Why do the do it ?

[derekpara]

Why do some drivers scream up behind you and sit literally inches away from your boot when you are overtaking in lane three and there is no gap large enough to get safely into lane two ( and then lane one) ? I'm already on the legal speed limit.   Are they trying to make me vanish into thin air or something? This happens on the Continent as well as over here.  What is the solution ? What would you do ? I refuse to be bullied.

[mfewell]

A cheery wave in the mirror (I mean cheery, not a V sign). The other one if you are really pi**ed off is to stamp on your brakes very hard just momentarily.

The first one is probably the preferable...

Before either be sure it's not the police.

[d0gsb0dy]

I find that raising my hand as if to adjust the rear-view mirror often does the trick.
Actually, a recent poll showed that tail-gating was one of the things that upset drivers most.

[kempie]

'Brake testing' the driver behind you as described by mfewell is a potentially dangerous manoeuvre, especially if you "stamp on your brakes very hard", as this could result in that vehicle trying to enter the rear of yours at 70+mph.

Seasoned practitioners of this art use their left foot to just tap the brake pedal sufficiently hard to activate the brakelights, their right foot remaining on the accelerator pedal to maintain their speed. This requires much practice since most drivers of manual cars are initially incapable of lightly depressing the pedal using their left foot, so used are they to fully depressing the clutch pedal.

But this is still potentially dangerous!

[Tim Baxter]

Or you could switch on your rear fog lights (illegal) or your side lights momentarily.

[tubeway]

I usualy just take my foot off of the accelerator so the car behind has to slow down slowly with me - then when I have slowed down a bit - I put my foot back on the gas so that there is a decent gap again. MOST people get the hint - but it is soooo annoying

[chazza]

Turn your lights on.  The driver think for a second that it's your brakes and should ease off!

[mighty duck]

y not just put your foot down to get past the car then go infront? then you will be out of their way, they wont be behind you and you will all be happy!

[chazza]

Mighty duck thats exactly what you aren't meant to do!  When a car is tailgating you you aren't meant to speed up

[mighty duck]

why not? its better than having a crash isnt it? id feel much more comfortable just getting out of their way. obviously  dont mean race along with them i just mean get past the car p your left and then slow back down again when you have pulled across. i dont see the harm in that.

[derekpara]

Sorry, mighty duck bur if you read the question I state that there is no gap large enough to get in - or else I would. They also di it on two lane motorways (Belgium) when you are overtaking a long line of HGVs nose to tail. I go along with you tubeway although I feel like giving the brake pedal a jab. The rear light trick might be worth a try, though.  Thanks all of you.

[LeMarchand]

Why do they do it? Because they are a***holes. Usually driving BMWs.

What are they trying to do? Get you to speed up (and break the law) and/or get out of their way as they obviously own the road.

What is the solution? I would favour rear-mounted rockets, but they are illegal. I usually carry on at the legal speed limit; they can wait.

[Alltorque]

LeMarchand seems to be right on all fronts. You drive your car, as appropriate for the prevailing conditions etc, and leave them to drive theirs. I fear the brake pedal tap or sidelights flick might just bring on more aggression so relax and ignore them. (Ever noticed how the best racing drivers stick to their line and let the others make the mistakes ? Bit of a clue there, perhaps ?). I find that "tailgating" is pretty endemic in Belgium, particularly on the Brussels ring road, (when it's actually moving that is). Nothing overtly aggressive about it, just the way they drive but it is scary when driving at 120kmh and all you can see of the Volvo etc following you is the windscreen !