Dear Tailgaters - What Do You Want?

kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 19:52

Hi all,

Just wanted to understand the perspective of tailgaters and also hear from others in how they deal with the issue.

TL;DR: Why do you tailgate? How do you stop others doing it to you, even if you're going at the limit etc?

My most recent scenario was last night. 2am on the M4, on my way home. Posted speed limit is 90, so I'm doing 90, in the left-hand-most lane out of three lanes. The motorway is entirely empty except for one car behind me, which speeds up and sits ridiculously close to my tail. I mean, at some point the headlights were partially disappearing in my rear view mirror because the car was pushing up so close! The other two lanes next to me are completely empty. He stays there for a good 4-5mins, and all I can think is how unsafe this is, but I refuse to go over the speed limit because he can clearly overtake. Finally, I tap on my brakes lightly to try and get him to back off - once. Twice. Three times. He finally gives me some distance, but after 30 seconds he's back again. Sits there for another few minutes, and again I tap my brakes which causes my car to slow down a bit.. down to 85, 84, 83.. and finally, he changes lanes into the middle lane and zooms off.

I do notice I get tailgated every now and then - perhaps as I'm a P-plater, or just by coincidence. When I do:

  • I check to make sure I'm going at the correct and max speed limit (eg if it's 90, I'll be going at 90). All good.
  • I'm usually in the left-hand lane by default. If it's a single-lane road, I'll try to pull over as soon as I can (eg into a small side street) and just let the person pass.
  • Otherwise, if it's a single-lane road and I can't pull over anywhere yet (or I don't feel like it sometimes!), then I'll just hold strong and keep going as I am. Same for if I'm driving on a multi-lane road and the tailgating car has clear opportunity to overtake, but chooses to continue riding up behind me instead. I refuse to be intimidated by people driving up riiiight behind me as if they can just will me to speed for them (at least, I refuse to be outwardly intimidated by it).
  • I almost never tap my breaks as I've heard it can incite road rage or whatever.. but in last night's situation, it was just so ridiculous and unsafe I felt that I had to do something, and it eventually worked.

So my question to all tailgaters is - what do you want from us?
Is it a game to see if you can intimidate other drivers? (in my situation above, I can honestly not think of a single other reason. Open to any opinions though!) Or is it that you just want others to go over the speed limit too? Or.. when you have an avenue of overtaking available.. why would you not take it? And if you don't have such an avenue, but the car in front IS doing the speed limit - do you expect us to break the law because you're in a rush / late for your meeting / etc? Are car's odometers just calibrated SO differently? (I have a digital one).

And to others who deal with tailgaters regularly - Beyond what I've already mentioned, do you have any additional tips or techniques or advice in how to further deal with the issue, for a fairly new driver? What's your approach, and your experiences?

TL;DR: Why do you tailgate? How do you stop others doing it to you, even if you're going at the limit etc?

Thanks in advance.

Automotive

Comments

        • Pinchie on 14/04/2016 - 13:46
          +2

          @Ughhh:

          It is dangerous, but I have my methods … Just as dangerous and stupid as people who drive ridiculously under the limit or have no idea how merging lanes work.

          It is dangerous. You admit that. You do it to other people (by definition, tailgating requires at least one victim of your endangerment). You make the decision to engage in the dangerous behaviour. You endanger them.

          There, no words in your mouth. Just your words. You admit that you're dangerous. You endanger others. You do it deliberately. You have 'your methods' but that's just your pissweak excuse for endangering the lives of other people with your 1000kg+ of poorly-driven vehicle.

  • Janko on 13/04/2016 - 20:55
    +7

    The 3 second rule I was taught at driving school is too long and will see cars constantly cutting in front of you, causing you to brake/ease off to get the 3 seconds back.

    Even 2 seconds cars cut in. Annoying because when cars cut in, you can be down to a second or less now behind the car in front for a short time.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:42

      True true. I was taught if people cut in front of you because you're obeying the three-second guideline, then just slow down until you re-create the three second buffer. I remember reading a whole bunch of stats about why the two or three second buffer is so important… so now I'm sold. It can suck sometimes though. Also, I don't do the three second buffer in heavy or slow traffic obviously…

      • fantombloo on 14/04/2016 - 02:09
        +2

        3 second rule generally works independent of speed - that's the point.

