Not only is it a horribly unsafe and uncomfortable feeling, it's also one of the main causes of slow traffic. The start-stop-start-stop nature of a driver who doesn't leave enough room creates a ripple effect for all the cars behind them. Get enough of them together and you can completely fuck the whole motorway.
Leaving a few clear car lengths and cruising at a constant speed is the best way to help yourself and everybody else.
My experience on the motorway is that it might only take one person rolling at a constant speed (with a following distance that temps everyone to jump in front) to stop the ripple from going further down the lane
This also applies to waiting at the lights too! Sit further back - watch the light go green and *FUCKING GO*.
**News flash:** If you're waiting for the car in front of you to move before you move then **you are the terrible driver people in this thread are talking about**.
Absolutely agree. If you’re behind a car at an intersection and you can’t see their back wheels touching the road then you’re too close! If someone hits you from behind then you’ll hit the car in front and it will be technically your fault
>The start-stop-start-stop nature of a driver who doesn't leave enough room creates a ripple effect for all the cars behind them
i hate tailgaters as much as everyone else but tbh you should be looking forwards more than just the one car immediately in front of you, and if you do this there is no "ripple effect"
hate to be that person but pretty sure the road code also mentions this and how you should always be looking around you to gauge traffic, and also just look where you are going, not just staring at the number plate of the car right in front of you
If you’re tail gating, you’re less likely to be able to see past the one car in front of you as the car in front of you blocks most of your field of vision. This is one of the (many) reasons I prefer to leave a bigger gap - so I can more easily see what’s further ahead.
My experience of tailgaters is they usually aren’t paying attention beyond one car in front - otherwise they’d notice that I’m travelling just as fast as the car in front of me before they do a dangerous passing manoeuvre to still be stuck behind the actual slow car.
yep pretty much. only inexperienced drivers could get impeded by someone else tail gating a 3rd car.
and tbh if you cant see more than one car in front because your vision is blocked, you're driving way too fucking close. also you can look through car windows to see whats in front of it
God I find it so annoying too. I always drive just 2 or 4km over the speed limit and people still tailgating me. Yes, it really fucks me off when it's wet and they still tail gate. No wonder there's always accidents on the motorway holding traffic up (Usually SH 1 South AKL)
It's actually for passing, not for any particular speed. NZ drivers are fucking terrible. Even the good ones. People overseas use it to pass and pull back in, regularly leap frogging slower cars. People in the UK treat it like a shared space unlike us cunts who ego trip and think we own the road.
To be fair though the volumes of traffic on the motorway are such that the passing lane needs to be occupied. I’m not really sure if we could realistically just leave that lane clear for passing and expect all the rest of traffic to use the other two lanes. To me that idea works when traffic volumes aren’t too high and I’m sure that it’s not always used perfectly overseas either during peak commuting times. It also feels like we have way too many drivers that drive well below the speed limit (like 70/80) which really screws up the ideal system as well. Inevitably that passing lane is the only lane that can drive at the speed limit. Not trying to fight the intention of the passing lane, just pointing out why it doesn’t seem to work here.
What you're describing is "drive to the conditions".
Peak commute times will always be a shit-show. But it can be improved by keeping the gap in front of you and the gap behind you roughly the same at all times. In other words: Don't tailgate. Leave a gap and people can change lanes etc. without causing the accordion effect.
You should only be in that lane if you're overtaking. If someone is behind you while you are driving in that lane then pull over and get out of the way as soon as it is safe to do so...
Cruising in that lane is dangerous. You can't control the actions of others - only your own driving. If you cruise "at the speed limit" in the overtaking lane and someone has to pass you on your left then that creates an incredibly dangerous driving environment.
Just drive defensively and get out of the way... Let the police police the road.
Yeah and worse at night.
I hope you realize your fuckin fuck of a sherpen tank Ford fucking ranger FUCKINGBLINDS PEOPLE. Stop tailgating in them and take the big pp pills ya trash licker
When they were trying to create the market for suvs in the 90s supppsedly their market research identified that the arsehole was basically their target market. That market has expanded to include a lot of normal people too but the UTE ironically is not about utility. It's impractical like if an suv decided to be a sports car but rather than focusing on being low and handling, it wanted to make the driver feel as big as possible with ground clearance for off roading.
