Insane Tailgater - what would you have done?

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by speeder

I drive the Angeles Crest and Angeles Forrest highways several times a week these days, going back and forth from L.A. to Acton. It's two lane with double yellow lines most of the way but there are some passing lanes in spots where suddenly there is an extra lane on the right for slower traffic, (to let the faster people go by). There are also "turn-outs".

If you're on a sports car/MC forum like this, I probably don't have to tell you that these are popular roads for sport bikes and cars. I drive pretty briskly but I'm usually in an old Mercedes or a PU truck, so there is plenty of faster traffic on the road. It's also very remote, no cell phone service in places and no one to hear or see someone getting shot or run over. There was just a murder 2 days ago in the forest and bodies get dumped up there all the time.

The point being, it's not a good place to get in a road rage fight with someone, (as if there is a good place). I just let people go by and back off if I'm zooming up on a slowpoke, it could be some older person or other nervous driver who is freaked-out by the curvy road. I find that if I follow certain rules of etiquette, no one ever gets pissed-off whether I'm driving slower or faster than them. Let 'em go by or pass them in a non-aggressive way when it's safe.

Working well so far.

Amazing how well that works. It is only common courtesy to let faster traffic by.
Cause, you never know....

[unclebilly]

I try to let ass hats be ass hats. What ever you do, you won't change them. No sense teaching them...

There was a guy who used to work for me. He was the type that went through life mad at everyone. He used to keep a karate outfit hung over the passenger seat in his car, he couldn't make it up a set of stairs without getting badly out of breath. I eventually moved his office onto the main floor. He told me that if someone tailgates his, he just pulls over slightly onto the shoulder. Here in Alberta, this causes all of the road grit that collects on the shoulder to get thrown up at the tailgater.

Dash cams are the answer I think. Life is too short.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Amazing how well that works. It is only common courtesy to let faster traffic by.
Cause, you never know....

What if you're going 80 over the Buckman bridge with an asshat 5' off you bumper in a no lane changing zone. Even after moving over, he proceeded to fall right in behind me....scared the crap out of my g/f at the time. Maybe the NC plates set him off...I dunno...

[Porsche-O-Phile]

This is why self-driving cars are going to be forced upon us - because there are too many testosterone-dripping, hothead douchebags out there who ruin it for everyone.

Just once I'd love to hear of one of these idiots getting their comeuppance and directing their rage against the wrong person - like a cop or Navy SEAL or pro bodybuilder who then administers a well-needed attitude adjustment.

I'm glad it worked out okay and nobody got hurt.

[matt930s]

Ditto...never drive without CC.....I also have veteran tags, not sure if if that helps...

MattR

Originally Posted by billh1963

Trucks always seem to be the worst. The only issues I have ever had with tailgating and crazy stuff is with someone in a pickup. I ignore them as best I can or turn off on other roads. Of course, I always carry in case I encounter a nut job.

[wayner]

I don't know if I am just more aware of it now, but, there seems to be a lot more people now exhibiting:

1) Passive aggressiveness
2) Victim mentality

I think that both are somehow manifested as "he's doing X to me, I'll show him"

Meanwhile us, the other driver is oblivious to their existence until they take action.

It just seems to me that people used to be more balanced and confident years ago. They would give people the benefit of the doubt. "oh he must not have seen me." Today though they exhibit all the bad behaviours we complain about in these threads. like tailgating and stalking.

I try to just disappear, wether that means pulling off and letting them pass, or disappearing into th existence with my right foot. Having ridden a motorcycle for many years, I value having space around me.

[RSBob]

When cell phones were a novelty and few people had them my wife was pursued up I-5 by an ass-clown who followed her lane by lane for what she estimated as 5 miles. She had the presence of mind to remember her phone, pulled it out and flashed it so the guy could clearly see it and then put it up to her ear. The dude broke off and disappeared.

In this state you can report drunk drivers or suspected drunk (read, dangerous) drivers and I have done so on a couple of occasions. Haven't seen them pulled over but it's better than nothing.

And yes I was not so mature in my driving as Jeff pointed out I was pulled over for tailgating many years ago and learned a little something from that.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by KC911

What if you're going 80 over the Buckman bridge with an asshat 5' off you bumper in a no lane changing zone. Even after moving over, he proceeded to fall right in behind me....scared the crap out of my g/f at the time. Maybe the NC plates set him off...I dunno...

You can change lanes on the Buckman, and an aware driver sees the traffic coming & moves over. Or he thought it was a nascrap race.

[ckelly78z]

Tailgating is my biggest pet peeve. These asshats think they can bully thier way through traffic even on busy 2 lane County, and State routes, all in order to arrive at a stoplight 5 miles down the road 20 seconds before you do. I have figured out long ago that it isn't worth risking my life (and the lives of others), or elevating my blood pressure, to arrive a few seconds earlier. If your time management planning is that bad, leave a few minutes earlier for where you need to be.

I have a feeling that this issue is far more than just bad planning, and being in a hurry. It's no different than an elementary schoolyard bully who is empowered by his own aggresive actions. Self important, business men who have little regard for rules and laws, and bully thier way through life, until someone or something stops them.

[Don Ro]

"She had the presence of mind to remember her phone, pulled it out and flashed it so the guy could clearly see it and then put it up to her ear."
~~~~~~~~~
I did this a couple of times prior to even owning a cell phone.
I'd put my cupped hand over my ear and pretend to be talking as I eye-balled the offender.
It worked both times...they sped off.

[vonsmog]

My Unimog is a slow ride, and the pickup off the line is even slower! Every once in a while I'll get some asshat who is not happy being behind my truck. I just hit the go pedal, and watch the black stinky smoke come out of the side exhaust in my side view mirror! They back right off and then are now a few hundred feet behind, looking for clean air! If you have ever smelled the exhaust of a Unimog you would know what I am talking about! They do call it mog stink for a reason!

[lin7310948]

one or two blinks of the blue light on the rear shelf of my retired california unmarked mustang notchback...and they disappear into the far distance!

[aigel]

I always let them pass, even if it means I have to pull over. They then always tailgate the person in front of me. This is especially crazy in bumper to bumper traffic. It isn't that they are going any faster doing this.

g

[Heel n Toe]

Originally Posted by KC911

What if you're going 80 over the Buckman bridge with an asshat 5' off you bumper in a no lane changing zone. Even after moving over, he proceeded to fall right in behind me....scared the crap out of my g/f at the time. Maybe the NC plates set him off...I dunno...

If you're going 80 anywhere and you have an asshat 5' off your bumper, just slow down gradually until he gets the message and either goes around or backs off. This, of course is also self-preservation; at least if something happens and you have to brake, the impact if he hits you will be at a much lower speed and you'll be more likely to able to control your vehicle and keep it in your lane.

Originally Posted by lin7310948

one or two blinks of the blue light on the rear shelf of my retired california unmarked mustang notchback...and they disappear into the far distance!

Dude... in what way is that not impersonating a police officer? Or a police vehicle? As far as I know, you can get into serious trouble for that in SC.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by aigel

I always let them pass,

Yes, and get as far away from them as possible. It's not smart to mess with crazy people.