Another Tailgater Rant
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Lake Worth Florida
Originally Posted by StanNH
My rule of thumb is that 50% of the drivers on the road at any given time are complete idiots and have no idea how to drive their vehicles safely or courteously. I get tailgated all the time, stuck behind cars driving below the speed limit who won't pull over, play guessing games at intersections with drivers who won't use their directional signals, and have to pass in the right lane because the left lane is blocked by slow moving cars who refuse to get out of the passing lane.
On Monday I spent the day out in heavy rains and high winds. Visibility was poor and the sky was black. Would you believe that a good percentage of the cars on the road didn't even have their lights on? They were impossible to see until I was within a few feet of them. Unbelievable! I also had a guy from Quebec tailgating me through a 45 mph zone..I was doing 55 mph the whole time. When the road opened up and the limit went to 65 mph, he got up to 60 mph and I passed at 75. Two minutes later this jerk is on my tail again, pulls out and passes, then cuts back right in front of me with no signal. He then slows back down to 60. I passed again and he disappeared in my rear view mirror. WTF?
So....I'm happiest on empty roads, but that doesn't happen too often, even up here in the sticks. Things seem to be getting worse and I don't think there's anything we or anyone else can do about. Hell, when my late father was 90...and blind as a bat and deaf as a doornail...he got his Florida driver's license renewed for 10 years! That says it all.
On Monday I spent the day out in heavy rains and high winds. Visibility was poor and the sky was black. Would you believe that a good percentage of the cars on the road didn't even have their lights on? They were impossible to see until I was within a few feet of them. Unbelievable! I also had a guy from Quebec tailgating me through a 45 mph zone..I was doing 55 mph the whole time. When the road opened up and the limit went to 65 mph, he got up to 60 mph and I passed at 75. Two minutes later this jerk is on my tail again, pulls out and passes, then cuts back right in front of me with no signal. He then slows back down to 60. I passed again and he disappeared in my rear view mirror. WTF?
So....I'm happiest on empty roads, but that doesn't happen too often, even up here in the sticks. Things seem to be getting worse and I don't think there's anything we or anyone else can do about. Hell, when my late father was 90...and blind as a bat and deaf as a doornail...he got his Florida driver's license renewed for 10 years! That says it all.
), no turn signal and the best of all no lights when it rains be it in the city or on the highway.We have to drive for ourself and for the others, always anticipating
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,251
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville AL
Send the left lane cruisers to the German Autobahn. See how long they last...
It isn't just in Vettes. In my Jeep Wrangler, they tailgate me worse (or it appears so). But I have aftermarket steel box bumpers. Go ahead and rear end me... I'll drive away; they'll be towed.
I will do occasional brake checks on them in the Jeep, and they back off. In my BMW, they ride me. So it is not unique to Vettes at all. Higher performance/price/unique vehicles tend to attract attention, like moths to light as somebody previously stated.
I find it hard to let them pass, as with their stupidity, I don't want to have to drive around the wreck they cause, but I find I let them go around me more often. I too smile and wave when I get the bird, even though I'd rather punch the accelerator and leave them in the previous county.
Tailgaters are a problem everywhere and the uniqueness and styling of the Vettes just ensures that they'll be all around you to check it out. They'll get satisfaction in knowing they 'blew away' a Vette or insert-fast-car-name-here even though they are only going 45 in a 40 zone.
I've done that too... let them pass, think they've 'blown me away' and then just let er rip, but ONLY in an open area where I've had a view of both sides of the road, low/no traffic, and on the interstate, where cross traffic is non-existant. Not the safest or smartest thing to do, but I try to minimize the times I do it and only when conditions are condusive to do so.
It isn't just in Vettes. In my Jeep Wrangler, they tailgate me worse (or it appears so). But I have aftermarket steel box bumpers. Go ahead and rear end me... I'll drive away; they'll be towed.
I will do occasional brake checks on them in the Jeep, and they back off. In my BMW, they ride me. So it is not unique to Vettes at all. Higher performance/price/unique vehicles tend to attract attention, like moths to light as somebody previously stated.
I find it hard to let them pass, as with their stupidity, I don't want to have to drive around the wreck they cause, but I find I let them go around me more often. I too smile and wave when I get the bird, even though I'd rather punch the accelerator and leave them in the previous county.
Tailgaters are a problem everywhere and the uniqueness and styling of the Vettes just ensures that they'll be all around you to check it out. They'll get satisfaction in knowing they 'blew away' a Vette or insert-fast-car-name-here even though they are only going 45 in a 40 zone.
I've done that too... let them pass, think they've 'blown me away' and then just let er rip, but ONLY in an open area where I've had a view of both sides of the road, low/no traffic, and on the interstate, where cross traffic is non-existant. Not the safest or smartest thing to do, but I try to minimize the times I do it and only when conditions are condusive to do so.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41,331
Likes: 616
From: FL
CI-7-8-9-10 Veteran
Cruise-In IX AutoX Winner
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '11,'19,'22,'25
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Use your windshield washers and get their car all wet. That always drives them nuts. 
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 438
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Road Rage etc.
