BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 03:37 AM

You should have been cited.



Even if going the speed limit law enforcement had every right to pull you over for speeds so low they are dangerous or impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic.

It is old people like you that are a hazard and should have their privilege to drive revoked. I hope she noted your number and turned it over to the police. A few more notices and perhaps we can get you off the streets.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,.gargoyle
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 04:01 AM

There was a dwarf, driving a "smart car" ...   you know the type that could almost be an oversized roller skate.

He was rear ended, at a stoplight, by an oversized 4x4 with wheels that cost more than his whole vehicle.

He got out of his car. Walked over to the other vehicle and put his hands on his hips.and
looked up at the driver and saying, "You know, I'm not happy!"

The other driver looked down and said, "Well, which one are you?"

Sincerely,
Gargoyle

You might want to consider an anger management class, or meditation, or a good church. You appear to have "issues" that may be a danger others.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 04:03 AM

LOL Guest!!
Our roads here in Norfolk are lovely (to me). Most are only single carriageways, and with the exception of Norwich, have very little traffic on them. We don't have even a smidgeon of a motorway. The main A road which bypasses our village for example is nearly always empty, and one never has to wait to join it. But as with all rural roads, one has to expect the unexpected. There are loads of farm vehicles of all types trundling along, but the tractor men are very good and pull over regularly into lay-bys to let the other motorists pass. One can encounter horses, and lots of pedal bikes. At night, the deer, foxes, badgers and hares throng the place, you can hardly move for them. As in anything else, one only needs a bit of my old mate Common Sense.
My old dad used to say that one drives according to one's personality., and aggression, impatience etc will out. This woman obviously had 'issues' which made her a dangerous and bad driver.
Thank you everyone for your advice and comments. Another time (hope not!) I'll be even more defensive and turn off safely out of the way. People like that are better miles in front of one than right up one's bum!

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 04:50 AM

BTW - For those concerned with people traveling too slow I must point out that the speed limit is a maximum, not a minimum or compulsory speed. There are laws which govern obstructing the flow of traffic which cover the situations where someone is causing a serious obstruction.

Oh, and Steve, If I have my grandchildren in the car I feel much happier doing 40 on rural roads. If someone wants to pass me, fine, they are welcome to. I will assist in SAFE way possible. I usually catch them up again when they come up to the next lorry, bus or tractor anyway.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 05:04 AM

'Dave, how did you ever end up owning a Lada? I didn't think those things were ever sold outside the Warsaw Pact. Are they seen very often in the U.K.? How about East German Trabants?'

Ladas were exported to most European countries during the eighties and they were popular because they were cheap. They held the market segment Dacia is now occupying. You'd get a new one for a price below that of a decent second hand car of another make.

A neighbour here in Ireland bought one every few years and drove it until it fell to bits, at one point there were three or four of them sitting outside the house, rusting away. The man, an old farmer, drove them into town to do his shopping and to socialise at the weekend. One night he was stopped by the guards, 'have you had anything to drink, sir?' 'I had four whiskeys guard' 'do you think you can drive this way?' 'well I have been doing this every saturday for twenty years, guard'. They let him go on home without a fine.

I remember Trabants from the sixties, they too were relatively popular as a cheap car. A neighbour at the time (around 1965, at a guess), not in Ireland, had one.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 05:15 AM

I ran a Lada for a year or two back then. Remember it as a perfectly reliable, unexciting car which got me where I wanted to go. That's all I ever want of a car. I'm not any sort of 'exciting' driver. I have been running the same 1997 Vauxhall Astra automatic, which I got 2nd-hand when it was a couple of years old, for 15 years now.

But I don't tailgate; nor [touch wood!] has anyone ever tailgated me so far as I recall.

~M~

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 06:43 AM

But how to deal with tailgating?
Weld an RSJ to the chassis and brake hard?
Fit a flamethrower?
Caltrops?
EMP his computer?

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Ed T
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 06:51 AM

worst cars 


I dont believe Ladas were imported into the USA. Only a few models (I believe three) made it to Canada for a few years in the 70s, mostly the early low horsepower models. Because of poor quality and design issues andpremature rusting at that time, the cars popularity and reputation was low and remain low. In fact, the name in Canada is often associated with very poor quality autos...see link.

