I have to do a project for my driver's ed. class about tailgating, and laws like the two second rule and car length rule. But all the websites I've found that look like they could have that info are impossible to naveigate! Does anyone know of any good sites I could visit that have that information?

New York, i like the first part of your comment but i have serious misgivings about the second part.

I agree, tailgating IS irresponsible. Problem is, tailgating means different things to different people. It's really dumb and it would be extremely difficult to find a rational reason or advantage to it.

But don't give people too much credit for intelligence. I've seen drivers tailgate when there's only two cars on the road and an alternative lane availble.

Sometimes I'm glad there's people like you out there to teach these dumbells a lesson. On the other hand, the brake light thing is very aggressive (even more aggressive than tailgating, which many drivers don't realize they're doing).

Try to understand the lack of intelligence and don't feel obliged to enforce your ethics. Not worth the stress.

and by the way, if you are tailgated very often there's possibly something wrong with YOUR driving.

I am going to be doing a speech in my class about tailgating. I think it is one of the most irresponsible decisions a person can make while driving. Tailgating causes unnecessary stress on the other person, and for what? I also will talk about a couple of times I have pumped my brakes to tell the person to stop, and when we got to red light they decided it would be in their best interest to come to my car, and fight me. Bad call.. I am 2-0 on that. Two a**holes got there butt beat up for that.
I not saying that fighting is right but people have to really think about what they are doing! I also love when people act if they are going to do something, and it is a 5 foot lady maybe weighing in at 100 lbs. Stop! My girlfriend already has one won fight for some chick doing that.
People might think I am bringing it to a new level but people have to really think what they are doing, and to who. If your going to act like billy bad a** honking your horn, flashing your lights, and flicking me off. You better be ready to fight because I will be!!

And I know slow drivers in the left lane are idiots and all, but this in no way gives you the right to tailgate them and try to scare them into going faster. Just back off and wait for a safe opening to pass them on the right if they don't move. Tailgating is never the right thing to do, no matter how slow some idiot is driving in the left lane.

What makes me mad about tailgaters is when they tailgate you while you are passing. If you are in the passing lane and actively passing another vehicle in a timely manner, why do they need to tailgate you? I tend to stick near the speed limit, but when I go to pass, I usually speed up a little bit to try to pass quickly, then return to the right lane. Even when I do this, if I'm passing a truck or something (which takes longer than passing a car), I will still get some idiot tailgating me and yelling, flashing their lights, etc even though I sped up a little bit to try to get out of their way. What more do they really want me to do? It makes me mad. Back off, give people time to complete their passing, then you can go on your merry way.

I sometimes just put my lights on for a second, the red rear light then comes on - they think you are braking - but you are not!!

Tailgaters really test my patience, and there are so many about.

or just buy a "tailgate revenger" kit!

It'll be sure to make those tailgaters back off your bumper!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAx7UO9Sajk

www.Anti-Tailgate.com

The more I drive (and I have been for almost 40 years) the more I hate it - the traffic and night driving, but especially the tailgaters. I thought I was in the minority as far as this pet peeves go, but I see from the posts here that I am not. I agree that tailgating is a much more serious issue than speeding, but it's hard to enforce this. I think unmarked police cars would be the best idea. The cops could make tons of money handing out summonses for tailgating!

I am tempted to do brake-checks, but many have warned against the possibility of pissing off other drivers and being cut off or harassed afterwards. I heed this kind of advice as it makes sense. I live in New York City (Brooklyn, to make matters worse - ever hear of the Belt Pkwy?!!) - which I've heard is 2nd on the list in the U.S. for road rage and tailgating.

I am a very strong believer in individual rights, but there is one I am willing to give up immediately: I would applaud it if someone could design a foolproof computerized sensing system that would slow a car down automatically when it tailgates another car - of course this would take into account the speed of the car. It would have to be a system that could not be defeated by anyone under any circumstances and would be checked for accuracy during annual inspections.

Can you imagine how many accidents this would avoid?

I like to just slam on the brakes, Some get that I'm pissed with their dominating attitude, Others seem so determined to have their way, Though slaming on the brakes Is not the only way of stopping them, I have found a site www.textthemIn.com where I can text
message the plate number and the vehicle description It's free and those that run this service will alert the athorities to what Is happening and law enforcement will go after them.

When someone tailgates me, I look at them in the rearview mirror and smile and wave excitedly,as if I know them. If I have a passender with me, sometimes the passenger will turn around and wave an smile. This often works to get them to back off. Otherwise, as long as I am traveling at or above the posted speed, screw them - they can go around if they're that eager.

