The other side of the tailgaters coin is the outside lane hogger (see mapmaker's other post).
I am sure that on occasion I am seen as an OLH by a tailgater, where I would say (if asked!) that I am in the outside lane, waiting my turn to pass someone in the middle lane, and leaving an adequate amount of space between me and the car in front, given the speed (which may well be 65 mph if that's the speed the traffic is moving) at which we're going. The closer the TG gets to me, the more space I have to leave between me and the car in front; this, I think, is seen as provocation by the TG, travelling six inches from my back bumper, who then resorts either to undertaking me or flashing lights/gesticulating etc. I find it one of the most unpleasant aspects of driving these days, and the irony is that my car (275 bhp and a [limited] top speed of 155 mph) could see off these TGs any time, and I'm as keen to press on - legally - as they are.
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Until someone comes up with a better idea, there is only ONE simple way to deal with these people.....
Keep a 2 second gap between you and the car ahead of you...when the car ahead passes a bridge/tree/any feature on your road....say "only a fool brakes the two second rule" - if you pass the feature before you have said this - you are too close.
If this is too IAM - say Missippi one, Missippi two - same gap.
When the Muppet takes your safety gap - drop back and return to your two second gap - do not become a part of his accident!
Matt35.
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PS,
Mississippi = 2 seconds!... Missippi a tad less!
Matt35
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Simple:
1) Slow down to increase the gap between you and the car in front;
2) Pull over if safe - if this is the case you probably should have pulled over before;
3) If not safe to pull over and slowing down does not work, simply slow down some more;
4) If tailgater attempts ridiculous undertaking manouvre, speed up to prevent;
However, if you approach outside/middle lane hogger from behind wait until it is clear he/she is not going to pull over and progress quickly on the inside. On no account give them a flash or tailgate them yourself, or you will alert them to your presence and give them a chance to try to prevent the painless undertake.
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Why do people do it? Is the first question i think we need to ask. If there is space in front and to the left then they expect you to pull over and you probably should.
However when the all the lanes have distinctive speed differential and you are travelling safely behind 10 other cars. Why should you be bullied/forced to pull in and brake just so some prat can get past. If the road is busy then there is nowhere for him to go. However, if he can undertake then the space is available and you really should have pulled over.
Tailgating at 75/80 easy peasy try it at 120/130 as they have the tendency to do over here. Must say it was always nice to be able to pull away when the road cleared. But they always come back as you see the next hazard and ease off.
At the end of the day it's just another driving hazard to assess and deal with nothing worth getting hot about.
BB
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3) If not safe to pull over and slowing down does not work, simply slow down some more;
This helps HOW?
4) If tailgater attempts ridiculous undertaking manouvre, speed up to prevent; However, if you approach outside/middle lane hogger from behind wait until it is clear he/she is not going to pull over and progress quickly on the inside. On no account give them a flash or tailgate them yourself, or you will alert them to your presence and give them a chance to try to prevent the painless undertake.
So when you\'re in front you are driving safely (especially if you close the safe gap you have created by accelerating to block an under-taker), but if someone applies the same approach to you, it\'s ok to undertake.
Just so long as that\'s clear.
Genius. Sheer genius. Can you let me know what you drive and the motorways you use so I can keep well clear of you please?
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"4) If tailgater attempts ridiculous undertaking manouvre, speed up to prevent"
This MUST be a joke.
What benefit will that bring? Let them pass. You know they are doing it (you're observant) and you're not going to move over until they have passed (you're keen to live), so it's safe; let them go. Blocking them will only raise their blood pressure and yours.
V
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I just go on the theory that everyone else is driving without insurance and that if I have an accident as a result of their bad driving then I will have to foot the bill for it.
Probably not that far from the truth if you really think about it..
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I hope that all this talk (both here and on the other thread about lane-hoggers) of driving so as to flick up gravel at someone who is too close behind, or retaliating, or slowing down to annoy them or whatever, is TIC, especially the gravel bit.
Suppose you do this and a stone does ping up, which damages the tailgater's car - I don't know, let's say it cracks the windscreen or a headlight or something. I think you can safely assume that this person is a) unreasonable, b) impatient and c) irritable, by the very fact that they are sitting inches off your bumper trying to menace you out of the way. Now you have, as they would see it, caused damage to their car. What is to stop them from either
1) deliberately shunting you
2) following you to wherever you're going and trying to thump you, or
3) reporting you the police and trying to make a claim against your insurance for the damage?
I'm not for one moment suggesting that they would necessarily do any of this, or that they would succeed in 3), but as I said, this person is not reasonable and rage/spite are mighty unpleasant emotions. Can't think why would anyone want to put themselves in a position where this could happen.
