I get tailgated sometimes. The reason? I'm doing the speed limit but no higher. I'm sure this is a universal experience amongst us drivers who don't have the 'speed limits are a guide' mentality.
All speedometers have a tolerance, most trucks and some taxis have the accuracy checked every year, so might appear to be going faster than they should, despite driving at the limit, certainly on my motorbike I have a more accurate one fitted and I often pass cars in average speed zones that think they are keeping to the limit.
About fifteen years ago I had two "boy racer's" tailgating me, so I thought, rather than let it continue, I would pull over and let them past...just before a speed camera - smile boys! I hope they enjoyed their tickets.
"if you are being tailgated regularly, there could be something your're doing that's causing this" - yes. I'm not exceeding speed limit. That's what causing this.
I do hope you are not that kind of person that will overtake other traffic with a 1 km/h difference, just to not exceed speed limits. Tailgaters are assholes, but people who do not speed up a bit to clear traffic are not helping the flow either.
@@normiedeathsquad40 bro come drive in Portsmouth 😂 you will be tailgated for the entire drive regardless if you're going half or double the speed limit
I remember my instructor berating me for giving into a particularly aggressive tailgater (tesco delivery van) by pointing out that even though I'd gone over the speed limit 40mph and done 45 he now wanted us to go 50+. He said (paraphrasing him now) "Don't give into this idiot by driving like an idiot. See? He now wants you to be a bigger idiot by going twice the limit. Let him be the only idiot".
Bad instructor telling you to antagonize the people behind you by not moving over I had a discussion with a old ass instructor who I stopped him, he actually told his Lerner driver to floor in an attempt to prevent me from overtaking him off the start of a roundabout, witch is stupid encouraging dangerous driving to a Lerner driver (in 15 years never seen anything like that)
I read many years ago about finding a 'gate guardian', that is, a driver who keeps a good distance behind you and is travelling about the same speed as you. Try to keep that car (it usually is a car) behind you for as long as possible by matching their speed. It's not easy to maintain this for very long periods but I do silently salute my gate guardians when I encounter them. I also try to be one myself.
I had one of these today on the motorway. I always really enjoy it, Isee them as being my buddy in our own little convoy. Then I was sad when I saw him pop his indicator on and exit the motorway.
Driving like this and always remembering that “you can’t change what other people do, only how you react to it” completely transformed my attitude to driving and general mood when I arrive. It’s not stressful as I’ve always got something I can do to help the situation so I feel in control.
Had something like this the other day. On a dual carriage way, car in inside lane doing 60, van in the outside lane doing 60.0001, me behind van at 2 seconds. BMW tailgating me. BMW undertakes and moved into my safe buffer. Was I lane-hogging? In my eyes, not really, was ready to get up to 70 if the van moved over. No doubt, others will think differently.
@@huwlewis9059 I'm with you on this, leave a safe space and there's ALWAYS someone who just piles in then inevitably has to brake due to excessive speed making you brake and we all know what happens next, the car behind brake's and the Domino effect has happened causing a massive tailback just because if one self important egotist in his/her expensive car
I've had my drivers license for +3 years now but I seem to like driving less and less because of experiences like this. It seems as though there's a bully around every corner. It's only you that helps me to get a clear view on things and for that I have to thank you. You are a true inspiration to so many drivers. Much appreciation from Belgium!
If people can bully people from the comfort of their own home (keyboard!) it's not surprising they take that out into the street from the comfort of their little tin can!
@@misterg2201 I only drove in Belgium for a week but I found it very stressful for the same reason Koen says. Everyone is very close to you all the time, they don't leave any safety distance, you feel "pushed" all the time, etc... In Spain or in the UK you can find people like that but it's not the norm.
I had someone tailgate me, and she actually followed me into a lay-by. I adjusted my mirrors, or whatever needed doing, and could see her in my rear-view mirror. I swear she was wondering what the hell she'd just done, driving into a lay-by! She was obviously fixated on the rear of my car to the point that she mindlessly pulled over, too!
A big reason it happens so much is that many drivers have no understanding of the risks/rewards of overtaking. Seems like every time I drive, someone desperately strains every muscle to overtake me like it's the most important thing in their world- only for me to be still immediately behind them 10mins later.
I used to brake check tailgaters out of fury. I got into lots of road rage issues. To overcome this, and deal with this properly, I initially started to think about increasing space ahead and slowing to a manageable speed, not to infuriate them, but to ensure I could stop safely and slowly. Another trick I then employed quite a long time after, was to imagine I'm being tailgated even when not. This helps keep my cool when it happens. I now think to myself: just focus on what's ahead, and give space to stop or slow smoothly for any potential or actual hazards ahead. If they are annoyed that I slow enough to deal with what's ahead, then that's on them. I truly don't care. Perhaps if they followed from further, they would be going faster.
@@Keithbarber The priority is to make sure I can slow down slowly, if something happens ahead. If that means I go slower, so be it. Obviously, there is a big difference between a tailgater about half a second behind and one that's marginally less than 1.5 seconds. In short, yes but the priority is as above.
That was the mantra in the 1970s road safety "information film". In theory, it took two seconds to say it, so you were supposed to use the phrase as your time reference, but, bananas, or even elephants works just as well. On motorways in some areas, you find double chevrons marked on the road surface. They're meant to represent two seconds at 70mph, there should never be more than one vehicle in the space between the chevrons.
I get tailgated on a very regular basis simply for obeying the speed limit. If I'm sat at 59-60 mph on a single carriageway road there's nearly always some muppet wanting to do 75 almost in my boot. I tend to end up briefly pulling into a layby to let them pass rather than let them do a dangerous overtake.
I travel a lot on busy single-carriageway, NSL roads, which often means the speed limit is 50 mph by virtue of vans and trucks ahead. Even though there is absolutely nowhere to go and no way to get out of their way, people _still_ aggressively tailgate. It's a mentality. I try not to take it personally and try to imagine that they've got an important part of their anatomy trapped in their zip and are consequently somewhat distracted.
Some drivers around town travel at 30 mph by their speedometer and taking into account a built in inaccuracy they may be actually only doing 27/8 mph. Then take another driver who believes that they know the law and the fact that that speedometers are wrong and always show a higher speed than that which one is doing and they mistakenly believe that they can travel at some 5 mph faster than any posted limit. Their speedometer may show 35 mph but they don't believe that they are over the limit or that if they are then they are still within certain allowable parameters set by the police and that they will not be prosecuted for it. So there speed though shown as 35 mph on their speedometer may be actually only be 32/3 mph. However that said and understood they are still travelling some 5 mph faster then you are and approaching your rear end and end up Tailgating. you. In no way am I saying that the slower, legal driver is at any fault for the Tailgate. Its up to the faster driver to see what is happening ahead and that he is driving ever closer up to the rear of the vehicle in front. Its his decision as to what distance that he gives and these drivers usually get it wrong, every time. That said many other drivers get it wrong cos they know no different that's the way they were trained and that's the way they drive seeing absolutely nothing wrong in what they do. They are to blame should an accident occur and not the safer driver in front of him. So often as I drive and ride a motorcycle at the shown limit ie 30 in a 30 mph limit I know that I am doing only 27/28 tho my speedo is recording 30/31 mph.
@@VictorKibalchich Victor, Call it what you like but its true, Yes I am old but I have some 60 years of road going experience , 20 years in the police service, attending accidents including rear end shunts and have spent the last 20 years studying RTAs, the human factor, the law and driver training.
Yep, “only a fool breaks the two second rule” for sure. I hate it and even now I’m 52 it makes me nervous. (52?? FFS, where did that go? 😂) In my younger days I have brake checked people. Nowadays I’ll slow down a bit to manage it and make more space in front of me. Some good clips you put together there Ash’, nice job 😃👍🏻
I had one last week. A woman in a car was tailgating me on the M8. I was in the overtaking lane so I moved back to the left to allow her to pass. She moves over too and continues to sit up my bum. So I move out again to overtake the upcoming slower vehicle. She moves out again. This happened about 5 times and I honestly started to think it was an unmarked cop following me but I hadn’t done anything wrong and she was driving like an idiot so it was unlikely. I had no choice but to ease off the accelerator in the left lane and wait until she moved out and overtook me. Eventually she did but I had to drop to under 50 for her to do it. I’m not sure what else to do in a situation like this because I don’t want people like that behind me for any length of time.
The M8, where the fun never stops. TBH she might just have been blindly following your car in front and not realised it. I have been tailgated like that on the Clyde Expressway in my learner car with plenty of room to overtake in the other lane. I think some drivers just zone in on the car in front and switch off.
Sounds like someone who'd sit along side you in lane 2 and watch the space closing between you and the truck in lane 1.... then they slow down as you do to effectively barricade you in. Peel off at the next junction and find somewhere to stop for 5 minutes before rejoining.
@@_Steven_S I've done this several times now. Sometimes it's enough to exit and rejoin straight away (hopefully your problem will have found someone else to bug) but it never hurts to stop a few minutes if you can.
The M8 is horrendous for tailgating! Especially between junctions 1 and 6 (the "new" section on the Glasgow side has seen it decrease there, although it's obviously led to an increase in middle lane hoggers! 🤣). It maybe doesn't help that the moving traffic on the two lane section can quickly fluctuate between 50mph and 70mph leading to bunching, but nobody wants to leave a 2 second gap. It's a horrible road to drive on!
@@ScotlandwithFraser sometimes I feel like it’s me being the middle lane hog on the M8 because even though I’m overtaking cars going slower in the left lane, there’s always an Audi up my bum trying to make me speed up to 90 so he can get by 30 seconds quicker. They don’t seem to have the patience to let me finish passing a set of vehicles to find a safe gap to move back over. As long as I’m overtaking, I’m not doing anything wrong and I always move back over if captain 2 feet from my bumper wants to pass me - but only if I’m not putting anyone (including myself) in danger by moving back to the left. I’m sure Ash would agree that’s perfectly acceptable.
In a quiz we did at work during a safe driving campaign, we discovered that, about 70% of drivers did not know the two second rule. The problem is, that most drivers have no idea at just how fast they're travelling i.e 30mph = 44ft/sec, or how long it takes to come to a stop. I used to test our drivers with a practical exercise, I would give them a speed, and then ask them to walk down the depot and stop at the point where they think their vehicle came to rest. Amazingly, more than 90% unederestimated the distance by 50%. More worryingly, as I increased the speed, the greater their underestimation got.
I always give my windscreen a wash whenever I'm being tailgated - usually when I'm doing 30 in a 30 zone - works everytime. They back off and get a free windscreen wash at the same time
@@alanrobertson9790 No. They just deliver a powerful enough jet to wet the car behind if it's too close. Doesn't work if you've still got one of those foot-operated rubber buttons.
@@PedroConejo1939 Normally a rear screen water jet is aligned to spray your window - that's the point of it. I just wondered whether you had realigned it? Not a crime if you have - its just water.
It's a great video. It describes the problem, explains the causes, gives solutions and tells what not to do. It's short and easy to rewatch and share with fellow motorists.
