Does anyone else feel pressured when people drive behind you?
Posted by PriorMoose2050@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 145 comments
This may be a stupid question but I’ve been driving for a few months now and for some reason I feel pressured when there’s a car behind me. They don’t necessarily have to be tailgating but I feel pressured because I think I’m not driving fast enough or driving efficiently. Especially in intersections, there’s times where I think I’m being too safe and making the person behind me wait too long. This has made me take fast and dumb decisions a couple times because I just want to get out of their way. I have that feeling that I need to hurry up and cross the intersection to not bother the people behind me. Have any of you guys experienced this when you were a new driver? How do I deal with this?
markphil4580@reddit
Only when it's a cop.
There's not a ton I can do about anything the person behind me does, so I spend most of my time worrying about what's going on in front of me.
Unfortunate-Incident@reddit
Yeah this here. I honestly don't pay that much attention to what is going on behind me. I was taught "watch where you are going, not where you've been."
ScullingPointers@reddit
You should be fully aware what's going on behind you. As well as the front and the sides.
sundaywellnessclub@reddit
The back of a vehicle is just as important as the front when it comes to driving. I often find myself checking the rear to move aside for faster drivers or to avoid collisions by braking suddenly.
Professional_Mind86@reddit
Yup. I would have been smushed by a tractor trailer if I wasn't paying attention. I stopped first in line at a light that had just turned red. As soon as I'd come to a full stop I heard the air horn of the truck and looked in mirror to realize it meant "GO!! Because I'm not stopping!!" I laid on my horn and hit the gas and made it through the intersection, pulled into parking lot next to road, as he roared by me. After I stopped shaking I continued on my way.
ceera_rayhne@reddit
My parents would have been in a lot of trouble if my dad hadn't been keeping one eye on the car that was driving erratically behind them, they happened to notice it a ways back so he was being extra aware. The car zoomed up suddenly, and my dad had to jam onto the shoulder a bit to avoid getting basically pit maneuvered on a busy interstate as the car swerved again.
One-Guilty-Finger@reddit
Yeah, you want to take a peek back there now and then. Mostly the front, but the back and sides cannot be ignored.
LongjumpingBrief6428@reddit
Life sometimes comes at you fast.
I remember going on a northbound trip from Florida to Maryland with my mom and my grandmother in the car. It was my turn to drive. It was raining a bit, and we were in Interstate 95. I came over a hill and saw the sea of red. Lights. In front of us.
It's a good thing the person in front of us was looking behind them.
One-Guilty-Finger@reddit
Lucky for that. I imagine it was a terrifying sight for a young driver!
LongjumpingBrief6428@reddit
It woke me up, that's for sure. It also provided an hour of chastising from both. Not fun times, but as long as you learn from the mistakes, you can improve and become wiser.
MozeDad@reddit
If you drive faster to please them and get into an accident, will they pay your deductible? Will they appear in court for you if you're cited? Stop worrying about what people behind you think and drive.
M-Grinch302@reddit
Unless you cannot be bothered to at least do the speed limit.
MozeDad@reddit
I am so sick of hurried drivers pressuring everyone to push the limits of safety just so they can get home 2 minutes early to watch the Kardashians. Slow down and if your schedule is so jam-packed that one or two minutes makes or breaks you, you may want to reexamine your life choices. Speed kills and getting home safe is the goal. And to hell with the passing lane bullshit. Leave earlier if you're in such a GD hurry.
Old_Mammoth8280@reddit
Too many aholes acting like the speed limit is the minimum speed limit and tbh even driving the speed limit is often too slow for these people
M-Grinch302@reddit
Hopefully you are in the right lane with that attitude. In my jurisdiction, it's called obstructing the flow of traffic to be in passing lanes and go below the speed limit.
Old_Mammoth8280@reddit
Hopefully you're referring to highways where that's the law and not surface streets that have no such requirements
AdamZapple1@reddit
just keep right ya jackass.
WhenTheDevilCome@reddit
Agreed. All of this applies mainly to when we're in a single-lane road, where waiting for a passing zone or for the vehicle ahead to turn off is really all you can do. On a multi-lane road, the passing lane would be clear except of vehicles actually passing.
At least in a Texas jurisdiction, a trooper told me they didn't actually have a citation specific to "failure to keep right", nor was it "obstruction" so long as they were traveling a decent speed. The citation he said is given there is a "failure to obey road signs" or something like that, since "slower traffic keep right" is posted on the Texas highways.