One of the main models, the signet, was rear wheel drive..they generally perform poorly in winter snow conditions.

I recall, on Canada east coast, many used ladas were scooped up from wrecking yards by visiting Cuban fishermen in port, and taken back home on their ships for spare parts. When visiting Cuba, quite a few still can be seen on the roads, from the Russian co-operation era. However, they seem to be in poorer shape than the 50s era north amerian vehicles still in daily use.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 09:18 AM

I fantasise about being a plainclothes copper in an unmarked car. Imagine the satisfaction if one could press a button to turn on the hidden blue flashing lights and a nice loud siren, pull over the cretin and ask politely, "Is this your vehicle, madam?" Sheer joy!

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 09:31 AM

get a dashcam. Mine cost 16 GBP but there is one at about 45 that has two cameras in one device, one pointing forwards and one points backwards to the rear window. Then Put a sticker in the back window saying something like "the video of you breaking the law is now on the internet. The police can view it any time"
Sort of "if you can read this - you are too close" with a bit more byte (sic).

My fantasy is to devise a peashooter type tube that will fire stink bombs at the guy's radiator and air vents. & don't think I won't make one!

PS I have only had one useful video clip from it, and not an accident. Just a load of fire engines near the canal that tells a story. I video canal restoration.
PPS it does make you observe the speed limits a lot more closely.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 09:49 AM

I'm a cyclist, never owned a car or driving license, so don't keep up with auto technology..

But I'd think it common sense that all new cars be required to be factory fitted
with front/rear impact resistant mini digital cam recorders
like the after sales kits I mentioned earlier..

[even side cams so all angles are covered ?]

The cams would be auto activated on ignition, and the flash memory cards
auto erasing previously recorded earlier footage, keeping adequate memory capacity constantly available
so that the vital minutes before & after any incident are always preserved.

Same as Cyclist helmet and handlebar cams are becoming increasingly popular and essential.

for instance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECs8ZrmH8D8

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Stu
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 12:34 PM

We live near a posh village that has plenty of huge 4x4s. We were driving home one night down the A-road when a 4x4 came into my rear view mirror and tailgated me for about three miles. I was scared witless and was sure we would crash but there was nowhere to stop or pass. Eventually we reached the village centre where there roads met at a mini roundabout. As I slowed the dickhead behind pulled out onto the wrong side of the road, went past the bollards separating the lanes, around the roundabout the wrong way, past other bollards on the wrong side of the road and accelerated up the road.

Then . . . the village lit up with blue flashing lights and lo and behold a plain clots copper screamed off after him. When we passed the guy, pulled up buy the police we cheered out the window.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,p
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 02:23 PM

my dad ran a lada for years quite happily, so I bought a new one and it rusted in no time at all!.
luck of the draw ,I suppose.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 02:30 PM

I have towbars on my Volvos. A light touch of the brakes, just to turn the lights on, not cause retardation, usually gets the point across except to giant 4*4s. 4*4s are fun offroad but WHY do people need them for the swamps of Waitrose carpark?

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 02:42 PM

The only time I got really worried by a tailgater was in Scotland, on one of those narrow windy roads with occasional laybys. We were in a rather small rental car and a Rolls got on our tail and the driver acted like he was going to push us off the road. Got to a layby and were able to pull off. We had to stay there a while to recover.

I am a pretty fast driver, and used to mountain roads in the Rockies, but this guy scared us.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 02:57 PM

Anyone care to add anything from a 'tailgaters' point of view - why ???

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Stu
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 03:04 PM

"4*4s are fun off road"

Well, since using them in the field in the USA it struck me most people with 4x4s in the UK don't even understand what their vehicles are actually for; not many drive miles over rough country or unpaved roads to et to distant sites. Unless you're a farmer, site worker or whatever you don't need one in the UK and they shouldn't be allowed off road except in provided areas, end of. They've been actively destroying a 1000 year old metalled green lane near where I live; walkers have to scramble up the sides of the hollow road. A shared heritage being destroyed for rich boy's kicks.

I can see the attraction in having a stonking shiny great motor called "BigCock" or "AlphaMale" I'm sure they make people feel like they're floated to the top of the ladder *boilk*. But they shouldn't be off road on this country's greenways and lanes.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Joe_F
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 03:14 PM

In hell, I suppose, there is a highway entirely devoted to tailgaters & roadhogs.

