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How Do You Handle A Tailgater?

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by Thousand Hills, May 8, 2011.

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How Do You Handle a Tailgater?

  1. I ignore them and just go at my own pace

    4 vote(s)
    28.6%

  2. I drive faster and/or find a place to pull over to let them go past me.

    2 vote(s)
    14.3%

  3. I tap the brakes and let them know they need to back off.

    4 vote(s)
    28.6%

  4. I slow down just to aggrivate them more.

    4 vote(s)
    28.6%

  5. I don't do anything, that's me in your rearview mirror.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%

  6. No worries, gas prices are so high I can't afford to drive anymore.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
Top Posters
  1. Thousand Hills

    Thousand Hills Active Member

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    Saw a similar thread on another site I visit, and earlier today after a pleasant Sunday Morning service I had to deal with a tailgater, so I was reminded of that thread and thought I would pose the question here to my brothers and sisters on Baptist Board.
     
    #1 Thousand Hills, May 8, 2011
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I used to just take my foot off the gas and slowly slow down but now with road rage, I tend to just ignore them and make sure I'm leaving plenty of room in front of me.

    But the other day, after my daughter's HORRIBLE day, some idiot was so close that I couldn't even see ANY of the front of his car. I slammed HARD on the brakes. He went around me. Jerk.
     
    #2 annsni, May 8, 2011
  3. menageriekeeper

    menageriekeeper Active Member

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    Well I voted #1. But like Ann it really depends on my mood. :D I've used all of the first 4 options depending on the circumstances. I also tend to wave bye at them when they finally pass.

    Road rage? I have three words for it: Concealed weapons permit. :D
     
    #3 menageriekeeper, May 8, 2011
  4. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    When I was still driving I started with tapping the brakes. If that didn't work I'd slow waaaayyyy down. If they stayed on me, I'd move over and wave them ahead.

    If that didn't work I'd pull over as soon as I could and not pull out again until they passed.

    I always try to think of a good reason for them doing that. They're in a hurry because of an emergency, they're really old, they aren't too bright.

    Many moons ago one did really tick me off and I rolled down my window and involved him in a one-sided conversation about his mamma and then took off at top speed in case of retaliation. Ah, youth and stupidity combined...on BOTH our parts!
     
    #4 Gina B, May 8, 2011
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I may not be aware of laws in other states or commonwealths, but in NY you could actually be given a ticket for "impeading traffic" by going too slow, esp on a one lane per direction road. I know some folks will pruposely go the speed limit in the left lane (of a two-lane - in-one-direction road. I tell my classes that a person has the constitutional right to be given a ticket for speeding, and that we are not to infringe on that right.

    And now back to the OP question:
    First I never speed up - if they are going to tailgate me at 30 MPH, they will tailgate at 40 MPH
    Then my first action is to ease off the gas - some will get the ideal and back off. If that does not work - I then put on my four way flashers. (make sure that is legal in your State or Commonwealth) I have found that works about 70-75% of the time.
    For those who do not utilize common sense, I will then pull over - when it is safe and using my directional signals- when he passes, check my mirror and blind spot - re-signal and safely move back into my lane.
    My philosophy is - if someone is going to be stupid, I would rather they be in front of me, so I can keep an eye on them.

    Tailgating - violating the 3 second + rule-which is: make sure you stay 3 seconds behind someone (or insure the driver is 3 seconds behind you) in PERFECT CONDITIONS. For each adverse condition add one second.
    For example:
    basic rule...3
    snowing.....1
    dark...........1
    gravel road..1
    Total =.......6 seconds

    and if a truck is behind you, either add 2 seconds and/or make sure you can see his trailer over his tractor in your rear view mirror. (Downhill - when a truck is behind, you want about 1/4 mile between you and the truck)

    When all is said and done, esp if someone does end up passing you unsafely - Start praying - seriously- ask the Lord to give peace to the other driver - we may not realize why they think they have to drive unsafely - and then thank the Lord, the Devil did not get you mad! :applause:

    Keep this thought in mind - suppose you get that driver behind you mad, and then he pulls into your parking lot to attend church with you? :tonofbricks:

    Salty
    Certified National Safety Council Driving Instructor
    approved by NY State


    PS - and Gina - NEVER, NEVER wave someone by you. Supposed a pedestrian started to walk in front of you, and the passing vehicle hits them....
    Very rarely do I proceed when someone waves me on.
     
