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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!hplabs!hpda!fortune!amdcad!amd!dual!zehntel!jackh
From: jackh@zehntel.UUCP (jack hagerty)
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Re: left lane hogging
Message-ID: <1730@zehntel.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 21-Dec-84 12:13:03 EST
Article-I.D.: zehntel.1730
Posted: Fri Dec 21 12:13:03 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 23-Dec-84 08:43:18 EST
References: <1401@druxv.UUCP> <568@voder.UUCP> <768@oliven.UUCP>
Organization: Zehntel Automation Systems Inc, Walnut Creek CA
Lines: 31

> 
> Another reason people (i.e., me) slow down is that we don't like you playing
> with our lives.  As far as I'm concerned, once you tailgate me (note: this does
> not mean trying to go faster than me; it means that I can read "Ford" or
> "Peterbilt" in my mirror in nice big letters and that you are three or four
> feet away!) you have lost any and all right to be treated as a civilized driver,
> as you obviously are not.  I will also slow down so that if you do hit me, it
> will not be as serious.   
>
>     rick


I agree that tailgating is dangerous and more courtesy is required on the
part of the tailgator, but people do not just materialize 3 feet from your 
bumper! If you were truely an aware driver you would see him coming. If I see 
someone closing on me at >5 mph, I always try to get out of the way before he 
arrives. This always shocks people as it is so seldom encountered. Instead of
angry light flashing I get a friendly wave as the blow by. Unfortunately,
since I drive around the 80% level (80% slower than me, 20% faster) the
situation is usually reversed.

BTW, slowing down as a driver approaches from the rear will *increase* the
severity of a collision since you are increasing the delta V between your
two cars.

                            Jack Hagerty, Zehntel Automation Systems
                            ...!ihnp4!zehntel!jackh