Tailgaiting & Road Rage, consequences for your actions?

Mitchel on 07/04/2017 - 11:26

I have a question for the people who tailgate, why do you do it?

This morning I saw someone tailgating another car, when the tailgater got in front of the car previously behind, the driver of the car behind got out and clocked the hoon a few good ones. Quite entertaining to see this.

What are the community's thoughts on this?
Tailgating is not maintaining a safe stopping distance / driving in a menacing fashion.
Clocking a hoon is Assault.

Why do people do these things without thinking of the possible consequences? Please, help me understand.

Automotive

Comments

        • Tj1999 on 10/04/2017 - 13:58

          @Cheap Charlie:
          Perhaps they should both do a driving test, and an IQ test. I'm pretty sure i know who would win both.

        • Xenox1997 on 11/04/2017 - 11:40
          -1

          @btst7000:

          It's funny to see armchair experts who are adamant that speeding is the root of all evil.

          The problem is, the laws surrounding the use of roads, licensing etc. Are designed so even total idiots can get licenses. Accordingly, speed limits take into account unskilled drivers, older vehicles, bad conditions etc.

          When it comes to 'speeding', a sober, skilled driver in a modern vehicle is very unlikely to be involved in a crash when exceeding some of the ridiculously low speed limits in parts of Australia. Especially on highways (e.g Melbourne to Sydney)

          Look at countries like Germany, they have the autobahn where there is no speed limit, and their road toll is lesser than ours in Australia. I believe this is due to the fact that they have very rigorous driver training programs, but also they drive high quality vehicles for the most part.

          We should have a separate licence type for drivers who are competent enough to understand and adjust to road conditions and the vehicle's capabilities,and are confident enough to dictate their own speed. As opposed to drivers who need to rely on a sign to tell them what speed they should be doing.

          At the same time though, the vast majority of the general public deem themselves to be above-average drivers. It isn't until you get into an accident that you realise you're not as skilled as you thought.

          It's not hard to see that we live in a nanny state where revenue raising is the primary agenda, and safety is secondary.

          If only the government implemented compulsory driver training courses as opposed to fining people for going 2km over in an 80 zone and calling it safety

        • Cheapo333 on 11/04/2017 - 22:26
          -1

          @Xenox1997:
          1. Yes, we all need to abide by the same laws. Go live in North Korea if you don't agree.

          1. Go live in Germany if you want to drive on the Autobahn.

          2. We do have separate licences types for drivers for different driver skill levels. Learner, P1, P2 and unrestricted.

          3. I can tell you probably think you are an above average driver.

          4. If you don't like getting fined for speeding, don't speed. Complaining here won't help you.

          5. Actually, there is a compulsory driving course. Everyone applying for a licence needs to sit a driver knowledge and practical test. The problem is people like you have forgotten about the driving basics such as complying with speed limits. So this is one point I agree with you, that people like you need more driver training.

        • Xenox1997 on 12/04/2017 - 01:40
          -1

          @Cheapo333:

          1) laws change. To suggest that I move to Korea because I disagree with one law is absurd. Please don't be so childish. I'm sure there are laws that you also disagree with.

          2) Another stupid point. You're really good at these. Any fool can pass the Learner test, and it isn't a practical test, it is more a measure of memory rather than skill. The p1 test is the only test that judges based on skill. P2 license and unrestricted licenses do not require tests. I could get my p1 license and not drive for 5 years but I'd automatically get my full license. That doesn't make me a more skilled driver.

          3) you're wrong, again.

          4) I've never had a speeding fine.

          5) that's not a compulsory driving course you moron, that's a compulsory test. There is a difference.

          A person as mentally inept as you should not be allowed on the internet, let alone in the driver's seat of a car.

        • btst7000 on 13/04/2017 - 00:02

          @Xenox1997:
          You're goddamn right

      • Raihoo on 09/04/2017 - 09:45

        Was this on a road marked 80 or higher?

        If it was, it sounds like you should've been in the lane this person used to undertake you instead of sitting in the right hand lane. That's based purely on this person having enough room in a lane to your left to undertake you, which to me sounds like you weren't currently overtaking and should've been keeping left.

        Of course I wasn't there, and have painted my own picture of the situation by filling in the many blanks. Happy to have those blanks filled in and picture corrected!

        • syousef on 09/04/2017 - 16:09

          There are reasons to be in the right other than overtaking, like turning right.

          Typically I see this when I'm in the middle lane. Often when I've just passed a P or L plater at higher speeds but I've seen it on roads with various speed limits.

