman2u that's why you slow down, so you don't have to break so much. And also to piss them off :)
@Ricky, madman was pointing that out to MrTwinkie.
I really like this kind of educational videos , i still can learn some new tricks for driving even safer than before. Thanks for those helpful videos :)
Exactly right. This is my no.1 pet hate. Tailgaters. You've said everything I say.. slow down, minimise the risk if I have to stop suddenly, let them go past if they can.. because with tailgaters, you can speed up in the hope they will fall back but they rarely do and just end up tailgating you at a faster speed. I don't understand the mentality either. Driving close to the car in front is stressful because you're always watching for braking.. far better to give space and relieve the stress. Really like your vids.
See the video on YT called, "Tailgater climbs the ladder of success". A classic and funny example!
LAWL. That was excellent! Thanks for the recommendation!
I look at my current speed at the time I first spot the offender in my mirror and don't deviate from it, only slowing if it's warranted. That way you know in your mind you are not showing them any reaction and they can continue to marinade in their mental sickness as far as I'm concerned.
I liked the use of the polished turd analogy.
I love watching these but they make me feel homesick I was from bootle too and the area of the round about is by my nanas places. I moved to Aus bout 13 years ago when I was 4 and I just miss it so much
I passed my test a few months ago, but I still like watching you videos for things I may not know
I passed my test 30 years ago, but I still like watching Ashley's videos for things I may not know
Why wouldn't you watch these videos?
If you passed your test recently then you know very little about driving.
It will take you years of learning and application become a reasonable driver.
I been driving for over 40 years and I learn from these videos!
I would slow down too, but just to piss them off :)
😂 Literally "I'm sorry officer but he smashed into me, I was just trying to reduce the risk"
Slowing down also mitigates the risk of you being seriously hurt if they end up slamming into you. Less speed, less risk.
The driving instructor: *tells him his method*
Me behind the screen: No, break as hard as you can and say a cat ran in the road when he crashes into your arse.
In my opinion if you break check someone, you're even more of a twat than the person tailgating.
@@JGreen444 The only break checkers that piss me off, are the ones that slam on crash for cash syndrome.. With situations like this, a gentle break serves as a good warning.
However, tailgaters and especially lane hoggers bother me more than most, there is no excuse for this dangerous driving...
The worst tailgaters are against leaner drivers, imagine when you where learning to drive. Nervous, a little insecure maybe and some Twat is driving up ya ass.
When I was learning, I was on a 3 lane roundabout, a car went from the 3rd to second lane and tried to bully me into the pavement, I kept my lane composer and didn't budge, they missed the car by an inch and where beeping and shouting, giving the fingers then rode off onto the motorway, this served no purpose as they didn't cause the scene they wanted and they didn't get the reaction they wanted, I was praised by my driving instructor in how I handled the situation..
I always have patience with learner drivers..
Honest question. Why did you drive over the hatch markings when turning right (1:50)? I thought that you shouldn't do this unless absolutely necessary (when surrounded by broken white lines) and never, except in an emergency (when surrounded by solid white lines)
This guy is is a genius I learned a lot from him thank you bro lower my stress and heart rate 👍🏽
I ducking hate tailgaters. They are so irrational and unpleasant. Bullies of the road
ali ray - 🐥🐥🐥
Mark Fox I don’t understand, is that a emoticon symbol?
i have a hatred for tailgaters; my reaction is what you might find abit childish, however its a modification on what you do.
i give a hand signal to back off, if they dont comply i drop down to well below the speed limit(were talking 12mph in a 30 ) and when they try to overtake i out accel them. test to see if they do it again, rinse repeat until they get the message.
You’re a fucking idiot then. Your actions are increasing the total danger on the roads, by goading them to overtake. It’s not a race: if you don’t want to drive faster, pull over and LET THEM OVERTAKE. That removes them from your equation, and stops dangerous overtaking attempts.
@@ChrisMelville the fact theyd rather sit up my arse rather than just overtake in the first place is a danger, food for thought.
Had a car tailgate me on the costal road in Southport at about 1am. It’s a national speed but really bumpy so realistically do 45 so you not not hit your head on the roof. Some little Clio was so close I could not see his lights in my rear view mirror. (I know this next bit is wrong but we were the only 2 cars on the road), I slowed down to 20mph just to piss him off. It’s a long straight road and he would not over take me. He soon backed off and I sped up back to the same speed as before.
Good advice as usual!!
Me dealing with a tailgater: "If you don't adapt your distance to my speed, I will adapt my speed to your distance."
I just slam my brakes, look back put my hoodie on and reach back pretending to reach for a hammer then mostly they back off and I adjust my seat to make it look like I'm a huge scary person by lifting the seat
The problem of slamming ones brakes on is that this could cause the driver behind to either brake and stop and then be run into by the vehicle tailgating him or otherwise he might realise that he cannot stop in time and therefore he might swerve to avoid you but into oncoming traffic and cause a head on collision. But then who caused those crashes? . you did by slamming your brakes on, so its not a recommended thing to do. Best to slow down and continue to slow and then indicate that you are pulling up or actually turn into a lay by or side of the road or a petrol station etc. and then allow the Tailgater to overtake and proceed to Tailgate someone else. Is not you problem then you are no longer in danger and you have not cause an accident where other people could be injured or killed .
The roundabout offers an opportunity - make a full circumnavigation of it, still exiting the roundabout where you intended to, just a few moments later. Tailgater is now ahead of you.
Excellent advise and totally correct. However it didn’t look like that low loader was that close. He was once but then backed off quite a bit. I’ve seen a lot worse
You call that tailgating, the van wasnt even up your back bumper
in uk and america everything is dangerous and life threatening, they are all autistic. in other parts of europe that would have been completely normal.
Andrew Mcbrian In this vast continent of “America”, at least the parts of it that I’m familiar with, what was shown in this video would barely ever be considered as true tailgating. Here in “America” tailgating is usually driving 70-80+ miles per hour and you can’t even see the headlights of the car behind you because they are so close up to your bumper.
@@Sawashi32 but then we are more civilized over here 😏
Misanthropy Rex According to who? You? Your fellow countryman are likely insulted by such blatant stupidity on your part! 😳
The camera makes things look further away than they really are.
9 dislikes must be tailgaters
I was tailgated today. I was going dead on 30mph on a car free road, it was a dry and clear day. The guy overtook at speed, then got stuck behind a car that had pulled out in front. I turned off about 10 seconds later to my house. What a waste of energy on their part.
Cheers Ashley for the videos and advice. Normally when I see people doing all sorts of things like this I get Angry and upset with them. But now, after seeing these clips I have changed my mind about it. I know now not to get involved in their business. It has calmed my road rage quite a bit.
Whatever happened to brake checks? Seriously first pump your brakes then drive slower
Until they get disgusted and go around. However don't be insulted just because the driver behind you is showing total disregard for your safety! (irony). Ps In Germany tailgating is one of the most serious offenses and traffic fines are based on annual income. This is so the rich are punished proportionately to the poor.