    • Serapis on 14/04/2016 - 00:54
      +9

      Last time I followed a 3 second rule, I got food poisoning… =/

      • ronnknee on 14/04/2016 - 10:40
        +2

        3 seconds is too early. At 5 seconds is the exact moment when it's safe to eat ;)

  • Diji1 on 13/04/2016 - 21:03
    +1

    If it's during the day turn your lights on then off every now and then ;)

    • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 00:01

      Good idea! This makes the brake lights go on/off without actually tapping them right? Unfortunately it's mostly at night that the weirdos tailgate me the most.

  • djones145 on 13/04/2016 - 21:06
    +1

    if that happened to me I usually just brake and slow down to 60km or slower, that usually gets rid of them

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:59
      -1

      Thanks, I'll definitely be doing this next time. :)

  • infinite on 13/04/2016 - 21:19
    +15

    I always sit on the speed limit or 1-2km under in the left lane. When people start to tailgate, I indicate and slow down like I'm going to turn, then turn off my indicator and keep going straight. I then keep doing it over and over again until they change lanes and fly past at a million miles an hour, at which point i laugh and waive as they drive past as if their someone I know. Confuses the shit out of them.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:59
      +1

      Hahah. Love it.

  • altomic on 13/04/2016 - 21:27
    +3

    I tail gate people who are driving waaay below the speed limit in the right lane. "Move over you idiot"

    • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 00:00

      Fair enough! Should be in the left lane.

  • grasstown on 13/04/2016 - 21:34

    Very odd behavior. I would probably change to the next lane and see if they follow me. Never happened to me.

    I tail cars that are going under the limit, but never if there's another lane free

    • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 00:00

      Yeah, so odd! But happens to me all the time. I really think it's just entertainment or something.

  • whatzup101 on 13/04/2016 - 21:36
    +4

    Slipstream!!! The only real reason to tailgate.

    Seriously though, my father tailgates quite frequently and until I had my license, I never thought anything was wrong with the way he drove. Scary stuff. He never had any road rage and always relied heavily on the brakes. Which brings me to the next point.

    More and more I see cars race to a red light, anchoring the brakes right at the very last second. Stopping inches after the line. I believe as braking technology is progressing, people are putting a lot of faith into stopping distance and reaction times. Sooner or later, it will catch up to these people and as a consequence, insurance premiums will rise and the people with common sense will suffer.

    TLDR: The world is going crazy. People with brains wait until later in life to have offspring, eventually becoming infertile because of waiting so long. The dumb people are out breeding the smart people and eventually the movie "Idiocracy" will come true.

    • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 00:05
      +1

      The red light thing is a good point. I always slow down early. I know someone who actually sees a red light (ie already red; no chance of getting through), and instead of just coasting along to it, he will speed up, then slow down. What even. Just glide along and then slow down! Makes for such a damn jerky ride.

      • Oipjo on 14/04/2016 - 09:45
        +2

        I too slow down early and coast towards a red light purely to contribute to fuel efficiency (we ARE on OzBargain!) stopping/starting is costly!
        It makes for a faster trip if you get to the light at about 40kmph and can overtake everyone who rushed to reach the light, and are stopped when it switches to green… A pro can time it with the intersection lights turning amber/red (+3-4) seconds. Never anticipate with full confidence that your light will turn green however…

        • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 12:39

          Yeah, exactly! It's more efficient to come to the light slowly, then keep going when it goes green. (Rather than stopping completely and starting).

  • Dack Smith on 13/04/2016 - 21:45
    +7

    Tailgaters love to sniff ass

    They can't get enough of their own pets so they try to sniff others by staying real close

    Inbred fools

  • strapping young lad on 13/04/2016 - 21:49
    +2

    When i get tailgated i slow down 5 to 10 k's wait till they overtake then do it to them, i had one the other day after he overtook me got behind him he kept looking back like wtf tailgated him to the lights got beside him he had his window down and i said dont like it do you he looks at me looks the other way his window goes up then he floored it soon as the light went green had a good laugh

    • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 00:09

      Hahah. Nice.

