Tailgating

[Joe Yakubik <75363.2524@compuserve.com>]

Just a few thoughts on tailgating from Germany, land of the high-speed,
professional tailgater:

First - it's unsafe and illegal.

Second - flashing lights to "signal" someone to get out of the way is also
illegal.  It often also trips some deep primeval need to further slow down, kind
of an "You wanna go fast, huh, I'll show you..."

Third - Recognize that you share the road.  I don't want to force someone to
drive faster than they are comfortable with,  the slow driver should, however
get out of the way IF possible.  Because I drive a big, fast car does not give
me exclusive rights to the left (UK - right) lane.

Fourth - Sometimes that Ford Escort, Fiat Punto, econo-box driver knows more
than you, the big, strong Audi driver.  Speed traps, traffic conditions,
dangerous roads, etc.  He is not "deciding how fast you should drive", but has
already decided how fast he is going to drive for whatever reason - see number
three above.

Fifth - sometimes there are "crazies" out there who tailgate for the sheer joy
(?!?) of it.  Short story here:
Driving through France in my stock '86 Jetta.  Little red car tailgates me in
the right lane, I speed up - he follows.  I slow waaaaay down - he follows.  I
change lanes - he follows.  I speed waaaaay up, faster than I was comfortable in
my Jetta (110 mph-ish) - he ATTEMPTS to follow.  I had to maintain this
(dangerous and ) very illegal speed for a long time to "get rid" of him.  Moral
of the story:  I was stupid.  I "played" his game.  I should have pulled over
and let him go away.

Joe Yakubik