Tailgating!!! What is the point?
Jan 23rd 2009 | 11:24 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28,175
From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
I so want to wire something up to my brake lights so that I can get them to come on even if I don't brake....
Sometimes I just slam all on, that wakes the buggers up
Sometimes I just slam all on, that wakes the buggers up
Jan 23rd 2009 | 11:27 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
Best thing is pull on the handbrake, not too quick of course.... no lights just brakes.... now that does cause problems.
I never get a problem with this these days though, so I'm not Bovvered
Jan 23rd 2009 | 11:30 pm
#18
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28,175
From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
Yeah, I do that now. Doesn't seem to bother half of them
well not the first time anyway, after the second and third they do tend to give you some room My favorite thing is slowing right down to about 20k less than the limit
Jan 24th 2009 | 12:00 am
#19
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,526
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
Jan 24th 2009 | 12:39 am
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 159
From: Sunrise Beach Queensland
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
They:
1) Have unbelievably fast reactions and the most advanced brakes in the world
or
2) Have absolutely no concept of thinking time, momentum or tyre grip.
Choose 1 or 2.
However, the 75% of the drivers who tailgate are beaten by the 99% who don't have left-hand indicators, so indicate that they are continuing around the roundabout even though they are exiting. And just when you get used to them, and enter the roundabout in front of a car with the usual right indicator flashing you discover you've met the other 1%................
1) Have unbelievably fast reactions and the most advanced brakes in the world
or
2) Have absolutely no concept of thinking time, momentum or tyre grip.
Choose 1 or 2.
However, the 75% of the drivers who tailgate are beaten by the 99% who don't have left-hand indicators, so indicate that they are continuing around the roundabout even though they are exiting. And just when you get used to them, and enter the roundabout in front of a car with the usual right indicator flashing you discover you've met the other 1%................
Jan 24th 2009 | 7:59 am
#21
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 9,400
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
The driver behind needs to catch up with you otherwise they won't know what the speed limit is. They can't overtake as they wouldn't know what the speed limit is any more*.
* Note: this is why people overtake on dual carriageways and then slow down to a speed slower than what you were doing when they overtook you. They've lost their point of reference.
* Note: this is why people overtake on dual carriageways and then slow down to a speed slower than what you were doing when they overtook you. They've lost their point of reference.
Jan 24th 2009 | 8:04 am
#22
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,375
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
One of the first things I realised when I arrived in Australia was the horrendous amount of tailgating that goes on. Not just 'white van man' or 'sales rep' like in England, but people of any age or sex. Thought I had gotten used to it, and started to accept that that is just how people drive here but an episode the other day really aggravated me. I left work after my afternoon shift and was driving home on the Sunshine Motorway at about 10.15pm. I set off cruising along on the nice, quiet road doing the speed limit. All was well until some clown decided he would drive hanging off my bumper for the whole duration:curse:. What made it worse was the road was so quiet, he/she had ample opportunity to overtake, but insisted on tailgating instead. What is the point? If you want to go faster than the speed limit, just bloody overtake and leave the rest of us alone!! Is it any wonder why the death toll on the Sunshine Coast roads is so high. Rant over, feel better getting that off my chest.
Jan 24th 2009 | 9:42 am
#23
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,821
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
One of the first things I realised when I arrived in Australia was the horrendous amount of tailgating that goes on. Not just 'white van man' or 'sales rep' like in England, but people of any age or sex. Thought I had gotten used to it, and started to accept that that is just how people drive here but an episode the other day really aggravated me. I left work after my afternoon shift and was driving home on the Sunshine Motorway at about 10.15pm. I set off cruising along on the nice, quiet road doing the speed limit. All was well until some clown decided he would drive hanging off my bumper for the whole duration:curse:. What made it worse was the road was so quiet, he/she had ample opportunity to overtake, but insisted on tailgating instead. What is the point? If you want to go faster than the speed limit, just bloody overtake and leave the rest of us alone!! Is it any wonder why the death toll on the Sunshine Coast roads is so high. Rant over, feel better getting that off my chest.
