Dealing with tailgaters (split posts)

[Bungle]

Oh, sorry, and to asnwer TC question, the DSA have 2 parking exercises in their arsenal for use on L tests; reverse (parallel) parking and bay parking. Only test centres that have bay parking facilities can use that one, they can't go into public carparks on test.

I have actually had a handful of qualified drivers come to me for lessons with parking or other aspects of driving they find stressful. It's a shame that most qualified drivers are too proud to ask for help, even when they know they need it.

[elfa7]

Bungle, do people have to provide photographic evidence when taking the test ?. I read (in the press ??) awhile ago, that a small proportion of people were having someone else take the test for them.
Also, there are thought to be a proportion driving with no licence at all.
A frightening thought !.

[Bungle]

Yes, the examiners do need to see photographic ID before conducting tests. This is usually on the provisional licince, anyway. I have seen test refused because the examiner was not happy with the photo.
There is a high number of unlicenced people on the road. Provisional holders driving unsupervised and some withou any kind of licence. It's madness.
Some instructors I know have seen one or two of their pupils driving around unsupervised and withould L plates.

I once took a young Nigerian lad to test, and he failed. He had no problem telling me that he was going to send £100 to Nigeria, where he could get an official full licence, and use that to get a one year internation licence to drive on. All of his frainds and family just did that in the first place, not even tried to learn or take a test. I was shocked.

With the alarming number of unlicenced and therefor uninsured drivers, it makes the whole 'safety bubble' way of driving more relevant.

[Bog]

Tapping the brakes quickly could cause the EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) to kick in, which would apply full braking force! This may be unlikely, but if your system is a bit over sensitive (or your heavy footed) it could happen with disastrous consequences.

There is a thread here where the EBA kicked in unexpectedly and surprised the driver.

Originally Posted by czechplastik

My best tactic is to slow (gently) right down and sit at an irritatingly low speed, especially if they are unable to pass, soon learns them.

Absolutely, this is what I do and love watching them boil over with rage!

[basegreen]

trying to annoy, frustrate and incite a bad driver tailgating you is recipe for disaster.... just do what the HC says and increase the gap in front of you with careful de-throttling, giving them time and space to overtake.

[elfa7]

All good advice. I drive a lot in the suburbs, mainly 30mph, and tailgating is a rare occurrance. When it has happened in the past, I've always got enough room in front for them to overtake. I even pull over as far as I can to let them past. But they seem incapable of overtaking, and just want you to go faster.
Lately, if I'm in that situation, I put my left indicator on, and pull into the kerb. And let them bugger off !!.

[richierich]

Originally Posted by Bungle

........
Defensive driving, which involves keeping a safety bubble around you the whole time, and looking out for potential hazards and being ready for them really does make driving less stressful and more enjoyabe

I have been trying to do such that for the last couple of years, since my close scrape with a DWDCA charge and the resulting driver improvement course, its surprising what I notice these days, that I am certain I would have driven past/into a few years ago.

On the subject of the bubble, I was told by the instructor I had that when travelling on a typical 2 way road with a car parked on the opposite side if a car is approaching from the other way (you have right of way) that it is a good idea to move out towards the centre of the road to reduce the risk of them trying to squeeze through, if they decided they don't want to risk damage to their car they stop, if they risk it I have somewhere to go. I think its a reasonable idea, the Wife hates it when I do this, and I often get some angry reactions from the other car, is this wrong??

Originally Posted by CivPilot

I cannot beleive that people here think brake testing is ok??????

.................................................. .......

From now on I'm steering well clear of any "civinfo" stickered Civic's on the off change they are one of these people who think that brake testing is ok. Utterly dismayed that people are not listening to some very good advice and still think its "ok" to do such an amazingly dangerous thing.

Nah, we'll be too busy waving to brake test!!

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by richierich

I have been trying to do such that for the last couple of years, since my close scrape with a DWDCA charge and the resulting driver improvement course, its surprising what I notice these days, that I am certain I would have driven past/into a few years ago.

