How to deal with tailgaters?

[XZeroII]

Originally posted by: yamahaXS
heh, i thought this would be a thread about drinking beer and eating brats at 8 am.

lol. You must be a hardcore tailgater

 

[Bryophyte]

I usually ignore tailgaters. I don't really attract them, but I don't speed excessively either. Once or twice in my life, I've had a really obnoxious driver who would tailgate me (and I was going over the limit by at least 5-10mph) and act like an ass, but wouldn't pass. They expected me to pull over? Eventually I got sick of it, and drove exactly the speed limit. Then I put on my left turn signal. And left it on for awhile.

 

[cressida]

Not sure how to really handle them, I guess if you are going speed limit then you are fine (if it is a one lane highway) but I usually speed up a little faster and if there is a right lane I switch over.

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: XZeroII
Seriously, I hate them. Basically, if I can't see their headlights through my rearview mirror, they are way too close. I'm a nice guy and don't want to slow down, but what other options are there? The limit is 55 and I'm doing 56 or so. Be happy I'm not doing 45! I'm almost tempted to bring my laser pointer along and just start pointing it behind me hoping I get it in their eyes. *sigh*


EDIT: It's a single lane highway, and there are subdivisions that shoot off from it.

If you're going 55 and they're so close you can't see their headlights, I agree that is too close, but remember that in many cars when you can't see their headlights they may actually still be 10-15 feet off your bumper, so they may not feel like they're so close.
If it's a highway like that are there not passing zones that they can use? If they're really bothering you, just take your foot off the gas and let the car slow down by itself. Eventually they will pass you. Don't slam on the brakes or try a hand-brake brake because they might just rear-end you, and I'm sure you don't want that

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: konichiwa

Originally posted by: DWW
Once a friend and I (in a 15 year old volvo) were being followed by some asshole real close in a new Jaguar. Well he hates bad drivers (tailgaters, people who put others at risk, those who speed excessively)....so he slammed the breaks. Guy his us decently hard (we were in the city) but not enough to hurt us badly. Friend claimed whiplash, settled out of court for a hefty sum.

The best is when people pass you just to get to the red stop light faster.

Great suggestion. Create an accident, fake an injury, defraud insurance and sue! The American way.

...sickening...

Only in the US. Here in canada I think that whole suing for whiplash or whatever just doesn't fly down here. Never tried it, obviously

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: mikebb

Originally posted by: nan0bug

Originally posted by: mikebb

Originally posted by: nan0bug

Originally posted by: tranceport

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Reliant
Tap the breaks enough to have the lights come on but not slow you down. That usually gets them off my tail.

I tried it but most people don't back off. I think they are learning or something.

SLAM on your breaks. You will always have a new car. And no more tailgaters.

This advice is best. When someone slams into the back of your car it is nearly ALWAYS their fault, unless it is a no-fault accident (act of god type stuff). Their insurance will have to pay for repairs to your car, and I guarantee you he/she will think twice about tailgating ever again.

Yeah and the huge inconvenience of having your car in a shop, possible injury, your insurance going up (even if it isn't your fault is usually does,) etc are more than made up for by the fact that you MAYBE taught a complete stranger a lesson. I really hope you are kidding.

No, I'm not. I've been in collisions like this and my insurance didn't go up, although that may vary from state to state, I don't know for sure. I do know that if someone is tailgating me I will slow down to 5-10 miles under the speed limit, then speed back up. If that doesn't shake them, well, they better pray they have better brakes & tires than I do.

Yes insurance does vary from state to state. Many states are No-fault states, where there is minimal, if any determination by your insurance company of who is to blame in an accident.

Slowly letting off the gas and slowing down is one thing, you can make the argument that you were trying to get to a safe speed for the distance that the car behind you is following. SLAMMING on the brakes is just boneheaded, you're trying to cure a dangerous situation by intentionally causing a crash? How backwards is that? Oh but you were doing the world some bit of good by teaching a tailgater a lesson, that's right...

Wouldn't it be the fault of the guy who slammed on the brakes? I realize it's word against word but what if the tailgater has a friend in the car and the guy slamming the brakes doesn't? Then they tell the police the guy just slammed on the brakes for no reason at all and it's 2 vs 1.

