What's the point of tailgating?

[expat]

It happens, I normally move to the right of the lane and slow a little.
If they want to play Russian Roulette with oncoming traffic, go for it.

Some people are morons, I know I'll never change that.

Never aggravate a moron, they are likely to do something even more stupid.

 

[daves87rs]

Well, in before the lock on this one-

I've already seen crazy and had numerous near misses just in the last few weeks.

It's simple-I just get out of the way. End of story/thread.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Nick R

Agreed. I might get [censored] if someone brake checks me. Check that, I do get [censored] if people do that, especially if I'm following at a decent distance (up here, 1 carlength). Usually the people that do it are driving ancient Caprice or Buicks and are already driving 10mph under the speed limit, in which case I feel perfectly justified in getting impatient, even if I'm not tailgating them.

If someone brake checks me I'll flip them the bird and flash the high beams at them, and maybe call them a few choice names, but I would never go so far as to actually get out of the car and
threaten them.


If you're traveling at any speed above 10 MPH, following at 1 car length is tailgating. No matter how slow the driver in front of you is driving you NEVER are justified to tailgate. Either pass the driver (when it's safe to do so), or just back off until he/she turns...

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
I'm perfectly sedate when traffic is light, but if its heavy and you're doing something stupid like driving too slow in the left lane because you're texting on your phone and have tuned out the rest of the world, you bet I'm going to tailgate you to make my displeasure known.


Nice. Justifying bad behavior with other bad behavior...sorry, it doesn't work that way...that just escalates a bad situation...

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: pandus13
Originally Posted By: grampi
I have been noticing more and more tailgaters...what are these people trying to accomplish?
Now, before people start jumping on my case about driving too slowly, or being a left lane camper, I'll tell you I'm not one of those drivers. I typically drive 5-10 MPH over the limit, and when I'm driving on 4 or more lane roads, I stay right except to pass.
I don't know if these people who tailgate think they're going to intimidate me into driving faster, or if they just fail to see any danger in following too closely, but I don't care for the fact that they're willing to put other drivers in danger just because they're in a hurry. I think the police need to start cracking down on these people...

Grampi,
you come from a different world: (Please don't take this as age related. I have been educated in a respect your elders family.)
-where neighbors used to know and help each other
-where people did just driving (not cell, text, makeup, )
-where people where aware what's going around them
-where people are considerate
-where people are taking driving lessons seriously
-where people are thinking the results of their actions (driving a possible deadly beast of 2,000+ pounds?)

Unfortunatly, Today we see a lot of me,me,me or just "get out of my sight! I'm the King/Queen of the road!".

and (sigh BITOG-style) they don't even know how to check their oil.




Women drivers are the absolute worst when it comes to doing other things in the car while they're driving...I almost never see a woman driver without a cell phone in their hand...Why do people think it's now time to get on the phone while they're driving?

 

[grampi]

ARCO, you sound like road rage looking for a place to happen!

 

[pandus13]

Originally Posted By: grampi
ARCO, you sound like road rage looking for a place to happen!

Everybody can snap.
I almost done it a few times (being cut aggressively didn't help either)
I also got brake checked REALLY GOOD once (gentleman in a really rusty dodge work van), but 15 seconds earlier, him being the better driver got us both home in one piece. I learned my lesson and now go by FIDO (Forget It, Drive On) and LALL (Live And Let Live)

 

[exranger06]

If I'm being tailgated, I just keep going maintaining my current speed and/or stay beside a car in the next lane, so the tailgater can't pass. It's fun watching him get all angry and frustrated that he can't pass.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
I'm perfectly sedate when traffic is light, but if its heavy and you're doing something stupid like driving too slow in the left lane because you're texting on your phone and have tuned out the rest of the world, you bet I'm going to tailgate you to make my displeasure known.

Nice. Justifying bad behavior with other bad behavior...sorry, it doesn't work that way...that just escalates a bad situation...

Nothing is being escalated. In this situation, if the person being tailgated doesn't like it, they should move over into the lane where they should be in the first place. Problem solved. They are the ones doing something wrong, not the tailgater.

 

[SLCraig]

Originally Posted By: exranger06
If I'm being tailgated, I just keep going maintaining my current speed and/or stay beside a car in the next lane, so the tailgater can't pass. It's fun watching him get all angry and frustrated that he can't pass.