On the subject of the bubble, I was told by the instructor I had that when travelling on a typical 2 way road with a car parked on the opposite side if a car is approaching from the other way (you have right of way) that it is a good idea to move out towards the centre of the road to reduce the risk of them trying to squeeze through, if they decided they don't want to risk damage to their car they stop, if they risk it I have somewhere to go. I think its a reasonable idea, the Wife hates it when I do this, and I often get some angry reactions from the other car, is this wrong??



Nah, we'll be too busy waving to brake test!!

Is it wrong? Hmm, I'm not too sure on this. It is nothing I have ever heard of, but I can see the logic behind it. I can also understand the angry reactions you get from on coming motorists who want to squeeze through.
If it is definate give way situation for the oncoming traffic, then I see no problem, but it would not be right to do if the gap is big enough to allow you both to pass safely. You would be obstructing them and focing them to take avoiding action. Use with caution, this one.

The rule I use for teacing is this. The safety bubble you have is approx 3 feet either side, and 2 seconds front and back.
The ones you can control are the gaps in front and to the sides.

If the side clearence is reduced by 1/3, reduce your speed by 1/3.
3' = 30mph
2' = 20mph
1' = 10 mph
<1' = don't.

For the rear clearance, which you cannot control, you have to increase your bubble size (and reaction time) in front of you. Hence all the arguments on here for easing off and dropping back when somebody is on your rear bumper. I have some good diagrams for this in my folder if anyone wants me to post them up.

[Hartside]

Bungle, please post them up as I think it's good education for all of us

[Bungle]

safetybubbly.jpg
This is the picture. It demonstartes how to deal with your safety bubble being reduced

[elfa7]

Bungle, thanks for that. Regarding the left-hand bubble. 2 secs fore & aft. I'm in a stream of traffic, single carriageway road, and tailgater comes up behind, right on rear bumper. 30 mph limit.
I can't reduce my 2 sec gap at the front -- to close, and tailgater would only follow anyway. What would you advise ?.

[Topcat]

Originally Posted by Bog

Tapping the brakes quickly could cause the EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) to kick in, which would apply full braking force! This may be unlikely, but if your system is a bit over sensitive (or your heavy footed) it could happen with disastrous consequences.

There is a thread here where the EBA kicked in unexpectedly and surprised the driver.

!

Fine - I wont do it anymore then I PROMISE !!

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by elfa7

Bungle, thanks for that. Regarding the left-hand bubble. 2 secs fore & aft. I'm in a stream of traffic, single carriageway road, and tailgater comes up behind, right on rear bumper. 30 mph limit.
I can't reduce my 2 sec gap at the front -- to close, and tailgater would only follow anyway. What would you advise ?.

You never want want to reduce your gap in front, look at the right hand picture. When the rear gap is reduced, increase your gap in front.


The 2 second rule is for fine weather/dry roads. It should be increased in wet weather. Hope this makes sense.

[Kremmen]

I just ignore them.

If they hit me from the rear that's their fault. I don't deliberately hang around in the outside of a motorway if unnecessary but I don't abandon an overtaking manoeuvre just for them.

As far as sped bumps are concerned, they can wait, I'm not wrecking my suspension just for them. Same rule applies, if they hit me, it's their insurance, if they have any.

[TTDegs]

Originally Posted by Bungle

The 2 second rule is for fine weather/dry roads. It should be increased in wet weather. Hope this makes sense.

Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf5d2DP4Pp0

[elfa7]

Originally Posted by TTDegs

Only a fool breaks the 2 second rule!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf5d2DP4Pp0

I agree. Thats why the Police should clamp down on tailgaters, with bigger fines when caught.

[Hartside]

Thanks for the pic Bungle, very interesting

[TopTrumps]

Rather than tap my brakes, I have briefly switched my rear fog lights on and off, gives the illusion of braking without dropping speed. I've found it works.

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by TopTrumps

Rather than tap my brakes, I have briefly switched my rear fog lights on and off, gives the illusion of braking without dropping speed. I've found it works.

Still risks the other driver reacting by stamping on his.

As others have said, that's their problem, but it's best not to be the cause of any accident, especially if someone gets hurt.

[richierich]

Does the Civic have a pair of fog lights, or just one?