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: iamme
anyone who tailgates deserves a brick thrown at their truck.

if i'm going to slow for you, just pass me.

if we were walking down the hall and i was going to slow, would you walk right up behind me? then why would you do it with a 3 ton vehicle going 60MPH that could kill us both if we crash? you're not 16 years old anymore, learn to drive.

No, but when people play the blocking game and they walk slow eventually I get pissed and walk through them...

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: Spencer278
Tailgaters suck. So many times I will be driving in the left lane and some dick comes up with his highbeam on and is about 5 feet off my damn bumper and for some reason he thinks I should get out of his way? Why would I want to your being a dick when I can have some fun by trying to get the guy to pass on the right and then blocking them with another car.

Asshole.

So you must be one of those people that tailgate and pass on the right? To do anything but be an Asshole to tailgaters just encourages them to do it somemore. If ever messed around with them and never let them pass they might learn that there is no benfit and therefor would stop.

 

Get one of those ticker displays you see at the movies. Mount it in your rear window. Pre-load a bunch of messages in it and get a little controller for the driver's seat. Next time some idjit tailgaits you hit the appropriate message. IE:

...HEY YU0 RICER! ONLY F~CKTARDS HAVE TEH BLUE TINTED HEADLIGHTS. GET OFF MY ASS BEFORE I GET OFF IN YUOR MOMS...

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: Spencer278

Originally posted by: Cyberian

Originally posted by: Spencer278
Tailgaters suck. So many times I will be driving in the left lane and some dick comes up with his highbeam on and is about 5 feet off my damn bumper and for some reason he thinks I should get out of his way? Why would I want to your being a dick when I can have some fun by trying to get the guy to pass on the right and then blocking them with another car.

Asshole.

So you must be one of those people that tailgate and pass on the right? To do anything but be an Asshole to tailgaters just encourages them to do it somemore. If ever messed around with them and never let them pass they might learn that there is no benfit and therefor would stop.

So you must be one of those people that stay in the left lane and hold up traffic? To do anything but be an asshole just encourages them to do it some more. If more people cut them off and ran them off the road maybe they might learn that there is no benefit and therefore they would stop.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Ultima

Originally posted by: mikebb

Originally posted by: nan0bug

Originally posted by: mikebb

Originally posted by: nan0bug

Originally posted by: tranceport

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Reliant
Tap the breaks enough to have the lights come on but not slow you down. That usually gets them off my tail.

I tried it but most people don't back off. I think they are learning or something.

SLAM on your breaks. You will always have a new car. And no more tailgaters.

This advice is best. When someone slams into the back of your car it is nearly ALWAYS their fault, unless it is a no-fault accident (act of god type stuff). Their insurance will have to pay for repairs to your car, and I guarantee you he/she will think twice about tailgating ever again.

Yeah and the huge inconvenience of having your car in a shop, possible injury, your insurance going up (even if it isn't your fault is usually does,) etc are more than made up for by the fact that you MAYBE taught a complete stranger a lesson. I really hope you are kidding.

No, I'm not. I've been in collisions like this and my insurance didn't go up, although that may vary from state to state, I don't know for sure. I do know that if someone is tailgating me I will slow down to 5-10 miles under the speed limit, then speed back up. If that doesn't shake them, well, they better pray they have better brakes & tires than I do.

Yes insurance does vary from state to state. Many states are No-fault states, where there is minimal, if any determination by your insurance company of who is to blame in an accident.

Slowly letting off the gas and slowing down is one thing, you can make the argument that you were trying to get to a safe speed for the distance that the car behind you is following. SLAMMING on the brakes is just boneheaded, you're trying to cure a dangerous situation by intentionally causing a crash? How backwards is that? Oh but you were doing the world some bit of good by teaching a tailgater a lesson, that's right...

