How do you handle a tailgate driver on the road?

This is one of my pet peeves. Tailgating in one lane, residential roads.I don't consider myself a curb crawler. I drive the speed limit. Sometimes a little over it. Even when I am going about 10 mph over the speed limit (going 40 in a 30mph zone) I still get tailgated. Then there is this weaving back and forth behind my car. Sometimes hi beaming me with the flood lights in the rear view mirror. Usually the driver will end up crossing the double lines to pass me- either that or pass me on the right hand side- which is also illegal and risking an accident. Once I did speed up because I thought this car was going to mow me down if I didn't speed up a little. And then the police pulled me over for speeding and let the tailgater go. It's a no-win situation. Speed up- get busted. Ignore and then jeopardize my safety with some psycho driving up my backseat. Some of these guys are so close to me they could use my ash tray for their cigarettes. I can feel them breathing down the back of my neck.
A friend of mine said wait until the tailgater gets within an inch of the rear bumper and then tap the brakes to flash the brake lights. Also dump some washer fluid on the rear window and give him a spray. Although temping thoughts,those tactics would only escalate the road rager.
Aside from mounting a rear artillery piece at the back of the car I don't know what else to do. Any suggestions?
Additional Details
The armed with pebbles sounds Charles Bronson or Clint Eastwood like go ahead punk tailgate my day. It would work better at night. With my luck he would either see me throwing the little rocks or I will hit my own rear windshield.

Vipassana

I drive an 18,000 lb box truck, for my company.

People like to think, that if they tailgate me, it will increase their fuel economy. Interestingly, they don't tailgate others, but when they see my truck, they get behind me to the point that i can't see them at all in the mirrors.

I switch off my external lights, and hit the brakes. They get no brake lights, no indication that I'm stopping at all. Hey, if I can't see the vehicle, I'm not responsible for how close they were.

Very quickly, they back off.

When driving my normal car, I just ease up on the gas, until I make sure I'm exactly at the speed limit. What are they going to do? Ram you? Flip you off? As long as you're going the posted speed limit, ignore everyone who wants to go faster. Now, if you're going more than 10 below the speed limit, get a few lanes over, and let people by.

Fauna

Slow down to the speed limit or 5 below. This will really tick them off, but they will hopefully realize that you did this on purpose (especially if you were going 5-10 over before). They may back away at this point if they're smart.
If they still don't, and let's say you're on a road that's at 55 mph (higher speeds mean tailgating is more dangerous), wave your right hand by your rearview waving back -- at them to "back away."
I've done this, and it usually works if they see it.
Remember, if they hit you, it's their fault. But let them pass if you can. In few cases, you never know if they have a baby on the way, they're on their way to a hospital, or something like that. Who knows. But no one wants an accident. And you don't want to add to the road rage. Just stay calm.

virtue2009

Let them pass you ..Its happens all the to me to me..I have had some people so close behind me it feels like there in my back seat..Not worth your safety to play there impatient game of driving..Sometimes I turn to the closest street to get out there way or pull over..

Theatreman1

People who do this are usually bullies with some major mental issues. They are also usually a bit thick. The best thing to do with a bully, is stand up to them and show them up to be the little sh*t they are.

I just slow down - the closer they get the slower I go. I then refuse to let them pass for about three or four minutes so they are put firmly in their place and are made late. Then when they do pass, I give them the finger with a smile on my face and again, slow right down, so that if they then get in front of me and try to brake, I don't rear-end them - I know all of their predictable tricks before they even do them.

If they flash lights at me, I angle all my mirrors so that they bounce the light back into his face.

I never drive slower than the speed limit BTW, so as far as I am concerned, the have no reason to do this.

bungee

the person behind you is no real threat, more like an aggravation if anything. the only person you can control is yourself pull over and let them pass or else don't worry about them<

UCANTCME

Stay calm and forget about revenge. Slowing down to annoy the tailgater not accomplish anything. Imagine that it driver is rushing to hospital to see an injured loved one. While it may not be true, it can reduce your stress levels it you think compassionately.

Move out of the way. If there are no open lanes available, maintain a legal speed until you can let the tailgater pass. If the situation becomes too dangerous, exit from the road at your first opportunity.

Accelerate with care. Speeding is just dangerous, so proceed very carefully when choosing this alternative.

Move ahead of another vehicle. This will provide a cushion between you and the tailgater.

Slow the car and signal for the tailgater to pass. If he does not pass you, change lanes or exit the road. He may be bent on harassing you. If he follows, drive to the nearest police station. Let him try to tailgate their cars.

Mike K

i get this everyday when im on my way home for work most of the time im hauling the trailer with the dump truck. so when they tailgate me i slow down about 5-10mph under the speed limit and i will speed up when they back off i have had people beep horn flash lights and i will normaly do 10mph over the seep limit and they wont pass you could have 10miles of no on coming traffic and they still wont pass. this past last week i have had same guy tailgate me and it pisses me off. just one time i want to lock up my brakes on this poor sob just to teach him a lesson.

cheryl p

This only works if you are driving during the day; turn on your head lights, the break lights come on and it looks like you are hitting the breaks but your not and they will slow down.

Some Canadian Dude

I know man **** them!!!!!!

I always keep pebbles with me.
Open my sunroof flick em in the air and the guy behind me gets a chipped winshield(from what he thinks is debris coming of the road!!!!!)

Another method I use is to ease of the gas and go slower on purpose.

If you really want to get em good wait till they come way close,
then slam the brakes!
say there was a squirrel on the road.
There insurance goes up and they'll think twice next time!

christina c

if possible pull off the road. if you are in an area where there is no one else then go slow enough that he/she gets the message to go around you. even if that means that they have to cross a double yellow line. let them get in trouble. if you get pulled over again for speeding tell the officer that you were being chased by another driver and that you were seeking help. if you are alone in your car DO NOT EVER pull off the road to let someone pass you. that could be what they want you to do.

wyte_cobra

I would say that you load some floodlights facing backwards on your car. If some one gets too close hit the flood lights.

plamenpost

Passion, more passion.

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