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.

 

[WinterDeere]

Then there is this, vehicles on the shoulder. What with many lacking common sense/courtesy, KY passed a law that you must get over to the next lane if there is a vehicle on the shoulder.

A friend of my parents died this way. Was changing a driver's side tire on one of our classic old expressways with narrow shoulders. He was off the road, but a semi truck rushing by while he was crouched down on his heels changing a tire created enough of a vacuum effect under the trailer that the suction pulling him from behind caused him to lose balance and fall backwards into the road. I think the trailer tires went over his head and chest.

Cops are among the worst tailgaters. It's part of the "Little God with a Badge" set of privileges.

It's to the point of harassement, in some local boroughs, around here. I've always had some of the faster and louder cars around, and esp. when I was young, had frequent problems with cops cruising just inches off my rear bumper. It's an attempt to instigate an infraction, when they've decided you're a target.

Thankfully, I now live in an area where there's no local police, only PA State Police. The state guys seem to have bigger fish to fry, than to needlessly provoke guys that like to drive fast cars.

Speed doesnt kill: Sudden deceleration does.

Sort of like, "the fall won't kill you, but the abrupt landing is a *****."

 

[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.

 

[Suburban Plowboy]

It's to the point of harassement, in some local boroughs, around here. I've always had some of the faster and louder cars around, and esp. when I was young, had frequent problems with cops cruising just inches off my rear bumper. It's an attempt to instigate an infraction, when they've decided you're a target.

I was on I-95 in Miami, riding a Harley, northbound. There is a fairly sharp turn to take I-395 East to the Beach. I took that turn one night, and a moron FHP trooper practically pushed me the whole way through it.

Bright person that I am, I was not wearing a helmet, and he could see that. Came as close to trying to murder me as anyone ever has.

 

[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]