How do you handle EXTREME tailgaters?

[KITT222]

My rear bumper is like a magnet to tailgaters, and I drive mostly in town. I see them in my rearview, and just shake my head and focus. I know if they hit me after an accident it is their fault since they weren't maintaining a safe following distance, which I do with the vehicle in front of me. It leaves me susceptible to people merging though, but I correct properly. 3-sec interval between cars AT LEAST. I always have an escape plan ready in case it all hits the fan, and the jerk won't get off my rear. But for those tailgaters, I just let them be. I kinda enjoy ticking them off by properly stopping at stop signs. And when I'm slowing down way before a light I just think to myself "Hey... Hey, buddy, I'm saving you money and gas. YOU'RE WELCOME." But when proper time comes I think I'll have something ready. Like maybe a toy water baby filled with red jam would fly out of my window, or a (biodegradable) paper bag with some pudding, or even something that would look like a guy tied up in a bag would pop up in my rear window, and scare them. Something creative.

[bestclimb]

To do things to farther aggravate a tailgater gives them rationale for their poor behavior. Flashers, pull aside and let them go along their way, and slow down a bit. They assume that my car is not running properly and go about their pissed off day, leaving me to blissfully drive on.

[texanidiot25]

Downshift into 2nd, or 1st if I'm really motivated to lose speed.

Usually a 4in square steel bumper gets the message across, however. Alliteratively I can slam the choke shut and floor it. Let the exhaust smell atrocious, it's worked quite a few times.

In the CRX I'd downshift into second, shut off the motor and start pumping the gas. The carb would dump enough fuel into the hot exhaust that it'd violently backfire and release a sweet cloud of smoke from it too. Or, I'd just rev it up over 5,000 rpm at which the piston rings would let it burn oil. Did that at a stop light where a squid kept being a prick.

[Frank Lee]

Amazing how much control they have over you!

[texanidiot25]

Au contraire, it is I who has control if I'm challenging them to a braking contest.

[vacationtime247]

Always wanted to design a rear mounted fluid squirter. Except, they'd be getting a dose of liquid Aircraft Stripper all over their hood. They wouldn't think a thing about it if the paint solvent didn't land on their windshield. No amount of buffing and waxing gonna take that out!
Depends on what kind of jerk I'm dealing with on how they get treated. Here's what I typically do:

1. The guy who pulls up, tailgaiting, waiting for traffic to pass so he can get by. Ok, I'll continue my current speed and allow him to pass by pulling to the right of the road. So he can see around and get by.

2. The idiot who won't pass, but insists on tailgaiting you, driving stupid. Sit back and enjoy the ride because I can be a real prick. It's 5 mph under the limit and I don't care if its a 30 mph zone. Instead of timing lights to get through, we're stopping if possible. Typically, even the worst tailgater will go around.

3. Everyone is in a line of traffic. Stacked 5-7 deep, you're the 3rd or 4th car back. Driver comes up so fast and close to your bumper you can smell his breath. Flashing his lights, moving to the left to try and see around. It will take a while to pass that semi on the right. What really drives 'em nuts is slowing down when you get to the cab area. Get your cell phone and pretend to be engrossed in conversation. Ignore every stupid gesture and move they make. Then, after 3-5 minutes of 'talking' go ahead and get over. Trust me, they will not be happy.
VT247

Originally Posted by ShadeTreeMech

As have I, but in the spirit of good will, washer fluid is I think the best deterant. Heck, how would an officer of the law see a problem with it? THose washer fluid pumps have about what, 2 psi? You have to be awfully close to hit anyone with the fluid, or moving along pretty well.

(But secretly, I'd have preferred it to be deer piss or some such smelly concoction.......)

[vacationtime247]

Cool Jeep. Had one for a few years and it was a great vehicle. Almost think it was over optioned though. Dual front heated seats, a/c, ps, pb, 4 spd, quadra-trac ft awd, electric power side mirrors, electric windows, electric door locks, sunroof, overhead display, information center in front of the shifter, fog lights, automatic lights, ABS, rear window defrost, rear window wiper, cruise, wiper delay, towing package, etc. Mine was a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 318 engine. Awsome that yours has the 360.
VT247

Originally Posted by comptiger5000

I had some idiot in a Subaru wagon tailgating me about 10 feet back at night in a near whiteout blizzard last week. I tapped the brakes a couple times to tell him to "back off", after which he tried to pass me on the wrong side of the road, despite me just having flipped on a left turn signal, as I was coming up to my turn-off. I laid on the horn, causing him to drop back in behind me. Being that he decided to turn after me, I took the turn kinda fast (in a mild drift) to get some space between us.

He caught back up right after though, so I just bailed down the first side street, turned around and continued (now a bit behind him). He went ripping off, and I saw him pulled over farther ahead, just off-campus. Not sure what happened, nor did I care at the time.

People like this piss me off bigtime, especially when they show no signs of backing off, nor do they understand that they're being really, really stupid. If I'd been on something other than straight roads, I could have easily lost him (I had a good bit of grip, and do pretty well with drifting corners to avoid understeer). He came up behind me pretty fast too.

[endurance]

I just pull over, roll down my window and handle it like an adult/gentleman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zaac9Jmenk

[99metro]

After two years this thread is still going!

So what has changed since I started this thread? I play my piano and sing my little songs, sip coffee and just do my thing. A vehicle, they say, is an extension of one's personality. So if they are being an a-hole by tailgating, then that is what THEY are. I am not going to be the same by changing my driving habits to reflect what the guy behind me wants me to drive.

I stay near the center or to the left of the lane I'm in til the car/truck approaches. I then make a purposeful but smooth move over to the fog line, flashers on, and maintain my hypermiling (more or less). I don't get charged up anymore if they pass in no passing zones, or worry that I was nearly killed when they use 3 feet of my lane when passing. There isn't going to be anything I can do about it anyway. I don't flip anyone off, nor do I give any dirty looks. I WILL most likely catch up with them at the next red light or train crossing.

If you can maintain your cool, resist the temptation for a brake check, and not instigate road rage or confrontation, then you are a better person for it. If they "don't get it" when you use flashers/hug the fog line, assume they are either inexperienced or just plain stupid; so don't expect them to react rationally about ANYTHING. Be an example of a good responsible driver. Let the cops take care of them down the road. I have witnessed this at least twice from folks passing me 80 in a 55 and/or passing in no passing zones. Quite the satisfaction. IMHO.

[Frank Lee]

^Ha Ha, YEP! Having someone blow your doors off like you're standing still only to be passed by you again a few miles down the road when they are pulled over for a friendly chat with lawr enforcement always puts a smile on my face!