Safe Speed Forums

The following IAM PR issued on Friday:

DON’T TAKE ON THAT TAILGATER

Issued: Friday 24 February

Drivers who “tailgate” – drive too close to the car in front – are a menace.

They probably don’t realise how intimidating their habit is. The most benign interpretation is that they are simply trying to indicate to the guy in front that they want to get past. That’s all very well, if the person in front
has somewhere to go – but that isn’t always possible. Other lanes may be busy too, and it isn’t always an option to remove yourself instantly from the path of the tailgater.

Yet statistics tell us the single most common crash in the UK is the classic rear end shunt. So what can we do to avoid it?

The easiest thing to do is remove ourselves from the problem. Aim to change lanes on the motorway or dual carriageway, but only when it is safe to do so. Clearly indicate your intention to pull over. That way you
can let the tailgater get past you, even if he or she is driving too fast for the conditions and/or breaking the speed limit.

Don’t be tempted to impose the speed limit on somebody who is clearly hell bent on breaking it.
And if you choose not to let the tailgater past, there is a danger that he will try to “undertake” you, posing an additional risk for other road users.

We are often asked what can you do if you’re being tailgated in a 30mph zone on a single carriageway?

Pulling over here may not be practical either. But do not be intimidated into speeding up just because somebody is right on your back bumper. Instead, create an additional stopping distance between you and the
vehicle in front so that you when you do brake, you can do so smoothly. Think of yourself as adding a little “buffer” zone for the tailgater, whether he appreciates it or not.

When the time comes to brake, you can do so gently, giving a clear signal of your intention via your stop lights. The more time your stop lights are on, the more time the tailgater has to register that and pull back.

ENDS

It's good as far as it goes, but I wish they'd found the space to go a bit further - closer to the comprehensive advice that Safe Speed offers: http://www.safespeed.org.uk/tailgate.html

I'd especially have liked to seen mentions of:

* lowering stress
* choosing a rearguard

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I think any more and you would lose the interest of the average motorist.


I think that is inferred, it could have been explicitly stated but again you run the risk of making the whole thing too long and losing the audience.


This is beyond the comprehension of at least 75% of the motoring population. It's fine for IAM members and the small percentage with a genuine interest in driving (as opposed to just getting around). Those who would visit the Sapespeed website (and read more than the front page) would probably be in the right group.

I think the IAM (for a change ) has got it spot on.

Would have been nice to see a critism of low policing levels and the resultant failure to remove this hazard from the roads.

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lets bring sanity back to speed limits.
Drivers are like donkeys -they respond best to a carrot, not a stick .Road safety experts are like Asses - best kept covered up ,or sat on

Yes. On reflection you're absolutely right.

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

I was a bit lost reading the end of that. How do you create space between you and a tailgater? Surely if they are twattish drivers (by definition, I guess) they will just fill the gap?

By creating a bigger gap then have more time to brake, and therefore brake more gently reducing the chance of a rear end shunt. If the tailgater finds the room to overtake and fill the gap then you've got rid of the problem. You can look smug when you catch up at the next traffic lights!

Ah, I see, I misread it as space behind me, when it is space in front.

Makes sense now!

Capri ist quite correct. Ist a part of COAST

S = Space und T = Time

You assist an overtake basically. You create the gap for the person to move into in front of you ... und pull up behind them leaving tarmac und tyres at the next traffic lights.

If you have the persistent B:censored: R Ggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

You know the one... he see girly in front und want to show her who ist boss...

You follow Paulie's advice which include pulling in, easing off to create the space, going one more time around roundabout und so on...

Or you have photographic mind und remember where speed camera ist und stage manage a PING!

Ist one I know of.. ist in tailgater alley... with no obvious turn off or lane to move into.. und just before scam -ist garage .. glance in mirror - signal lefe - nip into forecourt und .. watch the Pingy Pingy as this one ist hidden behind bus shelter..

They fall for it each time... ist naughty of me .. I know.. but I dislike people who drive too close - ist probably because of what happened in past... I know this.. really...

But ist no excuse to bully other people on road und these are the ones who deserve points und fines.. only by doing this _ I ensure the scam stay lucrative..

Ist a catch 22 - loathe scams but use to own advantage if can...

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I've started slowing down gently when I find I'm being agressively tailgated-usually until the tailgater has a safe distance behind me in which to stop. If this means that they can only stop from 2mph in the gap available then I slow to that.

It REALLY pisses them off-but they aren't behind me anymore after the stupidly aggressive overtake that usually follows.

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Smokebelching,CO2 making,child murdering planet raping,granny mugging,politically incorrect globally warming (or is it climate changing now it's getting colder?)thug.
That's what the government want you to believe of me. If they get back in I'm emigrating.

Interesting how the IAM advice is diametrically opposed to the Pace Car idea.

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In times of deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.