Drivers who tail gate: knock it off or die

[Polynitro]

I gotta get going; can someone else do it for a while? Trolls thick as flies.
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6620/thatword.jpg

[tjmicsak]

You get a much quicker and safer response if you flash the headlights instead of ride up on the car. There is actually no need for tailgating. It is a poor choice to make and indicates a lack of driving skill. There are better ways to communicate on the road. Anyone who tailgates is pretty much saying to everyone else on the road, I'm not very smart or considerate driver. It's the equivalent of swearing and shoving your way through a crowd instead of being cordial and excusing yourself to let folks know you want to get by. But you can't teach common sense.

[chrisr777]

I gotta get going; can someone else do it for a while? Trolls thick as flies.

Trolls are thick. He is the fat one. Coincidence? I think not.

[cram]

this thread is like a long line of cars that won't quit.

[guitfiddle]

Pace cars on I-70 have proven several times that the entire mass of traffic flows all together faster, if the tailgating speed demons are held back so they can't rush up, break hard, change lanes repeatedly, and interrupt the flow.


They're thinking of using them on all the big ski weekends to get people back to Denver more quickly.

So you see, letting you speed 20 mph over doesn't help the flow of traffic, if everyone else on the road is at the limit. If you're the only one wanting to do 25 over, then you are screwing the flow up.

[tiktok]

So you see, letting you speed 20 mph over doesn't help the flow of traffic, if everyone else on the road is at the limit. If you're the only one wanting to do 25 over, then you are screwing the flow up.

Yep.

Plus, even if a lot of people want to drive +20 doesn't make it a good idea.

[DC1]

Pace cars on I-70 have proven several times that the entire mass of traffic flows all together faster, if the tailgating speed demons are held back so they can't rush up, break hard, change lanes repeatedly, and interrupt the flow.


They're thinking of using them on all the big ski weekends to get people back to Denver more quickly.

So you see, letting you speed 20 mph over doesn't help the flow of traffic, if everyone else on the road is at the limit. If you're the only one wanting to do 25 over, then you are screwing the flow up.


If that is so, then it is solely because the baseline comparison still includes people who will not clear the left lane. I travel in the middle lane and pass in the left. I clear the lane as soon as possible and no one ever has to tailgate, break hard, change lanes repeatedly, and interrupt the flow. Try it and watch how much better things flow.

There should be major, major fines for parking yourself in the left lane. There sure are in Germany.

dc

[FeloniousBishop]

People who don't move to the right for faster traffic are just as bad as tailgaters.

The curmudgeon/vigilante passive/aggressive who thinks other traffic shouldn't be going faster than he thinks is reasonable, and therefore refuses to move over or even slows down to antagonize, is really just inciting other drivers to anger and making the road much more dangerous.

I never tailgate and I'm never tailgated. I frequently come up to drivers who block the left lane but I never tailgate them. I hold back and wait for my time to pass around them, never showing my intent, because I know about 30% of slow left lane drivers are just looking to provoke people and I don't want to get involved.

[Serious Poo]

If I tap my brakes and you nearly lose control of your vehicle, you're too close. If this happens, please don't speed up to glare at me for your own idiocy. This goes double for the soccer moms who think their snot-nosed larvae justify passing in the bike lane, passing in the median, and of course, tail gating.

Spread the word. Raise the finger. Help with the yelling. I don't have nearly enough scorn available to me for these...these THUGS. Help me educate these dangerous, brain-dead car zombies.

I hate them so.

Troll all you want here on TGP, but doing this in the real world could have real world repercussions. Trying this nonsense on the freeways in Los Angeles / Long Beach could very well get you shot. Besides, who's business is it of anyone to play self appointed minister of justice and block the flow of traffic? If someone needs to pass, just let them pass. They could be an ER doctor on their way to help with a medical emergency, you never know.

[shadco]

My Saab provides a very simple solution.

When I hit the windshield/headlight washer it releases a torrent of spray, a veritable thunder storm so to speak.

If someone gets too close behind I take that moment to eradicate the bug splatter that is obscuring my forward vision.

Works every time.

[Polynitro]

lol Saab.

[Scott Miller]

People who don't move to the right for faster traffic are just as bad as tailgaters.

No, they're not. They mess things up, but they aren't endangering anyone nearly as much as tailgaters.

[Pietro]

Remember you're trying to get there safely people... Leave 10 minutes earlier... stay in the right lane... don't be a jerk...

[saxophonist56]

some tailgators are just plain stupid. one lady would not pass me in the slow lane no matter how slow i went. finally i pulled into the left lane she had to pass me. moments later she tailgated some other driver in the left lane until she turned off.

other tailgators are even more crazy and won't pass you at all in the slow lane they want you to speed up. this one nimrod then pulled around and hit his brakes....not once but three times. then pulled into denny's parking lot and sped off in the other direction.

large pickup drivers are almost always guaranteed to have attitude problems. like i'm bigger than you and i'll do whatever i want including cutting you off.

my coworker had a sign that let him spell out messages to the drivers in back....must have been fun..

i find that tossing things like peanut shells out the window will back off tailgators.

[FeloniousBishop]

No, they're not. They mess things up, but they aren't endangering anyone nearly as much as tailgaters.

They are creating the dangerous situation just as much as the tailgaters.

[tiktok]

They are creating the dangerous situation just as much as the tailgaters.

That's funny, because from a 'legal' standpoint, if you run into the back of someone, you get a ticket for following too close. But feel free to try the "guy in front of me wasn't driving fast enough, your honor..." defense and report back to us.

[DC1]

That's funny, because from a 'legal' standpoint, if you run into the back of someone, you get a ticket for following too close. But feel free to try the "guy in front of me wasn't driving fast enough, your honor..." defense and report back to us.

One of the things the cops look for when looking for drunks is someone who parks in the left lane and will not budge. It is also illegal in may places.

If I was a cop, you would get a ticket every time you did it.

Oh, and BTW, if you tap your brakes and he hits you, you better hope there were no witnesses!

dc

[FeloniousBishop]

That's funny, because from a 'legal' standpoint, if you run into the back of someone, you get a ticket for following too close. But feel free to try the "guy in front of me wasn't driving fast enough, your honor..." defense and report back to us.

The law is not always the absolute answer on right and wrong.

But to be reasonable, they couldn't both be exactly equal in blame, and I'll concede: they're both idiots but the tailgater is worse.

I tend to cruise a little faster than traffic, in a mellow way, so I've thought about it a lot since I often come up to slower traffic blocking the left lane.

Lately it seems to be a lot of Prius drivers! Luckily they are no match for my 106 horsepower.

[tiktok]

Lately it seems to be a lot of Prius drivers! Luckily they are no match for my 106 horsepower.