Old_Mammoth8280@reddit
Hopefully you're referring to highways where that's the law and not surface streets that have no such requirements.
M-Grinch302@reddit
I am referring to highways and city freeways.
M-Grinch302@reddit
"Slow down"-- Just do the speed limit. I am not asking anyone to speed.
But the people who go 10MPH below the speed limit are a hazard because (1) they are probably distracted, or on the phone, and (2) everyone is trying to pass and get around them, creating a ripple effect.
WhenTheDevilCome@reddit
There is no requirement to drive the speed limit. Kind of right there in the name, even.
I'll be pleased when the person in front of me is doing the speed limit, or even faster. But if they have some reason to go under, that's no more or less important than my reason for wanting to go faster.
doritobimbo@reddit
You can and will get a ticket for going under the limit without reason. It’s obstructing the flow of traffic. 10mph under is 6x more likely to cause a fatal accident than just doing the speed limit. It is a limit of how fast and how slow to go in ideal conditions.
M-Grinch302@reddit
THIS! Everyone who says slow is safer has no realization that people going under the speed limit 10mph under is much more likely to cause an accident than the people who are at the limit or slightly over.
WhenTheDevilCome@reddit
Yeah, it's always amusing how Reddit so desperately wants to believe "anyone going slower than I'd like is therefore obstructing traffic ("me!!"), therefore they will get a ticket for obstructing traffic."
That's not what obstruction of traffic is. On a single-lane road with a 55 limit, going ten or even fifteen under that limit is still a very decent speed (just not what you believe is a decent speed) and is not "obstructing." In my jurisdiction its up to what the trooper feels is "unreasonable." Feel free to find an idle state trooper and discuss with them what would rise to the level of issuing an "obstruction of traffic" citation in your own jurisdiction.
Just keep in mind your state trooper isn't one of those people who believes "everyone should have been able to go fast if not for this one jerk", nor who believes the nonsense of "driving on this road would be safer if they were all able to go as fast as they want to." The only thing that can make driving "unsafe because you're not going as fast as the car behind you wants to go" are the unreasonable and reckless actions the driver behind you is willing to perform while behind the wheel of a vehicle. It's not "the speed" which is safer, nor that is necessary for "achieving safety."
The "clear and immediate ticket" at least in my jurisdiction is a "slow driving" citation, but that only applies in areas with a posted minimum speed. And at least in my jurisdiction, the posted minimum speed can't be higher than 50. So someone going 50 in a 70 zone with a posted 50 minimum speed -- a full twenty under the speed limit -- would still not qualify for a "slow driving" citation. Let alone "obstruction."
I'm no trooper, but what I'm expecting they dish out "obstruction of traffic" for is the guy who is intentionally driving slow in front of the 18-wheeler he feels wronged him a few miles back, and things like that. Something where there was "intention to obstruct." But that's not a question I've ever asked.
wtfsquirrlz@reddit
I drove muuuuch faster to try and move over to the slow lane in an attempt get this one dude off my ass and ended up getting a speeding ticket, so never again. I’m gonna continue to drive the limit until it’s safe to move over and everyone else can suck it.
MozeDad@reddit
This. The speed limit is the MAXIMUM allowed. Any conditions such as darkness, congestion or rain will necessarily decrease the speed limit - YES even below the posted speed limit. Fuck everyone else behind you.
Butimthedudeman@reddit
Unless you are in the passing lane aka farthest left lane, idgaf how fast you are going if someone comes up behind you in that lane, you move tf to the right. This is a citeable violation in Georgia. And it is enforced.
Due-League932@reddit
Exactly. Theyre not gonna pay for my speeding ticket if i get one. They can either pass me or suck it.
surfacing_husky@reddit
I've been driving for a very long time, and it took me too long to figure this out, especially when i live in the mountains and the roads go to shit very quickly. It is something I'm also teaching my 15yr old as they learn to drive.
1086psiBroccoli@reddit
Yea this is what my dad taught me
MozeDad@reddit
Your dad is a wise man.
LongjumpingBrief6428@reddit
Safely.
AdamZapple1@reddit
nope.
RTR20241@reddit
Nope. I hit my brakes and show them how slow I can really drive
TribalChief2025@reddit
Not worried about inconveniencing anyone. However, these days you never know when someone will pull out a gun and start shooting for something minor. Best not to unnecessarily antagonize anybody.
