# BWAHA: Driver's cooperate against tailgater! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [May 20, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750 "2005-05-20T15:52:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/161 "2005-05-24T16:00:03Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > I expected better from you. I don’t know why. > > Let me make this 100% clear : > > **I Was Passing.** No, you weren’t. Let’s review the OP, shall we? > [@](#): > > This truck is travelling at about the same speed as myself. I determine that there is an insuffient distance between the relative position of my front bumper on the road and the rear bumper of this truck to justify my changing course to merge into the slow lane. In addition to which, the distance between my rear bumper and the M1 Abrams driven by the ESM is such that any attempt to slow on my part could result in an automotive collision. “. . . traveling at about the same speed . . .” “. . . any attempt to slow down on my part . . .” If you’re _actively_ passing, you will not be traveling at “about the same speed.” While you might approach the other driver at about the same speed, you should increase your speed significantly when you move into the left lane to overtake the slower driver. Also, if you’re _actively_ passing, why on earth would you even consider slowing down? Especially with a faster vehicle bearing down on you. Again, the only appropriate option here is _speed up_ - something you should have already been doing anyway. > [@](#): > > The three vehicle concerned in this story are now approaching a point where the highway becomes a 2-lane undivided road. ESM notices that she will become trapped behind me (doing a pitiful 70MPH) and takes action. She sees fit to swerve into the slow lane and attempt to pass myself and “Blue Cool Dude” (driver of pickup). Blue Cool Dude is now sufficiently ahead of me that this maneouver is theoretically possible. See? You’re **not passing**. The pickup truck has gained distance on you. Further, if the SUV driver moved into the right lane to get by you, it is reasonable to assume that the pickup is moving faster than you. At this point, the safe option is indeed to slow down and let the SUV complete his admittedly unwise right lane passing maneuver. You, however took the opposite action. You chose to increase your speed. And _not to pass the pickup_, but to **match** his speed. Again, you’re **not passing** when you do this. Hey, let’s take a quiz, shall we? [This question](http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv/6g1e_practice.htm#Sample%20Test) comes directly from the sample driver’s license test on the West Virginia Deparment of Transportation website: > [@](#): > > 1. If another vehicle is following you too closely, do you? > a. Press hard on your brakes > b. Get behind them and turn on your high beam lights > c. Tap your brakes gently, slow down and let them pass > d. Drive slow and make sure they can’t pass you If you don’t know, you can find the [answer here](http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv/6g1e_practice.htm#ANSWERS%20TO%20SAMPLE%20TEST). > [@](#): > > I’d also like to further note that, as far as I know, WV has no “Keep Right” law on the books; The [WV Driver’s Handbook](http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv/downloads/drivershandbook.pdf) indicates otherwise. Warning: Link goes to 6M .pdf, so lemme quote this section from page 61: > [@](#): > > There are 10 steps to passing another vehicle safely: > 1.Keep a safe following distance. > 2.Check oncoming traffic. > 3.Check the traffic behind your vehicle. > 4.Signal lane change. > 5.Move to the left lane. > 6.Accelerate. > 7.Warn other drivers by blowing your horn and/or flashing your lights. > 8.Signal lane change. > 9.Move right when you see the front headlights of the vehicle you passed in your rear view mirror. > 10.Maintain safe legal speed. > On interstate highways, drive in the right-hand lane except when passing another vehicle. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/162 "2005-05-24T16:04:51Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > No, you weren’t. Let’s review the OP, shall we? WOW! You _Really_ have trouble reading. The situation in the OP has nothing to do with me. My situation is the one with the Semi, not the SUV. Perhaps you’re confused because CynicalGabe and I share initials. > [@](#): > > The [WV Driver’s Handbook](http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv/downloads/drivershandbook.pdf) indicates otherwise. Warning: Link goes to 6M .pdf, so lemme quote this section from page 61: Recommendation, not a regulation. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/163 "2005-05-24T16:05:44Z")
**Uncle** , you’re mixing up posters. **CynicalGabe** is the bad driver from the OP. **CandidGamera** is a completely different bad driver who has given us a far fetched scenario claiming to be passing. Although, he/she is also applauding the actions of the OP. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/164 "2005-05-24T16:06:55Z")
> [@UncleBeer](#): > > Hey, let’s take a quiz, shall we? [This question](http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv/6g1e_practice.htm#Sample%20Test) comes directly from the sample driver’s license test on the West Virginia Deparment of Transportation website: > [@](#): > > 1. If another vehicle is following you too closely, do you? > a. Press hard on your brakes > b. Get behind them and turn on your high beam lights > c. Tap your brakes gently, slow down and let them pass > d. Drive slow and make sure they can’t pass you If you don’t know, you can find the [answer here](http://www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv/6g1e_practice.htm#ANSWERS%20TO%20SAMPLE%20TEST). ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/165 "2005-05-24T16:10:34Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > **Uncle** , you’re mixing up posters. **CynicalGabe** is the bad driver from the OP. **CandidGamera** is a completely different bad driver who has given us a far fetched scenario claiming to be passing. Although, he/she is also applauding the actions of the OP. Well, fuck. Lemme move to the right and let these assholes get on by then. I’ll just pull over here and get a cup of coffee. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/166 "2005-05-24T16:11:51Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > **Uncle** , you’re mixing up posters. **CynicalGabe** is the bad driver from the OP. **CandidGamera** is a completely different bad driver who has given us a far fetched scenario claiming to be passing. Although, he/she is also applauding the actions of the OP. He. And the scenario, while you consider it far-fetched, actually happens, and I have seen it occur with variations numerous times. And I was indeed passing. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/167 "2005-05-24T16:20:18Z")
By the way [the AAA](http://www.aaafoundation.org/resources/index.cfm?button=agdrtext) agrees with us: > [@](#): > > Motorists would be well advised to keep their cool in traffic, to be patient and courteous to other drivers, and to correct unsafe driving habits that are likely to endanger, infuriate, or antagonize other motorists. Be aware of the behaviors that have resulted in violence in the past: > > ¥ Lane blocking. Don’t block the passing lane. Stay out of the far left lane and yield to the right for any vehicle that wants to overtake you. If someone demands to pass, allow them to do so. Also, note: They list 14 behaviors that you should not do. This is the first one. Tailgating is number two. [Progressive Insurance Company](http://www.progressive.com/RC/DSafety/rc_aggressive.asp) has a list of questions to determine if someone has road rage: > [@](#): > > See where you stand with road rage - take the quiz now. > > Yes or no, do you… > > 1. Overtake other vehicles only on the left? > > 2. Avoid blocking passing lanes? > > 3. Yield to faster traffic by moving to the right? > > 4. Keep to the right as much as possible on narrow streets and at intersections? > > 5. Maintain appropriate distance when following other motorists, bicyclists, motorcyclists, etc.? > > 6. Provide appropriate distance when cutting in after passing vehicles? There are 37 questions. Of course, the more “no” answers the worse the driver. Notice how the first four questions all deal with idiots like **CynicalGabe** and **CandidGamera** who block traffic by driving slow in the left lane. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/168 "2005-05-24T16:43:45Z")
> [@Queen Tonya](#): > > So you don’t want to _reward_ tailgaters, but you do praise aggressive, illegal and obstructive driving that increases the risk level for everyone on the road? > > Interesting value system you’ve got there. :dubious: If there is a crash, it’s the ESM’s fault in the eyes of the law. She’s the one who initiated the risk and thus has to live with the consequences. How is Gabe doing agressive, illegal (other than speeding) and obstructive driving if he’s going over the speed limit himself? If ESM had just kept her distance, there would be no danger. Taligaters get their own plane of Hell as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/169 "2005-05-24T17:00:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Taligaters get their own plane of Hell as far as I’m concerned. No argument. But had the OP just moved the hell over when and where he should have by the commonly practiced rules of the road, there’d have been no opportunity for anyone to tailgate. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/170 "2005-05-24T17:13:15Z")
not comenting on the op but to put some perspective on tailgating there was a 16 car pile up on I 5 sunday near seattle…care to guess how many of those 16 cars were tail gating? let me give you a hint. the lead car was the only one that DIDNT sustain front end damage. did I mention that this was on a SUNDAY?!?!? there was no rush hour traffic. I dont give a crap how fast you want to drive or what kind of emergency you are in, tailgating is YOU putting a random strangers life and vehicle at risk, back the fuck off and pass when you can, if its an emergency call 911 or learn to drive on the shoulder cause the general public doesnt get paid to figure out if you are some jackass or a mom with a sick kid in the car. and for the pick up vrs semi argument…there is simply never, ever any reason for a semi driver to deliberatly tailgate, people die when 80,000 pounds of truck run them over, thats alot like loading a revolver with 1 round, giving it a spin and then fireing into a crowd. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/171 "2005-05-24T17:13:57Z")