Depends on the horsepower to weight ratio of the vehicle, since a Prius has 98hp...

[the fat one]

I'm never tailgated.

B.S.

I'm in Seattle. Must be the coffee then.

[the fat one]

Troll all you want here on TGP, but doing this in the real world could have real world repercussions. Trying this nonsense on the freeways in Los Angeles / Long Beach could very well get you shot. Besides, who's business is it of anyone to play self appointed minister of justice and block the flow of traffic? If someone needs to pass, just let them pass. They could be an ER doctor on their way to help with a medical emergency, you never know.

Not only has this been addressed over and over already, but it's really far simpler than you're making it. Occasionally drivers use their brakes; if this makes a tailgater crash, the tailgater is in the wrong. Simple. It really is. It's mutherfudging DEAD simple. Go back and read a bit. I couldn't fit it all into the OP, and didn't expect that I'd need to because I figured common sense still existed in the free world. But the world is not free and the Empire never collapsed. People in this thread are either playing dumb or they ain't playin'. Sad, shocking, eye-opening.

[2leod]

Tapping your breaks shouldn't make anyone lose control, unless by tapping you mean stomping on them so the guy behind you learns the lesson you are trying to teach him or her.

[the fat one]

tapping != stomping

[Scott Miller]

There will always be slow drivers. Good drivers can deal with them by not tailgating. I encounter slow drivers all the time, and yet somehow, I haven't had a need to tailgate, ever. The only reason I can think of to tailgate is if I want to be an asshole.

[bluesjuke]

Thank you Scott!

[Serious Poo]

Not only has this been addressed over and over already, but it's really far simpler than you're making it. Occasionally drivers use their brakes; if this makes a tailgater crash, the tailgater is in the wrong. Simple. It really is. It's mutherfudging DEAD simple. Go back and read a bit. I couldn't fit it all into the OP, and didn't expect that I'd need to because I figured common sense still existed in the free world. But the world is not free and the Empire never collapsed. People in this thread are either playing dumb or they ain't playin'. Sad, shocking, eye-opening.

Wow. I'm sorry that your life experience has made you feel this way. Perhaps one day you may choose to realize that there are different and equally insightful points of view in this world and that you just might be able to learn from them. Until then, best of luck to you in your struggle.

[bigdaddy]

There will always be slow drivers. Good drivers can deal with them by not tailgating. I encounter slow drivers all the time, and yet somehow, I haven't had a need to tailgate, ever. The only reason I can think of to tailgate is if I want to be an asshole.

Why did you differentiate between slow drivers and good drivers. Are you saying the two are mutually exclusive?

[cutaway]

i like the drivers who put stuffed animals in their back windshields to let me know i'm behind a shitty driver. :dunno

[Scott Miller]

Why did you differentiate between slow drivers and good drivers. Are you saying the two are mutually exclusive?

It depends on how slow they drive, and where, under what conditions. Sometimes driving slow is good, sometimes, (actually not very often), it's dangerous. Large trucks carrying chemical wastes, we really don't want them going 85 on the freeway, but we don't want them going 25 either.

[Gigbag]

There will always be slow drivers. Good drivers can deal with them by not tailgating. I encounter slow drivers all the time, and yet somehow, I haven't had a need to tailgate, ever. The only reason I can think of to tailgate is if I want to be an asshole.

This.

[2leod]

Last week, on the road I regularly drive, I got behind a pickup who was up and down on his speed and breaking in the corners more than the normal flow off traffic. The distance between us was increasing and decreasing as I tried to adjust to his speed and keep up with the flow (it's single lane most of the way) but I must of gotten into his comfort zone, which was wider than the distance between other cars in the steady stream of traffic typical of this road. He tapped his break lights a few times (not slowing down) and I backed off even more, allowing two other cars waiting at side roads to jump ahead of me - no big deal, I wasn't upset, I don't think the pickup driver was experiencing the hatred the OP seem to experience, and I only remembered it because of this thread.

[the-tone]

Drivers that go under the speed limit, hog the left lane and make no effort to make it through a green light, knock it off or get tail-gated.

TRUTH!!!

[stephenT]

I never tailgate and I'm never tailgated.

I think location has a lot to do w/ the presence of tailgaters. For instance when I'm up in northern Minnesota I'm never tailgated. When in GA it happens on a daily basis.

I always move to the right lane for anyone to pass on a four lane unless you're that guy in a 7 series BMW who wants to cramp his bummer up my ass. Then it may take awhile.

[FeloniousBishop]

Depends on the horsepower to weight ratio of the vehicle, since a Prius has 98hp...

But I have a stick!

[FeloniousBishop]

There will always be slow drivers. Good drivers can deal with them by not tailgating. I encounter slow drivers all the time, and yet somehow, I haven't had a need to tailgate, ever. The only reason I can think of to tailgate is if I want to be an asshole.

This is completely true.

[Pietro]

Tapping your breaks shouldn't make anyone lose control, unless by tapping you mean stomping on them so the guy behind you learns the lesson you are trying to teach him or her.

And... it isn't your job to teach them a lesson. Your job is to safely navigate the road and arrive in one piece.

Wow. I'm sorry that your life experience has made you feel this way. Perhaps one day you may choose to realize that there are different and equally insightful points of view in this world and that you just might be able to learn from them. Until then, best of luck to you in your struggle.

Sorry, but he's absolutely right. Assuming that I am not driving in an unsafe manner (for instance, driving 10 or 15mph under the speed limit), If I hit my brakes and you are traveling so close behind me that you hit my rear end, you will be at fault.

[tiktok]

Sorry, but he's absolutely right. Assuming that I am not driving in an unsafe manner (for instance, driving 10 or 15mph under the speed limit), If I hit my brakes and you are traveling so close behind me that you hit my rear end, you will be at fault.

Even then, given that drivers are supposed to keep a car length for every 10 mph between them and the next car, the following car should have plenty of time to figure out that he needs to add another car length of so to someone traveling 10-15mph under the speed limit.

[Jetrow]

Sorry, but he's absolutely right. Assuming that I am not driving in an unsafe manner (for instance, driving 10 or 15mph under the speed limit), If I hit my brakes and you are traveling so close behind me that you hit my rear end, you will be at fault.

Sure there is nothing wrong with it, just get out of the way so those on a schedule can arrive on time instead of late. A small thing to ask. Like please don't stop in a door way or stand and have a conversation in a cross walk or stand 5 feet out from the curb while you wait to cross the street.

Do what you like as long as it doesn't affect anyone else.

[Polynitro]

I think these are the ones who are still butthurt for not being picked to be a hall moniter.

No running in class!

If you want to control traffic go to the police acadamy, but Im pretty sure the op wouldnt get passed the psych evail lol.