In my cardriving days, I used to wonder if it would be legal to have an electronic display on one's rear that could be used to flash polite messages for people who let you in, and impolite messages to tailgaters. (If you can read this, you are close enough to etc.)

In ancient times, I was in moderately heavy traffic on the New York State Thruway, in the left lane, driving at the speed limit, which was faster than the traffic to my right. That wasn't good enough for the driver behind me, who, after an insanely prolonged stretch of tailgating, pulled out onto the grassy median and passed me at something like 100 mph.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 03:26 PM

Possible Tailgater reasoning: There was this fella that was driving way too close to me.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 04:14 PM

Stu:I can see the attraction in having a stonking shiny great motor called "BigCock" or "AlphaMale" I'm sure they make people feel like they're floated to the top of the ladder *boilk*. But they shouldn't be off road on this country's greenways and lanes.

But around my neck of the woods they're usually driven by "yummy mummies" and used mainly for shopping or school runs. None of the ones down our street would ever go off-road. In fact, twice they've had my wing mirror off on the local semi-rural "rat run" because they're so afraid of roadside twigs and leaves damaging their paintwork that they don't pull over far enough for on-coming traffic.

I've had estate cars for over 25 years now. until about 6 years ago, my car would normally have been one of the larger ones on our street. Now it's almost the smallest. In fact is probably *is* the samllest "prime car of the family" since smaller ones seem to be second or 3rd vehicles in a family.

When I've asked neighbours why they need them, the answer is usually: "they're big, so safe for the kids, and the high driving position means I can see things better".

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Ed T
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 04:56 PM

I noticed invrecent years that some folks tailgate (espevially younger), but don't seem to desire to pass when an opportunity is presented. This puzzles me...maybe these folks are seeking excitement (to match the cabin music) versus being in a safer driving zone?

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 05:02 PM

I think I'm pretty good about moving out of the way of faster traffic, but it's hard to pull off the road when there's a car on my tail. I was in the fast land on the freeway last week when a Highway Patrol car came up on my tail, lights flashing and siren screaming. I couldn't move over because I was in the process of passing another car in fairly heavy traffic. I went off onto the left shoulder, but almost hit a curb in the process.

Thanks for the worst cars link, Ed. I had forgotten that the Lada was modeled after the Fiat. I think the Soviet auto brand I heard of most was the GAZ and ZiL- among other things, they built limousines for party potentates.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 06:14 PM

I stopped tailgating people years ago. Far better to lurk a bit further back so that you can more easily see your chance to overtake. Oddly, I get tailgated meself very frequently when driving the missus's Mazda MX5 with the roof down (seriously, btw, everybody reading this, you need one of those - now...). Dunno what that's all about. I never get tailgated when driving me Ford Focus. I never hang about, always exceeding every speed limit known to man, so it can't be that. Jealousy, I suppose. The stupidest thing is when you're being tailgated when you're in a stream of slow-moving traffic and can't do anything about it. I pull over and let the silly sod pass, so that the poor bugger in front of me gets tailgated instead of me. It may not be Christian but it does soothe the savage breast.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 08:37 PM

For firing H2S capsules, consider a shrunk-down spud gun tapped off the exhaust.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Ebbie
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 09:37 PM

I just remembered one occasion when I understood the reason for my being tailgated.

On my way home to the Oregon Coast from the Willamette Valley on a dark rainy night- this was before they made the changes to the road, straightening many parts and taking out many curves altogether - I came down a slope to standing water. My car went into a slide, gliding over the pool. I immediately took my foot off the gas and went slower from then on.

The car behind me stayed followed me the rest of the way. When I got to the lit areas I saw it was a young woman. Obviously she had decided to let the car in front of her test the waters. :)

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Ed T
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 09:40 PM

"Im not tailgating I'm just tring to keep my bumper on."
 

