A-Hole on Rt 4 this morning
- Thread starter nmpali
- Start date
bcp
In My Opinion
Im sorry, I havent checked my in box this week. everytime I do there is nothing but work orders. My week is much more relaxed this way.
I don't beleive there are any "rules" per se, just if you are following a car at a safe distance and have a tailgater on your azz, you slow down to increase the distance between yourself and the car in front, because ####### will hit you, unless you have more time to slow down.
Edit: The "Speed Limit" is the maximum speed you can drive...
bcp
In My Opinion
well common sense and defensive driving dictate a gradual slow down to increase the time you have to react to offset the time the tailgater has lost for reaction by driving too close.
now as far as the rules, may not be anything in writing about slowing down to increase your distance, but I bet there is plenty on the books that cover tailgating and speeding.
I do know that you are allowed a certain amount under the posted, but nothing over.
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
I understand that, but you can't make sure that your slowing down will increase the other driver's ability to stop on time. Plus, even though you're going slightly slower (because just how slow are you really going to go?) it doesn't mean the tailgater is going to back off. He/she could keep the same distance between the cars. Unless you dramatically slow down, it's not really going to do anything.
Plus, you're probably just going to piss him/her off, so it's best (I think) to just go on your merry way.
GWguy
*
The guideline used to be 1 car length for every 10 mph. At 50, there should be 5 car lengths between you.
bcp
In My Opinion
it wont increase his ability to stop faster, what it does is increases the chance that you wont have to stop fast, this gives him more time to stop without hitting you.I understand that, but you can't make sure that your slowing down will increase the other driver's ability to stop on time. Plus, even though you're going slightly slower (because just how slow are you really going to go?) it doesn't mean the tailgater is going to back off. He/she could keep the same distance between the cars. Unless you dramatically slow down, it's not really going to do anything.
Plus, you're probably just going to piss him/her off, so it's best (I think) to just go on your merry way.
how slow will I go? how close will he follow? thats the tailgaters choice.
And, his tailgating is probably just going to piss me off, so its best (I think) if they just back off and drive like they have a little sense.
car A----safe distance----car B----safe distance----car CI understand that, but you can't make sure that your slowing down will increase the other driver's ability to stop on time. Plus, even though you're going slightly slower (because just how slow are you really going to go?) it doesn't mean the tailgater is going to back off. He/she could keep the same distance between the cars. Unless you dramatically slow down, it's not really going to do anything.
Plus, you're probably just going to piss him/her off, so it's best (I think) to just go on your merry way.
car A-car B------------safe distance----------------car C
See?
That's a good rule of thumb, but you and I have been driving since Ford came out with the Model A, so experience may give us an edge over a 'tween on a cell phone...
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
But the whole idea of tailgating means the person behind you is not following a safe distance!
Your diagram doesn't really mean anything. Besides, which direction are they going? You're saying it's like this:
Car C is tailgating B.
<---Car A <-----------Car B <-Car C
So, if Car B slows down, you have:
<---Car A <-----------really slloooooowwww <------Car B <-Car C
The only difference is that Car B (and therefore C) are driving slowly.
outlawrc
New Member
Alright, so it was my feeble attemt at making a joke. I apologize.umm...okay...whatever.
:fixed:
The second scenario gives car B more time to stop so car A doesn't rearend them because they are following too close.
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Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
I see what you are saying. I thought you meant if Car B slowed down, it would give car A more time to stop. 
Yes, I would agree with that.
johnjrval424
New Member
No harm, no foul. :hugs:Alright, so it was my feeble attemt at making a joke. I apologize.
At least you knew I was a "chick..."
It's all good. I try to leave a cushion of safety around me, but I'll flow with traffic to keep things going (and make APS happy).
Yes, I would agree with that.
No harm, no fowl. :hugs:
At least you knew I was a "chick..."
You shouldn't have brought the hens into it. You may be sorry.johnjrval424
New Member
:shrug:
pcjohnnyb
New Member
Just curious. What color is your hair again CG?
Yes, I would agree with that.
AndyMarquisLIVE
New Member
That's if there's traffic though.
Yes, I would agree with that.
When there isn't traffic, don't hold the man up. :shrug:
But, the original poster clearly stated their intention. Now, whether we're mis-reading his/her intention or not isn't for sure, but it very much sounds like he/she said they chopped him off, slowed down (I've been on route 4, NOBODY on that road drives the exact speed limit), and hit their brakes.
Assuming he was wrong, the original poster called the police on him.
I know I would've reacted the same way IF there was an emergency (taking someone to the hospital, going to the hospital, something like that). Nobody knows why he was speeding. Let's say for a second though that he was headed to a hospital to see his dying mother or wife. How would you feel if you were the original poster and your cutting him off, deliberately holding him up and slamming your brakes kept him from seeing their loved ones once more.
I, for one, would feel like shiat.
But the original poster cared only about themselves. And from the way their posts read, they were late for work themselves just because they wanted to play foolish games with someone.
Cowgirl
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure they actually meant drive slower the whole way. More like just increase the distance between you and the car you're following.