[Scott Peterson]

Had to delete some posts.

If you disagree, don't get personal about it. This isn't 2nd grade, so please don't call each other names.

[Scott Miller]

If you want to control traffic go to the police acadamy, but Im pretty sure the op wouldnt get passed the psych evail lol.

I thought tailgaters were trying to communicate something by tailgating, thus attempting to control traffic. I guess it's not a communication effort, then? Just plain old bad driving?

[EricPeterson]

I am thinking I need to make a civilian model of this:

http://i.pbase.com/g1/36/640536/2/108142846.rpUmZ8jm.jpg


With like 10 user preset messages that can be selected on the fly.

[Jetrow]

I thought tailgaters were trying to communicate something by tailgating, thus attempting to control traffic. I guess it's not a communication effort, then? Just plain old bad driving?

No more than water is trying to communicate with a dam. Of the two which do you think is trying to control the flow?

The flow of traffic is the natural movement of it, while there are those who speed beyond that natural flow, so too are there those who refuse to join in that movement and pick a slower speed. No less dangerous than the speeder and sometime of greater affect on the other drivers.

[Midnight Lady]

Tailgating is the vehicular version of bullying.

Bullying is the pressure to do what the bullying person wants and he uses intimidation to do it.

No sane, mature person would do it. Nor would the car in front of him do anything unsafe like slamming on the brakes. These are all accidents waiting to happen.

Grow up. This is a general comment and not directed at any specific person.

[Dave LaP]

Tailgating is the vehicular version of bullying.



As usual you have summed things up succinctly and with insight.

BTW, Sandy was driving towards the Harbor Tunnel yesterday in the right lane (it's a two lane highway there) and a travel bus zoomed up and stayed right on her bumper. It wouldn't pull around her and scared the crap out of her.

She finally moved over to the left lane and he zoomed past her on the right. Why didn't he just go around?

For those who think it's justified to tailgate-it IS illegal for a reason. It's very dangerous. It's almost like putting a loaded gun to someones head but not quite.

Tailgating is basically threatening someone with a 2,000 pound vehicle traveling at lethal speeds. It's WAY WAY WAY out of proportion to the offense of either slow driving or going too slow in the fast lane.

BTW, I'm not a slow driver but I am very much against tailgating. It's totally unneccessary and dangerous.

[Scott Peterson]

Check this. Applies to the subject at hand...

http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/22/rear-window-led-hack-minds-bad-drivers-manners-has-nothing-to/

Video: http://www.viddler.com/explore/engadget/videos/3416/

[Jetrow]

As usual you have summed things up succinctly and with insight.

BTW, Sandy was driving towards the Harbor Tunnel yesterday in the right lane (it's a two lane highway there) and a travel bus zoomed up and stayed right on her bumper. It wouldn't pull around her and scared the crap out of her.

She finally moved over to the left lane and he zoomed past her on the right. Why didn't he just go around?

For those who think it's justified to tailgate-it IS illegal for a reason. It's very dangerous. It's almost like putting a loaded gun to someones head but not quite.

Tailgating is basically threatening someone with a 2,000 pound vehicle traveling at lethal speeds. It's WAY WAY WAY out of proportion to the offense of either slow driving or going too slow in the fast lane.

BTW, I'm not a slow driver but I am very much against tailgating. It's totally unneccessary and dangerous.

People are emotional creatures. Often it prevents us from eating our young. ;)
But a drunk wandering out into the middle of the street and getting hit doesn't mean that drivers are an angry hateful lot anymore than people trying to get the ball out of the hands of a kid who wants to stop the game, are an out of control mob.

Passive aggressiveness is a form of bullying too. So is being willfully obtuse to the point of holding up others.

For those who tailgate for the sake of tailgating when there is an alternative present I agree it's nothing more than a foolish attempt at dangerous driving at best and malicious intimidation on a sociopaths level.

The answer is simply if you are driving much slower than the flow of traffic on the highway, stay in the right hand lane or drive along secondary roads and enjoy the view. Should someone travelling faster than you appears in the rear view mirror, give them the opportunity to pass you and carry on.

It's simple and reasonable.

[billfoma]

Lead, follow, or get run off the f**king road! That is all.

[the fat one]

Had to delete some posts.

If you disagree, don't get personal about it. This isn't 2nd grade, so please don't call each other names.

Sorry about that. I didn't pick his username. I won't call Serious Poo a tail-gater anymore, or make jokes about any lighthearted varieties of poo, either.

*Respectfully*, can you please PM me if I missed your point when you deleted my post, because that's the only name-calling I did. Pretty sure I haven't called anybody any names except for tailgaters, whom I have called thugs and bullies, as many others have. I may have though, but I promise to act and type accordingly.

[the fat one]

Im pretty sure the op wouldnt get passed the psych evail lol.

Because I don't want to be tailgated?

[Dave LaP]

People are emotional creatures. Often it prevents us from eating our young. ;)
But a drunk wandering out into the middle of the street and getting hit doesn't mean that drivers are an angry hateful lot anymore than people trying to get the ball out of the hands of a kid who wants to stop the game, are an out of control mob.

Uh, since you were replying to my quote I am assuming this has something to do with what I said, how? Not trying to be sarcastic, I just don't get it.


Passive aggressiveness is a form of bullying too. So is being willfully obtuse to the point of holding up others.


Bullying and passivity are very different. There's a little bit of a connection when it's passive aggresive but that argument is a stretch IMO. Yeah, passive agressive driving exists too and sucks but it's not bullying. Also is it the appropriate response to threaten them with a vehicle capable of killing them for going slower than the tailgater wants to go?



For those who tailgate for the sake of tailgating when there is an alternative present I agree it's nothing more than a foolish attempt at dangerous driving at best and malicious intimidation on a sociopaths level.


I agree.

The answer is simply if you are driving much slower than the flow of traffic on the highway, stay in the right hand lane or drive along secondary roads and enjoy the view. Should someone travelling faster than you appears in the rear view mirror, give them the opportunity to pass you and carry on.

It's simple and reasonable
.[/QUOTE]

I think most people agree with this in principle but the details are often not simple. What if I am in a left hand lane going the speed limit, have to make a left turn about a mile or two ahead, and the car behind me is tailgating because they think they have the right to go faster-even if it's illegally faster-because they are in the left lane? Should I get over and possibly miss my turn off?

What if I'm in the left hand lane, doing 10 miles over the limit on a major highway,there's lots of traffic and everyone in the left lane is doing 10 miles over. A car pulls up behind me and starts tailgating me closely because he wants to go 5 miles an hour faster. Should I get over? What about the line of 50 cars ahead in the left lane? Should everyone get over so this one guy can go the speed he likes? If we do that than traffic in the non-passing lanes comes to a halt because all the vehicles in the passing lane are getting over.

