What do you do when being Tailgated?

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by FAS33

on a single lane road

1 slow down even more
2 speed up
3 brake test
4 windscreen washer

None of these, especially #3.

I wait for the first opportunity to pass and make sure that they do.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Officemanager

Last time I checked it was 80 kph in Victoria.

That's right, above 80 hence my comment of 90 or above.
I have not seen any road signs 80<>90.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by Wretched

That's right, above 80 hence my comment of 90 or above.
I have not seen any road signs 80<>90.

it used to be 80 or above but that was one of the changes made to make it uniform across the country a few years back.

the rule still says 'above 80 or unless signposted' so there are quite a few roads here in SA (and no doubt other states) where the signs in 80 zones haven't been removed so the rule is still valid in some 80 zones.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by prydey

it used to be 80 or above but that was one of the changes made to make it uniform across the country a few years back.

the rule still says 'above 80 or unless signposted' so there are quite a few roads here in SA (and no doubt other states) where the signs in 80 zones haven't been removed so the rule is still valid in some 80 zones.

ok, judging by the law unless it is indicated it is above 80 (90 or above lol).

Keeping to the left on a multi-lane road
(1) This rule applies to a driver driving on a
multi-lane road if—
(a) the speed-limit applying to the driver for the
length of road where the driver is driving is
over 80 kilometres per hour; or
(b) a keep left unless overtaking sign applies to
the length of road where the driver is driving.
Notes
1 Length of road and multi-lane road are defined in the
dictionary.
2 Part 3 deals with speed-limits.
(2) The driver must not drive in the right lane
unless—
(a) the driver is turning right, or making a
U-turn from the centre of the road, and is
giving a right change of direction signal; or
(b) the driver is overtaking; or
(c) a left lane must turn left sign or left traffic
lane arrows apply to any other lane and the
driver is not turning left; or
(d) the driver is required to drive in the right
lane under rule 159; or
(e) the driver is avoiding an obstruction; or
(f) the traffic in each other lane is congested; or
(g) the traffic in every lane is congested; or
(h) the right lane is a special purpose lane in
which the driver, under another provision of
these Rules, is permitted to drive

http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/Domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/LTObject_Store/LTObjSt10.nsf/DDE300B846EED9C7CA257616000A3571/B8108619E4506FFECA25814E001C0FAB/$FILE/17-41sra001%20authorised.pdf

[Mercury Bullet]

Is this now law? I'm not sure why nobody ever seems to get booked.

Years ago it was a recommendation/guideline as opposed to a law so police never did anything about it.

But if it's now law they should be writing tickets on a constant basis.

[Fordman1]

I was driving to work today in the Mustang GT (greasy roads), and some punter in a beat up old Magna decided he was going to sit a couple of feet off the back bumper.

This continued for a couple of km’s on a single lane road. I kept to the 60 km speed limit.

Anyway a 120 odd degree came up and I pretty much kept to the same speed, I check the rear mirror and I see this tool spinning out of control heading for an armco

Luckily for him he didn’t smash his car on the rail, but I must say I had s big smile on my face as I watched the fool in the rear vision mirror.

Karma is a bitch !!

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Jake's work really well when it's YOU doing the tailgating.
So much better if it's an imposing truck

Sorry couldn't help myself.

[commodorenutt]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Is this now law? I'm not sure why nobody ever seems to get booked.

There's been a few done on the M7 in Sydney over the years - most recently a guy in a Mazda3 doing 90 (red P-plate limit) in the right lane for almost the entire length. Obviously oblivious to his mirrors, as the cop had the lights & sirens on behind him for a good 2km before he pulled over.

Once every few months I'll see a motorbike cop who will pull in front of someone blocking the right lane, and motion for them to move over. I've also seen a marked highway car do it on more than a few occasions - lighting up the LED sign with <---KEEP LEFT scrolling across it, but they seem to be merely warning them.

However, our local radio station, and the local paper, both ran stories a few months back, noting that Police would be targeting those failing to stay left, and numerous locals all seemed to know someone who knew someone that got booked.

IMO it's one of the best fines they can issue for road safety - one person blocking the right lane usually results in many more taking unneccesary risks to get around them.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Sorry couldn't help myself.

image

LoL just another day on the Monash FWY

[Bossxr8]

Would be good to have one of those diesel pick up trucks they drag race in the US. The ones that pour out tonnes of black smoke.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by SensationFG8

It may be for roads only over 80 as a law but it's simple courteousy to keep left unless over taking. What is the point of 3 people driving line abrest on a highway that is 80 limited? It creates chaos on the road as the traffic light timings end up catch all the people not doing the speed limit.

You will find a lot of 80kph limited roads are duel carriage ways,
In VIC common ones with 3 lanes are
Princes highway.
Springvale RD
Nepean Highway
Westal Rd
Bell Street
etc

And yes ive been stuck behind 3 lanes of vehicles doing well under the limit
They cant make it law as it would create even more Chaos when traffic needed to turn right.

you may have had a rural 80kph road in mind where courtesy to keep left should be used

[marty351]

Two lane duel road.