Funny-Nefariousness8@reddit
Not really. If I’m ever getting tailgated, I just try to get out of their way. If I can’t, they’ll just have to wait like everyone else
tickyul@reddit
Only if the direction I am traveling in is a one-lane road, and vehicles either cannot pass or for some other reason are piling-up behind me........I will pull off onto the shoulder when that happens. Other situations, tailgating is now endemic, I do my best to not let it bother me.
ChainOk8915@reddit
So long as you are going faster than the slow lane he can keep his 120mph ass in place for a couple of minutes while I causally pass the slow lane vehicle before I merge into it.
Electric-Sheepskin@reddit
I totally get it. I've experienced everything from rage to fear to extreme anxiety because of the way someone was driving behind me, but as you gain some driving experience, you'll learn to reduce that emotion and focus on your own driving.
When you get stressed out, you make mistakes. You'll speed up when you shouldn't, change lanes too quickly, etc., so learn to ignore the people behind you. I mean you need to be aware of them and what they're doing and take appropriate action, but just tell yourself over and over again that you can't control what they are doing, you can only control what you are doing. Take deep breaths. Don't get emotional. Focus on the road in front of you and your own driving. They're going to do what they're going to do, and you getting upset about it will have zero effect.
If someone is tailgating you, take your time and change lanes if you can, and if you can't change lanes, and don't feel safe speeding up, slowly reduce your speed to encourage them to pass.
If you take one thing away from everything everyone has said here, it's to not get emotional and don't let other people pressure you into driving unsafely.
Sauced-veer21@reddit
Just get up to speed a cruise control it. Let the person behind you be as close or far as they want. They will find a way around if they really want. Drive your drive.
krazyboi@reddit
Same advice everyone gives. Drive reliably, not creatively.
If you drive slow, the car behind you will eventually switch lanes and overtake you. Let them. Who cares. Doesn't change anyone's day to drive slowly. That other car overtakes you and will never think about you again.
poodinthepunchbowl@reddit
No because if your going faster then 80 I’ll get out of your way.
veechene@reddit
I always feel pressured, even after driving for 6 years. But I just ignore it and continue to drive safely and ignore them as much as possible. I need to focus on the road and what's going on, not worry about if the car behind me is angry that I'm not going 30 over on a twisty side road in the back woods.
Motor-Front-8028@reddit
Not many people keep up with me to be behind me for very long. In stop and go traffic of course there’s no choice and I don’t mind
Comfortable_Prize750@reddit
Yes, I get this same feeling. Don't listen to it. They can either pass or they can suck it. You're responsible for the safety of yourself and your passengers. Don't drive like an ass just because people around you do.
MaskedFigurewho@reddit
Drivers are often impatient. Had someone honk at me becuase the light was green to turn but pedestrians had just walked into crosswalk. Apparently the correct choice was to run over the pedestrians
ceera_rayhne@reddit
I always hate that, especially in a left turn when there is a sign specifically stating you have to yield to pedestrians, but the people behind me are freaking out about missing the green when I can't do anything about it.
Blu_yello_husky@reddit
Sometimes, but that's usually only when I'm in the left lane trying to get around someone. I know how annoying it is to get stuck behind a slower car in the left lane, but at the same time, I refuse to go over 7 over the limit to pass someone, so if I'm in the left passing a car that's only going 2mph slower than me, and there's cars piling up behind me wanting to pass, sure, I feel a bit pressured. I still don't speed up at all, but I certainly feel a bit more rushed than usual
lethargicbureaucrat@reddit
I frequently pull over and let people who are making me nervous go by.
ceera_rayhne@reddit
I can't tell you how many times I've seen a random spot to pull off and used it because people are behind me.
Or if there is a passing lane on a one lane road I will slow WAY down to force people who refuse to pass but stay close enough to make me nervous.
My SO doesn't understand why, when someone is coming up on us fast, but when we finally reach the passing lane they just stick behind us with their stupidly bright headlights, I tell him to SLOW down to 10 below and they WILL pass us, then we can get back to the speed limit again.
martagon137@reddit
If you can’t immediately pull over you can also throw your hazards on until you can or they can pass you. When I was still learning manual it helped a lot. It must be a psychology thing. People get mad at a slow driver with no lights but are completely fine if that same driver has their lights on
LeoRivarola_@reddit
Never thought of that, I will do this from now on!