Tailgating is illegal and dangerous and it's not an appropriate response in any situation. Have I ever done it? Sure. I ain't perfect and get pissed off too but that doesn't mean I try to rationalize it into being OK like some (not you) people in this thread.

[guitfiddle]

I'm chuckling at all the masses of people who think it's somehow controling, and wrong, to make people go slower, but not controling or wrong to make them move over, even if they're going at or above the legal limit.

Sure 15 under the limit is a bad driver, but the guy going 72 in a 60 doesn't really need to move over ASAP so you can get by.

On a schedule? Really??

Leave. Earlier.

[GCDEF]

I'm chuckling at all the masses of people who think it's somehow controling, and wrong, to make people go slower, but not controling or wrong to make them move over, even if they're going at or above the legal limit.

Sure 15 under the limit is a bad driver, but the guy going 72 in a 60 doesn't really need to move over ASAP so you can get by.

On a schedule? Really??

Leave. Earlier.

Except that moving over is supported or required by the law in many states, is common courtesy and doesn't actually inconvenience anybody.

[Travst]

I was driving from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham yesterday on the interstate. This section is generally like a NASCAR race, so I try to stay out of the madness. I was passing a slow driver on the left when a car blew up behind me going about 100 or more and started tailgating. This happened in mere seconds, he was not visible in my mirror when I started to pass. I got out of the way asap. He got back on it and disappeared. Within 30 seconds, the HP showed up with lights on and chased him down.

Frankly, I think both sides of the spectrum, those who hold up traffic and those who tailgate, are wrong. I'll happily get out of the way to let a tailgater pass. Better to have them in front of than behind me. If I'm not setting the pace, I stay in the right lane.

[Shane Sanders]

The folks who rile me up the most are the "weavers"--suddenly changing from the left lane to the right and back to the left. They speed up behind you in the right lane--swallow up all of your rear visibility with their SUV--and veer off to pass all in one snaking move--your mind at that point knows that if you had to slow down at all using your brakes, they'd clip the back end of your car because they're too close and they're trying to do too many things at once while assuming everyone else is going to keep doing the same uncomplicated thing. And you also know that if they cause a wreck, you're going to be the squished car in the middle.

[the fat one]

quote: get outta the way, slow-poke!





Sometimes there is no other lane/option/room and you cannot let them go around.

Sometimes there is no other lane/option/room and you cannot let them go around.

Sometimes there is no other lane/option/room and you cannot let them go around.

Sometimes there is no other lane/option/room and you cannot let them go around.

Maybe it will get read this time.

[Jetrow]

Uh, since you were replying to my quote I am assuming this has something to do with what I said, how? Not trying to be sarcastic, I just don't get it.

Well what I was getting at is if something irritates people, they react to it. It's an emotional reaction and sometimes not reasoned at all. Some times a loud mouth gets punched in the nose for nothing more than exercising their freedom of speech. There is talking and then there is talking. Some people don't even know that what they are doing is irritating someone.

Bullying and passivity are very different. There's a little bit of a connection when it's passive aggresive but that argument is a stretch IMO. Yeah, passive agressive driving exists too and sucks but it's not bullying. Also is it the appropriate response to threaten them with a vehicle capable of killing them for going slower than the tailgater wants to go?

If you have a choice to move out of the way and choose not to, then you are holding someone else up in an attempt to control them. It's no longer that you should go the speed you're going, but everyone should go the speed limit you're going and so you drive at the same speed as the car in the next lane, effectively forcing all cars behind you to slow down to your speed.


I agree.


I think most people agree with this in principle but the details are often not simple. What if I am in a left hand lane going the speed limit, have to make a left turn about a mile or two ahead, and the car behind me is tailgating because they think they have the right to go faster-even if it's illegally faster-because they are in the left lane? Should I get over and possibly miss my turn off?

You don't need a couple of miles ahead of you to change lanes.
If you are slowing down to make a left hand turn then you will be out of the way promptly and no one should have an issue. If it's a busy street then there is most likely a left hand turning lane installed and everyone is just going around you anyway. Pull over to the right and let faster traffic pass you. Traffic will thin out and you will be able to pull into the left hand lane again and make your turn.


What if I'm in the left hand lane, doing 10 miles over the limit on a major highway,there's lots of traffic and everyone in the left lane is doing 10 miles over. A car pulls up behind me and starts tailgating me closely because he wants to go 5 miles an hour faster. Should I get over? What about the line of 50 cars ahead in the left lane? Should everyone get over so this one guy can go the speed he likes? If we do that than traffic in the non-passing lanes comes to a halt because all the vehicles in the passing lane are getting over.

Presumably you are the last in the line so yeah pull over and let him past you then return to the lane you were in. See the problem only presents itself when all lanes are traveling at the same speed. If as you say the left lane is traveling over the speed limit, chances are that the right lane is slower and before long the cars in the left lane will over take all the cars in the right lane and people will change lanes to ease the congestion. At that point I suppose the guy who wants to go even faster will take off and eventually meet with the police who will ticket him for speeding.

If there is room for 50 cars in the left lane to move into the right lane, you guys are all doing it wrong. They make buses for people like that.

Tailgating is illegal and dangerous and it's not an appropriate response in any situation. Have I ever done it? Sure. I ain't perfect and get pissed off too but that doesn't mean I try to rationalize it into being OK like some (not you) people in this thread.

Tailgating is dangerous and while no one should be riding the back of another drivers car, so too should those driving slower, legally or not, to get out of the way of the faster moving traffic. Things go better when we try a little consideration and try to keep out of the next guys way.

[Jetrow]

quote: get outta the way, slow-poke!





Sometimes there is no other lane/option/room and you cannot let them go around.

Sometimes there is no other lane/option/room and you cannot let them go around.

Sometimes there is no other lane/option/room and you cannot let them go around.

Sometimes there is no other lane/option/room and you cannot let them go around.

Maybe it will get read this time.

Then hurry up. :rotflmao

[the fat one]

Then hurry up. :rotflmao

That's as good a summation and explanation for such an illogical and lemmingesque phenomenon that we'll ever have.

[the fat one]

^^^^

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6620/thatword.jpg



Pretty sure I do know what that word means.

[Polynitro]

I'm chuckling at all the masses of people who think it's somehow controling, and wrong, to make people go slower, but not controling or wrong to make them move over, even if they're going at or above the legal limit.

Sure 15 under the limit is a bad driver, but the guy going 72 in a 60 doesn't really need to move over ASAP so you can get by.

On a schedule? Really??

Leave. Earlier.

the main difference is that people driving slow in the left lane choose to have people behind them. All you have to do is move over to the right and you'll be getting smaller and smaller in my mirror.