I really wonder why some tailgate in lane one. This happens to me when there are 3 more lanes. My crime, apparently is to drive at a reasonable speed for the conditions.
Very timely video. Have just uploaded dashcam footage to the police of an idiot who was tailgating me and then very nearly rear ended me when I came to a gentle halt in stop go traffic. Fingers crossed they act upon the upload. They have in the past. Stay safe everyone.
Had one yesterday. He flew up behind me and sat less than a car length from my bumper at 50mph (Accelerating up to 60). He then kept backing off, flying back up and crossing the line to try an overtake (no chance, the road layout wouldn't have allowed it). He keeps doing it and I pull over to let him past. He stops behind and waits. I wave my arm to signal him to pass - he doesn't. I set back off and he continued to tailgate - I kept at the NSL. I then decreased speed down to 30 (half the NSL) but did not brake check. My intention was to avoid being rear ended at 60, and instead if I was going to be rammed I'd be only hit at a slower speed. Once the road opened to dual carrageway he flew past and did exactly the same to the car in front which was in a queue of other cars. The tailgater literally got no where but risked so much.
I've said it before and don't really mind repeating myself; albeit the proviso being that each situation has to be individually assessed. My "bugbear" is mainly with dual carriageways and motorways.... Instead of "nose to tail" in lanes 2 (3 and or 4 if applicable) I can happily make safe progress with zero issues in lane 1; frequently sharing with the Artics etc. Just so long as I don't encroach upon a minimum 2 second space then they, too, are happy enough when I choose to slot in. Saves a huge amount of stress and adds very little time to my journey. To conclude - I prefer not to be a part of the problem. Stay safe everyone 👍
Ah yes, the "unknown secret" lane on motorways and dual carriageways. It's...wait for it folks...Lane 1, just as Graham eluded to. Lane 1 moves particularly well in heavy traffic when there is an exit coming up, since some of the vehicles in that lane will be leaving the main carriageway (as long as not queued up onto it), thus further reducing the traffic using it. However, you subsequently have to watch out for the corresponding "on ramp" coming up further ahead, where potentially many vehicles might be joining the main carriageway (though not always). In such circumstances, a well timed (and safe) lane change to Lane 2 at some appropriate time between the "off" and "on" slip roads might be in order so as to be in "the lane of least resistance". Check for filtering motorbikes too.
Main reason for tailgating : the average Joe doesnt understand that It's a limit not a target. Winds me up when you see learners doing about 5 mph under (making good progress) and people ride their back end. Its just asking for trouble.
Had an arguement about this on a local speed cam alert page, when I said exactly this the guy responded "but if you can't display you can do the limit in a driving test you'll fail" Always amuses me how people get so wound up by this and think its illegal to not go the exact limit, if that was the case tractors, HGVs and other large vehicles wouldnt be allowed on the road would they!!
The people who tailgate driving school cars are a speical case of stupid But if youre going considerably under the speed limit for no reason. Dont be annoyed when people overtake you. Overall i dont get why people get pissed about being overtaken, is your ego really hurt that bad if someone drives faster than you or something?
@@DaveSpecC Well it depends on how much under youre going. If youre doing 50kmh on the highway, youre going to get pulled over without a doubt unless theres a blizzard
@@aok9153 Obviously Im not talking about doing 31 in a 70 😂 The people who moan about others not going the limit are usually moaning about someone doing 50mph in a 60 zone.. motorways are different but on a national limit typical A road (1 lane each way) cyclists etc are allowed.. and you should pass them with the same room you'd give a to a car, so these people are moaning just for the sake of it with no logic behind their daft views.
@@aok9153 also I don't think anyone here complained about being overtaken. I will let people pass if I'm holding them up, rather that than risk my pride and joy getting written off because some bellend thinks fast car must always go fast.
I use a rear facing camera and a 1m long LED matrix display warning tailgaters to keep their distance. I report all tailgaters. As a retired-RGN, over the years, I got fed up of hearing the sound of mothers' wailing and gnashing of teeth when seeing their child or children killed in incidents of either speeding or another form of reckless driving, tailgating. A mother mourning the loss of her child or children is a sound you can never forget...
Literally get tailgated all the time. Yesterday, woman tailgated me while I was doing 31 in a 30 _with_ L Plates on too. I’ve had people swerve round and brake check me it’s just ridiculous really
That's how the sad minority drive now, what's the point they're trying to make, first they tailgate you then usually make a dangerous pass only to slam the brake's on🤔🤔🤔🤔
I'm always getting tailgated when driving the speed limit on a 20mph road. Nearly everyone speeds on it and it can feel pressuring 😫 but it's there for a reason
I'm from Wales and no, it isn't really there for a reason, apart from idiot council people and politicians. Where I'm from there are a group of idiots with big exhausts, popping and banging, who regularly do 50+ on the main road in a 30 zone. People complained of speeding on the road and asked that something should be done. So what did they do? Make it a 20! On the main road! It did nothing to address the actual problem, just caused huge issues for everyone else, should someone actually decide to stick to that 20mph. Most people now just (rightly) ignore it and drive at 30.
in most of the US, if a person gets in a rear end crash, they will automatically be cited for following too close, and found at-fault for the crash. and if they try to defend, the judge's response will be "if you weren't following too close, you would have been able to stop in time."
I got tailgated by a convertible the other day - so I started spraying screen wash and washing my windshield and rear window for 10 seconds straight. I’m sure they enjoyed the free bath.
There is sometimes 4th type of tailgating - unexpected tailgating. You are doing speed limit (for me it's 130 km/h on highway), keeping your distance and suddenly someone from the other lane merges into that space. Then you can either hit the brakes to keep the distance but possibly endanger people behind you if they aren't at safe distance or you could release the gas pedal and if the other driver is too slow you'll catch up to him/her with your inertia if their overtake takes too long. And bonus point if the driver goes barely faster than HGV they are overtaking and other car behind me locks me between them and lorry in the other lane with no escape and forced tailgating.
I've had people pull into my stopping distance on a normal 60mph road, so it's not just a multi-lane thing. This is an old example, but a Lamborghini behind me on a gradual left-hand bend (so no forward visibility when committing to the overtake) decides to overtake a queue of traffic going 60mph. It goes to overtake, and sees an oncoming car. Rather than slow down and drop back behind me, it speeds up and pulls in front of me and slams on their brakes, as now they're too close to the car in front, who is also braking. The brakes on my mum's old Micra weren't as high performance as the Lamborghini's, so I was in real danger of driving into the back of them.
I'd say that's not tailgating, as it's only a temporary situation that you're hopefully going to resolve as soon as it's safe to do so. It's only tailgating if you maintain the same gap rather than easing off to create space.
The main reason I'll get tailgated is if I'm on a single carriageway and I'm behind a big van - I absolutely hate not being able to see the brake lights of vehicles up ahead and leave a big space between myself and the van.
Yes, people don't seem to realise that you are allowed to look through cars and react to brake lights several cars down the line in traffic... in fact its safer than reacting purely to the car in front
My Dad used to be one of those “I’m doing the speed limit, none shall pass” drivers. Hated going on long journeys with him. It took a bollocking from a Traffic Officer mate to get him to stop. I use his example as one of many ‘how not to drive’ pointers.
I recently followed a tailgater in a long stream of traffic. The irony was not lost on me when we all slowed for a roundabout and I read the sticker on the back of his car; 'the closer you get the slower I go'.
I have to honest Ashley, since discovering your channel I have thought a great deal more about my driving. I've been driving for over forty years, been a motorcycle instructor in the past, and hold a professional racing licence, I have finally learnt to think twice before I react. Even though I've never had a crash in all that time, lady luck has played a significant part!!! I've always considered myself a very good driver, but when someone has done something stupid, I've taken it personally. Wow what a wake up call to realise more often than not, they are just either not paying attention, or are just crap drivers. I have found driving so much more relaxing by not getting involved with having to get my own back. Thank you for the great service you are doing. I recommend everyone I know to watch your channel.
I always tell myself when driving that there is one destination that we will all arrive at and that I am in no hurry to get there. I am of course referring to the cemetery.
When I was learning, my instructor told me to slow down a touch to lessen the danger since it's about the only thing you have the power to do. In practice it seems to show the tailgater that you're not going to go faster than you're comfortable and they hold back a bit. When they do that I just increase speed again. Just my personal experience and of course not every tailgater can be manipulated into giving you space.
I miss my old Austin 1300 with it's reversing lights that were controlled by a pull switch on the dash. Nothing scares a tailgater like the car in front's reversing lights coming on ;)
Tailgating is so common on our roads and yet SO easily avoidable. I know it sounds very obvious but it's simply down to the amount of pressure the driver exerts with their right foot on the accelerator pedal! All that is required is to apply the right amount of pressure with your right foot so you are a min 2 seconds following distance in dry weather and min 4 seconds in the wet. That's it, nothing more. No complex technique or technology required and yet so many drivers fail with such a simple task. Similar with keeping within the speed limit / driving at an appropriate speed to the conditions - simply by applying the right amount of pressure with the right foot. I also don't really understand how anyone can feel "comfortable" tailgating the vehicle in front.
I wholeheartedly agree with this video. Personally for me tailgating is more of a problem in built up areas where there is a 30mph limit and especially in areas where the limit drops to 20mph. I have actually confronted people who do this in these areas and their reply is always the same - they don’t know they are doing it. Oblivious. But your right we can’t change their driving only our own.
Same here in Edinburgh, despite the fact that the 20mph limit is painted on the road surface every 100 meters and with repeater speed limit signs on about half the lamp posts. "But it was 30mph years ago and that's what I'm used to"
There's a straight road called Briscoe Lane in north Manchester half a mile long past a disused abbatoir and cemetery no houses or schools and a six foot wall either side for half of it and some small units, the speed limit is 20mph just in case there's any ghost cattle crossing or anyone jumping out of their graves and doing a runner !
There is a common myth going around that the 20mph limit cannot be enforced, if there is adequate signage that is not the case, the offence only states excess speed.
Merely driving to the speed limit is often sufficient to trigger someone into tailgating I find. If only there were enough traffic officers to give habitual perpetrators the fine and points it would take to stop them, before a crash does.
One extra Do Not, Do Not give the finger (or any hand sign) when/if they eventually overtake - this will antagonise them and may lead to them brake checking you, and the situation may escalate towards being out of control. Example from my own experience, I have learnt, and continue to learn following Ashley's videos.
Yep, in my younger days I did this to a car that nearly hit my off my bike. The car then stopped ahead of me and booked the street. A large guy got out and ran at me with fists. I held the bike up between us to protect myself until he calmed down. I have mellowed a lot since then and surprise surprise no one has taken a swing at me since!
I’ll admit I’ve been a tailgater before, why? I don’t know :’) I was a typical idiot in a BMW :’) but I’ve learned through different situations (and a fine with 3 points) that it’s just not worth it and won’t get you to your destination any faster. Don’t be a dick, be kind and drive safely.
