How Do You Punish Tailgators? [Archive] - SUBSIM Radio Room Forums

Anthony W.

06-01-11, 12:17 AM

Well, we all know how annoying it is. You're jetting around in your freshly waxed little sports car looking all cool and that. Then, some jack*ss in some monstrosity pulls in behind you and sticks himself about 5ft away from your rear end... At 50mph... In a no passing zone, or where there is too much traffic.

Most of us have our rituals for that. Some of us slow down a bit. Some of us slow down a lot. Some of us outright stop. Some of us floor it. Some of us give a few choice hand signals.

So - what is your ritual?

I wait till the next stop, hold at the light till they honk, and floor it, leaving him in a big grey cloud of smoke (I love rear wheel drive), and a clear message in their head.

Dangerous? Maybe. Illegal? Slightly. They initiated the road rage by following that closely at near highway speeds.

So, whats your ritual?

EDIT: I understand a little tailgating - but - more and more now I have people doing it dangerously close at 50+mph.

Feuer Frei!

06-01-11, 12:21 AM

Punish tail-gaters?

I used to when i was young and immature go real slow or tap the break lights repeatedly, or both.
Nowadays i don't give a rat's, i'm older and wiser.
No point in getting agitated over something that you can't change.
Much better for the health.

Anthony W.

06-01-11, 12:22 AM

Punish tail-gaters?

I used to when i was young and immature go real slow or tap the break lights repeatedly, or both.

Wow. My father is in his late 60's and he's getting worse, not better, lol

Feuer Frei!

06-01-11, 12:32 AM

Wow. My father is in his late 60's and he's getting worse, not better, lol
All i can say is:
I have seen the errors of my ways.
Stuff like Hoons and young punks who think that the world revolves around them don't phase me one bit.
And why should it. Like i said, not good for the health, getting annoyed and getting all aggro doesn't change their mentality, or their behaviour.

Anthony W.

06-01-11, 12:45 AM

All i can say is:
I have seen the errors of my ways.
Stuff like Hoons and young punks who think that the world revolves around them don't phase me one bit.
And why should it. Like i said, not good for the health, getting annoyed and getting all aggro doesn't change their mentality, or their behaviour.

I do it to avoid them catching up to me - give them a what the hell moment so I have time to get them off my back

Feuer Frei!

06-01-11, 12:54 AM

Anthony W.

06-01-11, 02:15 AM

I know someone else who tail-gates.
The Cops.
What they do is come up real close to the back of you, then they drop back to a distance, then right up close again.
Attempting to entice you to speed (up) and ie break the law.
So be careful who you leave in a cloud of smoke.
Here in Australia the Cops drive P-Plate cars, (p plates are restricted licenses before you get your open license).
They also drive around in V8 Muscle cars, to catch the ignorant and unawares.

In America it takes a trained eye. You have to look for the thin line on their headliner indicating a lightbar. And they all have v8s in the metro area. I can still out run, but that would be dumb.

In the middle of nowhere some of them drive Toyotas, which I find to be so comical since I have almost 500 rear wheel horses that I don't know of I could stop laughing long enough to stop.

Where I am, tho, tailgating is illegal and even cops don't do it at over 35mph. They're okay with speeding a bit so long as you try other options first

Sailor Steve

06-01-11, 02:28 AM

If someone tailgates me in traffic I just ignore them, as there's nothing you can really do that isn't illegal or just plain stupid. If someone follows me too closely in town but no traffic I'll speed up just a tiny bit. If they continue to stay on my tail I signal and pull over to the curb, allowing them to pass. On the open road I just wave them on by.

Most tailgaters aren't doing it on purpose, they just aren't paying attention to their driving and following closely is easier than trying to actually think about maintaining a constant distance. "Punishing" them will sooner or later get you in trouble, and you'll end up in jail, in civil court, or in the hospital.

Betonov

06-01-11, 03:46 AM

I just turn on the rear fog-lights. I bothers them enough that they start keeping distance.
Or if I have a passenger, I tell them to climb on the back seat and starts making faces to anyone that's behind us :DL

HunterICX

06-01-11, 03:55 AM

I'm a bikerider...so don't get tailgated a lot :O: but I do tailgate cars that refuse to move aside to a lane to their right! :shifty: God I hate them left driving idiots that go around 70 - 80km/h on the left lanes of a freeway that allows up to 110km/h.