  • kawinuyo on 13/04/2016 - 21:56
    +1

    I have to admit I sometimes tailgate… but only for a short period of time… and the reason is I can't be bothered to step on the brake. So if the person slows down randomly because I've left enough space I won't hit them without slowing down but I won't intentionally put on the brake so I may tailgate them for a bit till my car slows down naturally since I don't accelerate

    • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 00:10
      +1

      Fair enough! Sounds like it's on the very "light" side of tailgating, rather than the intentional / aggressive type.

  • brownbag on 13/04/2016 - 21:57

    I think a lot of tailgaters don't know that they're doing it. My father is a chronic tailgater and he had no idea until other people in the car told him about it. When I get tailgated I sometimes glance at the driver when they finally pass me and they're normally looking ahead with not a care in the world, or lost in thought. They don't seem to be upset at me for slowing them down.

    • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 00:08

      Interesting! I think a lot of people also don't understand the idea of buffer space / 3 second rule. Not sure if they've forgotten, don't believe in it, or weren't taught at some point how it's essential for your own safety.

    • factor on 15/04/2016 - 08:16

      It's the oblivious type that are worth educating. I just put my finger up, they realise others exist in the world and pull back.

      If it's instead a low intellect meatbag, I simply slow down (to zero if necessary) until they chose to change lanes.

      The low intellect meatbag is a major problem on Sydney's faster roads. The only method of driving they are experienced with is low speed dodgem cars on city streets. We then build expressways in their neighbourhood and they don't know how to use them.

  • wheretobuychocettes on 13/04/2016 - 22:03
    +2

    As some have said, I often tailgate (perhaps a bit strong for what I do, it's not really that close at all) when the person in front is way slower than the posted speed. I'll only do so if I cannot move lanes, or if they are in the fast lane ('in my way' so to speak). It's not even about me being in a rush, I'm often either way earlier to things than I need be, or already late, or there is no time frame for me to arrive at my destination at all. It's about the person in front doing the right thing instead of breaking road laws, killing the flow of traffic or being too distracted by their GPS/passengers/phone to drive to the conditions and keep track of vehicles around them.

    What do I want from you, if you are the person I've described above? Sort out your distractions on the side of the road or at a petrol station, etc. and then rejoin the public roads when you're good and ready to do the posted limit (or closer to it) and use the correct lanes.

    I get really annoyed by people who are so busy on a phone call or texting that they cause others to miss green lights or otherwise just slow things down by needing to be beeped to realise they need to be moving. If their socialising is more important than driving, then go sit at Maccas until you're done, then drive home/wherever safely instead of putting everyone at risk for the sake of sending selfies or emojis.

    About a month or two ago, some P plater ute was driving erratically when I was close to home, changing lanes to gain half a car length, changing back, etc. all the way down a 3 lane road which had a speed limit of 80km/h. He got behind a 4 wheel drive as the road became 2 lanes after a set of lights, and was right up his arse. The 4 wheel drive slowly but surely came to a complete stop shortly afterwards, as I passed, the ute driver clearly knew why, and just sat and accepted it. Then drove like a normal person after that, until I turned off at least.

    • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 00:08

      Absolutely agree about people going too slow in the right-hand lane.

      I'm always on the left, always at the limit. And no phones or distractions here. You're right, too many people are texting and chatting on the phone (not handsfree).

      Love your 4WD story. Clearly my best course of action next time is to s l o w down. :)

  • Thenarrator on 13/04/2016 - 22:05
    -2

    slam your breaks and let them rear end you. claim through insurance. make him pay. if damage is not severe enough on your car and u can live with it, earn $700 profit. even better

    • Neatoboy on 13/04/2016 - 22:10
      +1

      What if the tailgater is not insured, unlicensed and/or drunk?

      • Thenarrator on 13/04/2016 - 22:13
        +1

        as long as you have comprehensive, ur insurance do the work for you regardless of whether theyre insured or not.

        • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:55

          Oh is this true? i.e. regardless of the other driver's status, my comprehensive insurance will 100% cover me if it's the other party's fault? Cool.

          But that's not the case if someone hits my car while I'm not in it (eg parking lot), and then just disappears. Is that right?

        • Thenarrator on 14/04/2016 - 20:16

          @kyttiekat: er mate i never said anything about claiming when the other is at fault.