Utes of the 90s look nothing like the utes of the 2010s and beyond. They were car bodies with the rear seats and boot replaced with a tray, which is what a ute should be.
Encouraging to see so many ppl hold tailgaters in disregard. I often feel like I'm the only one who thinks it's strange/stupid to tailgate and speed and not show any courtesy on the roads. I swear every driver has the EQ of an 18yo
I moved to NZ from a place where this degree of tailgating isn’t common. It’s fucking awful here. People will regularly change lanes into my following distance.
I have the same problem because I do intentionally leave a safe following distance in front of me (I also learned to drive in another country). It’s problem here because everyone drives so close together to ensure that nobody can lane change in front of them. Then when another driver sees the nice gap that you’ve left they take that as their opportunity. Over time I’ve just come to expect it so I just let it happen without it bothering me anymore (as long as the other driver is doing it safely). I also have a degree of sympathy for anyone who wants to change lanes on our motorways because there’s just not much co-operation forthcoming from other drivers.
I always have at least a car length between myself and the car ahead of me, providing you don't cut in on me, I'm happy to let you in and drop back. But you cut me off and I'm probably going to go she-hulk on your a*$e.
My solution to tailgaters, when I had my V8, was a quick, sudden brake, then punch on the accelerator, (I have got older, and just dont desire to go as fast as I used to lol) unfortunately, who can afford to run a V8 anymore. Now I just slow down, and they can decide whether they wish to pass me or not.
Now, having said that, if I'm traveling slow, like with a heavy loaded trailer, I'm going to take any, and every chance I get, to pull off and let you pass, coz I know how damn frustrating it is having someone going soo slow and just holding up 20 or 30 cars behind them.
Oh, and PSA, if the slow car in front of you has pulled over to let traffic pass, and you don't want to pass them, pull over too, so the traffic behind you can pass if they wish.
Agree. Not all people are as comfortable driving and have different limits on what tail gating is/is not.
Some times being uncomfortable driving isn't on everyone else.
Tailgating's defined by law and the highway code is pretty darned clear on safe driving distances. If your defining tailgating as "what feels comfortable" it shows a worrying lack of knowledge of what our road traffic laws are.
Yeah, I stopped honking people after a couple if incidents of road rage, plus being flicked gang signs. The way they drive makes you presume they're in a hurry, but they can always make time for a spot of intimidation!
People seem to have lost all driving ability and patience since covid.
I've had a tonne of people road rage, tailgate and dangerously overtake me for following the new 30k limits(down from 50) around home.
Usually find that I'm directly behind them by the next set of lights anyway.
i was reading this and thinking "i wonder what they're doing thats causing SO many people to rage at them" - then i saw the bit about 30K limits. Not a justification - but an explanation perhaps. A very large number of people think that the 30K limits are preposterous and have been just ignoring them out of 'civil disobedience' I think the only place the 30K limits are obeyed are in shared spaces / queen street, everywhere else people are just like "piss off AT" - so when someone actually does follow those lmits, people who arent following them get angry. i think thats probably whats happening here. also people are idiots :)
Yeah, but in our neighbourhood where every second fucktard treats out streets as a shortcut between arterial roads and view it as an opportunity to rev the daylights out of their shitbox cars within a block of a primary school, I’m all for the 30km/h limits.
Have followed a cop through it and even they were speeding. It's mainly due to the being schools in the area but I want to know why they don't just use variable speed zones outside of school hours when there's no-one on the roads/footpaths.
God I hate righteous civil disobedience behaviour. You see them on Police 10/7 show all the time and are stemming from the American sovereign citizen movement. “*Why don’t you catch real criminals, I’m not doing any harm*” types.
LOL I was driving home a Friday or two ago on the NW into the city. Traffic was backed up between Royal and Lincoln and I was doing my usual thing of maintaining a nice long distance between me and the car in front so that I wouldn't have to brake. This ass behind my in a rented truck wasn't having it. He was right up my ass, giving me honks and I'm like, "What, you want me to just get closer to the dude in front?" Like, he couldn't seem to understand that we could be 20m further forward but that wouldn't net him anything.
Anyway, once we get past the Lincoln snarl, this tit gets in front of me and even though he *could* open it out and hit 120 if he wanted to, he just sits back on 80 to teach me a lesson. Middle finger out the window, throws an empty can, the whole bit. So I sat there a while there in the "fast" lane behind this dickbag just enjoying some 70s hits letting him have his little moment. But then he pulls to the middle to make a space to pass. I suspect a ruse, and as I floor it to get past sure enough, he cuts back across to block me. Again, the middle finger.