If you wanna drive slow stay to the right where all the other slow people are.

I dont drive fast in the slow lane, why should you drive slow in the fast lane? Doesnt make any sense at all.

[Polynitro]

^^^^





Pretty sure I do know what that word means.

what does it mean? you used it wrong like 3 times already.

denife it and then use it in a sentence.

[the fat one]

I'll just show you what one looks like instead, and you can go ahead and wiki the term if you want.



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/73/Trollface.png/200px-Trollface.png

[Polynitro]

As far as trolling goes, that was pretty lame, and it's been done 40 times already.

:huh

[Boris Bubbanov]

That's funny, because from a 'legal' standpoint, if you run into the back of someone, you get a ticket for following too close. But feel free to try the "guy in front of me wasn't driving fast enough, your honor..." defense and report back to us.

Respectfully, you are misapplying a quick rule of thumb principle.

Someone must be presumed at fault in a following collision. At a four way stop, we assign the right of way to the vehicle on the right. If you're legally intoxicated and you have a 1 car collision you're presumed at fault.

But these presumptions are to speed the legal system along and can be rebutted IF the circumstances warrant. Like if people lock it up in traffic for no reason and cause chaos behind them. You're trying to turn the leading driver (who has the upper hand, yes) into an idelible God who never loses. That's a falsehood; his rights only extend so far.

[Boris Bubbanov]

Depends on the horsepower to weight ratio of the vehicle, since a Prius has 98hp...

The horsepower rating on a Prius has no value used this way. With access to the electric motor, these guys can make nice gas mileage while commuting. Or they could be a raging bully. Watch what these things CAN do when the driver stops looking at the economy guage and tries to block an old lady from changing lanes. These are serious weapons in the wrong hands. Almost all Hybrids are.

[jzgtrguy]

I was going almost 80 in the slow late at night on an uncrowded 5 lane (each way) highway a couple nights ago when this nit wit tail gates me so close I can't see his head lights! So I know this isn't safe but I just take my foot off the gas. I go 80, then 75 the 70,65,60,55,50,45,40,35 then he finally gets the point and passes me on the big empty freeway!

[Jetrow]

That's as good a summation and explanation for such an illogical and lemmingesque phenomenon that we'll ever have.

Heh Lemmingesque, you know nothing of lemmings that Disney hasn't programmed into you. lol

[Jetrow]

I'll just show you what one looks like instead, and you can go ahead and wiki the term if you want.



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/73/Trollface.png/200px-Trollface.png

"I'm slow in the left lane, hence I am your leader"?

[mc5nrg]

doesn't matter the reason why..
if you hit someone from behind, you will get ticketed for it.

stupid rule, i know.


No...in DC if its relatively minor and everybody is ok the cops will not respond. Don't ask how I know...

[the fat one]

Heh Lemmingesque, you know nothing of lemmings that Disney hasn't programmed into you. lol

I can't argue with that.

[Dave LaP]

[QUOTE=

Tailgating is dangerous and while no one should be riding the back of another drivers car, so too should those driving slower, legally or not, to get out of the way of the faster moving traffic. Things go better when we try a little consideration and try to keep out of the next guys way.[/QUOTE]


I just spent most of my lunch time at work writing a detailed response and when I hit submit reply it got lost. LOL.

I agree with your last statement completely and think we are visualing different situations in regards to the other examples of left hand passing lane etiquette.

These threads can be endless so I'm done. One amazing thing they do point out is that given the same set of facts (rules of the road, safety basics, etc) 10 different well meaning people can all come to different, yet logical, conclusions

[atomicmassunit]

Anyone ever seen or heard about someone getting a ticket for tailgating? I haven't.

[RhytmEarl]

Anyone ever seen or heard about someone getting a ticket for tailgating? I haven't.

They usually bump it up to "Undue Care and Caution". My ex got that ticket when she rear ended someone. That ticket cost us in insurance premiums for 5 years. And all she had to say was "it was icy", which in fact it was.

[offbeat]

Anyone ever seen or heard about someone getting a ticket for tailgating? I haven't.

In my younger days, I was ticketed for 'Following Too Closely'. I was on my way to work, and behind an old guy at idle speed (in a 35 mph zone). I actually had to drag my brakes to keep from bumping into him. Apparently my car's idle speed was about 1 mph faster than his.
I didn't hit the guy, but I was awfully close. A cop saw us and pulled me over. I asked why he didn't ticket the old man for obstructing traffic, but he didn't share my point of view. ;)

Now, decades later, I'M the old guy. Get off my ass, you young whippersnappers!

[nitehawk55]

I'll bet if you asked a tailgater of speeder why they drive like that most wouldn't have a clue what you're talking about .
Most drivers have adopted poor driving habits as the norm .

[imonabuss]

Except that moving over is supported or required by the law in many states, is common courtesy and doesn't actually inconvenience anybody.


Unfortunately, courtesy is not on thefatone or guitfiddles agendas. This thread is truly depressing for the vindictiveness.

[the fat one]

use it in a sentence.

This is a perfect example.

Unfortunately, courtesy is not on thefatone or guitfiddles agendas. This thread is truly depressing for the vindictiveness.

[chrisr777]

Anyone ever seen or heard about someone getting a ticket for tailgating? I haven't.

I think it was around 1981. I got a ticket for following too closely on the Ventura Freeway at about 5:00 P.M. If any of you have seen the Ventura Freeway at 5:00 P.M. you will realize how ridiculous that is.

It did inspire me to write a song called Stop and Go Traffic though. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the tapes of that track are.

[the fat one]

^ Ignore 21 pages' worth all you want, Bus. And SNL ain't funny.

[Polynitro]

exactly, you have no clue what trolling is.

This is a perfect example.

[jb4674]

If I tap my brakes and you nearly lose control of your vehicle, you're too close. If this happens, please don't speed up to glare at me for your own idiocy. This goes double for the soccer moms who think their snot-nosed larvae justify passing in the bike lane, passing in the median, and of course, tail gating.

Spread the word. Raise the finger. Help with the yelling. I don't have nearly enough scorn available to me for these...these THUGS. Help me educate these dangerous, brain-dead car zombies.

I hate them so.

I hope you don't live in the DC Metro area. If you can't drive fast enough get the $%^& out of the way pops.

[the fat one]

Kid got killed on my road. Same spot a few years before saw 2 cars disintegrate into each other. Small pieces.

It's a small, winding country road. Pine trees on both sides. 35 mph speed limit. I get tailgated on it regularly even when doing 45. No room to let anybody by for the most part. I'm sick of it, and I'm stressed by it. I am still thinking about what to do about it and what to do about all the trolls saying "duh go faster then lol".

