Why do people find it necessary to tailgate?

Question

I ride my motorcycle quite often and routinely find many people willing to tailgate freakishly close to my back tire. People do not understand they put people's lives in danger every time they tailgate. It seems people are in some sort of a rush to just eventually stop at the next red light. On average, nearly 45,000 people die each year in this country as a result of car accidents. I hope to not become a statistic at the hands of someone else that felt they had to be in a rush to go no where important.

Answer 1

Impatient people (like my girlfriend) are irrational and think that they should be able to go as fast as they'd like to. Little do these people realize that they may save them selves on average I'd guess 3 minuites at most. I'll have to say that she at least gives motorcycles a break.


Anyhow, some guy was tailgating me in my car on the way home tonight. He also had his bright lights on. So when a safe and legal passing zone was open, I slowed down and made him pass me. Then, at the next intersection he blocked the road with his car and started swearing and whatnot. He was obviously a hothead so I just took the long way home.


My solution to this whole problem....

NO MORE DRIVERS LICENCES SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR PEOPLE WITH AN IQ LESS THAN 80

Answer 2

People commonly tailgate for 2 reasons: 1) You're riding too slow. Even though you may be going the speed limit, you need to let others pass so they can get to where they're going quickly. If they wanna get a speeding ticket, well, that's their problem, not yours. 2) You cut the other driver off. In which case, they are getting revenge by tailgating you. People ALWAYS get uncomfortable when they're being tailgated so that's a good way to annoy you they way you annoyed them. And the other driver knows you're not going to stop short because you'll get messed up a LOT more than the driver in the car behind you.

Answer 3

Great Question and this should be a billboard as big as the sun i don't tailgate and man its just not safe at any speed, you are suppose to be , the car behind you 1 car length per 10 mph i don't know why people think a bike is safer to follow closer i don't get it Great question tho

Answer 4

My theory is that most people drive like sheep, just following the back of the vehicle in front of them...and due to a cycle's smaller size, they have to get closer before it "feels" close enough to them, which as you said is dangerously close.

When I ride and encounter this, I will usually double-downshift and let the clutch out abruptly, slowing suddenly with no brake light, which wakes them up when they realize how fast you can decel without warning....then most will fade back and give you some room...if that doesn't work, pointing my .45 at them usually does the trick ;)

Answer 5

You've answered that one yourself! People are in a hurry (even when they're going nowhere special) and they don't think about the danger to other people - and to themselves! - when they go racing around like maniacs.

Answer 6

But that's the great thing about motorcycles. I twist the throttle and the "cagers" are gone.

Answer 7

100% on your side. but i have to admit i did it once because he did it to me for 30 K's and so i pulled over pissed right off and floored it after him and did it to him for a little while and then i turned of the highway and went on my way.

Answer 8

because people arent patient. and they think that the laws apply to everyone but themselves

Answer 9

to save gas

Answer 10

because they are impatient idiots