I recently had to do some safety videos at work. I called the Colorado State Patrol to learn how they handle Road Rage. We have a number to call,*277 or*CSP, whereby you can report bad drivers. They average 111 calls a day. They take it seriously. You give the license number, if possible, what you have observed, your first name and a phone number. They log this info in and after the the fifth call, they will physically find this person. If they have someone in the area, they may try to catch them in the act. On one occasion they even brought in a swat team on a guy. I have called in on several occasions. Hopefully if more people also call in, these folks will shape up after being cited. I feel I have done what I could and I can then not spend any more of my daily emotional dollars on the issue. Maybe other States also offer such a program.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 30,783
Likes: 0
From: Lemont IL
CI 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Gentlemen, DO NOT HIT YOUR BRAKES!!!! You know these people tailgating us are idiots and chances are they're not paying attention or don't have the mental capacity to stop fast enough. My suggestion, and what I do is I hit my hazzard button. The first flash is the brake lights and you don't have to worry about them rearending you. Works like a charm. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 982
Likes: 2
From: Falls Church VA
Happens all the time and I always slow down to about 5 - 10 mph less than the posted speed and let them pass me. Some got so close that I was feeling their breath.
The worst for me is when getting on the highway from an exit ramp seems people always speed up to block you from getting on the highway in front of them and I simply change one lane over and drive beside them until I or they get off the highway.
I have found midnight driving to be the best time since roads are empty.
The worst for me is when getting on the highway from an exit ramp seems people always speed up to block you from getting on the highway in front of them and I simply change one lane over and drive beside them until I or they get off the highway.
I have found midnight driving to be the best time since roads are empty.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: TX
Originally Posted by vanEe
Why is it that when people see a vette, they begin to rev their engines and try to race. In my C6, I simple blow them away.....
Most are not really trying to race you, they are just "yanking your chain" like waving a red flag in front of a bull for fun. Just ignore them.
To be fair, some Corvette drivers are just as bad or worse. I was driving home from work yesterday in the left lane (not in my C6) and a cool guy with shades in the right lane driving a C5 pulled out in front of me to pass the car in front of him. Less than 10 feet clearance, no signal, no warning, with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a cell phone that was stuffed in his ear.
Many drivers see this kind of behaviour as part of the stereotypical Corvette owner “attitude”. Unfortunately, it makes more impression on other motorists when the driver is in a Corvette rather than Civic. Some give back similar attitude whenever possible.
Last edited by SimpsonH; Sep 28, 2005 at 12:56 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 4
From: San Antonio Texas
What really pisses me off is when the jerk who was just riding your bumper passes you up and a few miles later is on his/her cell phone doing under the speed limit in the left lane. Then after their %#@*ing phone call they're riding your a** again. A .50 cal mounted on a turret should be an option. 
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,279
Likes: 82
From: North Strand, NMB, SC; Retired x 2 (US Army: 70-90 AD) (US Army: 91-16 DAC); yea, I'm old.
Originally Posted by vanEe
Why is it that when people see a vette, they begin to rev their engines and try to race. In my C6, I simple blow them away.....
I had a kid in a Fireturd pull along side and blips the throttle...it sounded like a broken blender. I just laughed to myself and when the light changed, pulled away and left him sitting there...
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern PA
Originally Posted by Datawiz
Use your windshield washers and get their car all wet. That always drives them nuts.
Come on....we can do better than that. Here in PA we get lots of gravel built up on the shoulder of the roads. Just pull over the line (left) and let your tires do the talkin'. The tailgater ALWAYS backs off after being sprayed by stones!!! It especially works when the tailgater has a nice car.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Davie FL
[QUOTE=arcticblast]How can people be so stupid to think they could possibly avoid an accident if they are 10-20' from your rear and you have to stop suddenly? On the way home, I had one little rice burner blocking the left lane doing 55 in a 65. So I passed using the right lane. About two miles later I was slowing for a tee intersection and he runs up behind me. No big deal, I just blew him off (kicked it up to about 110). QUOTE]
am i reading this right? tailgaters are stupid but you're driving 110mph? so how are you better than them?
am i reading this right? tailgaters are stupid but you're driving 110mph? so how are you better than them?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,093
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by StanNH
My rule of thumb is that 50% of the drivers on the road at any given time are complete idiots and have no idea how to drive their vehicles safely or courteously.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,695
Likes: 0
From: Sedalia Missouri
Seems as if a lot of folks are kicking their cars in the a$$ and speeding away etc. Why not just slow down, drive responsibly and let the jerk pass you. If you tend to "race" they take that as a invitation and something stupid could result. Race if you will on the track, drive on the street. JMO.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 279
From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by jhong321
I would be pissed off as well . but i do have to ask one question and please don't take offence but where you in the left lane(passing lane )s.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 279
From: Muscle Shoals, AL
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Originally Posted by ufso
No fair stealing my avartar...I had it first!!! 
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Haltom City TX
Hey - come on now - everyone out there is a certified NASCAR driver! If they do it on TV - I can do it, don't know when I last cheched - oil, tire pressure, alignment, etc. but he## I'm the best on the road!
I reverse the whole thing - everyone out there can't drive for a sh^& - my task it to successfully get home. It's a challenging game but it gives me a sense of accomplishment everytime I make it home without a scratch!
I reverse the whole thing - everyone out there can't drive for a sh^& - my task it to successfully get home. It's a challenging game but it gives me a sense of accomplishment everytime I make it home without a scratch!