        • kyttiekat on 16/04/2016 - 13:21

          @Thenarrator: Ah woops, misunderstood, my bad.

      • Daabido on 13/04/2016 - 22:20
        +4

        Then you win the trifecta?

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:56

      I admit I have thought of this when I'm not in a hurry and could "wait" to deal with the dramas of an accident hah. But defs not at high speeds like 90! I'd never do it though.

      Also, I thought I read somewhere that it's illegal to do it and you could be at fault instead? (I suppose if they can prove you slammed on the breaks for no real reasons - eg dashcam?)

      • Thenarrator on 14/04/2016 - 20:18

        bro it is so easy to prove why you slammed the breaks than it is to prove why he was so close to you. eg you can say theres a pigeon on the road, theres uneven surface.. million possibilities

  • garffi on 13/04/2016 - 22:15
    +1

    Omg this happens to me as well. Maybe because I'm a L-plater, but I'm always driving at the speed limit though…
    I think they assume that I'm a bad driver so they tailgate me until there's a opening on the other lane to overtake me.
    I get easily pressured and sometimes go over the limit…

    • shanakatak on 13/04/2016 - 22:24
      +2

      Don't give in this would always happen to me especially in roadwork zones around my area (from 80km/h to 40km/h)
      had someone tailgate me and eventually undertake me by driving off the road. Unmarked cop behind him immediately put his lights on XD.

      • garffi on 13/04/2016 - 22:37
        +1

        Yeah, I'll try >.<
        Hahaha karma. I wished that happened to the guys that tailgated me.

      • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:54
        +2

        I had this happen too over the Easter long weekend. Someone was tailing me as usual, on a multi-lane road where he was free to overtake. Then he switched lanes and zooooomed past. The cops hiding on the side of the road immediately pulled him over. I cruised past with a smirk. :) Double demerits baby!

      • evilredfin on 14/04/2016 - 13:16

        I love hearing stories like this. Tailgaters get what they deserve when they drive dangerously.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:53

      Oh yes. It was worse when I was an L-plater. Actually.. maybe it was better, because people kept a wide berth around me. Yeah. I think it's worse as a P-plater. Don't go over the limit for them! When you get caught, they'll happily cruise off while you lose your licence and/or pay a fine etc.

      • shanakatak on 14/04/2016 - 00:41
        +2

        For me I know my L plates were far worse then P plates. Although I'm in VIC so we don't have arbitrary maximums for P/L plates.
        Never brake check as this can be classed as reckless driving and if someone gets hurt you are also now partly responsible.
        My favourite strategy is to turn it into a game and make up a fake commentary of what they are saying while behind me. e.g the elderly man who is still working in mph wondering why these whippersnappers are going so slow, the young lady who must stay withing 1 metre of the car in front of her or her car will detonate (think the movie speed)
        This really cuts out the stress and intimidation.

        • CircularIllusion on 15/04/2016 - 09:53

          Although I'm in VIC so we don't have arbitrary maximums for P/L plates.

          SERIOUSLY? I just learn this now? I have a Red P and recently did a drive with my fully licensed mother from NSW to VIC. Driving for me was the most painful thing ever since I constantly had cars queuing up behind me just so I they could overtake when an overtaking lane available. This whole time I could've travelled at 100 or 110 instead of the 90 I'm restricted to in NSW. sigh

          (Yes, I had a look if my 90 applied interstate. As far as I can tell, it doesn't.)

    • Ughhh on 14/04/2016 - 01:48
      +3

      I tailgate sometimes, but only to the super idiots blocking traffic who don't pay attention to road signs. To do it to a L-plater is a pretty shitty move.

  • shanakatak on 13/04/2016 - 22:21
    +1

    Interesting factor is the p-plates. As a P-Plater I'm fairly concious of my speed due to our low demerit point allowance.
    I constantly get people tailgating me for sitting on the speed limit. To add to this I drive a Hilux with a rear step so any driver tailgaiting needs to watch for the large steel bar protruding behind me.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:51

      YES YES YES. I'm ultra-conscious of my speed because of the low allowance too. Which is why I always know I'm not going too slowly, nor too fast, but mostly just on the limit. But so many tailgaters…

      The large steel bar at the back sounds helpful to your cause though!