@@lauradavis9344 Oh yeah some personal development definitely happened haha, good to know I’m not the only one who can put my hands up and say “I f**ked up”
It's also happens when you have to make a 90 degree turn onto a tight road whitch might have a hazard blocking your entry e.g. ( cars parked on either side and only one car can fit down the road and you have to slow right down to about 5mph or even come to a stop in order to turn because off blind corner or hazards blocking your entry to the road and even when you slow down safely the tailgater still going about 30mph behind you and dont even bother to slow down. And nearly rear end you or they zoom past you overtaking last second.
I was taught (by an ex police driver) that to get the tailgater to drop back; move your left foot over and touch the brake peddle enough to illuminate the stop lights, but don't apply the brake. It unnerves them and they do drop back. I should add that I do this only where I can't give way, because you are always safer once they are in front of you.
Whenever I get tailgated, I just carry on as normal, just with a lot more mirror checks so I know where they are; I also increase distance as much as I reasonably can. Great video Ashley!
There's tailgating then unintentional tailgating. Entering a busy roundabout it's almost impossible to keep to the Two Second Rule. Then entering a busy free flowing motorway/ dual carriageway if you were to obay the TSR you would have to wait for around a 4 sec plus gap to move in, and 8 secs in wet conditions. Some rules have to be broken.
I first got a driving license in 1977 ... I have worked out how to deal with tailgaters. I keep well back from the vehicle in front - just as you say, - and if the tailgater is very aggressive actually take the next left, turn round and get back on the original route, but by then the tailgater is bullying someone else. I have always been an extremely cautious driver, and I am amazed at the the general standard of driving. Some people think they are just so great at driving. I have always known my own limitations, and been careful as a result. I am not a brave driver! Love your videos. Best wishes from George
My biggest problem with tailgating here in the UK happens on smaller and medium sized A-roads. Especially during the hours of darkness. On dual carriageways and motorways, its generally pretty easy to avoid the problem by paying close attention to your pace and that of the traffic around you. Don't spend any more time in the centre or right lane than necessary. That's not really an option on single-lane A-roads. On an unfamiliar A-road, and especially at night, and during times of reduced visibility and traction, maintaining the national speed limit of 60mph isn't always a wise decision. And yet inevitably you'll find yourself being approached, at a very high closure rate, by some person intent on getting to their destination as fast as absolutely possible. The following vehicle's headlights loom ever larger in your mirrors, further adding to the visibility challenges. In rural areas there aren't roundabouts to go around, the shoulder areas are narrow to nonexistent. The best you can hope for is a lay-by or other area to safely pull over to let the tailgater past. But, again, unless you are intimately familiar with the road, you often have little advance notice that the lay-by is approaching. Tailgaters on British A roads, at night and in bad weather, are an absolute menace. And Ill admit that, even after more than forty years of accident-free motoring, they occasionally make my drive home very unpleasant and needlessly stressful.
I have a friend who always drives to close the the cars in front especially on dual carriage ways and motorways and when I asked why he said "if I leave a gap, someone will pull out of the inside lane and slow me down". I always offer to drive when I go out with him.
On a speed awareness course, a while back, the subject of tailgating came up. The instructor said: "what's a roundabout for? You go in, go round twice, and then you can tailgate him". It was tongue-in-cheek, but it got a laugh...
It’s the 50 mph speed limits, in roadworks on motorways that scare me. It’s really not nice, having an articulated lorry, just a few feet from your bumper. And I ALWAYS keep left if I’m not overtaking another vehicle.
Do you have a GPS app on your phone or a physical GPS? I tend to go through roadworks at 51-52mph on the GPS, which usually means I'm either going the same speed or a little faster than lorries. You won't get a ticket at that speed and it usually means you'll be one of the fastest vehicles on the road! You can get one GPS app which shows your speed in big numbers making it easy to glance at.
A lot of tailgating happens in traffic on multi lane roads in response to some drivers who lane hop and push in. Leaving space in traffic is vital, but because of pushy, queue jumpers people often bunch up to try and stop it. Hard to know how to deal with this, people will see a gap into moving traffic and take it and the British queue etiquette is very important to some other people.
My problem has always been that I leave the correct distance and some moron always sees it as an excuse to dive into the space as I’m not tailgating the car infront. That’s how accidents happen, people waiting until the last minute to cut in and using a tiny space to do so, causing me to brake sharply.
Sorry, if you are at least the correct distance behind a vehicle, how is the distance in front a tiny space? Ashley has some excellent videos on planning, driving next to an empty space. I'm not perfect and still make mistakes, but keep learning. Having been driving for over 50 yrs I have made some **** mistakes, pre dash-cam era.
Some great defensive driving tips there. I hold my hands up and say I don't always deal with tailgaters as calmly as I should - mostly because I find that sort of arrogance and self entitlement makes my blood boil. But you're right, it's not worth letting it get the better of me or impairing my driving.
I hate tailgating. I now have a rear dash cam that has a LED that flashes on and off when recording. If someone was travelling close enough they would see it and know there's a dash cam recording them. It'll be interesting to see if more people will now keep their distance when they know they're being recorded. The dash cam allows you to switch the light off as I presume not everyone would want to draw attention to themselves, but I now always keep it on.
@@ashley_neal Not sure I fully understand your comment - I can't fix a problem I didn't create? Say i'm in the left lane, driving at the speed limit, keeping plenty of distance between me and the vehicle in front, but the car behind is still tailgating me? This is the usual situation I encounter tailgating. I'd say the problem should be fixed by the person behind who is responsible for it. At least I will have evidence on video in case an accident occurs. And the comment about the light isn't to say it will prevent tailgating completely, but it will make people who do it more aware they are being filmed, which from a psychological perspective I think makes *some* people more aware of their behaviour, the same way clearly placed CCTV and body cams do.
@@Ste Ash’s video is about how to deal with tailgating. We all agree that the person following shouldn’t be doing it and should fix it but what else can you do to help the situation when someone decides to tailgate. These are all the ‘Do’ points in the video. I think that’s what he’s getting at. Just saying it’s their fault, although true, won’t prevent an accident even if they’re at fault. I feel loads better with a tailgater knowing I’m looking far ahead, slowing for hazards more progressively by anticipating and leaving more room to the car ahead expecting them to overtake at a dangerous time. It’s like towing haha. You can’t control what other people do, only how you react to it. If you’ve looked at your driving and you’re doing nothing wrong to cause it then following these tips will hopefully prevent them crashing into you. If your light works, great. Sometimes people need a reminder that they’re too close and that’s all but it probably won’t fix everyone. :-)
@@Ste The ones behind are clearly bad drivers, as if they would fix the problem even if they "should do" as you say, so get proactive by letting them past, what ever else Ashley said etc.
Another great video Ashley - i got tailgated on a dual carriage way recently so I slowed slightly - I was coming up on a merge junction with a car on the off ramp - I slowed more to allow the other driver to merge - Bully tailgater got pissed and went to overtake me without realising the merging car had just entered the outside lane - Captain Tailgater rear ended Missus Merger sending her into a spin - I could see it happening in slow motion and accelerated hard to get out of danger ! There was a pair of them in it - Fixated Tailgater meets Poor Merger!
I like the breakdown of the 3 categories. Not everyone tailgating is an asshole, but a lot of people do need to learn how to properly follow in traffic.
Excellent analysis and advise. The worst tailgatters, those that approach to within a few feet of the rear bumper demonstrate the very worst of human (mostly male) traits, the desire to get what they want by bullying and intimidation, people who do this are not fit to hold a licence.
I get tailgated all the time because I have the audacity to drive at the speed limit of the vehicle. It, being a van, is restricted. Sadly, so many drivers don't know the law, have the brains of a rocking horse and ultimately don't understand the dangers.
The speed limit "don't" is not particularly helpful in and of itself. Driving under the limit can actually be a good solution, provided there is an opportunity to overtake. Furthermore, if you want more space in front of you, you are going to need to accelerate slower and/or slow down early, which means you will probably be driving under the limit. So DO drive under the limit if this helps to fix the situation, and DON'T if it would only serve to extend the duration of the dangerous situation.
It's annoying when someone overtakes me then moves into the space I've made between me and the car in front. I'm then forced to either tailgate them, or slow down a bit to allow the space to open up again. It's often the case that the overtaking car is barely going any faster than I am.
A lot of people think like this but in reality you slow down to restore the gap ahead of you. Then you return to your original speed and follow the new vehicle at the same speed you were going. All that has really happened it that you are a few yards further back than you would have otherwise been which will be made up in normal traffic situations later in the journey.
Some people seem to just dive back to the left right in front of you. I always think my overtaking and move back to the left should not force others to slow down. Alas many people don’t follow this precept and and unfortunately the only way out is to gently reduce speed to maintain a suitable gap. It’s annoying to go back down to 65 because someone can’t spend an extra few seconds in the outside lane to clearly pass you. But, hey, it’s pretty much what I’ve come to expect.
my daily is a vehicle that people perceive to be slow, so they invariably shatter the speed limit to pass me on an upgrade, as I run up the hill AT the speed limit. and then ride their brakes all the way down the other side at about ten less than the speed limit while I chafe behind them, because I'm being forced to ride my own brakes instead of just letting my engine hold me to the speed limit.
I usually deal with tailgaters by using my windscreen washers. I find it to be a quite effective non-aggressive way of just giving them a gentle wake-up call. They usually ease off instinctively.
Leaving space gives you time to react to adjusting your course to avoid potholes and debris as well as giving you a better chance of changing lane when buses are stopping at bus stops.
When cycling I often notice the ones who close-pass me then go right up to the car in front of me to tailgate. The nice car that passed me safely then gets the anti-social driver on their tail who just close-passed me! This is category 1 you described, they really are bullies and anti-social on our roads. Great advice not to counter-react to them and keep eyes on the road ahead. Thanks, Ash.
Great video Ash. "Only a fool, breaks the two second rule" was what they used to say! That and "clunk click every trip!" Just a couple of oldies my grandad taught me when he taught me to drive back in 2006. ❤
I was initially resistant to getting a P plate because a friend warned me you might get ppl road raging at you for having a P plate, but it actually worked a treat when I had to drive on the motorway to drop mum off at the airport. There was a rather healthy distance between me and the person behind :D. If you are worried about tailgating, pop a P plate on. There is no term limit to how long ago you got your license to display a P plate.
You may have gotten slightly lucky or just didn't encounter any bullies. I've seen P plates get tailgated before, probably because P plates are less confident and an easy target. They're not bullied as much as L plates but I've definitely seen it happen
I get tailgated often. There’s a series of roundabouts in my area and I recently thought I’d lost a tailgator until I saw them in my wing mirror at the next roundabout. They were that close! I drive a van without rear mirror.
There's another type of tailgater: the hypermiler. They usually tailgate larger vehicles like vans and lorries, using the vehicle in front to create a hole in the air so they get better fuel efficiency. But any vehicle will do in a pinch. This may seem admirable but can be very dangerous as they are usually so close that they are concealed from the mirrors of the van or lorry. And, of course, have much less time to react.
Great advice. I find driving an expensive, mind-wearing chore and am always happy to stick to speed limits to reduce the cost to wallet and nerves. Inevitably, I attract plenty of idiotic tailgaters and I find it difficult not to be distracted by them - which is a danger in itself. Often opening up a bigger gap in front worsens their behaviour even though you are keeping pace with those in front. Ironically when I’m teaching my now very competent son and the car is wearing L-plates we see much more respect - although there are still (even more idiotic) exceptions.