Famous-Importance470@reddit
The correct way to handle the situation 👏
InterviewMean7435@reddit
No. Only when they walk behind me.
locustempo@reddit
one time, i was driving on the interstate and it very suddenly started pouring down rain. i could barely see the cars in front of me on the road and many people had their hazards on and slowed down for safety.
there was this blue civic that was weaving in and out of cars in the rain and still traveling around the normal speed limit. they zoomed past me and got maybe about half a mile ahead. i watched them hydroplane, swerve off of the road, and spin into a ditch. i slowed down but didn’t pull over since there were other cars who were already doing so. the driver was still sat up in their seat and didn’t appear to be seriously injured, hopefully just a little shaken up.
but it was the first “accident” i’d ever seen right in front of me and was enough for me to realize that it doesn’t matter what other drivers are doing. if the conditions are unsafe or you simply just don’t want to match their driving, let them pass you! in the worst scenario, your life is never worth it.
ceera_rayhne@reddit
I was driving in ND it was cold and like the beginning of a blizzard but just kinda vaguely slick roads, I was doing about 5 UNDER the posted limit, and passing all kinds of people. I got to a big gap between two semis and fishtailed a bit between the two lanes. I regained control quickly, then promptly got behind the semi and went the same 10-15 under they were doing for a while.
For reference I'd driven in blizzard conditions before just fine, it was just the right amount of wet/cold and not new enough tires that I didn't have the best traction in the world. XD
Just the other day it started snowing while we were driving and it was the kind of settled in on the road and blows across it making the road invisible snow. I found a semi truck and just stayed a bit behind them for an hour or so till the road was no longer invisible.
The person who flew by me doing 20 was probably in the middle of the double yellow and didn't seem to care where the lines were as long as they were on a paved road.
veedubfreek@reddit
I watched a jackass in a giant brodozer towing a 25ish foot RV lose it cause he was hauling ass in the rain. He skidded off the road and into the median and the trailer just exploded like a tin can filled with foam and firecrackers. It was pretty hilarious to behold. I called 911 and reported it, I wasn't stopping.
eks789@reddit
I’ve experienced an incredibly similar situation with a Honda civic and another sedan. Super heavy rain like yours, except I was a new and impatient driver as well and I was basically leading a crew of sedans through pouring down rain. I passed a few people that were in the fast lane and then they both got behind me, I looked in my rear view and both cars skidded out into the ditch. It was a huge eye opener for me as a new driver.
The only reason I didn’t also spin out at that speed and in those conditions was because of the new tires my parents put on the car and the awd/it being an suv. I’m a much safer driver now and don’t care about being the fastest car on the road.
surfacing_husky@reddit
Ive seen this tons of times in the winter, a dickbag in a giant lifted truck speeds past people driving at a reasonable speed and ends up in the ditch because they lose control. My life i way more important than those 2 minutes i save driving fast. if I'm late im late AND alive.
Complex_Solutions_20@reddit
I've seen half a dozen or so in the snow - often people impatient and pass me, zoom up to the people ahead in the left lane, and then when they go to stop *bam*.
Though usually after something like that all the other impatient people behind me decide maybe my reduced speed and coasting down to a stop very gradually is more reasonable on the untreated unplowed roads after all.
SpottedLaternFly@reddit
It's pretty obvious when an intersection is safe to drive thru, right?
veedubfreek@reddit
If someone is tailgating me, and I'm not in the left lane of the highway (pass and move over you jackasses) I slow down to the speed limit. I had some moron keep getting right on my ass coming home from work Friday. I just drove exactly the speed limit and made sure to let off the gas super early when I knew I wasn't going to make a light. They eventually got the hint and changed lanes to tailgate someone else.
Funny thing was, when we got to the light right before the freeway entrance, they were behind me again.
MissyGoodhead@reddit
Nah, drive safely and go the speed limit or slightly above. If they have any problem past that, it's on them
Abacussin@reddit
No. You can be on my ass all you want. I'm not changing anything. Go around
International-Call76@reddit
Tilt your rear view mirror,easier to ignore them. Take note of cars but focus on driving safely.
mannedrik@reddit
Drive defensively and be aware of your surroundings but not so much that you obstruct traffic, if you hesitate in traffic you may end up in an accident as the other drivers do not expect you to hesitate.
hevea_brasiliensis@reddit
I just hate when people drive slow, and with their brights on. If you're not doing 10 over the speed limit at least, then get the fuck out of the left lane. Otherwise I don't care what you do.
sirenwingsX@reddit
When Dominos was making us drivers use Drivosity while we were working, I started having to deal with a lot of road rage. Drivosity flags you for doing things like driving over the posted speed limit. Most people will drive at least 5 miles over the posted speed and cops will not typically bother you over it. So most people think you should drive over the speed limit and get aggressive if you don't.