HunterICX

Betonov

06-01-11, 04:55 AM

but I do tailgate cars that refuse to move aside to a lane to their right! :shifty: God I hate them left driving idiots that go around 70 - 80km/h on the left lanes of a freeway that allows up to 110km/h.

I do that too. And then I start flashing them and honking.
Funny thing is sometimes, people with AUDI's or BMW refuse to move and you see me in a 50hp Clio trying to get a 300hp car to move out of the way :haha:

TarJak

06-01-11, 06:48 AM

I normally ignore them and if possible move over and let them through. If they get insistent and start flashing their lights etc. I switch on my rear fog lamps which light up my tail lights as if I've jumped on the brakes.

Thats usually enough to get them to back off a bit.

NeonSamurai

06-01-11, 09:08 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHqJVGaYArk
:DL

Jimbuna

06-01-11, 09:27 AM

Best to ignore them, no good ever came of road rage.

Mind you I remember the days with joy when I'd change the complexion on their faces as I slapped them with a fixed penalty notice.

"Next time don't forget, only those in uniform can drive like they are a wing commander....enjoy the rest of your day. Oh and don't forget you have twenty eight days to pay or a magistrate will be inviting you to his place of work to ask you why the delay".

AVGWarhawk

06-01-11, 09:43 AM

In the middle of nowhere some of them drive Toyotas, which I find to be so comical since I have almost 500 rear wheel horses that I don't know of I could stop laughing long enough to stop.

500hp at the rear wheel is nice but you will never beat the cop radio. :03:

For tailgaters: if I'm doing the speed limit then tough beans. They can hang on my arse all day. Makes no difference to me. It is awfully hard to defend oneself after rear-ending a car.

mookiemookie

06-01-11, 09:55 AM

When someone's following too closely behind me, I've often found that my windshield is dirty. Strange coincidence, that. So I use the windshield spray while my wipers are going, and it unfortunately gets their windshield all wet. People usually get the idea that they're following too close and they back off.

Other than that, I don't speed up or slow down. Screw 'em. They can tailgate me all they want.

Growler

06-01-11, 11:00 AM

Having been struck from behind by a driver who clearly wasn't paying attention, I can tell you that following too closely due to lack of attention WILL cost you, someday.

Where I can, I move out of the way. I'd rather have the inattentive speed-demon in front of me where I can see him, than in the back seat with the kids. Better he's gone over the horizon in front; if he stays stuck behind me long enough, he's gonna do something really stupid and get himself - and others, perhaps - hurt or killed.

Greatest satisfaction in life comes from being tailgated on an empty, four lane road, because the guy doesn't want to change lanes to pass. I move out of his way, and off he goes like a bat outta hell, easily at 110mph. (This was on I-97 near Annapolis, max speed 65mph.) A few minutes and miles down the road, who do I spy on the side of the road? The tailgater in his BMW, having, I'm sure, a lovely tête-à-tête with a representative of the Maryland State Police.

I'll admit it.

I laughed like hell.

I still do.

Oberon

06-01-11, 11:42 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfAUnDP9GE

Anthony W.

06-01-11, 11:49 AM

Greatest satisfaction in life comes from being tailgated on an empty, four lane road, because the guy doesn't want to change lanes to pass. I move out of his way, and off he goes like a bat outta hell, easily at 110mph. (This was on I-97 near Annapolis, max speed 65mph.) A few minutes and miles down the road, who do I spy on the side of the road? The tailgater in his BMW, having, I'm sure, a lovely tête-à-tête with a representative of the Maryland State Police.

I'll admit it.

I laughed like hell.

I still do.

Some jerk in an older Mustang was being a real dick in the little Saturday night show. He left to get some food. He tears out, tires squealing, exhaust booming, and Indy Metro on his ass.

And some jeep was doing it. She passed me in a no passing zone on a curvy road. Few miles later, there she was with her jeep on its side and a few guys trying (and failing) to get it back on its wheels, her motioning me over to see if I could help (I didn't).

Best karmatic revenge ever.

Platapus

06-01-11, 03:59 PM

Best to ignore them, no good ever came of road rage.

My attitude exactly. A good driver never lets his or her emotions dictate actions.

