Safely getting rid of tailgaiters [Archive] - bimmerfest

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kurichan

10-06-2004, 12:50 AM

wheel-man

10-06-2004, 02:51 AM

gently let off the gas pedal intermitently forcing them to break short, eventually they'll back off...

Alex Baumann

10-06-2004, 04:04 AM

Changing the lane, when it's possible ? :dunno:

I do it immediately, if I can't see the headlights of the following car in my rearview mirror.

Artslinger

10-06-2004, 05:42 AM

I'm with you tailgaiters are the worst. :thumbdwn:

If you can change lanes, if not slow way down maybe they will go around you.

Desertnate

10-06-2004, 05:49 AM

If you can change lanes, if not slow way down maybe they will go around you.

Thats what I do...take advantage of their impatience and let them move on.

It kills me when I get tailgated in the far right slow lane and there are open lanes to pass. :tsk:

JetBlack330i

10-06-2004, 06:08 AM

Changing the lane, when it's possible ? :dunno:

I do it immediately, if I can't see the headlights of the following car in my rearview mirror.
Doesn't that mean they win? :stickpoke

JetBlack330i

10-06-2004, 06:10 AM

gojira-san

10-06-2004, 06:34 AM

Since I can't get a permit to put the missles on the car, I just coast down to the speed limit or just below. That usually gets rid of the @$$hole behind me.

Optimus Prime

10-06-2004, 06:37 AM

carry some bricks in the glove box. "Accidently" toss one out the window.

Opps, did that brick go through your windshield? I'm soooo sorry. :bigpimp:

Seriously, it can be difficult. I try to leave extra room in front of me and the car in front of me so that If we have to stop I can do it a little more slowly and hopefully make up for the guy behind me.

gojira-san

10-06-2004, 06:41 AM

carry some bricks in the glove box. "Accidently" toss one out the window.20 years ago, I worked with a guy who used to fire pennies out the sunroof of his Z car when people got too close. Bit too extreme for me.

cantona7

10-06-2004, 07:00 AM

3 Easy Steps to Eliminating Tailgaters--Permanently

Step 1: Always have a can of Mountain Dew within easy reach.

Step 2: Open Moonroof.

Step 3: Do the Dew.

:rofl:

Alternatively, you could try putting on your hazards.

Patrick

10-06-2004, 07:09 AM

Turning the rear fog lights ON works well for me.

.

Cliff

10-06-2004, 07:36 AM

If I'm going the speed of traffic and I can't move over, I'll get off the accelerator and gently slow down (and give the guy behind me the big evil eye in the side rear view mirror while mouthing 'Got Brakes?').

gojira-san

10-06-2004, 07:38 AM

Turning the rear fog lights ON works well for me.Unfortunately they (BMW) won't give us rear fog lights here in the good old US of A :( :p

Patrick

10-06-2004, 07:50 AM

Unfortunately they (BMW) won't give us rear fog lights here in the good old US of A :( :p

They probably consider it to be too dangerous ... due to all of the tailgaters there. :eek:

:rofl:

.

gojira-san

10-06-2004, 08:03 AM

They probably consider it to be too dangerous ... due to all of the tailgaters there. :rofl:

Optimus Prime

10-06-2004, 08:04 AM

Turning the rear fog lights ON works well for me.

.

My truck has AUX: backup lights (flood lights) installed in the bumper. I have them switched, and I have been known to flip those on and off a couple times when I have somebody really on my bumper. I think this is a bit dangerous, but it usually gets the job done.

10-06-2004, 08:55 AM

I always move over as soon as possible ... anything else is just trying to start trouble with a total stranger ... what do we have to prove to tailgaters :dunno:

ed325i

10-06-2004, 09:37 AM

Unfortunately, neither this: http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Aircraft/Missiles/R-73.html
nor the Su35's rearward radar would fit in our BMWs. :)

Ed

JonM

10-06-2004, 10:51 AM

Turning the rear fog lights ON works well for me.

.

Me too. Fog lighT in my case.

On the motorcycle, it helps to swerve around a bit. Small continuous S curves inside the lane. Freaks out the tailgater and they back off.

blueguydotcom

10-06-2004, 10:59 AM

Tailgaiters really scare me, especially when my daughter is in the back seat.

Is there any safe way to get rid of them? If you tap the brakes, some people go ballastic.