I only had to deal with it for a few months, but those few months was traumatic enough for me to still get super triggered whenever a car is right behind me. Not all tail gaters are aggressive drivers. Sometimes people are just shitty at knowing what the proper distance is or think any gap between them and the car ahead is an invite for a car to merge in front of them. For some reason, that is a huge pet peeve to some people. The why eludes me.
So i know what you mean when you say you feel pressured. I will pick up my speed if I realize that moment I'm going too slow. But if I'm driving a few miles over and get an aggressive driver, I will not risk a ticket to coddle them. Road bullies should never be catered to, as that will just encourage their dip shit behavior. Don't speed up to accomodate someone else if your speed is at the maximum already. Don't brake check or be petty. You have the option to just maintain your current speed and figure on losing them at some point, and if they still act aggressive, gradually slow down to send them the message that you are not going to tolerate this sort of behavior. They may try to get more aggressive, but just allow your speed to reduce even more. They will eventually just attempt to go around you at the first opportunity or finally get the message and back off. Either way, they will have to be the one making the risk and doing the work to get what they want
Buoy_readyformore@reddit
Ignore them. They are not going to hit you. Don't let them emotionally drive you to make bad choices.
Driving should be logic only never emotional. Don't risk yourself or other's over some hot head asshat...
No one deserves to die in their car.
Electronic-Gap7864@reddit
There was one time when I was driving at night along city streets when a car was coming up to me fast and tailgating me for a few blocks, so I sped up to get them off my tail and it ended up being a cop who gave me a ticket. Lesson learned...don't change your speed or driving habit for another vehicle out of their consideration.
just_frogger@reddit
i get mad whenever i am stuck behind a slow vehicle and cant overtake but i dont blame the slow driving person i just blame my bad luck
OG-Giligadi@reddit
Cruise control is immune to peer pressure.
martagon137@reddit
“Don’t let anyone else drive your car” it’s a phrase my sister taught me when I was first learning and would be panicked too. You’re driving. Not them. You can always throw your hazards on or way them by or worst case they honk and then forget about you
ArcherBarcher31@reddit
I really hope you're not sitting in the left lane.
KW1908@reddit
Yeah, especially when im slowing down for red lights. Its tough when the people behind you dont know the light ahead is red, so they get in the other lane to pass and accelerate but then brake very hard, meanwhile i just coast my way to stop.
just_having_giggles@reddit
Just... let off the gas a little.
Hang out right below the speed limit.
Now they're not pressuring you, you're crossing at a safe speed comfortable in the knowledge that some magical thinking about what other drivers want is not gonna make you do any stupid shit today
Forward_Effective212@reddit
When I put my hazard lights on they back off
Microwavableturd@reddit
Yes even though majority of the time there like 3 other lanes they can go drive in instead of the slow lane lol
Expert_Security3636@reddit
It pisses Me off The locals idiots don't dim their lights
Dark0Toast@reddit
It is perfectly normal for you to feel that way, you do that with a cop behind you and he'll probably pull you over.
Kdoesntcare@reddit
Do at least the speed limit and stay out of the left lane (in the US) unless you're actively passing other cars. Do that and don't worry about the people behind you. Don't impead traffic and don't worry about others being in a rush.
Kdoesntcare@reddit
I've learned that if someone crawls up your ass you set your cruise control to the exact speed limit and ride it out.
Jade_Templar@reddit
My friend I have been driving since 1986 and I can tell you without hesitation, no matter how fast you drive someone is going to drive way too close to you wanting you to drive faster. Do what you need to do to make YOUR drive comfortable and safe, they can pass you if there are more than one lane or they can be patient otherwise. You drive your car the way you feel like driving your car.
Mrcommander254@reddit
Nope! Anything behind me is none of my concern.
Liveitup1999@reddit
I felt this way when I started driving. One day a guy was tailgating me and I was unsure of the speed limit. I saw a 40 MPH sign up ahead and sped up 5 miles an hour to 40. He then put his lights on and gave me a ticket for speeding. Where is was at was a 30 MPH zone. Don't let a guy behind you push you.
funkcatbrown@reddit
No. Never. Because I’m pulling away from them. Fast.