Being a fairly hot-tempered person myself, I now always try to remember one of Growler's posts from a while back, in which he mentioned Growlette's way of dealing with tailgaters and other such annoyances: "Whatever his problem is, why do you want to be a part of it?" Now that's good advice.
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Depends how subtle you are about doing it
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So what about the poor chap on the VFR800, pootling along a couple of cars back, minding his own business and keeping a reasonable distance from your tailgater. Think he'll thank you when he gets some gravel shattering his visor and then looses control avoiding the hard-braking tailgater because suddenly there's loose gravel and other debris on the road?
If he lives to face you in court I doubt he'll be able to chase you from the wheelchair he'll occupy for the rest of his life.
Same applies to the screen-washer trick. Before doing it, please do a double-check in your wing mirrors to check for motorbikes. A visor full of screenwash is a minor distraction, to say the least.
ND
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Neatly put, ND, and yet another compelling reason why it is foolish to do anything other than getting out of the tailgater's way and letting them get on with it.
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Neatly put, ND, and yet another compelling reason why it is foolish to do anything other than getting out of the tailgater's way and letting them get on with it.
.....and that's what it says to do in the highway code; there's no point in antagonising the idiot tailgater further by using screenwash, gravel and other dirty tricks.
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In a car, I feel tailgating is less of an issue. However, since I ride a motorbike, it is really problematic. A tap on the back in a car will cause a little damage, whilst a motorbike shunt can leave me in hospital. I do enjoy riding, but these tailgaters and poor drivers really do make riding very unpleasant.
When I have a tailgater behind me, I find that simply staying at the same speed and letting them through when you can is the only real solution.
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The gravel 'trick' (my fault, sorry) was: if you cannot get past an OLHogger, then pass him on the right by going up the central reservation and kick up some gravel to scratch his patent shining car. Hope it's pretty clear that my proposal was impossible (plus little friendly dig at a specific BR BMW driver!)!
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The gravel 'trick' (my fault, sorry) was: if you cannot get past an OLHogger, then pass him on the right by going up the central reservation and kick up some gravel to scratch his patent shining car. Hope it's pretty clear that my proposal was impossible (plus little friendly dig at a specific BR BMW driver!)!
Phew!
Funny you should say that, though - there are several stretches of dual carriageway round here where water run-off has collected and dried, and there are actually patches of fine gravel that have spilled onto, and over, the rumble-strip at the centre of the road, and I have seen it fly up in a cloud when people have wandered over the line!
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Irv Gordon offers these safe-driving tips to fellow drivers. He was the first person to drive 2 million miles in the same car in a Volvo P1800.
During long road trips, take frequent breaks. "This is not NASCAR; it's okay to take long breaks to stretch your legs, breathe fresh air and review your maps. It keeps you more alert on the road," Gordon says.
Spend a few minutes each week inspecting your car. "Even the most mechanically challenged car owners can look for low fluid levels or deteriorating belts and hoses. Also look to see that the battery connections are tight and corrosion free. These are the most common sources of trouble on the road. And, walk around your car to ensure the blinkers, brake lights, etc., are in proper working condition."
Adjust the mirrors. "Rearview mirrors aren't 'vanity mirrors' designed for admiring your hair or applying lipstick. Automotive engineers spent countless hours designing your car so that these mirrors would reduce blind spots when driving. Do the engineers a favor, and adjust your mirrors accordingly."
Ensure proper tire inflation. "There is a reason all service stations have air pumps and every mechanic has a tire gauge in his or her shirt pocket. Having your tires properly inflated is as important as having oil in your engine."
Don't drive if you can't stand the conditions. "Is it too late in the night? Too rainy? Too snowy? Too hot? Too cold? When you're driving, it's not the time to be daring. If you haven't gotten enough sleep, if the roads are too wet, or if anything else will inhibits your ability to drive safely, pull over at a rest stop or stay the night at a hotel. Maybe they'll have a swimming pool and a complimentary breakfast."
When your car makes a funny noise, listen to it. "Don't turn up the radio and hope that knocking noise goes away. It won't. If your car develops a condition, take it in immediately. The longer you wait, the greater potential for danger."
Expect other drivers will make mistakes. "Be observant of your fellow drivers. Don't assume a car pulling up to a stop sign will stop until you see it stop. Allow five to six seconds of time between you and the car in front of you. If a car is tailgating you, try to let him or her pass."
