tailgater gets owned

[pauldun170]

I speed.
I sometimes crazy speed.

I'm constantly in and out of the left lane passing people.
Some asshole behind me decides to speed faster than me then I'll move over. No big deal. Awesome actually because then I can use them to draw out police and serve as a decoy. I love to let fast people pass me. they get the ticket.

Slow people in the left lane?
If they are doing at least the speed limit and there is no law that they need to move over then fine. It's their obligation to observe the speed limit and they are entitled to use whatever lane the law allows for in a manner they see fit.
I'd REALLY REALLY REALLY prefer they move the hell over but the last thing I'm going to do is whine like an asshole on the internet about it.
Worse case scenario is that I go around them when conditions allow.

If they have their cruise controlled locked at 55mph and there is no way around them...screw it. If you can't beat em. Join em. Lock cruise control at 55mph and get a slow moving caravan going.

 

[sontakke]

When I want to drive sedately and maximize my gas mileage, I use the right lane exclusively. On the other hand when I want give that tachometer a work out and blank out the mpg display, I end up using the right lane to pass because it happens to be empty most of the time. I also believe that if you are going to speed, try not to be in the fast lane. It is the most "watched" lane. Never be the fastest car on the highway. If there is a very light traffic, be extra careful. If lots of cars are speeding, have a ball.

I am not sure if this methodology works elsewhere in the country but in New England, this is how it is.

 

[Insomniator]

Get. Over.

 

[TechBoyJK]

When I want to drive sedately and maximize my gas mileage, I use the right lane exclusively. On the other hand when I want give that tachometer a work out and blank out the mpg display, I end up using the right lane to pass because it happens to be empty most of the time. I also believe that if you are going to speed, try not to be in the fast lane. It is the most "watched" lane. Never be the fastest car on the highway. If there is a very light traffic, be extra careful. If lots of cars are speeding, have a ball.

I am not sure if this methodology works elsewhere in the country but in New England, this is how it is.

Getting out of the left lane if you're going to speed is a lesson I've learned.

Even if I'm going to drive 90, I try and stay right, and only get into the left lane to pass. The more you're integrated with regular traffic, the less likely you stand out as a speeder.

 

[ImpulsE69]

After examining that video a bit more I came to the conclusion.

The tailgator was a an ass. There really was no reason for him to be riding the other person.

The person in front did a deliberate brake check - and more than just tapping his breaks - which makes him just as wrong.

He should be fined for not stopping at the scene of an accident, when he essentially was the catalyst for it, regardless if the person tailgating was in the wrong (he would get fined for tailgating anyway).

 

[zerocool84]

Getting out of the left lane if you're going to speed is a lesson I've learned.

Even if I'm going to drive 90, I try and stay right, and only get into the left lane to pass. The more you're integrated with regular traffic, the less likely you stand out as a speeder.

I'm the same way, I cruise at 80 which is fairly normal cruising speed for the LA area on those rare times the freeways are semi open and cruise in the other lanes, not the furthest left.

 

[SSSnail]

I'm the same way, I cruise at 80 which is fairly normal cruising speed for the LA area on those rare times the freeways are semi open and cruise in the other lanes, not the furthest left.

This is how most reasonable people drive in socal, cruise about 80 in the second left lane, and pass when needed on the left, except when the left lane is occupied by hoggers.

The worst offenders are the ones that got into the HOV lane, then proceed to hold everyone hostage for miles.

 

[pauldun170]

The worst offenders are the ones that got into the HOV lane, then proceed to hold everyone hostage for miles.

I love me some HOV.
I don't care much about the speed of other cars as I do the consistency.
I'll take 55 on cruise control over some dipshit going from 80 to 60 to 80 to 70 to oh noee!!!!theres a hill!!! Slow down to 55 and then speed the way back up to 90.

If you are going to go 55, 65,75 100 fine. Just maintain the speed. If I have to hit the brake then I'm annoyed

 

[DrPizza]

Yep, I like to speed. No other tickets in my life though besides speeding.

About the 2 lane thing... See, that's what's killing me. I asked that same thing years ago (about passing distance and w/e not it was different on 2 lane roads) and I was told since Illinois determined the left lane was for passing only, the same passing rules applied as they did to 2 lane roads. Basically, you were supposed to treat getting into the left lane the same as you would going into the oncoming lane on a 2way highway. if you're going to make a pass, you have to do it quickly. Get in the left lane, pass asap, and gtfo back over.

Like I said.. I can't find shit now to back any of this up, so it's a non-issue anymore to me.