That is insane, and exactly what makes people impatient. I was going somewhere on a 2 lane (each direction) highway just yesterday and 2 cars were pacing each other and would not let anyone past. I don't think that's funny, someone should have sped up or slowed to let the traffic pass. That is what the left lane is FOR. Of course people were annoyed, the ****** in the left lane was not over taking.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Nice. Justifying bad behavior with other bad behavior...sorry, it doesn't work that way...that just escalates a bad situation...

This is a much better example of 'escalating a bad situation':

Originally Posted By: exranger06
If I'm being tailgated, I just keep going maintaining my current speed and/or stay beside a car in the next lane, so the tailgater can't pass. It's fun watching him get all angry and frustrated that he can't pass.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
I'm perfectly sedate when traffic is light, but if its heavy and you're doing something stupid like driving too slow in the left lane because you're texting on your phone and have tuned out the rest of the world, you bet I'm going to tailgate you to make my displeasure known.

Nice. Justifying bad behavior with other bad behavior...sorry, it doesn't work that way...that just escalates a bad situation...

Nothing is being escalated. In this situation, if the person being tailgated doesn't like it, they should move over into the lane where they should be in the first place. Problem solved. They are the ones doing something wrong, not the tailgater.


A tailgater is ALWAYS in the wrong...what if a person is being tailgated on the 2 lane road? Where is the person being tailgated supposed to pull over...on the shoulder of the road? Slow down! Nothing is that important that you can't wait to pass the slower driver, or wait until they turn...

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: grampi
A tailgater is ALWAYS in the wrong...what if a person is being tailgated on the 2 lane road? Where is the person being tailgated supposed to pull over...on the shoulder of the road? Slow down! Nothing is that important that you can't wait to pass the slower driver, or wait until they turn...

If you think that's what's being suggested here... *sigh*

 

[grampi]

I don't know why so many drivers think that arriving at their destination in record time is the most important thing in the world...if getting to your destination at a certain time so important, leave earlier...quit expecting everyone else to "get out of your way."

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: grampi
I don't know why so many drivers think that arriving at their destination in record time is the most important thing in the world...if getting to your destination at a certain time so important, leave earlier...quit expecting everyone else to "get out of your way."


The person who is creating a dangerous situation is sometimes the person "tailgating" and sometimes the person who is "in the way". If the person is deliberately pacing the person next to them to not let people pass, or deliberately going slower, then it's their fault. Not that tailgating is justified, but some of us value our time more than you do, apparently.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: grampi
I don't know why so many drivers think that arriving at their destination in record time is the most important thing in the world...if getting to your destination at a certain time so important, leave earlier...quit expecting everyone else to "get out of your way."


The person who is creating a dangerous situation is sometimes the person "tailgating" and sometimes the person who is "in the way". If the person is deliberately pacing the person next to them to not let people pass, or deliberately going slower, then it's their fault. Not that tailgating is justified, but some of us value our time more than you do, apparently.


Valuing time is not an excuse to react to bad behavior with more bad behavior...if someone rapes my wife, that doesn't give me the right to go rape the rapers wife...

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Valuing time is not an excuse to react to bad behavior with more bad behavior...if someone rapes my wife, that doesn't give me the right to go rape the rapers wife...

Wow, bringing up rape while discussing tailgaiting? Yikes. That's a bit too far.

I'm done.

 

[Hermann]

Here in KC the worst tailgaters and speeders(15 over +) are Suburban's and other Large SUV's. These people seem to think traffic laws don't apply to them. I just want to know where I can get one of those exemptions.

 

[01rangerxl]

I think people tailgate for a variety of reasons. Usually it involves some aggression, though absentmindedness can play a role too. There are people who are perpetual speeders who will usually tailgate if stuck and unable to speed. The good thing is they will just pass you as soon as they can and be gone. Distracted drivers often tailgate, sort of how like drunk drivers tend to follow taillights. They are a bigger nuisance since they aren't necessarily just trying to go fast, and they may slow down if they get in front of you.

 

[joaks]

Originally Posted By: jeepman3071
Originally Posted By: supton
Been that way for a long time. I recall talking to my dad about doing brake checks for this, and he told me the same thing. And that was in '95 or so.

Like I said, agree or disagree, it's how the law goes.


"I'm sorry officer, I saw a cat run in front of my car and hit the brakes. This lady rear-ended me since she was following too close"

Almost happened to me. I was driving my restored 81 camaro home a few years ago and there was someone on my TAIL. AND there was an opossum on the side of the road. I really hoped he would walk into the road but he did... I hit the brakes as gently as I could to avoid an accident and not hit the animal. Guy behind me squeeled his brakes but we all made it untouched. Animal included.