How Do You Punish Tailgators?

[Anthony W.]

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!]

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.]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

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!]

Originally Posted by Anthony W.

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.]

Originally Posted by Feuer Frei!

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!]

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.

[krashkart]

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.

[Stealhead]

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.]

Originally Posted by Stealhead

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.

I went to performance driving school

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

[Stealhead]

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.

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. So in the long run you are better off in every respect.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Anthony W.

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.

[Growler]

Originally Posted by Anthony W.

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.