Jimbuna

06-01-11, 04:10 PM

My attitude exactly. A good driver never lets his or her emotions dictate actions.

The problem being...there are an awful lot of bad drivers out there :03:

Platapus

06-01-11, 04:16 PM

The problem being...there are an awful lot of bad drivers out there :03:

Do you ever notice that anyone who drives faster than you is a manic and anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot? - George Carlin.

Stealhead

06-01-11, 04:59 PM

Yeah you are better off just ignoring them by pulling off your speed away at the light trick Anthony you run the risk of a cop seeing you speed and not seeing the other guy tailgate then you get yourself into trouble or you run the chance of the guy getting road rage and then chasing you can never know what kind of power a given ride might have dont assume that you can out run someone and it is a danger to speed anyway unless you have no other recourse like your life being in danger.

I had a guy once pull out in front of me on the highway once so I slowed down and kept a good distance when a chance came I went to pass but had to back off when another car was coming head on(not sure who designed the roads in FL).I guess the driver in front of me(who had just cut me off) thought that I was trying to road rage him and he pulls off the road and then gets right back on again about two cars behind me.So I don't think much of it until I come up on a red light with a parking lot on the right side of the road I look back and here comes the dude almost beside me in the lot in his van.I look up and hes pointing his finger at me so I pull up some more I look again and I can see a freaking .357 or .44 revolver in the ----ers hand aimed at my car(I had tinted windows and I think he thought someone was in the passenger seat) lucky for me even though at red light nothing was coming so I take off like a bat out of hell I went about 100 MPH and the dude was keeping up so I really nail it got up to about 140 and he could not keep up and gave up I did not have a cell phone that day and pulling my gun was not a good idea seeing as he had the jump on me in the parking lot.

All that and I did not by my own intent express road rage at him all it takes is some zapped out meth head in his ride already paranoid and then you piss them off some how.Better to not find out what kind of anger management the bad driver has and just ignore the tailgating sooner or later they will get caught or crash.

krashkart

06-01-11, 05:01 PM

When I drove stick I would let off the gas and just coast. It used to really bother me when people would tailgate me, but these days I just let it go. Hopefully I won't have to make any sudden stops that the 'drafter' behind me can't respond to in time, you know. Things happen all too quickly on the road. :yep:

Stealhead

06-01-11, 05:14 PM

I think one reason you have many tailgaters is because people are not taught to "drive" they are taught to follow the car in front of them or that is what they end up doing others are just jerks who want to haul ass every where and will try to push others to go faster by tailgating.

Anthony W.

06-01-11, 08:23 PM

Stealhead

06-01-11, 10:26 PM

Performance driving school sounds like something useful for track day not regular driving on a public road.Knowing how to drive a car with the goal of gaining maximum performance does not really equate to skills that are the best for safe driving in a public setting.

Top Gear having fun in a controlled track setting=Performance driving school

Driving safely on an open public road in an uncontrolled setting=Defensive driving school(better one that teaches students how to safely control their car in hazardous conditions.)

You may also have not had any accidents because you are only 17 years old(Happy belated B-Day by the way I forgot to post in your thread.) and have not been exposed to the many hazards of driving on a public road for very long.

Im not trying to nag you or anything I am just telling you to keep in mind not matter what training you have had you still only have a few years at most driving experience and people your age at the greatest risk of death or injury in a car accident even more so than old farts with false teeth a Buick and no vision thanks to popping Viagra pills.:D

I have been driving since before you where born and I have only been in one accident in which I was driving a vehicle involved.(I have been in 4 where I was a passenger)It was the other guys fault he was not paying attention and rear ended me. I have avoided many accidents though over the years because my dad taught me to be a very good driver and alert.I have performance experience from time attack driving but I also know that much of that knowledge does not necessarily apply to safely driving down the street.

I would say just brush off the urge to do something to a tailgater and just let him pass you if he crashes into you its not your fault(if you drive safely) if the person is doing it to be annoying then he will get no rise from it if you show no sign of it bugging you and he will probably go home and cry into a pillow while he wears a "Tap Out" shirt.Remember guys that tailgate you in lifted trucks that are spotless and have obviously never been used for true off roading or mudding more often than not are trying to compensate for something else being lacking.:yep: So in the long run you are better off in every respect.