Go ahead and troll. I will respond with this post right here every time, and the one a few posts back about the guy in the giant truck who didn't want to go faster than me, he just had to be in front, that's all.

[Polynitro]

QMz_RQuTBlI&feature=related

[DC1]

Kid got killed on my road. Same spot a few years before saw 2 cars disintegrate into each other. Small pieces.

It's a small, winding country road. Pine trees on both sides. 35 mph speed limit. I get tailgated on it regularly even when doing 45. No room to let anybody by for the most part. I'm sick of it, and I'm stressed by it. I am still thinking about what to do about it and what to do about all the trolls saying "duh go faster then lol".

Go ahead and troll. I will respond with this post right here every time, and the one a few posts back about the guy in the giant truck who didn't want to go faster than me, he just had to be in front, that's all.

Letting people pass clearly doesn't apply in your case. i would make a police report and ask them to patrol your road more often. Video of the tailgaters might help too.

They should get huge tickets.


dc

[doublee]

I wonder if attitudes would change if you have actually been in a wreck or a very serious near miss, I have, and that changed me forever, peeps drive too fast, too much aggression, and saving 5 minutes on your drive aint worth endangering those around you, and that 'you' could be....YOU

But until you have been in a wreck you wont get it....it happens Really REALLY fast and kind of out of nowhere. Excessive speed usually.

calm down, chill, its makes for a better society in general....

[offbeat]

I see only one possible outcome for this thread:
TGP Demolition Derby! Pick any rural county fair as your venue, then have at it, boys!
Winner gets a free corn dog and a 12-pack of Blatz beer.
And, of course, bragging rights... for 1 24-hour period, you will be the absolute final authority on all automobile-related threads. (Unless, of course, you disagree with MY opinion. In that case, you will be removed from office and replaced. You may keep the corn dog.)

[Jetrow]

I wonder if attitudes would change if you have actually been in a wreck or a very serious near miss, I have, and that changed me forever, peeps drive too fast, too much aggression, and saving 5 minutes on your drive aint worth endangering those around you, and that 'you' could be....YOU

But until you have been in a wreck you wont get it....it happens Really REALLY fast and kind of out of nowhere. Excessive speed usually.

calm down, chill, its makes for a better society in general....

You see it's not that I want to get somewhere a few minutes earlier, it's that I don't want to sit around in a pack of cars where most people aren't paying attention or aware what is going on around them. I want to be through that pack and onto the open road where I have an escape route available to me for the inevitable rear end collision, bump and spin or crossing of the centre lane.

I don't mind at all if you want to drive in a pack of cars, it's your choice and I feel you are welcome to it. I just don't want to share that space with you when you finally kill someone.

[Jetrow]

I see only one possible outcome for this thread:
TGP Demolition Derby! Pick any rural county fair as your venue, then have at it, boys!
Winner gets a free corn dog and a 12-pack of Blatz beer.
And, of course, bragging rights... for 1 24-hour period, you will be the absolute final authority on all automobile-related threads. (Unless, of course, you disagree with MY opinion. In that case, you will be removed from office and replaced. You may keep the corn dog.)

Is them thar tall boy cans cause if they is sign me up! :drink

[offbeat]

Is them thar tall boy cans cause if they is sign me up! :drink

Ahh... a true beer aficionado! A connoisseur, even!

:bow

[doublee]

[QUOTE=Jetrow;11701203
I don't mind at all if you want to drive in a pack of cars, it's your choice and I feel you are welcome to it. I just don't want to share that space with you when you finally kill someone.[/QUOTE]

A totally misread interpretation of what I posted, another planet in fact.

[hi-fi-dave]

I see only one possible outcome for this thread:
TGP Demolition Derby! Pick any rural county fair as your venue, then have at it, boys!
Winner gets a free corn dog and a 12-pack of Blatz beer.
And, of course, bragging rights... for 1 24-hour period, you will be the absolute final authority on all automobile-related threads. (Unless, of course, you disagree with MY opinion. In that case, you will be removed from office and replaced. You may keep the corn dog.)

You should include a Steven Hawkins wheel chair......that way the winner can still brag if mostly paralyzed. http://img.thegearpage.net/board/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Jetrow]

A totally misread interpretation of what I posted, another planet in fact.

Nope not at all. Bang on as a matter of fact. You've been in a wreck not me. I've been driving for 34 years and managed to avoid everything you've thrown at me so far. You've admittedly been in a wreck, again that you say your abilities couldn't allow you to avoid and feel that it's my driving that should change. I'm as cool as can be driving. When there is no alternative, I match the flow of traffic perfectly. When the opportunity presents itself I move away from the pack of cars.

Now I have had one speeding ticket once when I was a youngster still learning the ropes, so to speak, but none since then. I haven't caused nor been involved in any accident at all.

So tell me again how you're doing it right and I am doing it wrong. :rotflmao

[jonleecourage]

You live in Canada, them wasn't cars you were weaving your way through, them was moose.

[jonleecourage]

And as much as tailgaters suck, be mindful that you could play the tap the brakes game and get people killed. Hardly a just retribution for the possibility of a rear-end, and if you get the wrong persons family hurt, I know people who would gladly go to jail the rest of their lives for the pleasure of following you home and dismembering you and your loved ones. I do get your frustration though, but road rage is just a loser's game.

[the fat one]

And as much as tailgaters suck, be mindful that you could play the tap the brakes game and get people killed. Hardly a just retribution for the possibility of a rear-end, and if you get the wrong persons family hurt, I know people who would gladly go to jail the rest of their lives for the pleasure of following you home and dismembering you and your loved ones. I do get your frustration though, but road rage is just a loser's game.

Clearly you can read. You simply won't.

[Scott Miller]

the main difference is that people driving slow in the left lane choose to have people behind them.

What, you think you have no choice but to tailgate? Millions and millions of people choose not to tailgate, every day, even behind slow drivers. You can make that choice too! I have faith in you! Try it!

[doublee]

Nope not at all. Bang on as a matter of fact. You've been in a wreck not me.
Now I have had one speeding ticket once when I was a youngster still learning the ropes, so to speak, but none since then. I haven't caused nor been involved in any accident at all.

So tell me again how you're doing it right and I am doing it wrong. :rotflmao

Someone else was driving, not me. Never had a speeding ticket in 42 years of driving either.

[Polynitro]

What, you think you have no choice but to tailgate? Millions and millions of people choose not to tailgate, every day, even behind slow drivers. You can make that choice too! I have faith in you! Try it!

I dont tailgate. This is not tailgate vs slow drivers, its slow driver vs everyone else. The op admits to driving slow in the fast lane.

[CRAIG4FSU]

I'm especially fond of people getting on the interstate at 45-50 MPH with you and 5 other cars behing them when the slow lane is whipping by around 75 MPH.

