Tailgating!?!?!?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 246
Likes: 77
Tailgating!?!?!?
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??
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
All the time, and it irritates me to no end! But seems to be a problem no matter what vehicle I'm in. People are in such a rush, normally to get to that stop light ahead, where I casually pull up behind them. I'm not a slow poke, and don't block the left lane on a highway, but good grief. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 242
From: Pittsburgh PA
Also keep in mind that the rear of the car is very close to you compared to others. A lot of the time it makes it feel like the car behind is closer then they are.
Last edited by SK360; May 20, 2016 at 11:43 AM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 35,010
Likes: 12,395
From: NE South Carolina
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??
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!
Last edited by JerryU; May 20, 2016 at 11:54 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 50
From: Somerville New Jersey
Drives me nuts too, but I think it's just kind of an optical illusion because you are so low and we as Corvette owners are more passionate about our cars and we don't like the idea of people getting close to them in general.
Just my .02
Team Owner
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From: Best Island in the U.S.
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '17
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
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.
Last edited by Squeaky Wheel; May 20, 2016 at 12:19 PM. Reason: spelling error
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
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From: Cupertino Ca
I agree. When I 1st got my 2005 Vette I came from a 1996 Impala SS. Huge difference from the drivers seat to the rear bumper. Took a little while to get used to. People still tailgate though.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2016
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Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
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From: Manheim Pennsylvania
The reason you are being tailgated is traffic/road conditions warrant a faster speed. Increase your speed a few miles per hour and amazingly the car following you will drop back to a reasonable distance. Works every time!
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
So if one is already 5-10mph over the posted limit, they are the problem? Sorry, but I'm not buying that. Get pulled over and explain to the LEO that you were driving faster than the limit because the road conditions warranted it and see what good that does you. I'd expect they'll just chuckle and say "tell that to the judge".
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
The sloped rear window that ends close to back bumper definately gives the illusion people are closer. Didnt seem as bad on on C5s and C6s but when I first started driving a C7 I thought everyone was an inch from my bumper at a stoplight, stuck it in reverse a couple times quick to activate the camera at a red light and they were plenty far away..
But around here many people tailgate, even if you are doing 20 over people will ride up your butt. Just seems worse in the C7.
But around here many people tailgate, even if you are doing 20 over people will ride up your butt. Just seems worse in the C7.
Last edited by kp; May 20, 2016 at 01:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 933
From: Just outside a swamp in Florida
If possible, I'll put some distance between me and a tailgater, even if I have to pass someone.
If that's not possible, I signal for the nearest place I can turn off, and let them pass. All's usually good at all that point.
I used to know a guy that would chunk a pice of chewed gum up through his sunroof when people tailgated persistently, if that didn't work he'd start tossing pennies. Now he's was trouble looking for a place to start.
If that's not possible, I signal for the nearest place I can turn off, and let them pass. All's usually good at all that point.
I used to know a guy that would chunk a pice of chewed gum up through his sunroof when people tailgated persistently, if that didn't work he'd start tossing pennies. Now he's was trouble looking for a place to start.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 590
From: Tellico Plains Tennessee
I have experienced the same problem, people just don't care how close they get. They're in their own little world. Perhaps some of it is an optical illusion. I know some of it is I'm overly sensitive when in my Vette. Sometimes I'll turn on my right turn signal and pull over to let them pass. I'm not in such a hurry that I can't just let them go. Its a case of mind over matter. They don't mind and I don't matter. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
I was rear-ended twice in my Mini Cooper daily driver over the past few years no matter what I did to try and keep drivers off my rear. I now dd my C7 and the behaviors are essentially the same, although, it seems people do pay more attention to the C7 so they seem to be just a bit more careful.
Race Director
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 10,742
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From: Manheim Pennsylvania
So if one is already 5-10mph over the posted limit, they are the problem? Sorry, but I'm not buying that. Get pulled over and explain to the LEO that you were driving faster than the limit because the road conditions warranted it and see what good that does you. I'd expect they'll just chuckle and say "tell that to the judge".
If you are operating 10+mph over the limit, you probably do not have a tailgater.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 694
From: Lagrange KY
Like some others have said, I just try to get out of their way. But let someone rear end me, and they better have a fat wallet.