Odd experience with tailgating yesterday

[I Bleed Ford Blue]

Back in 87 when I first reported out to 32nd Street naval station in San Diego, I arrived a few days early so they let me do what I wanted until the following Monday when I was supposed to report. So I went out and explored San Diego, while I was driving around learning my way around town I was on I-5 and was doing 57 mph cause the speed limit at the time was 55. Other car were flying by like I was sitting still. I got pulled over by a San Diego cop and he told me to speed up and go with the flow, he said I was more of a danger doing the speed limit. He then told me that as long as I go with the flow I would not ticketed, but drive erratically, or too slow and I'll get singled out every time.

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[Mr. Met]

For 12+ years I have been driving an Expedition, normally at least 10mph over the limit, and have never been pulled over for anything (well one time by mistake). I had the Mustang for three months and was pulled over for going 3mph over by a NY state police officer. I have been sticking to the speed limit since then, don't need my insurance going up.

 

[Ghost50]

I’d like to see the cops pull over the people who camp out in the left lane.

I drive in Houston daily. It’s made me a better driver because you have to be aware of everything and anything. Household items in the road are common. I’ve dodged recliners and refrigerators. And two days ago a truck dumped butchered up pigs all over a highway.

 

[Ghost50]

Do you live on the set of Final Destination?

Haha! It certainly feels like it some days.

I’d like to take Ali Larter for a ride in my car, now that I think about it.

 

[BrettT]

I didn't know this until I got my first ticket in 20 years back in January, but in BC there is no fine for going under 20kph over the limit. In other words fines and points start at 20kph over the speed limit. So unless your going with the flow of the traffic, just set your cruise 18kph over the posted limit (highway driving) and have a nice day....

 

[bomlodr]

Yes, my Sister got a ticket in Michigan on a holiday weekend for holding up the left lane and was told by the State Trooper is is her job to maintain traffic's pace & not interrupt the flow of traffic.. She was already doing over the speed limit... and was told to either speed up and pass the other cars and get over, or slow down and get over... but maintaining her speed and holding up the left lane, is in violation of the law.

This should be a ticket EVERYWHERE. The left lane is for passing only. No camping in the hammer lane!

 

[15BluStang]

Yes, my Sister got a ticket in Michigan on a holiday weekend for holding up the left lane and was told by the State Trooper is is her job to maintain traffic's pace & not interrupt the flow of traffic.. She was already doing over the speed limit... and was told to either speed up and pass the other cars and get over, or slow down and get over... but maintaining her speed and holding up the left lane, is in violation of the law.

That will also get you a ticket in Georgia.

 

[Zooks527]

That will also get you a ticket in Georgia.

It's SUPPOSED to get you one in MA, but, clearly, enough aren't being written.

 

[obgod3]

Yeh well every idiot in a Prius here in NC likes the left lane at 50mph.......In a 70.........oh old trucks, Buick’s, creeper vans, well anyone really.....

 

[catchthecarp]

I was driving a rental car and got pulled over by an Illinois trooper for going 62 in a 60 in moderate traffic outside of Galesburg. He was going the opposite direction on a divided 2 lane(Hwy 74) when I saw him hit his brakes and pull a u-turn thru the grass divider. A rather dangerous maneuver to catch a scofflaw going 2 MPH over the limit. Thankfully he didn't give me ticket but I was sure puzzled why he went to all the bother. I suspect the out of state plates had something to do with it.

 

[CAL Captain]

I was driving a rental car and got pulled over by an Illinois trooper for going 62 in a 60 in moderate traffic outside of Galesburg. He was going the opposite direction on a divided 2 lane(Hwy 74) when I saw him hit his brakes and pull a u-turn thru the grass divider. A rather dangerous maneuver to catch a scofflaw going 2 MPH over the limit. Thankfully he didn't give me ticket but I was sure puzzled why he went to all the bother. I suspect the out of state plates had something to do with it.

Could have been your car matched one used in a crime and he just needed a closer look. I did that a bunch of times when I was a cop.