Hi Ashley , in my opinion you are by far the greatest Driving Instructor i follow..,..I know you mean well but i wish to say there are some very bad tail gaters out there who put other peoples lives in harms way , they also dont care about theirselves...I usually find its the same people...BMW drivers , mercedez or high powered cars..,...I doubt most people can check their own driving regarding tailgating but i know you are right when you say "there is always room for improvement"...Just my opiniin in Birmingham where people tailgate a lot...Great video from a top drawer Driving Instructor...Awesome 😎 x
It's a laudable aim to encourage people to drive defensively and not to retaliate - but it puts the onus on the safer, more law-abiding drivers to deal the challenge and stress involved in situations like this, not the ones creating the problem in the first place. In my experience tailgating has become commonplace and normalised because there is an absence of law-enforcement: the drivers who tailgate are rarely if ever sanctioned, and so the aggressive and inattentive drivers carry on as usual. You're right that we are not self-appointed police officers, but where are the real ones, who out there is protecting our interests?
I'm really glad that they are bringing back Space Invaders. My favourite game of the eighties. I tried to stop at services so I could have a go during breaks. This was before I had a home computer. I see how the term is being used here and it does make a lot of sense. I must admit I fall into both categories although I am much more likely to give space as I have got older. There is only one issue; impatience. However, there are many outcomes and they are all different degrees of bad. Great video Ash, thanks.
There was one occasion where I was being tailgated on a single carriageway heading to a roundabout. They can't have been more than 50cm behind me. There was nowhere to pull off, they didn't seem interested in doing things safely, and I was in no way confident about taking a roundabout at 30mph. As I couldn't safely reduce speed, in desperation, I put on my screen jets so that they might realise from the couple of droplets how close they were. Luckily it worked and I was able to go around the roundabout safely, though faster than I wanted, and they went a different way than me at the lights that were a short way after, though they accelerated like they were in a formula 1 race.
Move slightly more to one side in your lane to enhance the view of the situation ahead for the driver behind to assess why your doing the speed your doing.
Tailgaiting is so common. My brake pedal has a little freeplay where it will trigger the brake lights but not slow down. I use it to communicate if someone is up way too close. I don’t slow down during it but just 3 quick flashes.
I was driving on a country lane in Hampshire yesterday and went down a bendy 1 in 10 decline. There was a serious tailgater behind me - the sort where you cannot see their number plate in your rear mirror because they are so close. I saw a car park ahead on left, indicated in good time and turned to get them off my back. Driver wasn’t young nor were they driving a sporty German car. My speed was appropriate for road conditions.
on a road with speed limit 80km/h, it's a minimum of 300 euro, when you are within 3 meters distance, it becomes 460 euro on a road with speed limit 100 to 130km/h it's 650 euro regardless of distance ( the 2 second rule applies, it's the minimum safe distance where you are able to react and stop in time)
If only the police would actually do something about it. I also live in the Netherlands l, but I rarely see police on the road and have never seen anyone actually being pulled over. It feels like half the people on the road get way too close, but nothing gets done about it.
@@raymondbenjamins5884 the 100km/h down from 130km/h maximum speed on the highways has made this worse in my opinion. I've not seen many police cars on the highway at all, but they're there also undercover. Nothing is too big of a word, but i agree to the point where not enough is done.
@@AwoudeX Oh, absolutely, the speed limit decrease certainly hasn't helped. But it doesn't just happen on the highways. If anything, the problem is worse on country roads, where there often isn't any space to overtake.
@@raymondbenjamins5884 Tailgaters really should be punished more often because of how dangerous it is. People even ride each others bumper at highway speeds which is insane to me But instead of that they go after people who break the speed limit by a bit....................
Well covered. Another issue of vehicles travelling too close (on open two way roads) is it can create dangerous overtaking..... Someone travelling along at a slow/own pace (not a problem), but vehicle(s) following closely behind are the problem....not wishing to or taking overtaking opportunities not leaving space for people who do wish to overtake. Leads to 3rd vehicle (or even further behind) taking a risky, multiple & high speed manoeuvre.
I'm currently hating when tailgaters overtake me and leave no safe space between them and me, making effectively me tailgating them. That means i usually end up braking a little when they overtake, but of course that ruin the flow for people behind me. You cannot win!
I recently had to go to Wolverhampton , via Birmingham, lots of road works with 50 mph limits , I stuck to the near side lane at 50 ( the speed limit ) and was tailgated all the time by HGVs and other commercials , some were dangerously close
I get tailgated constantly. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. I usually drive the speed limit (even a 2 or 3 km over sometimes), always stick to the right lane unless actively overtaking (or giving someone room to merge) and I always keep a proper distance. Often I even get tailgated on single lane roads with other traffic in front of me. I think it's a problem with the attitude of a lot of road users unfortunately. People seem to be getting upset very quickly if they can't do the 10-20 km too fast they want to be doing and thus start bullying the person in front. Even if that person can't do anything either because they're also stuck behind other traffic. At least I'm learning how to deal with it properly thanks to you. It already affects me way less then at the start of the year, so thank you!
I haven't read the comments to see what people have been saying about dual carriageways and motorways, but I absolutely agree with other drivers who hate people who 'steal' anothers braking distance. When following a vehicle on a fast road it's always a good idea to keep a significant gap the vehicle in front, particularly in wet/slippery conditions. But then someone comes along and pulls in between you and the vehicle your following. They are either failing to plan ahead properly, so are coming back to the left lane right before their exit, or they just being one of those annoying MGIF (must get in front) drivers. I've observed drivers doing this for both of the reasons I have just mentioned.
We the wife and I travel on national roads and she's always tailgating. Even though there would be absolutely no Vehicles behind. And at speeds 80-100K 🇮🇪
Brilliant video, might actually be your best yet - really like the punchy question and answer format and the clips are well chosen and really nicely put together. Some great advice for dealing with tailgating especially staying calm - thank you!
Great vid and very helpful as always. I have to say as a fairly new driver (3 months cars/4 years motorbikes)I've found these very helpful and are definitely increasing my skill and awareness on the road.
@@radishpea6615 It's pretty obvious why. I'd like to believe any and every one of the tailgaters would try to avoid, but I can't be certain any are completely aware of anything. Not to mention the way some people get triggered over their own behaviour and take it out on everyone else. Nothing overly untoward has happened in such circumstances yet, but I don't take that as any guarantee.
@@sparkycalledmarky "It's pretty obvious why" is quite an unhelpful reply. I would have thought that being asked why, required an explanation of why, for some reason you failed to do this.
@@radishpea6615 It's blatantly obvious that slowing with someone examining your tonsils through your exhaust can be a bit tricky. You have no idea if they'll react in time, and stand to get hurt, but not slowing for the oncoming limit is against the law (having someone sitting on your backside isn't a reasonable excuse to break the law either).
@@radishpea6615 It's blatantly obvious that slowing with someone examining your tonsils through your exhaust can be a bit tricky. You have no idea if they'll react in time, and stand to get hurt, but not slowing for the oncoming limit is against the law (having someone sitting on your backside isn't a reasonable excuse to break the law either).
It’s the muppets who do it when you’re on a single lane of traffic and you’re behind someone that get on my nerves. You’ve nowhere to go and if they get passed you there still in the same queue. In that situation, I take my foot off the accelerator and slow right down until they back off.
We had a tail-gater, turned brake-checker, the result was us in a shallow ditch with a totalled car. The person who did it, drove off. It was at night, in Winter on a road with no street lamps, so they would have noticed how our lights disappeared. They got away with it because they overtook about a metre in front and immediately braked, we had no time to read a car plate. I despise tail-gaters.
I get tailgated sometimes. The reason? I'm doing the speed limit but no higher. I'm sure this is a universal experience amongst us drivers who don't have the 'speed limits are a guide' mentality.
100% with you on this!
@Captain Kidd Keep left anyway!
All speedometers have a tolerance, most trucks and some taxis have the accuracy checked every year, so might appear to be going faster than they should, despite driving at the limit, certainly on my motorbike I have a more accurate one fitted and I often pass cars in average speed zones that think they are keeping to the limit.
@@shardlake Certainly on my car, I'll be doing 70mph on the speedo, but the GPS on the sat nav says I'm actually doing 67mph
@Captain Kidd How does an HGV overtake in your scenario if they can't travel at 70 and can't use any lane other than the left lane?
About fifteen years ago I had two "boy racer's" tailgating me, so I thought, rather than let it continue, I would pull over and let them past...just before a speed camera - smile boys! I hope they enjoyed their tickets.
👍👍👍😁
You sound nice
They probably speed on that road everyday an know the cameras dont work.
@francis guessing you were one of the drivers...derp.
"if you are being tailgated regularly, there could be something your're doing that's causing this" - yes. I'm not exceeding speed limit. That's what causing this.
I do hope you are not that kind of person that will overtake other traffic with a 1 km/h difference, just to not exceed speed limits.
Tailgaters are assholes, but people who do not speed up a bit to clear traffic are not helping the flow either.
Self appointed police
@@normiedeathsquad40 bro come drive in Portsmouth 😂 you will be tailgated for the entire drive regardless if you're going half or double the speed limit
@@boblionia same anywhere south of Oxford, it's like people enjoy sitting in traffic.
@@normiedeathsquad40 too real man
I remember my instructor berating me for giving into a particularly aggressive tailgater (tesco delivery van) by pointing out that even though I'd gone over the speed limit 40mph and done 45 he now wanted us to go 50+. He said (paraphrasing him now) "Don't give into this idiot by driving like an idiot. See? He now wants you to be a bigger idiot by going twice the limit. Let him be the only idiot".
Bad instructor telling you to antagonize the people behind you by not moving over
I had a discussion with a old ass instructor who I stopped him, he actually told his Lerner driver to floor in an attempt to prevent me from overtaking him off the start of a roundabout, witch is stupid encouraging dangerous driving to a Lerner driver (in 15 years never seen anything like that)
I read many years ago about finding a 'gate guardian', that is, a driver who keeps a good distance behind you and is travelling about the same speed as you. Try to keep that car (it usually is a car) behind you for as long as possible by matching their speed. It's not easy to maintain this for very long periods but I do silently salute my gate guardians when I encounter them. I also try to be one myself.
I had one of these today on the motorway. I always really enjoy it, Isee them as being my buddy in our own little convoy. Then I was sad when I saw him pop his indicator on and exit the motorway.
all well untill some idiot pushes themselves between you and the so called "gate guardian".
@@mammadtori3964 Of course, but you can always slow down enough for them to want to pass you. Like I said, it's not an easy status to maintain.
Best scenario is when you've got one behind you, and you're doing it for someone else at the same time!
@@Bobtek That's an Ogmios state of mind, a party anyone can join.
Driving like this and always remembering that “you can’t change what other people do, only how you react to it” completely transformed my attitude to driving and general mood when I arrive. It’s not stressful as I’ve always got something I can do to help the situation so I feel in control.
