Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site oliven.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!whuxlm!harpo!decvax!tektronix!hplabs!oliveb!oliven!hawk From: hawk@oliven.UUCP (Rick) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: Re: left lane hogging Message-ID: <776@oliven.UUCP> Date: Wed, 26-Dec-84 14:41:39 EST Article-I.D.: oliven.776 Posted: Wed Dec 26 14:41:39 1984 Date-Received: Fri, 28-Dec-84 05:34:57 EST References: <1401@druxv.UUCP> <568@voder.UUCP> <768@oliven.UUCP> <1730@zehntel.UUCP> Organization: Symposium on Alchoholism Lines: 40 >> 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. *IF* there was a space in the next lane, I would probably already be in it. I simply refuse to make a hazardous or forced lane change to accomadate him (the madman). I will wait until it is safe. Usually this means waiting not only for a space but also until there is enough room between his bumper and mine that I can pull over without getting the back of my car clipped. >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. The purpose is to bring both cars to a lower speed. I slow gradually. This gives me more room in front of me to stop in in the event of a problem ahead, and it also means that if he hits me later, we are not going as fast (A car knocked out of control at 70 is much worse than if it had been going 40, especially if it hits a stationary object.) If the madman doesn't slow behind me, I can still accelerate. rick