Almost got hit today by a tailgater
Posted by KartQueen@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 46 comments
4 lane highway, I'm in the rightmost lane (the slow lane). Speed limit is 55, I'm doing 63. Have a van behind me following awfully close. Speed limit reduced to 45 ahead. I take my foot off the gas to slowly reduce speed. Van isn't slowing down. I gently put my foot on the brake to activate my brake lights and signal the van I'M SLOWING DOWN for the reduced speed limit we are now almost at. He rides almost right up my bumper. I swear he was only inches from me. I can't fully slow down for the reduced speed limit otherwise he's going to hit me. What is with these assholes that think they own the road and should get to do whatever they want.
ThirdSunRising@reddit
Yes you can fully slow down. He isn’t going to hit you. Or maybe he is and he’ll buy you a new car. Not your problem. Anyway don’t do anything sudden but absolutely push back against that, don’t let him intimidate you
BanjosAndBoredom@reddit
Unless he doesn't have insurance, then it's very much your problem
Entire-Flower1259@reddit
Driving without insurance could be trouble for him. Probably won’t do time but I’m thinking there’s a fine he’s looking at.
BanjosAndBoredom@reddit
Can't squeeze blood out of a turnip
Entire-Flower1259@reddit
Then he might do time.
BanjosAndBoredom@reddit
That doesn't get you a new car
Entire-Flower1259@reddit
Nope. Still won’t be right but at least the guy won’t get away clean.
Various-Design31@reddit
Get uninsured motorist added to your insurance
ThirdSunRising@reddit
Meh, driving normally still reduces the chances of that
BanjosAndBoredom@reddit
I agree that you should drive normally without any sudden braking in that situation, but my response was more towards the implied nonchalance around "he'll buy you a new one". So many people, especially the uninsurable nutcases who regularly drive like that, don't have insurance these days. If you believe someone is actually a danger to you, don't just say "not my problem" and go on with your day, because it very much could be your problem.
If I was being dangerously tailgated like OP, I'd put on my turn signal, VERY gradually slow down, and pull off the road somewhere to let the jackass pass.
ThirdSunRising@reddit
Fair enough. That’s normal and predictable and sensible. I was responding more to OP’s idea that he “couldn’t slow down” for fear of being hit. Yes you can slow down, and you should.
UT_Miles@reddit
Someone doing this in the right lane is probably a little bit of a road rager at the least, if not unhinged.
Point being, I’m sure they are capable of avoiding a break check especially in this scenario. You just never know any more. Engage with these people at your own risk is my point.
Granted I just skimmed, if OOP is talking about slowing down to get on the shoulder for them to pass, then whatever that’s different.
ThirdSunRising@reddit
I didn’t say brake check. I said slow down normally and drive completely normally.
Turbodog2014@reddit
Wow, a reasonable and logical take on this is actually something i didnt expect to see.
This is exactly the way to handle this. Never let a driver behind you affect how you are driving forwards... you are their problem, not the other way around. Its on them to figure out, either with their brake pedal, or their insurance agent.
EMU_Emus@reddit
Sorry but going through the ordeal of getting into a car crash, having to deal with insurance, and then the process of replacing a vehicle, or if the car isn't totaled by the crash, all of the chaos that occurs in between having to coordinate rental cars while your car is repaired, is abso fucking lutely your problem.
ximyr@reddit
Put on your hazard lights.
If the reservoir is full, turn on your windshield spray. Make sure your windshield is GOOD AND CLEAN. You might have to keep the spray going for a full minute or so or until the person behind you gets tired of all the mist.
zflooe@reddit
Lmaoo
Crazyredneck422@reddit
You can slow down to the speed limit. If he hits you that’s on him and he will be held responsible. Slow down as much as you need, but do not brake check. If you brake check and it causes an accident, if anyone has a dash cam that shows you brake checking you will be held liable for the accident. But if you are slowing down to the reduced speed limit and you get hit, they are responsible. Don’t let them intimidate you into speeding, or into doing anything you don’t want to do.
bonjourbadassbitch@reddit
Slow down but don’t use brakes? And if you use your brakes and the guy behind you hits you, it’s your fault?
Wrong.