Enough_Kangaroo1711@reddit
I feel you. I got my license a month ago and also worry too much about the cars behind me. But like other commenters have said if I get pulled over for speeding or crashing they’re not going to be paying for it. I try not to look at the rear view mirror unless I need to but it’s a work in progress.
GrayBRZ@reddit
I drive the speed limit on purpose when they tailgate me.
pickled_mist@reddit
Same. Though sometimes I'll gradually slow down by 5 mph every 10 seconds until they finally decide to pass
RadishAcceptable5505@reddit
No, you're the only person in the world throughout history that's ever felt like this.
Lol, what do you think?
KRed75@reddit
I'm 6'5" 270 lbs, nobody intimidates me. Well...except for Chuck Norris and Mike Tyson.
throwaway1iq8e@reddit
Yes
Patient_Artichoke355@reddit
Yes. lol
mntlover@reddit
Drive faster
dwinps@reddit
Not me, I couldn’t care less unless they have flashing red and blue lights in
effortissues@reddit
Nah, but I absolutely hate following a truck with a trailer on it. Anything from a tractor trailer to a dude just hauling lawn equipment. Don't ask me why, but I can't stand it.
Gallop67@reddit
Do you happen to have social anxiety? Sounds like you’re just scared of angering others
anustart4779@reddit
I feel pressured every now and then from other drivers, mostly from those who drive aggressively around me or behind me, who I take notice of. Most of the time, I can just continue on with just acknowledging they're an idiot but there are times when I feel like I'm in the wrong. That is increased by seeing other drivers also driving aggressively. Almost pushed to the point of reaction, either raging back or driving badly myself, which is not good. I try and just talk myself down from feeling bad by reassuring myself I'm driving safely and properly like I'm supposed to; like I've done since I've got my liscence. If you're a good, safe, courteous driver on a normal day, then keep doing what you're doing. The worst someone can do is honk their horn or flip you off. It does nothing. They drive how they want to, without care about the consequences or feelings of others, so you're just doing the same, essentially, just in a safer, less intimidating way. Own how you drive and own your lane. Their entitlement doesn't supercede anyone else's. If they get upset at other people driving how they feel like it, they're hypocrites anyway.
mind_the_umlaut@reddit
YES, absolutely. I feel the pressure, and I pull over and let them roar onward to meet their fate. YOUR safety comes first, so find the safest and most visible place possible, (like a long straightaway) and pull over and let them go. Never go faster because you think they want you to, never compromise your own safety. Wait and look around until you come to a safe, convenient place to pull over. If they are following closely and you have not found a safe place yet, put on your hazards. Do not let people pressure you into making hasty decisions at intersections. Practice driving complicated intersections, but avoid rush hours.
PandoraClove@reddit
47 years on the road here, and I still have that problem. If there’s somewhere I can move to get out of their way, I will, but otherwise, when it's a low speed limit and there's a good reason not to exceed it, I just ignore them. Sooner or later, their luck will run out and they'll get pulled over for tailgating. It happened to me once long ago while trying to get my son to school and I got pulled over for following a garbage truck too closely, lol. No ticket, but it woke my son up (literally and figuratively) and he was more conscientious about not dragging his ass in the morning and causing me problems.
Pristine_Paper_9095@reddit
I don’t give two fucks about the person behind me unless it’s a LEO
KarasLegion@reddit
No, because when you are driving, you are focused on driving.
You do what you should and be ready for someone to fuck up.
Other people being annoyed or bothered by how you drive isn't your concern unless you drive like an idiot. And even then, your real concern is to learn how to drive better.
All you do is make sure you are going to speed limit or as fast as the car and conditions in front of you allow you to. You do what you feel safe doing while not breaking traffic law, and you're good.
If you're worrying about what others think this much, you aren't driving properly imo.
Responsible_Wish6313@reddit
I never feel pressured by people behind me. If they want to play stupid games, let them. I will do my 5 over speed limit in city and outside 10 over. You come flying up in my tailgate and I am passing a truck you gonna be pissed. I will drop my speed to match the truck. In a safe spot where the trucker can easily see me. Cruise there for a bit and then increase my speed just enough to ever so slow pass the truck. Pisses people off all the time and I just smile on the inside.
surms41@reddit
Someone will always want to go faster than you. I drive pretty strictly 10-15 mph over the speed limit, as does almost everyone here in SC, anything behind me is out of my control. Only thing I do to be safe is keep distance relative to speed from the car in front of me, and let these people doing felony speeds do what they want. The more you change your speed for someone else the less predictable you are in traffic. Meaning you close gap to an unsafe distance, create a higher difference in speed of cars nearby, and lose reaction time because you're watching the person behind you.