Well, no kidding. If there's one car in the right lane, after you pass it, you get back into the right lane. NO one here is arguing otherwise. The situation we're all trying to point out is when there are a lot of cars in the right lane, and you're continuously passing car after car. Sure, there might be room for you to squeeze in, but if the flow of traffic in the left lane is 75mph, and the flow of traffic in the right lane is 65mph, in zero states are you required to squeeze in on the right (if you're going 75), so that someone attempting to go 85 can pass you. If you're going 67, and the left lane has been moving along at 75, then yes, you need to get over, hence the Trooper's remarks you quoted.

Tickets for 5 or 7 mph over?! If you're getting a ticket for 5mph over, the manner in which you're driving is what brought attention to you; that's the ticket they're able to give. I drive a lot of miles on the highways each year; state after state after state, up and down the east coast, and over to Michigan, my cruise is set at 7-9mph over. I don't drive aggressively. I've never received even a warning. You're doing something wrong if you're getting tickets for 5mph over - weaving in and out of traffic, passing on the right, and/or driving aggressively. As evidence to support my claim, I present the body of your posts in which you've had to have conversations with attorneys about passing, people being required to move over, etc. You don't get a ticket for being stuck behind someone else going 5mph over, unless it's a ticket for tailgating.

 

[TechBoyJK]

Well, no kidding. If there's one car in the right lane, after you pass it, you get back into the right lane. NO one here is arguing otherwise. The situation we're all trying to point out is when there are a lot of cars in the right lane, and you're continuously passing car after car. Sure, there might be room for you to squeeze in, but if the flow of traffic in the left lane is 75mph, and the flow of traffic in the right lane is 65mph, in zero states are you required to squeeze in on the right (if you're going 75), so that someone attempting to go 85 can pass you. If you're going 67, and the left lane has been moving along at 75, then yes, you need to get over, hence the Trooper's remarks you quoted.

Tickets for 5 or 7 mph over?! If you're getting a ticket for 5mph over, the manner in which you're driving is what brought attention to you; that's the ticket they're able to give. I drive a lot of miles on the highways each year; state after state after state, up and down the east coast, and over to Michigan, my cruise is set at 7-9mph over. I don't drive aggressively. I've never received even a warning. You're doing something wrong if you're getting tickets for 5mph over - weaving in and out of traffic, passing on the right, and/or driving aggressively. As evidence to support my claim, I present the body of your posts in which you've had to have conversations with attorneys about passing, people being required to move over, etc. You don't get a ticket for being stuck behind someone else going 5mph over, unless it's a ticket for tailgating.

Almost every ticket was on the highway and I simply blew past a speed trap. I've only received 2 elsewhere on non highway roads and those were ones most past the legal limit. I got hit for a 65 in a 45 once, and 50 in a 35 zone. Both were instances in which the speed limit changed and I didn't observe it. I mean.. i was already speeding in the faster zone, and didn't slow down when the limit changed.

The accident in which brought up the discussions about left lane passing etc. stemmed from being rear ended by a tailgater when I was in the 'passing lane' behind someone else. The car in front of me slammed on their brakes, so I had to slam on mine because even though I was observing 2 second rule, it was still very abrupt. However, the guy behind me didn't brake in time and ended plowing into me, then pushing me into the car in front of me. My car was totaled, the car that hit me was totaled, and the car I hit got its rear end messed up. Not to mention that my dumbass wasn't buckled up, and I ate the steering wheel when my chest plate and got severe whiplash. I still have neck problems.

There wasn't that heavy of traffic, but 2 cars up (the car in front of the car that I hit) someone was cruising in the left lane and not letting cars pass them, which caused us to pile up behind them. While I don't know for sure, I think the car in front of me that slammed on their breaks was brake checked by the person because there was nothing in front of the lead car and they seemed to be trying to police speeders. So I fault the entire thing for a jackass in the left lane that refused to get over, and seemed to be driving slow on purpose just to irritate the drivers behind. This caused traffic to back up and bam.

This is why I immediately started throwing stones at the guy who brake checked in the video.

 

[DrPizza]

I've driven by hundreds of troopers with speed traps at 72 in a 65. They don't even give me a glance.

 

[TechBoyJK]

I've driven by hundreds of troopers with speed traps at 72 in a 65. They don't even give me a glance.

That's my experience in general. I speed all the time. Most of the highway tickets came from a wolf pack of troopers executing a speed trap. Only a few times was it a lone trooper.

 

[zerocool84]

I've driven by hundreds of troopers with speed traps at 72 in a 65. They don't even give me a glance.