Speaking of slow folks,on the interstate in the fast lane.How many head light flashes do you give when trying to get them to slide over out of the fast lane before going around?

[opdev]

This should be the first page of the drivers Ed manual.


Has anyone posting here ever calculated how much further you get on an average commute by going 10 MPH faster to your destination? I'll save you the trouble and simply say the few minutes are not worth your life.

I've pulled more dead people, men, women and kids, out of cars than probably the vast majority of members here after spending 24 years in the Fire Service. But it's the words of the ones who were alive that resonate the most with me.

Words like "I should have just pulled over"...or "I should have just left a few minutes earlier"...or "I just got so mad...but I'm so sorry".

A smart drive is a Defensive driver. Pull to the side. If you're on a narrow road, put on your emergency lights, put your arm out the window to motion the Tail-Gater to pass when safe, or pull into the next closest driveway.

The object of getting to your destination is to get there ALIVE....

[DC1]

This should be the first page of the drivers Ed manual.

:agree


How anyone could not understand this is beyond me...


dc

[67blackcherry]

Had an experience yesterday that I'm compelled to share...

I'm driving home on the 405 Freeway through Irvine at 3pm....just before the onset of our lovely rush hour traffic here in So Cal...traffic wasn't too bad....anyway, this idiot starts tailgating me. Usually, I just tap on the brake pedal but this time I had a better idea....I lifted my foot off the gas, my car eventually slows down to 40mph....on the freeway, all other lanes were WIDE OPEN....traffic had moved ahead of me and the pack behind hadn't caught up yet...anyway, it's just the two of us, no one else around, I'm doing 40mph on the freeway and what does this idiot do?

He stays on my bumper.
As all the other lanes are wide open.
And I'm doing 40mph on the freeway.

Unbelievable.

[Polynitro]

whats amazing is people will die to prove a point.

[Jetrow]

Love those guys who cut you off to get in front of you and then knock it down to ten klicks under the limit. Or make a right hand turn from the left lane, that's always a treasure to see.

[Pietro]

Had an experience yesterday that I'm compelled to share...

I'm driving home on the 405 Freeway through Irvine at 3pm....just before the onset of our lovely rush hour traffic here in So Cal...traffic wasn't too bad....anyway, this idiot starts tailgating me. Usually, I just tap on the brake pedal but this time I had a better idea....I lifted my foot off the gas, my car eventually slows down to 40mph....on the freeway, all other lanes were WIDE OPEN....traffic had moved ahead of me and the pack behind hadn't caught up yet...anyway, it's just the two of us, no one else around, I'm doing 40mph on the freeway and what does this idiot do?

He stays on my bumper.
As all the other lanes are wide open.
And I'm doing 40mph on the freeway.

Unbelievable.

I've known people who got ticketed for what you did. Slowing down like that (I presume that the speed limit was around 55?) is a ticketable offense in every state I've lived in. It's also not real safe...

Sounds like a real joker, though, behind you... maybe he was reading your bumper stickers?

[Bob Maximus]

I was riding my bike on the Natchez Trace yesterday (beautiful non-commercial parkway; great for riding), when a car caught up with me from way back. It was a blond haired lady on her cell, obviously cruising over the speed limit, which, btw is a big no-no on the federally owned Trace. I slowed in the passing lanes trying to get her to pass but she just wouldn't.

That's when I realized the crack of my butt was hanging out there.

I pulled over to fix the situation, butt she kept going. Dang.

[GuitarKidd]

One of the things I have told my daughter, who is not driving yet, only 11, but will be here before I know it is this - Remember, there will always be someone driving faster than you. It's not a competition or a race, don't take someone who drives faster than you personal. As soon as you take it personal and feel that they should fit in YOUR mold, is when you become dangerous. And that goes both ways. If I come up on someone that feels the speed limit is their moral law, than I will go around if they don't. I will give them the chance, but if not.. I'm going around. And if someone comes up behind me and I can get over I will. The unwritten rules of the road are not difficult to understand or adhere to IMO.

[tiktok]

I've known people who got ticketed for what you did. Slowing down like that (I presume that the speed limit was around 55?) is a ticketable offense in every state I've lived in. It's also not real safe...


I think the interstate system actually has a minimum speed (unlike other roads) which is 45mph. Hence, no bicycles or mopeds allowed on the interstate.

[GreyJazz90]

What I really hate is when people tailgate you in the right lane on the freeway instead of using the passing lane. The other day I was coming home from work on the freeway and this dad and his son shoot up the right lane in their monster pickup truck and start tailing me bumper to bumper. Since pulling over would be a stupid idea on the freeway, I proceed to go at the same speed(five over the limit). Eventually they pass me and as they do the asshole's son flips me off. Funny thing is, a couple minutes later I pass their truck and see that they had been pulled over by state patrol. Couldn't help but chuckle a little, I love it when justice is served. :rotflmao

[hellbender]

Here you go and nice knowing ya!

NxU4jAnv1hg

[the fat one]

The op admits to driving slow in the fast lane.


Another day of Polynitro trolling me about how I don't know what "troll" means.

[Cobb]

I hate when they tailgate me when there is a car in front of me and I have no way of speeding up.

We are stuck going 60 MPH, whether you are 5 feet behind me or 100 feet behind me.

[Pietro]

Another day of Polynitro trolling me about how I don't know what "troll" means.

Both of you should just let it go.

[CRAIG4FSU]

I'm especially fond of people getting on the interstate at 45-50 MPH with you and 5 other cars behing them when the slow lane is whipping by around 75 MPH.

Speaking of slow folks,on the interstate in the fast lane.How many head light flashes do you give when trying to get them to slide over out of the fast lane before going around?

I give two then floor it around them fighting off the urge to give them a pit maneuver or flip them off.

[Tripower455]

I wonder if attitudes would change if you have actually been in a wreck or a very serious near miss, I have, and that changed me forever, peeps drive too fast, too much aggression, and saving 5 minutes on your drive aint worth endangering those around you, and that 'you' could be....YOU

But until you have been in a wreck you wont get it....it happens Really REALLY fast and kind of out of nowhere. Excessive speed usually.

calm down, chill, its makes for a better society in general....

I've been in a few accidents in 30 years of driving. All but one were caused by morons pacing, and then changing lanes abruptly with no warning whatsoever. The other was a head on caused by a guy crossing the line inside a curve on a narrow 2 lane. My car was in the ditch and we still hit headlight to headlight. Everyone walked away without a scratch. Most of the time I can (and do) avoid them by not allowing them to pace me (speed up/slow down), but sometimes you're just hosed. Every time it happened, we were going well below the limit.

