How To Deal with Tailgaters when Driving

In my 30+ years of driving I’ve found the main reason someone tailgates is because they’re an arsehole.

I’ve been driving nearly forty years. The advice my dad gave me way back when I first started is just as valid today: “if someone is right behind you, it’s because they’ve caught you up. Let them come past. It’s better to watch their accident happen in front of you, than be involved in it”.

Tailgating is just aggressive driving. These drivers completely fail to intimidate me. I just continue driving at a speed that makes me feel safe. Eventually the tailgater gets the message and overtakes or slows down. Nobody should force a driver to accelerate. Stay safe at all times!!!!

Take these bits of advice from an old man who was a long-distance truck driver across many states, many years. Slow down, slightly. Stay in the right side of the right lane. Take an exit ramp, and go across that road and get back on the same highway in a minute or so. Take a short break off the road for gas, a soda, coffee, a burger, whatever you will need, take that small break now, instead of later. Use your turn signals, use your slower speed, use the best driving you can, to do better than the ones who are driving badly. Don't make the wrong choice of driving OVER the speed limit to give them the distance YOU would like them to be at. Don't slam on your brakes in front of them, better to use your turn signal and turn off of that street, and turn back onto it in a minute. If they are road ragers and are following you, let them, just stay 10 miles under the speed limit, do not get up to top speed, or the legal speed limit. Let them pass you. They are risking a wreck, they will get to their designation one full minute before you will get to yours. . But not If a Police person does stop them, someday. Then they get to pay a ticket.

As somebody who has had a full licence for 58 years I find that smooth driving is the answer to virtually everything.

I did a speed awareness course and actually I was advised on two things, at roundabouts, go around the roundabout twice to put the tailgater in front of you. The other thing I was told is if you really feel uneasy with a tailgater, pull over the side of the road and let them pass you but look like your parking.

A very well-worthwhile instruction video. When 68, I took a course of Advanced Driving lessons to get my driving up to scratch and continue (now 75) to use the same procedures. I don't want to be "some old fart" that caused an accident. Thank you and best to All.

About 10 years ago, I was driving in the Netherlands when I narrowly escaped becoming involved in a multiple vehicle dual carriageway pile up. It was the evening rush hour and both lanes were nose-to-tail doing around 30mph. I ensured that there was enough stopping distance in front of me for myself AND for the tailgater who was sitting on my tail. A sudden cloudburst resulted in a 30 vehicle pile up. The only undamaged car was mine. I had enough space to slow and stop, including slowing the car behind me. When the police arrived, they were amazed to find this lone GB plate undamaged car.

Took a defensive driving course many years ago. One thing that always stuck with me that the instructor said is to remove your emotions from the situation and don’t assume anyone’s intentions. If you do, you are allowing the other driver to unsafely dictate your actions. We don’t know if they are just an idiot, or maybe even dealing with some sort of personal emergency. All that really doesn’t matter. You control your vehicle. If there’s room to change lanes, just move over, and let them on by.

One thing he didn’t mention to rid yourself of a tailgater is that you can go round a roundabout a full turn before exiting and hopefully the tailgater has gone and you end up behind them, also applies to pulling in to a lay by to let them get past.

😂 i was once tailgated aggressively by a van with a trailer in a road where overtaking was forbidden (all while driving at maximum speed allowed). I proceeded to slow down to the minimum speed of the road and enjoyed the following 3km of the guy remembering all my ancestors… then proceeded to drive faster than him because obviously he had a damn van with a Trailer. Pure joy

Very well said Sir, and thank you for taking the time to make this very important video!

Tailgaters get me so riled up, I tend to forget where my accelerator is 😧

I remember a few years ago driving slowly through heavy snow when someone stuck themselves super close right behind me, flashlight their lights trying force me to go faster... At some point the road was straight and a little bit wider so I moved to the side a bit to let them overtake... Which they did, proceeding to drive on really quickly... I carried on driving a few more minutes until I came to a sharp bend with the car that had overtaken me on its roof! I saw the driver was OK, standing next to the car, talking into his phone... And drove past thinking about who was going to get home quicker on that day!

Just by watching this video, i learned new things and immediately get the connection pertaining to the following reasons that you mentioned: 1. Prevent people from cutting in front of me 2. Being pressured by the vehicle behind 3. Pressuring the vehicle in front of you I am from Singapore and we have tons of drivers like this over here. Majority of them just hope that you give way to them by changing lanes.

What helps me too is to realize it’s nothing personal when someone tailgates you. They don’t know you and probably do it to loads of people… sadly. Great video!

I find going slower and being extra careful in such a situation has the added benefit that all the aggro tailgaters will just try to overtake you. Fastest way to get rid of them.

My first driving lesson, was being tailgated and Instructor told me to indicate then pull over at the first opportunity." Let him go kill someone else".

Thanks for this video m8. I'm glad there are people like you putting time into sharing information like this

Years ago, my mate used to inject RedeX direct into the carburettor, that fixed tailgaters instantly, sorry Greta (Injection was via windscreen washer hose and an oil can)