I hate it when people drive below the speed limit on the freeway when there's a cop around. I just keep going on my merry way, they aren't going to stop you unleashed you're seriously speeding.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I hate it when people drive below the speed limit on the freeway when there's a cop around. I just keep going on my merry way, they aren't going to stop you unleashed you're seriously speeding.

Most of the time what I see is the cop doing under the limit by 3-5 mph which in turn most people are scared to pass them. The opposite of that is when they come up on your ass, even if you aren't doing anything wrong you start to panic and slow down.

 

[glenn1]

Almost every ticket was on the highway and I simply blew past a speed trap. I've only received 2 elsewhere on non highway roads and those were ones most past the legal limit. I got hit for a 65 in a 45 once, and 50 in a 35 zone. Both were instances in which the speed limit changed and I didn't observe it. I mean.. i was already speeding in the faster zone, and didn't slow down when the limit changed.

The accident in which brought up the discussions about left lane passing etc. stemmed from being rear ended by a tailgater when I was in the 'passing lane' behind someone else. The car in front of me slammed on their brakes, so I had to slam on mine because even though I was observing 2 second rule, it was still very abrupt. However, the guy behind me didn't brake in time and ended plowing into me, then pushing me into the car in front of me. My car was totaled, the car that hit me was totaled, and the car I hit got its rear end messed up. Not to mention that my dumbass wasn't buckled up, and I ate the steering wheel when my chest plate and got severe whiplash. I still have neck problems.

There wasn't that heavy of traffic, but 2 cars up (the car in front of the car that I hit) someone was cruising in the left lane and not letting cars pass them, which caused us to pile up behind them. While I don't know for sure, I think the car in front of me that slammed on their breaks was brake checked by the person because there was nothing in front of the lead car and they seemed to be trying to police speeders. So I fault the entire thing for a jackass in the left lane that refused to get over, and seemed to be driving slow on purpose just to irritate the drivers behind. This caused traffic to back up and bam.

This is why I immediately started throwing stones at the guy who brake checked in the video.

And you would be wrongly faulting that person in the left hand lane. I hope you were held at fault and in a more just world you would have lost your license, hopefully for good. You are a damn menace and I'm glad I don't live near you.

 

[TechBoyJK]

And you would be wrongly faulting that person in the left hand lane. I hope you were held at fault and in a more just world you would have lost your license, hopefully for good. You are a damn menace and I'm glad I don't live near you.

You're weird. I didn't do anything wrong.

The driver I blamed broke the law by not moving out of the lane causing traffic to pile up behind him/her and caused an unsafe situation. The driver who hit me broke the law by following too close. At the time, we were doing the speed limit because the slowpoke illegally in the left lane was obstructing traffic.

Went to court. Was found to have no fault in the accident. The lady I hit said I wasn't tailgating, and they faulted the guy who hit me for everything. Insurance company didn't fault me either. The guy who hit me; his insurance paid for everything.

So not only was I not found to be at fault, I paid nothing, didn't get any points on my license, and used my payout to buy a nice new bmw.

 

[destrekor]

Almost every ticket was on the highway and I simply blew past a speed trap. I've only received 2 elsewhere on non highway roads and those were ones most past the legal limit. I got hit for a 65 in a 45 once, and 50 in a 35 zone. Both were instances in which the speed limit changed and I didn't observe it. I mean.. i was already speeding in the faster zone, and didn't slow down when the limit changed.

The accident in which brought up the discussions about left lane passing etc. stemmed from being rear ended by a tailgater when I was in the 'passing lane' behind someone else. The car in front of me slammed on their brakes, so I had to slam on mine because even though I was observing 2 second rule, it was still very abrupt. However, the guy behind me didn't brake in time and ended plowing into me, then pushing me into the car in front of me. My car was totaled, the car that hit me was totaled, and the car I hit got its rear end messed up. Not to mention that my dumbass wasn't buckled up, and I ate the steering wheel when my chest plate and got severe whiplash. I still have neck problems.

There wasn't that heavy of traffic, but 2 cars up (the car in front of the car that I hit) someone was cruising in the left lane and not letting cars pass them, which caused us to pile up behind them. While I don't know for sure, I think the car in front of me that slammed on their breaks was brake checked by the person because there was nothing in front of the lead car and they seemed to be trying to police speeders. So I fault the entire thing for a jackass in the left lane that refused to get over, and seemed to be driving slow on purpose just to irritate the drivers behind. This caused traffic to back up and bam.

This is why I immediately started throwing stones at the guy who brake checked in the video.

