How Do You Deal With Tailgaters?

[MossRoad]

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

Yes, that's annoying as heck. Happens quite a bit in our travels.

 

[Jstpssng]

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

So do I. There's nothing worse than somebody driving 1.5 mph faster than I am, taking miles to go by me.

To say nothing about getting run over by that guy who's in even more of a hurry.

 

[MossRoad]

We get this situation quite a bit in our travels.....

You set the cruise and off you go. Eventually you come up on another car. Common sense says you're probably going faster than that car, since you caught up to it, eh? So you pull out to pass it, and right when your right rear fender gets by their front left fender you somehow, magically, are going exactly the same speed. They'll sit next to you like that for a bit, then they'll either accelerate and pass you on the right, or all of a sudden quickly drop back....

Usually, if they sit there for more than 10 seconds, I'll just hit the gas, get ahead of them, signal and pull in then let off the gas to resume cruise. Most times that just ends it, but maybe 1 in 10 will then pull out and pass us and take off down the road. And almost to a T, we'll catch up to them again within 10 minutes.

 

[Renze]

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

Bothering other people by unnecessary staying in the left lane is rude and unsafe. I dont know about the States, but it gets you a 280 euro ticket here in Holland. In Germany its only 80 euro. Even when the other guy is speeding, the left lane dragger gets a ticket first.

In Germany, even with 120mph+ they flash their headlights behind you when they come up behind you with 150mph. How fast other people drive is none of your business.

 

[paulsharvey]

Laws, norms, and even terms vary around the world; but on a 4 lane (or a 6 lane) all lanes are officially referred to as a "travel" lane. Not a passing lane, not a slow and fast; just plain travel lane. Now, there are some limited places a lane might be a "passing lane", there is a section of Sr40 running from Ocala to Daytona, though the Ocala national forest, its basically straightest, flat, 40 miles long, 60 mph, and 2 lanes for the most part. However, to avoid people making stupid choices, and killing others passing into oncoming traffic, they widened parts to 3 lanes, for about a mile. So, every few miles, the EB lanes eith go from 1 to 1 and a short, extra, passing lane; then couple miles down, it will be the WB lane with the extra, passing lane. Those lanes are really ment truly as a passing lane.

Turn lanes are classified as auxiliary lanes, with a lesser design standard, and then "double left, unprotected interior turn lane" which everyone calls a suicide lane. On and off ramps are also auxiliary lanes. They have lesser required clear zones, less required shoulders, ect.

There is not a law against passing in the right lane either, provided everything is safe

 

[Jstpssng]

Years ago I was headed home after being away for a week. I was on a 2 lane highway and got behind about 5 cars doing 45, when the SL was 55. After a few miles we came to the only truck lane in 90 miles of road, and they all went up it on the left lane so I went by on the right. As I came up to the lead car he moved over and straddled the center of each.
He's doing 45, I'm doing 65; that's a recipe for disaster. There was a good line of sight and no traffic coming at us so I crossed into the other lane.

 

[Renze]

There is not a law against passing in the right lane either, provided everything is safe

It is in all European countries.

 

[paulsharvey]

It is in all European countries.

It may be in some US states as well? People outside the US often forget we are basically 54 seperate countries, tied to a federal government.

Yes, 50 states; and many territories, but really, just 4 territories with people/roads (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Somoa).

Some states you can turn right on a red light after coming to a stop, and yielding to any traffic, Louisiana you can't. I have no doubt right lane passing is illegal in some cases, but not in Florida. It is illegal to "cruise" in the left lane, if there if you are holding up traffic, and not over taking vehicles. Now, it is not mandated you move over Right away; basically you see your holding up traffic, you arent passing, you move right when you can. Only time ive heard of it being enforced is A; your holding up a cops lunch plans or B; you intentionally ride side by side with the right lane to be a jerk, and Intentionally you act as the pace car

Now; as a funny note; the "Smith system defensive drive" class we had to take at work; recommends night time, 4 lane, low traffic high speed to cruise in the left lane, because of deer; and giving you the extra 12 ft of reaction

 

[WinterDeere]

It is in all European countries.

