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How do YOU deal with tailgaters?
- Thread starter Bad Brains
- Start date
You shouldnt be in the left lane unless you are passing.
If you are going the same speed as the people to your right or slower, you should merge to the right.
The left lane should only be used for passing. Once you have passed the car to your right, you move over to the right and out of the way of drivers that want to pass you.
If you are going the same speed as the people to your right or slower, you should merge to the right.
The left lane should only be used for passing. Once you have passed the car to your right, you move over to the right and out of the way of drivers that want to pass you.
I think you are totally missing what they are saying happened. Although driving off wasnt too cool because Bryan would not have been at fault. That is if Im reading it right myself.
bassman314
I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process...
I'm actually shocked this thread lasted this long...
anyway, from everyone on all sides of this issue, what I am hearing is "I own the road.. drive like me or **** off"
You know what? When it comes down to it, the only person you have control over driving is YOU. The only person who can mitigate a situation is YOU.
I tend to drive in the 5-10+ range. Around here, the speed limits have separate limits for trucks (55 - 60) and cars (60-70). When that's the case, I tend to stay in the left lane so I can stay at my speed, as I am constantly passing trucks. I also keep half an eye on the rear-view. If someone is creeping up on me? I pull over when it is safe. If they tailgate, and it's not safe to get over yet? I do what my driver's ed teacher taught me... 14 years ago... slow down... like was said before a read-end collision at 55 is better than a rear-end collision at 75 or 80...
If the opposite happens, i.e. I'm approaching a vehicle going slower than me? I don't tailgate. Everyone remember the 2 second rule? More than once it's saved me from a major accident, other than losing a bit of tire tread.
We're supposed to be driving defensively and worring about ourselves.
Do a bit of math. You have a 100 mile journey. If your 'normal speed' is 80, it means you're likely averaging 75, with having to change speeds from people not going 80.. it'll take you roughly 1:20 to get to your destination. If you average 70? it just took you 1:26 minutes...
is 6 minutes really all that important?
anyway, from everyone on all sides of this issue, what I am hearing is "I own the road.. drive like me or **** off"
You know what? When it comes down to it, the only person you have control over driving is YOU. The only person who can mitigate a situation is YOU.
I tend to drive in the 5-10+ range. Around here, the speed limits have separate limits for trucks (55 - 60) and cars (60-70). When that's the case, I tend to stay in the left lane so I can stay at my speed, as I am constantly passing trucks. I also keep half an eye on the rear-view. If someone is creeping up on me? I pull over when it is safe. If they tailgate, and it's not safe to get over yet? I do what my driver's ed teacher taught me... 14 years ago... slow down... like was said before a read-end collision at 55 is better than a rear-end collision at 75 or 80...
If the opposite happens, i.e. I'm approaching a vehicle going slower than me? I don't tailgate. Everyone remember the 2 second rule? More than once it's saved me from a major accident, other than losing a bit of tire tread.
We're supposed to be driving defensively and worring about ourselves.
Do a bit of math. You have a 100 mile journey. If your 'normal speed' is 80, it means you're likely averaging 75, with having to change speeds from people not going 80.. it'll take you roughly 1:20 to get to your destination. If you average 70? it just took you 1:26 minutes...
is 6 minutes really all that important?
Oh, yeah- don't do this on 610 between I-45 and Reliant Stadium...especially not between MLK and Fannin...it's bad for your health! It works much better down the Gulf Fwy, between Fuqua and 518. Or better yet, on 146 between Shoreacres and Kemah...
After sitting and reading the majority of this thread, I would have to say that the above quote is one of the more intelligent things stated. A few posters cited obstruction of traffic while they were defending tailgaters. Those who are driving the speed or over and are being tailgated are NOT obstructing traffic by law. To think this is idiocy.
Also, quit with the "you're just playing good cop by making others obey the law." There's nothing wrong with obeying the law, and those who wish to break it can do so. I shouldn't have to go out of my way to allow them too, though.
There also needs to be made a distinction between breaking and allowing your break lights to light up. On all vehicles I've ever seen the break lights will light long before the breaks are actually engaged by a simple tapping of the pedal. This is one of the best tools you have to dispose of tailgaters. Truely breaking is simply moronic, not to mention horribly dangerous.
There were a few other things I meant to say, but it's 3:00am and I need to get to bed. I may edit later.
I thought you said you read the thread. Did you read my post regarding closing speeds? Apparently not...
As I clearly stated, I read the majority of the thread.