I moved to Houston, TX from Montgomery, AL and never in my life seen so many taigaters. In fact when I moved to Houston there were kids that were hit by cars lying on the grass which really concerned me. I hate tailgaters but what I do that seems to work is pump my brakes several times and they seem to pay attention despite these stupid people talking on their cell phones.

I like Larry's remedy. The "flame throwing tail pipe", but even more so, he has read my mind when he suggests a lighted sign that says "Back Off" that can be switched on when needed. I've been saying that for years now. Hey, Larry, let's get together and invent one.:)lol

I have "brake checked" several people within the past several years. My truck is a piece of junk, and I just love to see their headlights, hood and everything else just get smashed!

Tailgaters are impatient, this is true. But how much faster are they going to get there by being five feet away, as opposed to 20-30? They aren't actually saving AHY time!

The worst is the people with NO regard for the posted speed limit who will tailgate me going 55 in a 45 because THEY feel that if they aren't going 65 NPH everywhere, then they aren't going at all.

I knew a Sargent in the USAF who had a restored 1950s car. He HAD trouble with tailgaters until he installed a sparkplug in the tailpipe.

The car had leaky rings so a bit of oil would mist out the pipe. Flipping a switch on the dash would send ignition current to that plug which ignited the oil - spewing a large flame out the rear.

Said he never did it when they were TOO close but after one shot they never tailgated him again.

All I'm looking for is a lighted sign to place in the rear window - something like 'Back-off or Pass!' I can switch on when needed.

I've tried tapping the brake pedal and the hazard flashers like they told us in the Defensive Drivers course but there's always one idiot who doesn't understand (or is driving asleep) who continues to stick to me like glue.

THEN there's the State Troopers who risk everybody's lives by rushing up and darting in behind you and then getting SO close all you can see is their grill (of their SUVs).

Had one pull me over when I tried to warn yet another tailgater to back off. Turned out THAT was the trooper!

Apparently he saw me flashing the brake lights and the hazard lights (with a Mercedes less than 10ft behind @ 55mph - the limit) and didn't understand I simply wanted the Mercedes driver to back off (or pass).

SO, seeing as even the cops 'don't get it' - isn't it time for a lighted sign as an aid to traffic safety? Saw built-into a minivan's rear window but couldn't learn which manufacturer supplied it.

I don't pretend to hit the brakes when threatened by a tailgater; I DO hit the brakes and HARD. I see it as self-defense. A tailgater is threatening my life in the same way if they held a loaded gun to my head. I will defend myself in the latter, so I do so in the former. If they are arrogant to tailgate and threaten the life of my passengers and myself, then they better prepared: I will hit my brakes HARD. And where are the police: They'll stop someone for going 10 MPH over the speed limit but otherwise driving safely, yet will never, ever pull a tailgater over. Tailgating is far more dangerous at any speed, than going a few MPH over the speed limit but drving in control, and safely.

I frickin' hate Minnesota drivers. These mooks, in their behemoth RUVs, will tailgate in the far right lane, even if you speed up. They refuse opportunities to pass on your left. They speed up when you're trying to merge.

I assume that this is because I live close to Michelle Bachmann's district - and that the dezinens are as bat-shit crazy as she is.

Oh..for a rocket launcher!

The one thing that drivers that tailgate do not realize, is that a very hazardous situation has just been created. Furthermore, the left hand lane habit of appraochign the car in front, even if it is travelling at 10-15 miles over the speed limit, will gain nothing for the approaching car if ther is nothing but a long lin eof cars ahead in all lanes. The behavior is habitually crimina, albeit minor, but due top the fact that police radar ahead cannot catch them. so they feel free to travel at great speeds to the next car. Watch such a driver the next time they become the lead car, they do not travel as fast and they become the "hunted." If you are such a driver, shame on you. Chances are, you probably will not have a chance to learn that lesson-an accident will probably kill you at those speeds.

There is really no way to avoid tailgaters. I especially hate it at night on two-lane back roads. I drive at the posted limit or a little below at night as you can never tell when one of God's creatures is going to jump out at you. But obviously, people who tailgate don't have the brain-power to realize this.

I don't know what happens to some people when they get behind the wheel of a car. I think they feel it's some kind of weapon or something, and, considering the damage it can do, they're right. Maybe it makes up for some other deficiency in their lives; maybe it's their way of getting even with the rest of the world. Who knows.

