OT: Peve: Tailgating

[AustinBoston]

As long as I'm re-posting to this thread, I guess I should say that I might be guilty of tailgating myself.  A peeve of mine would be drivers on 2 lane highways that are doing a consistent 5 to 10 mph UNDER the speed limit, then SLOW DOWN for a 45 mph speed limit out in the country somewhere.  I tend to get a bit close, waiting for a passing zone.  Then once you pass them, they speed up to be able to tailgate you!

Interesting.  I'm assuming you are talking about passing on a two-way road.  In those situations, I hang back even further when I'm planning on passing.  That way, I can get up some speed before pulling out.  It lets me get the pass over with sooner, and spend less time in the oncoming lane.

Austin

[dthurk]

Interesting.  I'm assuming you are talking about passing on a two-way road.  In those situations, I hang back even further when I'm planning on passing.  That way, I can get up some speed before pulling out.  It lets me get the pass over with sooner, and spend less time in the oncoming lane.

Austin

Might be different methods for different situations.    Most of the 2 lane highways around here are very winding with occasional short passing zones that come up quickly around a curve or over a hill.  If I'm not right behind someone, I'll miss the passing zone completely or unsafely run into the next no passing zone coming up.  This is assuming the road is not heavily travelled enough to prevent passing.  In that situation, you usually find yourself in a line of 8, 10 or 12 cars, all doing 45 mpg.  Frustrating.  

If I'm towing, I probably won't be passing unless I'm on multi-lane.  Somehow, I seem to have more patience with a PUP behind me.

Just wanted to point out I am guilty of tailgating at times myself.  Maybe we could all see some of ourselves in what we're saying here.  We might complain of others but then are unable to see ourselves.  (Not sure how to say that gently).  A little different driving outlook by all of us could go a long ways toward making the roads a little safer.  As I said to our 2 older ones as they were learning to drive...There are 2 rules that you should live by:
1. Don't hit anything.  
2. Don't let anything hit you.  
Think about it.  Just about covers it all.

[AustinBoston]

As I said to our 2 older ones as they were learning to drive...There are 2 rules that you should live by:
1. Don't hit anything.  
2. Don't let anything hit you.  
Think about it.  Just about covers it all.

Ah, but the devil is in the details.  

Austin

[dthurk]

Ah, but the devil is in the details.  

Austin

The two rules apply to all situations you would find in driving.  It covers the details.  It causes one to drive more cautiously, even yielding to other drivers at times you don't really have to by law.  It puts control of situations back in your vehicle and helps keep one from getting upset at other drivers.  There isn't a driving situation that the two rules wouldn't apply to, show you an appropriate course of action and allow you to stay within the scope of traffic laws.  It also helps keep things simple, and allows for quick and correct decisions on the road.  Try it the next time you're faced with any kind of situation on the road.

DD #1 was driving a freeway in Pittsburgh in dense rush hour traffic, talking to DW on her cell phone (illegal in NYS, but not in PA).  She was rear ended at a quick stopping situation, causing over $2000 damage to her vehicle.  Nobody was hurt, but she was rather inconvenienced.  She later admitted she could have avoided the problem if she wasn't talking on the cell phone and paying more attention to what was going on around her.  She admitted she didn't follow rule 2, and as a result, was involved in an accident she saw afterward she could have avoided.