Rather than trying to make me seem a fool, a link to the post would have sufficed.
My apologies. Such was not my intent. I realize you said MOST, hence why I asked if you had read my post. I found the post, here's a link:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3889253&postcount=174
I can certainly see your point. In the situation you describe, though, one has to assume that the other driver either, A: Does not see the vehicle that is obviously now in front of him, or B: They suddenly decide to break check the guy.
Plus, I'm not really sure just how far back one can trace a path of fault. Let's assume the guy did slam into the back of the minivan. I was in the left lane, causing him to have to pass in the right. Sure, the blame could be placed upon me for not getting over. Could it also be blamed on the cars in the right lane who allowed him the space to get over in the first place? Possibly even on those who built the highway because they didn't give it an extra lane or two.
At this point I don't necessarily agree with either side of the argument. I'm just trying to reason it all out.
Plus, I'm not really sure just how far back one can trace a path of fault. Let's assume the guy did slam into the back of the minivan. I was in the left lane, causing him to have to pass in the right. Sure, the blame could be placed upon me for not getting over. Could it also be blamed on the cars in the right lane who allowed him the space to get over in the first place? Possibly even on those who built the highway because they didn't give it an extra lane or two.
At this point I don't necessarily agree with either side of the argument. I'm just trying to reason it all out.
If there's a guy coming up on my ass (I've got pretty good SA and i usually notice them before they get to me) and I'm not in the right lane, I'll try to get over for him (if I can, safely). However, If I'm already right as far as I can get, and a guy is riding me hard (this is usually someone taking on the phone or putting on makeup) I'll start to slow down. I'll keep slowing down until they wakeup and decide to pass me. I'm NOT going to move left so you can pass me on the right just because you have your hands full and can't be bothered to put the phone down, check your own rearview and switch lanes. I've gotten down to 'really freakin slow' with jackasses like this still tailgating me on a totally open road.
I'm going to double post because I figure this is a good time to talk about something that really miffs me about the highways around where I live.
The HOV lane.
for those that might not know, the HOV lane is a special lane that you are only allowed to drive in if you have more than 1 person in the vehicle. Now, on the highways around here these lanes are usually the center 2 lanes (far left no matter which way you are traveling).
So, is it just an extra 'fast lane' for the folks who meet the requirement, or is it the 'dedicated' lane for anyone that has a group of people? Now, I'm totally fine with it being the dedicated lane, but when it's the far left lane, this causes dangerous traffic patterns. This is because the slow cars from the far left lane need to merge completely across the highway to get their exit. This seems, umm... suboptimal to me.
Personally, even when I can, I rarely use them because I want to stay right for faster traffic. The only time they really help is when the road is very congested. Granted, on sections of road where there are many exits the HOV is generally separate from the main highway, and that's fine. But for the most part, it's the leftmost lanes.
Personally, I think these kinds of HOV lanes send the wrong message about slower traffic keeping right. What say you TB?
The HOV lane.
for those that might not know, the HOV lane is a special lane that you are only allowed to drive in if you have more than 1 person in the vehicle. Now, on the highways around here these lanes are usually the center 2 lanes (far left no matter which way you are traveling).
So, is it just an extra 'fast lane' for the folks who meet the requirement, or is it the 'dedicated' lane for anyone that has a group of people? Now, I'm totally fine with it being the dedicated lane, but when it's the far left lane, this causes dangerous traffic patterns. This is because the slow cars from the far left lane need to merge completely across the highway to get their exit. This seems, umm... suboptimal to me.
Personally, even when I can, I rarely use them because I want to stay right for faster traffic. The only time they really help is when the road is very congested. Granted, on sections of road where there are many exits the HOV is generally separate from the main highway, and that's fine. But for the most part, it's the leftmost lanes.
Personally, I think these kinds of HOV lanes send the wrong message about slower traffic keeping right. What say you TB?
- Apr 1, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
You might think it's idiocy, but I know for fact that you can be cited for it. And in San Antonio, you will be - at least by most of the motorcycle cops.... I don't think you'll win in court, either, with those "slower traffic keep right" signs. Cops don't like it when you try to do their jobs.
I'll try bring a little international perspective to this. This problem is hardly limited to the US...
It was shown in a survey a few years ago among Swedish drivers that about 90% considered themselves better than average drivers.
Given that, there's really only one thing to keep in mind: Most people in traffic have poor judgement. Including yourself. So always be prepared for the worst, expect mediocre and aspire for perfection.
Assume the guy ahead of you will have to hit the breaks. Maybe an animal runs across the road ahead of him?