  • GregRust on 13/04/2016 - 22:30
    +2

    What about doing the speed limit in the right-hand lane? Do people still get tailgated?

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:58
      +1

      I have. When I get into the right-hand lane because my exit / turn is coming up on the right, and I'm doing the limit, people will still tailgate me. And I don't want to move over because I'm too close to my damn exit. (Once, I did move, and then of course the traffic was too busy to let me get back into that lane safely and I missed the turn. No more nice girl.)

      That could just be because of my P-Plater/hatchback combo.

  • ATangk on 13/04/2016 - 22:30

    If I ever tailgate someone, its almost always that they're driving whilst using their phone. Of the slower drivers, rarely is it that the drivers are just being safe, but rather it is that they are distracted and on their phone. Im not talking about the drivers that stick at or slightly below the speed limit, but more than 5-10k's under.

  • muncan on 13/04/2016 - 22:48
    +2

    Will people tailgate driverless cars?
    Will driverless cars tailgate people??

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:49

      Ahaha - what a good point! I wonder. :)

      There was that Google driverless car that was out on the roads in the last few months…

  • ozlab on 13/04/2016 - 22:48

    Get a dash cam and post it on youtube

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:50
      +2

      I may need to get one. I was thinking of a front-facing cam only, not a rear one though.

      • ozlab on 14/04/2016 - 12:11

        I would imagine many times people do stupid thing behind your car and the dash cam can have clear view of what they are doing.

        • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 12:38

          Yeah true. Plus it would make for good youtube vids. :) If only for my own catalogue to share with friends and rant about it together!

  • nimnomnimy on 13/04/2016 - 22:56
    +1

    if I'm going the speed limit (usually 1-2km over) then I will slow down, if I was driving below the limit because I was in my own world, I move over when I can.

    If I'm tailgating you it's because you are going below the limit or letting in more than 1 person who is cutting the queue or I'm blocking a queue cutter.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:48
      +1

      Thanks for sharing. I like the slowing down idea if I'm already doing the limit.

      Oh man - queue cutters! There are some places where people have figured out there's a side lane / side street / clearway that they'll drive in, skip everyone, and then force themselves in. Sigh. Makes me hate them but also wish I had the balls to do that. (Or not.. feels really wrong).

      • nimnomnimy on 14/04/2016 - 12:28

        I felt the same way for the longest time (I travel over the Westgate everyday) but after 2 years of resistance, I've just become one of them, because I was actually becoming a very angry person and it was ruining my day.

        • salbee28 on 14/04/2016 - 16:57

          I also drive the Westgate everyday & these queue cutters really annoy me, so I welcome the new Kings Way division of lanes with barricades to prevent it now.

          I also notice it happens a lot with people driving down service lanes to merge in much later than they should on the freeway. I now just keep the gaps closed as much as possible & guess what, if you aren't indicating to merge, you aren't getting in. I am not under any obligation to let you into the traffic if you aren't indicating your intent to get into it.

        • nimnomnimy on 14/04/2016 - 22:30
          +1

          @salbee28: I like the kings way division too, I think it's improved the flow of traffic. The problem is princes fwy split and the merge lane under the bridge, they need to do the same thing or just close off that left lane that keeps on the west

        • salbee28 on 15/04/2016 - 09:11

          @clickship: It definitely has improved it, plus now I can take Kings Way to get onto Montague St instead of having to stay in the right lanes sitting in traffic, saving a few minutes is always nice.

          That spot has always been a major annoyance of mine too, it's not like the exits aren't well signed with a lot of advance warning. I have increasingly been experimenting with ways to avoid the Westgate lately as it has just been too ridiculous sitting in stop start traffic for "Road Works".

        • nimnomnimy on 15/04/2016 - 21:27
          +1

          @salbee28: as much as I dislike the Andrews government, the proposed infrastructure development across the Westgate and Monash is welcome news to me.

          The second bridge over couldn't come sooner but I suspect the overwhelming population growth in the west with offset it very quickly

        • salbee28 on 18/04/2016 - 11:59

          @clickship: The west also just needs better infrastructure in general, I am out Point Cook way & the lack of forethought while they were originally building up the area is astonishing. Group that with supposed "Upgrades" that did absolutely nothing, a lot of very unhappy campers.

