# Tailgaters **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 26, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709 "2015-02-26T20:55:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/61 "2015-02-28T20:14:29Z")
> [@buddy431](#): > > In some places, [it is the law that you do so](http://www.fotosearch.com/photos-images/delay-5-vehicles-illegal-must-use-turnouts.html). It’s a picture of a sign that says “Delay of 5 Vehicles Illegal Must Use Turnouts.” Anybody got a picture of the “turnouts” the sign is refering to? I’m unfamiliar with the concept. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/62 "2015-02-28T20:21:36Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > It’s a picture of a sign that says “Delay of 5 Vehicles Illegal Must Use Turnouts.” Anybody got a picture of the “turnouts” the sign is refering to? I’m unfamiliar with the concept. It’s a wide, safe spot to the right where you can get over and let someone pass, sometimes even moving along at some speed, but usually slowing way down. [https://www.google.com/search?q=turnouts&es\_sm=91&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9CLyVN3bMM6zogTqh4B4&ved=0CDgQ7Ak&biw=1551&bih=869#tbm=isch&q=turnouts+highway](https://www.google.com/search?q=turnouts&es_sm=91&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=9CLyVN3bMM6zogTqh4B4&ved=0CDgQ7Ak&biw=1551&bih=869#tbm=isch&q=turnouts+highway) ---
**Author:** ![buddy431](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6a8cbe/32.png) [@buddy431](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddy431)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/63 "2015-02-28T20:23:40Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > It’s a picture of a sign that says “Delay of 5 Vehicles Illegal Must Use Turnouts.” Anybody got a picture of the “turnouts” the sign is refering to? I’m unfamiliar with the concept. It’s just a short section of road on the right side (for U.S. drivers) with enough room for a car to pull over to let another pass. [http://goo.gl/maps/cCz03](http://goo.gl/maps/cCz03). ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/64 "2015-02-28T20:30:31Z")
> [@FollowMeDown](#): > > . . . Get out of the way. Let faster traffic move faster and go about your own life at your own speed. And if they don’t…do you crawl up within three car lengths? This discussion is about tailgaters, not slow people in the fast lanes. If you don’t tailgate, then there isn’t anything in this thread for you. If you do, then some of us don’t like that, and we don’t like it a lot. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/65 "2015-02-28T20:35:32Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > And if they don’t…do you crawl up within three car lengths? > > This discussion is about tailgaters, not slow people in the fast lanes. > > If you don’t tailgate, then there isn’t anything in this thread for you. If you do, then some of us don’t like that, and we don’t like it a lot. No, there’s quite a bit of room for safe and sane ways to deal with tailgaters. ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/66 "2015-02-28T20:37:33Z")
The final stretch into work is a three mile, narrow two lane road. There’s no way to pass (legally). The speed limit is 40 but every now and then I’ll be behind some granny going 30. Yea, sometimes I get a little close, but there’ll be an entire line of cars bunched up…all because of one pokey-ass idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2015, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/67 "2015-02-28T21:53:32Z")
there are 3 kinds of drivers on the road around me. Those going my speed. Those going faster. Those going slower. I try to accommodate them all. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2015, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/68 "2015-03-01T02:14:22Z")
Remember what George said. Those going faster than you are maniacs, and those going slower than you are idiots. Relax. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2015, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/69 "2015-03-01T08:24:34Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > And I would add that any other strange behaviour by the car behind . . . means I should slow down further. > For once defensive driving is fun! That is not defensive driving, that’s aggressive driving. You’re slowing down, in a deliberate attempt to aggravate an already aggravating situation. You’re deliberately provoking someone who may have anger issues. Would you do this if you knew he had a gun? A car can be as deadly as a gun. The only sane way to deal with him is to get out of his way; to get as much distance between you as possible. It’s not your job to police other drivers by deliberately provoking them. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/70 "2015-03-01T18:38:36Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > That is not defensive driving, that’s aggressive driving. You’re slowing down, in a deliberate attempt to aggravate an already aggravating situation. You’re deliberately provoking someone who may have anger issues. Would you do this if you knew he had a gun? A car can be as deadly as a gun. > > The only sane way to deal with him is to get out of his way; to get as much distance between you as possible. It’s not your job to police other drivers by deliberately provoking them. This. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/71 "2015-03-01T18:48:28Z")