Read the manuals. "Your owner's manual is packed with important safety tips specific to your car. Also, it's wise to visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles and grab a copy of the manual individuals study to obtain their licenses. Chances are you've forgotten a lot of information since the last time you read it."
Weatherize your car year-round. "Prepare for the climate you'll be visiting and the season that is approaching, not just the one that's going on now. Have a qualified mechanic check your tire inflation, treads, brake wear, fluids, etc., and let him or her know the type of weather in which you could be driving. "
Buckle up. "It's the most important thing you and your family will do on a roadway. Plus, it was a Volvo employee named Nils Bohlin who created the modern safety belt, which has been credited with saving tens of thousands of lives, so I'm a bit partial."
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The gravel 'trick' (my fault, sorry) was: if you cannot get past an OLHogger, then pass him on the right by going up the central reservation and kick up some gravel to scratch his patent shining car. Hope it's pretty clear that my proposal was impossible (plus little friendly dig at a specific BR BMW driver!)!
Hello mapmaker. Glad to hear I'm ever in your thoughts. I always wondered why so many people wash their windscreens so often when I'm nearby.
As mentioned previously, the BMW no longer shines, as a result of all the hard work it's put in over the years. Entirely my fault - should spend more time cleaning & polishing.
Sadly, shining is not the only thing it no longer does, ever since an electrical fault came to light this morning on the outside lane of the M40. Something in the EMS has gone wrong - symptom is that the engine stops and won't restart. Very disconcerting, I must say.
Anyway, a mere three hours after leaving this morning I was returned home by the RAC. Until the local mechanics sort it out, I am BMW-less!
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[snip]Anyway, a mere three hours after leaving this morning I was returned home by the RAC. Until the local mechanics sort it out, I am BMW-less!
Sorry to hear of your troubles ... but if it's any consolation, just remember that any other car will get you around town faster, because people will be more likely to let you out at junctions!
;-)
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Sorry to hear of your troubles ... but if it's any consolation, just remember that any other car will get you around town faster, because people will be more likely to let you out at junctions! ;-)
Thanks.
Sadly, the logic doesn't work for me - the other car is a Porsche. Even the people who let BMWs out do their best to block one of those!
The only car you should always let out is a W123 Merc, of course. Only the politest drivers use those...
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The only car you should always let out is a W123 Merc, of course. Only the politest drivers use those...
Hmm, these days it seems that one of those Mercs is probly being driven by a gang of crooks who have just removed it from its rightful owner. I'm inclined to let that sort of driver go well ahead of me!
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Sadly, shining is not the only thing it no longer does, ever since an electrical fault came to light this morning on the outside lane of the M40. Something in the EMS has gone wrong - symptom is that the engine stops and won't restart. Very disconcerting, I must say. Anyway, a mere three hours after leaving this morning I was returned home by the RAC. Until the local mechanics sort it out, I am BMW-less!
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Patently,
I was disconcerted to read of your car's breakdown. Given the symptoms you described I could have sworn that it was my C5!
Regards
Vercin
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Shocking bad luck - and just out of warranty too. You have all my sympathies. I did wonder whether NoW was being sarcastic or just didn't know that your other car wasn't a Fiesta!
(Particularly after my insurance company rang me yesterday and said 'we'll happily give you £400 for your stolen car (less £100 excesss)' My insurance renewal came through the post yesterday as well, and it has gone up by more than they are offering me as a result of loss of no claims. No surprise at all, but still the whole idea that the npv of a stolen car is positive for the insurance company is pretty shocking! No doubt I'll have to give them my money before they give me theirs...)
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Shocking bad luck - and just out of warranty too. You have all my sympathies. I did wonder whether NoW was being sarcastic or just didn't know that your other car wasn't a Fiesta!
Sorry -- I was being conpletely tongue-in-cheek, and hadn't guessed the other car was so exotic!
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Quick update - the BMW is back on the drive. All praise to my local BMW dealer who had it diagnosed and sorted in 24 hours.
Mind you, some help is needed as to their phone manner. Speaking to the service manager, I asked what the problem was. I was a little nervous as to what the bill would be....
"It needed a new crankshaft and camshaft .."
[thud as patently faints and hits the floor]
"... sensor, so we fitted them and it's ready now"
[patently recovers]
Mind you, the repair bill was still not far short of a new car for mapmaker.
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Misread your post, Patently, and thought that hitting the floor was preceded by something more serious than merely a faint. So glad that all sorted! & the car!
Contributions to my new car gratefully received, all payments to account number...
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Contributions to my new car gratefully received, all payments to account number...
I would, of course, but it's all gone on the repair bill....
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Be careful with those Doctors, they're notorious for selling you something you don't really need...
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