(edit title) What do you do... ...when someone is driving too close behind Options

[queenS]

On several occasions I experienced that people felt the need to drive very close behind my car.

Today a truck driver presumably felt offended that I overtook him on the part of the street where two lanes merge in one. I was in the left one that was merging into the right one. So as a "punishment" he drove for next km as close as possible to my car. I would have sped up, but there were other cars in front. He drove so close that I couldn't even see the licence plate on his truck.

What would you do in such a situation?

I don't understand why people feel the need to do such thing? If his intention was to scare me off, he didn't.

[Solith]

I flick my sidelights/headlights on and off. It looks like I'm braking erratically, scaring the shit out of the guy behind - but nowhere near as dangerous.

Of course, sometimes this is a little confusing for the driver in front.

[Bender B Rodriquez]

Just ignore it. People keep very short distances in Sweden so you just have to get used to it...

[ljtaylor88]

Either ignore it or slow right down so they have to overtake...

[byke]

I would suggest slowing down also.
If anything it will just help to piss off the person behind you even more.

[irishpaddy]

Just stand on the brakes ...If he cant stop ..hes too close ..His fault . Works everytime.

[jack sprat]

Not really very wise to piss the guy off even more, especially if he's driving a whacking great truck.
You're the one at biggest risk if the guy loses the plot and everything goes pear shaped.
It's one occasion where ignore, stiff upper lip and driving as normal is the best advice.

[Svensksmith]

I start slowing down gradually until they either get the point and back off, or pass.

[axiom]

the mrs never allows me to do what I really want to do (must be nice she says)

so usually I just shut up, and moan like a bitch

[Gamla Hälsingebock]

We have that here too...if it's a BIG truck...get out of the way...he has a schedule...you don't!

Works for me...still here!

[Darwinder]

I used to slam on the brakes really quickly to make them back off, but now with the new baby seat in the back I tend to drive a lot more safely.

[Snood]

I sometimes just tap on the brakes, you can often depress the pedal enough for the brake light to come on but not enough that the brakes actually engage with the discs or drums. it looks like you're braking but arent... even if the brakes do engage just a little, it'll do them no harm whilst you're driving along.

[gplusa]

That was always a favourite trick of mine, Snood. Just enough to bring the brake lights on with the one foot, whilst flooring it with the other foot. As you say, it's a bit more difficult today with brakes being more sensitive. A few years ago I resorted to that to shake a tailgater whilst driving along a gravel road. The last thing I saw in my rearview mirror was a cloud of dust and gravel heading into a nearby paddock. I presume they ended up ok.

[SimonDMontfort]

My Swedish partner usually pulls over - where she can - to allow the driver who is 'tailgating' us, to pass.

As Bender says, drivers very often maintain short distances here. They must have enormous confidence in either their vehicle's braking system, or their reflexes/reactions - or both.

[skogsbo]

I flick my sidelights/headlights on and off. It looks like I'm braking erratically, scaring the shit out of the guy behind - but nowhere near as dangerous. Of course, some ... (show full quote)

I flick my sidelights/headlights on and off. It looks like I'm braking erratically, scaring the shit out of the guy behind - but nowhere near as dangerous.

Of course, sometimes this is a little confusing for the driver in front. ... (hide full quote)

I normally put the fog lights on, initially they react to the bright light and brake, not realising it's a different light. Failing that if someone else is in the car and you can see which company the truck is with, ring the company. I've done that a few times, the last thing the bloke will be expecting is his boss waiting for him in the car park when he gets back! It may drop him in it, but he is driving dangerously and deserves it.