Ignore them because you are the one creating a safe driving experience for everyone around you, but let them pass if you see them coming from a distance if it's clear to change lanes. I always get these people on my ass even when 15mph over speed limit. The only thing I do it hit my breaks way earlier to alert them that we are slowing down so they don't rear end me when I actually start to break.
ExistentialDreadness@reddit
Pressured to drive even more slowly or if I have a chance to take off.
Low-Limit8066@reddit
I do… but after wrecking from feeling that pressure and having to deal with buying a new car and increased insurance and paying a lawyer… I no longer care. I play a mental game with myself, “Their Fault or Mine?”
If they rear end me or go around me and crash into someone for being an impatient idiot, it’s their fault… therefore none of my business.
If I act on feeling rushed and make a mistake and run into somebody for feeling pressured, that’s my fault and best believe they won’t do a damn thing except go on about their way.
I don’t have lawyer money, extra insurance money, money to buy another car, my credit is worse now so no bank would give me a loan… so I don’t make my intersection decisions based off of whatever is going on in my rearview. If I’m not going fast enough for someone behind me, they can go around me. It’s not my problem
TotalWeb2893@reddit
But it’s better to avoid both.
timfountain4444@reddit
Yes I feel pressured. To start slowing down…
WuufTheBika@reddit
Absolutely so not change your behaviour for anyone else. If you're making rash decisions and get yourself into an accident, they will just laugh at you while they drive off.
If they're not tailgating, don't worry about it. If they are, drop right down to exactly the speed limit. If there is an accident, you're not at fault, and it will massively piss them off.
gilthedog@reddit
I’m learning to drive and I feel the same way. Trying to just recognize it and then let it go. It’s good to be aware of them but not good to focus on them or drive faster than you feel is safe.
JBPunt420@reddit
Used to when I was a new driver. Not anymore. My people-pleasing days are behind me and now I'm entering my cranky old bastard phase. Get off my lawn.
Nunov_DAbov@reddit
I’ve got the red, white and blue US Government-issued Curmudgeon Club card.
NoDiamondOnlyRocks@reddit
Yes especially when they start honking the horn like a psycho and screaming profanities at me. I’ve gotten over to let the crazy go by many times.
Nunov_DAbov@reddit
That’s when it’s time to smile and give them a friendly wave hello.
Nunov_DAbov@reddit
You get to set the time or conditions it takes you to feel safe at an intersection, not the patience of the person behind you. If someone decides to honk their horn if they think I am taking too long, that is a sign to me that I might have missed something they are bringing to my attention and I am extra careful to look out for any dangers.
If you’re driving at or above the speed limit on a one lane road or in the right lane of a multi-lane road, they should be following you at a safe distance particularly where there might be children, wildlife or careless drivers you need to watch out for. If I feel someone is too close to me for the speed we’re driving, I protect both of us by slowing down until they decide to pass or follow at a safe distance.
Berfs1@reddit
Go the speed limit, if they are still tailgating you, up to you if you wanna go faster or not. They can't get mad at you for going the speed limit.
balanced_crazy@reddit
No I just move over… doesn’t matter what car or who it is… dude wants to pass and I am clearly not in the mood to drive as fast as he wants… so let him go… and cruise on…
zacmobile@reddit
No, if they try to I go slower.
jettech737@reddit
Chances are i don't even know they are behind me, especially if I'm already doing above the limit in the slow lane. They can just go around me.
ssjisM_7@reddit
Nah, I counter it by driving like a grandma.
Emotional_Ad358@reddit
I still do that, and I’ve been driving for 2 years. But inevitably you should always be more worried about your safety than “holding others up”
luvalicenchains1979@reddit
Just stay out of the left lane , which is the passing lane , and you’ll be fine . No problem
rhiannon-rings1975@reddit
That feeling goes away with experience. Stick to the right lane; faster cars should know to pass you on the left. That's all you can really do. There's student driver bumper stickers that ask the person reading it to be patient, if you feel like that would help.
soulmatesmate@reddit
Circa 1999: I was driving my mom's car, with her, just after midnight, heading home from work. A car similar to ours passed us 20 over on the interstate. A minute later, I was being tailgated. I was chatting with my mom, but slowly accelerated because this guy was riding me! He flipped his blue lights on. He had tagged the other car, and got behind me. When his lights came on, I was 15 over. He gave me a small ticket.