Assume it's a situation where you can't let them by, or a car in front of you is blocking you from accelerating away.

Flash your gat. :bang:

If this is a case of you're going above or near the limit and nobody is in front of you, slow down by coasting and he'll rocket by you.

If I'm stuck behind someone else going slow I just do the ole :dunno: and point at the guy in front of me as if to say, "No my fault, chief."

I tend to get tailgated by guys in big old SUVs and trucks. They think the size will intimidate drivers I think.

JPinTO

10-06-2004, 12:14 PM

I always enjoy being tailgated. Usually, it's some numbnut in a minivan or cruddy vehicle whose goal is to get in front of you until traffic opens up... and then they become a left lane squatter. I ignore them.

Mr. E

10-06-2004, 12:34 PM

Yeah, look on the bright side--if you have to do a panic stop and they plow into you, they're automatically at fault. Morons.

ed325i

10-06-2004, 01:48 PM

Yeah, look on the bright side--if you have to do a panic stop and they plow into you, they're automatically at fault. Morons.

Except that you still get whiplashed.

Ed

gojira-san

10-06-2004, 02:43 PM

I tend to get tailgated by guys in big old SUVs and trucks. They think the size will intimidate drivers I think.
Yeah they try it to me when I am in the 330. Since I also own a big ol' truck that tactic doesn't work.

My favorite is when I am in the truck and someone tries to tailgate me on the local roads in some tiny Hyundai or something like that - they get so close I can't even see them... and if I stopped short they would become a smudge on Mr. Trailer Hitch...

10-06-2004, 02:43 PM

I always move over as soon as possible ... anything else is just trying to start trouble with a total stranger ... what do we have to prove to tailgaters :dunno:

:stupid:

hmr

10-06-2004, 03:00 PM

I always move over as soon as possible ... anything else is just trying to start trouble with a total stranger ... what do we have to prove to tailgaters :dunno:

:stupid:

1. Move over or
2. Let him/her pass (given a chance, they'll pass you.)

Not doing this is doing a bit of road-raging yourself.

If you're inclined to fully road-rage, slam on the brakes and watch in joy the panic stop that other driver has to perform. Either that, or watch as the other driver slams into you.

kurichan

10-06-2004, 03:48 PM

All good advice, but when being followed by a big SUV on a two lane winding road... The only choice is to pull into someone's driveway and let them pass?

It seems to me slowing down makes them as angry as tapping the brakes...

I'm beginning to like the missile approach. I have a friend who aimed a nozzle from their windshield sprayer to spray the car behind them... ;)

Thertorch

10-06-2004, 06:03 PM

What's tailgating? - :dunno: :p

Cliff

10-06-2004, 06:21 PM

It seems to me slowing down makes them as angry as tapping the brakes...

Just do it long enough to get them to back off a little, then resume a normal speed. Most people get the idea pretty quickly.

kurichan

10-06-2004, 09:28 PM

What's tailgating? - :dunno: :pYeah - I know it's sort of a silly question because there aren't many people who can catch up to us... ;) But somehow, people manage to ride my tail nonetheless... :mad:

scottn2retro

10-06-2004, 10:30 PM

I use some of the BMWs potential and leave them behind - way behind. :D

teh_jev

10-06-2004, 10:58 PM

Where the hell is that mpeg of the MB's rear shade w/ "f#ck you" written on it when I need it? :mad:

BlackChrome

10-06-2004, 11:47 PM

Where the hell is that mpeg of the MB's rear shade w/ "f#ck you" written on it when I need it? :mad:
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/benzsign.wmv :rofl:

gojira-san

10-07-2004, 06:05 AM

Where the hell is that mpeg of the MB's rear shade w/ "f#ck you" written on it when I need it? :mad:I always wanted to mount a little LED display in the rear window that would allow me to pick appropriate expressions, but that would probably just escallate the conflict from tailgating to full scale nuclear war :)

JetBlack330i

10-07-2004, 08:12 AM

I always wanted to mount a little LED display in the rear window that would allow me to pick appropriate expressions, but that would probably just escallate the conflict from tailgating to full scale nuclear war :)
This (http://media.ebaumsworld.com/index.php?e=benzsign.wmv) would not be a good idea. :eeps:

10-07-2004, 08:47 AM

I always wanted to mount a little LED display in the rear window that would allow me to pick appropriate expressions, but that would probably just escallate the conflict from tailgating to full scale nuclear war :)

I always wanted to do this as well. Would be tons o' fun!

ctbmw

10-07-2004, 07:00 PM

I just slow down, they eventually get the clue and pass me on my left.
The penny idea is cute-I've been tempted to throw my travel mug! I loved the guy behind me while I was in the right lane 70-73 MPH flashing me! (to move right I guess?)-I give up!
They're out there! Be careful!
Not moving out of your way with plenty of room to move over to the right lane has been dealt with already.

captaindrewle

10-07-2004, 09:07 PM

This thread reminds me of the people who use their windshield washer when being tailgated.