The problem with the two second rule is that everyone and his dog thinks it is plenty of space to move into, creating dangerous situations.
Still safer to have that space I find, pain when someone uses your safety gap, just see it that your helping with the flow :)
Had something like this the other day. On a dual carriage way, car in inside lane doing 60, van in the outside lane doing 60.0001, me behind van at 2 seconds. BMW tailgating me. BMW undertakes and moved into my safe buffer. Was I lane-hogging? In my eyes, not really, was ready to get up to 70 if the van moved over. No doubt, others will think differently.
@@huwlewis9059 I'm with you on this, leave a safe space and there's ALWAYS someone who just piles in then inevitably has to brake due to excessive speed making you brake and we all know what happens next, the car behind brake's and the Domino effect has happened causing a massive tailback just because if one self important egotist in his/her expensive car
@@huwlewis9059 There's a difference between lane hogging and queueing to overtake.
Every damn day. Sure, I just leave another two second gap, but, you're absolutely right.
I've had my drivers license for +3 years now but I seem to like driving less and less because of experiences like this. It seems as though there's a bully around every corner. It's only you that helps me to get a clear view on things and for that I have to thank you. You are a true inspiration to so many drivers. Much appreciation from Belgium!
🙏
I've driven in Belgium for a few days and I completely understand. I'm used to drive in Spain and in the UK and there is no comparison...
@@javiTests how'd you mean?
If people can bully people from the comfort of their own home (keyboard!) it's not surprising they take that out into the street from the comfort of their little tin can!
@@misterg2201 I only drove in Belgium for a week but I found it very stressful for the same reason Koen says. Everyone is very close to you all the time, they don't leave any safety distance, you feel "pushed" all the time, etc... In Spain or in the UK you can find people like that but it's not the norm.
I had someone tailgate me, and she actually followed me into a lay-by. I adjusted my mirrors, or whatever needed doing, and could see her in my rear-view mirror. I swear she was wondering what the hell she'd just done, driving into a lay-by! She was obviously fixated on the rear of my car to the point that she mindlessly pulled over, too!
Now that's funny ! 😄
That's quite something. A shame you didn't drive into a police station car park...
Giggity…
or maybe they just had to pull over...
When someone's on my ass in the car while I'm driving I usually slam on my brakes and that does the trick cuz they need to start paying attention
A big reason it happens so much is that many drivers have no understanding of the risks/rewards of overtaking. Seems like every time I drive, someone desperately strains every muscle to overtake me like it's the most important thing in their world- only for me to be still immediately behind them 10mins later.
It's the must get in front brigade
And don’t you just love it too when they do overtake and then tuck in in front of you at 5 mph slower than you were doing in the first place?
I used to brake check tailgaters out of fury. I got into lots of road rage issues. To overcome this, and deal with this properly, I initially started to think about increasing space ahead and slowing to a manageable speed, not to infuriate them, but to ensure I could stop safely and slowly. Another trick I then employed quite a long time after, was to imagine I'm being tailgated even when not. This helps keep my cool when it happens. I now think to myself: just focus on what's ahead, and give space to stop or slow smoothly for any potential or actual hazards ahead. If they are annoyed that I slow enough to deal with what's ahead, then that's on them. I truly don't care. Perhaps if they followed from further, they would be going faster.
The closer they get the slower you go?
Probably a right lane hogger (also seems to no longer observe his surroundings from I only look forward statement)
@@leexgx ok, and judging by your reaction, you’re a tailgater
@@Keithbarber The priority is to make sure I can slow down slowly, if something happens ahead. If that means I go slower, so be it. Obviously, there is a big difference between a tailgater about half a second behind and one that's marginally less than 1.5 seconds. In short, yes but the priority is as above.
@@leexgx No, and no
The two second counting saying was "Only a fool breaks the two second rule" for me! :)
Hey Larry, we meet again! (since that video on the Renault Twizy) 😆
But when it pours, make it four!
I'm with you on that one. 👍
same here
That was the mantra in the 1970s road safety "information film". In theory, it took two seconds to say it, so you were supposed to use the phrase as your time reference, but, bananas, or even elephants works just as well. On motorways in some areas, you find double chevrons marked on the road surface. They're meant to represent two seconds at 70mph, there should never be more than one vehicle in the space between the chevrons.
I get tailgated on a very regular basis simply for obeying the speed limit. If I'm sat at 59-60 mph on a single carriageway road there's nearly always some muppet wanting to do 75 almost in my boot. I tend to end up briefly pulling into a layby to let them pass rather than let them do a dangerous overtake.
My instructor taught me to say out loud "Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule" which also takes about 2 seconds AND it rhymes.
In wet conditions add on to it”and only a Pratt gets as close as that”
I remember that from Police Camera Action, strange how things stay with you.
not breaking the speed limit tends to be a cause of idiots tailigating
I travel a lot on busy single-carriageway, NSL roads, which often means the speed limit is 50 mph by virtue of vans and trucks ahead. Even though there is absolutely nowhere to go and no way to get out of their way, people _still_ aggressively tailgate. It's a mentality. I try not to take it personally and try to imagine that they've got an important part of their anatomy trapped in their zip and are consequently somewhat distracted.
Some drivers around town travel at 30 mph by their speedometer and taking into account a built in inaccuracy they may be actually only doing 27/8 mph. Then take another driver who believes that they know the law and the fact that that speedometers are wrong and always show a higher speed than that which one is doing and they mistakenly believe that they can travel at some 5 mph faster than any posted limit. Their speedometer may show 35 mph but they don't believe that they are over the limit or that if they are then they are still within certain allowable parameters set by the police and that they will not be prosecuted for it.
So there speed though shown as 35 mph on their speedometer may be actually only be 32/3 mph. However that said and understood they are still travelling some 5 mph faster then you are and approaching your rear end and end up Tailgating. you.
In no way am I saying that the slower, legal driver is at any fault for the Tailgate. Its up to the faster driver to see what is happening ahead and that he is driving ever closer up to the rear of the vehicle in front. Its his decision as to what distance that he gives and these drivers usually get it wrong, every time. That said many other drivers get it wrong cos they know no different that's the way they were trained and that's the way they drive seeing absolutely nothing wrong in what they do. They are to blame should an accident occur and not the safer driver in front of him. So often as I drive and ride a motorcycle at the shown limit ie 30 in a 30 mph limit I know that I am doing only 27/28 tho my speedo is recording 30/31 mph.
@@judgedredd49 what a load of old waffle
@@VictorKibalchich Victor, Call it what you like but its true, Yes I am old but I have some 60 years of road going experience , 20 years in the police service, attending accidents including rear end shunts and have spent the last 20 years studying RTAs, the human factor, the law and driver training.
@@judgedredd49 it's a load of old waffle, justifying tail gating. Pathetic, especially for an ex copper.
Yep, “only a fool breaks the two second rule” for sure. I hate it and even now I’m 52 it makes me nervous. (52?? FFS, where did that go? 😂) In my younger days I have brake checked people. Nowadays I’ll slow down a bit to manage it and make more space in front of me. Some good clips you put together there Ash’, nice job 😃👍🏻
You’re just past fifty. I’m a year and two weeks off sixty!
Sonny!
Unfortunately human psychology seems to imply your not going fast enough if your not close to the car in front.
What was his name and program. That's what I use that phrase
@@tony_w839 Yeah your never too young to learn.
I had one last week. A woman in a car was tailgating me on the M8. I was in the overtaking lane so I moved back to the left to allow her to pass. She moves over too and continues to sit up my bum. So I move out again to overtake the upcoming slower vehicle. She moves out again. This happened about 5 times and I honestly started to think it was an unmarked cop following me but I hadn’t done anything wrong and she was driving like an idiot so it was unlikely. I had no choice but to ease off the accelerator in the left lane and wait until she moved out and overtook me. Eventually she did but I had to drop to under 50 for her to do it. I’m not sure what else to do in a situation like this because I don’t want people like that behind me for any length of time.
The M8, where the fun never stops. TBH she might just have been blindly following your car in front and not realised it. I have been tailgated like that on the Clyde Expressway in my learner car with plenty of room to overtake in the other lane. I think some drivers just zone in on the car in front and switch off.
Sounds like someone who'd sit along side you in lane 2 and watch the space closing between you and the truck in lane 1.... then they slow down as you do to effectively barricade you in.
Peel off at the next junction and find somewhere to stop for 5 minutes before rejoining.
@@_Steven_S I've done this several times now. Sometimes it's enough to exit and rejoin straight away (hopefully your problem will have found someone else to bug) but it never hurts to stop a few minutes if you can.
The M8 is horrendous for tailgating! Especially between junctions 1 and 6 (the "new" section on the Glasgow side has seen it decrease there, although it's obviously led to an increase in middle lane hoggers! 🤣).
It maybe doesn't help that the moving traffic on the two lane section can quickly fluctuate between 50mph and 70mph leading to bunching, but nobody wants to leave a 2 second gap. It's a horrible road to drive on!
@@ScotlandwithFraser sometimes I feel like it’s me being the middle lane hog on the M8 because even though I’m overtaking cars going slower in the left lane, there’s always an Audi up my bum trying to make me speed up to 90 so he can get by 30 seconds quicker. They don’t seem to have the patience to let me finish passing a set of vehicles to find a safe gap to move back over. As long as I’m overtaking, I’m not doing anything wrong and I always move back over if captain 2 feet from my bumper wants to pass me - but only if I’m not putting anyone (including myself) in danger by moving back to the left. I’m sure Ash would agree that’s perfectly acceptable.
In a quiz we did at work during a safe driving campaign, we discovered that, about 70% of drivers did not know the two second rule. The problem is, that most drivers have no idea at just how fast they're travelling i.e 30mph = 44ft/sec, or how long it takes to come to a stop. I used to test our drivers with a practical exercise, I would give them a speed, and then ask them to walk down the depot and stop at the point where they think their vehicle came to rest. Amazingly, more than 90% unederestimated the distance by 50%. More worryingly, as I increased the speed, the greater their underestimation got.
I always give my windscreen a wash whenever I'm being tailgated - usually when I'm doing 30 in a 30 zone - works everytime. They back off and get a free windscreen wash at the same time
Been known to do that. Some back off, some don't.
Sounds like you guys have badly adjusted washers unless aligned on purpose?
@@alanrobertson9790 No. They just deliver a powerful enough jet to wet the car behind if it's too close. Doesn't work if you've still got one of those foot-operated rubber buttons.
@@PedroConejo1939 Normally a rear screen water jet is aligned to spray your window - that's the point of it. I just wondered whether you had realigned it? Not a crime if you have - its just water.
It's particularly satisfying if the car tailgating you is a convertible with the roof down.
It's a great video. It describes the problem, explains the causes, gives solutions and tells what not to do. It's short and easy to rewatch and share with fellow motorists.
Thanks Artem 👍🏼
I'll second all of that!
my thoughts exactly :)
Yes agree, nice sensible viewing! 🙂👍👍
I really wonder why some tailgate in lane one. This happens to me when there are 3 more lanes. My crime, apparently is to drive at a reasonable speed for the conditions.