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: LadyJean
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 09:45 PM

A friend of a friend rigged up his trunk (boot in British) so it would open, and a tube that wasn't a cannon, but certainly looked like one, came out. It had quite an effect on tailgaters. I only wish I had one.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Crowhugger
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 09:51 PM

In at least a couple of provinces in Canada (and I would expect in other jurisdictions too) there are at least 2 laws governing speed, and the one that wins in court is not necessarily the maximum speed law. I cannot cite chapter and verse but there are folks who've been ticketed for misuse of the passing lane when said drivers were going the posted maximum speed while traffic backed up behind them. Recently there has been a police campaign (I forget in which province) to warn and ticket drivers who use the left lane for other than passing. Even if going the speed limit. It would seem that blocking traffic is more illegal than speeding. That said, if you decide to speed and then have an accident, of course the law will be against you.
Conclusion: There is no perfect way to balance practicality with safety and with the vagaries of human nature.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 10:33 PM

Rubbish Stu. The AWDC do far more to protect preserve and repair green lanes (byways and RUPPS) than the Ramblers and local councils combined. I know because I've been out on the work parties. AWDC members know perfectly well that others have prior right of passage - I've often pulled over and turned off (when I had a 4*4) to let horses or walkers past. It's hardly ever the owners of expensive flash 4*4s who use them off road. Most damage is done by farmers. The vast preponderance of recreational 4*4 users know that they must tread lightly. Your ignorance is compounded by your reference to an alleged 1,000 year old METALLED green lane. I don't believe it. Modern metalling did not exist 1,000 years ago. Historic rights of way are being lost to the exclusive use of lords and farmers. The AWDC preserves heritage. You seem to wish only to sanitise and Disneyfy it.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Amos
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 10:47 PM

THe brake pedal usually will turn the brake lights on BEFORE it engages the actual brakes, so one option is to flash your brake lights at the tailgater, which (if he is rational) would induce him to slow down a bit--if you accelerate at the same time you can get away from the jerk until you get to a safe layby.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Don Firth
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 01:01 AM

Anybody remember the James Bond movie "Goldfinger?"

Q issued Bond a rather neat automobile, an Aston Martin DB5 with some very useful accessories. Among other things, at the touch of a button, a couple of vents would open on the rear of the car and spray either an oil slick or a rain of caltrops (little gizmos with spikes that would do a number on the tires of any car following—first designed centuries ago to injure the hooves of horses ridden by charging knights—nasty!).

It also had two .30 cal. machine guns, mounted under the front fenders.

Several nice things that would come in handy when the traffic gets a bit to hectic.

The car became a movie star in its own right. It appeared in several of the James Bond movies, even outlasting Sean Connery.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: JennieG
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 01:13 AM

I've been waiting for the "Goldfinger" car to make an appearance! I would love one of those, it would be such fun......

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 03:26 AM

I realise that some folk become very annoyed when tailgated, but I have to say I was more frightened than angry. After I'd safely reached home I was a bit trembly. I reckon it was the woman's expression and strange face-piercings. I've since wondered if she's one of those numpties who think the speed limit on a single carriageway is 70mph, whereas it most definitely is not, it's 60mph.
I've been looking up various motoring sites online, and most say not to do anything provocative, and not to touch the brakes etc. or slow down to annoying levels. They advise moving over to let the twit past, or turning off temporarily (a bit of a nuisance, but defensive driving is never easy!) My husband said he'd take the line of least resistance, with the aim of ending up with the stupid thing in front, not behind.
But fantasy is always amusing. I've imagined owning a Bond car and letting rip with rear-mounted guns, oil fountains and H2S gas. Then zoom off with a nasty satisfied smirk... Ha!

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Stu
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 05:14 AM

"Modern metalling did not exist 1,000 years ago"

A mistake in the way I phrased the sentence. The metalling is thought to be much later than the lane itself, which is hollowed into the landscape. There is nowhere for walkers or horse riders to get out of the way as the sides are around four feet deep of peat. Drivers can be pretty aggressive, very often they don't wait why you scrabble into the Wimberries in a panic as they surge forward regardless. To be fair, it's not just the tiny willy wagons of the moneyed aspirational middle class that are tearing up the local green lanes; those lunatics on motorbikes are as equally dangerous and destructive. Motors of any kind on green lanes, hollow roads and other ancient byways are like clouds - when they fuck off it's a nice day.


"The vast preponderance of recreational 4*4 users know that they must tread lightly."