Wouldn't it be the fault of the guy who slammed on the brakes? I realize it's word against word but what if the tailgater has a friend in the car and the guy slamming the brakes doesn't? Then they tell the police the guy just slammed on the brakes for no reason at all and it's 2 vs 1.

not really. you are supposed to have enough distance between you and the guy in front to stop safely. If you are fallowing to close and the car in front has to make a emergency stop and you hit them then it is your fault.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: Ultima

Originally posted by: mikebb

Originally posted by: nan0bug

Originally posted by: mikebb

Originally posted by: nan0bug

Originally posted by: tranceport

Originally posted by: XZeroII

Originally posted by: Reliant
Tap the breaks enough to have the lights come on but not slow you down. That usually gets them off my tail.

I tried it but most people don't back off. I think they are learning or something.

SLAM on your breaks. You will always have a new car. And no more tailgaters.

This advice is best. When someone slams into the back of your car it is nearly ALWAYS their fault, unless it is a no-fault accident (act of god type stuff). Their insurance will have to pay for repairs to your car, and I guarantee you he/she will think twice about tailgating ever again.

Yeah and the huge inconvenience of having your car in a shop, possible injury, your insurance going up (even if it isn't your fault is usually does,) etc are more than made up for by the fact that you MAYBE taught a complete stranger a lesson. I really hope you are kidding.

No, I'm not. I've been in collisions like this and my insurance didn't go up, although that may vary from state to state, I don't know for sure. I do know that if someone is tailgating me I will slow down to 5-10 miles under the speed limit, then speed back up. If that doesn't shake them, well, they better pray they have better brakes & tires than I do.

Yes insurance does vary from state to state. Many states are No-fault states, where there is minimal, if any determination by your insurance company of who is to blame in an accident.

Slowly letting off the gas and slowing down is one thing, you can make the argument that you were trying to get to a safe speed for the distance that the car behind you is following. SLAMMING on the brakes is just boneheaded, you're trying to cure a dangerous situation by intentionally causing a crash? How backwards is that? Oh but you were doing the world some bit of good by teaching a tailgater a lesson, that's right...

Wouldn't it be the fault of the guy who slammed on the brakes? I realize it's word against word but what if the tailgater has a friend in the car and the guy slamming the brakes doesn't? Then they tell the police the guy just slammed on the brakes for no reason at all and it's 2 vs 1.

i rear ended someone who slammed their brakes and it ended up being my fault somehow.

 

[Hammer]

i turn on my windshield wipers a lot. pisses them off.

 

[gordy]

Originally posted by: Nitemare

Originally posted by: DWW
If someone does the limit, what is the rush ? Where are all the people racing too? I just don't get it. To me, it makes as much sense as people thinking cell phones are for important people. Cell phones are for people who WORK for important people.

People don't race if they are important. Oh wait, you had to get home 20 seconds faster. Sorry I forgot how much you value your time.

If there are that many people who demand faster limits then write a letter or two. Start an organization. But as long as limits are posted I will maintain them because a civil engineer who developed the roads knows more about safety than I do. And lets not forget speed is often a contributing factor to collisions.

I guess in your world stores remain open 24/7, airplanes will wait for you, and schools and businesses will provide warming stations for people when they have to wait outside in the cold because family members that were held up because of traffic accidents, trains or other things beyond their control are being further held up because Aholes are giving them brake tests, blocking traffic and being a nuisance on the roads.

maybe he is a responsible person who doesn't have to rush to get somewhere, he wakes up on time and gets his ducks in a row before he's gotta be somewhere.



on the road, if your behind me i own your a55 and you'll go as fast as i like, it's up to YOU to get the fvck around if you think it's too damn slow, it aint my fault your running late.

 

[gordy]

Originally posted by: Spencer278

Originally posted by: Nitemare


You know for a fact that I'm not racing to the pharmacy to pick up needed medication for my sick grandfather? You know for a fact that I'm not taking my pregnant wife to the emergency room? Do you know for a fact that you are not endangering the lives of my loved ones by playing your silly braking games?

If your in a hury for medical reasons call an ambulances. Your loved ones are putting themselves and the person they are tailgateing in danger not the other way around. Do you really want your pregnant wife to be involved in a car crash?

dayamn, pwned.