That diagram describes my complaints perfectly. When passing, at a reasonable speed, I don't mind one bit. If passing a line of cars at 1 or 2mph difference, I get very annoyed.

When going ANY speed and the right lane is 100% open, and you just sit there and hog the left lane... that's when I get pissed. I'll sit for a few moments, angry and motioning for them to get out of the lane, and then my patience gets depleted and I go around them in the right lane... pissed that I had to do it. I hate right-lane passing with a passion, and get very angry when other people do it when there was about to be a good opportunity to do it properly. I've been on 3 lane roads, passing someone in the middle lane by moving to the left lane, and then I see someone weave in and out of the middle and right lanes to pass the same person. I pass at reasonable speeds (hell, often going 80 in a 65 while the middle-lane guy is going 70 or 75), and if there is a gap and traffic isn't going that much slower than I, I will move over to free the left lane. When people don't get even someone that chance and immediately weave around the right, I get very annoyed. That's why I won't duck into the right lane immediately, I like to give someone the chance so we can all do it right.

 

[destrekor]

You're weird. I didn't do anything wrong.

The driver I blamed broke the law by not moving out of the lane causing traffic to pile up behind him/her and caused an unsafe situation. The driver who hit me broke the law by following too close. At the time, we were doing the speed limit because the slowpoke illegally in the left lane was obstructing traffic.

Went to court. Was found to have no fault in the accident. The lady I hit said I wasn't tailgating, and they faulted the guy who hit me for everything. Insurance company didn't fault me either. The guy who hit me; his insurance paid for everything.

So not only was I not found to be at fault, I paid nothing, didn't get any points on my license, and used my payout to buy a nice new bmw.

Not sure why glenn is having a fit about that - the way you described the events, I immediately figured the guy who hit you would be faulted for everything. Everyone else left enough room to react, but when you get pushed from behind, you can't be faulted for hitting someone else who you had previously safely avoided hitting in the first place.

He's just annoyed and angry that you are a speeder, and immediately figures that you arguing over the left lane, and have had plenty of tickets or at least have been handed numerous citations (fought or not), and now add on that you were in an accident... he assumes you're a bad and/or nuisance driver.

I've only had 3 or 4 speeding tickets, when I wasn't paying enough attention and blending in with traffic like I do now. And I've only ever had one accident, which was a multi-car fatality accident in rain/misty conditions at night, in which I was not an at-fault party (I don't think they ever figured out the fault, so I got fucked as I only had liability insurance).

I go out of my way to present myself as a courteous driver, have avoided plenty of idiots and would-be accidents, but I still like to speed. Usually not excessively, but I just find going 70-80 keeps my attention focused very well on the road, whereas 55-65 I find to be plodding along and risky. I am far more engaged with the road, and that's how I like it, I don't like to just cruise peacefully and slowly on the open road, that's a recipe for dozing off and/or letting my guard down. Guard up, slight anxiety over hazards... very engaged.
Perhaps has a bit to due to mild ADD, but it's worked well for me. I like to be hyper-alert on the road, and it has saved my butt enough to not consider adopting the speed limit as my own limit. I do slow down when necessary, and I mind the conditions... but I am sure others will label me a dangerous driver who shouldn't have a license. To which I say, meh.

 

[TechBoyJK]

That diagram describes my complaints perfectly. When passing, at a reasonable speed, I don't mind one bit. If passing a line of cars at 1 or 2mph difference, I get very annoyed.

When going ANY speed and the right lane is 100% open, and you just sit there and hog the left lane... that's when I get pissed. I'll sit for a few moments, angry and motioning for them to get out of the lane, and then my patience gets depleted and I go around them in the right lane... pissed that I had to do it. I hate right-lane passing with a passion, and get very angry when other people do it when there was about to be a good opportunity to do it properly. I've been on 3 lane roads, passing someone in the middle lane by moving to the left lane, and then I see someone weave in and out of the middle and right lanes to pass the same person. I pass at reasonable speeds (hell, often going 80 in a 65 while the middle-lane guy is going 70 or 75), and if there is a gap and traffic isn't going that much slower than I, I will move over to free the left lane. When people don't get even someone that chance and immediately weave around the right, I get very annoyed. That's why I won't duck into the right lane immediately, I like to give someone the chance so we can all do it right.

before

after

You know what makes it worse? I initially thought I just had bad bumper damage and a fucked up hood and tried driving it up that on ramp (which turned into a bridge that went over the highway) while sticking my head out the window because I couldn't see around my bent hood only to have my car sputter and die when we got on the bridge. There was no shoulder so we either had to sit in the lane in traffic or gtfo off the road.. there was an exit right there so we went up it and onto the bridge because there was a shoulder area after the bridge. So car dies on bridge, further holding up one lane of traffic...There was no shoulder until after the bridge.. so I had to put it in neutral and push it until it rolled down the bridge.. and when I got off the bridge my fucking bumper caught a lip in the road and started dragging making it even harder to push the car. The entire time cars are honking and getting pissed because I'm holding everything up. Nothing like having drive and then push your dead fucking car that you loved and worked on while your chest feels like its going to cave in all the while you have 100's of cars pissed off and honking at you.

