Stopping Tailgaters
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
Stopping Tailgaters
I was wondering what others do about tailgaters. I was driving home last night and had an annoying person tailgating me. They sometimes backed off but often was way too close in my opinion. I was on a single lane road and had no shoulder to pull off on to let them pass. There was a couple of times when they got dangerously close when I had to slow down for traffic in front of me. They had a couple of short opportunities to pass but never did.
This went on for about 10 miles and at one point I taped my breaks three times in order to flash my brake lights but not in a way where I was brake checking them. It didn't seem to work. Later when I got home I realized that I have a rear fog light that I could have used to do the same thing. I think that may have been safer and send the message better since it would have looked odd to see that light flashing rather than my normal brake lights. Anyone else use the rear fog light for this purpose and have positive results? Any other ideas?
By the way, I normally drive between 5-8 over the speed limit. When there is traffic in front of me I match their speed but stay back a safe distance. In my youth I drove more aggressively but these days I'm much more cautious and drive very defensively. There is no reason for someone to tailgate me unless they are just being an idiot.
This went on for about 10 miles and at one point I taped my breaks three times in order to flash my brake lights but not in a way where I was brake checking them. It didn't seem to work. Later when I got home I realized that I have a rear fog light that I could have used to do the same thing. I think that may have been safer and send the message better since it would have looked odd to see that light flashing rather than my normal brake lights. Anyone else use the rear fog light for this purpose and have positive results? Any other ideas?
By the way, I normally drive between 5-8 over the speed limit. When there is traffic in front of me I match their speed but stay back a safe distance. In my youth I drove more aggressively but these days I'm much more cautious and drive very defensively. There is no reason for someone to tailgate me unless they are just being an idiot.
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
I agree totally with key
People are friggen psycho, I pull off the road to the shoulder or driveway and keep it non confrontational
Not worth risking an encounter with a psycho
People are friggen psycho, I pull off the road to the shoulder or driveway and keep it non confrontational
Not worth risking an encounter with a psycho
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From: West Central Florida
2011 E550 P2 4M Sedan
If they can pass safely, you could always put on your hazards or right turn signal and begin to slow down.
I know how you feel - sometimes there are other cars you just have to get away from before something bad happens. Trust your gut.
I know how you feel - sometimes there are other cars you just have to get away from before something bad happens. Trust your gut.
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From: HESPERIA CA
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I usually just pull over and let them pass me. I do not need to risk getting into a accident or having it turn confrontational. Not worth wasting the bullets in my gun over something that can easily be avoided.
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Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
In my younger day had a guy do this while driving on BQE Brooklyn sped up a couple of car lengths and jammed on the brakes all I saw in the mirror was smoke from his tires and this expression on his face - exited to Hamilton Ave below and that was that. Now days as most mentioned pull over somewhere and let them pass here in AZ the good old boys would not take likely to such a move and there may be a shot fired. Then I would have to call the Licata brothers out of Detroit!
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From: Placitas, NM
E550
James Bond had the only really satisfying solution. 
No longer in the MB options list, though.
Y'know, if the NASCAR races were banned from TV, I'll bet the incidence of tailgating would fall way off. So many of these young people think it's so cool to draft, or whatever it is they think they are doing. And, don't take this wrong, but my experience is shocking --- so often it's young women!! whom I normally give credit for being much smarter and more mature than the males of their cohort.
No longer in the MB options list, though.
Y'know, if the NASCAR races were banned from TV, I'll bet the incidence of tailgating would fall way off. So many of these young people think it's so cool to draft, or whatever it is they think they are doing. And, don't take this wrong, but my experience is shocking --- so often it's young women!! whom I normally give credit for being much smarter and more mature than the males of their cohort.
Last edited by Live Oak; Sep 13, 2014 at 06:25 PM.
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From: Florida
2018 E300 Luxury - P3 and more
My preferred method is to just let off the gas. If worse comes to worse I'll throw the hazard lights on and act like the car is having trouble. Every now and then you do get some mouth-breather who refuses to pass you no matter how many opportunities they may have at which point I'll exit the roadway and let them go be someone else's pain in the ***. Or see them on the side of the road after an accident, which I've seen more than a few times now.
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
weaving also helps; sometimes the tailgater thinks you've been drinking.....
and yeah: sure, if they call the police.........even better
also, I try to drive on the shoulder to kick rocks up behind me....that's a really good one when you can actually get rocks to fly and hit the car being a jackwagon
and yeah: sure, if they call the police.........even better
also, I try to drive on the shoulder to kick rocks up behind me....that's a really good one when you can actually get rocks to fly and hit the car being a jackwagon
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
I frequently use my flashers when someone is too close. Never tap my brakes as that means my car is slowing while theirs isn't. If headlights are off, will turn them on which turns on brake lights and makes tailgater think I am slowing down.
BTW, I also use my flashers if a car is behind me and I can see the driver using a cell phone or texting.
Pulling over is something I also do.
Agree with Konigstiger, in certain parts of US (South for instance), you have to be careful not to offend other drivers. Most are armed and dangerous!
BTW, I also use my flashers if a car is behind me and I can see the driver using a cell phone or texting.
Pulling over is something I also do.
Agree with Konigstiger, in certain parts of US (South for instance), you have to be careful not to offend other drivers. Most are armed and dangerous!
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2014 E350 4MATIC
I like to give tailgaters a little spritz from my windshield washers. You have to be going at least 50mph for this to work, but from my experience it is highly effective. Plus you get a clean windshield out of it .
.
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especially clean, black cars
I also always make sure to deplete the windshield washer fluid when I get a loaner; since you have to fill up the gas tank, they don't mention washer fluid
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Kicking up gravel may scar the sides of your car from your front wheels kicking it up... Joke may be on you
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Reminds me of a story years ago when my buddy was driving (cop) in the winter, he faded over into a particulary large median and kicked up so much sand and salt we could not see the car behind us....he backed off
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From: Tennessee
W214 E450
Some interesting ideas; most of which are not very practical since it could damage my own car or cause the situation to get worse. I live in Tennessee where it seems everyone has a gun. In my younger days I would simply hit the brakes as hard as I can and come to a complete stop and then take off again. It worked around 50% of the time. The other 50% of the time it just made it worse and I've actually had a person pull a gun on me more than once. 
Next time, I'll try the rear fog light to see what happens. It's a little more passive than hitting the breaks. It's bright but not blinding. Of course, moving over to let the fool pass is likely the best option but many of the back country roads I drive on it's not that easy.
Though, I must admit a Bond style defense system would be cool to have.
Next time, I'll try the rear fog light to see what happens. It's a little more passive than hitting the breaks. It's bright but not blinding. Of course, moving over to let the fool pass is likely the best option but many of the back country roads I drive on it's not that easy.
Though, I must admit a Bond style defense system would be cool to have.