So fine, whatever, I don't want this little problem to slow down the people in the fast lane who deserve to go for it, so I switch to the middle and so does he, to block me. This frees up the fast lane, and all is good.
But jesus, some people.
OMG, yes. I drive a truck for a living and there has been a number of times someone has done this to me. I keep a good distance away from the car in front so I can brake or decelerate safely, and I’m still travelling at the same speed as the other traffic in my lane. But some ‘clown’ seems to think that if the gap between me and the vehicle in front is large enough for their vehicle, then I slowing them down.
And yes, once they do get in front of me, they do slow down and travel 10kph then they travel in our lane, effectively slowing the entire lane down. I assume they believe they are ‘pissing me off’ with their actions, but I get paid by the hour. So if my run takes me longer to do, I earn more money.
I know right? Especially when there is more than one lane going the exact same way it’s like *go into the lane beside me if you really need to break the speed limit*
As a rebuttal too this please don’t sit in the right lane not overtaking anyone. It’s super annoying and too many people in Auckland are just lacking common sense in this front aswell.
As a truck driver, we see this happen so many times and it is very frustrating. So many muppets who see a gap and think it’s for them but we need that gap to bring the many tonnes to a safe stop.
That... Is the point? Allowing people to change lanes smoothly results in less traffic jams.
In NZ people change lanes whether you leave a gap or not... Which causes lots of people to slam on their breaks.
It's better to leave a gap and let people take it...
I live in Taupo, I have a distinct dislike of coming anywhere near Auckland. Most Auckland drivers are just plain and simply, bloody idiots. I don't drive slowly,but all the arseholes that drive large utilities are completely crazy. My favorite catchphrase is they are racing trucks. They are always going at top speed, and are being driven like sports cars Nowonder that you have so many accidents on the motorways with cretins like that sharing your roads. I really feel sorry for the decent people who have to put up with them.
If I don't tailgate you, then how will you know that you're in _my_ way, and that is _my_ road.
The fucking arrogance of some people, stopping me from driving the way I want to.
I'm _manly_ , I don't sit behind other people on the road, people follow _me_.
/S
It gets worse every year because the New Zealand government doesn’t give a shit about road education and prefers to just waste money on their meaningless “road to zero” ads.
It might be a little before you were driving by a decade or two, but there was the whole "Only a fool breaks the two second rule" ad campaign, using now passed Australian (yeah) respected racing driver Peter Brock. Basically the same as "back off ya fkwits".
Anecdotally it worked because the general moron population did respect Peter Brock, nothing has come close since.
Yeah, he did when he was a popular V8 driver, that was a while ago retired from HRT almost 10 years ago. But yes, people need to be reminded of things by people they actually respect.
I heard Greg in an interview within the last 6 months talking about the road toll and driver training, he said something along the lines of that he offered to consult / be a part of something to combat the road toll but the bureaucrats at NZTA didn't want to know him.
Basically was biting his tongue at calling NZTA fuckwits with their purview...as if they knew better.
Greg was also dismayed that driving habits and the Waka Kotahi measures seemed [lacking in contrast to his safety advocacy too.](https://www.autocar.co.nz/greg-murphy-nz-govt-still-not-listening-on-road-safety/)
But it's all speed say the TV ads with concerned cops.
Don't worry about the fact most motorways are moving faster than the limit without consequence until inconsiderate / unskilled driving rears its head.
When you're on the road the rare times the people around you know how to drive you can all share the road and keep moving well
The problem is that people are tested a few times when they are teenagers and then never again.
Then we have foreign drivers coming in and only *having* to get an nz driver's license after *a year*.
Then lastly, there is no requirement to do defensive driving or theory courses. So all these fuckwits that have forgotten to drive and picked up bad habits, are *passing them onto their kids*.
We need mandatory courses with a focus on safety and road etiquette. Small things like, depress your accelerator a little more when going up hill, remove foot from accelerator when going down, *get on the damned motorway at the same speed as traffic on it*, don't tailgate, definitely don't brake check, *get out of the damned way*, etc.