Sailor Steve

06-02-11, 12:38 AM

Probably why I haven't had any accidents, too...
Or possibly you've just been lucky. The worst enemy you'll ever have on the road is complascence.

Anthony W.

06-02-11, 02:37 AM

In the winter on solid ice that performance driving stuff really kicks in. I've nearly been ran into several times by people on cell phones, and been saved by throwing my E brake and sliding sideways to stop quicker (did it once in rush hour when somebody didn't see me doing 45 and they pulled out. Some people weren't as thrilled.)

But maybe I just attribute it all to that because I don't believe in luck beyond the poker table

PS: Salut to anyone else that is so far collision free

Jimbuna

06-02-11, 05:50 AM

Do you ever notice that anyone who drives faster than you is a manic and anyone who drives slower than you is an idiot? - George Carlin.

Can't argue with that statement :DL

AVGWarhawk

06-02-11, 09:52 AM

I have almost 500 rear wheel horses

What engine do you have providing close to 500 hp at the rear wheel? I had a friend with a 455 bored to 468 with a tunnel ram and two Holley 850 carbs, Roller heads and mild cam burning CAM2. The engine produces 750hp. Minus about 20% hp at the rear wheel=600hp. This car was 8.90 (150mph) through the traps in the quarter mile. The engine was not on the bottle.

Jimbuna

06-02-11, 11:18 AM

Sounds like Thunderbird 1 to me :DL
http://www.wiseoldgoat.com/images/thunderbirds/_Thunderbird1.jpg

HunterICX

06-02-11, 11:27 AM

Sounds like Thunderbird 1 to me :DL
http://www.wiseoldgoat.com/images/thunderbirds/_Thunderbird1.jpg

OT: Best show I've watched as a young youngster :rock:
Thunderbird 2 beeing my favorite :cool:

HunterICX

Armistead

06-02-11, 12:00 PM

It's a bad day for tailgators if they ride my arse when I'm in a bad mood. I've even pullled a few stunts. One night a car was riding on my back bumper why I was doing the speed limit. I gave him the taps on the break causing him a lil fear, but he kept on, then started beeping and flashing.
I finally slammed on breaks, making him have to slam. I got out of the car and started heading towards his car, when I saw it was a young teen girl.

Guess lucky for me, been a guy no telling what would've happened.

What I hate worse is people that force you over to get in your lane ahead of you.

Growler

06-02-11, 12:53 PM

Probably why I haven't had any accidents, too...

Like a lot of these other guys, I'll chime in with a caution about overconfidence.

I've driven in New York City, Providence, Boston, Philly, Baltimore, DC, Atlanta, LA, San Diego; done beach towns in the summer and ski resorts in the winter, all up and down the East Coast...

...and the worst accident I ever had was less than 2 miles from home on a three-mile long straight stretch of a nearly deserted rural road on a clear, sunlit morning.

As more US drivers get on the road, in the major metro areas, it's not a question of IF you'll be in an accident, but WHEN. Remember that your driving safety is also affected by the LEAST safe driver on the road with you.

Stealhead

06-02-11, 01:27 PM

Almost as many Americans die each year in car wreaks as the number of US troops that died in Vietnam.42,636(in 2005) compared to 58,212.My step dad had a college buddy that
was a Dust Off pilot in Vietnam he survived 3 tours of duty and was shot down or had his Huey shot t o hell 8 times not long after he came home he was killed in a car accident by
a drunk driver that tells me that you can safely say that driving a car is more dangerous to your life/health than being in combat but it does not seem that way because you drive
every day and you do not hear about fatal crashes outside your local area while deaths in a war zone get national attention.If a person thought of driving the same way that a solider feels in combat they'd get PTSD and many people that survive serious car accidents do suffer PTSD.My uncle and his wife where a deadly car crash that killed my aunt and had my uncle in urgent care for months he actually got diagnosed with PTSD he got used to driving again but he still will not drive very far.

I dont think that a driver should be paranoid while driving but more drivers need to be aware that it is very dangerous.There are many accidents where no matter the skill or alertness of the giving driver there was nothing to be done or not enough time.

"Guess lucky for me, been a guy no telling what would've happened." dont be so sure anymore I have seen some nasty women out there.

Anthony W.

