Picture this:
Driving in the HOV lane (legally), 55mph speed limit but I'm doing 70 on cruise-control (which based on the radar hits appears to be acceptable to the local constabulary).

From behind comes a Honda Element. They get closer..and closer...and closer...and... Finally they're 1 to 1.5 car lengths off my bumper with the headlights ablaze. Low beams, I'm sure, but they're higher so big diff.

And this isn't the only time this has happened. In fact I once had some character come up from behind and start flashing his lights (no, not a cop). I'm thinking, 'look, I'm here running the gauntlet of speed traps this road's known for, for you. I think 70's adequate and I really have nowhere to go let you by. Do you really think I'm gonna speed up for your benefit?' In my daily commute this probably happens once a month. We're the only cars to be seen in the HOV and Driver B is WAY too close.

So I've taken to raised hand gestures and as a last resort, a good soaking of the windshield sprayers (with headlights for good measure). But yesterday I was driving a freshly washed car. Not wanting to cover it with washer fluid, I just continued on and Element Dood got off the next exit.

I know some resort to tapping the brakes but I'm concerned that incites the road rage syndrome and won't do it with my 18 month old daughter in the car with me.

So how do others handle the pathological tailgater? I have to add that I get these creeps in other situations as well; side roads, driving in the right lane, and even during the mile and a half drive out of my place of business. I'm by no means a slow driver. In fact I just pulled in my second speeding ticket in 6 months last week. And if possible I let the driver behind pass; I'm not out here to compete or police. Let 'em go, I say. But there are times when it's not practical, or someone's just being a bonehead.

We need a universally understood signal for "BACK OFF!"
Thanks for letting me vent.

C.

posted by 130.199...

• Ideas needed for communicating with tailgaters, Chuck, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 09:52:06 <-- Viewing This Message
  • The left lane is for PASSING, not cruising. Move. n/m, Wavey, Fri, 5 Mar 2004 06:21:07
  • move over and let them go by, MarkP., Wed, 3 Mar 2004 08:48:06
  • middle finger? j/k haha, Gordon , Tue, 2 Mar 2004 21:16:23
  • This should probably work, saw, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 20:53:36
  • Let me be clear about one thing, Chuck, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 19:50:21
    • Oil? nay... Kerosene..., Lutfisk, Thu, 4 Mar 2004 08:31:44
    • Install bulbs in both sides of the rear foglights., Dave Westlake, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 10:07:51
    • Re: Let me be clear about one thing, RobInfo, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 04:12:37
  • Hmmm, what's the rules for a HOV lane?, RobInfo, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 19:19:54
  • I never have this problem, Steve88SiS, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 18:05:39
    • never? long diatribe on highway driving styles....., WASSAAB, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 20:51:10
      • I refuse to drive like an old fart (unless there's one, Steve88SiS, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 10:00:36
      • Twin sons of different mothers, Chuck, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 06:38:44
  • question>> whats a HOV? some fancy hovercraft?nm, sab, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 17:55:26
    • HOV = High Occupancy Vehicle (again, long), WASSAAB, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 07:05:42
      • What your opinion on them?, Steve88SiS, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 14:14:56
        • HOV in action, WASSAAB, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 15:33:25
  • Chuck, are you referring to the LIE by any chance?, Alex Athanasiou, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 15:58:35
    • Yep, Chuck, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 18:20:41
    • I use the rear fog, too, WASSAAB, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 16:52:18
  • Given the unfriendly roads, I find subtlety best..., mdj, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 14:22:29
  • Nothing!, jimtimkim, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 13:29:43
    • Good Post!, Scott Paterson , Tue, 2 Mar 2004 13:57:28
      • Re: Good Post!, kgoetz97, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 04:39:30
  • Re: seriously, steveC, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 12:34:16
    • You can only exit the HOV in designated areas...., Alex Athanasiou, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 16:00:28
      • Re: huh interesting, stevec, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 18:49:01
    • Re: I read one of your responses Re: HOV, steveC, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 12:36:47
      • In some states the HOV lane (only one lane) has...., TKC, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 13:09:18
  • Re: Ideas needed for communicating with tailgaters, johnf, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 12:24:24
    • I had a boss that did that with unpopped popcorn, saw, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 16:04:10
      • the guy who followed us through Texas and New Mexico, nt moore, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 18:21:39
        • What part of the panhandle? n/m, Clay McNeely , Wed, 3 Mar 2004 07:01:45
          • well, it might have been missouri, nt moore, Wed, 3 Mar 2004 09:38:54
  • I think in this situation your only choice is (+), Vlad, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 11:52:55
  • Don't assume your speed is rational for all. n/m, john burnett, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 11:37:39
  • Just show him/her your handgun, that will get them ...., Red Rocket, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 11:03:46
    • yup, that will probably get YOU a long conversation, mdj, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 14:16:40
  • I've always wanted to use my rear wiper sprayer, not_too_shabby, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 11:03:25
    • Great time to use wipers to clean windshield., MarkP., Wed, 3 Mar 2004 08:37:29
  • I get the same thing...drives me nuts..what I do is.., Noel, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 11:00:21
  • If you are in the HOV lane with barriers on ....., TKC, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 10:40:26
  • how about a bumper sticker>>>, mudpuppy, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 10:26:47
  • Check your state laws, serendipity, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 10:21:37
    • HOV lanes are exceptions..., Bob M, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 12:15:03
    • HOV lanes..., Chuck, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 10:56:59
  • I have in the past used poor speed control., Jimbo, Tue, 2 Mar 2004 10:16:08

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