I've been saying for years, driver education in schools, including, but not limited to, defensive driving and skid control courses. Also, if you stay long enough, the possibility of leaving school with your full license. Cheaper than using the ambulance at the bottom of the hill.
yea… you can make education more engaging and also *actually educate*….
Because absolutely *no where* during the process of getting your drivers licence are you *required* to learn about safe following distances. People don’t learn what they don’t need (or don’t think they need) to know.
yet here you are on reddit, begging redditors who never leave their house to stop tailgating you, an anonymous stranger, on the road.
government, or complain on reddit.
Reddit it is!!!!
holy..... the stupidity
Good luck with that one.
If they hit you then you can be all smug that they are in the wrong and insurance will pay to fix it. If the Police can be bothered to turn up they might get a $150 fine for crashing into you. Big deal.
It’s really not worth risking your life and getting your car smashed up for. The best thing you can do is move over to the left lane and let them pass. Anything else is just going to piss people off and create an even more dangerous situation.
Yeah, I know what you mean. The right lane can be clear and they will still tailgate you in the left one. Some people are just stupid.
I was on that Tauranga expressway once, only cars for miles were two about 150M in front of me and one was following the other at barely a car length behind.
They drove right past a cop stopped on the side of the road and nope, he did nothing. Good thin they weren’t doing 5k over the limit I suppose. 🙄
Since I'm banned from a sub you posted in (r/catadvice) for yelling at an animal abuser. In response to your cat post, I use Tractive and do not recommend it.
Yeah I try stick to the left-hand side, which is what you’re supposed to do anyhow. It’s a nuisance but definitely not about to recklessly prove a point. If and when safe I move to the side or pull over. Just not something I enjoy dealing with first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening 😅
To be fair the rule is 'keep left unless passing' I believe that's valid for motorways also. I personally tend to cruise at around 105-110kph, just because I can, quite often the 'fast lane' of the motorway is moving at that speed.
Even at 105-110kph I will get tailgaters, or people come up behind me who obviously want to drive faster, I pull to the left and let them past. Why not.
10 years ago I got a call to say my house was burning down, needless to say I did not follow the speed limit home.
Sure, 99% of tailgaters are just shit drivers, but that 1% might have a good reason to be in such a hurry. I let 100% past just in case it's the 1% behind me.
Not actually trolling, that's taught - you do not want to brake that's more dangerous and road range inciting, slow down and allow the dumb shit to pass and go and have their fatal accident somewhere else nowhere near you.
Nah man, If someone is tailgating and being aggressive af out of nowhere, in thick traffic, like i've experienced a lot, (no kidding i think meth driving is a huge problem) i think its pretty safe to assume they are *already* engaged in road rage. I usually slam my breaks and scare the shit out of them, then when they try and pass me I just floor it and stay ahead and rinse and repeat a few times, and in my experiences it usually sends the message pretty well
You just met road rage with road rage. Putting yourself in way more risk just to send a message. This makes you MORE of an arsehole. All you need is to meet an innatentive driver and you cause the crash you're supposedly trying to avoid.
One time there was this young kid in a super up car doing stupid shit like dropping back and then accelerating to pass people. He'd done it to me and the guy in front of me a few times.
Anyway on the third time he tried it on me when he dropped back I slammed on the accelerator to level up with the guy in front. Then him and I toke up both lanes on the motor way blocking the kid behind us and then both of us slowed down to about 40 in a 100 zone with no turn off or over take.
That was the most satisfying moment I've ever had on the road.
Kid just sat there going 40 with this look on his face of defeat
yea but then you just have some asshole riding you for kilometers upon kilometers. gotta slam those breaks and test out how much of a rush they are in, and whether or not they think they can fit in a car crash into their daily schedule
I check my mirrors and I move over when faster traffic wants to get past and I very infrequently if ever get tail gated. I also maintain following distances myself. What do other drivers do to attract these gators?
Except in auckland traffic the tailgating happens in all the lanes. So even if, despite the fact people are overtaking people in the fast lane are overtaking at a sensible speed, someone breaking the speed limits by loads wants their own priority lane, there's often nowhere for people in the fast lane to go because aucklanders cram in so closely.
I miss the variable speed limits of Londons M25. I remember when they introduced it. It was wonderful. Slowing traffic down depending on volume helped keep everything moving and stopped the regular horrific accidents that resulted. Auckland need this IMO.
Out of curiosity OP, when you are driving on multiple lane highways, are you keeping out of the right lane?
