Question for tail gaiters

[JFB]

For the vehicle impeding your path, when it needs to make a turn would you prefer;

1) Take foot of accelerator and gradually slow down. This allows you to get even closer, but delays your progression for a longer time.
or
2) Continue at speed to the last possible second, then brake hard to avoid delaying you as little as possible

 

[rugnelli]

#1

 

[bogus bill]

Some people use a car like a weapon. I don't play the game. It`s not worth the danger and expense. There is a point though---

 

[Montelores]

Arrive alive.

And give everyone else on the road the same consideration.

Monty

 

[Kevin]

I don’t tail-gate the car in front of me, but when we first moved to Dallas, I always felt like people tail-gated me. This is when I realized, all I had to do was speed up about 5 to 10 mph. Now, seriously, the problem is solved. In Dallas, posted speed limits are more of a “suggestion” even for the police. The biggest road close to me is 35mph. If you don’t drive 45 to 50, you will get tail gated and/or probably get into an accident.

 

[nekvermont]

#2, while laying on the horn and yelling obscenities. (Just kidding of course).

 

[Pat-inCO]

It depends on the rest of the traffic. If you are moving with traffic, see if
you can safely pass. If you are going faster, then SLOW DOWN, IDIOT,
and do it gradually. If you are watching the traffic around you then you did
NOT suddenly come up on the slower vehicle. If you did, then WAKE UP,
IDIOT!

When someone tail gates me, if I am moving at or a little above the speed
limit, I gradually slow down. NO brakes, NO abrupt moves, just gradually
adjust my speed down. The idiot in such a rush will usually pass. As he
does I will occasionally smile and wave (and NOT the one finger type), but
if I can see he is irate (easy to spot) I just continue as if he did not even
exist.

 

[Doc Holliday]

You can drive 150 mph and someone will STILL be right behind you, tailgating...so I just go the speed limit or a little under it, usually 5 mph less, if they don't like it, they can go around me. Don't care anymore, I'm not out there driving for THEM, I drive for ME.

Someone behind you? Move over and just wait a second or two, someone else will come screaming by and ride up on THEM. Happens every time. Bunch of Fast And Furious IDIOTS out there.

 

[coach]

As a real tailgater it’s #2 of course. First rule of tailgating is never allow any extra space get between you and the car in front.

 

[Dan in MI]

#1 and actually use your turn signal BEFORE the brake. - Question is it really required to get down to <5 mph to make a right turn?????

I will freely admit as my commute has gotten longer (from 5 min to hour and ten) and more time in spent near the city I have become a far more aggressive driver. 50 miles of freeway on the way in. 56 miles of mixed on the way home. I still do all I can to avoid making some else brake unnecessarily, BUT you had best not be doing 10 under in the left lane with 1/4 to 1/2 mile, or more, of open road in front of you. This is for freeway only. (see non freeway below)

Oh and also- don't be that azzhat that sees my turn signal indicating I need to move over and accelerate to fill the gap. I try to make my moves long before I need to so there is no last second movement. There was more than enough room BEFORE I hit my signal. I was being nice, now you have earned the right for a bumper cleaning.

and another - don't jam in, cleaning off my bumper, and then slowing down to less than prevailing traffic - if you were in that big of a hurry then keep driving.

Primary and secondary roads on my commute I know traffic patterns so well I can avoid driver stupidity pretty well without any extraordinary means. That may mean changing routes, but I know the patterns and know where to go when road A is full. I can tell you of about 6 lights light that if you stay left (in theory the fast lanes) you will sit through a minimum of two usually more lights, but if you get over to the far right you will not stop for one and be able to get back over with zero interference on the other side of the light.

Being trained as a test driver with multiple advanced driving classes can have its advantages.

 

[Fox Mike]

Since I do not 'tailgate' the question does not apply to me. If an individual in front of me is not going the speed limit I simple stay a reasonable distance behind till I can pass OR he/she turn off. Patience is a 'virtue' and will also keep one safe and accident free. If I have an individual tailgating me I will gradually slow down till they pass or 'get the message'. Another way to have them back off is called a "brake check". Keep your foot on the accelerator so you do not slow down and gently touch the brake. Lights up the brake lights but you keep on moving at the same pace. Pushing the "hazard" light switch has the same effect.

 

[Jeepnik]

I drive a heck of a lot of miles every month. I range all over SoCal, and into the southern reaches of NorCal. Include some of the western bits of Arizona and Nevada and you get the picture.

Get outside of the L.A metro area and drivers seem to have engaged their brain. Yea, you get the occasional fool who wants to do 100 in a 70, but you find them everywhere. Mostly traffic runs about 10 miles over the speed limit, and the CHP is okay that. As long as you don't cut in and out and drive like an idiot, that is.

Inside the metro area the stupid gene expresses itself. Every kind of rude and dangerous behavior is seen within 5 or ten miles of travel. So if you figure you drive 100 miles the poor drivers seem to be everywhere.

