i am so sorry you had such an awful day... road bullies that's what those people are. yeah people blinking behind you is annoying - and dangerous like you said for visibility.

like Hockey i've also pulled to the side and let people pass... (definitely safer to have those idiots in front of you than behind.) but sometimes it is not a good idea to stop for other reasons - like at night, or in desolate areas - i've seen reports of criminals tailgating or blinking to actually GET people to stop and rob them, or whatever... so in similar conditions best not to stop unless you can pull into a well-lit place with lots of people around.

usually when i would get tailgated, or blinked at or both, i would slow down and wave the person on with my hand, like "pass me" (if there is room for them to pass obviously). another strategy is to turn on your hazard lights temporarily until the creep turns off or passes or whatever. some tailgaters will at that point back off a bit ... unless they're stupid as well as aggressive.

and getting lost on top of it... that had to be the pits.

the bullies will always be out there, but it will get a little easier to deal with them after you have been driving a while. it is really REALLY hard to deal with these things at the beginning. for your part of things, you did a good job. i am glad you are ok and that your mom could come meet you. i hope you got to have a cookie... or three.

here are some hugs from me...

~ waves ~