 

[Pa-fatboy]

This thread was an interesting read. It changed towards the end to how people got tickets for speeding. I guess to justify why they would not get out of the way of someone tailgating in the left lane.

I have probably done all the things people in this thread people are complaining about what the tailgaters are doing. When I was in my early 20’s I had a 1989 Mustang LX 5.0, Black, custom ordered so I could delete everything possible to keep it it looking blacked out and as light as possible. I think I wanted the Buick GNX look on a Mustang. Plus the LX 5.0 was faster than the GT 5.0 as the LX shed the weight of the ‘ground effects’ package. I challenged everything anywhere I could. I was the asshole kid in the mirror, especially with a Camaro. I never received a ticket even though I deserved one. I did eventually learn a life lesson with rear ending a Ford Escort. The driver was unhurt, she had a searbealt on, and the Ford seat did its job by holding her in a sitting position as apposed snapping back, leaving the driver in a laying or prone position which can give a lifetime of back issues. It shook me up enough to completely change my road manners.

I spent some time in Germany from 2000-2012. My company held us to rent the VW Jetta/Pasat, Ford Focus level cars as a rule. The Germans I worked with knew my passion for cars and auto racing. They would look to upgrade me as much as possible. Usually to an a4 or a decently equipped Mercedes.

We can talk about all the reasons for applying various technics to defend ourselves against tailgaters. From ‘leave them in the dust’ to move over immediatly to allow them to pass, ‘turning the other cheek’, so to speak. My favorite is justifying why we keep them locked behind us, Probably adding fuel to whatever road rage this person is experiencing. I am not associated with law enforcement, it’s not my job to block someone’s drive. If I could see why the person is agitated and is chalanging us to react to them, and that reason was to harm something or SOMEONE other than themselves. If I could determine that without any doubt, I like to think my inner Jason Bourne would kick in to persuade them to change their mind about their plan.

II do agree with the people that suggested that some of these people, they just want to test their cars against a GT, I started taking my DD Mustang to track days 2-3 times a year to drive it to my limits. That car has more than my skill can handle with grace. I have been focused on stiffening my frame and creating better road handling manners. This is a great place to see how my car / skill stacks up against other brands.

For me, on public roads, I follow the rule that the left hand lane is to be used for passing. When the overtake is complete, get back to the right. In Germany, in the sections where there is no speed limit, you could hurt yourself, others, and/or damage property if you do not follow the left lane is for passing only. I saw three accidents in Germany which given the speeds, were terrible outcomes.

One afternoon in Germany, I was driving on an empty stretch of highway marked as unlimited speed. I was cruising @110mph in the right hand lane. I saw something way in the distance in my rear view mirror. I could tell it was coming fast. Right when my brain was processing this, it went past me pushing a HUGE amount of air that I needed to make a srteering correction to hold my line. If I was in the left lane, neither he or I would of had time to get out of the way. I never did catch what car that was. It was a green one. It came and went faster that I could catch what it was.

My recommendation is to drop the ego and don’t give the tailgater ammo to push and hurt you, your car or anyone else. Use the left lane for passing and nothing else. By the time I arrive at my destination, I usually will have forgot the episode ever happened.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Could have been your car matched one used in a crime and he just needed a closer look. I did that a bunch of times when I was a cop.

Yeah. I had a Oklahoma cop stop me in '67 or '68 on the interstate at 3AM on a Sunday morning. Said he stopped me because my car matched the description of a nearby bank robbery get away car. Wait for it............... My car was a '62 Corvair with every panel a different color and Arizona plates. Not to mention no bank had been open for well over a day and I was just entering the state. I'm guessing cabin fever, not actually thinking I could be that bank robber.

 

[obgod3]

I just move over or slow down if someone is tailgating me....let them go....

 

[Kong76]

I would lose my shit. I admit, I don't handle these situations well if a ftard puts my life in danger. If I try and difuse the situation by moving over and they continue to be within inches, I would go to jail.

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