        • nimnomnimy on 18/04/2016 - 21:54

          @salbee28: we went from point cook to truganina which is much better for freeway access but I know what you mean.

          Even the new sneydes freeway entrance is a huge loop, I hope it's better when it's completed.

          Btw how are there so many medical clinics? There is literally one on every corner in point cook and truganina.

        • salbee28 on 19/04/2016 - 09:31

          @clickship: Palmers Road is an actual nightmare & unfortunately my closest freeway entrance (I have to get on it from Dunnings Rd). They apparently just did a $3 Million upgrade on that section, which did nothing but widened a footpath & resurfaced a tiny section of the road, when they actually needed to add an entire second lane to the whole road to ease the congestion, but that would have been logical.

          There is SO many medical clinics, its borderline ridiculous. Also up directly across from the Werribee Mercy hospital there is a medical centre that has nothing but like 6-8 dentists in it, seems like a bit of overkill.

        • nimnomnimy on 19/04/2016 - 17:50

          @salbee28:
          One for every tooth.

          I noticed today the Kings way exit now let's you to the city and to south Melb through lotimer. When did they do that?

        • salbee28 on 20/04/2016 - 09:48

          @clickship: They snuck that in when they added that lane division of Kings Way I believe, the Montague St exit from Kings Way & lane division appeared literally overnight.

        • nimnomnimy on 20/04/2016 - 22:34
          +1

          @salbee28:

          I want to take a picture of it, make it a meme, send it to Daniel Andrews along with a highlighted map of the rest of Melbourne with the caption "missed a spot"

        • salbee28 on 21/04/2016 - 09:53

          @clickship: Please do that!

          Part of me is hoping it isn't just a temporary measure to get people used to the new lane divisions, those barricades don't look awfully permanent :O

  • Nillionaire on 13/04/2016 - 23:06

    Call the bikies to surround their car.

  • nnimos on 13/04/2016 - 23:09
    +1

    For all the people that are complaining and saying that they are able to do whatever speed they like. Did you know that when you go for your Probationary license test in Victoria, you are able to fail the test by "If the applicant travels 10km/h or more below the speed limit"?

  • Nillionaire on 13/04/2016 - 23:14

    Dashcam - Or if someone else is in the car with you, tell them to get their plate number and pictures of them if they can.

    OR

    If you're capable and comfortable;
    Slow down and stop safely. If they rear end you with damages, claim insurance. If they don't and stop as well, get out of the car safely and do (legal)stuff to them.

    Disclaimer: These are just my (possibly retarded) thoughts as a teenager that does not drive yet.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:46

      Thanks for your thoughts! Yes I've wanted to get a dash cam for a while now. But I was only really considering a front cam, not a rear one too ughh. I think the slowing down idea is best (with my doors locked if it's the middle of the night!)… what are they going to do, keep travelling behind me ultra-slowly? Surely the entertainment wears off eventually!

      Are you legally allowed to drive yet, and just haven't? Or not of age?

  • BanannaMan on 13/04/2016 - 23:16
    +2

    If you want to get rid of a tailgate, pretend you're drunk.. Swerve a little, pretend you're running off the Rd and Jerk back

    Funniest thing, people fly back well away

    But I'm usually a tailgater, only in the right lane when someone's doing 40 in a 60 zone refusing to go in they left lane… Wtf!

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:44

      Hah! I like the drunk idea. But I worry that could actually endanger me instead. :P

    • tomleonhart on 14/04/2016 - 07:18
      -4

      What's wrong with doing 40 in the 60 zone? I don't do it but legally they don't have to move left.

      • Clear on 14/04/2016 - 07:42

        In our L and P tests they warn us not to as you can get pulled over and fined for driving far too slow. By law they have to keep left. It could be state specific though.

        • tomleonhart on 14/04/2016 - 07:48

          Unless you're on the freeway then I can see why you get booked for going too slow. I can't see doing 40 in a 60 zone cause any danger to anyone, they cause nuisance. In NSW, you don't have to keep left unless posted speed limit is above 80.

        • Clear on 14/04/2016 - 08:33

          @tomleonhart: Disrupting the flow of traffic is the phrase they throw around a lot.

