How do you handle EXTREME tailgaters? - Page 30 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Joenavy85 · 03-04-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BHarvey

One thing racing taught me was that you always look where you want to go, and not to focus on what's in front of you.

Situational awareness, know where you want to be 30 seconds before you want to be there. i can't count the number of accidents i've avoided just by paying attention to everything around me. i always make sure i know which lane is open in case i have to change lanes in a hurry. i once had a suburban almost take the front bumper off my honda, luckily i knew the lane to my right was open and didn't need to think before changing lanes, he then saw me fly by in 4th gear (of a 6 speed) at about 80 with me and my buddy both flipping him off. he then passed us again and about 15 miles later we saw him pulled over by a state trooper. karma sucks sometimes

john_i_williams · 03-04-2011, 04:17 PM

I knew someone who kept a peanut can full of penny's, handful through the moon roof usually did the trick.

Arragonis · 03-04-2011, 05:48 PM

I had the usual BMW 1-series owner today.

The 1-series owner is normally someone who is frustrated by their life based on sales / insurance / call centre manager status and they have stretched to a BMW over a VW Golf, so they have to tailgate to make their life somehow worthy and prove how great they are.

I pulled over and let them past.

God I feel so bad about how they won and how I am just not worthy of life any more because I lost.

(If you have been affected by this post then please send your cash to 1-800-I-dont-care or paypal via ParentNeedsgeekToysFromCharity@gmail.com)

I'm saving for an iPad 2 (not really it sucks).

fjasper · 03-14-2011, 02:27 PM

This time of year around here, just ease over to the right where the sand and gravel from winter haven't been cleared off yet. The cloud of dirt, sand and rocks usually convinces people to do something different, either back off or pass. I've seen big trucks do this, and it works even better for them than for cars.

Failing that, I tend to just coast until either they pass me, (if there's a safe place for them to pass) or I pull over. People get strangely hostile about this stuff.

I like to pace a truck on the freeway, it reminds me to slow down going up hills and not go too fast overall. I usually try to do it from at least 50 yards back, though, for road hazard purposes more than anything. Hopefully I'm not bothering anyone by doing so.

Arragonis · 03-14-2011, 03:17 PM

I did something like this unintentionally today. I was running in the slower lane and became quite distracted by the X5 which decided to fill my rear window - no idea why as there was plenty of space in front if he wanted the exit so badly.

I ran over a squashed drink can (not deliberately) which my back wheel pickup up somehow and flung up at the shiney, black bonnet of his uber-suv. It kind of spun as it landed and slid across.

I assume it must have left quite a scratch.

Ah well. Never mind.

piers.singer · 03-21-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennyt

This technique could be used by drivers as well as bicyclists:
...get a song stuck in their head...

Brilliant! Next time someone tries to kill me on my fixie, I shall shout at them, "FRIDAY! FIRDAY! GOTTA GET DOWN ON FRIDAY!" just to make sure that they have the worst day ever.

katiep · 07-01-2011, 04:33 PM

I've been lucky. Tapping breaks almost always works for me. But I mean *tap-ping* since just slightly touching the breaks turns the light on while not actually slowing you down. I'll end up slowing down a tiny bit if my car is in a situation where it's not able to stay at a continuous speed without being on the gas pedal (e.g. incline or driving at a higher speed than 60 mph) but not enough to have an accident almost happen.

If that doesn't work, maybe I'll try the peanuts or cranking my system to blare "FRIDAY FRIDAY" 'cause the imagine that those both put in my head made me giggle!