Tailgating!?!?!?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 1,106
My 2002 Olds Aurora had rear fog lights which were very bright and turning those on when it was dusk/dark would cause tailgaters to back off in a hurry. I have missed those on my other cars and trucks. What I have noticed most in rural IL is many people are afraid to pass on the 2 lane rural highways and instead run as fast and as close as they can to the car ahead of them. I find using the windshield washer on my truck is very effective in getting people to back off because it shoots out a lot of cleaning fluid. I hate to do that while driving my Z06 and ATS because they are usually polished to a high shine.
Some areas effectively have mass tailgating. I was in Lubbock TX in the 1980s and part of my commute home was on US-84/Ave Q with a posted speed limit of 45 and actual traffic flow around 60 with any space between vehicles quickly filled in so basically everyone was tailgating. Two days before I left a pickup truck lost its driveshaft in pieces a few cars ahead and I got through that incident without damage purely by dumb luck.
Some areas effectively have mass tailgating. I was in Lubbock TX in the 1980s and part of my commute home was on US-84/Ave Q with a posted speed limit of 45 and actual traffic flow around 60 with any space between vehicles quickly filled in so basically everyone was tailgating. Two days before I left a pickup truck lost its driveshaft in pieces a few cars ahead and I got through that incident without damage purely by dumb luck.
Last edited by NSC5; May 20, 2016 at 02:20 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 50
From: Somerville New Jersey
With all due respect, I'll have to disagree. Like I mentioned, I'm seeing it happen with any vehicle I drive. Like you, my biggest concern is if the other folks get distracted. They have almost no time to react and will most certainly be in your trunk.
I was always taught to allow myself enough time (which equates to one's speed and distance in trail) to react to what's happening ahead of me, and that the best way to do that was to look beyond the car directly in front of me. Most folks on the roads nowadays seem to be living in their own little bubble oblivious to whats happening ahead or around them. Just my opinion. YMMV.
I was always taught to allow myself enough time (which equates to one's speed and distance in trail) to react to what's happening ahead of me, and that the best way to do that was to look beyond the car directly in front of me. Most folks on the roads nowadays seem to be living in their own little bubble oblivious to whats happening ahead or around them. Just my opinion. YMMV.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 49,331
Likes: 3,921
From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
I haven't noticed tailgating more in my C7 since I got it two years ago. If anything I notice people tend to stay farther back than my other cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,140
Likes: 406
From: Greater Cincinnati Area
I agree a lot of it is the perspective from being so much lower than most of the other traffic. It took me a little while to get used to it in my former c6. After a while it doesn't seem abnormal.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 193
From: By The Hook NJ
Being tailgated, drivers blowing past you using the shoulder as a passing lane (happened today), left turns on red, blowing stop signs, texting while driving..........it's a brave new world out there.
I tend to drive a little on the aggressive side, so I'm constantly scanning for these crazies, and they are crazy. Don't **** them off by slowing down, you don't know what they will do.
When you get comfy behind the wheel is when crap happens.
I tend to drive a little on the aggressive side, so I'm constantly scanning for these crazies, and they are crazy. Don't **** them off by slowing down, you don't know what they will do.
When you get comfy behind the wheel is when crap happens.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 251
Likes: 69
From: Oxnard CA
I find the same problem. On the interstate I often follow your method and slow down so they will pass and tailgate someone else. My biggest concern is distracted driving. If near my bumper and their phone beeps some folks have a conditioned response to look down, if not to respond at least to see who just left a message! They can't help themselves, like Pavlov's dogs!
If an 18 wheeler tire tread is in the road and I maneuver or brake to avoid it, they could be in my bumper.
In SC they finally passed a $25 fine for texting while driving. But you can text when stopped at a light. Have watched folks doing that in my mirror.
Since it is a dangerous as DUI from what I have read and observed, I'd support making the penalty as harsh!
If an 18 wheeler tire tread is in the road and I maneuver or brake to avoid it, they could be in my bumper.
In SC they finally passed a $25 fine for texting while driving. But you can text when stopped at a light. Have watched folks doing that in my mirror.
Since it is a dangerous as DUI from what I have read and observed, I'd support making the penalty as harsh!