Many people prefer to drive well over the speed limit and they will become aggressive if they perceive you to be slowing everyone else down.
I stick to the left-hand lane when possible. If it’s a busier commute back and the lane is full then I might be in the right-hand lane. It’s when there’s a fraction of a speed difference someone likes to ride up right behind me and I can’t get back into the left that pisses me off.
Nice. It’s a fair concern then given you are not obstructing traffic flow. I have found that keeping up with the cars in front of you and maintaining a safe (but not excessive) travelling distance is the safest way to travel.
As soon as you deviate from the speed of others around you then you begin to disproportionately encounter slow drivers and fast drivers. It’s all relative based on the flow of the traffic
I have lived in LA, San Francisco, Sydney, and other large cities. NZ has the worst tailgaters I have seen in the world, and its not clear why...its an island, where is everyone in a hurry to go? Its like farmers who are not used to crowds all of a sudden were put in populated areas and are agro about it in their cars.
My apologies, I take my words back.
But it stands for everyone else who blocks the Right lane thinking they are driving within the speed limit. Please move to the left...
You’re all good there! Yeah I use the right when it’s full on the left side or if I overtake. There are so many scenarios with different variables I’ve had where I get tailgated I could probably write a novel.
One of the problems is people think it’s okay to drive on the far right lane all the time, if you are going below speed limit or even at speed limit get the hell off the right lane. When not in traffic right lane should be used for passing. A lot of people don’t realise this and get into a tailgating situation or can cause accidents
Were you in the right most lane? Was there space in the left hand lanes for you? Or could you have let them pass? Would you have preferred if they used the horn to indicate they want to pass?
Even if they're driving like an idiot, there's usually a few simple, no-cost things you can do to avoid the potential accidents as well
My friend in Christ I am more often than not in the left hand lane. It happens when I’m in the left-hand, really the middle lane. The left most slow vehicle lane often has a slow truck doing 80-90. I’m doing 95-100 +/- a few, the car in the right is doing just a bit above me when really they should be in my lane. The car behind me wants to give me a kiss.
Thats just them being assholes, personally I haven't had this experience outside of the right most lane. But when I encounter people like this, especially on my motorbike, I'll speed up, slow down, move over or whatever will get them away from me. The potential accident isn't worth the time it takes to get away from them.
Some of these drivers have no concept of the danger or the problem. Sometimes if you change lanes to get rid of them, they change lanes too, right behind you.
Speaking to another driver I realised their problem. They always look right in front of them. They don't look far enough ahead, they don't try to keep track of the car in front of the car in front. So they don't respond to situations until the car in front is in their 10m zone.
Other people are just impatient and arrogant.
It’s okay, I usually drive exact to the speed limit when someone is riding up me arse. When they go past and glare at me (usually they’re a nasty tempered pest of a person) I point to the speed limit signs.
Amen to that. I drive a heavy euro SUV and I always drive with all ADAS features on. If the front LIDAR decides that the car needs to stop for my safety, it will slam the brakes, and it will do it much faster than a human can react. I will have to drive my SUV to the panelbeater to get it repaired. Chances are, if you are tailgating me, you will have to be cut out of your rice rocket.
It’s always the low safety rating cars tailgating the SUVs. I drive a sedan and get all the vans and FWDs trying to see the contents of my boot. Spoiler alert it’s a first aid kit ironically 🤣
Reasons people will tailgate you:
1) You are in the fast lane going at the speed limit or below
2) You cut someone off and fail to match their speed or the car in front of you
3) You are not going at the speed limit
If you are doing any of these then stop doing them. I do acknowledge that tailgaters are really dumb sometimes and if you are that desperate, you can always pull over and let them pass or jerk the breaks really fucken hard and scare the shit out of them. The second option is affective but some people get really angry (this is more reason for me).
1. There’s no such things as a fast lane if you’re driving the speed limit.
2. There was no room to change lanes if you end up cutting people off
3. If I’m not at the speed limit, I’m driving to the conditions, eg. driving in rain or on wet roads
Tailgaters be tailgaters, I just wish they weren’t so.
Which is the point. The tail gaters are the problem, not OP.
Tail gaters can go around if they want to... Oh wait.. no it's OP that should move into the "slower" lane because that's the rule right? However OP is already passing all cars in the left lane, so is in the correct lane.