 

[GeneralDisarray]

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD
Do you guys ever get tailgated by vehicles much smaller than yours even because they can't see past your car and thinks you're the slow driver despite being behind another car at a safe following distance? I have had a lot of female drivers tailgate me in their Jettas and Civics for the above reason. I use the windshield washer fluid, let them pass then IMMEDIATELY get behind them and go behind them with high beam for a few minutes.

You're my new hero.

Why is it that people assume an SUV is slow? Sorry, your stock Civic isnt the race car you think it is. Another thing that annoys the hell out of me is sudden EXTREME breaking by small girl cars. Ok, your car is made of plastic and recycled paper or whatever, you can come to a stand still in 2 seconds, thats awesome. My truck can't, and unless you want me to drive over you, stay in motion while I break. Or just stop over-reacting to conditions. Just because someone in front of you touches their break doesnt mean you need to stop and put a 200 foot buffer between yourself and them. Stop rolling up to stop lights at 1mph! What is the point of this? Slow down consistantly and come to a complete stop when you're at the line or behind another car.

And if you're on the parkway, and there is nothing but road in front of you, drive, just please drive, I have places to go.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: XZeroII
LOL, now THAT is the best idea yet

All I know is looking back all I saw was the guy behind us trying to cover his eyes in a flailing fashion.

Å

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Ultima


Wouldn't it be the fault of the guy who slammed on the brakes? I realize it's word against word but what if the tailgater has a friend in the car and the guy slamming the brakes doesn't? Then they tell the police the guy just slammed on the brakes for no reason at all and it's 2 vs 1.

? the way the law works is the person in front is allowed to stop as quickly as possible for whatever reason....at least here.

Thinking otherwise you end up in reasons why to go against that would be bad (hmm I think I see an old lady in the road with a walker and Jesus about 30' in front of me, should I stop NOW or not????)....*splat* opps, should of stopped.

Å

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: GeneralDisarray


You're my new hero.

Welcome to AT, you are our HERO too....

Why is it that people assume an SUV is slow? Sorry, your stock Civic isnt the race car you think it is. Another thing that annoys the hell out of me is sudden EXTREME breaking by small girl cars. Ok, your car is made of plastic and recycled paper or whatever, you can come to a stand still in 2 seconds, thats awesome. My truck can't, and unless you want me to drive over you, stay in motion while I break. Or just stop over-reacting to conditions. Just because someone in front of you touches their break doesnt mean you need to stop and put a 200 foot buffer between yourself and them. Stop rolling up to stop lights at 1mph! What is the point of this? Slow down consistantly and come to a complete stop when you're at the line or behind another car.

I can't even comment on the above except without an absolute doubt whatever spouse/mate/life partner you have is absolutely banging anyone possible they see to rid their mind of anything about you other than why they stick around....perhaps it's your 24" wheels on stock breaks you have dawg! Fo' shizzle, my nizzle!.

And if you're on the parkway, and there is nothing but road in front of you, drive, just please drive, I have places to go.

like your monthly parole for child molesting meetup right?

Å

 

[flot]

Get a lifted truck/suv with a tow hitch and a big engine. When they tailgate you, jam on your brakes for just a second, forcing the ball of your tow hitch into their hood. Then floor it, ripping said hood off their car. Pull over respectfully. When they get out of their car to bitch you out, put it in reverse, and back over their car. Pick the hood up and replace it on their trashed vehicle. Repeat as needed.

Edit: Seriously, I have no patience at all for people driving slow on the interstate, but in residential neighborhoods I try to do something approximating the speed limit. I live on a busy "residential" street (And when I say I live on it, my house is like 15 feet from it) and assclowns are always tearing down the road at like 60 mph. Aside from being unbelievably obnoxious with me having to listen to a wound out civic screaming by at 7000 rpm, it's completely unsafe and unnecessary. On most interstates in FL, I honestly believe 85 is a reasonable speed, (and have been pulled over going considerably faster) so it's not like I'm a prude when it comes to driving...