I get that in Lane 1 sometimes too. Often when the tailgater wants to take the next exit that's shortly coming up. Still no excuse for it ever.
Very timely video. Have just uploaded dashcam footage to the police of an idiot who was tailgating me and then very nearly rear ended me when I came to a gentle halt in stop go traffic. Fingers crossed they act upon the upload. They have in the past. Stay safe everyone.
Had one yesterday. He flew up behind me and sat less than a car length from my bumper at 50mph (Accelerating up to 60). He then kept backing off, flying back up and crossing the line to try an overtake (no chance, the road layout wouldn't have allowed it). He keeps doing it and I pull over to let him past. He stops behind and waits. I wave my arm to signal him to pass - he doesn't. I set back off and he continued to tailgate - I kept at the NSL. I then decreased speed down to 30 (half the NSL) but did not brake check. My intention was to avoid being rear ended at 60, and instead if I was going to be rammed I'd be only hit at a slower speed.
Once the road opened to dual carrageway he flew past and did exactly the same to the car in front which was in a queue of other cars. The tailgater literally got no where but risked so much.
I've said it before and don't really mind repeating myself; albeit the proviso being that each situation has to be individually assessed.
My "bugbear" is mainly with dual carriageways and motorways....
Instead of "nose to tail" in lanes 2 (3 and or 4 if applicable) I can happily make safe progress with zero issues in lane 1; frequently sharing with the Artics etc. Just so long as I don't encroach upon a minimum 2 second space then they, too, are happy enough when I choose to slot in. Saves a huge amount of stress and adds very little time to my journey.
To conclude - I prefer not to be a part of the problem.
Stay safe everyone 👍
Totally agree. And if you keep a safe distance behind a hgv in lane 1 then generally car and van drivers do not like to pull into that gap.
Ah yes, the "unknown secret" lane on motorways and dual carriageways. It's...wait for it folks...Lane 1, just as Graham eluded to. Lane 1 moves particularly well in heavy traffic when there is an exit coming up, since some of the vehicles in that lane will be leaving the main carriageway (as long as not queued up onto it), thus further reducing the traffic using it. However, you subsequently have to watch out for the corresponding "on ramp" coming up further ahead, where potentially many vehicles might be joining the main carriageway (though not always). In such circumstances, a well timed (and safe) lane change to Lane 2 at some appropriate time between the "off" and "on" slip roads might be in order so as to be in "the lane of least resistance". Check for filtering motorbikes too.
I do like lane 1 on the motorway....the easy lane 👌
Main reason for tailgating : the average Joe doesnt understand that It's a limit not a target. Winds me up when you see learners doing about 5 mph under (making good progress) and people ride their back end. Its just asking for trouble.
Had an arguement about this on a local speed cam alert page, when I said exactly this the guy responded "but if you can't display you can do the limit in a driving test you'll fail"
Always amuses me how people get so wound up by this and think its illegal to not go the exact limit, if that was the case tractors, HGVs and other large vehicles wouldnt be allowed on the road would they!!
The people who tailgate driving school cars are a speical case of stupid
But if youre going considerably under the speed limit for no reason. Dont be annoyed when people overtake you. Overall i dont get why people get pissed about being overtaken, is your ego really hurt that bad if someone drives faster than you or something?
@@DaveSpecC Well it depends on how much under youre going. If youre doing 50kmh on the highway, youre going to get pulled over without a doubt unless theres a blizzard
@@aok9153 Obviously Im not talking about doing 31 in a 70 😂 The people who moan about others not going the limit are usually moaning about someone doing 50mph in a 60 zone.. motorways are different but on a national limit typical A road (1 lane each way) cyclists etc are allowed.. and you should pass them with the same room you'd give a to a car, so these people are moaning just for the sake of it with no logic behind their daft views.
@@aok9153 also I don't think anyone here complained about being overtaken. I will let people pass if I'm holding them up, rather that than risk my pride and joy getting written off because some bellend thinks fast car must always go fast.
I use a rear facing camera and a 1m long LED matrix display warning tailgaters to keep their distance. I report all tailgaters.
As a retired-RGN, over the years, I got fed up of hearing the sound of mothers' wailing and gnashing of teeth when seeing their child or children killed in incidents of either speeding or another form of reckless driving, tailgating. A mother mourning the loss of her child or children is a sound you can never forget...
Literally get tailgated all the time. Yesterday, woman tailgated me while I was doing 31 in a 30 _with_ L Plates on too. I’ve had people swerve round and brake check me it’s just ridiculous really
That's how the sad minority drive now, what's the point they're trying to make, first they tailgate you then usually make a dangerous pass only to slam the brake's on🤔🤔🤔🤔
Stop speeding 😂
@@chrissambrook84 sorry Chris, the 1.0 ecoboost fiesta is an absolute weapon! Can’t help it, just speeds up so fast
I'm always getting tailgated when driving the speed limit on a 20mph road. Nearly everyone speeds on it and it can feel pressuring 😫 but it's there for a reason
20mph is ridiculously low in most circumstances
Left lane
@@PointNemo9 To YOU
@@IM-qy7mf To 99% of drivers.
I'm from Wales and no, it isn't really there for a reason, apart from idiot council people and politicians. Where I'm from there are a group of idiots with big exhausts, popping and banging, who regularly do 50+ on the main road in a 30 zone. People complained of speeding on the road and asked that something should be done. So what did they do? Make it a 20! On the main road! It did nothing to address the actual problem, just caused huge issues for everyone else, should someone actually decide to stick to that 20mph. Most people now just (rightly) ignore it and drive at 30.
I drive a small 1.0L car and I sometimes get tailgaited on 30mph roads by large SUVs
in most of the US, if a person gets in a rear end crash, they will automatically be cited for following too close, and found at-fault for the crash. and if they try to defend, the judge's response will be "if you weren't following too close, you would have been able to stop in time."
I got tailgated by a convertible the other day - so I started spraying screen wash and washing my windshield and rear window for 10 seconds straight. I’m sure they enjoyed the free bath.
There is sometimes 4th type of tailgating - unexpected tailgating.
You are doing speed limit (for me it's 130 km/h on highway), keeping your distance and suddenly someone from the other lane merges into that space. Then you can either hit the brakes to keep the distance but possibly endanger people behind you if they aren't at safe distance or you could release the gas pedal and if the other driver is too slow you'll catch up to him/her with your inertia if their overtake takes too long. And bonus point if the driver goes barely faster than HGV they are overtaking and other car behind me locks me between them and lorry in the other lane with no escape and forced tailgating.
You can always gently ease off to increase the gap back to a safe distance.
I've had people pull into my stopping distance on a normal 60mph road, so it's not just a multi-lane thing.
This is an old example, but a Lamborghini behind me on a gradual left-hand bend (so no forward visibility when committing to the overtake) decides to overtake a queue of traffic going 60mph. It goes to overtake, and sees an oncoming car. Rather than slow down and drop back behind me, it speeds up and pulls in front of me and slams on their brakes, as now they're too close to the car in front, who is also braking.
The brakes on my mum's old Micra weren't as high performance as the Lamborghini's, so I was in real danger of driving into the back of them.
A 5th type is if you want to get within 1 second to get DRS.
@@jackw7714 *Formula 1 reference I just learned earlier today
I'd say that's not tailgating, as it's only a temporary situation that you're hopefully going to resolve as soon as it's safe to do so. It's only tailgating if you maintain the same gap rather than easing off to create space.
The main reason I'll get tailgated is if I'm on a single carriageway and I'm behind a big van - I absolutely hate not being able to see the brake lights of vehicles up ahead and leave a big space between myself and the van.
Yes, people don't seem to realise that you are allowed to look through cars and react to brake lights several cars down the line in traffic... in fact its safer than reacting purely to the car in front
That's why you back off and keep distance. This is something lorry drivers have to put up with.
My Dad used to be one of those “I’m doing the speed limit, none shall pass” drivers. Hated going on long journeys with him. It took a bollocking from a Traffic Officer mate to get him to stop. I use his example as one of many ‘how not to drive’ pointers.
I recently followed a tailgater in a long stream of traffic. The irony was not lost on me when we all slowed for a roundabout and I read the sticker on the back of his car; 'the closer you get the slower I go'.
I have to honest Ashley, since discovering your channel I have thought a great deal more about my driving. I've been driving for over forty years, been a motorcycle instructor in the past, and hold a professional racing licence, I have finally learnt to think twice before I react. Even though I've never had a crash in all that time, lady luck has played a significant part!!! I've always considered myself a very good driver, but when someone has done something stupid, I've taken it personally. Wow what a wake up call to realise more often than not, they are just either not paying attention, or are just crap drivers. I have found driving so much more relaxing by not getting involved with having to get my own back. Thank you for the great service you are doing. I recommend everyone I know to watch your channel.
I always tell myself when driving that there is one destination that we will all arrive at and that I am in no hurry to get there. I am of course referring to the cemetery.
When I was learning, my instructor told me to slow down a touch to lessen the danger since it's about the only thing you have the power to do. In practice it seems to show the tailgater that you're not going to go faster than you're comfortable and they hold back a bit. When they do that I just increase speed again.
Just my personal experience and of course not every tailgater can be manipulated into giving you space.
I miss my old Austin 1300 with it's reversing lights that were controlled by a pull switch on the dash. Nothing scares a tailgater like the car in front's reversing lights coming on ;)
my brother has used his rear fog lights on tailgaters, and that backs them off, after a while.
Tailgating is so common on our roads and yet SO easily avoidable. I know it sounds very obvious but it's simply down to the amount of pressure the driver exerts with their right foot on the accelerator pedal! All that is required is to apply the right amount of pressure with your right foot so you are a min 2 seconds following distance in dry weather and min 4 seconds in the wet. That's it, nothing more. No complex technique or technology required and yet so many drivers fail with such a simple task. Similar with keeping within the speed limit / driving at an appropriate speed to the conditions - simply by applying the right amount of pressure with the right foot. I also don't really understand how anyone can feel "comfortable" tailgating the vehicle in front.
I wholeheartedly agree with this video. Personally for me tailgating is more of a problem in built up areas where there is a 30mph limit and especially in areas where the limit drops to 20mph. I have actually confronted people who do this in these areas and their reply is always the same - they don’t know they are doing it. Oblivious. But your right we can’t change their driving only our own.
I live in Bristol and the speed limit across the city is 20mph. As you can imagine tailgating occurs on every single journey I make.
Fortunately, you are travelling no more than 20mph.
Same here in Edinburgh, despite the fact that the 20mph limit is painted on the road surface every 100 meters and with repeater speed limit signs on about half the lamp posts. "But it was 30mph years ago and that's what I'm used to"
There's a straight road called Briscoe Lane in north Manchester half a mile long past a disused abbatoir and cemetery no houses or schools and a six foot wall either side for half of it and some small units, the speed limit is 20mph just in case there's any ghost cattle crossing or anyone jumping out of their graves and doing a runner !
There is a common myth going around that the 20mph limit cannot be enforced, if there is adequate signage that is not the case, the offence only states excess speed.