TeamM3

10-07-2004, 10:22 PM

I have slowed down numerous times on a 70 mph interstate all the way down to 20 mph :yikes: and they still wouldn't go around :mad:

unfortunately there are numerous people who play "follow the leader", tag on to the bumper of a car exceeding the speed limit going faster than they are comfortable enough to do on their own with the idea that the person in front will get the ticket, you slow down or pull over and they pass, once you are back up to speed you catch up to them because they also slowed down without their "leader", and the sorry SOB will just latch on to your bumper again :tsk:

my favorite method to get rid of a tailgater is what I call "scrubbing", setting up an opening between two slow passing semis, etc so I can squeeze through and leave them trapped, which I greatly increase my speed (at a bit of a ticketing risk) to leave them so far behind that they instead wait for the next "leader" to come along rather than try to catch up :angel:

Moderato

10-08-2004, 06:13 AM

Either step on the gas and hope the cop will pull over the guy tailgating, instead of you or slow down and pull the car to the side of the road and let them go around, do the old wave out the window to let them know you want them to pass.

Patrick

10-08-2004, 06:27 AM

I have slowed down numerous times on a 70 mph interstate all the way down to 20 mph :yikes: and they still wouldn't go around :mad:

I had this same thing happen to me when I was driving in Montana; I guess that isn't really tailgating, that is more like stalking!

4 lanes of highway in each direction, and this guy would not pass me. :dunno:

:loco:

.

MR325iT

10-08-2004, 12:29 PM

I college, I rode to class once with a buddy in his CRX. With someone tailgating, he dropped from 5th to 3rd - no brakes, must have nearly redlined the motor. The back end came up so fast I thought the tailgater was going to drive right under us. Sacred the bejeezus out of me.

Guy behind us nearly lost control and barely kept it out of the center divider. Imagine- he sees no brakelights warning him what's coming, then BAM - all of a sudden there's like 30-40 MPH of closure.

Effective? Yes.

Smart? No.

armaq

12-06-2004, 02:35 AM

I have to bring back this thread...

A week ago I was on my way home. So a quite Sunday night, around 11:30pm and there was still quite a bit of traffic on the road. Right when I was about to pull into the left turn lane, a white Ford truck cut me off from 3 lanes away, without using his turn signal. I had to step on my brake hard, and the car stopped within inches from his bumper. This left turn led to the ramp of the highway that I would be on. The light turned and I kept a 2-car distance from him. He changed to the lane to our right, which was another left turn lane, before entering the turn. I thought he was lettimg me pass, or I was a bit pissed anyway so I acclerated to pass him. Right when we were doing the left turn, he suddenly cut me off again, without any signals. This time I was really pissed, so I downshifted and did the fly-by on the ramp. I thought I'd lost him but when I got slowed down by the traffic entering the main highway, I saw his headlights in my rear view mirror -- he was right behind me.

On the highway, I first accelrated away, then got stuck in the traffic, so I kept doing 60mph for a while. He was on my tail throughout the whole time. Then the traffic cleared, I kept my speed but he wouldn't pass. I was concerned. Before I took my exit which led to another highway, I kept driving in the wrong lane -- the lane next to the one I was supposed to be in. He followed. I then changed to the right lane quickly without signaling, about 20 feet from my exit. He followed. I was really concerned then, this wasn't tailgating anymore. I'd hate to have the truck follow me all the way to where I live.

I kept the speed at 60mph for half a minute, and he wasn't going anywhere else. So I took off, redlined 3rd, and at one point almost reached the red in 4th. But once again the traffic slowed me down and he caught up, right on my tail, this time VERY close. I was scared, so I overtook the car in front of me aggressively and just floored it from there. He tried to do the same, but there wasn't enough room for him so he got stuck there. Half a mile away was a curve, at this point I could still see his lights. I took the curve at 90. This was one of those highspeed highway curves, most people slow down here but you can take it at 100 safely. I kept my speed at 90, switched off my lights, and took the first exit immediately after the curve. That's where I lost him, and my hands were shaking and sweating.

