Tailgater's Logic

[UncleDave]

Only some roadways have limitations. The GS Parkway and the NJ Turnpike have lane restrictions for trucks and buses to stay right. Towing speed is 55.

I change lanes frequently to stay to the right. I often outpace those who just stay in the two left lanes.

On a 2 or three lane Ill keep darting to the right - I like to stay clear of faster traffic,

On a 4 lane if there is no traffic Ill stay to the right, but I cant remember when that happened.
I wont move right just to slam on the brakes to keep rear ending a truck going 24 MPH slower for someone who has 2 clear lanes to the left.

 

[vavavroom]

What I've learned from this thread: Tailgators only tailgate in the fast lane and never in any other lane. Tailgaters never tailgate on single-lane roads. Tailgaters are always people who want to go faster and never people who just latch on because they are inattentive, lazy, drunk or high, or stupid. Tailgaters are never emotionally fragile rageaholics or people with poor impulse control. Tailgaters' attempts at coercion by crowding other vehicles is totally justifiable and safe because they got great brakes only rivaled by their driving skills and reflexes that overcome physics with ease. Tailgating is the most sensible choice and it; is also a teaching lesson. Tailgaters are probably among the safest drivers. I also believe that karma is a female dog.

 

[bluedwarf]

What I've learned from this thread: Tailgators only tailgate in the fast lane and never in any other lane. Tailgaters never tailgate on single-lane roads. Tailgaters are always people who want to go faster and never people who just latch on because they are inattentive, lazy, drunk or high, or stupid. Tailgaters are never emotionally fragile rageaholics or people with poor impulse control. Tailgaters' attempts at coercion by crowding other vehicles is totally justifiable and safe because they got great brakes only rivaled by their driving skills and reflexes that overcome physics with ease. Tailgating is the most sensible choice and it; is also a teaching lesson. Tailgaters are probably among the safest drivers. I also believe that karma is a female dog.

Show some compassion here everyone else makes them tailgate it can never be there fault,if everyone would drive like them then they wouldnt need to tailgate others or better yet nobody else should be driving on there road.

 

[Wylie6G72]

What I learned from this thread: People who come up behind me are automatically driving recklessly and I should maintain my position in the passing lane, regardless of the fact that it defies state law, to slow them down and govern their driving. If I don't take the law into my own hands, everyone will die in a fiery car crash and that will be on my conscience until the day I die.

 

[brianl703]

I always wonder if that angry Karen on my tail on a 2-lane road because I'm "only" going 10 over is the same person that would scream obscenities at me if I were speeding in HER neighborhood.

 

[Jetronic]

I always wonder if that angry Karen on my tail on a 2-lane road because I'm "only" going 10 over is the same person that would scream obscenities at me if I were speeding in HER neighborhood.

I've witnessed gross speeders slowing down below the limit when they turn into their home street.... so yes.

 

[brianl703]

I've witnessed gross speeders slowing down below the limit when they turn into their home street.... so yes.

"Drive like your children live here"

 

[SeaJay]

I was not primarily talking about tailgaters in the fast lane. I was talking about those who are always 1/4-car length behind the next car no matter what. Could be a one-lane road or even a fast lane that's jammed. Do you know any tailgater like that by any chance?

If that happens to me and there is a passing lane, I just keep gradually slowing down until eventually even the most determined parade participants give up and pass me. If it is only one lane I leave it on cruise control maybe 2-3 MPH below the posted limit.

 

[Cujet]

On the track, cars are amazingly close. Often inches. On the street, few get that close, so I don't worry about them if they tailgate. I've been hit twice now, both times I was in the middle of a line of stopped cars at a traffic light. Not once has a tailgating person hit me.

 

[2005jettatdi]

Last Thursday at MP 55 on I-40 in Kingman, a semi tanker decided tailgating the truck in front of him was a good idea. He rear ended the front semi, sending it off the road to the left. The tanker caught fire and shut down the entire freeway for hours. The tanker driver will not do that again as he was ejected and died. So, speeding in a construction zone, tailgating and no seat belt. What a great combination. Everyone should try being a little nice and maybe living longer.

I am one of those jerks who, if you tailgate me in the right lane I slow down because a dangerous condition exists.

 

[Hermann]

I'm with ya Biscut. I get on their bumper, then they speed up and get out of the way. The dopes that don't speed up, I get a car length on the right, I pass them on the right. Not reckless at all. Skilled... skilled driving. My message? Left lane is for passing. Just like you, someone coming behing me faster when I'm doing 10 over, I move over and let him by. I call those guys sweepers. They are ahead of me sweeping the Cops out of the way. Get out of the left lane if you are not actively passing a car

How did saving a few seconds become worth risking your life over, plus everyone else on the road.

 

[Hermann]

On the track, cars are amazingly close. Often inches. On the street, few get that close, so I don't worry about them if they tailgate. I've been hit twice now, both times I was in the middle of a line of stopped cars at a traffic light. Not once has a tailgating person hit me.

Lucky you, I have been rear ended at a speed differential of 30-40 mph. It hurts . Yes it was caused by tailgaiting.

 

[DriveHard]

The best is when your over the speed limit you get in the other lane and they just stay next to you and dont pass,its like if it wasnt for air bags,and best by dates on food there survival would be short just hive minded folks.

Just thinking out loud for a minute...

That vehicle might have adaptive cruise, with the speed set just 1 mph faster than what your cruise is set at. One can adjust the following distance of the adaptive cruise...and it could be set at a "close" setting that is uncomfortable to you. Once you move over to the driving lane (where we should all be unless passing), their vehicle resumes the set cruise speed that is just barely above yours...so creeping by at best.

I have to admit I have fallen into the "ideal state" of what should happen on the interstate here in NA. Sadly, I believe for most car guys, the utopia does not exist here. Without the boundless opportunity of the audobaun, I don't think we can have a legally run interstate system where everybody is happy. If I am going 1 mph over the limit, I am breaking the law, and deserve to be in the fast lane...but if everybody goes the same speed, then why have two lanes?