        • tomleonhart on 14/04/2016 - 09:09

          @Clear: doesn't justify you tailgate other road users though. Even if you think they are disrupting the flow of traffic.

        • Clear on 14/04/2016 - 09:18

          @tomleonhart: Unfortunately many people think they can.

      • BanannaMan on 14/04/2016 - 08:53

        I had a mate that did exactly this to a tailgater..

        The nut overtook him, slammed on his brakes till both of them stopped… got out of his car and approached my mates car
        My mate freaked out and drove off..

        I use to slow down to tailgaters till i heard this story
        I prefer the drunk method.. obviously i look out for cops haha

        • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 12:07
          +1

          Jeez. So many nutters!

      • Ughhh on 14/04/2016 - 09:44
        +1

        Im my practice driving test to graduate from Learners to P-plates, my instructor actually said going below 46km/hr in a 50km/hr zone would yield me minus points, I should be going equal or greater than 47 and 50 or less, except for circumstances like about to make a turn, people walking awfully close to the road etc. (Could vary and state to state).

        I ended up getting 100% pass on my exam :)

        • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 12:07

          Same. I was told 5km less is too slow (unless there are hazards).

  • fryandlaurie on 14/04/2016 - 00:48

    I wanted to ask this here. Is it OK for me to be in the middle lane in the M4 (Syd) during peak hours (both in morning e/b 9am and afternoon w/b 5.30pm) but leave a bit of distance up ahead of me when everything is congested? There is no point of speeding and braking all the time when the average traffic speed is not very high in the first place. I get tailgaters naturally and just move to the left lane. I also do this when I see a truck behind me as I know they have to gain every second they can. However, I see quite a few other cars and trucks do the same as me sometimes and leave gaps to reflect the average traffic speed. I am thinking I should just start my commute in the left lane to begin with but there's usually even more congestion there due to exiting lanes and merging traffic.

    • muncan on 14/04/2016 - 08:30
      +2

      I'd like to think so, as this is how I drive.
      My driving instructor was Captain Falcon

    • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2016 - 10:10

      Yes, I get this sometimes too. I get tailgaters when I'm keeping a 3s distance away from the car infront of me during peak hour and get tailgaters. Whats the point?

      I've got a rear dashcam so I'm not feeling pressured anymore.

    • miicah on 14/04/2016 - 13:10
      +1

      I try to do this as well, but people always cut in front of me. It's not like I'm leaving that gap for you to dart into…

  • Dsquall on 14/04/2016 - 00:51

    I have an uncle that learnt to drive in another country, his default driving style is to tailgate people as that is how he learnt to drive (in some places if you don't tailgate everyone will cut in front of you). He doesn't even realise he's doing it most of the time.

    Personally I tailgate In a few situations (I'll be honest and not make excuses)
    1. I'm in a right turn lane with a kilometre of traffic behind me and I'm close to the front of the line, I can't stand people that cut into the queue, I check my rear view and I'm understanding of the fact that some people might underestimate the queue of be forced to merge but if you just zoomed up straight to the front to cut in, I won't let you in.
    2. If you're going significantly under the speed limit for an extended period of time and there is no way to safely overtake you (ie 25km/h in a 50 zone and you aren't an L plater).
    3. i have an emergency and you're going below the speed limit and there is no way to overtake. This happens sometimes, I'm probably not right in doing it but I'm just being honest.
    4. I'm driving in the city.

    P.s. The braking thing is known as brake checking and very much illegal, it can cause accidents and injuries not only to the yourself and the tailgater but traffic behind as well. Even though you may feel annoyed at tailgaters sometimes I wouldn't advise you do this, especially given the amount of dash cams out there these days.

  • TheBird on 14/04/2016 - 01:34

    If they're tailgating, just fart, open a window, sit back and enjoy the stench of your false victory.

    • franco cozzo on 14/04/2016 - 04:27
      +5

      so you intimidate and break road rules when you feel like it. great driver….

        • franco cozzo on 14/04/2016 - 15:59
          +3

          well theres being an arsehole and then theres the kind of level of arseholery that you take it to….well done for making the roads worse than they already are

        • BanannaMan on 14/04/2016 - 22:49
          +3

          I cant actually tell if you're taking the piss or being serious..

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