How Do You Deal With Tailgaters?

[Jstpssng]

I hold back also and in spite of everything there will some idiot that will wedge himself into the space I leave. Usually by passing in a curve.

One reason I leave space. I'm too old to die because somebody else is in a hurry.

 

[WinterDeere]

I'm too old to die...

... but too young to rock'n roll?

 

[paulsharvey]

My work truck is GPS monitored for speed, braking, seat belt, acceleration, ect. So, yes, I set it cruise at speed limit or maybe upto 4 mph over; and on long two lane, 60 mph mile roads, people get mad. What I do, is nothing. Let the cruise control keep me at 61 or 63 or 64; whatever. I dont slow down, I dont speed up, i dont pull over; they can deal with it; or pass or whatever they want. I donr care if they are suck in a no passing zone for 45 minutes, thats a them problem.

 

[bigtiller]

We are citizens, not subjects.
Rules were made to be broken, as long as it doesn't risk anybody else and you are willing to accept the consequences.

I think rules were made to be followed. Some are written down but some may be implied, like a gentleman's (handshake) agreement.

The first guy to break a rule and get away with it, sets an example. After that it just might snowball into people doing crazy things. Someone might even teardown a treasured public building.

 

[CliffordK]

I tend to ignore them a lot. However, on my route home there are at least 3 places where I can pull out. One is a little parking pullout at the top of a hill with fairly good visibility, barely 50 feet long or so. But I know exactly where it is and can slip in and out very easily. I can pull off with my trailer too if necessary.

Then there is a little quarter mile loop road that goes to a boat landing. I'll pull off there from time to time, although it is very residential with the boat landing so it is quite slow.

And a Y in the road with a triangle cutoff in it. It is pretty close to home, but I can take a right at the triangle, and then back on the road. in a matter of seconds.

The bigger problem is unfamiliar roads that I can't identify safe pullouts in time to utilize them.

 

[redman135]

MossRoad re post 73: Unwritten Law: it is illegal for a truck to be allowed a truck sized braking distance. They are only allowed a car sized braking distance. THEN they blame you for them getting rear ended.

Senario from tractor days. Winding 2 lane road to the beach running through farm land.
Tractor: top speed 40km/h. Idiots will camp on tail and REFUSE to pass with a clear road! This when I was already running on the edge of the bitumen. Any further over meant slowing to single digits and getting in the drain.
People would overtake from 2 or 3 cars back, and do so safety.
These morons(that refused to overtake) were just overwidth egos that expected you to get off the road to fit their ego past.

This road was bad for long strings of cars(I have counted 38/ string on bad days) trapped behind deliberate slowpokes, and no cops around.

 

[Renze]

If I have to drive under the speed limit for whatever reason (say towing) I use my emergency flashers.

The speed limit in the US is 55mph if i recall right.. is there a speed limit when towing a trailer ?
Here in Holland the speed limit for trucks and vehicles with trailers was 80kmh. But since trucks are governed at 87 to 92 kmh by law, and urban people who tow their caravan twice a year drive 80 on the speedometer (so 76 in reality) trucks were holding up the fast lane when taking over the caravans. So the speed limit when towing was increased to 90kmh...

 

[Jstpssng]

The speed limit in the US is 55mph if i recall right.. is there a speed limit when towing a trailer ?
Here in Holland the speed limit for trucks and vehicles with trailers was 80kmh. But since trucks are governed at 87 to 92 kmh by law, and urban people who tow their caravan twice a year drive 80 on the speedometer (so 76 in reality) trucks were holding up the fast lane when taking over the caravans. So the speed limit when towing was increased to 90kmh...

That 55 mph was repealed long ago. It also is a prime example of a rule made to be broken.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Speed limit in the USA varies by state, and type of roadway ... Some places allow all vehicles to travel 80 mph ... Other places they have a "split speed limit" which allows cars 5-15 mph faster than trucks, California for instance puts trailers in that category with the trucks 3 axles or more ...

 

[paulsharvey]

The speed limit in the US is 55mph if i recall right.. is there a speed limit when towing a trailer ?
Here in Holland the speed limit for trucks and vehicles with trailers was 80kmh. But since trucks are governed at 87 to 92 kmh by law, and urban people who tow their caravan twice a year drive 80 on the speedometer (so 76 in reality) trucks were holding up the fast lane when taking over the caravans. So the speed limit when towing was increased to 90kmh...

Im not saying it doesnt vary some in some states, but generally, the speed limit, is the speed limit for everyone and all loads. Some heavy trucks governor at 65 mph for fuel economy reasons, even though the speed limit may be 70+. Cars, trucks, busses, cars with trailers, all same speed limit.