Folks,

A few of us - myself included are trying to say we will do what we can within reason to encourage tailgaters to pass. For those that insist on tailgating even after they skip an opportunity to easily get by, it's their problem.

Sorry for the misunderstanding livvie if that was what you were saying...

 

Yeup. That's what I'm saying. And no problem.

 

Okay, I got it!

I am going to have several long, deep-sea, fishing poles with big, heavy, metal lures poking out of my trunk.

Problem solved!

 

I like -- catch and release fishing with a hybrid! Maybe relocate some tailgaters to other counties where their population is under-represented?

 

First I try and stay in the right lanes if possible. I also adjust the rear view mirror so that
I can't see the cars in back of me. I can if I stretch my neck a little. Then I don't become obsessed with who is behind me. It seems that we can become over-defensive driving these small cars. The same people that tailgate today are tomorrow's hybrid drivers. I have tailgated, not often but guilty nonetheless. (the turtles in the no. 1 lane)

 

I can fully understand everyones annoyance with tailgaters if you are driving in the far right lane or have traffic in front of you. I have flipped the bird to countless people who tailgate when there is room to pass on the left or I have traffic ahead of me.
Begin rant:
On the other hand, if you are one of the people I encounter on a regular basis that drives in the left lane and does not pull over for faster traffic given the opportunity, then I think you deserve to be tailgated. Sadly I have encountered one too many hybrid drivers that are guilty of this offence and force traffic to pass on the right. Now if there is room for someone to pass on the right then there is room for you to yield to faster traffic.
Do these people not see the freeway signs stating: "Slower Traffic Keep Right"?!
End rant.

 

I let them by, then follow them wherever they go

 

While tailgaters shouldn't be such a bother, I've had way too many drivers finally stop next to me (on the shoulder) after traffic stopped quickly and they were too close (yesterday was the latest). While a new HCH and another tax credit may be nice, it doesn't do me much good if the person who hits me has a gi-normous SUV.

 

I don't often get tailgated in the right lane... and when I do, I basically from folks who are getting ready to exit. I mostly ignore them, because they're going away soon! It's in the HOV lane where I have my problems. Today I was doing 70 and had someone 1/2 to 1 car length behind me. HOV might be the left-most lane, but it's NOT supposed to be the "fast" lane. I believe the "slower traffic keep right" signs do not apply to HOV, especially when I'm exceeding the speed limit by 5 mph and going as fast or faster than the true "fast" lane.

My temptation in this situation is to slow down to 65 and cruise along... but you never know how crazy the other guy is... so I just kept it at 70. The jerk eventually exited. There was no one behind him!!! Amazing.

 

I agree with you ANAHYM regarding the Carpool lane (Main reason why I got my car, but no longer the most important) I drive the 57, 22, 405 and 605 and I am familiar with the SOCAL driver in our area. My favorite time is when someone went around me breaking the double line and got pull over, I bet it was an expensive ticket and a learning experience. I normally drive 65+ 5MPH in the car pool lane and let them break the law instead of me.