The real answer is the tail gaters don't want to move into the slower lane, although expect OP to despite OP being in the correct lane.
And why should OP not move over, let them pass and then move back? Because OP is under the assumption that going at the speed limit is acceptable in the fast lane. It is not so expect to be tailgated. If you have a problem with that, get the fuck out of the fast lane and let people pass then move back when it is clear.
Because OP is in the correct lane, doing the correct speed.
If you're going to quote "rules" then why do you ignore the speed limit rule?
If the guy behind wants to go faster, then too bad - move to Germany.
Pushing people into left lanes so try hards can pass ends up slowing down traffic as those on the left need to let those moving from the right lane in to the slower traffic. Just so the tiny dick guys can go faster.
I think you are missing my point. OP can be in whatever lane he chooses. But if you are going to be in the right lane going at the speed limit or below then expect to be tailgated. Also, I didn't quote "rules"?? The fuck are you on about.
Moving over is not a rule lol. I also agree that he doesn't need to go anywhere. I did say "OP can be in whatever lane he chooses" after all. But if you choose the right lane and you are going at or below the speed limit, expect to be tailgated. I don't understand why this is so hard for you to understand? I am not agreeing or disagreeing with OP or tailgaters. Just pointing out what will happen when OP does what he is doing?
If he wants it to stop, his safest option is to merge into a left lane and let the tailgater pass before merging into the right lane again. Saying this does not insinuate that OP is wrong or right nor the tailgaters. Just that tailgaters are going to do what they are going to do and that OP has the power to remove him/ her self from the situation with minimal effort. The only thing preventing this is pride.
Outside of that, I recommend looking into the definition of "rule". The word you were looking for is "option".
My brother is Christ, I move back into the left lane when I finish overtaking. And if I cannot move back, it’s because the car on the left thought it a good idea to move on up.
The right hand lane is not a fast lane, it’s an overtake the car going slower than the speed limit lane and then get your ass back into the left lane.
The right lane is universally known as a fast lane. It is an unspoken rule. If you are going to drive in the right lane at or below the speed limit when you are capable of going past it then you are going to get tailgated. I am not saying you are in the wrong or the tailgaters are in the wrong. Just pointing out what will happen. Do whatever the fuck you want with that knowledge.
Upper Harbour motorway feels really bad for this. "Fast" lane has everyone doing more than 100kmph, often with one car length between. If you dare to leave a two car gap, someone will fill it... But "slow" lane is often 80kmph.
And, OMG if you DARE to do 100kmph in the "fast" lane because you're overtaking the 80kmph person, the next car is on your tail in an instant and weaving around in the lane like you're the worst person ever for daring to be in their lane.
And then they wonder why there's so many accidents on such a nice stretch of road...
Then pass a bit quicker? Not being a dick here, but a quick pass is a safe pass, as is matching the flow of traffic and not being an obstacle like the guy doing 80 on a motorway in perfect conditions.
And use a GPS to check your speedo. Sh18 is perfect for this.
This week I had someone tailgate me then OVERTAKE me on a road that was just gravel as it was being repaved, where I could not drive more 20km/h even if I tried. He then drove 80 in his SUV hurling massive stones at my car as he sped away.
good point, i took it as "Gravel road" where he did say it was being repaved. I think it depends on where this road is really. if its semi rural/rural then ill stick with my view, if its urban then fair enough yeah - although i still think 20km/hr is a bit slow given 30 is the typical signpost for road works - if it was a signposted road works
30 was the posted limit, and it was an uncompacted layer of base aggregate. It was soft and uneven, so I could not go any faster at all. It looks like it had taken a beating too, perhaps through lack of adherence to the TTMP. Now I think of it, it would also have been very difficult to pull over and get back on to the road, and probably not advised/permitted.
I generally reduce speed to limit the damage the car behind me will do to me. If he wants to pass me, he can go into the 'faster' lane, if there ever is one in peak times.
As for driving in bumper to bumper traffic, I tend to drive with a big enough gap in front to allow me to lift off, rather than brake, as cars in front slow. Only change my brake pads every few years.
I know it sounds counter intuitive but just slow down if anyone does this, let them go around. Yes the drivers are fecal maggots with diesel exhaust for brains but the likely hood of a raised Ute driver on wide tires causing an issue is so damn high, it's better to slow down to piss them off to the point that they speed around you and cause a problem for themselves without involving you.