          You're right that you're filling in a lot of blanks without knowing the situation(s) <— multiple.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2017 - 16:05

        If a driver can't handle doing 150 on a highway they shouldn't be allowed to drive.

        • syousef on 09/04/2017 - 16:11
          -2

          How exactly do you test that without breaking the speed limit? I think you'll find the authorities take the position that if you've ever done 150 on a highway you shouldn't be allowed to drive.

      • iDroid on 10/04/2017 - 12:18

        Likely doing 10-20 over JUST TO GET PASSED YOU IN FRUSTRATION.

        A couple of km/hr under is acceptable.

        Says you, thanks for defining what's right/wrong since you're an authority on the matter.

        Do you know what's more acceptable?? Being considerate and moving out of the way (when practical). THAT's acceptable.

        Doing a couple km/r under IS NOT ACCEPTABLE when you could just move out of the way. It's called being INCONSIDERATE..

        See the difference there? One is being a sanctimonious arse, the other is being a considerate being. You choose, but don't be surprised if someone gets a bit upset when you choose the wrong one.

    • Archi on 07/04/2017 - 15:19

      no one is forcing you to drive behind the person that is driving slower than you… the road is wide enough for you to overtake, or take an alternative route.

      • [Deactivated] on 07/04/2017 - 17:32

        Until you're on a single lane road up a mountain with someone doing 10km up the hill

        • Archi on 07/04/2017 - 20:58
          +1

          Then I would advise you to stay behind that person no matter what.

          There is never an appropriate time and place to do what ever it is that you think that makes you feel like you are better than everyone else. Even if it means risking the safety of your self or others.

        • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2017 - 08:20
          +1

          @Archi:

          Pretty obvious what i mean
          It's the idiot 4wd and caravan drivers who sit in the overtaking lane then cut back into the single lane

          Not only does it piss everyone off its REALLY BLOODY annoying, You see stupid driving nearly every day on the roads

          Much worse in Brisbane with clueless uber and lyft drivers relying on Google maps rather than a dedicated GPS

          Cutting across lanes, turning from the wrong lane, pathetic

        • Archi on 09/04/2017 - 08:20
          +1

          @shawncro 222:

          Your going to get idiot drivers in all sorts or vehicles, driving in all sorts of scenarios and there is nothing you can do about it. They could be genuinely making a mistake and not intentional but also there are people out there that do these things intentionally.

          I learnt a very important lesson from a very experienced rider when I was learning how to ride a motorcycle many years ago. He told me you can be the best rider in the world and have the most experience and try to avoid having an accident but all that won't help you getting hit by an idiot, so you have to anticipate the accident. Because you are riding a motorcycle, the reality is if you have an accident you are not likely to walk away from it.

          So when I'm driving now my mentality is to avoid the potential accident.

          You will never get rid or idiot drivers

        • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2017 - 10:16

          @Archi:

          Idiot drivers can be removed
          simply by taking their priveledge to drive away from them, same goes for riders who can't follow the law

          I see idiot riders a lot too weaving in and out of traffic on gympie road around chermside and also cutting through traffic dangerously
          Not following the proper filtering laws, every day last week on the road, motorcycle accidents

          If a lane is stopped, cutting up the inside left lane to cut back into the next lane is not a mistake, its blatent disregard for not only traffic laws but to the safety of them and others around them ,there is no genuine mistake being made there, the fact if theyre too impatient to sit in the queue of traffic and want to be 2 cars ahead of me and every one else, doing an experiment every day I would watch the P Plater ute and van drivers weave in and out of traffic only to end up either next to them or a car behind them 5km later, not only did they waste all that fuel and were driving like a (profanity) theyve saved literally NO time

          You can't compete with traffic light timings, although the drivers on their phone fluffing around with uber, lyft or google maps are the infuriating people who cost time on the road, some lights have short timings and these idiots cost 2-3 cars by them ILLEGALLY being on the phone

        • JMC on 09/04/2017 - 11:44
          +1

          I was recently driving on an unfamiliar mountain road at night. While I wasn't going 10 kph, I was dipping below the speed limit fairly often (driving as fast as I was confident, given that I did not know the road). Some (profanity) in a huge 4WD tailgated me the whole way down, even at sections where we sped up to 70-80 kph.

          It's annoying being stuck behind a slower driver, but tailgating does not make them faster. All it does is increase the risk to both parties, and distract the person in front from their driving. It's not excusable.