> [@Knowed Out](#): > > How is Gabe doing agressive, It’s passive-aggressive if you are deliberately blocking the people behind you because of temper and ego. The actions of the OP certainly were aggressive. Did you read it? **"I am an asshole when driving"** **"I now feel adrenaline (or Red Bull. One or the other) coursing through my veins"** **"…my revenge already planned."** **"My plan-of-attack calls for rapid acceleration on my part to pass the ESM."** How anybody can claim that this isn’t “aggressive” is beyond me. > [@](#): > > illegal (other than speeding) It’s illegal in many states to be in the left lane if you aren’t passing. It should be illegal everywhere. It’s certainly the standard practice everywhere for slower traffic to move to the right. This is also the law in many places. > [@](#): > > and obstructive driving The OP comes right out and admits it. **"I tend to be an obstructionist."** If you are blocking those behind you then that is “obstructive driving”. This is true regardless of speed. > [@](#): > > If ESM had just kept her distance, there would be no danger. Yes, and if the OP had just moved out of the way there would also have been no danger. In fact, the actions of the OP made the situation a lot more dangerous than ESM’s. > [@](#): > > Taligaters get their own plane of Hell as far as I’m concerned. Yep. And the left lane blockers are burning right next to them. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/172 "2005-05-24T17:15:07Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > There are 37 questions. Of course, the more “no” answers the worse the driver. Notice how the first four questions all deal with idiots like **CynicalGabe** and **CandidGamera** who block traffic by driving slow in the left lane. Huh. And I’d answer yes to all four of those - I only use the left lane for passing, see. If someone comes along going faster than I am, I try to get over when I can - unless they zip right up to my bumper before I have the chance, revealing themselves as a jerk, and making me reconsider helping them. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/173 "2005-05-24T17:22:56Z")
> [@CandidGamera](#): > > He. And the scenario, while you consider it far-fetched, actually happens, and I have seen it occur with variations numerous times. And I was indeed passing. Thanks. **CG** , I’ve been in your neck of the woods quite a few times, mostly on I-68. This phenomenon–which I’m all too familiar with–is why I hardly ever venture into the passing lane there. Much safer that way. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/174 "2005-05-24T17:28:38Z")
> [@Critical1](#): > > and for the pick up vrs semi argument…there is simply never, ever any reason for a semi driver to deliberatly tailgate, people die when 80,000 pounds of truck run them over, thats alot like loading a revolver with 1 round, giving it a spin and then fireing into a crowd. **CG** is in an area with steep grades and heavy truck traffic avoiding Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls. I’d venture to say **CG** was likely going downhill at the time and the truck was building momentum to help get up the next hill. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/175 "2005-05-24T17:42:57Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > **CG** is in an area with steep grades and heavy truck traffic avoiding Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls. I’d venture to say **CG** was likely going downhill at the time and the truck was building momentum to help get up the next hill. Now I live in West Virginia??? My head hurts. Yes, I am passive-aggressive. Yes, I am an obstructionist. Yes, I shouldn’t have tried to be punitive while on the highway. Yes, I was right to not bow down before every asshole that rudely tries to intimidate me. If they are polite, I let them pass. If not, not. No, it is not illegal in CA to be in the left lane without passing. I don’t care what the law is in other states, here it is normal. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/176 "2005-05-24T17:44:05Z")
Oh. the other **CG**. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/177 "2005-05-24T17:49:07Z")
Methinks you’re getting a little too defensive there, **Gabe**. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/178 "2005-05-24T18:18:53Z")
> [@Lute Skywatcher](#): > > **CG** , I’ve been in your neck of the woods quite a few times, mostly on I-68. This phenomenon–which I’m all too familiar with–is why I hardly ever venture into the passing lane there. Much safer that way. We do have a plethora of semis. Though the incident described was on 1-79, on my way from Clarksburg back to Morgantown. And as I recall, his initial approach was on a downhill grade, though he didn’t back off once we started going uphill again. ---
**Author:** ![Rodd\_Hill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3ab097/32.png) [@Rodd\_Hill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodd_Hill)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/179 "2005-05-24T21:04:59Z")
OK: an SUV, driven by Ghandi, who is making salt in defiance of British law, is in the left lane, with a semi trailer coming up behind at 80 mph, driven by Jawaharlal Nehru, in a hurry to pick up his laundry before the dhobi-wallah closes for Vijayadashmi. Ghandi is unable to merge into the right lane, as a jitney carrying Rati, the Balinese godess of fertility is already there, forcing him to remain passively blocking the fast lane. Who is at fault? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750/180 "2005-05-24T21:26:17Z")
> [@Rodd Hill](#): > > OK: > > an SUV, driven by Ghandi, who is making salt in defiance of British law, is in the left lane, with a semi trailer coming up behind at 80 mph, driven by Jawaharlal Nehru, in a hurry to pick up his laundry before the dhobi-wallah closes for Vijayadashmi. Ghandi is unable to merge into the right lane, as a jitney carrying Rati, the Balinese godess of fertility is already there, forcing him to remain passively blocking the fast lane. > > Who is at fault? Thats easy…wait for it… GEORGE BUSH. (Well somebody was going to say it) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bwaha-drivers-cooperate-against-tailgater/304750.md?page=10)