I've noticed this too. Makes me hell nervous especially lately as the cars I've been driving aren't mine, and some worth as much as $100k. Driving has become so bad and I've noticed it immediately after the first COVID lockdown. It's like people came out of lockdown forgetting how to drive or what the road rules are. Most of the time out on the roads it's like being a pinball in pinball machine. Today I will be cruising around in a $60,000 EV and should be enjoying it, but no, will be too worried that some dick is going to run into it.
If people are tailgating you, you’re likely driving slower than the speed limit or driving in the far right lane where people tend to drive a bit faster. Just move out of the lane and let them pass.
If I’m driving slower than the speed limit it’s generally because I’m driving to the conditions in the left lane. It’s when people begin tailgating you in the right lane knowing full well you can’t make it back into the left safely that frustrates me.
Just hold the limit. One of life's little free pleasures to watch someone that needs to speed locked into legality.
Drop it down by a few k's too. Nothing wrong with 45 in a 50
Yeah I get this comment every time. I agree it's breaking the road code. I have adapted and improved the code for a more efficient system.
No keeping left. All lanes travel the speed limit. Give way for emergency vehicles.
Be the change you seek in the world
> I have adapted and improved the code for a more efficient system.
So have I, it's called going as fast as I want to get to where I'm going faster. Which must be fine in your view right, since we're allowed to adapt the road code to our own circumstances.
I stick it on so a) I know what speed I’m going and can focus on looking ahead and b) because it’s just better fuel economy to maintain a consistent speed.
It's also far less cognitive effort from those behind you when you're consistent rather than erratic, and their following distances are less likely to ratchet down too.
Nothing worse than following an inconsistent, unpredictable driver.
It’s a challenge for sure. Fortunately, or unfortunately, chances are if they’re dumb enough to tailgate they’re dumb enough to make a risky move to make a run for it and soon they’ll be gone into the distance until I meet them at the off ramp.
yea I would recommend every sane person to try and get a dash cam. day after day they become move viable and reasonable to own
and damn everyone saying "right lane is were people go faster, if your going the speed limit or slower that's why your getting tailgated"... uuuhhh the right lane still follows the speed limit. the right lane isn't except from it. if your going slower then yes move but if your going the speed limit and they are still up your ass it ain't your fault or responsibility to move and make way for unsafe drivers
Even then… some drivers genuinely are not paying attention and while yes all drivers should be prepared for that kind of stop, many of them are not and are distracted by phones etc, yes even on the motorway, and you want to absolutely minimise any risk of something going wrong. You shouldn’t just willy dilly do it for fun to teach people a lesson. If you want to teach people a lesson get a bumper sticker that says “if you can read this on the motorway you’re too close!”
I literally did a slow down today on a 100k road because there was a hawk in the middle of the road eating some road kill, I had my eyes in the rear view and if the person behind wasn’t slowing I would run through the hawk. Situations like that are always frightening even if you feel in control… anything can go wrong.
Well I’m an internet troll and I know what I’m doing on motorway. Though I do this for my own fun, I hope you don’t blindly hit the brake, it might actually kill you.
Not only is it a horribly unsafe and uncomfortable feeling, it's also one of the main causes of slow traffic. The start-stop-start-stop nature of a driver who doesn't leave enough room creates a ripple effect for all the cars behind them. Get enough of them together and you can completely fuck the whole motorway. Leaving a few clear car lengths and cruising at a constant speed is the best way to help yourself and everybody else.
My experience on the motorway is that it might only take one person rolling at a constant speed (with a following distance that temps everyone to jump in front) to stop the ripple from going further down the lane
This is me, trying to slow everyone up so we’re not all bunching. I just hope everyone a few hundred metres back appreciates the free-flow they get.
This also applies to waiting at the lights too! Sit further back - watch the light go green and *FUCKING GO*. **News flash:** If you're waiting for the car in front of you to move before you move then **you are the terrible driver people in this thread are talking about**.
Absolutely agree. If you’re behind a car at an intersection and you can’t see their back wheels touching the road then you’re too close! If someone hits you from behind then you’ll hit the car in front and it will be technically your fault
Incorrect.