Assume the car behind you approaches faster than what's legal or sane. Maybe there's an emergency case, or maybe the throttle has hung?
Be prepared for if the cars beside you have to swerve. Maybe a tire goes flat?
There are thousands of things that can go wrong, and failing that, maybe your attention is momentarily diverted.
So keep your distance! That is always a supremely cheap life insurance.
In Sweden it's absolutely guaranteed that if you hit somebody from behind you get all the blame. All! You were simply driving too close! That's the letter of the law, and the view of the insurance companies. Doesn't matter if the guy in the first car was driving with his feet on the dashboard playing bass.
As for tailgating, yeah, sure I find it annoying, dangerous and stupid. But more often than not, I've not looked in my rear view mirror for too long, so I'll accept that I'm a jerk too. I'll certainly try to change lanes as soon as I can. For my own sake, if nothing else. I have no interest in being hit from behind. If I can't change lanes I'll maintain my speed until an opportunity opens. If it's a one lane road with no means of overtaking, and it's serious tailgating, I'll slow down for my own safety to get them out of my hair.
The road is no place for a big ego, and I have the crashed cars to prove it! I'm definitely a sub-par driver.
It was shown in a survey a few years ago among Swedish drivers that about 90% considered themselves better than average drivers.
Given that, there's really only one thing to keep in mind: Most people in traffic have poor judgement. Including yourself. So always be prepared for the worst, expect mediocre and aspire for perfection.
Assume the guy ahead of you will have to hit the breaks. Maybe an animal runs across the road ahead of him?
Assume the car behind you approaches faster than what's legal or sane. Maybe there's an emergency case, or maybe the throttle has hung?
Be prepared for if the cars beside you have to swerve. Maybe a tire goes flat?
There are thousands of things that can go wrong, and failing that, maybe your attention is momentarily diverted.
So keep your distance! That is always a supremely cheap life insurance.
In Sweden it's absolutely guaranteed that if you hit somebody from behind you get all the blame. All! You were simply driving too close! That's the letter of the law, and the view of the insurance companies. Doesn't matter if the guy in the first car was driving with his feet on the dashboard playing bass.
As for tailgating, yeah, sure I find it annoying, dangerous and stupid. But more often than not, I've not looked in my rear view mirror for too long, so I'll accept that I'm a jerk too. I'll certainly try to change lanes as soon as I can. For my own sake, if nothing else. I have no interest in being hit from behind. If I can't change lanes I'll maintain my speed until an opportunity opens. If it's a one lane road with no means of overtaking, and it's serious tailgating, I'll slow down for my own safety to get them out of my hair.
The road is no place for a big ego, and I have the crashed cars to prove it! I'm definitely a sub-par driver.
In INDIANA you can get a ticket for tailgating.
You can also get a ticket and jailed on the spot if a cop sees you rack up any three moving violations in a row , it's our new road rage law .
you could be speeding , tailgating and the recklessly swerve out to pass and your going to jail.
I hate it when I DON'T tailgate and seize my chance to pass and the guy out for a cruise at 10 MPH below posted speed limit turns into speed racer and races me for position.
You can also get a ticket and jailed on the spot if a cop sees you rack up any three moving violations in a row , it's our new road rage law .
you could be speeding , tailgating and the recklessly swerve out to pass and your going to jail.
I hate it when I DON'T tailgate and seize my chance to pass and the guy out for a cruise at 10 MPH below posted speed limit turns into speed racer and races me for position.
There is no message about slower traffic keeping right. HOV lanes are solely a feel-good environmental gimmick to encourage carpooling.
If I were mayor, first thing I'd do is open up the HOV lanes to all traffic immediately to help traffic conditions.
One of the highways here goes is three lanes, then bottlenecks to two lanes for about 1/2 mile, then adds the HOV lane as the third lane again. How stupid... should have made the HOV onramp at the end of the 3 lane section.
I asked a police buddy of mine from my local district about this.
Here, tailgating is regarded to be a much worse offense than either riding in the left lane (while still maintaining good speed) or generally obstructing traffic. Generally, they'll pull you over a lot faster (and, you also get a bigger fine) for tailgating rather than just going the speed limit and passing. FWIW.
Here, tailgating is regarded to be a much worse offense than either riding in the left lane (while still maintaining good speed) or generally obstructing traffic. Generally, they'll pull you over a lot faster (and, you also get a bigger fine) for tailgating rather than just going the speed limit and passing. FWIW.