06-02-11, 01:41 PM

What engine do you have providing close to 500 hp at the rear wheel? I had a friend with a 455 bored to 468 with a tunnel ram and two Holley 850 carbs, Roller heads and mild cam burning CAM2. The engine produces 750hp. Minus about 20% hp at the rear wheel=600hp. This car was 8.90 (150mph) through the traps in the quarter mile. The engine was not on the bottle.

You won't believe that I'm squeezing that kind of HP out of a 4.0L v6. I was also surprised to find out that those engines are rated to 450hp as they sit in those Mustangs stock. Ford would've been smart to have the supercharger as an option.

I've got an intercooled Vortech supercharger pushing 18PSI of boost, strengthened pistons, a new cam, some stronger valves, and an 8.8 rear end

The entire project cost me less than 5K, but I still had to work 3 jobs to get it.

Growler

06-02-11, 02:26 PM

The entire project cost me less than 5K, but I still had to work 3 jobs to get it.

Good on ya! Can you teach your peers that trick, too?

AVGWarhawk

06-02-11, 02:31 PM

You won't believe that I'm squeezing that kind of HP out of a 4.0L v6. I was also surprised to find out that those engines are rated to 450hp as they sit in those Mustangs stock. Ford would've been smart to have the supercharger as an option.

I've got an intercooled Vortech supercharger pushing 18PSI of boost, strengthened pistons, a new cam, some stronger valves, and an 8.8 rear end

The entire project cost me less than 5K, but I still had to work 3 jobs to get it.

The 4.0? I think the 4.0 Vortech HO stage rates to 330hp. Still respectable and will leave a lasting impression on your arse when floored. The 4.6 to 5.0 can get 400+++. My Lincoln with the 4.6 was stock 275hp. Did they dyno the car after the parts were hung on the engine?

GoldenRivet

06-02-11, 02:56 PM

well as i grew up in the country i seem to recall the proper thing to do when someone behind you wanted to go faster than you - you pulled onto the shoulder when it was safe to do so and let them pass, usually with a friendly wave coming from both vehicles - yes - with all the fingers extended, not just the one.

generally, thats what i do.

Now... if a tailgater is tailgating just to be a nuisance - as in he is in a passing zone or in a multi lane highway etc. i will generally apply the brakes for a quick and only momentary deceleration.

not so forceful an application of the brakes that there is risk of an accident - but not so gentle an application of the brakes that the person doesnt take the hint.

Sailor Steve

06-02-11, 03:48 PM

Guess lucky for me, been a guy no telling what would've happened.
So you're not only a dangerous driver, you're a sexist as well.

AVGWarhawk

06-02-11, 03:50 PM

with all the fingers extended, not just the one.

:har::har:

My mom would let them pass and still does.

Anthony W.

06-02-11, 04:02 PM

The 4.0? I think the 4.0 Vortech HO stage rates to 330hp. Still respectable and will leave a lasting impression on your arse when floored. The 4.6 to 5.0 can get 400+++. My Lincoln with the 4.6 was stock 275hp. Did they dyno the car after the parts were hung on the engine?

That is the STANDARD kit they sell... I bought the duct work and pulleys, then bought a blower bigger than standard... And, of course, the 40lb fuel injectors it came with

Oh - if a teenager is tailgating me - no holding back. Most of them know me and are jealous of my car (to that I say to them, get a J.O.B), and tailgate/drive 20 below the speed limit to piss me off.

I think I'll start letting them follow me to the police.

AVGWarhawk

06-02-11, 05:46 PM

The noted hp from Vortex on the HO(High Output top of the line offering) was 335hp on the 4.0L V6. I'm still doubtful there is close to 500hp at the rear wheel. I can see 400hp at the crank. Forge pistons/crank/connecting rods needed as stock does not come with forged internals. I can understand the 8.8 rear gears. Supercharger. Perhaps a turbo would have been better and less weight. But it is the V6. No replacement for cubic displacement. Go V8 next time. :03:

Anthony W.

06-02-11, 06:54 PM

Stealhead

06-02-11, 09:53 PM

People lie? Never... I hope you did more research than just what someone on a forum said.

I'm just saying a person can give themselves any credentials they want online I could claim to be ex USAF Para Rescue how would you know I was telling the truth or lying unless you requested my military records which you cant because you do not know what my real name is.

Anthony W.

06-02-11, 10:20 PM