How do you "tread lightly" in 3/4 ton of metal and plastic? Do you fit noise suppressors to your exhaust? Scrub the air clean on your way past? Get out and replace the displaced cobbles your 100's of quid-a-pop tyres have dislodged? Do you turn the stereo down? Can you hear the Curlews over the engine?

"You seem to wish only to sanitise and Disneyfy it."

Yeah right. You have no idea where I'm even talking about, and the landscape I walk in is far from Disneyfied. Green lanes were meant for walkers and not for lumbering, unsightly and noisy great 4x4s. I would suggest staying off them in motors would be the way to show respect and understanding for these ancient routes and the people that use them. Is there nowhere we can walk without a fucking car chugging into view and imposing it's soul-sapping noise and fume on us?

Aren't there bits of land put aside for wannabe Clarksons to get their yah-yahs without making the rest of us scramble for safety every time their air-conditioned-cut-off-from-the-environment-they're-wrecking boxy frames hove into view?

Each to his own, and although it's not my thing I can see the temptation in having a mighty car called "Warrior" or "Thunder" to enable you to rise above the rest of the great unwashed. Having used them in the US on dinosaur digs as utility vehicles I can understand their worth. Heck, it is fun being off road in one as I can attest. Thing is, once it's gone it's gone, something the Top Gear crowd seem unwilling or unable to appreciate. Our green lanes and hollow tracks are not the place for these monsters.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Ed T
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 06:11 AM

When driving a car, it is especially annoying and distracting to be tailgated at night by a vehicle with bright, highly placed, lights, such as some trucks, vans and SUVs.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Stu
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 06:37 AM

"But around my neck of the woods they're usually driven by "yummy mummies" and used mainly for shopping or school runs."

Funny you should say that, as we were tailgated by a WAG on the same road as the other incident but going the other way and during the daytime. When we got to the main junction and shrugged our shoulders at her she was rather impolite in her reply. Same happened when I pointed out to a rather posh lady that parking her 4x4 in a disabled parking space was a tad selfish.

I have to say I'm not a big fan of cars; horrid, smelly and quite unlovely in appearance (except for Morris travellers) these days they're all plastic and samey, unless you're minted. We used to have two and didn't replace the oldest when we ran it into the ground (it had mushrooms growing on the carpet) for environmental and cash reasons, although we could afford another if we really wanted to. We live in small village a couple of miles from the local market town so I walk in some days, but there's no doubt only having one car means compromising on some 'personal freedom' and can be pretty frustrating. What the heck, you gotta do what you can and it's a small proce to pay. Our other car's a Skoda estate and we can just about get our market stall into it, although it's a squeeze.

Our real problem is the local council stopped our bus service in the evening and on Sundays, and this is a real pain in the arse. The village has a large number of old folk as there is still actual council housing here and they are now stuck at night. Also, the cost is ridiculous about £2.70 for three milestone way.

Still not getting another car though.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: PHJim
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 10:14 AM

Posted by Anonymous GUEST
Date: 23 Jun 14 - 03:37 AM
"You should have been cited.
Even if going the speed limit law enforcement had every right to pull you over for speeds so low they are dangerous or impede the normal and reasonable flow of traffic.
It is old people like you that are a hazard and should have their privilege to drive revoked. I hope she noted your number and turned it over to the police. A few more notices and perhaps we can get you off the streets."

GUEST, Do you mean to say that police can ticket someone for not breaking the speed limit? What is the point of having posted speed limits if you're expected to exceed them.
I do feel that a driver who stays in the passing lane when not passing someone deserves to be ticketed, but Eliza made it clear that she was driving on a single lane road with no place to pull over.
Do you consider exceeding the speed limit to be "the normal and reasonable flow of traffic"?
I see some intolerance in your comment about, "It is old people like you..." This seems to indicate that a young person who drives at the posted speed is fine, but not old people.

Eliza, I wish that you hadn't mentioned the age, cigarette and piercings of the driver, since they should not have made a difference to the story. I'm sure the tailgating would have been just as scary if it had been a well groomed, non smoking senior citizen wearing a suit.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,Nasty looking old git
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 10:25 AM

Actually we're getting to a point in time now when a generation of punkrockers, bikers, skinheads and crusties,
all resplendant with facial tattoos and piercings,
are getting very close to retirement pension age...