Merely driving to the speed limit is often sufficient to trigger someone into tailgating I find. If only there were enough traffic officers to give habitual perpetrators the fine and points it would take to stop them, before a crash does.
One extra Do Not, Do Not give the finger (or any hand sign) when/if they eventually overtake - this will antagonise them and may lead to them brake checking you, and the situation may escalate towards being out of control. Example from my own experience, I have learnt, and continue to learn following Ashley's videos.
Yep, in my younger days I did this to a car that nearly hit my off my bike. The car then stopped ahead of me and booked the street. A large guy got out and ran at me with fists. I held the bike up between us to protect myself until he calmed down. I have mellowed a lot since then and surprise surprise no one has taken a swing at me since!
I’ll admit I’ve been a tailgater before, why? I don’t know :’) I was a typical idiot in a BMW :’) but I’ve learned through different situations (and a fine with 3 points) that it’s just not worth it and won’t get you to your destination any faster. Don’t be a dick, be kind and drive safely.
haha, good job on working on yourself mate. we all make mistakes - I've been prone to tailgating too.
@@lauradavis9344 Oh yeah some personal development definitely happened haha, good to know I’m not the only one who can put my hands up and say “I f**ked up”
Nice to see someone who can admit their mistakes so respect to you!
It's also happens when you have to make a 90 degree turn onto a tight road whitch might have a hazard blocking your entry e.g. ( cars parked on either side and only one car can fit down the road and you have to slow right down to about 5mph or even come to a stop in order to turn because off blind corner or hazards blocking your entry to the road and even when you slow down safely the tailgater still going about 30mph behind you and dont even bother to slow down. And nearly rear end you or they zoom past you overtaking last second.
I was taught (by an ex police driver) that to get the tailgater to drop back; move your left foot over and touch the brake peddle enough to illuminate the stop lights, but don't apply the brake. It unnerves them and they do drop back.
I should add that I do this only where I can't give way, because you are always safer once they are in front of you.
Whenever I get tailgated, I just carry on as normal, just with a lot more mirror checks so I know where they are; I also increase distance as much as I reasonably can. Great video Ashley!
There's tailgating then unintentional tailgating. Entering a busy roundabout it's almost impossible to keep to the Two Second Rule. Then entering a busy free flowing motorway/ dual carriageway if you were to obay the TSR you would have to wait for around a 4 sec plus gap to move in, and 8 secs in wet conditions. Some rules have to be broken.
I first got a driving license in 1977 ...
I have worked out how to deal with tailgaters. I keep well back from the vehicle in front - just as you say, - and if the tailgater is very aggressive actually take the next left, turn round and get back on the original route, but by then the tailgater is bullying someone else.
I have always been an extremely cautious driver, and I am amazed at the the general standard of driving. Some people think they are just so great at driving. I have always known my own limitations, and been careful as a result. I am not a brave driver!
Love your videos. Best wishes from George
my company has a 2018 vauxhall astra , on the dash it gives the following distance on one of the modes. amazing feature in my opinion
My biggest problem with tailgating here in the UK happens on smaller and medium sized A-roads. Especially during the hours of darkness.
On dual carriageways and motorways, its generally pretty easy to avoid the problem by paying close attention to your pace and that of the traffic around you. Don't spend any more time in the centre or right lane than necessary.
That's not really an option on single-lane A-roads. On an unfamiliar A-road, and especially at night, and during times of reduced visibility and traction, maintaining the national speed limit of 60mph isn't always a wise decision. And yet inevitably you'll find yourself being approached, at a very high closure rate, by some person intent on getting to their destination as fast as absolutely possible. The following vehicle's headlights loom ever larger in your mirrors, further adding to the visibility challenges. In rural areas there aren't roundabouts to go around, the shoulder areas are narrow to nonexistent. The best you can hope for is a lay-by or other area to safely pull over to let the tailgater past. But, again, unless you are intimately familiar with the road, you often have little advance notice that the lay-by is approaching.
Tailgaters on British A roads, at night and in bad weather, are an absolute menace. And Ill admit that, even after more than forty years of accident-free motoring, they occasionally make my drive home very unpleasant and needlessly stressful.
I have a friend who always drives to close the the cars in front especially on dual carriage ways and motorways and when I asked why he said "if I leave a gap, someone will pull out of the inside lane and slow me down". I always offer to drive when I go out with him.
2:35 I love the way the innocent have their number plates exposed, but the idiots are blurred.
It's a common occurrence on this channel. It reminds me of the "I didn't hit you" idiot viewer.
Very unlikely that anyone would want reprisals against bystanders. Pretty obvious when you think about it.
On a speed awareness course, a while back, the subject of tailgating came up. The instructor said: "what's a roundabout for? You go in, go round twice, and then you can tailgate him". It was tongue-in-cheek, but it got a laugh...
It’s the 50 mph speed limits, in roadworks on motorways that scare me. It’s really not nice, having an articulated lorry, just a few feet from your bumper. And I ALWAYS keep left if I’m not overtaking another vehicle.
Do you have a GPS app on your phone or a physical GPS? I tend to go through roadworks at 51-52mph on the GPS, which usually means I'm either going the same speed or a little faster than lorries. You won't get a ticket at that speed and it usually means you'll be one of the fastest vehicles on the road! You can get one GPS app which shows your speed in big numbers making it easy to glance at.
A lot of tailgating happens in traffic on multi lane roads in response to some drivers who lane hop and push in. Leaving space in traffic is vital, but because of pushy, queue jumpers people often bunch up to try and stop it. Hard to know how to deal with this, people will see a gap into moving traffic and take it and the British queue etiquette is very important to some other people.
My problem has always been that I leave the correct distance and some moron always sees it as an excuse to dive into the space as I’m not tailgating the car infront. That’s how accidents happen, people waiting until the last minute to cut in and using a tiny space to do so, causing me to brake sharply.
Sorry, if you are at least the correct distance behind a vehicle, how is the distance in front a tiny space? Ashley has some excellent videos on planning, driving next to an empty space. I'm not perfect and still make mistakes, but keep learning. Having been driving for over 50 yrs I have made some **** mistakes, pre dash-cam era.
I think these days Ashley tailgating is a legal requirement of Audi ownership if I am not mistaken!
Don't forget cutting round corners whilst gunning it. Gotta let people know you're an audi driver!!!
@@cupofcustard Of course and lets not forget the Audi retina burning unnecessary daylight running lights 3 feet behind you !
Some great defensive driving tips there. I hold my hands up and say I don't always deal with tailgaters as calmly as I should - mostly because I find that sort of arrogance and self entitlement makes my blood boil. But you're right, it's not worth letting it get the better of me or impairing my driving.
I hate tailgating. I now have a rear dash cam that has a LED that flashes on and off when recording. If someone was travelling close enough they would see it and know there's a dash cam recording them. It'll be interesting to see if more people will now keep their distance when they know they're being recorded. The dash cam allows you to switch the light off as I presume not everyone would want to draw attention to themselves, but I now always keep it on.
Have you got the model please? Ive wanted something like this.
My rear cam doesn't stop me from being tailgated. Always fix the problem yourself!
@@ashley_neal Not sure I fully understand your comment - I can't fix a problem I didn't create? Say i'm in the left lane, driving at the speed limit, keeping plenty of distance between me and the vehicle in front, but the car behind is still tailgating me? This is the usual situation I encounter tailgating. I'd say the problem should be fixed by the person behind who is responsible for it. At least I will have evidence on video in case an accident occurs. And the comment about the light isn't to say it will prevent tailgating completely, but it will make people who do it more aware they are being filmed, which from a psychological perspective I think makes *some* people more aware of their behaviour, the same way clearly placed CCTV and body cams do.
@@Ste Ash’s video is about how to deal with tailgating. We all agree that the person following shouldn’t be doing it and should fix it but what else can you do to help the situation when someone decides to tailgate. These are all the ‘Do’ points in the video. I think that’s what he’s getting at. Just saying it’s their fault, although true, won’t prevent an accident even if they’re at fault.
I feel loads better with a tailgater knowing I’m looking far ahead, slowing for hazards more progressively by anticipating and leaving more room to the car ahead expecting them to overtake at a dangerous time. It’s like towing haha.
You can’t control what other people do, only how you react to it. If you’ve looked at your driving and you’re doing nothing wrong to cause it then following these tips will hopefully prevent them crashing into you.
If your light works, great. Sometimes people need a reminder that they’re too close and that’s all but it probably won’t fix everyone. :-)
@@Ste The ones behind are clearly bad drivers, as if they would fix the problem even if they "should do" as you say, so get proactive by letting them past, what ever else Ashley said etc.
Another great video Ashley - i got tailgated on a dual carriage way recently so I slowed slightly - I was coming up on a merge junction with a car on the off ramp - I slowed more to allow the other driver to merge - Bully tailgater got pissed and went to overtake me without realising the merging car had just entered the outside lane - Captain Tailgater rear ended Missus Merger sending her into a spin - I could see it happening in slow motion and accelerated hard to get out of danger ! There was a pair of them in it - Fixated Tailgater meets Poor Merger!
I like the breakdown of the 3 categories.
Not everyone tailgating is an asshole, but a lot of people do need to learn how to properly follow in traffic.
Excellent analysis and advise.
The worst tailgatters, those that approach to within a few feet of the rear bumper demonstrate the very worst of human (mostly male) traits, the desire to get what they want by bullying and intimidation, people who do this are not fit to hold a licence.
I get tailgated all the time because I have the audacity to drive at the speed limit of the vehicle. It, being a van, is restricted. Sadly, so many drivers don't know the law, have the brains of a rocking horse and ultimately don't understand the dangers.
The speed limit "don't" is not particularly helpful in and of itself. Driving under the limit can actually be a good solution, provided there is an opportunity to overtake. Furthermore, if you want more space in front of you, you are going to need to accelerate slower and/or slow down early, which means you will probably be driving under the limit. So DO drive under the limit if this helps to fix the situation, and DON'T if it would only serve to extend the duration of the dangerous situation.
It's annoying when someone overtakes me then moves into the space I've made between me and the car in front. I'm then forced to either tailgate them, or slow down a bit to allow the space to open up again. It's often the case that the overtaking car is barely going any faster than I am.
A lot of people think like this but in reality you slow down to restore the gap ahead of you. Then you return to your original speed and follow the new vehicle at the same speed you were going. All that has really happened it that you are a few yards further back than you would have otherwise been which will be made up in normal traffic situations later in the journey.
This commonly happens to driving school vehicles. Just fix it if it happens!
Some people seem to just dive back to the left right in front of you. I always think my overtaking and move back to the left should not force others to slow down. Alas many people don’t follow this precept and and unfortunately the only way out is to gently reduce speed to maintain a suitable gap. It’s annoying to go back down to 65 because someone can’t spend an extra few seconds in the outside lane to clearly pass you. But, hey, it’s pretty much what I’ve come to expect.
my daily is a vehicle that people perceive to be slow, so they invariably shatter the speed limit to pass me on an upgrade, as I run up the hill AT the speed limit. and then ride their brakes all the way down the other side at about ten less than the speed limit while I chafe behind them, because I'm being forced to ride my own brakes instead of just letting my engine hold me to the speed limit.