    #5 Salty, May 8, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2011
  6. Thousand Hills

    Thousand Hills Active Member

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    Salty, thank you for sharing your expertise on this subject.

    I rarely pull over for other drivers, but when I do its situations where I might be traveling for work in a more rural area several hours from my home and I'm not familar with what is around the next bend, or I'm looking for someplace in particular and don't want to pass it.

    I try not to tailgate others, but if I do its usually on a road I've traveled my whole life and I tend to think I can drive faster than I really should since I know the road. I've heard before that when a person has an accident, a majority of the time its close to their home (within 5 minutes or something). I don't know if there are any stats to prove that or not, but if so it would seem likely since overconfidence would appear to play a part.
     
    #6 Thousand Hills, May 8, 2011
  7. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    In Washington State the only lane one can legally drive the speed limit is the carpool lane. I get great pleasure in using it and setting the cruise control on the speed limit. <G>
     
    #7 billwald, May 8, 2011
  8. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I'm a bit confused - so if there are 3 lanes and the speed limit is, say 50, you can only do 50 in the left lane - what would be legal in the other two lanes?
     
    #8 Salty, May 9, 2011
  9. Jon-Marc

    Jon-Marc New Member

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    I wanted to click on more than one answer since my response to them depends on my mood at the time. I will (1) Hit my brakes (2) Slow down as long as they're able to pass or (3) Just ignore them.
     
    #9 Jon-Marc, May 13, 2011
  10. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    Around here the state patrol claims that a person in the left lane must move right for a speeder even if he is already going 10 MPH over the speed limit. An HOV lane is not considered a general use driving lane so it is not the left most lane even when it is. The state patrol also says that a person driving the speed limit in an HOV lave is not required to move right for speeders.

    The speed limit is usually 60 MPH where there are HOV lanes. Most freeway accidents are caused by following to close or changing lanes. Probably 80% of the drivers follow to closely it is ignored. I can drive 200 miles on a freeway and never see any police. Especially in Oregon.

    Anyway, in the USA speeding and drunk driving are our national sports.
     
    #10 billwald, May 13, 2011
  11. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I agree tha tailgating and change lanes (weaving) are very dangerous.

    However, there are very view accidents in the US. Now, there thousands of collisions each year.

    An accident is an unfortunate event that could not have been prevented.

    A collision is the impact of a vehicle with another vehicle, person or object.

    I contend that about 98% of all collisions are preventable.

    Bottom line, In my class I use the word "Collision" rather than accident.
     
    #11 Salty, May 13, 2011
  12. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    I slow down, particularly if there's a vehicle in the next lane and they can't pass.
     
    #12 JohnDeereFan, May 14, 2011
  13. jaigner

    jaigner Active Member

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    That's awfully big of you.
     
    #13 jaigner, May 14, 2011
  14. JohnDeereFan

    JohnDeereFan Well-Known Member
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    Thanks. Hopefully, it annoys them enough that they think twice about it next time.
     
    #14 JohnDeereFan, May 17, 2011
  15. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    There are tailgators? Must be in Florida!

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #15 Jim1999, May 17, 2011
  16. glfredrick

    glfredrick New Member

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    Depending on my mood and the level of offense of the individual doing the tailgating, I either just get out of his or her way and or I give them all sorts of frustration. If it comes to it, I'll also make sure they end up in the ditch, but that is a rare occurance. I generally prefer to loose them in traffic.

    Full-on engagement is a dangerous game these days. Even making eye contact with another driver is "game on" here in Louisville. Best to notice, but not "look" as you go about your business. We've been accosted by a road-rage driver, who could have cost a few lives. (He hunted us down in a parking area when I tried to just get out of his sight! He ended up punching out my window in an effort to get at me. I am glad I did not exit my car. He was underaged and he would have been in the hospital when I finished with him.) The local LEO asked if we were armed. He indicated that we were "lucky" and that we should consider concealed carry permits for the "next time."
     
    #16 glfredrick, May 17, 2011
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