Here you must drive defensively but aggressively at the same time. Sound contradictory, but it isn't. By aggressive I don't mean cutting folks off, tailgating or rudely not allowing others to change lanes or merge on to the highway (the most common sins). It's hard to really describe the style unless you live here.

Back to the OP's original question. If I'm tailgated, regardless of the type of road, I just start slowing down, generally by just taking my foot off the gas. Except for the total idiots about the time I've dropped my speed 5 or 10 mph they will pass. Now you get the fools who think they have the right to cut you off when they pull ahead of you, but as they pass I usually cover the brake.

Another hugh problem here is what we joking call the "low blinker fluid syndrome" Folks, whether out of laziness, stupidity or rudeness frequently forget what blinkers are for. It's as important to watch the driver as it is the taillights.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I don't tailgate so I wouldn't know. I keep a safe distance.
...oh BTW ... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaiters

 

[Dan in MI]

Inside the metro area the stupid gene expresses itself. ((exponentially)) Every kind of rude and dangerous behavior is seen within 5 or ten miles of travel. So if you figure you drive 100 miles the poor drivers seem to be everywhere.

Here you must drive defensively but aggressively at the same time. Sound contradictory, but it isn't. By aggressive I don't mean cutting folks off, tailgating or rudely not allowing others to change lanes or merge on to the highway (the most common sins). It's hard to really describe the style unless you live here.

Quoted for truth with minor edit (and much better said than I did)

 

[JFB]

...oh BTW ...Gaiters

spell check changed it so I went with it

same for myself...I use a "3 count"
for the gap between me and the car in front
for changes after signaling
for stop signs

just seems the majority of drivers on my rural 45MPH two lane use the time after I signal for a left to close in tighter

 

[coach]

The only good tailgaters

 

[dougader]

Tailgaiters don't seem to understand that riding someone's bumper doesn't usually make them go faster. Most times in usual commuter-type traffic, the cars are so thick no one can go any faster anyway.

Someone rides my butt, then I slow down to a safe speed for the conditions they just created. I have slowed down to 45 in a 55 before one idiot would pass me. Me, I just put on some calm, usually classical, music and do the speed limit or 10% above.

What I don't understand are the people who seem to love to go under the speed limit on a one-lane highway but was soon as it opens up to a two-lane road they speed up 15-20 mph, apparently trying to keep anyone from passing them. These guys, IMO, should have their licenses revoked.

 

[redhawker]

Just go on YouTube and watch some of those dash-cam videos and you'll soon get the idea that backing off, while sometimes frustrating, pays off in the avoidance of expensive repair bills and even pain or death.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

Anybody that has a driveway off a busy road knows exactly what the OP is talking about. We have people that pass on the shoulder because they can't wait for the turn.

 

[ilikerams]

The only good tailgaters

Gee, that doesn't look like Green Bay. That's where tailgating was invented you know. :wink:

 

[Mike J]

I try to always keep a safe distance between me & the vehicle in front of me at all times. I do get frustrated but usually just hang back until I see an opening. I do get very frustrated with people that get on the interstate, get into the fast lane & go under the speed limit. I think they have a death wish. Then too there are the ones that tailgate & try to force their way into another lane to pass when all lanes are going the exact same speed. I drive somewhere between 25-30 thousand miles a year in the metro Atlanta area so I see a lot of stupidity.

One thing that does amuse me is when working in Atlanta once on the Interstate I set my cruise control & maintain the same speed all the way until I enter Atlanta (it keeps me from getting heavy footed without realizing it). I often have cars fly up & pass me only to pass them back a little further up the road. Sometimes this happens more than once & I am maintaining the same speed the whole way.

 

[clintsfolly]

I hate tailgaters! I drive a delivery route and get them all the time. The best eye opener I find is to turn on your emergency flashers for 2-3 blinks! All but the most dense get the idea.

 

[ChiefMuzz]

Driving considerably below the posted speed limit is as inconsiderate as tailgating. People use roads to get to places they need to go. Driving below the speed limit in areas where vehicles cannot routinely pass causes traffic and congestion and is unnecessary. The chance of accidents goes up in those situations just like when individuals drive too close. There is a road off the one I live on that is highly traveled. Though a bit windy, it is in no way a dangerous road. Just a typical Pennsylvania backroad. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. One can safely drive 40mph comfortably in normal conditions. At least once or twice a month I sit behind cars that drive 20-25 mpg for the entire 3 mile stretch. As far as I'm concerned if you are unable to navigate normal roads near the speed limit, you should not have a license. Consideration on the road goes both ways.

 

[Fox Mike]

One thing that does amuse me is when working in Atlanta once on the Interstate I set my cruise control & maintain the same speed all the way until I enter Atlanta (it keeps me from getting heavy footed without realizing it). I often have cars fly up & pass me only to pass them back a little further up the road. Sometimes this happens more than once & I am maintaining the same speed the whole way.