@@kenbrown2808 just overtake them again.
I usually deal with tailgaters by using my windscreen washers. I find it to be a quite effective non-aggressive way of just giving them a gentle wake-up call. They usually ease off instinctively.
Leaving space gives you time to react to adjusting your course to avoid potholes and debris as well as giving you a better chance of changing lane when buses are stopping at bus stops.
When cycling I often notice the ones who close-pass me then go right up to the car in front of me to tailgate. The nice car that passed me safely then gets the anti-social driver on their tail who just close-passed me! This is category 1 you described, they really are bullies and anti-social on our roads. Great advice not to counter-react to them and keep eyes on the road ahead. Thanks, Ash.
Great video Ash. "Only a fool, breaks the two second rule" was what they used to say! That and "clunk click every trip!" Just a couple of oldies my grandad taught me when he taught me to drive back in 2006. ❤
I was initially resistant to getting a P plate because a friend warned me you might get ppl road raging at you for having a P plate, but it actually worked a treat when I had to drive on the motorway to drop mum off at the airport. There was a rather healthy distance between me and the person behind :D. If you are worried about tailgating, pop a P plate on. There is no term limit to how long ago you got your license to display a P plate.
You may have gotten slightly lucky or just didn't encounter any bullies. I've seen P plates get tailgated before, probably because P plates are less confident and an easy target. They're not bullied as much as L plates but I've definitely seen it happen
@@David_Trowbridge oh I still get tailgated, but less than I have been without.
I get tailgated often. There’s a series of roundabouts in my area and I recently thought I’d lost a tailgator until I saw them in my wing mirror at the next roundabout. They were that close! I drive a van without rear mirror.
There's another type of tailgater: the hypermiler. They usually tailgate larger vehicles like vans and lorries, using the vehicle in front to create a hole in the air so they get better fuel efficiency. But any vehicle will do in a pinch. This may seem admirable but can be very dangerous as they are usually so close that they are concealed from the mirrors of the van or lorry. And, of course, have much less time to react.
You'll see a lot more of this due to the current fuel situation 🤣
Great advice. I find driving an expensive, mind-wearing chore and am always happy to stick to speed limits to reduce the cost to wallet and nerves. Inevitably, I attract plenty of idiotic tailgaters and I find it difficult not to be distracted by them - which is a danger in itself. Often opening up a bigger gap in front worsens their behaviour even though you are keeping pace with those in front. Ironically when I’m teaching my now very competent son and the car is wearing L-plates we see much more respect - although there are still (even more idiotic) exceptions.
So true! It's so annoying...🫤 but yes, just do what's right..🙂👍👍
Hi Ashley , in my opinion you are by far the greatest Driving Instructor i follow..,..I know you mean well but i wish to say there are some very bad tail gaters out there who put other peoples lives in harms way , they also dont care about theirselves...I usually find its the same people...BMW drivers , mercedez or high powered cars..,...I doubt most people can check their own driving regarding tailgating but i know you are right when you say "there is always room for improvement"...Just my opiniin in Birmingham where people tailgate a lot...Great video from a top drawer Driving Instructor...Awesome 😎 x
"It's never a problem to be further back than you need." I think we need this on a bumper sticker.
Yes!!
It's a laudable aim to encourage people to drive defensively and not to retaliate - but it puts the onus on the safer, more law-abiding drivers to deal the challenge and stress involved in situations like this, not the ones creating the problem in the first place. In my experience tailgating has become commonplace and normalised because there is an absence of law-enforcement: the drivers who tailgate are rarely if ever sanctioned, and so the aggressive and inattentive drivers carry on as usual. You're right that we are not self-appointed police officers, but where are the real ones, who out there is protecting our interests?
I'm really glad that they are bringing back Space Invaders. My favourite game of the eighties. I tried to stop at services so I could have a go during breaks. This was before I had a home computer. I see how the term is being used here and it does make a lot of sense. I must admit I fall into both categories although I am much more likely to give space as I have got older. There is only one issue; impatience. However, there are many outcomes and they are all different degrees of bad. Great video Ash, thanks.
There was one occasion where I was being tailgated on a single carriageway heading to a roundabout. They can't have been more than 50cm behind me. There was nowhere to pull off, they didn't seem interested in doing things safely, and I was in no way confident about taking a roundabout at 30mph. As I couldn't safely reduce speed, in desperation, I put on my screen jets so that they might realise from the couple of droplets how close they were. Luckily it worked and I was able to go around the roundabout safely, though faster than I wanted, and they went a different way than me at the lights that were a short way after, though they accelerated like they were in a formula 1 race.
Move slightly more to one side in your lane to enhance the view of the situation ahead for the driver behind to assess why your doing the speed your doing.
Tailgaiting is so common. My brake pedal has a little freeplay where it will trigger the brake lights but not slow down. I use it to communicate if someone is up way too close. I don’t slow down during it but just 3 quick flashes.
I was driving on a country lane in Hampshire yesterday and went down a bendy 1 in 10 decline. There was a serious tailgater behind me - the sort where you cannot see their number plate in your rear mirror because they are so close. I saw a car park ahead on left, indicated in good time and turned to get them off my back. Driver wasn’t young nor were they driving a sporty German car. My speed was appropriate for road conditions.
I had a tailgater today. I moved over to let them pass then switched my lights on and stopped them down the road ;)
on a road with speed limit 80km/h, it's a minimum of 300 euro, when you are within 3 meters distance, it becomes 460 euro
on a road with speed limit 100 to 130km/h it's 650 euro regardless of distance ( the 2 second rule applies, it's the minimum safe distance where you are able to react and stop in time)
i'm from the Netherlands :)
If only the police would actually do something about it. I also live in the Netherlands l, but I rarely see police on the road and have never seen anyone actually being pulled over. It feels like half the people on the road get way too close, but nothing gets done about it.
@@raymondbenjamins5884 the 100km/h down from 130km/h maximum speed on the highways has made this worse in my opinion.
I've not seen many police cars on the highway at all, but they're there also undercover.
Nothing is too big of a word, but i agree to the point where not enough is done.
@@AwoudeX Oh, absolutely, the speed limit decrease certainly hasn't helped. But it doesn't just happen on the highways. If anything, the problem is worse on country roads, where there often isn't any space to overtake.
@@raymondbenjamins5884 Tailgaters really should be punished more often because of how dangerous it is. People even ride each others bumper at highway speeds which is insane to me
But instead of that they go after people who break the speed limit by a bit....................
Well covered.
Another issue of vehicles travelling too close (on open two way roads) is it can create dangerous overtaking.....
Someone travelling along at a slow/own pace (not a problem), but vehicle(s) following closely behind are the problem....not wishing to or taking overtaking opportunities not leaving space for people who do wish to overtake. Leads to 3rd vehicle (or even further behind) taking a risky, multiple & high speed manoeuvre.
I'm currently hating when tailgaters overtake me and leave no safe space between them and me, making effectively me tailgating them. That means i usually end up braking a little when they overtake, but of course that ruin the flow for people behind me. You cannot win!
You win each time you have a safe journey.
I know what you mean. They swerve around you and then get really close in front of you. I think they're trying to intimidate.
I recently had to go to Wolverhampton , via Birmingham, lots of road works with 50 mph limits , I stuck to the near side lane at 50 ( the speed limit ) and was tailgated all the time by HGVs and other commercials , some were dangerously close
I get tailgated constantly. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong. I usually drive the speed limit (even a 2 or 3 km over sometimes), always stick to the right lane unless actively overtaking (or giving someone room to merge) and I always keep a proper distance. Often I even get tailgated on single lane roads with other traffic in front of me.
I think it's a problem with the attitude of a lot of road users unfortunately. People seem to be getting upset very quickly if they can't do the 10-20 km too fast they want to be doing and thus start bullying the person in front. Even if that person can't do anything either because they're also stuck behind other traffic.
At least I'm learning how to deal with it properly thanks to you. It already affects me way less then at the start of the year, so thank you!
I haven't read the comments to see what people have been saying about dual carriageways and motorways, but I absolutely agree with other drivers who hate people who 'steal' anothers braking distance.
When following a vehicle on a fast road it's always a good idea to keep a significant gap the vehicle in front, particularly in wet/slippery conditions. But then someone comes along and pulls in between you and the vehicle your following. They are either failing to plan ahead properly, so are coming back to the left lane right before their exit, or they just being one of those annoying MGIF (must get in front) drivers. I've observed drivers doing this for both of the reasons I have just mentioned.
We the wife and I travel on national roads and she's always tailgating.
Even though there would be absolutely no Vehicles behind. And at speeds 80-100K
🇮🇪
I had someone one day last week right up behind me flashing their headlights I just ignored them so frustrating though
Brilliant video, might actually be your best yet - really like the punchy question and answer format and the clips are well chosen and really nicely put together. Some great advice for dealing with tailgating especially staying calm - thank you!
Great vid and very helpful as always. I have to say as a fairly new driver (3 months cars/4 years motorbikes)I've found these very helpful and are definitely increasing my skill and awareness on the road.
GREAT! I've been waiting for this video since I subscribed to your channel! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!
The worst time to be tailgated IMO is on the approach to a reduction in the speed limit. Less options all around.
why? Either slow early or brake when you are close to the reduced speed limit, they will brake to avoid you :)
@@radishpea6615 It's pretty obvious why.
I'd like to believe any and every one of the tailgaters would try to avoid, but I can't be certain any are completely aware of anything. Not to mention the way some people get triggered over their own behaviour and take it out on everyone else.
Nothing overly untoward has happened in such circumstances yet, but I don't take that as any guarantee.
@@sparkycalledmarky "It's pretty obvious why" is quite an unhelpful reply. I would have thought that being asked why, required an explanation of why, for some reason you failed to do this.
@@radishpea6615 It's blatantly obvious that slowing with someone examining your tonsils through your exhaust can be a bit tricky. You have no idea if they'll react in time, and stand to get hurt, but not slowing for the oncoming limit is against the law (having someone sitting on your backside isn't a reasonable excuse to break the law either).
@@radishpea6615 It's blatantly obvious that slowing with someone examining your tonsils through your exhaust can be a bit tricky. You have no idea if they'll react in time, and stand to get hurt, but not slowing for the oncoming limit is against the law (having someone sitting on your backside isn't a reasonable excuse to break the law either).
Some very good points to take on-board - on my end this will be very helpful for those moments when I am being tailgated.
Good talk. I like it when you do the "do's"..
It’s the muppets who do it when you’re on a single lane of traffic and you’re behind someone that get on my nerves. You’ve nowhere to go and if they get passed you there still in the same queue. In that situation, I take my foot off the accelerator and slow right down until they back off.
We had a tail-gater, turned brake-checker, the result was us in a shallow ditch with a totalled car.
The person who did it, drove off. It was at night, in Winter on a road with no street lamps, so they would have noticed how our lights disappeared. They got away with it because they overtook about a metre in front and immediately braked, we had no time to read a car plate.
I despise tail-gaters.