They just are not used to sharing the road with anyone else.. and they don't give a flying crap about anyone elses lives... they leave everything to the last second and they allow no margin for errors, either of their own or other peoples... I seriously hate driving on that road and I will not drive it at night ..
Of course I am generalising on a massive scale here...
Em x
Jan 24th 2009 | 11:21 am
#24
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28,175
From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Jan 24th 2009 | 11:28 am
#25
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 23,400
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
I passed my test donkeys years ago and just discovered I hate driving.
Anyway, I had a refresher lesson in Perth not so long ago and my instructor said the UK sets the highest driving standards for its test in the world and in his opinion, Australia is the worst.
He has taught driving in his own country - Egypt and he said he is continutally shocked and appalled at how people think it is acceptable to tailgate, speed in built up areas not giving a shit if they hit someone or cause an accident, and most of all - drink/drive.
Last week I saw some twit driving along my street in a Ute with a bottle of beer in one hand.
Seriously, I have seen gypsies drive better than some of the people in Perth.
I had people tailgate me on my driving lesson and it really got on my nerves to the point I actually felt I wanted to stop the car.
'Oh I can control a car if I drive fast' or 'I can drink and drive and Im in control' or 'I can just drive like a complete and utter knob head and its fine'.
Perth drivers - it isnt fine, it makes you look even more stupid than you already do.
Passing your driving test in Perth is no biggy, nothing to be proud of - it is how you decide to drive afterwards that makes you what you are in the drivers seat.
Anyway, I had a refresher lesson in Perth not so long ago and my instructor said the UK sets the highest driving standards for its test in the world and in his opinion, Australia is the worst.
He has taught driving in his own country - Egypt and he said he is continutally shocked and appalled at how people think it is acceptable to tailgate, speed in built up areas not giving a shit if they hit someone or cause an accident, and most of all - drink/drive.
Last week I saw some twit driving along my street in a Ute with a bottle of beer in one hand.
Seriously, I have seen gypsies drive better than some of the people in Perth.
I had people tailgate me on my driving lesson and it really got on my nerves to the point I actually felt I wanted to stop the car.
'Oh I can control a car if I drive fast' or 'I can drink and drive and Im in control' or 'I can just drive like a complete and utter knob head and its fine'.
Perth drivers - it isnt fine, it makes you look even more stupid than you already do.
Passing your driving test in Perth is no biggy, nothing to be proud of - it is how you decide to drive afterwards that makes you what you are in the drivers seat.
Jan 24th 2009 | 11:35 am
#26
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,316
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
I passed my test donkeys years ago and just discovered I hate driving.
Anyway, I had a refresher lesson in Perth not so long ago and my instructor said the UK sets the highest driving standards for its test in the world and in his opinion, Australia is the worst.
He has taught driving in his own country - Egypt and he said he is continutally shocked and appalled at how people think it is acceptable to tailgate, speed in built up areas not giving a shit if they hit someone or cause an accident, and most of all - drink/drive.
Last week I saw some twit driving along my street in a Ute with a bottle of beer in one hand.
Seriously, I have seen gypsies drive better than some of the people in Perth.
I had people tailgate me on my driving lesson and it really got on my nerves to the point I actually felt I wanted to stop the car.
'Oh I can control a car if I drive fast' or 'I can drink and drive and Im in control' or 'I can just drive like a complete and utter knob head and its fine'.
Perth drivers - it isnt fine, it makes you look even more stupid than you already do.
Passing your driving test in Perth is no biggy, nothing to be proud of - it is how you decide to drive afterwards that makes you what you are in the drivers seat.
Anyway, I had a refresher lesson in Perth not so long ago and my instructor said the UK sets the highest driving standards for its test in the world and in his opinion, Australia is the worst.
He has taught driving in his own country - Egypt and he said he is continutally shocked and appalled at how people think it is acceptable to tailgate, speed in built up areas not giving a shit if they hit someone or cause an accident, and most of all - drink/drive.
Last week I saw some twit driving along my street in a Ute with a bottle of beer in one hand.
Seriously, I have seen gypsies drive better than some of the people in Perth.
