I just usually slow down and blow them a few kisses

 

The last time this topic came up someone (and I wish I could remember because I thought it really smart) suggested doing a very quick wiggle as if you're avoiding something on the road. I haven't tried it yet but it's in my mind to do so.

 

My ways to get rid of tailgaiters are quite similar to most already mentioned, but not exactly the same.

First of all, like most, I flash my brakes a few times. If that doesn't work, I'll slow down a bit to give them a good opportunity to pass. However, if I have a clear road without traffic (and they won't pass), I sometimes just open it up and see what happens.

However, there have been times when nothing worked - they just wanted to tailgate, for whatever reason. In one instance, I slowed down a bit and they did nothing except get even closer. So, as I just brought my car down to about 10mph rather quickly (but I didn't slam on the brakes). He wasn't expecting it and nearly drove right into my bumper - he ended up partially in the lane in which opposing traffic was going. I was in my little Acura and he was in a Blazer, just so you know - I could outbrake him by a car length or two quite easily. Anyways, after that he wasn't happy (weaving to the left, looking to pass, etc, etc, even though it was a single lane going each way and no passing allowed, honking his horn, etc, etc) but he DID back off.

I don't think I'll ever just slam on my brakes - that's stupid, in my opinion, since you are risking a pretty serious injury (neck/back injuries are very tough to completely heal). However, I have no problem slowing right down (quickly but not too quickly - ie, don't lock 'em up).

 

I use the hazard flashers. When they drop back, I turn them off. When they get on my ass again I turn them on again. Usually they get the message by the third time. The worst are the soccer moms with a van full of kids talking on the cell and waving a hand in the air as they talk....all about six inches from your bumper at 70 MPH. These are the same people that are in those fifty seven car pile-ups you read about. I don't want to be anywhere near them when they "get together".

 

I don't really have a rule, I try to have a look at the driver first and then profile them and take appropriate action depending on the situation. I used to just not allow anyone to force me to change lanes by tailgating me. Then this one incident happened:

I was driving on the Mass Pike West (it's a 65 MPH 2 lane road) and overtaking a car in the slow lane when this big truck comes flying at my tail. He was barey a foot away from my bumper. I did the same as usual, just ignored him. Then he starts flashing his highs and I still ignored hime. Then he goes in the slow lane and tries to harrass the guy I was trying to overtake. It did not work for him. Next thing I know he comes between the two of us starts forcing his big truck between the two cars. The other driver did not even notice this but I realized right away what he was up to and swerved to the left, hit the brakes and he barely shot past between the two cars. That was one scary experience! I called the cops and reported the driver, they caught him 2 minutes later.

Now, if I can get out of someone's way I just do it. If there's no room and they still tailgate me, then I just do what Kodokan_4 said - keep a safe distance from the car in front of me and keep going. This DOES SEEM TO WORK pretty good. On single lane roads, if someone is tailgating me, i turn on my right turn signal and start slowing down, they just overtake and go past me and I don't even have to get off the road.

The worst tailgaters are the ones who don't even realize that they are tailgating. No matter what you do, they're at your tail. They don't get the message cause they don't think they are doing anything wrong.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cape Cod
[B]The worst are the soccer moms with a van full of kids talking on the cell and waving a hand in the air as they talk....all about six inches from your bumper at 70 MPH.

 

You really have to be careful. Let them pass and be rid of them.
People get shot in California. It's not worth it.

 

I don't really get tailgated. It's not like I'm a lead foot or anything.

Oh! I remember a long time ago I was in the left lane due to traffic . I was trying my hardest to get my 76 Corolla to speed up but it wasn't good enough for the viper behind me. He was riding my arse pretty hard.
Strange, $60K car tailgating a $200 dollar car. Was he trying to intimidate me? A scratch in his headlight would cost more than my entire car. I just kept on putzing along to get him pissed off so he would floor it when he could get past me. And he did. Vipers are swell.

 

It depends on my mood. Not to be sexist, but if a woman is tailgating me, I'll play around with them. Some people are messed up and will kill you over something like this, which I'll stay away from.

I try to tap on the breaks, if that doesn't work, I'll coast until they pass on the right, then I floor it. If I'm in my beater, I just let em pass...

 

Why won't anyone of you just move over and let them pass? Tapping or stomping on your brakes when someone's coming at you doesn't make a whole lot of sense