Who'll win?

Bring it on!

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by marty351

Two lane duel road.

Who'll win?

Bring it on!

Haha touche

I have dual swords if you want to duel.

[OzriderXR8]

I have to say you are all a very mature level headed lot, I'm impressed.

Me, not so much, Tailgating is my pet hate.

I commute into town on a motorcycle, I have actually slowed to a stop on the freeway in peak traffic down near the servos on the Westgate and forced a tailgater to stop behind me. He $hit himself when I got off the bike to talk to him....

I had already tried all of the pre mentioned strategies and he just kept catching up and sitting a couple of feet of my back wheel.

I'm Mr Sensible in a car (in my opinion, others may disagree, wife, daughter etc.) not on a bike.

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Would be good to have one of those diesel pick up trucks they drag race in the US. The ones that pour out tonnes of black smoke.

I was known to dump drum of oil out the back of a van once, maggot wanted to sit on our butt and wouldnt back off, suddenly rear doors swing open a container of 1-2 litres used oil all over his windscreen. Not the smartest trick I'll grant you but when young and stupid it felt good at the time

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by FAS33

on a single lane road

1 slow down even more
2 speed up
3 brake test
4 windscreen washer

5. Ignore it and continue as I was.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by OzriderXR8

I have to say you are all a very mature level headed lot, I'm impressed.

Me, not so much, Tailgating is my pet hate.

I commute into town on a motorcycle, I have actually slowed to a stop on the freeway in peak traffic down near the servos on the Westgate and forced a tailgater to stop behind me. He $hit himself when I got off the bike to talk to him....

I had already tried all of the pre mentioned strategies and he just kept catching up and sitting a couple of feet of my back wheel.

I'm Mr Sensible in a car (in my opinion, others may disagree, wife, daughter etc.) not on a bike.

Its not unjustified though, a mild love tap from behind on a bike could be cause for a stack. That and bikes stop quicker so with a car up your posterior you're probably going to brake later because you know it's within the bikes capacity but the car behind may not be able to slow down as well.

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by OzriderXR8

I have to say you are all a very mature level headed lot, I'm impressed.

Me, not so much, Tailgating is my pet hate.

I commute into town on a motorcycle, I have actually slowed to a stop on the freeway in peak traffic down near the servos on the Westgate and forced a tailgater to stop behind me. He $hit himself when I got off the bike to talk to him....

I had already tried all of the pre mentioned strategies and he just kept catching up and sitting a couple of feet of my back wheel.

I'm Mr Sensible in a car (in my opinion, others may disagree, wife, daughter etc.) not on a bike.

Not a good idea to rage on a bike, the guy can't of been that scared, he'd have knocked you off and just kept driving otherwise.

[au350hp]

Im really going to open up a can o worms. I have legally driven for over 32 years & lived in 4 of the biggest states in Aust. Nowhere have I found more aggressive drivers than NSW & I reckon it comes down to population. I think people get so used to driving in peak traffic bumper to bumper, when it speeds up they maintain the same gap. In the last 6 months, peak hour Sydney has started having USA style 4,5 & 6 car accidents. The only reason is not leaving a gap. You can have all your gadgets & gimmicks but the only driver aid that works is common sense.

[au350hp]

Originally Posted by Fordman1

I was driving to work today in the Mustang GT (greasy roads), and some punter in a beat up old Magna decided he was going to sit a couple of feet off the back bumper.

This continued for a couple of km’s on a single lane road. I kept to the 60 km speed limit.

Anyway a 120 odd degree came up and I pretty much kept to the same speed, I check the rear mirror and I see this tool spinning out of control heading for an armco

Luckily for him he didn’t smash his car on the rail, but I must say I had s big smile on my face as I watched the fool in the rear vision mirror.

Karma is a bitch !!

I LOVE it when that happens. Many years ago in StKilda Vic. I was sitting outside a cafe drinking coffee when a new M3 BMW came down the street. Now this was 1992 & the M3 was a serious performance car at the time & worth $$$. Anyway, the guy lit it up as he did a U turn, but didn't bank on the tram tracks & did a 270 degree spin in to the guard rail. It had to be towed as the front wheels were facing opposite directions.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Roostercam

Im really going to open up a can o worms. I have legally driven for over 32 years & lived in 4 of the biggest states in Aust. Nowhere have I found more aggressive drivers than NSW & I reckon it comes down to population. I think people get so used to driving in peak traffic bumper to bumper, when it speeds up they maintain the same gap. In the last 6 months, peak hour Sydney has started having USA style 4,5 & 6 car accidents. The only reason is not leaving a gap. You can have all your gadgets & gimmicks but the only driver aid that works is common sense.