Crazyredneck422@reddit
I didn’t say not to use your brakes. Don’t slam them intentionally causing an accident. Slowing down and brake checking are two very different things
bonjourbadassbitch@reddit
So “brake checking” equals “slamming on the brakes”?
I never slam on the brakes.
Silent_Pay_9239@reddit
precisely, the comment you were replying to wasn't meant to specifically target you.
Silent_Pay_9239@reddit
brake checking =/= braking
EMU_Emus@reddit
Braking to slow down to a slower speed limit is not brake checking.
acemandrs@reddit
Brake checking and just braking are two different things.
knatehaul@reddit
I would've seen if he could go 45mph... Maybe even 35mph. 25mph if he's a real dumbfuck. I'm a very vocal "Get out of the passing lane" poster, but if you're in the right-most lane and someone with the ability to pass you is riding your ass they're a worthless dipshit and it's your obligation to turn into an unpredictable elderly driver when these folks enter your life.
Playful-Ad-5077@reddit
I fully agree that slowing down is what you should do, but so does the DOT. The official recommendation for when someone isn't giving you a safe follow distance is to gradually slow down until the space they are giving you is safe. So since those are the official guidelines, doing so would actually be more predictable, not less.
acemandrs@reddit
I’m not sure why everyone is saying “if he hits you it’s his fault.” I, for one, would avoid an accident if possible. If anything, you could just pull over and force them to pass.
Orionsbelt1957@reddit
Pull over where? He's already in the right-hand lane. Using the breakdown lane, even if there was one here to avoid a dangerous idiot isn't the answer. Even bigger idiots drive in breakdown lanes.
Daywalker664@reddit
To them pulling over means "go kill yourself." People where I live treat driving as a battlefield. It's so bad that people start putting slabs and bumper guards to protect themselves.
Orionsbelt1957@reddit
Yup. It's always about what's convenient for these people. The thing is that a lot of the issues that make speeding a necessity would be resolved if they just left earlier
Daywalker664@reddit
It's like I say the other day people need to plan their trips better. You can't expect the other person to do the driving FOR YOU.
notquitepro15@reddit
Because if you rear-end someone, it’s your fault, like 100% of the time. You shouldn’t try to dodge people behind you, that’s dangerous.
acemandrs@reddit
Yes. It would be their fault. I just meant it’s crazy for people to be telling OP to just let the guy hit him. Not sure what you mean with the last part.
notquitepro15@reddit
You shouldn’t be dodging around cars behind you. That’s what you suggested doing in your comment. Especially if you’re not even in the left lane.
Daywalker664@reddit
Nobody should be using the left lane anymore unless they need to turn. The left lane is what I like to call the "death lane".
acemandrs@reddit
No. I said pull over. That’s not “dodging.” It’s a perfectly safe and acceptable option to avoid tailgaters when they become dangerous.
19berzerker79@reddit
Pulling over on the interstate? Easier said than done and very often quite dangerous...
acemandrs@reddit
55 going down to 45 is probably not an interstate and even if it is those speeds aren’t that bad to pull over on.
quickevade@reddit
I'd argue that's still too fast to reasonably pull over. Especially when you consider a lot of people are still going 60+ so predicting their speed will be difficult.
In any case, I don't think anyone should pull over because someone is tailgating them, assuming they're doing at least the speed limit. Otherwise you would never get anywhere. Speeders will get the hint when your brake lights come on.
Technical_Annual_563@reddit
IMO They are compared to zero, but at 45 there’s probably some side streets or businesses one could turn into.
notquitepro15@reddit
It’s the least predictable move you can do on the road. You’re expected to continue onward, not stop randomly.
Reddittoxin@reddit
I'd hardly call putting on your signal and pulling over on the shoulder the "least" predictable thing you can do lol
acemandrs@reddit
Who the fuck said “stop randomly?”
Daywalker664@reddit
Tailgating is highly illegal in most states and frown upon by the law. Your always supposed to maintain a 3 feet distance from the driver. Any less and you risk getting in a accident. People are at the age where they know better than to break the law like that. The bottom line is this, if you don't want lose your license then stay the hell away from a person's vehicle.
DanSWE@reddit
Onto the shoulder?