(no subject)

[violachic]

On my list of pet peeves, something that places very, very high is tailgating (the first definition). I find it to be arrogant, disrespectful, and a generally asshole-ish move. Even before I became a scaredy-cat granny driver, I never tailgated.



Another thing high on my list is passive-agressive-ness. Behavior that is disingenuous in any form pretty much irritates me. I try very hard not to be passive-agressive or come off that way, and really can't stand it when other people pull passive-agressive crap on me.



Problem being, I've found that the best way to deal with tailgaters is to be passive-agressive.





Which is to say, go slower and slower until they get fed up, and go around you.



Just some thoughts.....

Comments

[mofus.livejournal.com]

When I'm tailgated, I slow down to the point where they attempt to pass me, then speed up to not let them get in front of me. Or, I'll stay even with the car next to me, regardless of how slow it's going, just to piss the person behind me off. It's not road rage, however; I think of it as part of the game. Ask L, I think of it as chess :)

[dragonbane.livejournal.com]

You could be aggressive-aggressive and just slam on the brakes. It's an even more effective way of dealing with them on a much more permanent basis... but it does require a lot of investment of time and effort. If you aren't willing to do so, ask yourself just how much do they REALLY annoy you? :)

[violachic.livejournal.com]

Well, note that I said best way :-)

Sure, that method works too, but only if you've got nerves of steel and good insurance (just in case you're being tailgated by and "underinsured" motorist), and a very understanding boss (if this is on the way to work), friends or SO (if this is on the way home from work or on the weekends).

So far, they annoy me enough to go 40 MPH on the eisenhower ;-)

[magp.livejournal.com]

When can you go *faster* than 40 on the Eisenhower??

[violachic.livejournal.com]

Apparently, between 8:50 and 9:10 in the morning....

[iniswitryn.livejournal.com]

we always wanted to install a toggle switch on the brakelights, so we could make them go on - and scare a tailgater silly - without actually braking. the best of both worlds.

one alternative i've found useful is this bumpersticker from our favorite hippie-goods purveyor. i don't like the "suddenly" part of the phrasing, but i dislike it farless than i dislike tailgaters. :D

[erik]

Aggressive braking is specifically against the law in IL.
But just slowing down to encourage the other driver to pass is in fact the state police recommended procedure.

I've gotten down to 25 mph in the left lane on the tollway.

[dragonbane.livejournal.com]

It is against the law, but you'll find that law enforcement very rarely believes that aggressive braking was involved unless there is a witness to testify.

It's also Illinois Law that you MUST move to the right to allow faster drivers to pass on the left... even if you're already going 10 over the speed limit.

[(Anonymous)]

Heh. I always slow down or pull over for the tailgaiters - I figure if they want it that bad... who am I to get in their way? Or killed by their dumbass behavior?

I am really pissed off lately by how many dumbass people there are in the world. People who do such self-serving shit that it hurts lots of other people. Like stealing an entire set of major tools from the art studio. GAR.

One thing I can say about passive-aggressiveness is fear. That seems to be what's motivating people to act like that. Well fear, and in your case not being ABLE to communicate.

Anywho, driving in chicago is nuts nuts nuts no matter what way you slice it.

[pam.livejournal.com]

oops that was me :-)

[violachic.livejournal.com]

I agree with your psychoanalysis of passive-agressiveness.

Yes, driving in Chicago is nutty. Its nice, though, since I learned how to drive in and around Chicago- going to other, smaller cities, driving is quite a piece of cake. I remember in Minnesota, having a passenger who commented how she had never seen such a backup on I-35W, and the traffic was moving at least 45 mph! I thought she was crazy.

[unhipster.livejournal.com]

Yeah, tailgaters piss me off.