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Xgecko
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 06:29 am: | 
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I drove parts for the navy for a year and in that time I did have an accident that was caused by a tailgater (not me). Actually I was the 5th of like 9-11 cars caught up in one guys brake slam to get rid of a tailgater...
That said the safest thing to do with a tailgater is to get more room in front of yourself and then if it continues pull over. I've had somoeone follow me (which is why I now carry an ASP in my tank bag) but very few people mess with someone off a bike carrying a helmet. Life is too short to get wrapped up in road rage...someone elses or your own |
Ryker77
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 08:50 am: |
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Those flashing brake lights work nice. I had them on my BMW. That way I could touch the brakes once and they'd flash 4 times.
Extra rear lights also help. I wan't to wire up the rear turn signals to also work as brake lights.
I'll just tap my brakes and/or slow down. If its safe I'll turn around and look.
BTW you guys never know who is driving that car behind you--- ie judge, high rank lawyer, Sherriff's wife, DA's son, Mayor.. etc etc
In the past I was very quick to road rage on people. Often stopping my car and getting out. Even had a pistol pulled out on me. But in my age I've calmed down. I try and just think ---what if or who is driving that car. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 08:58 am: |
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>>>>"Common Sense is not all that Common"
Newf:
Roger that. you are talking to a guy who tried to parachute off a Buick Vista Cruiser.
P.S. - for the record, it doesn't work. Only broken bone I have ever had. |
Kuuud
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 09:09 am: |
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Yeah, flipping the bird may seem a good idea at the time...I thought it was once. Until the cager proceed to use his car as a weapon and try to kill me. I tried it all, speeding up, slowing down, but I couldn't get away from him. He kept trying to run me of the road. I finally pulled over at a toll booth and filed a police report. Apparently the Delaware state police took it as a joke. Nothing ever happened. I had a full description including license #.
Flipping the bird escalated a bad driver into a homicidal maniac!
Bret |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 09:43 am: |
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"a guy who tried to parachute off a Buick Vista Cruiser"
Would that be LALO?
rt |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 09:46 am: |
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quote:You never realize how fast 30MPH is until you pass a wood phone pole 10 feet in the air at 2AM.
Court to an Emergency Room Doctor. |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 10:57 am: |
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I use the quick stare method. Works 98% of the time. If the quick stare does not work get out of the idiots way somehow.
I used the brake flash thing (in a car) once on the 91 and the driver of the other car tried to ram me. I hit the shoulder and slammed the brakes hard and could almost see the bullets going by the windshield as he unloaded his handgun at me. I called 911 right away and they informed me he was shooting at lots of people and that units were in route. A minute later it looked like half the police in L.A. county were in pursuit.
You just never know who is a nutcase........ |
Newfie_buell
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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Parachute of a Vista Cruiser,
I'd have bought a ticket to see that one.....
Ever tell ya about the time I attempted to solder a fuel tank from a Chevy Blazer!!!!! |
P0p0k0pf
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 11:56 am: |
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I had a scary incident a few weeks ago and I wasn't even on my bike. I had someone tailgating me so close I couldn't see anything below his windshield in my mirror.
A brake light check (i didn't even actually brake) caused him to swerve violently. I got a full 10-15 second line of obscenities from this bastard. I'm certain he was enraged before he even got into his car that afternoon. I was just the one who made him snap.
That gesture you make, that look, those words, whatever you do outside of avoiding the situation may be exactly what that person wants. It may justify doing something that could get you killed.
That fool isn't worth it. |
Ryker77
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 01:25 pm: |
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I had made a comment to my wife while in my car with the window down in a parking lot.. Right as I passed some silver hairs in a Buick.. "old people shouldn't drive".
Then old man heard my comment and stopped. He then began to curse me. I was in a Green Honda Insight (sissy car) so people would tend to assume I was a little 100lb tree huger. As I stopped and opened my door to get out. This guy puts his huge Buick into reverse and spins tires!!! I just stand there thinking yes-- I am getting a new car and will be able to pound that guy. But I guess he noticed that I wasn't a 100lb tree hugger--- more like a 210lb Marine. He stopped then took off. That was the last time I had road rage--- I am much calmer now.
Speak softly, carry a big stick, and not afraid to call 911. I've often call the state patrol to report a dangerous car. It gives them something to do other than write speeding tickets. Some people need to be taught a lesson-- but let the law do it. |
Cabalclaudia
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 01:36 pm: |
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On the bike, I will simply reach out with my left hand behind me and make a motion as if pushing back that tailgater. It always works.
In the car - well, some people around here simply are not capable of changing lanes to pass a car, so I usually move over and out of their way. I also make a point of changing back into the lane I traveled in before right after they pass, but I doubt they get the point. |
Ted
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 03:13 pm: |
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I agree with Spike. As long as i'm not in the fast lane, just slow down without braking.
Although sometimes i'm just not in the mood and will salute 'em.
 |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 10:47 pm: |
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Funny thing, in my car people rarely tailgate me.