My uncle who lives in Canberra refuses to drive in sydney because everybody is in a hurry and he is not. That's fine. I'm well used to people being impatient, ive grown a pretty thick skin after 8 years driving in loaded comercial vehicles that don't take off quickly and I have to leave extra space which often is seen to others as a gap simply to slow down as the extra weight I carry all the time compromises not just how I get off the line but more so my stopping distance. It gets a tad hairy at times leaving a car legnth and a half of space as a buffer for the added load coming to a red light.when someone jumps in the 'gap' that's there for a reason. That's also the reason I leave space when on the road. If I ride the car in front and for whatever reason they need to slow faster then normal they're going to cop my ute in their rear. The brakes on my work ute are fine but it's always loaded.

[V8 Ghia Mike]

1. Flick on the cruise control and sit EXACTLY on the speed limit. They hate it.

2. Hit the hazard lights, it works surprisingly well.

3. Boot it. Most people don't know the potential of a G6ET to pull away from them and 95%of vehicles on the road won't keep up. Particularly in that 80-120km/h sweet spot.

[LTDHO]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Is this now law? I'm not sure why nobody ever seems to get booked.

It has been law for at least 20 years or more.

[SensationFG8]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

That and bikes stop quicker so with a car up your posterior you're probably going to brake later because you know it's within the bikes capacity but the car behind may not be able to slow down as well.

I dont necessarily agree with this, I had a bike tailgating me around a corner off the end of the eastern fwy at springvale road.

It's 80km/h and I took the corner at 80, as I progressed around the corner there was a car pulled over in the left lane, I was in the middle. An impatient driver pulled out in front of me and I braked hard. Bike could not brake as hard and ended up getting the wobbles and sliding down the road on his side.

They can theoretically brake harder due to weight etc, but if you over brake them they get very unstable it would seem. It's easier to apply full brakes in a car, especially with ABS/DSC.

[TRAU BLAU]

Originally Posted by nitro50th

A long time ago I was going to be late for work and came up to a slow car, I honestly didn't even think I was tail-gating until the driver in front flipped me the bird and started waving his arms about.

I quickly realised what a tool I was being and backed off, gave a wave to apologise and had a long think about my driving habits.

This has stuck with me for all these years and I now hate being tailgated and am more aware of the distance to the cars in front of me.

I think most people out there are just ignorant of the fact they follow too close to the car in front. Of course there are those who do it deliberately.

Yeah I had to re-new my driving habits a few years back when I read about being "The Teacher."Like someone overtook me so I've recklessly chased them to try & overtake them.A kind of road-rage thing I s'pose.

[amiers]

I usually don't do anything ,but if they are real tools I just put the lights on for a second so they think you have hit the brakes. love the reaction when they slam on their brakes.

[Tonz]

We read about these numbats who when road rage attacks they do it in earnest, they are angry, aggresive, often on illegal substances, and if they think they are in the right then watch out...... just saying but how would the law react if e of these toads comes at you and you floor it perhaps causing injury to the sod. Would the law be softer if dash cam captured the 'show'.

Thankfully where I live we dont have this behaviour, (well we dod one time and he was shown the way we do things ....before the police arrived. He moved shortly after.
Someone mentioned it but how much is also caused by constant heavy traffic that you east coasters seem ? to enjoy.

[OzriderXR8]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Not a good idea to rage on a bike, the guy can't of been that scared, he'd have knocked you off and just kept driving otherwise.

Most tailgaters are not ragers or aggressive, they are just plain old impatient bad drivers. Some of our 'New Oz' friends from the sub continent are shockers and I doubt they give it a second thought.

I stay well clear of the crazies, I actually had one tonight on the way home on the Westgate Freeway....a tradie on something mind altering, darting from lane to lane and sitting inches off the car in front him, I changed lanes and slowed down so I didn't get caught up in the carnage if he hit someone.

Of course as with most traffic issues if we had more cops on the road we'd have less mobile phone use, dangerous drivers and women putting on make up in the morning.

Ok, that's, 'New Australians' and Women, anyone else, what about....

I'm bad.

[OzriderXR8]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

Sorry couldn't help myself.

image

I passed a guy tonight in a vintage Kenworth like this... I'm guessing it was modern underneath.

[.:4:.]

I've never quite understood why tradies in general get the earned reputation of always being in a hurry. I'm a tradesman myself, but during the day travel time is payed time, and whilst I don't waste time between jobs I still drive like a respectable person. My attitude is even though between jobs I'm covered by work cover, if I have a prang and break my leg or whatever then I'm left with an injury and no car to drive out of hours. To and from work I'm not covered by work cover even though it's a company vehicle. Yeah work has it insured and all the rest but my starting place everyday from a 15 minute drive to an hour and a half trip. I get it people want to get home or whatever, but how much time do you actually save driving like a dick? The m2 backed up pretty quick when a hilux rear ended another hi lux. So not only did they ruin their trip but also thousands of other peoples. Atleast the offending car was traffic controllers and they had the curtosy to put up the sign on the roof indicating move left.....