I always strive to be out by myself, away from the "pack". If I or someone else zones out, blows a tire, hydroplanes etc., if there are no other cars there, then there is nothing to hit, and everyone has a better chance of not being in an accident. Employing proper lane usage is the key to safe driving. Period.

Actual speed becomes a lot less relevant when cars aren't packed into tight groups, inches from each other. If you hydroplane in the pack and lose control going 10 under the limit, are you safer than if you were going 10 over out by yourself with lots of room to recover?

There seems to be a new technique employed where I'll be cruising along, all by my lonesome, and another car will slowly overtake me. Then when their front bumper is even with my rear bumper, and stay there indefinitely. If I slow down, they match it, if I speed up, they match it. It's especially annoying at night, because that puts their lights right in the side view mirror, and also prevents me from changing lanes when I overtake slower traffic without standing on it, then it's a race. I drove home from work last night (185 miles of pure hell) and this happened more times than I could count.

I couldn't care less if you want to drive faster or slower than I, but for all that's holy, when you have a choice DO IT SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN TWO FEET FROM MY CAR! If you're gonna pass, PASS, if you're gonna pace, either get a few car lengths behind me and do it safely, or pass me, and I'll do the same. We aren't in a parade.

Rant off.

[Scott Miller]

I dont tailgate. This is not tailgate vs slow drivers, its slow driver vs everyone else. The op admits to driving slow in the fast lane.

Well, yeah, driving slow in the fast lane is bad driving too. But, there are many more opportunities for getting tailgated. I got tailgated twice this morning on my little 5-mile surface-streets commute. Man, people sure do want to get to that red light in a hurry.

[DC1]

I've been in a few accidents in 30 years of driving. All but one were caused by morons pacing, and then changing lanes abruptly with no warning whatsoever. The other was a head on caused by a guy crossing the line inside a curve on a narrow 2 lane. My car was in the ditch and we still hit headlight to headlight. Everyone walked away without a scratch. Most of the time I can (and do) avoid them by not allowing them to pace me (speed up/slow down), but sometimes you're just hosed. Every time it happened, we were going well below the limit.

I always strive to be out by myself, away from the "pack". If I or someone else zones out, blows a tire, hydroplanes etc., if there are no other cars there, then there is nothing to hit, and everyone has a better chance of not being in an accident. Employing proper lane usage is the key to safe driving. Period.

Actual speed becomes a lot less relevant when cars aren't packed into tight groups, inches from each other. If you hydroplane in the pack and lose control going 10 under the limit, are you safer than if you were going 10 over out by yourself with lots of room to recover?

There seems to be a new technique employed where I'll be cruising along, all by my lonesome, and another car will slowly overtake me. Then when their front bumper is even with my rear bumper, and stay there indefinitely. If I slow down, they match it, if I speed up, they match it. It's especially annoying at night, because that puts their lights right in the side view mirror, and also prevents me from changing lanes when I overtake slower traffic without standing on it, then it's a race. I drove home from work last night (185 miles of pure hell) and this happened more times than I could count.

I couldn't care less if you want to drive faster or slower than I, but for all that's holy, when you have a choice DO IT SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN TWO FEET FROM MY CAR! If you're gonna pass, PASS, if you're gonna pace, either get a few car lengths behind me and do it safely, or pass me, and I'll do the same. We aren't in a parade.

Rant off.

Wisdom.

And what is UP with that pacing business? Drives me bats..

:mmm:mmm

:omg

dc

[RGB]

Wisdom.

And what is UP with that pacing business? Drives me bats..

:mmm:mmm

:omg

dc

On the way home from a show a few weeks ago, about 2 am, all alone on the interstate when a pair of headlights shows up in the mirror. Gaining fairly quickly, until they get up almost alongside of me and then the pacing thing. No obvious reason...what IS up with that?

Had to slow down until they finally took off, leaving me totally baffled...and a little unsettled, to be honest. Maybe that's the intention? Maybe the pacers here could fill us in on the reasoning? ;)

[Tripower455]

On the way home from a show a few weeks ago, about 2 am, all alone on the interstate when a pair of headlights shows up in the mirror. Gaining fairly quickly, until they get up almost alongside of me and then the pacing thing. No obvious reason...what IS up with that?

Had to slow down until they finally took off, leaving me totally baffled...and a little unsettled, to be honest. Maybe that's the intention? Maybe the pacers here could fill us in on the reasoning? ;)

I'm not sure it's intentional. I think humans have a herding/schooling instinct, and when they're not really paying attention they tend to fall prey to this instinct. It is really annoying, there's no valid reason to do it, yet it happens all the time.

[fjblair]

Drivers that go under the speed limit, hog the left lane and make no effort to make it through a green light, knock it off or get tail-gated.


You said it.

[fjblair]

Wisdom.

And what is UP with that pacing business? Drives me bats..

:mmm:mmm

:omg

dc


Drives me crazy and I'll do anything to get away from them. I also love when somebody takes 10 friggin minutes to pass a semi, get around the damn thing.

[the fat one]

Both of you should just let it go.

[MOD EDIT]Polynitro is undermining the whole point of something I feel strongly about for no reason--he's not even engaged in the actual discussion[MOD EDIT]

[nitehawk55]

Had an experience yesterday that I'm compelled to share...

I'm driving home on the 405 Freeway through Irvine at 3pm....just before the onset of our lovely rush hour traffic here in So Cal...traffic wasn't too bad....anyway, this idiot starts tailgating me. Usually, I just tap on the brake pedal but this time I had a better idea....I lifted my foot off the gas, my car eventually slows down to 40mph....on the freeway, all other lanes were WIDE OPEN....traffic had moved ahead of me and the pack behind hadn't caught up yet...anyway, it's just the two of us, no one else around, I'm doing 40mph on the freeway and what does this idiot do?

He stays on my bumper.
As all the other lanes are wide open.
And I'm doing 40mph on the freeway.

Unbelievable.

He was likely totally unaware on what was going on around him . I strongly believe that a lot of drivers only see the vehical in front of them , they don't see anything else .

[nitehawk55]

Another type of tailgater that drives me nuts is the one that will come up on you fast (single lane , line of traffic , unable to pass ) then will back off and leave some distance than race up to the back of you again . I had a woman doing this a while back for several miles before she could pass and honestly , if I could have followed her to where she was going I would have bitch slapped her !! :boxer

Winter time weather will be here soon and when the roads get icy I like to leave lots of room . I hope some of these others think about that before they plant their bumper in my trunk .

[DC1]

He was likely totally unaware on what was going on around him . I strongly believe that a lot of drivers only see the vehical in front of them , they don't see anything else .

Likely true. He was letting you drive for him. Move over, get away from him, he is likely to make a wreck happen soon.


dc