How Do You Deal With Tailgaters?

[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.