Lets also not forget that it is almost Springtime and carloads of “[Swoop and Squat](http://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1049258_how-to-steer-clear-of-the-swoop-and-squat-and-other-car-fraud)” teams are already out & working the roads. Road rage nothing, they use their cars like guns to rob you and your insurance company to earn a living. from the article: > [@](#): > > The NICB pamphlet has five suggestions that might reduce the probability of becoming a victim. These recommendations are just as helpful here in the States, as they are up north. They include: > > 1. Don’t tailgate, as this is the driving flaw that marks you as a potential victim. > > 2. Call the police even if the damage is minimal, since it’s not uncommon for criminals to further damage the vehicle and submit additional claims. > > 3. Use you cell phone camera or carry a disposable one to document the damage. > > 4. Be wary of people who suddenly appear at the scene offering referrals to attorneys or clinics, since they might be part of the fraud as well. > > 5. And finally, be on the guard for physicians who try to persuade you to file a personal injury claim even if you are not injured. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2015, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/72 "2015-03-01T20:52:35Z")
> [@diggerwam](#): > > If I’m on a four lane road it is not your job to dictate to me how to drive. The left lane is for passing and the right is for cruising. Do NOT hang out in the left lane impeding my progress. Seriously, it doesn’t hurt you to move over and let me thru. Okay, but if I’m already going 20-25 mph over the limit in the left lane of a two-lane road, and everyone in the right lane is much slower than I am, then why should I get stuck behind them because you want to go 100? It doesn’t hurt you either to use the right lane, if doing 100 is so important to you. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/73 "2015-03-01T21:11:00Z")
> [@guizot](#): > > Okay, but if I’m already going 20-25 mph over the limit in the left lane of a two-lane road, and everyone in the right lane is much slower than I am, then why should I get stuck behind them because you want to go 100? It doesn’t hurt you either to use the right lane, if doing 100 is so important to you. ??? Nobody suggested you stay in the right lane. And why would someone faster than you switch to the right hand lane if it’s the slower lane? what you’re suggesting is passive aggressive behavior. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2015, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/74 "2015-03-01T21:11:37Z")
> [@rock\_party](#): > > The final stretch into work is a three mile, narrow two lane road. There’s no way to pass (legally). > > The speed limit is 40 but every now and then I’ll be behind some granny going 30. Yea, sometimes I get a little close, but there’ll be an entire line of cars bunched up…all because of one > pokey-ass idiot. There’s already (at least in some states) a legal requirement for a slower driver to pull over to let cars go by, if there are a certain number of them. (I believe in California it’s five cars.) Same with tailgating within a certain close distance. Both of these actions are illegal (or ticketable.) ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/75 "2015-03-02T02:19:50Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > ??? Nobody suggested you stay in the right lane. And why would someone faster than you switch to the right hand lane if it’s the slower lane? > > what you’re suggesting is passive aggressive behavior. No. Not to _stay_ there. I’m saying that if you want to go 100 mph don’t expect people going 95 to immediately put on their brakes, slow down and move over temporarily into slow traffic just to let you by. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/76 "2015-03-02T02:36:45Z")
If they’re going 95 or 100, I’m pulling all the way off to the shoulder to dial 911. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/77 "2015-03-02T02:42:36Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > If they’re going 95 or 100, I’m pulling all the way off to the shoulder to dial 911. At Last! See? A responsible driver pulls off the road to make a phone call. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/78 "2015-03-02T03:39:44Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > If they’re going 95 or 100, I’m pulling all the way off to the shoulder to dial 911. I think in Canada that’s still a ticket. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/79 "2015-03-02T05:11:40Z")
Why would they ticket someone for making an emergency call? ---
**Author:** ![MandaJo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac91a4/32.png) [@MandaJo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MandaJo)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2015, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709/80 "2015-03-02T11:00:31Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > ??? Nobody suggested you stay in the right lane. And why would someone faster than you switch to the right hand lane if it’s the slower lane? > > what you’re suggesting is passive aggressive behavior. He’s suggesting situations like what I described above–a very, very busy two-lane highway, where there is a constant stream of cars 3-4 car lengths apart in the right hand lane. If the right hand lane is traveling at the speed limit or slightly above it (common) and you want to go faster (also common) you have to get over in the left hand lane for long stretches of time, because you have to pass long strings of cars. So you are in the left hand lane going 20 mph faster than the right hand lane. You’ve got 10 cars to pass. Someone comes right up your ass. You can’t really merge right, because those cars are bunched up, and you’d have to slow down to the speed limit to do so–which you can’t do with someone on your bumper. You don’t feel safe going any faster, because if you did, you’d have been doing that already. All you can do is sweat and swear and wait until you get an opportunity to merge right safely, and it can be a long, nerve-wracking time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tailgaters/713709.md?page=5)