It's frustrating and dangerous out there these days and I've been driving for 43 years. I really don't enjoy it any longer. Usually, I just stay steady at a speed I'm comfortable with given the driving conditions and eventually they'll go around. The faster you go, the faster they go. At night, I just turned the rear-view mirror to the side and pay attention to the road ahead.

My main goal when I drive now is to get home in one piece. So, giving in to the frustration means they win - and you don't want that.

yeah thats right driver or not. Get it all out of your system!!!!!

I, on the other hand, find driving pretty relaxing. I've almost always got all the space I want and more, and few drivers tailgate me. But so what if they do? If I can't get out of their way I don't worry about them too much except to watch out ahead so I don't have to brake suddenly.

Yup, I control everything around me almost all the time and I don't find driving tense. I just don't have too many problems when I drive.

Just lucky I guess.

Warning, wall of text!

Ah yes... tailgating, an all too common and stupid practice. I never understand how these people got their drivers license. Maybe they bribed or slept with the driving test person, who knows. Or they were the "perfect" driver for one day and then decided to just be stupid. In any case, anyone who tailgates intentionally is a moron, and probably has an IQ of about -100. There are many reason people tailgate, most are directed at the dirver in front of them and a few are not. I know the feeling all too well of wanting to take a sledgehammer and beat the heck out of a tailgater or other stupid driver) all too well.

You see, I have the worst luck on the road. Every damn driver out there is out to cause me grief and frustration. It's like they know exactly how to piss me off and they do it just for fun. I actually have a list of names I give to the situations they like to frustrate me over. (Like when I try to read a road sign, the people in front of me brake suddenly and hard for no reason at all, and there really is no reason to. I'm not tailgating, no one cut them off, there is nothing jumping out in front of them, there is no sudden drop in speed limit, there is no road that they had to brake hard otherwise they would pass it, there is absolutely nothing on the road infront of them and absolutely reason for them to brake so hard. I call them the "Look away braker" When you look away, they brake, all the time. I've tested this and it is positive, if I even glance at anything, they brake.)

Sorry for the off-topic there, anyway the best thing you could do is ignore the tailgater. I know it is hard to do that, but giving them your attention is exactly what they want. Causing accidents by "brake checking" or otherwise inciting road rage is exactly what they are looking for, an excuse to kick your ass. (Or shoot you with their gun.) It's weird how people are in such a hurry all the time and yet they have time for a confrontation, how stupid. As for your situation Jolie (if you still read these comments), I have an idea. I don't know if your rearview mirror has this, but some rearview mirrors have a little clip that you can move to move the rearview mirror down and away from your eyes. This also reflects their own headlights back in their face, that will make them back-off or pass. Now if yours doesn't do that, buy a mirror and hang it up under your rearview mirror, and move it up when they do that shit to you again and blind them. If they pass, throw a heavy object into their window and shatter it, and possibly hit them. When they crash, get out and beat the living... oops I'm rambling on about what I would want to do, sorry.

Getting tailgated in the right lane, as well as people using the right lane for high speeds, is the worst. Fastest left, slowest right. Not hard to understand. What I usually do is slow down until the moron gets the idea and passes me on the left. I've done this for miles, get slower and slower and some idiots don't get the message that I want them to pass me. Sometimes I'll speed up when they finally go left so they can't get back in the lane ahead of me!

That's an awesome Jacob, i'll try it next time somebody tailsgates me (which will be tomorrow)

Do what I do when these losers get behind you. Hit them with a 12 second shot of wiper fluid. It works when going faster than 50 mph. The fluid goes right over the top of your car (wind hits it) and it will land on their windshield. On a sunny day, the bastards will know what's going on. Fuck them.

These types of drivers mixed with high beams is a very dangerous thing. This is why I try not to go out at night unless I absolutely have to. Just tonight on my way home, a minivan caught up with me and followed me all the way home with high beams on!! There was NO TRAFFIC at all. NONE. Would this person just pass? No. They enjoy this behavior because they can get away with it. They are bullies.They obviously don't have any regard for human life. They should have their license suspended. Then again, they'd probably drive around anyway AND without insurance. In my experience, it's always the crappy car drivers that tail gate the nice cars.

turn on your lights for a second or two. or..your turn signal.

A way to turn on your brake lights without touching the brake would teach tailgaters a lesson. A simple switch in the brake light circuit is all thats needed.

Or you can turn on your rear fog lamp and dazzle them.

florida drivers are the worst! old people and semis driving slow in the fast lane! don't they teach anymore ,slower traffic to the right??...and these damn pounding stereos! , do cops hand out tickets? yes they do i went to court for my daughter and kids were getting tons of them!..............