I know what I did was not safe, but I've done 2 performance driving schools so I knew what I was doing. Plus I just couldn't think of a better way. I mean when a Ford truck follows you wherever you go for no reason, you better get rid of him right? I can't think of anything I did that could possibly offend him, except for the fly-by, but that's because he cut me off twice in the first place (and seemed to me he did it intentionally).

What would you guys do in this situation? Just pull over on the shoulder? I was afraid if he was DUW and had a weapon of some sort. It was the worst and scariest 7 miles I've ever experienced.

Pinecone

12-06-2004, 04:00 AM

And that is why ANY of the methods which may irritate some drunk or crazy person is NOT a good idea.

WRT what TeamM3 says, there are also those people who have NO CLUE who start following someone and just stick there. One night I was in a POd mood and was driving our Jeep cherokee. I had some lady tailgating me, so I moved to the right. And she followed me, so I did it again to teh far right (4 lanes, and the left had been clear to pass to begin with). Lots of cars sailing by. So I slow down, I get down to about 40 on an Interstate and she is STILL tailgating, finally have had it. So I hit the brakes, not real hard but another to slow a bit quickly. Got her attention, so much she backed off about 20 feet for about 30 seconds and then back up so close I couldn't see her hood much less her headlights. So I locked them up. She almost lost it that time. Finally she backed off, and after another 2 - 3 minutes, she finaly went around me, flipping me off as she went.

I try to get out of teh way of anyone trying to drive faster than me.

The ones I hate are those who go faster, until you can't pass, then slow down. Once there is passing room, they speed up. And they do this on Interstates as well as two lane roads. At least with our cars don't need a lot of room to get by. :)

Dave 330i

12-06-2004, 04:48 AM

How come it's always the other driver that's &$#&??

Thertorch

12-06-2004, 06:33 AM

Two things.

1, having driven Rte. 287 in New Jersey, I've noticed that some people become conditioned to tailgating :p . 2 lanes of traffic, right is going 58mph, left is going 64 mph, and if a car length opens up in the left lane, someone will switch lanes in front of you.

I've driven with people who tailgated and didn't even realize it. That's just the way they drive. Not right, but they didn't even consider it a problem.

2. Driving to work one night, I passed a 5l Mustang. Within 1/4 mile, it was so close to me on a two land road I couldn't see it's headlights. 1 mile later we rounded a turn, and it spun out and hit a telephone pole sideways. I stopped up the road, got my baseball bat out of my trunk and put it in the front seat and went back to see if they were ok.

Young girl, drunk as anything, trying to get my attention so I could give her directions home. :rolleyes: :eek:

That's as scared as I've ever been driving.

LmtdSlip

12-06-2004, 08:33 AM

Changing the lane, when it's possible ? :dunno:

I do it immediately, if I can't see the headlights of the following car in my rearview mirror.

:thumbup:

If you are being tail gated its very likely that you are not practicing lane discipline....

Remember: the left lane is for passing. "Slower Trafic Keep Right"

ezsce46

12-06-2004, 09:56 AM

throw them a sign.

http://www.roadragecards.com/

Will_325i

12-06-2004, 06:12 PM

throw them a sign.

http://www.roadragecards.com/

ROTFLMAO! :rofl:

TeamM3

12-06-2004, 06:40 PM

throw them a sign.

http://www.roadragecards.com/

danm, and I thought clyde's flashing sig was original :rofl:

doeboy

12-06-2004, 08:04 PM

I have to bring back this thread...
I know what I did was not safe, but I've done 2 performance driving schools so I knew what I was doing. Plus I just couldn't think of a better way. I mean when a Ford truck follows you wherever you go for no reason, you better get rid of him right? I can't think of anything I did that could possibly offend him, except for the fly-by, but that's because he cut me off twice in the first place (and seemed to me he did it intentionally).

What would you guys do in this situation? Just pull over on the shoulder? I was afraid if he was DUW and had a weapon of some sort. It was the worst and scariest 7 miles I've ever experienced.

