How Do You Deal With Tailgaters?

[EscapedSuburbia]

Indiana state law defines the left-most lane of multi-lane interstates as a passing lane only. Driver who hang out in that lane are ticketed for obstructing traffic-unless they are passing, regardless of their speed.

Drivers are *supposed* to be ticketed for it. I doubt in the history of Indiana anyone has ever actually gotten a ticket for it.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Oh, they are not bashful about giving a long distance truck driver a ticket, for most anything ... Indiana is the second most ticketed state we get nailed in, only New Mexico is higher ...

If you don't have a prepaid lawyer group to call on, it's difficult to get back for the court date to fight it, and they know that! Most tickets involving trucks are double that of cars, and if in a construction zone, double again!

It's very frustrating when we are not allowed in certain lanes, and we are being held up by idiots, AND the lane(s) us truck drivers aren't allowed in are empty, AND we have a customer needing our freight delivered, just how tempting do you think it is to sneak out into the forbidden lane to get past the rolling road block, but then you get stuck out there, as nobody will let you back into the gap that's "was" there when you pulled out?

Then there are the rotten campers! Well at least a third of them anyways ... They shouldn't be on the interstate, as they want to putter along 10-15 or more mph under the limit, and are an unsafe rolling road block, with traffic backing up behind them ... Even with my left turn signals flashing, people tailgating me, jump out and won't let me get by the rotten campers ... It's sometimes MILES before I can get out to try to pass them ... I said try ... As these modern trucks have all kinds of sensors and fake intelligence that think it knows how to drive (be careful what you wish for!) that won't allow me to tailgate ...

My adaptive cruise control wants to follow at 4 seconds, if I override it by putting my foot on the accelerator, (or turn it off!) I can close the gap to 2 seconds, then I get both a audible and visual "alert" to increase following distance, or the truck WILL put the brakes on!

So I gotta do a minimum of 2 seconds, once I pull out into the #1 lane (on a double lane road) quite often some impatient idiot(s) insist on passing me on the right, and cutting in front of me, which causes me to have to slow down before the trucks self braking takes over, and idiot tailgating me, kisses my rear bumper ... This then just cause more hate and discontent in the line of traffic trying to get down the road ...

 

[big bubba]

i try to err to patience....then occasionally will use emergency lights & slow down

 

[Renze]

He's the one who sped up and wouldn't let the guy pass.

Ah, i see: He sped up to keep the other guy in the opposing lane... yeah some people play stupid games. Unfortunately, someone else payd the stupid prize.

 

[Runner]

This happens so may times, that someone under the limit, so you attempt a pass, and they speed up to match you side by side. Till you are both going way too fast. If they do this match game, I back off, and take the next rest area for 15 minutes or so. Cause something is mentally wrong with this other driver.

This is so true. It's hard to believe, but there are actually people out there who just want to screw with other drivers. You don't have to cut them off or anything, they will just do things to try to get a reaction out of you.

I was entering a freeway one time and there was a car in the right lane deliberately pacing me through the entire merge zone. It was this upper-middle age woman and as soon as I saw we were going the same speed, I immediately slowed down to get behind her (where it was wide open). Then, she stabbed the brakes to stay beside me. So I sped up and the did the same. Pretty soon, we got to the end of the merge zone... I won't say what happened, but I'm thinking she had to change her Depends when she got home.

I don't know if this is a "thing" or not, but I think there may be some drivers out there who have it in for people that drive electric or hybrid cars. My Yaris is gas, but looks similar to the Prius. I have been messed with on several occasions like that with no provocation on my part at all. Or, it could be that some people just think it's fun to mess with people driving small cars.

 

[MossRoad]

Hard to believe anybody would want to suck that crap into their lungs.

My best friend stole a pack of Kool Menthols from his mom. We snuck out into the woods where my dad had a large rack for trash cans with fencing to keep the raccoons out, and proceeded to smoke as many as we could, as fast as we could, because, well, we thought that's what you were supposed to do.

About half way through the 3rd one each, we both turned googleee-eyed and started throwing up.

And that was the last time either of us smoked cigarettes.... I think we were maybe 12-13 years old.

 

[MossRoad]

Have you seen a semi truck steering wheel lately? Full of buttons!!!
David from jax

Jeeze, I have 18 buttons counting the horn on the 2020 Outback steering wheel. Plus paddle shifters behind the wheel. Once you learn where everything is, you don't have to look and them. But if you're unfamiliar with the car, it could be a distraction looking for the functions.

 

[Oaktree]

I don't know if this is a "thing" or not, but I think there may be some drivers out there who have it in for people that drive electric or hybrid cars. My Yaris is gas, but looks similar to the Prius. I have been messed with on several occasions like that with no provocation on my part at all. Or, it could be that some people just think it's fun to mess with people driving small cars.

Of course that works both ways. Maybe 15-20 years ago when hybrids were just coming on the scene and were mostly owned by tree-hugger types it seemed many of them delighted in driving just below the limit holding up traffic just because they could. A lot of resentment towards them at the time.

 

[Jstpssng]

Of course that works both ways. Maybe 15-20 years ago when hybrids were just coming on the scene and were mostly owned by tree-hugger types it seemed many of them delighted in driving just below the limit holding up traffic just because they could. A lot of resentment towards them at the time.