This happens to me often. I use 'cruise' whenever I can. Last year, on our trip to the "Gathering" at Contender's we intentionally took notice of cars passing us and then getting passed by us again and again. One white Toyota (yes, I do remember this lady) passed us and was passed by us eight times in a twenty mile stretch of I-95. My cruise control never wavered.
On the way home there was a 20 mile stretch of I-85 that was ONE lane just before reaching the NC/VA border. I was behind a semi that was following a small car that was traveling at 35 MPH, in the rain. The person behind me in a motor home stayed on my bumper for miles and attempted to pass me at every turnoff, where the roadway widened. Now I can only go as fast as the vehicle in front of me allows. Finally about five miles from the border he/she tore around me, nearly driving into me and forcing me into the Jersey wall. I slammed on the brakes to keep from being hit. Now, he/she is in front of me, behind the semi, that is behind the small car. . .still doing 35 MPH. Now once we were into Virginia the roadway widened to two lanes and the speed limit increased to 65. The person in the motor home never accelerated and stayed in the right lane. What was the big hurry to pass me, I'll never know.

 

[XP100]

I don't tailgate bu there in Fl. if you leave a few car lengths between you and the car ahead someone will always pull over into your lane about 1 or 2 car lengths ahead of you. They also jump lanes without signaling when approaching a red light if there is one less car in a lane other than the one they are in. Everyone seem to drive about 10 mph over the speed limit. If I am keeping up with traffic and have a tailgater I tap on the brake without slowing a couple of times, if they don't back off I slow down to the speed limit and many times they will wave at me with one finger (must be a Fl. thing).

 

[Colonialgirl]

You can drive 150 mph and someone will STILL be right behind you, tailgating...so I just go the speed limit or a little under it, usually 5 mph less, if they don't like it, they can go around me. Don't care anymore, I'm not out there driving for THEM, I drive for ME.

Someone behind you? Move over and just wait a second or two, someone else will come screaming by and ride up on THEM. Happens every time. Bunch of Fast And Furious IDIOTS out there.

The 7 or 8 people behind you WOULD appreciate your pulling off to the side of the road and letting them continue on their way at THEIR chosen pace. Seems that generally Motor Vehicle Laws REQUIRE that to take place if you are driving below the speed limit and have a "tail" following you.

 

[Colonialgirl]

I drive a heck of a lot of miles every month. I range all over SoCal, and into the southern reaches of NorCal. Include some of the western bits of Arizona and Nevada and you get the picture.

Get outside of the L.A metro area and drivers seem to have engaged their brain. Yea, you get the occasional fool who wants to do 100 in a 70, but you find them everywhere. Mostly traffic runs about 10 miles over the speed limit, and the CHP is okay that. As long as you don't cut in and out and drive like an idiot, that is.

Inside the metro area the stupid gene expresses itself. Every kind of rude and dangerous behavior is seen within 5 or ten miles of travel. So if you figure you drive 100 miles the poor drivers seem to be everywhere.

Here you must drive defensively but aggressively at the same time. Sound contradictory, but it isn't. By aggressive I don't mean cutting folks off, tailgating or rudely not allowing others to change lanes or merge on to the highway (the most common sins). It's hard to really describe the style unless you live here.

Back to the OP's original question. If I'm tailgated, regardless of the type of road, I just start slowing down, generally by just taking my foot off the gas. Except for the total idiots about the time I've dropped my speed 5 or 10 mph they will pass. Now you get the fools who think they have the right to cut you off when they pull ahead of you, but as they pass I usually cover the brake.

Another hugh problem here is what we joking call the "low blinker fluid syndrome" Folks, whether out of laziness, stupidity or rudeness frequently forget what blinkers are for. It's as important to watch the driver as it is the taillights.

At one time, LA and Orange Counties were regarded as having the safest drivers in the world based on miles driven and That was at speeds above the limits and through the various interchanges. I would BET that since 1979 THAT has changed !!

 

[wolfsong]

If I am doing the legal speed limit and the flow of traffic is doing the same, I WILL NOT YIELD to a tailgated. Never.

 

[Taterman]

Driving considerably below the posted speed limit is as inconsiderate as tailgating. People use roads to get to places they need to go. Driving below the speed limit in areas where vehicles cannot routinely pass causes traffic and congestion and is unnecessary. The chance of accidents goes up in those situations just like when individuals drive too close. There is a road off the one I live on that is highly traveled. Though a bit windy, it is in no way a dangerous road. Just a typical Pennsylvania backroad. The posted speed limit is 35 mph. One can safely drive 40mph comfortably in normal conditions. At least once or twice a month I sit behind cars that drive 20-25 mpg for the entire 3 mile stretch. As far as I'm concerned if you are unable to navigate normal roads near the speed limit, you should not have a license. Consideration on the road goes both ways.

Totally agree Chief.
And I believe it's best to drive the general speed of MOST of the other traffic, even if that means going 10 mph over. I try to go with the flow, and always pull into the right lane if someone is behind me going faster.

 

[Selena]

I learned very early there was no sense in getting in a hurry. But then I learned to drive in an area where the majority learned operation on a tractor and believe proper highway etiquette is 25 mph in the very middle of the road. Not to mention the state flower is the orange highway construction cone.

Be wise with speed,
A fool at forty is a fool indeed.