How to deal with tailgaters?

[XZeroII]

Seriously, I hate them. Basically, if I can't see their headlights through my rearview mirror, they are way too close. I'm a nice guy and don't want to slow down, but what other options are there? The limit is 55 and I'm doing 56 or so. Be happy I'm not doing 45! I'm almost tempted to bring my laser pointer along and just start pointing it behind me hoping I get it in their eyes. *sigh*


EDIT: It's a single lane highway, and there are subdivisions that shoot off from it.

 

[dighn]

lasers

oops you already mentioned it. ... get bigger lasers?

 

[Reliant]

Tap the breaks enough to have the lights come on but not slow you down. That usually gets them off my tail.

 

[edro]

OMG, you go 56 in a 55? You SHOULD be tailgated! Here's an idea... SPEED UP, or move over.

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: edro13
OMG, you go 56 in a 55? You SHOULD be tailgated! Here's an idea... SPEED UP, or move over.

It's a single lane highway, and there are subdivisions that shoot off from it.

and as a side note, the city wants to expand it to 2 lanes (each way), but the locals are dead opposed to it. Then those locals go only 45 down the road. There are no places to pass either.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: edro13
OMG, you go 56 in a 55? You SHOULD be tailgated! Here's an idea... SPEED UP, or move over.

Definitely. I know old Asian ladies that drive faster than you

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: Reliant
Tap the breaks enough to have the lights come on but not slow you down. That usually gets them off my tail.

I tried it but most people don't back off. I think they are learning or something.

 

[JohnCU]

Turn your windshield cleaner squirty thing on... the stuff will blow back on their windshield.

 

[virtueixi]

Really, is your car disabled or something? If you do this in the left lane someone should use a real laser and kill you.

 

[Red Dawn]

Throw a brick at their truck

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: edro13
OMG, you go 56 in a 55? You SHOULD be tailgated! Here's an idea... SPEED UP, or move over.

It's a single lane highway, and there are subdivisions that shoot off from it.

Is there another car in front of you?

 

[SirWoj]

I usually hit the brakes for a second or so. Thats enough of a scare so they back off for a while. If that doesn't work I'll try and find a slow moving car in the other lane and block the tailgating car in. Overall its not very healthy, and I can't do anything to change a tailgating idiot.

 

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: JohnCU
Turn your windshield cleaner squirty thing on... the stuff will blow back on their windshield.

No good. My squirters are on the wipers themselves and shoot directly onto the windshield.

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: SirWoj
I usually hit the brakes for a second or so. Thats enough of a scare so they back off for a while. If that doesn't work I'll try and find a slow moving car in the other lane and block the tailgating car in. Overall its not very healthy, and I can't do anything to change a tailgating idiot.

I normally call in cars that do that as drunk drivers so the police pull them over and make them blow

 

[brtspears2]

Tapping the brakes could be the worse thing you can do. Just let the other guy win and move to the right when possible.

EDIT: If one lane road, use turnouts.

 

[Anubis]

do you people read??!?!?!?!?!?!

its a 1 lane road!!!!!!!!!!!!

just take your foot off the gass and start going even slower. drop it down to say 30. extend your arm out the window slowley and give them the finger. then speed back up to say 56 and think nothing about it

 

[apoppin]

If it's an SUV, mini van or pickup, turn your winshield washers on.

My best tactic is to alternately speed up and slow down until the driver behind backs off, slows down or passes . . .

. . . during the day - for the hardcore tailgaiter - open a map and pretend to read it.

 

[CraigRT]

speed up.

people who go right on the speed limit on the highway are going WAY TOO SLOW.

seriously going 100 km/h on the 401 here in Ontario will practically get you pulled for going too slow... i go like 115 or so.

 

[desy]

DON"T tap the brakes thats dangerous
BUT flipping your lights on so the park lights come on look like you hitting the brake with the same effect.
You can also slow down enough that he will be forced to go around just take your foot off the gas and drift down they'll move around you.

 

[ggavinmoss]

Slowly come to a complete stop. That'll learn him.

-geoff

 

[LordJezo]

I play a game called "Lets see how slow you will go"

When someone tailgates that close I just let my foot off the gas peddle and see how slow I can get before they decide to pass me.

They usually give up around 45 mph.

 

[dman]

If it's a cop, don't do anything, just keep going at the same speed.

If it's someone with a gun, find a spot where you can slow down and let them pass.

If it's me, speed up just a wee bit.

 

[kt]

Originally posted by: SirWoj
I usually hit the brakes for a second or so. Thats enough of a scare so they back off for a while. If that doesn't work I'll try and find a slow moving car in the other lane and block the tailgating car in. Overall its not very healthy, and I can't do anything to change a tailgating idiot.

You're as much of an idiot when you stoop to their level.

 

[MangoTBG]

Just because the limit is 55 doesn't mean you have to go 55. Slow down to 27. Mamma said 1/2 the speed is safetest.

 

[LAUST]

Hold a brick out your window