You also live next to Vermont...

 

[John0829]

I try to drive within plus or minus 2-3 mph of the posted speed limit, if that holds you up then pass or stay behind it is your choice, your problem not mine. And if for some reason me driving safely causes YOU to have an accident because your in a hurry I will have it on camera and then it is still your problem.

 

[shooterdon]

Some people change...at least I did. Used to drive 10 mph over the limit but now I hold at 75 mph on the Interstates. On the back roads I drive at whatever speed seems right for me and the road conditions.

I find it less stressful and save a bit on fuel.

A 400 mile trip on the Interstate at 75 mph takes 5 hr and 20 minutes. At 85 mph, it would take about 35 minutes less. And I rarely drive 400 miles anymore.

If someone wants to tailgate me so they can drive at 85 mph to save 2 minutes on their 20 mile trip to Wally World I have little regard for their concerns.

 

[Runner]

Of course that works both ways. Maybe 15-20 years ago when hybrids were just coming on the scene and were mostly owned by tree-hugger types it seemed many of them delighted in driving just below the limit holding up traffic just because they could. A lot of resentment towards them at the time.

I've experienced Prius drivers too, and they pretty much deserve what they get, but don't take it out on me!

 

[civilian]

Years ago, we got into a rental car at night, very little lot lights outside. Had a heck of a time finding the buttons needed to drive away in an unfamilar car. Let alone in today's cars with buttons on steering wheel and screens for everything else, including heat/AC. Jon

 

[not2old]

Jeeze, I have 18 buttons counting the horn on the 2020 Outback steering wheel. Plus paddle shifters behind the wheel. Once you learn where everything is, you don't have to look and them. But if you're unfamiliar with the car, it could be a distraction looking for the functions.

I have four vehicles that all have different locations for the controls and all function differently. Going from one vehicle to another I find I frequently use the wrong buttons or they don't function as I'm expecting.

 

[Bad Boy Biker]

GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!

 

[MossRoad]

I have four vehicles that all have different locations for the controls and all function differently. Going from one vehicle to another I find I frequently use the wrong buttons or they don't function as I'm expecting.

Yep. All of our Chevies have been nearly the same over the years. The 2020 Outback is opposite. Cruise is on the right. Infotainment is on the left. Wiper control buttons even rotate the opposite way. So gotta be careful.

 

[RB5]

My last accident happened about 30 or so years ago.
We (me, spouse, 4 kids) were in an 1988 Olds Cutlass SW (built like a tank). I was stopped on a 2 lane road, waiting to make a left turn (blinker on) and the Chevy sedan behind me was still moving, and then HE got hit from behind, driving him into my rear bumper fairly hard. Nobody badly hurt, a couple of bruises maybe.
The police got there quick, the car behind me had his front caved in to the radiator, his rear damaged badly. When the police looked our cars were ~ 3 feet apart and we had difficulty telling exactly where the impact point was on my bumper, hardly a scratch. As the cop and I squatted there looking at my bumper, then the crushed front of the other car the cop questioned me again, almost not believing the lack of damage.
I make it a point to leave plenty of room in front when coming to a stop.

Old car pre crumple zones were great. I remember one time in 1981 or so I was driving my 77 Chevy Big 10 and moved over to the right hitting a car that was in my blind spot. The car was mid 70s. Speed limit 30. Heard a loud thunk on impact. We both pulled over and got out. No damage. Not even a scratch. We both laughed and left. The guy had hair down to his waste and neither one of us wanted the cops to show up.

 

[kf4uda]

I react much differently now to tailgaters than in my youth. I drive up to 5 over most everywhere so it's not like I am poking. I drive in the right lane on four lanes unless I am about to turn left so they can always go around me. On two lanes I just ignore them. I will sometimes, if its convenient and possible, pull over and let them go. I am thinking about installing dash cameras in our vehicles. Having an undisputable witness at all times could prove handy.

 

[sandman2234]

Years ago, we got into a rental car at night, very little lot lights outside. Had a heck of a time finding the buttons needed to drive away in an unfamilar car. Let alone in today's cars with buttons on steering wheel and screens for everything else, including heat/AC. Jon

I can definitely relate to that! Dispatchers don't think that "changing trucks" should slow you down even a bit! I have threatened to quit because of them wanting me to change trucks twice in 2 weeks! I am looking at a couple hours of moving "stuff" b4 I get to re-learn a completely different truck. (I tell them if I wanted to slipseat trucks, I could take a local job!)
David from jax

 

[QRTRHRS]

I can definitely relate to that! Dispatchers don't think that "changing trucks" should slow you down even a bit! I have threatened to quit because of them wanting me to change trucks twice in 2 weeks! I am looking at a couple hours of moving "stuff" b4 I get to re-learn a completely different truck. (I tell them if I wanted to slipseat trucks, I could take a local job!)
David from jax

Local work is not so much fun either if you are the low driver on the totem pole. Some days you get to fill in for someone whom has taken the day off and "their" truck looks more like a squatter lives there. That and sometimes dispatcher's/terminal managers have their favorites.