Edit2: For stupid typo, it's just that how often do you type "Break" vs "Brake" - if you're a fast typist, you make a lot of misteaks (just kidding) that way

 

[allisolm]

reliant wrote "Tap the breaks..."
DWW wrote "he slammed the breaks."
tranceport wrote "SLAM on your breaks. "
lowtech wrote "Tap you breaks..."
FuZioN wrote "break every second..."
ausm wrote "stomp on the breaks..."
Zebo wrote "if he fails to break in time..." and "as you slam your breaks..."
MindStorm wrote "slamming the breaks too hard..."
Deeko wrote "if they have good breaks..."
Flot wrote "jam on your breaks..."
GeneralDisarray wrote "sudden EXTREME breaking..." and "stay in motion while I break...'' and "touches their break..."

Okay, so I'm anal. You slam on your brakes in order to avoid breaking the bones of the little old lady who tried to break for cover as you approached.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: allisolm
reliant wrote "Tap the breaks..."
DWW wrote "he slammed the breaks."
tranceport wrote "SLAM on your breaks. "
lowtech wrote "Tap you breaks..."
FuZioN wrote "break every second..."
ausm wrote "stomp on the breaks..."
Zebo wrote "if he fails to break in time..." and "as you slam your breaks..."
MindStorm wrote "slamming the breaks too hard..."
Deeko wrote "if they have good breaks..."
Flot wrote "jam on your breaks..."
GeneralDisarray wrote "sudden EXTREME breaking..." and "stay in motion while I break...'' and "touches their break..."

Okay, so I'm anal. You slam on your brakes in order to avoid breaking the bones of the little old lady who tried to break for cover as you approached.

Dayum, She just 0wn3d all j00 guyz! hehehe

Å

 

[GeneralDisarray]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: GeneralDisarray You're my new hero.

Welcome to AT, you are our HERO too....

Why is it that people assume an SUV is slow? Sorry, your stock Civic isnt the race car you think it is. Another thing that annoys the hell out of me is sudden EXTREME breaking by small girl cars. Ok, your car is made of plastic and recycled paper or whatever, you can come to a stand still in 2 seconds, thats awesome. My truck can't, and unless you want me to drive over you, stay in motion while I break. Or just stop over-reacting to conditions. Just because someone in front of you touches their break doesnt mean you need to stop and put a 200 foot buffer between yourself and them. Stop rolling up to stop lights at 1mph! What is the point of this? Slow down consistantly and come to a complete stop when you're at the line or behind another car.

I can't even comment on the above except without an absolute doubt whatever spouse/mate/life partner you have is absolutely banging anyone possible they see to rid their mind of anything about you other than why they stick around....perhaps it's your 24" wheels on stock breaks you have dawg! Fo' shizzle, my nizzle!.

And if you're on the parkway, and there is nothing but road in front of you, drive, just please drive, I have places to go.

like your monthly parole for child molesting meetup right? Å

I hope you take some small joy from correcting a common language mistake on the internet and feeling superior, because chances are you live on it.

And please draw the line of logic between my comments and my "partner" cheating? Please, draw that line for me, and show how childish you are. Or maybe just try to make one point about my post instead of reverting to a 13 year old and talking about me (and my mysterious partner) personally.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: GeneralDisarray

I hope you take some small joy from correcting a common language mistake on the internet and feeling superior, because chances are you live on it.

And please draw the line of logic between my comments and my "partner" cheating? Please, draw that line for me, and show how childish you are. Or maybe just try to make one point about my post instead of reverting to a 13 year old and talking about me (and my mysterious partner) personally.

oh I stand corrected....you and your SUV are uber kewl....like leet and stuff. sorry for any misunderstanding.

Å

 

[Ultima]

Originally posted by: GeneralDisarray

Originally posted by: NeoPTLD


Stop rolling up to stop lights at 1mph! What is the point of this? Slow down consistantly and come to a complete stop when you're at the line or behind another car.

And if you're on the parkway, and there is nothing but road in front of you, drive, just please drive, I have places to go.

Does this mean people who let off the gas when they see the light turn red? Because when I see a light turn red, I don't stay at 40mph and suddenly brake at the light. I take my foot off the gas and coast. Often enough the light will turn green again without me having to brake.