I had people tailgate me on my driving lesson and it really got on my nerves to the point I actually felt I wanted to stop the car.
'Oh I can control a car if I drive fast' or 'I can drink and drive and Im in control' or 'I can just drive like a complete and utter knob head and its fine'.
Perth drivers - it isnt fine, it makes you look even more stupid than you already do.
Passing your driving test in Perth is no biggy, nothing to be proud of - it is how you decide to drive afterwards that makes you what you are in the drivers seat.
Jan 24th 2009 | 11:45 am
#28
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 503
From: South Australia
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
Australians (particularly male) appear to undergo a complete character transplant once they get behind the wheel of a car. Gone is the easy going, larrikin- enter the reckless bully boy!
I hate tailgating - it's intimidating and downright dangerous. As a result, I rarely ever drive in Australia, I just don't feel that safe around other drivers. I had more confidence on the busy roads of the UK, I felt I could trust the ability of other drivers there.
Of course there are bad drivers in every country but for a country with a small population like OZ....makes you wonder where it comes from???
I hate tailgating - it's intimidating and downright dangerous. As a result, I rarely ever drive in Australia, I just don't feel that safe around other drivers. I had more confidence on the busy roads of the UK, I felt I could trust the ability of other drivers there.
Of course there are bad drivers in every country but for a country with a small population like OZ....makes you wonder where it comes from???
Jan 24th 2009 | 12:00 pm
#29
Has left the building
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,079
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
The technique my dad taught me has never failed yet.... don't brake at all, not sharply, not slowly... just take your foot off the gas, and allow the car to slow. If it doesn't get rid of them the first time, keep doing it. It's pretty safe for you and your passengers & they invariably get fed up & go past.
I guess the only downside would be if you got a road rage merchant - but if they're tailgating you I would think the chances are against that, they'd be past & gone!
I guess the only downside would be if you got a road rage merchant - but if they're tailgating you I would think the chances are against that, they'd be past & gone!
- bowel movments and
- that illusion that there street car is the same performance vehicle on bathurst.
"Officer I think it was a cat running across the road"
Jan 24th 2009 | 12:06 pm
#30
MODERATOR
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,932
From: Redneck Wonderland
Re: Tailgating!!! What is the point?
I honestly felt safer on the U.K roads than I do here in this particular part of Australia.
The two places are comparable, I lived in Lincolnshire U.K., the A180/M180 was a notorious road for fatalities. A boring long drive to nowhere on a noisy concrete surface was attributed to lulling drivers to sleep.
Here I live close to the most notorious stretch of road in Australia. The Bruce highway Cooroy to Curra section has been long established as a fatality blackspot. The speed limit has just been dropped from 100kph to 90kph for that entire stretch. It allegedly accounts for the majority of road deaths in S.E Qld.
Speeding accounts for the majority of deaths here closely followed by dangerous driving & tired drivers.
We've had our local paper full of stats on deaths for a while & Australian roads are more dangerous than their U.K counterparts.
The only stats I could find [sorry Eric I'm doing your job] are from 2007 when there were officially 1616 deaths on Australian roads [source] Same year the U.K figures dropped to below 3000 [source] Per capita Australia is a far more dangerous place to drive.
The two places are comparable, I lived in Lincolnshire U.K., the A180/M180 was a notorious road for fatalities. A boring long drive to nowhere on a noisy concrete surface was attributed to lulling drivers to sleep.
Here I live close to the most notorious stretch of road in Australia. The Bruce highway Cooroy to Curra section has been long established as a fatality blackspot. The speed limit has just been dropped from 100kph to 90kph for that entire stretch. It allegedly accounts for the majority of road deaths in S.E Qld.
Speeding accounts for the majority of deaths here closely followed by dangerous driving & tired drivers.
We've had our local paper full of stats on deaths for a while & Australian roads are more dangerous than their U.K counterparts.
The only stats I could find [sorry Eric I'm doing your job
] are from 2007 when there were officially 1616 deaths on Australian roads [source] Same year the U.K figures dropped to below 3000 [source] Per capita Australia is a far more dangerous place to drive.
