Stopping Tailgaters

Here is a simple and effective solution for you :
Get out of the way !
See - problem solved
Last edited by beerj; Oct 14, 2014 at 07:03 PM. Reason: spelling
When asked why he told me that when he was being tailgated he merely opened the sunroof and began flipping pennies up through the sunroof.
It did not take long for the tailgater to back off.
Years ago I took a defensive driving course that was given by a retired NY state trooper - and he specifically and deliberately addressed this issue with the class. He instructed us to do either one of two things - first suggested tactic: Put on your signal and GET OUT OF THEIR WAY! And if this is not possible, then the second tactic (which I've used and it works) is to GRADUALLY slow down (the tailgater will eventually pass you). The trooper went on to point out that we (collectively speaking) are not in the position to judge the reason for the driver's need for speed - nor should we. This only creates an adversarial situation, a war of the egos if you will - and that never translates to a positive outcome, particularly when cars are involved (can you say "road rage" or "vehicular manslaughter"....sure you can). Even if that person's sole reason for tailgating is pure and simply because he/she is a jerk - the best and smartest way to deal with (and diffuse) the situation is to get yourself (and your passengers) out of harms way.
On the flip side of this, I can't count the times when I was in the passing lane and was being held up and back (along with a long line of motorists behind me) by a "squatter" in the third lane.
Listen folks - the highway is no place to practice your assertiveness training. If you're blocking the passing lane - get out of the way - THEN - take a good look at the car and the license plate as they pass you AND THEN CALL 911 TO REPORT A WRECKLESS DRIVER.
I've done this and, once, wound up passing the tailgater - who was sitting on the side of the road having a lovely conversation with the trooper that just pulled him over.
So to everyone I say this - Speed kills. I almost lost a family member because of a wreckless, speeding driver - but don't let their stupidity become your problem. Their speed may kill them, but it needn't kill you. Take control of your fate and simply get out of harms way. Don't let your ego rule your head - that never yields a good outcome.
p.s. Best bumper sticker I ever saw that addressed the tailgating issue:
"The closer you get, the slower I go".
Last edited by BenzManNow; Oct 14, 2014 at 07:49 PM.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Years ago I took a defensive driving course that was given by a retired NY state trooper - and he specifically and deliberately addressed this issue with the class. He instructed us to do either one of two things - first suggested tactic: Put on your signal and GET OUT OF THEIR WAY! And if this is not possible, then the second tactic (which I've used and it works) is to GRADUALLY slow down (the tailgater will eventually pass you). The trooper went on to point out that we (collectively speaking) are not in the position to judge the reason for the driver's need for speed - nor should we. This only creates an adversarial situation, a war of the egos if you will - and that never translates to a positive outcome, particularly when cars are involved (can you say "road rage" or "vehicular manslaughter"....sure you can). Even if that person's sole reason for tailgating is pure and simply because he/she is a jerk - the best and smartest way to deal with (and diffuse) the situation is to get yourself (and your passengers) out of harms way.
On the flip side of this, I can't count the times when I was in the passing lane and was being held up and back (along with a long line of motorists behind me) by a "squatter" in the third lane.
Listen folks - the highway is no place to practice your assertiveness training. If you're blocking the passing lane - get out of the way - THEN - take a good look at the car and the license plate as they pass you AND THEN CALL 911 TO REPORT A WRECKLESS DRIVER.
I've done this and, once, wound up passing the tailgater - who was sitting on the side of the road having a lovely conversation with the trooper that just pulled him over.
So to everyone I say this - Speed kills. I almost lost a family member because of a wreckless, speeding driver - but don't let their stupidity become your problem. Their speed may kill them, but it needn't kill you. Take control of your fate and simply get out of harms way. Don't let your ego rule your head - that never yields a good outcome.
p.s. Best bumper sticker I ever saw that addressed the tailgating issue:
"The closer you get, the slower I go".
Why would you call 911 if your blocking traffic. If your holding up traffic and you have cars darting between lanes at 70 MPH behind you, trying to get around you, that's reckless driving.
Years ago I took a defensive driving course that was given by a retired NY state trooper - and he specifically and deliberately addressed this issue with the class. He instructed us to do either one of two things - first suggested tactic: Put on your signal and GET OUT OF THEIR WAY! And if this is not possible, then the second tactic (which I've used and it works) is to GRADUALLY slow down (the tailgater will eventually pass you). The trooper went on to point out that we (collectively speaking) are not in the position to judge the reason for the driver's need for speed - nor should we. This only creates an adversarial situation, a war of the egos if you will - and that never translates to a positive outcome, particularly when cars are involved (can you say "road rage" or "vehicular manslaughter"....sure you can). Even if that person's sole reason for tailgating is pure and simply because he/she is a jerk - the best and smartest way to deal with (and diffuse) the situation is to get yourself (and your passengers) out of harms way.
On the flip side of this, I can't count the times when I was in the passing lane and was being held up and back (along with a long line of motorists behind me) by a "squatter" in the third lane.
Listen folks - the highway is no place to practice your assertiveness training. If you're blocking the passing lane - get out of the way - THEN - take a good look at the car and the license plate as they pass you AND THEN CALL 911 TO REPORT A WRECKLESS DRIVER.
I've done this and, once, wound up passing the tailgater - who was sitting on the side of the road having a lovely conversation with the trooper that just pulled him over.
So to everyone I say this - Speed kills. I almost lost a family member because of a wreckless, speeding driver - but don't let their stupidity become your problem. Their speed may kill them, but it needn't kill you. Take control of your fate and simply get out of harms way. Don't let your ego rule your head - that never yields a good outcome.
p.s. Best bumper sticker I ever saw that addressed the tailgating issue:
"The closer you get, the slower I go".
You completely misinterpreted what I wrote. I don't block traffic - but if someone comes up behind me suddenly and aggressively, I get out of the way and THEN call 911 to report their erractic, wreckless driving. Let me be clear once again - I don't hold up traffic in the left lane - quite the opposite. I'm usually out of the way before they get near me (if I'm in the left lane). Thought I made that clear in my writing, but apparently not clear enough. Hope that this now clears things up.
M
Last edited by BenzManNow; Oct 14, 2014 at 08:50 PM.
* First, slower traffic needs to move over ... even if the person behind them is speeding. The passing lane is for just that.
* Second, I'll happily let someone faster pass me so I can follow them (at a safe distance). I figure it'll be their speeding ticket and not mine.
Tailgaters are one thing, but how about the jerk-off that's behind you that can't keep the pace once they're out in front?! They pass and slow. It's like they can only chase; never lead.




Tailgating is wrong and dangerous. Period.




BTW, it has not been a passing lane in 30 years. Way too much traffic for everybody to stay in the right lanes, even on roads with 6 or 8 lanes.
When someone comes up behind me and wants to do 10-30 MPH over the limit, I do pull over when it is safe to do so. But, I am not going to waste my gas and risk a ticket by speeding up so he can drive dangerously.
Happy Motoring!