        • Architectonic on 09/04/2017 - 12:34

          @Archi:

          Anticipating idiots is still a skill. The lesson is that even if you are the best rider (including anticipating other's behaviour), you're still taking a risk when there are other idiots on the road.

          Driving (or riding) are among the most dangerous activities that people in this country do, when looking at burden of disease/injury statistics. It would be great if most people realised this and behaved accordingly.

        • Archi on 09/04/2017 - 19:27

          @shawncro 222:

          Unless you put them in jail they just become unlicensed idiot drivers

          Again with technology and unfortunately because it already exist in the car in the form of large screens, GPS, Entertainment, music, mobile phones it'll never be removed. Education and prevention is key, and the only education to get through to peoples head is when something nasty happens to someone close to them, even that might not even stop them.

          Another lesson I've learned whilst motorecycle riding is… "just because you can, doesn't mean you should" things like lane filtering, weaving and speeding. That would apply to driving and riding a bicycle.

          Again people have choice and because they choose to do things in a certain way. We as other road users that share that space also have a choice on how we react. Make the situation more dangerous or ignore and be the better person, knowing you have done the right thing.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/04/2017 - 23:41

          @JMC: You do realise that it's your responsibility to pull over and let faster cars pass, right?

        • JMC on 10/04/2017 - 07:59

          @Burnertoasty:

          It was a narrow road with guard rails on my side. I would have happily pulled over (legal obligation or not) to have gotten that idiot out from behind me. And even in sections where I was sitting on the speed limit, the guy was tailgating me.

        • Archi on 10/04/2017 - 09:14

          @Architectonic:

          exactly, a skill that is acquired over time a skill that requires lots of practice.

        • [Deactivated] on 10/04/2017 - 10:02

          @JMC: I've never been on a mountain road without designated pull over zones ok the corners. It's a miracle you found one.

        • Architectonic on 10/04/2017 - 10:08

          @shawncro 222:

          Yes, I agree. Those who deliberately put other peoples lives at risk should no longer have the privilege to drive.

        • Shadowsfury on 10/04/2017 - 20:59

          @JMC:

          Presumably the road straightened out which is why all of a sudden you could do the speed limit again. This would have been the perfect time to have put your left indicator down, slowed down, and let them pass.

          I find it more frustrating when people are inconsistent with their speeds like that as it means you're stuck behind them even longer.

          I don't tailgate but I will be following you a few seconds behind and jump at any safe opportunity to overtake. I'm also someone that would leave an even bigger gap in front if someone is tailgating me to account for their lack of stopping distance.

        • Cheapo333 on 11/04/2017 - 23:01

          @shawncro 222:
          What law is the motorbike breaking by using a free left hand lane and merging back safely when the lane ends? I understand it seems unfair and annoying, but if you get annoyed of the fact they are cutting in 2 positions for practically no gain as you say, why are you annoyed for losing 2 positions for practically no loss. When in traffic, you just have to travel with the flow and turn your emotions off.

          Just try and believe those people overtaking need to do a poo, and they need to go in a hurry!

      • airal3rt on 07/04/2017 - 22:20
        +4

        no one is forcing you to drive behind the person

        You're taking the piss, surely?

        These fu cking clowns illegally sit in the overtaking lane doing way under the speed limit completely disregarding the huge roadblock they cause.

        • Archi on 07/04/2017 - 22:51
          +2

          I didn't say the slow driver was wrong or right, or they were driving on a single lane road or multilane highway.

          The person behind has a choice.

          A choice to tailgate that may end in a verbal exchange or end physical altacation,

          A choice to slow down and wait for an opportunity to overtake and everyone gets home safely.

          Maybe there was something wrong with the car infront, maybe thw car in front doesn't feel safe for some reason.

          Maybe your right and the guy in front is a total dick but that's just making an assumption.

          Maybe the slow guy in front is looking for an excuse and waiting for someone to tailgate and swear at him so he has an outlet to pull a gun and hurt someone.

          But hey what do I know I'm just the guy driving 4 cars behind you and wants to go home to see my family

      • iDroid on 10/04/2017 - 12:21

        Riiiiiight..

        If it was that simple then that's what would happen. Typically there is not any way to get around them as they typically sit side by side with another slow vehicle (truck, bus, granny, whatnot).

        If they could just overtake I think that's more than likely what they'd do…..Don't ya think?

        • Archi on 11/04/2017 - 23:19

          Oohh

        • Archi on 11/04/2017 - 23:20

          Idroid,
          There is always the option of overtaking on the opposite side of the road.. probably just as dangerous as tailgating someone

          Not that hadn't happened before either.. like I said people have a choice to either wait for a safe opportunity or choose to endanger other road users. It comes down to choice.