Some of the oldest are already knocking on 70 or more.

Maybe more than a few are mudcatters ???


Now you really should think twice before looking in the rear view mirror to see the face of the driver following you.....

Be very afraid !!!!

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Don Firth
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 01:49 PM

It was only a short time after "Goldfinger" went the rounds of the movie theaters, the Aston Martin went on tour of British automobile agencies. The stunt driver who did Sean Connery's driving in the more hairy scenes went with the car and gave talks about the car at British car dealerships around the country (U.S.) and it was at the Seattle dealership that a friend of mine and I went to have a look and listen.

There it sat, in the middle of the show room floor with the stunt driver (who resembled Connery a bit) standing by. The Aston Martin was surrounded by some pretty nice iron, Jaguars, both sports cars and saloons, a couple of shiny Rolls', some others I didn't recognize……   They were to drool over!

The driver said that everything in the car—with the exception of the passenger ejection seat—actually worked. The explosion of the shell that ejected the seat would have killed or seriously injured the driver as well as blowing the passenger out through the roof. The axle that extended with the tire-cutting buzz-saw also worked, but he said it was sufficiently delicate that they installed it only when they were going to use it. But he said to bring the car into the United States, they had to remove the machine guns under the front fenders.

One gizmo that they didn't use in the movies (at least by the time the car was on tour) he said was totally impractical for the stated purpose. The ram bumpers. The front and rear bumpers would extend about three feet and were intended to be used to ram another car.   But, he said, they actually would not have protected the Aston Martin that much. He went on to say that they did have one practical use, however. If you parked, just extend the bumpers (they extended about three feet, for and aft) and nobody could block you in. If they did, all you needed to do was retract the bumpers and you'd have six feet of room to maneuver in.

But progress progresses. Recently, I've seen commercials on television for a couple of new cars that have detectors and computers on board that will automatically maintain a safe distance between it and the next car ahead. Collision avoidance device. If that gets around, it should solve the tailgating problem. The driver's own car with not allow the car to tailgate.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: kendall
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 01:55 PM

Adjusting the windshield washer nozzles so that much of the water goes over the roof. It's fun to see the tailgater running his washers, and probably blessing me.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 02:07 PM

Stu, you are an idiot. A driver should never "surge forwards regardless" - but idiotic wearers of goatshair socks often choose to try to obstruct drivers precisely where they will get stuck if they stop.

You plainly know nothing about the history of "green lanes". There are, historically, three levels of rights of way. Footway, Bridleway, and Cartway. It is total rubbish to assert that "green lanes" are for walkers - unless you are talking about footpaths, where there should be no pedal cycles, no horses, and no wheeled vehicles other than hand-propelled. Bridleways are open to pedal cyclists so long as they give way to horses (I bet most mountain bikers don't know that). Byways are and RUPPS should be (depending on your view of the law) open to all traffic.

Historically bridleways and vehicular rights of way (the designations "byway" and "RUPP" are relatively modern) were churned up morasses of three feet of mud, in which people could and did drown or suffocate, in the wet season.

And you want history to be re-written so you can mince around on a nice surface.

If you want to walk in solitary exclusion - USE A FOOTPATH. Otherwise share with other lawful users and offer mutual consideration.

Oh - and only an idiot leaves his sounds on when offroad - he needs to hear what the vehicle is doing, and what the ground and foliage are doing.

You really have no idea at all about off-road drivers, do you? ONLY farm tractors can make those two foot deep ruts. No domestic 4*4 known on earth can do that. Some of the exotica with portal axles might manage it, but they are as common as rockinghorse shit - a bit like sense from you.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Penny S.
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 02:58 PM

There's lots of those women in 4X4s round here. Forcing the other driver approaching them into the hedge while they keep a good foot between themselves and the one their side. Parking in a way in the Waitrose carpark that blocks others from spaces. Forcing oncoming cars to reverse for yards downhill while they cannot reverse to the space they have just passed. No eye contact. No acknowledgment of the courtesy of others. I don't think they see other drivers. And I don't think they have developed the sense of the boundaries of the car that good drivers have.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 02:59 PM

I have driven a tank in my time. They tend to make 3' deep ruts.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 03:08 PM

Somebody rig up a couple of UAVs with flashlights and do a Close Encounters UFO flyover to a yummy mummy?