So what do you do when the cops speed and tailgate you ?
In my state, Pa., Gov. Ed Rendell likes his State Trooper chauffer to cruise at 100mph on the turnpike. He must have been on his way to Pat's Steaks to graze. Sticking the taxpayer with his ethanol subsidies will build up anybody's appetite. Don't believe them when they tell you they can't tear up a ticket, just ask the trooper who pulled him over.

Yeah I would have to agree that no matter where you live, no matter how hard you try to avoid it or what lane you're in people are always going to tailgate. You see these jerks on somebodies bumper in the right lane and then they move into the left lane to get right on somebody elses bumper. The best thing to do is to reduce your speed they're ticking you off so slow down to tick them off. And if they try to take further action against you just get on your cell phone and call 911 tell them the situation, where you're driving, the vehicle info and license plate info and the police will make every effort to pull that person over and give them a traffic warning/citation.

Glenn has it right ... you can't fix stupid. Tailgaters will always be around and keep coming like a cockroach ... more and more everyday as young adults adopt the pattern of their parents, society, etc. Personally, I struggle with "taking the high-road" on this issue everyday. It sucks. Too often, these assholes get away with it. I feel certain that most accidents are caused by tailgaters and impatient drivers. Unfortunately, it seems like the cops are more concerned with catching speeders rather than tailgaters. At this point, I feel I'm in the minority on this subject. Nowadays, I'm starting to see cops getting tailgated themselves and they don't seem too concerned about it either. I guess it's just the norm now. Maybe I should become a highway patrol officer and dedicate my services to busting tailgaters only. I'm tired of being the "nice guy" on this issue. I say screw 'em all ... just once I'd love to see one have a horrific, deadly single-car accident. They have no regard for my life (including my passengers), so why should I have any for theirs.

You just can't fix stupid...and that's just what tailgaters are! I would love to just slam on my brakes and let the asshole crash into me, but that would be stupid. Every society on the planet will ALWAYS have tailgaters. I always drive the posted speed limit (+ or - a few mph), but the tailgaters keep coming, and always will. I don't get too excited about tailgaters anymore because there are so may of them out there. We all pay the price eventually, while our auto insurance rates continue to rise. The best one can do is let the tailgater pass you when it is possible. YOUR SAFETY IS #1., DON'T MESS WITH THE (STUPID) TAILGATER---because the situation may turn out real bad for YOU. SAFETY...SAFETY...SAFETY!!! Call 911 and report the asshole...the cops will do the rest.

I want to install holographic projectors that, only when I'm being tailgated, project the image of my car suddenly stopping. It doesn't matter what lane you're in... they tailgate. I actually speed up sometimes to see how fast they're willing to go... they still tailgate... they usually fall back when I'm up to 90 to a 100mph... I've seen 18 wheelers tailgate too! Sometimes I imagine driving a tank and slamming the breaks on the tailgaters. They just need to get into an accident, that's all. Have you ever been the passenger with a person who tailgates...? Scary... I'm get nervous...

Peopel are tailgating because the car in front of them (usually in the left lane) is not yielding to the rule "slower traffic keep right" Even if someone is speeding, they are now faster and you become the slower traffic. If you choose not to move , then you must deal with tailgating.

I moved to France last year and am enjoying nearly every aspect of the culture with one huge exception - the all-too-common practice of tailgating. It almost seems permissible here, something I just can't rationalise. From my experience, its almost impossible to drive a short 10km trip without at least one potentially dangerous incident via this (literally) shortsighted behaviour. Incidentally, I typically drive just under or over the limit, always paying attention to lane discipline and trying to read the road - in other words, I try to drive considerately and would never intentinally block another vehicle's progress.

I believe that in many ways tailgating is far more dangerous than speeding, which whilst not-condoning any form of irresponsible driving - tailgating ALWAYS involves a second vehicle, whereas speeding doesn't necessarily involve a third party.

I would welcome any initiative to reduce this seemingly global problem, yet from my experience of driving in the UK, is far more prevelent on mainland Europe.

I for one, do not know or understand how anyone in there right mind can follow the vehicle in front of them so close that all they can see is the vehicle in front of them. What an uncomfortable feeling. I tried it once and did not see any practical reason for it. I have been driving for 25 years. Common sence tells me that if I lay back 2 or 3 car lenths that I can react to emergency situations with out panic. If you are tail gating the vehicle in front of you then all you are doing is waiting for his brakes lights to come on. What fun is that. Driving is a privalage and is also very enjoyable if you can see more than the back of the car you are tailgating. Regarding the above article, my veiw is that people tailgate because people are impataint.