700 DM ticket for passing on right in Germany, ca.1998. I did it!

Of course the speeds involved were substantially higher than anything you will ever see in any US state.

People outside the US often forget we are basically 54 seperate countries, tied to a federal government.

Exactly! Nearly all driving laws are state, and not federal, laws.

 

[paulsharvey]

Oh, dont know about some areas; but in FLa, they have added "express toll" lanes to some interstates; that are basically legal, paid, speeding. They generally give you atleast a 15-20 mph buffer over the speed limit, and there likely is a ticket able offese to using those at low speed? Of coarse, you would be actively paying to piss people off

 

[masseyrider]

It may be in some US states as well? People outside the US often forget we are basically 54 seperate countries, tied to a federal government.

Yes, 50 states; and many territories, but really, just 4 territories with people/roads (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Somoa).

51 states.
You forgot Kanuckistan, your most recently acquired turf.

 

[Jstpssng]

Here's our statutes...

6. Passing on the right. An operator may pass a vehicle on the right only under the following conditions:
A. When the vehicle to be passed is making or about to make a left turn; [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. On a way with unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles and of sufficient width for 2 or more lines of traffic in each direction; or [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. On a way on which traffic is restricted to one direction, when the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for 2 or more lines of traffic. [PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
An operator may pass on the right only under conditions permitting that movement in safety. An operator may not overtake by driving off the pavement or main traveled portion of the way.
A person operating a bicycle or roller skis may pass a vehicle on the right at the bicyclist's or roller skier's own risk.

 

[paulsharvey]

So, that basically says, four lane road, you can base on the right; Section B.

 

[Jstpssng]

So, that basically says, four lane road, you can base on the right; Section B.

Yes.
I'm not sure if I included it but there also is a statute prohibiting speeding up when somebody is passing.

 

[WinterDeere]

Yes.
I'm not sure if I included it but there also is a statute prohibiting speeding up when somebody is passing.

That's a good law, but I suspect very few know it. I see people do this routinely, although I don't know if PA has any specific law against it.

This is one good reason to always have superior horsepower.

 

[Eagle1]

This is one good reason to always have superior horsepower.

THIS ^^^^^^^

 

[Jstpssng]

That's a good law, but I suspect very few know it

It also would be a difficult law to enforce.

Many if not most states do have similar statutes.
For PA...

§ 3303. Overtaking vehicle on the left.

(a) General rule.--The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to the limitations, exceptions and special rules stated in this chapter:

(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe distance and shall stay to the left of the other vehicle until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle
(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted

, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall not increase the speed of the vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle and shall give way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on suitable ⅞.

Chapter 33. - Title 75 - VEHICLES

 

[Renze]

700 DM ticket for passing on right in Germany, ca.1998. I did it!

Of course the speeds involved were substantially higher than anything you will ever see in any US state.

Left lane Autobahn speeds (150mph) make it dangerous to overtake around the trucks restricted to 60mph.

 

[Renze]

It may be in some US states as well? People outside the US often forget we are basically 54 seperate countries, tied to a federal government.

People from the US often forget that Europe isnt much different, with a lot of legislation synchronized for easier cross country movement of trade and traffic, but countries here, arent much different than your states.

We have some leftist nuts who believe we need to hand over more authority to a federal European government, while the common valuta is already the cause of much financial pain for the lower middle class in both strong and weak economies...

 

[Renze]

This is one good reason to always have superior horsepower.

Or superior aerodynamics and/or less weight.

I topped 220kmh (137 mph) two years ago in Germany, before my front tire suddenly became imbalanced. I decided not to pursue top speed any further because a belt break could result in a blowout which is likely lethal at that speed. I still dont know