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,Stu in the ether
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 03:21 PM

Stu, you are an idiot

Seriously? After all these debates I've followed and been involved in that you have too, the best you can do is such a pathetic, unimaginative an ad hominem attack?

It's sad the subtlety if the argument eludes you. I'm well open to some good, robust and direct debate but this is simply sad. Grow up and act like a debate has some nuance beyond the codified nonsense committed to paper for the purpose of oppressing those with not as much money as you. Argue the side of law, but the law's an ass, and today his shown.

It's about respect, an understanding of history, a concern for our common heritage, even beyond our own restricted social and professional circles.

Never took you for a Clarkson.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 24 Jun 14 - 07:59 PM

If some twat is tailgating you, the solution is devastatingly simple. Pull over and let him or her pass. Be rational here. You are trying to get from A to B, not proving how bloody virile you are by resisting the silly bastard. Pull over. You will get to your destination just as quickly. It's the velvet steering wheel Sunday driver over-80s club that will hold you up, not the tailgater.

The best advice is to get a bloody move on, and use your mirror. I've driven behind people who haven't looked in their mirror for twenty miles. If you're leading a convoy of more than two or three cars, pull over and let them go. I don't care whether you're driving at the bloody speed limit or, sanctimoniously, a few miles below and asserting your moral bloody right. Pull over. The people on your tail are flawed human beings, but they might have wives and kids. They don't deserve to die just because you're being a bit of a twat doing 44 in a 60. Pull over. Keep life sweet. And get your stupid 68.549mph arse out of that middle lane on the M6, otherwise I might have to have you somewhat killed, figuratively speaking of course. Jaysus, these tin overcoats...

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Manitas_at_home
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 07:22 AM

I thought we were talking narrow rural roads here. Very few places to pull over and if it's dark you're past them before you know they're there especially with a tailgate right behind you. No, the tailgater is at fault here - you shouldn't be harassing other road users. The ability to drive a motor vehicle on public road is a priviledge granted under the terms of a licence and not a right.

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 07:39 AM

If some twat is tailgating you, the solution is devastatingly simple. Pull over and let him or her pass.

Sorry, Steve, but that may be easier said than done on some roads. While I agree in principle, I have already said I will help anyone overtaking as much as safely possible it is not always easy on some of our roads. Some of the idiot tailgaters don't seem to realise that and seem to believe that if they put their radiator in your back window a place to overtake will miraculously appear. What is more, I have been in the situation where I have slowed down and pulled over to let them pass only to be given two fingers and a load of abuse from the idiot.

There is simply no excuse for tailgating and by saying it is the fault of "a bit of a twat doing 44 in a 60" seems to be justifying their behaviour. Also there are many 60MPH roads near us, and as many near you I suspect, where it would be dangerous to travel at that speed. It is often not a question of being a twat but being sensible about it.

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 10:10 AM

I used to hate it when slightly guilty pupils in my class would look at me with wide-open eyes and declare that 'they hadn't done anything wrong, miss'.. But I sincerely believe that I had done nothing whatsoever to antagonise or frustrate this lass. I was doing the speed limit the whole way. She was attached to my rear bumper the whole way. Even through two villages where there are speed cameras, I slowed to 30mph and she stuck there as if glued on. She was lucky, as my correct speed prevented her getting a fine through the post. Our narrow rural roads are all single-carriageway and mostly 60mph but sometimes the limit drops to 50 or even 40. At one point I wondered if she'd follow me right to our front door, and was glad that I knew my husband would be home. I will definitely turn off the main route next time and wait a bit before rejoining it! I have since wondered if she thought I was someone else - perhaps a lady who'd seduced her husband, or pranged her car in the past. If so, her husband must have weird tastes in stout elderly ladies!!

Subject: RE: BS: How Should I Deal With Tailgating?
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 14 - 10:15 AM

At this point I recommend viewing of Quentin Tarantino's movie "Death Proof"

A loving pastiche of 1970's style cheapo exploitation drive in B features...

Regarding a psyco stalker muscle car driver with evil intent

The hi octane car chase in the last 20 minutes should appeal to both perps and victims of tailgating..