That's pretty freaky... that guy sounded like some road raging nutcase. In that situation don't pull over... go to the nearest Police Dept or some place like that. Or call the state troopers?

Niftster

12-06-2004, 09:05 PM

Speed00

12-06-2004, 09:28 PM

I think the winshield wiper fluid idea would work well especially if it is a biker. They probably don't like icky fluid on them.

TeamM3

12-06-2004, 10:24 PM

If you are going over 50, hit the wipers and begin to unload your reservoir. When they turn on there wipers, stop, wait a few moments then do it again. Repeat as necessary.

hey, a while back I jetted out a squirt or two to wipe my windshield clean, the guy behind me ran up next to me, gave me the finger, raced in front of me, and proceeded to jettison out all his wiper fluid in "revenge" :eek: :confused:

now that's just :loco: somebody that sensitive has no business driving a car :tsk:

Artslinger

12-07-2004, 05:53 AM

hey, a while back I jetted out a squirt or two to wipe my windshield clean, the guy behind me ran up next to me, gave me the finger, raced in front of me, and proceeded to jettison out all his wiper fluid in "revenge" :eek: :confused:

now that's just :loco: somebody that sensitive has no business driving a car :tsk:

I agree the guy is a hot head but... I hate it when drivers clean their windshields when moving and I'm behind them. It makes a mess of your nice clean car and spots up your winshield. The polite thing to do is clean them while stopped if possible.

TeamM3

12-07-2004, 06:26 AM

I agree the guy is a hot head but... I hate it when drivers clean their windshields when moving and I'm behind them. It makes a mess of your nice clean car and spots up your winshield. The polite thing to do is clean them while stopped if possible.

it wouldn't be a problem if you weren't tailgating the car in front of you :neener:

ps: he was driving a POS as I recall, not a nice, well detailed car and we were on the interstate, I'm sorry but I'm not going to pull over to wash my windshield, I might as well pull off into a gas station and do it proper as do that. I get PO'd when I've just detailed my car, come around a corner and some homeowner's sprinkler is spraying out into the street or running off and making mud puddles, etc., but that's just life man ... :dunno:

Artslinger

12-07-2004, 08:08 AM

it wouldn't be a problem if you weren't tailgating the car in front of you :neener:

ps: he was driving a POS as I recall, not a nice, well detailed car and we were on the interstate, I'm sorry but I'm not going to pull over to wash my windshield, I might as well pull off into a gas station and do it proper as do that. I get PO'd when I've just detailed my car, come around a corner and some homeowner's sprinkler is spraying out into the street or running off and making mud puddles, etc., but that's just life man ... :dunno:

When I'm on the highway I usally wait until noone is close behind then squirt the winshield. In the city I clean them at a stoplight. :dunno:

12-07-2004, 09:21 AM

Tailgaiters really scare me, especially when my daughter is in the back seat.

Is there any safe way to get rid of them? If you tap the brakes, some people go ballastic.

Assume it's a situation where you can't let them by, or a car in front of you is blocking you from accelerating away.
A guy I know who was a bus driver for a long time for rock bands would take care of troubles like this very simply. Pee into a bag and toss it out the window to smash on the windshield of the offending car.

LmtdSlip

12-07-2004, 10:19 AM

I think the winshield wiper fluid idea would work well especially if it is a biker. They probably don't like icky fluid on them.

:tsk: :thumbdwn:

Chendol

12-07-2004, 08:22 PM

I've driven with people who tailgated and didn't even realize it. That's just the way they drive. Not right, but they didn't even consider it a problem.

That's true. Many people don't realize they're tailgating because they think they're the best driver in the world with the quickest reaction time to hit the brakes in time.

So when you start tapping your brakes, they get pissed off 'cos they think they're not doing anything wrong. :confused:

Niftster

12-07-2004, 09:24 PM

That's true. Many people don't realize they're tailgating because they think they're the best driver in the world with the quickest reaction time to hit the brakes in time.

So when you start tapping your brakes, they get pissed off 'cos they think they're not doing anything wrong. :confused:

True.

Some "expert" drivers tailgate because they think they "drafting" the car in front will give them better gas milage. I've heard people admit as much about driving on the interstates. The worst is when I've got the cruise control on and they hop in behind me - like I will get the ticket instead of them.

Though not at high speed, I've been rear ended twice because of tailgating and the car behind me couldn't outbreak me.