    • GregMonarch on 07/04/2017 - 22:31
      +2

      They can just wait 60 seconds for the next overtaking lane.

      I've been driving along 70km/h roads in Sydney, there's been at least 2 lanes for kms - and I'm doing 65-70. Yet twit after twit zooms up my bumper trying to scare me into going faster, then jerks out into the right lane, cuts back in again so close that you have to hit the brakes - to show their disgust that I'm not also begging for a speeding fine - then zooms off doing 80+.

    • terrys on 08/04/2017 - 12:43

      The laws of the land prescribe, the laws of physics describe.

    • Brianqpr on 09/04/2017 - 10:26

      I've been tailgated plenty of times when on and even above the speed limit so the comments about it being because others are driving too slow are rubbish. Some morons will do it anyway.

    • smartazz104 on 09/04/2017 - 18:07

      9 times out of 10 people who tailgate aren't doing it because the car in from is going 30 under; lets face it, the tailgater is probably too dumb to figure out how fast they are going, what makes you think they can guess the speed of the car in front? The tailgater is almost always speeding.

      • iDroid on 10/04/2017 - 12:25

        The tailgater is almost always frustrated at the lack of consideration of the driver in front. FTFY.

        There's more than top speed that can be frustrating. I think it's unlikely that someone is tailgating "for the hell of it"

  • geek001 on 07/04/2017 - 11:44
    +36

    Don't worry about the tailgaters. If I am doing the speed limit already, I am not going to break the law and go faster just because I am tailgated. Too bad so sad, just have to wait behind me. There are exceptions though, if you are on a 2 lane road going in the same direction with speed limits over 80km/hr, you are supposed to keep left unless you are overtaking.

    • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 12:22
      +15

      So frustrating on a 110km road and they're doing 80km in the right lane. The amount of times I've had to go left to overtake…

      • Nugs on 07/04/2017 - 13:47
        +1

        undertaking - an option some don't seem to like

      • syousef on 07/04/2017 - 15:09

        And how long do you give them to move over. From my experience there's often a long line of people undertaking impatiently and not letting them get into the left lane.

        • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 15:10
          +1

          On this particular highway you'll be stuck behind them for well over 10 minutes.

        • syousef on 07/04/2017 - 15:12

          @Clear:

          People who get frustrated too quickly can largely alleviate the situation by letting people move left instead of trying to speed past them. But there will still be some drivers doing the wrong thing who sit in the right lane.

        • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 15:30
          +1

          @syousef: Yeah that's my point. Majority of people will move to the right when they're going slow. It's just frustrating having the small percentage that go slow and stay in the right lane. To be fair they could be inexperienced on the particular road or tourists.

        • syousef on 07/04/2017 - 15:31
          +2

          @Clear:

          Agree that it is frustrating. The solution is never going to be tailgating and road rage though. That will just get people hurt and killed.

      • GregMonarch on 07/04/2017 - 22:40
        -1

        I've been in the reverse situation. You're in the left lane, leaving Sydney, going uphill. The truck ahead can't maintain speed. And it's raining. You can see well enough on your left, but not your right. I don't need to be out in front all the time, so I'm happy to stay behind trucks. But when they slow to < 40km/h… So you overtake the truck. You're now in the second lane, and there's 3 or 4 lanes in total. BUT you can't see the left now because of the rain, the truck headlights, reflections of headlights on the wet road, and don't know if some fool has zipped in between you and the truck. So you don't have good enough view to safely get back into the left-most lane. So what does the twit behind you do? They drive even closer, meaning you get even more light-reflections. Some even flash their lights. Utter idiots. If they have such a better view than me - then use the 3rd or 4th lane, go around me, then I won't have so many lights in my mirror, and WILL be able to move fully left again.

        • GregMonarch on 08/04/2017 - 17:13

          Oops. Typo. Should have read: "You can see well enough on your right, but not your left." (Due to being closer to your right mirror and door glass - the further away you are, the more the water distorts your mirror/seeing through the glass.) So it's harder to see your left side when it's raining. You can often see well enough to move into lane 2 around a slow truck, but not well enough to move left again.

      • smartazz104 on 09/04/2017 - 18:07

        Why are you in the right lane if there is space in the left lane though…

        • Clear on 09/04/2017 - 18:20

          Because I'll be straight back into the right lane with the slow traffic and trucks in the left lane.