I now slow down to encourage them to pass, increase my following distance so I can stop more gradually, and pull to the outside of the lane to give them a better view (encourage to go away)
Don't let other people drive your car when you are behind the wheel.
One-Guilty-Finger@reddit
You need to focus on the road ahead, not whoever’s following you. There are some people who habitually try to push the car ahead of them by tailgating. Hopefully, you can at least stay in the slow lane So those drivers can tear by you. But the person behind you doesn’t get to set your pace. That is established by the speed limit signs and possibly lowered further by road conditions.
Eventually, you will be passed by some law-disrespecting idiot and then later come upon that idiot pulled over by a cop, getting a ticket. That is a wonderful feeling. There’s a lot of videos out there under the description “Convenient cop”. I can’t get enough of watching them.
Dependent_Price_1306@reddit
I was in a tunnel (M4, Sydney) with speed cameras & I knew there was one coming up in a KM or so. Its approaching afternoon peak so both lanes were pretty full, I was in the "fast" lane, doing the speed limit. Fucktard in BMW weaves his was thru traffic & is riding my arse. Fuck you buddy, I'm not moving for you. He see a gap and gunns it, right over the camers detector. I have never seen a prettier flash of life in my life.
The icing on the cake, 500m outside of the tunnel, traffic was at a standstill.
Complex_Solutions_20@reddit
Less pressured and more anxious (having had people failing to pay attention and/or impatient rear end me 3 times so far).
Now when people do that I slow down a bit so I can get additional following distance and further reduce chances I will have to brake suddenly and get hit again.
espakor@reddit
When they tailgate me, I cross all my i's and tees and go 5 mph below limit. F em.
On the left lane on a highway, no, move over
Lightning_Catcher258@reddit
If I'm in the left lane, I will go a little bit faster so I can move back to the right lane in front of the car I'm passing. If I'm on the right lane or on a 2 way highway, I keep the same speed. It's all a matter of courtesy.
Waveofspring@reddit
Yea but I try not to let it get to me
Zromaus@reddit
In order to overcome this you must become the one who pressures
ruturaj001@reddit
On a race track, yes. On a road, no.
It's my duty on track to not hold others. They wait for me to point buy.
On the road, I drive in correct lane so those who want can pass me.
-WhatCouldGoWrong@reddit
no fam, you should of been taught that the decisions you make don't affect the flow of traffic. Focus on the ting you are doing. If man hits you from behind he is automatically to blame so fuck him. Check your front and sides and progress when it's safe FOR YOU to progress
curiouscanadian2022@reddit
Ain’t nobody paying for your insurance but you! I know that feeling you get but honestly f em
AtYiE45MAs78@reddit
No. Wtf
sassybbyy@reddit
Yes.
Ann3Brunner@reddit
I feel this all. the. time. I always remember that it’s my job to get to my destination safely, and not to please strangers. They can be mad as hell and go around, but I’m not risking my life for them.
Feeling_Benefit8203@reddit
I feel that too, but I'm evil so that means if they tail gate me, I slow down.
Round-Sprinkles9942@reddit
Mhm, just slap the rear view right so you can't see em
assassinofy0uth@reddit
You can deal with it by moving out of the way and letting them pass
FabulousPanther@reddit
Don't put yourself in danger or get stressed out. Stay in the #1 and drive the speed limit. If you think it's safer to move after that, go ahead. Try to give yourself as much time as possible with your turning and decision making. Rushing those is what causes accidents.
Unpopularwaffle@reddit
Only when it's a cop. I can be doing everything right and it still gives me anxiety for some reason.
ConfidentCase2000@reddit
Will the person behind pay for your mistakes when you felt pressured and did something reckless? I don't think so, so f them! They can pass if they want
Varkoth@reddit
I felt that way when I started driving, but quickly adapted to not caring about how big of a rush the person behind me is in. They're behind me. They can pass if they don't like how slow I'm moving, or deal with it because they could have left earlier. The only two major exceptions I make are getting out of the way of obvious crazy folk doing 90+, and flashing emergency signals.