Then again my car is a retired 9C1 caprice. People
move over to le ME by
It's a great car, I get an LT-1 to hotrod, and it carries
the whole family comfortably (while lighting up the tires!) |
Pupu
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 09, 2006 - 11:56 pm: |
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the day i bought my bike, i was crossing an intersection by my work, i was pulling from a stop and the guy behind me actually came up and hit my rear tire. just moved my bike alittle and then we pulled up to the next light.
i put my kickstand down, got off my bike and walked back to his car. let me tell you, this man had the look of fear if i had ever seen one, as i was yelling, his wife and daughter in the back were freaking out, so i calmed down, said no one was hurt so just watch what the %#^%$ you are doing, not everyone will be as nice as me!
i can imagine i guess if you are an old man with your family and you see a guy you just hit walking back to your car with all my icon gear on. when i put my hands on his door with my gladiator full titanium gloves, i thought he was gonna $hit himself. it almost made it all worth it |
Stretchman
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 12:00 am: |
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Want to screw with his head? Pull out in the passing lane, then brake and fall in behind him. Works like a charm every time.
Stretch |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 04:32 am: |
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>>>> see a guy you just hit walking back to your car
Try that in Queens.
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Jerseyguy
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 08:07 am: |
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The best thing to do is calm yourself and let it go. Sometimes its really hard, but you can't let some neurotic a-hole's problems become your problem. |
Oz666
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 09:53 am: |
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Yep, let `em pass you, however you can accomplish it. (sigh) If they are in front of you, they are easier to watch.
Remember:
Concrete delivery trucks CANNOT STOP.
You=baseball, Semi=bat
You know MANY roads they will never see.
 Oz |
Angelwild327
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 02:15 pm: |
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When I was younger I drove like an idiot, like lots of people do. Time and enough tickets later and I've come to not take driving as an offensive sport. I now drive a massive truck, 5 tons of purple steel and now I'm acutely aware of the damage *I* can do to others.
It's easy in the beast to calm people down, people do not cut me off, nor do they tailgate me..ever...a big trailer hitch in their grill settles it all.
The decent human in me, does not honestly believe that most people on the road are out to kill bikers, they are just, many times, acutely UNAWARE that bikers need and deserve as much room as cars. If you want to do the right thing, next time someone does something that scares you or puts you in danger, YOU avoid it, on your bike you must think for the rest of the world. And without being a total ass, in whatever way possible, kindly make people aware of what they are doing, you catch SOOO many more flies with honey...if you maturely educate the non-rider population, you will hopefully make a friend to biker-kind...and that will surely help out the next biker that car comes across the next time.
Fire is never successfully fought with fire. |
Oldog
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - 10:18 pm: |
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Even had a pistol pulled out on me. But in my age I've calmed down. I try and just think ---
Good thought,
I had a nut case get out of his car to "whup my azz" because he was late or had some issue, I had my step daughter Lisa in the car, as I exit I explain calmly that there was a .357 under the front seat, "If he was late then he was a damn fool for wasiting his time with me", but if he wished to press the issue I would happily shoot him thus making him even later..
this individual leaves in a huff, the child then turns to me with wide eyes and says "did you realy mean that?!!", my response was "yes because she was there, and had to be protected", then I smiled and said that shooting the person who left would have been tough as the gun was at home locked up
but he did not know that"
this illiceted a giggle from the Lisa and we went in after the lunch meat or what ever it was ....  Mr late went where ever it was he was all ready late for
Road rage is a manifestation of stupidity
tail gating is another ..
(Message edited by oldog on May 10, 2006)
(Message edited by oldog on May 10, 2006) |
Brianb
| | Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 12:04 am: |
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I guess I don't ride slow enough to be tailgated! I haven't had a problem in the 8yrs I've been in Vegas. |
Mr_grumpy
| | Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 03:43 am: |
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Tailgating is an offence here & is enforced too, it's about a $100 fine & 2 licence points.
I've often had people stuck so close behind my semi that the only thing I can see in the mirrors is the shadow. In a truck I admit I don't give a rats whatsit, whoever's behind is going to come off worse, on a bike it's no problem in Europe as we have lots of roundabouts, you just lose him by timing on to the donut or do a full tour & come out behind him.
Oz you're absolutely right about cement trucks, but added to that, NEVER tailgate a cement truck, any half-decent driver can slop a couple of hundredweight of wet concrete on your hood/head I've watched it happen to a guy in a convertible, it was one of the funniest things I've seen. |
Rageonthedl
| | Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 07:23 pm: |
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So you know that switch on the left bar that flashes the high beam...well mine flashes the break light. |
M1combat
| | Posted on Thursday, May 11, 2006 - 07:42 pm: |
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That's funny... My brake lever does that... just before the brakes start braking too...
I'd like to get my high beam flasher to flash the high beam OFF though. I always have my high beams on and it's useless for me. |
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