          I shouldn't have to go left when the right lane is for overtaking and I shouldn't be stuck behind people under the limit in the right lane.

    • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2017 - 02:42

      If I am doing the speed limit already, I am not going to break the law and go faster

      Have you noticed road signage stating "keep left unless overtaking"?

      • Piranha2004 on 08/04/2017 - 08:56

        So they are fine if doing the speed limit and passing cars in the left lane. I've had people tailgate me While overtaking people on the left.

      • geek001 on 08/04/2017 - 09:23

        Sorry, no such signs in QLD unless you are on the highway maybe.

    • Illian on 09/04/2017 - 13:44

      Exactly this. I'm pretty much always on the limit, and am rarely tailgated and usually one of the fastest on the road anyway. So when someone comes speeding up to me I know they're over the limit and they're gonna find an immovable brick, I can't be intimidated and it's very easy to pretend they're not there. I haven't even had a problem on the 3/4 lane highway in 110 zones in the far right going 5km over, last two years only had a handful of people feel the need to go 20+ over the limit and pass me on the left. Although regarding another comment, I've noticed it does happen more in poorer areas too.

    • iDroid on 10/04/2017 - 12:30
      +1

      There's laws and there's just being a decent person.

      Who gives a sh!t if what you're doing is "legal" if you're being an inconsiderate arse, legal or not, you're still an inconsiderate arse. YOU don't know why the person behind you wants you to move over and you shouldn't care. It has little to no effect to let someone pass. Holding them up could have.

      Just be considerate and less self righteous and everyone will be happy.

      • geek001 on 10/04/2017 - 12:41
        -1

        Maybe you should look in the mirror and have a think about who is being the arse?

        If you are in a real emergency situation, you could:

        1. Go around (Most logical solution).
        2. Use your horn and headlights to tell the other person you are in an emergency situation.

        If I have to go a little slower than the speed limit like towing or having car trouble, sure I would move over. You can suck my tailpipe otherwise.

        • iDroid on 10/04/2017 - 12:48

          Ok, awesome. So you think that being an inconsiderate arse for no reason at all is good.

          Glad to not be associated with you.

          I'm quite sure I'm not an arse. I try to be as considerate to others as I can. But I'm not tolerant of people being inconsiderate for the sake of it.

          Each to their own and you've made it pretty clear where you sit. Enjoy that sanctimony.

          Your ideas are laughable too "Go around", of course I would, but this situation typically arises when that's not possible because the arse is blocking the lane that's intended to be used for such things.

          Remember the compulsory questions when you took your Ls? One of those was "Keep as left as practical at all times".. Seems no one remembers this one.

        • iDroid on 10/04/2017 - 12:53

          Use your horn and headlights to tell the other person you are in an emergency situation.

          Sometimes people are in a hurry for non emergency reasons, and that driver that's being inconsiderate should just move over all the same.. Why not? Why be an arse for no reason? I just don't get that and will not accept that is "the right thing".

        • geek001 on 10/04/2017 - 13:45

          @iDroid: Your excuses for not going around is weak. If it is a one lane road, you can't do much anyway? What do you expect the guy in front to do? Pull over so you can pass? If it is a 2 lane road, you can always go around?

          I'm quite sure I'm not an arse. I try to be as considerate to others as I can. But I'm not tolerant of people being inconsiderate for the sake of it.

          So you think breaking the law is better? Sorry mate, arses are like smelly people. Everyone knows it except you.

        • iDroid on 10/04/2017 - 14:07
          +1

          @geek001:

          Are you really that naive? Like I said, this situation typically arises when that's not possible because the arse is blocking the lane that's intended to be used for such things.

          I see no "need" to get annoyed when there is opportunity to pass. Drivers should still keep left for the safety of all. But agreed, no need when you can pass. Right? Got that one, lets move on from that, since that's not a scenario I'm referring to.

          Now, the situation where I can't pass because some inconsiderate arse is blocking the road (right hand lanes on multi-lane roads). That's the situation I'm referring to. Even though, not keeping left is dangerous for any number of reasons, but not as frustrating as when it blocks the road "for no good reason".

          So you think breaking the law is better? Sorry mate, arses are like smelly people. Everyone knows it except you.

          When did I say that? I'm stating WHY something happens and WHO I think is the cause.

          What I think is better is that said drivers should stop being inconsiderate arses - that's the solution.

          I think it's better for everyone to not break the law.

          I also think it's better for everyone to be considerate of each other.

          Saying "not tolerant of" does not equal breaking the law.

