How Do You Deal With Tailgaters?

[RayIN]

One excellent reason to allow plenty of space when following someone.
About 8 years ago on a city street (US 41) in Ft. Myers FL, my friend was behind a car hauler semi-truck/trailer. He noticed the bottom car was jiggling more than the top car, he slowed down JIC something was wrong. Just about that time that bottom car came off the trailer.
Since it must've been in park, it quickly stopped, but swerved sideways.
They remained at the scene as witnesses; the truck driver was ticketed for having an unsecured load.
He said when he and DW got home they both were a nervous wreck, thinking what if_.

 

[MossRoad]

When I was in high school I had a pair of aircraft landing lights on the back dash of my Nova facing backwards. That made for some interesting interactions with tailgaters. Also made for one interesting interaction with a cop.

I also had a pair behind the grill in front of the radiator for oncoming traffic that wouldn't dim their brights.

I outgrew that kinda stuff fairly quickly, as it mostly attracted trouble, just as brake checking a tailgater can end up very bad...

 

[tomplum]

It's interesting to me that many don't have the common sense to KNOW they are tailgating. I was riding with my granddaughter driving their family car. Her driver's license was so fresh it was still warm... Anyways, I pointed out that she should follow at least the 2 second rule, which some now say should be 3. She seems to be good driver in most ways. I'm guessing that they have the adaptive cruise set that way or something because the whole crew seems to drive that way when I started to think about it. Grumpy old man signing off now...

 

[Jstpssng]

I usually keep a good distance, but my company Tundra has the adaptive CC which keeps you inside of the 2 second rule. (Now they are saying 3 seconds)
If I get behind somebody who can't make up their mind if they want to do 40 or 60 I back off, try to find a compromise speed but if they slow down again I just let the CC take over.

The women in the car eventually drove on but to this day I have no idea what her problem was

I had a similar experience which I've related before. He would pass, then slow down. At one point I got POed and pulled over. When I pulled back out he was parked a 1/4 mile down the road waiting for me. I still don't know WTF was going on but in hindsight I should have picked up the phone and called the cavalry.

 

[lman]

I drive a little slower and ignore them.
20 years ago I sometimes would through a lit cigarette out the window and watch it bounce off their windshield.

Oh great, tailgaters and litterbugs.

 

[square1]

Set the cruise control slightly above the speed limit, where I usually do, and continue on my way. As someone stated, their hurry isn't my problem.

 

[JasperFrank]

I figure out a way to let them pass. Then spend 15 minutes pulled over and doing something else. This is easy if your road follows a river. But I do have their tag. I do not need any more violence in my life for road rage. And I will see them, five miles up: "Accident" and all. And I help the victims. The tailgater gets a finger. And no help. They have to wait for the EMs. Which can take hours. And if authorities arrive, here is the SD card. of what this guy was doing to me.

 

[azbinder]

Worked with a guy in the late 60's from Montana. Told me a story that one night while driving a '62 Ford F250 4wd. w/ roof mounted spotlight. Had a vehicle come up behind him with brights on. Drove a couple of miles tapping brake lights, flashing headlights, everything he could think of. Finally flipped on the spotlight with a landing light in it. All of a sudden all sorts of red lights started flashing. Cop started in on him and Les told him he had been behind him with his brights. Got in his truck and left.

 

[BackRoad]

I had a similar. Last flight in from working remote for the week, so midnight thirty on a Thursday. Watched as a local townie pulled out of the median and followed me. I generally respect the police, but this one followed me to my exit, then the secondary road to the house, which was heading away from town.

I set the cruise control on 44mph in the 45mph speed limit section and drove an unwavering line.

He tailgated to where I couldn't see his headlights, then backed off a bit...then tried it again...multiple times...till he got frustrated and pulled off to turn around.

Now I generally ignore them. If I'm with my wife, I slow down and pull over allowing the most impatient to pass. Life's too short to allow them to affect my life.

 

[bigtiller]

Oh great, tailgaters and litterbugs.

Lucky Strikes disintegrate when they hit the windshield.