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,010
Likes: 12,396
From: NE South Carolina
With all due respect, I'll have to disagree. Like I mentioned, I'm seeing it happen with any vehicle I drive. Like you, my biggest concern is if the other folks get distracted. They have almost no time to react and will most certainly be in your trunk.
I was always taught to allow myself enough time (which equates to one's speed and distance in trail) to react to what's happening ahead of me, and that the best way to do that was to look beyond the car directly in front of me. Most folks on the roads nowadays seem to be living in their own little bubble oblivious to whats happening ahead or around them. Just my opinion. YMMV.
I was always taught to allow myself enough time (which equates to one's speed and distance in trail) to react to what's happening ahead of me, and that the best way to do that was to look beyond the car directly in front of me. Most folks on the roads nowadays seem to be living in their own little bubble oblivious to whats happening ahead or around them. Just my opinion. YMMV.
And I recall, as you say if the person in front of you is too close to the car in front of them you leave more space to compensate. Same with the one tailgating you leave more space so you have more time to stop without slamming on your brakes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
I've owned many cars in my life time, from pickup trucks, SUV's and 'sport sedans'. I've only owned my C7 for about 10 days, and it amazes me how many people tailgate me.. I don't know if it's to get a closer look (not too many C7's in my neck of the woods) or they want to 'see it go, but it drives me insane.. I typically go slower than I normally would to irritate the tailgater and make them go around.. Do you guys ever get this??
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 726
Likes: 66
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Carefully recognize why you're being tailgated. I've noticed many times it's because people are taking pics or videos of the car which is pretty cool. There are plenty of Vettes here in Vegas so I'm surprised how much I see this, but it continues. I've had people revving their engines, threatening to race and all around challenging me but most of them when we catch up at the next red light just wanted to see or hear it.
We should all trust that people are of good nature unless proven otherwise...
We should all trust that people are of good nature unless proven otherwise...
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 193
From: By The Hook NJ
Carefully recognize why you're being tailgated. I've noticed many times it's because people are taking pics or videos of the car which is pretty cool. There are plenty of Vettes here in Vegas so I'm surprised how much I see this, but it continues. I've had people revving their engines, threatening to race and all around challenging me but most of them when we catch up at the next red light just wanted to see or hear it.
We should all trust that people are of good nature unless proven otherwise...
We should all trust that people are of good nature unless proven otherwise...
Come spend some time in NYC and see how courteous drivers are.
I can use almost my whole vocabulary of curse words within a 2 mile stretch. (And it's pretty extensive)
Last edited by Fcal; May 20, 2016 at 08:51 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 726
Likes: 66
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I grew up in NY but on Long Island. I assume when you say NYC you're referring to Manhattan or a nearby borough? If so, I want no part in driving in these parts. Hell, I don't even like walking there lol.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 201
Likes: 40
From: New Port Richey Florida
As a New Vette owner, I notice the same thing. I believe it is really just how low we are to the ground and caged. Every car behind me looks huge. I drive/ride an F150 and Harley. I dont think the tailgaters are really closer... It just feels and looks that way.
Last edited by PapaLeo67; May 20, 2016 at 09:24 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 193
From: By The Hook NJ
Grew up in Manhattan, moved to Staten Island, and in 3 weeks will be out of here and on the Jersey Shore.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26,243
Likes: 4,362
From: Chirper Island
ANYWAY!
Back to the subject at hand.
Yes they do seem to tailgate. Yes, the car behind you seems to be riding right on your ***.
I hate when they start following you because they assume (rightly) that you have a RD.
5 miles and they are still stuck to your rear end like toilet paper.
Just what the heck do they think will happen if you get a radar hit?
I try to stay aware and either leave those guys in the dust or let them go by me , but for those of you who think "shadowing" a person with a RD is good, give them plenty of space to slow the heck down quickly.
Back to the subject at hand.
Yes they do seem to tailgate. Yes, the car behind you seems to be riding right on your ***.
I hate when they start following you because they assume (rightly) that you have a RD.
5 miles and they are still stuck to your rear end like toilet paper.
Just what the heck do they think will happen if you get a radar hit?
I try to stay aware and either leave those guys in the dust or let them go by me , but for those of you who think "shadowing" a person with a RD is good, give them plenty of space to slow the heck down quickly.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,179
Likes: 97
From: Palm Coast, FL