        • geek001 on 10/04/2017 - 14:39

          @iDroid:

          When did I say that?

          This is what I said in the beginning.

          If I am doing the speed limit already, I am not going to break the law and go faster just because I am tailgated.

          and

          There are exceptions though, if you are on a 2 lane road going in the same direction with speed limits over 80km/hr, you are supposed to keep left unless you are overtaking.

          Over 80km/hr, which basically means that all highways, I will keep to the left, regardless of how fast the cars behind me are going because that is the law.

          This is what you said:

          Who gives a sh!t if what you're doing is "legal" if you're being an inconsiderate arse, legal or not, you're still an inconsiderate arse.

          The rest of what you said makes sense, but tailgating is definitely not a tolerant behaviour?!!

          Don't get me wrong, I am not justifying slow drivers. In fact, I frequently run into situations where on an unobstructed 2 lane road, the slow driving car on the left way in front of me will change into my lane(which is the right lane) for no reason that I can see. My usual reaction is WTH? But do I tailgate them? NO! Just because someone is driving badly does not mean that I will react and go down to their level.

        • iDroid on 10/04/2017 - 14:46

          @geek001: It seems we think similarly here.

          I was addressing the behaviour of "right hand drivers" in general and no so much your specific comment (my bad).

          I was not claiming it's correct behaviour to tailgate. I was more expressing the situation that leads to it and how frustrating that situation is :)

  • gaz3342 on 07/04/2017 - 11:57
    +10

    Makes me very angry, what if the car they are tailgating has a pregnant mother driving / baby on board?

    I can understand the frustration when people are going under the speed limit in the overtaking lane, but there is no excuse to endanger lives, ever.

    If people do it to me (when I'm travelling at or even slightly above the limit) I slow down even more.

    • pjetson on 07/04/2017 - 12:48
      -2

      If people do it to me (when I'm travelling at or even slightly above the limit) I slow down even more.

      How mature of you.

      What is the attraction of the right lane anyway? Why do so many people need to drive in it all the time?

      • Mitchel on 07/04/2017 - 13:15
        +6

        In the situation I was in, it was in the middle lane with all three lanes moving at about the same speed.

        And yes, there is no excuse to endanger lives.

      • gaz3342 on 07/04/2017 - 14:19
        +7

        If by mature you mean safe, then yes I agree. If someone is going to drive 50cm behind me, the slower the better.

        I assume by your comment you are one of the people who do this, slow clap.

        • pjetson on 07/04/2017 - 16:21
          -4

          Ah, assumptions.

          Can I assume that you don't even move out of your apparently god-given right lane for emergency vehicles?

        • gaz3342 on 07/04/2017 - 16:34
          +3

          @pjetson:

          See my comment below,

          I should add that I don't do this when in the overtaking lane, only the middle lane. It's absolutely moronic to tailgate someone in the middle lane.

          Grow up.

        • pjetson on 07/04/2017 - 16:56
          -5

          I'm not the one who needs to grow up, gaz. You're the one who says it's okay to block lanes, not me.

      • GregMonarch on 07/04/2017 - 22:49
        +1

        It's not being immature. It's being sensible/logical. e.g. There are stretches of road north of Sydney that have huge wind gusts that don't affect some vehicles, but shove others sideways. Or it's raining. Or BOTH. I've had clowns right up my muffler 'demanding' I drive faster than I feel is safe for my car at certain speeds. So what other answer is there, when then there's 2 or more lanes, I'm on the left, and the idiot behind wants to dictate what speed I drive at? Go slower of course. So they'll realise what they're doing and back off, or their just being an idiot - they'll get tired of the reduced speed and go around.

      • smartazz104 on 09/04/2017 - 18:08

        Should ask the tailgates why they need to be in there too then.

    • Drake on 07/04/2017 - 14:47

      While I don't understand the rationale behind tailgating for some drivers, it is DANGEROUS to respond in such a way.

      It is clear that the tailgater does not take into account the safety of others, or is a temperamental person. For you to slow down and further aggravate the tailgater is a move that will further endanger everyone around you.
      If you are being tailgated, remove any risk by just moving into a side lane or the left lane and allowing the driver to pass.

      I have read stories where people are desperately driving to the hospital in an effort to save people, only to be blocked by a driver who thinks that by impeding them, they are "giving them what they deserve" and resulted in death.

