I am a young woman who drives a 40-minute commute to college in New England, at 7 AM and 2 PM. These back roads should really be one-way, they are so small, and there are many tight corners and twists. The posted speed limit varies from 30-45, and the speed is appropriate; the most dangerous sections have the lowest speed limits. I generally go the posted speed limit or 5-7 over on the safer parts. Usually every day I have some jerk who tailgates me so closely I can't see most of their hood in my mirror. Sometimes they blow past me on double yellow lines at 55-60 mph on the 30 mph section. A lot of people recommend teasing with your break lights, or using your hazards, but I'm afraid of being crashed into or (however unlikely) shot at. To those who would suggest pulling over to let them pass; there is literally no room on these roads for me to do so. I maintain my speed when there is a tailgater behind me, but it makes me really nervous. Is there anything better I can do?
2007-10-26 19:24:29 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
The MO drivers manual just says to slow down. Maybe they'll pass you, but at least you will have slowed them down and reduced the risk of an accident.
2007-10-26 19:28:32 · answer #1 · answered by jeepmuddin2005 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me like you are doing just what you need to do. Drive your own car....
Your description of how you drive this section of road tells me that you are a conscientious and safe driver. Taping the brakes to make the lights come on will only infuriate the tailgater more. If you are doing the posted speed limit, you are being safe for how the road was designed to be driven.
None of us likes to be tailgated, but unfortunately, there are those who are late, suffering from invincibility, or just plain stupid. You can't seem to get away from them and they also seem to congregate on highways like the one you describe.
Get their license plate number and contact the local office of the state police, highway patrol or however they are designated in your area. It may not have any direct effect, but sooner or later, the tailgater will be pulled over... nobody has that much good luck if they drive like you describe.
Good luck and safe motoring....
2007-10-27 17:01:01 · answer #2 · answered by Wired for Sound 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tapping your brakes to flash your brake lights in dangerous and puts you at even more risk. The only answer is to slow down a bit (to reduce speed means to reduce the risk of injury in case he hits you) and, if he does not, eventually pass you, pull over at the first opportunity, even if it is a long way off.
The thing to remember is that you cannot drive more than one vehicle at a time. YOU cannot MAKE him get off your tail. Don't make a dangerous situation even worse. If you HAVE to drive that road, then drive your own car as safely as you can.
"Stephen W" has an interesting answer. I suppose that means that anyone with a dash mounted tachometer or GPS device never get tailgated? Besides, in most states, devices mounted on top of the dash are illegal and can get you a citation of your own.
2007-10-27 10:22:51 · answer #3 · answered by Vince M 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I accept as true with something yet could additionally prefer to characteristic a safer option on your risky habit. attempt tapping your brakes repetitively somewhat. It makes the motive force at the back of you conscious which you be attentive to they are there and generally they're going to returned off a pair motor vehicle lengths. I understand the unhappiness Ichronic an prolonged length of street daily that passes with the aid of a retirement area so i'm getting a mixture of those whochronic to rapid and excessively under the cost decrease. If a cop ever observed you pulling your down shift maneuver you additionally could nicely be ticketed for reckless endangerment or not having administration over your motor vehicle.
2016-09-27 23:28:40 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All you can to is try to stay out of the way of these killers. You cannot do anything to deter them, as they are selfish and mean-spirited. Pull over when you can. You are right to worry about being shot at or otherwise injured by these road murderers.
Be careful, and duck!
2007-10-26 22:21:39 · answer #5 · answered by Warren W- a Mormon engineer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is dangerous to tap your brakes as you can be rear ended so I turn my lights off and on and they think I flashed my break lights I am a professional driver with a CDL and have taken special training courses on how to handle problems on he road and this is a safe idea
If you slow down you can create anger so just turn your lights on and off several times and wait a moment and do it again if they are still there most don't get upset if you don't slow down
2007-10-26 19:30:27 · answer #6 · answered by Linda S 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
One deterrent that works well if the person is that close is to run your windshield washer. The fluid goes over the top of your car onto theirs and most of the time they back off.
2007-10-27 15:10:37 · answer #7 · answered by Molly 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I use my free foot to barely move the brake pedal so the lights will come on without applying braking force. If they don't get the hint, I just continue on my way and ignore them. If they hit me they pay. Consider getting a big towing drawbar and ball mounted on the car so if they hit you they will not be driving away easily.
2007-10-26 19:30:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Buy something that looks like a radar gun (it does not matter what it really is, as long as it is not illegal to have in a car) and mount it on your dashboard so that it is visible to them and does not obscure your view. They will not tailgate or speed if they think you are a police car.
2007-10-27 07:17:20 · answer #9 · answered by StephenWeinstein 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I tip my hat to you "Wired for Sound!" (Truck Driving Trainer. 30 years and 2.5 million accident and violation free miles in a truck.) Congratulations on an outstanding record!
2007-10-26 19:37:25 · answer #10 · answered by Flywheel 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