How do you handle EXTREME tailgaters?

[Weather Spotter]

Originally Posted by jjackstone

OK,
Didn't have time to read this entire thread so sorry if someone has already mentioned this. In my younger days I connected a switch to the reverse lights on my car. Only used it a few times but it was interested to watch the tailgater's front end nose dive when they illogically thought I was actually in reverse at 50 or 60 mph.
JJ

That would be very funny to watch

[gasman]

I've only read part of the thread (some very interesting replies, I must say)...

Fortunately, since the gas spiked in 2008, I haven't really had any extreme tailgaters. I rarely have any regular tailgaters. I generally drive 40-45 in 55 zones, and once people realize it, they usually just fall in line and give space. I always go approx the speed limit when there are few chances to overtake, but so long as they have opportunities, I just take it easy. Before ~2008, people used to fly by my at 80+ if I was going anything less than 65 in a 55, but times have changed I guess. AFAIAC, it's for the better.

[Chuck.]

Get a boatail like this and see how close they come.

[ShadeTreeMech]

Originally Posted by jjackstone

OK,
Didn't have time to read this entire thread so sorry if someone has already mentioned this. In my younger days I connected a switch to the reverse lights on my car. Only used it a few times but it was interested to watch the tailgater's front end nose dive when they illogically thought I was actually in reverse at 50 or 60 mph.
JJ

My old Sentra had its reverse switch in the transmission go out, and instead of hunting down the replacement part on a car nearly as old as I am, I wired in a toggle switch to use when backing up. This car being a hatchback, I would sometimes also use it as general lighting when unloading the groceries after dark. (It was a useful feature.)

But taligaters didn't like it too much

[VegasDude]

Moving over into the center or left lane doesn't always help. Late at night, I've had people tailgate me in the right lane during a long glide. I change lanes and continue to slowly loose speed, but it takes them awhile to pass. They probably think I was annoyed by their driving and am planning to do something when they pass. People are constantly on edge on the roads here.

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by VegasDude

Moving over into the center or left lane doesn't always help. Late at night, I've had people tailgate me in the right lane during a long glide. I change lanes and continue to slowly loose speed, but it takes them awhile to pass. They probably think I was annoyed by their driving and am planning to do something when they pass. People are constantly on edge on the roads here.

If you are going to drive slow, do it in the rightmost lane and stay there. Don't worry about tailgaters if you are in the slow lane. Anyone who wants to pass you has the opportunity to do it safely and legally. The only exception is driving below 45 MPH on an interstate highway. It's just common sense. Driving too slow can be just as hazardous as driving too fast.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

If you are going to drive slow, do it in the rightmost lane and stay there. Don't worry about tailgaters if you are in the slow lane. Anyone who wants to pass you has the opportunity to do it safely and legally. The only exception is driving below 45 MPH on an interstate highway. It's just common sense. Driving too slow can be just as hazardous as driving too fast.

Drive right, pass left. It's not just a good idea...it's the law.

[thecarfarmer]

How do I handle EXTREME tailgaters?

Depends on the day...

Actually, I generally don't drive much under the limit and hold people up. If anything, I tend to be a little more 'left lane oriented' than I think some of the other folks here are.

-Bill

[comptiger5000]

I had a guy in a Dodge Neon sitting so close to my rear bumper I couldn't see his headlights driving across campus at night a couple weeks ago. Conveniently, there are speed bumps at the crosswalks. Coming up to one, I decided to just cruise right over it at 30 (campus speed limit) without even tapping the brakes. Right as my front tires hit the bump, he saw it and practically locked up his brakes behind me. He left plenty of space after that, as hitting the bump like that wouldn't have ended well for his car.

Other than that, people tend to pass pretty safely on the highway. If they start acting unsafe (even though I'm in the right lane), I'll pick up speed for a minute or two so they don't have to accelerate as hard into the next lane.

[VegasDude]

Originally Posted by Thymeclock

If you are going to drive slow, do it in the rightmost lane and stay there. Don't worry about tailgaters if you are in the slow lane. Anyone who wants to pass you has the opportunity to do it safely and legally. The only exception is driving below 45 MPH on an interstate highway. It's just common sense. Driving too slow can be just as hazardous as driving too fast.

Maybe you missed my point. It's me, and them. I can stay where I am, or move over and encourage them to pass. It's like approaching a red light (also would be gliding) in the right lane and looking in my mirror and seeing the person behind me has their turn signal on. If possible, I'll move into the center lane. I don't worry about tailgaters, I worry about everyone, since many of them are drunk. Anything to make distance between me and other drivers is a good thing.