      • syousef on 07/04/2017 - 15:10
        +7
        1. Point me to one of those stories please.
        2. Much of the time people don't give a slow driver the chance to move into the left lane, particularly an inexperienced one. They're too busy undertaking at 20 over the limit.
        • Drake on 08/04/2017 - 09:22
          +1

          https://np.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/1kbhcn/i_gain…

          Indeed, a fault that lies within many drivers. Practicing safety, sharing the road and exhibiting general road manners can make all situations safe.

        • syousef on 08/04/2017 - 14:44
          +1

          @Drake:

          Ok thanks for providing the link as I asked.

          So the plan was to race through 50 zones at 110? Bad plan. I don't make light of the loss, but it sounds like the loss was going to happen regardless. Risking more lives by driving like a maniac is not the right solution.

          In any case while there are drivers that act like twits, trying to get through traffic in a town at breakneck speed just wasn't going to work even without this one driver the author of this story seems intent on blaming the loss on.

        • Praeto on 10/04/2017 - 17:20
          +3

          Driving on our shared roads works because everyone is relatively predictable. The further you stray from predictable behaviour, the more risk you put yourselves and others in.. That applies both to tailgaters, and people that do stupid shit like slam on their brakes or slow to 20km/h. If you're driving erratically, you're part of the problem.

      • gaz3342 on 07/04/2017 - 15:53
        +3

        I should add that I don't do this when in the overtaking lane, only the middle lane. It's absolutely moronic to tailgate someone in the middle lane.

      • JIMB0 on 07/04/2017 - 16:39
        +3

        Should call an ambulance if they need to get people to hospital in a hurry.

        • skullster704 on 08/04/2017 - 12:23
          +1

          Thanks for your simplistic answer. Now try living in country Australia- 20 minute wait for an ambulance to arrive plus 30 minutes to a hospital with a major A&E.

          Waste that 20 mins, or get 20 mins closer to the hospital?

          I know what my choice would be.

        • syousef on 08/04/2017 - 18:09

          @skullster704:

          If he was 20 minutes away, and he was taking 5 to bleed out, he was dead either way. Don't endanger others trying to save a dead man. Harsh truth.

        • buckster on 09/04/2017 - 09:31

          @skullster704: they recommend calling an ambulance and meeting them part way actually.

          Edit: NVM, that's what you Sorta meant

        • This Guy on 11/04/2017 - 22:31

          I have waited 20 minutes for an ambulance for a customer collapsed on the floor with chest pains. The closest hospital and ambulance station was a five minutes drive following all road rules.

          Imagine living out of town, away from an ambulance station.

    • lainey13 on 07/04/2017 - 22:29
      +2

      Er… pretty sure at the moment every car being driven has at least one human in it. I don't GAF if they're pregnant, have babies etc, they're all lives and just as important.

  • AdosHouse on 07/04/2017 - 11:58
    +9

    I agree with Mazorn, likely bogans. Do I agree with getting out and punching someone, hell no. We have all been stuck behind people that are doing way under the speed limit, but emotions have no place on the road, if you can't control them, get the (profanity) off the road. I've been mad, and swearing my head off, but that is in the privacy of my own car, and I don't act upon it.

    Is venting your anger really worth being charged with assault and having a criminal conviction to your name worth it. Or what if you punch them in the temple or side of the head and kill them, is it worth a manslaughter charge? Was that 2 or 3 minutes you lost worth it? Or on the lessor end, you tailgate them because they are doing 20km/h under, they have to brake suddenly and you hit them from behind, now you don't have a car for weeks, have to pay your excess (or all of the repairs if you are that (profanity) moron with no insurance), simply because you lost a minute or 2 of your life.

    But I work in pubs, so I know there are plenty of (profanity) arseholes out there that think violence is the answer to everything. Doing 10km/h under, punch em, look at you, punch em. And the ironic think is, is that these are the same people that usually break the law every 5 damn seconds. I'll punch this guy for going a bit slow, but its perfectly fine to weave through traffic 20km/h over the limit and put everybody's safety at risk, then go to the pub, drink 10 schooners and get behind the wheel and go for round 2. I see these people every day, and I'm just hoping they bloody off themselves somehow, without hurting anyone else.

    • psyren89 on 07/04/2017 - 12:03
      +1

      Is venting your anger really worth being charged with assault and having a criminal conviction to your name worth it.

      Take one for the gene pool?

  • outlander on 07/04/2017 - 12:08
    +1

    Why do people do these things without thinking of the possible consequences? Please, help me understand.

    Hormones. When they start surging it takes a lot of willpower to resist them. For the driver who did the punching, it probably felt like being in a stadium in amidst a crowd of people all chanting "KILL HIM, KILL HIM!"

  • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 12:19
    -3

    I unintentionally tailgate when people are 20+ under the limit. Don't want to be doing 40 in the 110 zone when the law says keep left unless overtaking. All it does is cause everyone else to tailgate and congest traffic quite significantly.

    However I consider tailgating to be about a car length away so it's not really tailgating as such ;)

    • syousef on 07/04/2017 - 15:16
      +2

      40 in a 100 zone? You talking about roadworks? I have a pertinant story.

      I was literally forced off the road by 2 large semi trailers on the Hume highway in a single lane section a good 10 years ago who were doing well over 100 in a 40km/hr road work zone. There were no workers, as is often the case, but the road was clearly sign posted. Had I not spotted the trucks in the rear mirror. I was coming to an end in the shoulder and had I not had the amount of room to pull into, stopping just short of where it ended, there is no way I could have sped up quickly enough. My now wife and I would likely have been killed. I was doing the speed limit. The trucks were going so fast as I pulled in that I couldn't catch their plates as they both passed.

      Now if you want to cheer for such idiocy and lack of care for life I'd rather you stay off the road for the good of us all. I was in the right. I was the one obeying the speed limit.

      • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 15:33
        +2

        Overstatement. Closer to 60-90. I'm not going to risk my license doing 110 in a 40 zone.

        My actual point is that I unintentionally or accidentally get too close when people are going too slow in the wrong lane. Fair to say that everyone ends up doing it by accident when someone is going much slower than they should.

        • syousef on 07/04/2017 - 15:38

          Well bad driving habits aside, when you realise you're doing it, do you back off or sit on their tail? You can't control what others on the road do. You can control your own actions and use that to minimize the risk to everyone.

        • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 15:39
          +1

          @syousef: Back off. Can't say the same for the people behind me and that's where the chaos begins. 2 lanes of slow traffic.

        • syousef on 07/04/2017 - 15:41

          @Clear:

          You can only do the best you can. If you are backing off you're not tailgating. Tailgating is sitting on someone's tail for more than a couple of seconds.

        • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 15:42

          @syousef: My state law doesn't have a legal definition of tailgating unfortunately​. Some perceive a car or 2 away as tailgating while other's think it's literally on the tail.

        • syousef on 07/04/2017 - 15:52

          @Clear:

          Lack of standards in the road rules state to state has been a long standing issue. The Australian Road Rules, intended to go some way to unifying them doesn't define safe distance either. 2-3 seconds in good conditions seems to be what state rules and web sites advocate. And that is reasonable and sensible. 2 car lengths? Well you're too close to avoid a collision.

        • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 15:53

          @syousef: I believe 3-4 seconds is what they generally recommend for over 80km.

        • Clear on 07/04/2017 - 16:31

          @syousef: Yeah each state is different.

  • Gotchas on 07/04/2017 - 12:25
    +4

    A lot people that tailgate don't anticipate situations enough until it's too late then they blame the poor old lady or tourist.

  • thord on 07/04/2017 - 12:36

    Are you saying you witnessed an assault this morning? I'm trying to understand your anecdote there?

    Anyways, the answer is some people are just dicks.

    I saw a green P plater in a ute tailgating someone who was already doing 65 in a 60 zone, now, normally I don't care about "tailgating" because in Sydney traffic if you're not close to the car in front people just cut you off. But this was extremely close, it would've been about 50cm away from the car in front. Going at that speed, that's crazy to me and you're a dick for doing it.

    However, I do sometimes understand frustration. If you're driving like a dope in front of others, causing problems with the flow of traffic, I understand people getting annoyed. But don't go right up and tailgate them. Better to give a simple high beam flash or something.

    The problem aside from tailgating is the slow driving of people. Doing 50 in a 60 or 70 zone is dangerous. It also (profanity) up the timing for traffic lights.

    Finally I'd say some people just plain lack situational awareness. Be aware of people around you. Don't be one of the cars that sits in a line along a 3 lane road all blocking traffic behind you, either speed up, slow down, or just break up that barrier.

    • Mitchel on 08/04/2017 - 11:12

      Yes, I witnessed an assault.

      And I was mighty tempted to join the fun.

  • Davo1111 on 07/04/2017 - 12:52
    +5

    As someone who had to go to court over a road rage incident (witness). I would not recommend you assault someone.

    The consequences over saving (or losing) 10 seconds, losing your license, days off to attend court/police, thousands in fines/court/lawyer fees… it's not worth it.

    Take a deep breath an move on.

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