How Do You Deal With Tailgaters?

[Renze]

Why speed kills.

Kinetic energy is 1/2 of mass time velocity squared. If you are traveling 70 in a 55 mph zone you are going about 27% faster but your KE is almost 62% greater. If/when you crash, there is 62% more energy that is dissipated.

Speed doesnt kill: Sudden deceleration does.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I think of this often when passing a line of cars and somebody comes up behind me.
I'm doing 75, the right lane is doing 65... should I slam on the brakes before or after entering the slower lane?

Here it's pull over or slow down. Often if in the left lane you may not even know there is somebody on the shoulder until it's too late to do anything. Still, if the car in the other lane signals to change lanes it should give a clue.

I've talked to wrecker operators who share some scary near misses.

There is a "push" right now in KY by the tow truck operators to allow them to have flashing blue lights while picking up a vehicle but not under tow.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

Sorry, but saying this is a clear sign of immaturity.

If keeping up with modern traffic is too much for you, you're free to stay in the slow lane.

Eighty-five isn't slow, and being rude and unsafe is the most immature thing of all.

 

[MossRoad]

That means when I get to the front of the line of cars, just as I always do. Pretty simple.

Or, you could just put your signal on and merge into the right lane to let the faster car go by.

 

[MossRoad]

 

[paulsharvey]

So, I think one problem your missing Moss; there isnt 2 speeds on a roadway. Its not like in a 65 mph, 4 lane, that there is a 65mph lane and a 75 mph lane. There are people doing 55-60, and the right lane is going to need to pass; then move back over eventually when clear. If while they are passing, and you are riding their butt, you're absolutely in the wrong. If they are actively over taking slower traffic, but at a slower speed than some other like, thats tough. It might annoy folks, but that semi governored at 68 has the right (unless no trucks left lane is posted on regulatory signs) to pass that 62.5 mph truck in the right. It might take a mile or so, but hes not in the wrong, he will get around eventually, and if hes clear, and no longer actively over taking other traffic, he will move back to the right. Let's say you are stuck behind him for 39.6 seconds, to over take, pass, get clear and move over. You have lost what, 1, maybe 2 seconds getting to your destination.

 

[paulsharvey]

What really annoys me, running 66, maybe 68 in a 65 mph, divided road, you passing some people, you're in the left lane, but the right lane has lots of 60-65 mph folks. Guy gets right up on your butt for a few minutes, and you get around the right lane, and move over, all in crusie control running a consistent 68 mph. The guy goes past you, moves right, and starts running slower than you where in left lane. Just trying to hop right to the front, and actually reduce speed.... No logical reason. If you wanted to run 72 or 75, fine, keep on that that speed, in whichever lane you want, but dont run 72, up on the guys butt, then when clear run 64

 

[Topzide]

Speed doesnt kill: Sudden deceleration does.

It's that sudden stop that gets you every time!

 

[Bad Boy Biker]

Right lane driving.
Left lane passing.
GET OUT OF MY WAY.

 

[LouNY]

For some entitled people we need a thumbs down icon rather then a like.

 

[CliffordK]

Taping the brakes without reason can get you "cuffed up" in many states. It depends on how the state defines reckless driving. Having a dash cam can help if, in deed, a deer or animal crossed your path. But it better show an unavoidable encounter. Be warned that not all rear-end collisions create an automatic fault.

I could imagine "brake checking" a person behind oneself would be frowned upon. The dashcam may help some, especially if taken to court.

Keep in mind that deer are very unpredictable, so if one sees one beside the road, it is good to at least slow down (but not necessarily do an emergency stop). I have heard it recommended to just run over small animals, especially if one can't safely stop. But a deer would do a lot of damage at 55+ MPH, and one shouldn't be expected to do that.

 

[Topzide]

I was told by a state trooper to not avoid hitting an animal. More damage or loss of life could occur. An over steering can cause loss of control for most people. Sports cars would be able to handle to maneuver far better as long as driver is paying attention.

I've hit small to medium sized animals over the years. Little to no damage to vehicles. Haven't had a deer strike me yet! Had a few try to race me! Crazy things! Don't honk your horn at them, they'll return to where they were last safe. That could cause them to return in front of you or others that crossed and waiting to return across in front of you.

 

[bcp]

It's that sudden stop that gets you every time!

...and the rapid unscheduled disassembly of your vehicle.

Bruce

 

[Jstpssng]

Or, you could just put your signal on and merge into the right lane to let the faster car go by.

When I'm doing 10-15 mph faster than they are there is going to be some sudden decelerating going on.

 

[dstig1]

When I'm doing 10-15 mph faster than they are there is going to be some sudden decelerating going on.

In those cases, I often speed up to pass quicker and get over. If I am running the cruise control, it just reverts to my set speed when i let off the gas. I try to keep things flowing the best I can within reason

 

[ultrarunner]

Hmm, never seen anywhere that had two different speed limits, but also I have never been out there

California, Oregon and Washington have separate truck and auto limits.

Trucks do not include pickup trucks unless towing an auto towing is subject to truck limit.

So 55 truck and as high as 70 auto in parts of California and northern neighbors 60 truck and 65 auto is what I have encountered.

 

[MossRoad]

So, I think one problem your missing Moss; there isnt 2 speeds on a roadway. It's not like in a 65 mph, 4 lane, that there is a 65mph lane and a 75 mph lane. There are people doing 55-60, and the right lane is going to need to pass; then move back over eventually when clear. If while they are passing, and you are riding their butt, you're absolutely in the wrong. If they are actively over taking slower traffic, but at a slower speed than some other like, thats tough. It might annoy folks, but that semi governored at 68 has the right (unless no trucks left lane is posted on regulatory signs) to pass that 62.5 mph truck in the right. It might take a mile or so, but hes not in the wrong, he will get around eventually, and if hes clear, and no longer actively over taking other traffic, he will move back to the right. Let's say you are stuck behind him for 39.6 seconds, to over take, pass, get clear and move over. You have lost what, 1, maybe 2 seconds getting to your destination.

I'm not missing anything. People in the US generally won't cooperate on the road. I'm ahead of you, so tough luck.

Plenty of times we're driving along, come up on a line of slower traffic, switch to the left lane to move past them, when someone else comes up behind us wanting to go even faster than us. So I look for the first safe place to merge right, let them pass, then move out again into the left lane and continue on. It isn't that hard, but many folks won't do it.