What do you do when someone tailgates you?

[TOMIMOTO]

Originally Posted by fatoni

depends on what is happening. if they are being jerks, i will just lightly ride the brakes with my left foot just to give me some space. if im being slow, ill just get over.

It doesn't happen often, but I'll hit the brake with my left foot just enough to make the lights go on, then hit the gas.

People usually get the point and back off.

[IntotheOcean]

Originally Posted by Calum

ok, I think there was a minor misunderstanding here. We pretty well only have two lane roads here and I thought you were talking about being in the left of two lanes.

My bad.

Dude its ok-I wasn't more clear. That is a pet peeve of mine as well. And yes in the past when I would be in the far left I would move over because I'm always checking my rear view so I spot them way in advance.
I just don't understand the need to tailgate when both passing lane and 'slow lane' as I call it is open. Blows my mind everytime...

[Want.FR-S]

Lots of good info and stories shared here. So just get a little off-topic about tailgating. If you are on the left lane (passing lane), and someone is tailgating at you, and there is enough space on the right (assuming at least two lanes on the direction), you *should* move to the right to let them pass. That should be the common sense. (For folks driving on the LHD, just reverse the left/right direction).

However, that is *NOT* what I am seeing on the multi-lane highway.

More and more I see people hugging on the left lanes for no apparent reasons. Whether they are passing, or just cruising along on the lane. Thinking they go *fast enough (10km over limit)* so they are entitled to stay that lane. That is just wrong and plain stupid.

I do not remember how many times I had to pass on the right of these stupid drivers, whether to give them looks or not. At the end, I just gave up and move along on the right since there seems to be no hope to educate these people to move to the right. Some of them are even mad because I pass them on the right.

Speaking of passing on the right, I got this from my colleagues in US: this is US, we pass either from the left or right lanes. In fact, IIRC it is legal to pass on the right in my province because the rule book did not say you have to pass on the left. But it is definitely illegal to stay on the left if you are not passing someone (I think).

I do not get tail-gated too often. If I do on a one lane way, just drive a bit faster if situation allows it. When on the left of the two lanes way, just move right to let them pass. No need to instigate road rage on this complicated world.

[IntotheOcean]

Originally Posted by mashal

Damn it sucks you don't live anywhere around me , coz I'd teach you a damn good lesson if you tried that on the road with me ! (Driving move I learned in Finland)
Your pathetic for boxing someone in , people have emergencies . I hope one day your in an emergency and someone boxes you like a bawsssss , so you get to meet this new bitch called karma.

If there's a lot of traffic they are bound to get get boxed in-whether I went out of my way or not-Also tailgating in traffic thinking 'if I ride this guys butt hell go faster including all the cars in front of him' is stupid and won't ever work. At that point you should just take back roads.

I haven't gotten boxed in but than again I never had to race to the hospital or anything like that. I have been late to work-but somehow I couldn't justify driving on top of people to get there 5-10mins sooner.
But thank you for your input I'm sure I get a lot of karma from driving, but I can assure you the karma I get on reddit helps even it out.

[whaap]

I will do what ever it takes to help the guy behind me get around my car. If I have to turn off the road I'll do that. I've decided it's not my job to teach the rest of the world how to drive. In addition I have no intention of setting someone off into a rage that ends up causing me a problem or pain.

[mashal]

Originally Posted by IntotheOcean

If there's a lot of traffic they are bound to get get boxed in-whether I went out of my way or not-Also tailgating in traffic thinking 'if I ride this guys butt hell go faster including all the cars in front of him' is stupid and won't ever work. At that point you should just take back roads.

I haven't gotten boxed in but than again I never had to race to the hospital or anything like that. I have been late to work-but somehow I couldn't justify driving on top of people to get there 5-10mins sooner.
But thank you for your input I'm sure I get a lot of karma from driving, but I can assure you the karma I get on reddit helps even it out.

Karma on reddit, lol I salute you.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Want.FR-S

But it is definitely illegal to stay on the left if you are not passing someone (I think).

Not everywhere; for instance, in MD the left lane is considered a travel lane NOT a passing lane.

Check it out: http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html

[monkie]

Just pull over if it is save to do so, lives too short if they are a **** about it let em go


unless you have a convertible and a cop behind you

[knewsom32]

I can't stand being tailgated. I'll be the one to brake check you and then cuss you out while driving down the road. (If you don't get off my ass after a while). I've almost called the cops for one jerk tailgating me on the highway in Lubbock. He also followed me for about 20 miles, driving really recklessly. He legit scared me.

I also can't stand it when you have douchebags that think just because they are doing the posted speed limit they belong in the fast lane and will stay there no matter what. GET OVER.

Oh, and the a holes who tailgate people in the far left lane. IT'S CALLED THE SLOW LANE FOR A REASON.






Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

Not everywhere; for instance, in MD the left lane is considered a travel lane NOT a passing lane.

Check it out: http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html

hmm... mmmm... Using the MD as the example, checking the section 21-301 on the Article - Transportation:

Article Transportation
§21–301.
(a) On every roadway that is wide enough, a vehicle shall be driven on the right half of the roadway, except:
(1) While overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction, under the rules governing this movement;
(2) Where there is an obstruction that makes it necessary to drive to the
left of the center of the highway, but the driver of any vehicle doing so shall yield the right of way to any other vehicle that is traveling in the proper direction on the unobstructed part of the highway and is so near as to be an immediate danger;
(3) On a roadway that is divided into three or more clearly marked lanes
for vehicular traffic, subject to the rules applicable to these roadways;
(4) On a roadway designated and signposted for one way
traffic; or
(5) On a roadway that is marked or signposted in a manner indicating that
a contrary rule exists.
(b) On every roadway, except while overtaking and passing another vehicle going in the same direction or when preparing for a lawful left turn, any vehicle going 10 miles an hour or more below the applicable maximum speed limit or, if any existing conditions reasonably require a speed below that of the applicable maximum, at less than the normal speed of traffic under these conditions, shall be driven in the right hand lane then available for traffic or as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway.
(c) (1) On any roadway that is divided into four or more clearly marked lanes for vehicular traffic and that provides for twoway movement of traffic, a vehicle may not be driven on the left of the centerline of the roadway, except:
(i) Where authorized by a traffic control device designating a lane
to the left of the center of the roadway for use by traffic not otherwise permitted to use this lane; or
(ii) As permitted under subsection (a)(2) of this section.
(2) This subsection does not prohibit the crossing of the centerline of a
roadway while making a left turn into or from an alley or a private road or driveway.

--- end of excerpt ---

The two bold texts shows the requirement to stay on the right. The first one states all traffic should stay on the right right of the road. The second bold text indicates that if you are driving 10 mph below speed limit, or if you are driving below the speed of normal traffic, even though the speed of normal traffic may approach to speed limit or ... if any existing conditions reasonably require a speed below that of the applicable maximum, at less than the normal speed of traffic under these conditions... you need to move to the right.

I cannot look at the SB701 but from this article it does not clearly indicate that you can drive on the left lane no matter what speed you are traveling.

Having said that, the link you provided illustrates the differences of laws from different states. That is going to be useful for the *hugging the left lane* thread.

Edit: The website (http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html) highlights the good points on some of the states. However, I find that the comment section can be misleading. The way the comment is organized may not truly represent the law itself. For example, in Texas row:

..Passing on right prohibited except on one-way roadways, 545.057.

but the Texas law in 545.057 does not say passing on the right is prohibited...

Sec. 545.057. PASSING TO THE RIGHT.

(a) An operator may pass to the right of another vehicle only if conditions permit safely passing to the right and
(1) the vehicle being passed is making or about to make a left turn; and
(2) the operator is:
(A) on a highway having unobstructed pavement not occupied by parked vehicles and sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles in each direction; or
(B) on a one-way street or on a roadway having traffic restricted to one direction of movement and the roadway is free from obstructions and wide enough for two or more lines of moving vehicles.
(b) An operator may not pass to the right by leaving the main traveled portion of a roadway except as provided by Section 545.058.

Sec. 545.058. DRIVING ON IMPROVED SHOULDER. (a) An operator may drive on an improved shoulder to the right of the main traveled portion of a roadway if that operation is necessary and may be done safely, but only: ...

Point? Need to check the actual law to see what is allowed or prohibited. :-)

[OrbitalEllipses]

The area you bolded (b) has to do with being in the left AND going 10mph under the speed limit. The left lane is NOT established as a passing ONLY lane in this state, I guarantee you that. That whole code doesn't even apply on highways anyway...

[Want.FR-S]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

The area you bolded (b) has to do with being in the left AND going 10mph under the speed limit. The left lane is NOT established as a passing ONLY lane in this state, I guarantee you that. That whole code doesn't even apply on highways anyway...

Yes, I got you. I am merely saying that *by the law* this should be practiced, but rarely this is done in real life, as I stated in the previous thread. I understand that on the road the left lane is not treated as the passing-lane-only as many people use that lane as normal lane. Hence many people are frustrated when other drivers just stay on the left for no apparent reasons.

TBH I am not sure if this article is applicable only to some roadway or highway since I only got one page from the link. It did stated in the beginning: .. on every roadway.. so I assume it does includes the highway portion of the road.

[Giccin]

I cruise in the mid lane. 65mph because.. saving gas.

Go ahead and tailgate me. I'm on cruise control. Waste yo' gas to speed up then constantly brake.

[gmookher]

just get out of the left lane, hows that