Tailgaters

**varminter** · 30th August 2009, 20:30

Look, I know it's been posted before but what the fuck do you do about these bastards. Ok, yes I hear the "take off at 150kph" comments but I can't afford the fine and it shits me to go that fast, so far 130 is the fastest I've been. Anyway, where was I, oh yes, on way back from Taupo on Saturday (Rerewhakaaitu actually) and this shite was about one car length from me, almost impossible to see in my mirrors he was that close, I gave the prick plenty of room to pass and eventually he went on to do the same to the next person. And while I'm raving, WTF goes on with numpties who wait until nearly the end of the passing lane THEN pass and bloody near clip you. Must take the shotgun next time. Mutter, mutter.

**mattian** · 30th August 2009, 20:38

I've tried everything..... flashing the brake light, slowing down.... weaving from left to right of my lane to block line of sight (that sometime forces them to drop back) I've even given them the dreaded Wave back.... which is often responded to with a rude gesture. Its just one of those things that you have to find your own way of dealing with it. Don't let it rattle you.... just stay calm. Now I just slow right down then take off and put a big gap between us.... if I can, I will put another car between us.

I had a particularly intimidating experience tonight, riding in the rain in the dark. Had a car following me waaaayyy too closely. Its not ideal but, its going to happen often, like I said before, you just have to find your way of dealing with it.

**YellowDog** · 30th August 2009, 20:39

Just one of the many hazzards of being on two wheels.

Agree that it's pretty annoying.

**dogsnbikes** · 30th August 2009, 20:53

As said can't do alot about it

just keep riding at your own pace and be alert to potential dangers

which it sounds like your already doing

**StoneY** · 30th August 2009, 20:58

Originally Posted by dogsnbikes

As said can't do alot about it

just keep riding at your own pace and be alert to potential dangers

which it sounds like your already doing

Yep you cant do other than ya did- do your thing- let the wanker go-

Peace

**Maha** · 30th August 2009, 20:59

If you are happy to ride at say 110-120 then stick to it. A short burst of around 140-150 (not sustained) will easily put 200mts between you and the car. Im with Dogs here, in that 'just keep riding at your own pace and be alert to potential dangers'. If it happens again you have a couple safe options.

The ones above or....
Pull over and let em' go.

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th August 2009, 21:05

I have only done this once but ended up following one tail-gater to where they stopped next, dressed in full leathers and helmet still on, I came up to the prat who was driving, and said, "The next time, I see you tail gate anyone like that, not just a motorcyclist, I will follow again but I won't be yelling at you I will be arrested as you will be on the deck with a broken nose, and severe cuts and bruises because I have head butted you with the bridge of the visor across your nose... and while you are going down to the deck I will kicking the living shit out of you, making sure breaking every bone in your useless body... while I am doing I will be saying, This is what it would feel like if you were on the bike and to be run over because of some fuckwit tailgater could not stop in time... my arrest will be worth it because your useless corpse won't be on the road again where you could harm any one else"

The guy turned white as I walked away... and his misses was well, looking shit scared... will he tailgate any else again, not that day at lease... but most likely again the following day as people don't learn and are complete fuckwits

But I only have done that once... and I also had about 20 other bikers with me...

The best thing is to let them pass you...

**CookMySock** · 30th August 2009, 21:06

Split off the car in front of you. Generally I make a point of riding just a few km/h faster than the surrounding traffic. I find this gives me more command of the road, and allows me to take charge of situations as, or before they develop.

In the end, they can't really hurt you by following closely. I know it feels funny, but it doesn't really effect you. Ignore it.

Steve

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th August 2009, 21:08

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

In the end, they can't really hurt you by following closely.

Only if nothing goes wrong and you don't need to stop in a hurry... you may be able to stop but they most likely are going to stop on top of you

**pzkpfw** · 30th August 2009, 21:25

You need one of these, with length adjusted to correct following distance.

http://www.spacewar.com/images/ale-5...-decoys-bg.jpg

**CookMySock** · 30th August 2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by NighthawkNZ

Only if nothing goes wrong and you don't need to stop in a hurry... you may be able to stop but they most likely are going to stop on top of you

You will usually find that people who follow very closely aren't looking at you - they are looking way ahead where you are looking, so usually they spot hazards ahead when you do.

Also, usually you don't have to stop - you can split past the hazard and ditch the tailgater in the process - this is my favourite trick - often leaving said tailgater fuming... haha! Get a motorbike!

I'm not saying its not dangerous or irritating - I'm just saying that often the riders' reaction to it causes more problems than it solves, and that things we imagine to be bad can cause our feelings to rise, to the point where we were safer if we had ignored it.

Steve

**slofox** · 30th August 2009, 21:33

If it's bad enough, I will pull left and stop to let dorkface past...works every time...

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 30th August 2009, 21:35

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

You will usually find that people who follow very closely aren't looking at you - they are looking way ahead where you are looking, so usually they spot hazards ahead when you do.

Wrong... I have seen tailgates squabbling with the person in the passenger seat, or yelling at the kids to shut up, even trying to change music or Cd, including chatting on the fucken cell phone... so you statement does not stand up... from experience most tailgaters are hardly looking at the road let along looking ahead...So, wrong...