I was so f'n pissed off. They totaled out the car because the frame was bent.

 

[LTC8K6]

i was driving home today and i was in the left lane on a 55mph, going like 60-65 when i came up on someone. i stayed behind them (safe distance) for about 5 seconds and since they didn't get over or speed up, i then went to pass them. this was a 2 lane road at this point that was pretty empty.

as soon as i go to pass them, they sped up. i sped up to like 80 to pass them and keep on my way, and this person sped up to probably 75 or so as i wasn't passing them very fast, but was going faster than them.

and it wasn't like they were going below the speed limit and decided to speed back up to the speed limit, they were already going over the speed limit when i came upon them.

WHY THE FUCK DO PEOPLE GET SO MAD WHEN YOU PASS THEM???

In NC, you are required to help the other driver make the pass. Probably very few people follow the law, though.

Under NC law, a pass on a two lane road is supposed to go like this:

Driver A who wants to pass puts on turn signal & honks horn.
Driver B being passed is then under a legal obligation to facilitate the pass.
Driver A makes a safe pass.

The horn signal places the driver of the vehicle you are passing under a legal obligation to help you pass.

 

[edro]

So I fault the entire thing for a jackass in the left lane that refused to get over, and seemed to be driving slow on purpose just to irritate the drivers behind.

Whenever I pass a left lane hog, I pass with shock and awe.
I assume every one of them is doing it to piss me off.
I don't give them a chance to speed up.

 

[LTC8K6]

Whenever I pass a left lane hog, I pass with shock and awe.
I assume every one of them is doing it to piss me off.
I don't give them a chance to speed up.

That's another reason to have a vehicle that can accelerate quickly.

I love my hemi for that passing power.

 

[geecee]

Just out of curiosity, while you're in the left lane following behind several other cars going 10-15 mph above the speed limit, what is the etiquette for someone who comes up behind you and flashes his lights repeatedly at you to get out of the way? Again, this assumes that the right hand lane is full of slower moving traffic. I've had it happen more than a few times, and I generally ignore them, sometimes causing tailgating, or angry attempts to pass on the right. Am I obligated to get out of his way? Or does the other driver simply need to have some patience and/or not do 25+ mph above the speed limit? I'll mention that I generally have no problem getting out of the way for faster drivers. But I think that at some point, you just have to go with the traffic flow. Rush hour in NY/NJ is just not going to give you Daytona 500 driving conditions.

 

[pauldun170]

Just out of curiosity, while you're in the left lane following behind several other cars going 10-15 mph above the speed limit, what is the etiquette for someone who comes up behind you and flashes his lights repeatedly at you to get out of the way? Again, this assumes that the right hand lane is full of slower moving traffic. I've had it happen more than a few times, and I generally ignore them, sometimes causing tailgating, or angry attempts to pass on the right. Am I obligated to get out of his way? Or does the other driver simply need to have some patience and/or not do 25+ mph above the speed limit? I'll mention that I generally have no problem getting out of the way for faster drivers. But I think that at some point, you just have to go with the traffic flow. Rush hour in NY/NJ is just not going to give you Daytona 500 driving conditions.

If you are actively passing someone then the natural course of events takes place. You eventually move out the way and the other person passes you.

If you are just sitting in the left lane "cuz eez fahsta" then courtesy is to let the faster guy go ahead when its safe for you to hop back into the non passing lane.

If you are in NY\NJ then there are other rules in place.
If person is talking on a cell phone and throwing his hands up...let the wiper fluid fly.

 

[Humpy]

The interstates through my town have 3 or 4 lanes. During most of the day there is so much merging and jockeying for position to get to and from all of the exits that the far left lane naturally becomes the through traffic lane rather than any type of passing lane. The more chaotic center lane naturally becomes the passing lane. All sorts of other shit goes down in the right lanes.

It goes back to the normal convention when traffic dies down.

I've driven all over the US and in 5 foreign countries, and never had an accident, simply by observing an adapting to the surroundings. It just not that hard to figure out.