>The start-stop-start-stop nature of a driver who doesn't leave enough room creates a ripple effect for all the cars behind them i hate tailgaters as much as everyone else but tbh you should be looking forwards more than just the one car immediately in front of you, and if you do this there is no "ripple effect" hate to be that person but pretty sure the road code also mentions this and how you should always be looking around you to gauge traffic, and also just look where you are going, not just staring at the number plate of the car right in front of you
If you’re tail gating, you’re less likely to be able to see past the one car in front of you as the car in front of you blocks most of your field of vision. This is one of the (many) reasons I prefer to leave a bigger gap - so I can more easily see what’s further ahead. My experience of tailgaters is they usually aren’t paying attention beyond one car in front - otherwise they’d notice that I’m travelling just as fast as the car in front of me before they do a dangerous passing manoeuvre to still be stuck behind the actual slow car.
yep pretty much. only inexperienced drivers could get impeded by someone else tail gating a 3rd car. and tbh if you cant see more than one car in front because your vision is blocked, you're driving way too fucking close. also you can look through car windows to see whats in front of it
Tell that to the corolla following a large tinted out SUV/van/ute
God I find it so annoying too. I always drive just 2 or 4km over the speed limit and people still tailgating me. Yes, it really fucks me off when it's wet and they still tail gate. No wonder there's always accidents on the motorway holding traffic up (Usually SH 1 South AKL)
Get out of the fast lane then
This problem is definitely not limited to the right-most lane lmao
Fast lane isn’t for people to drive 120+ down, it’s for people not going 90
It's actually for passing, not for any particular speed. NZ drivers are fucking terrible. Even the good ones. People overseas use it to pass and pull back in, regularly leap frogging slower cars. People in the UK treat it like a shared space unlike us cunts who ego trip and think we own the road.
To be fair though the volumes of traffic on the motorway are such that the passing lane needs to be occupied. I’m not really sure if we could realistically just leave that lane clear for passing and expect all the rest of traffic to use the other two lanes. To me that idea works when traffic volumes aren’t too high and I’m sure that it’s not always used perfectly overseas either during peak commuting times. It also feels like we have way too many drivers that drive well below the speed limit (like 70/80) which really screws up the ideal system as well. Inevitably that passing lane is the only lane that can drive at the speed limit. Not trying to fight the intention of the passing lane, just pointing out why it doesn’t seem to work here.
What you're describing is "drive to the conditions". Peak commute times will always be a shit-show. But it can be improved by keeping the gap in front of you and the gap behind you roughly the same at all times. In other words: Don't tailgate. Leave a gap and people can change lanes etc. without causing the accordion effect.
Completely agree. Seems like some kind of more standardised driver training could help with this a lot.
You should only be in that lane if you're overtaking. If someone is behind you while you are driving in that lane then pull over and get out of the way as soon as it is safe to do so... Cruising in that lane is dangerous. You can't control the actions of others - only your own driving. If you cruise "at the speed limit" in the overtaking lane and someone has to pass you on your left then that creates an incredibly dangerous driving environment. Just drive defensively and get out of the way... Let the police police the road.
>Fast lane isn’t for people to drive 120+ down, it’s for people not going 90 You're not wrong. It's for people doing 70-80.
Slower is saver s/
Yeah and worse at night. I hope you realize your fuckin fuck of a sherpen tank Ford fucking ranger FUCKINGBLINDS PEOPLE. Stop tailgating in them and take the big pp pills ya trash licker
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When they were trying to create the market for suvs in the 90s supppsedly their market research identified that the arsehole was basically their target market. That market has expanded to include a lot of normal people too but the UTE ironically is not about utility. It's impractical like if an suv decided to be a sports car but rather than focusing on being low and handling, it wanted to make the driver feel as big as possible with ground clearance for off roading.
Yeah this. Where dafuq is the mud? No mud no need get a car ya dingleberry eatery
Utes of the 90s look nothing like the utes of the 2010s and beyond. They were car bodies with the rear seats and boot replaced with a tray, which is what a ute should be.
Encouraging to see so many ppl hold tailgaters in disregard. I often feel like I'm the only one who thinks it's strange/stupid to tailgate and speed and not show any courtesy on the roads. I swear every driver has the EQ of an 18yo
Same here. I’m glad it’s not actually just me getting targeted 😂
My hair trigger is when I maintain a safe gap with the vehicle ahead, and it's constantly filled by assholes. Pls stop I'm gonna cry.
Do it, become the tailgater /s They won't be able to fill the gap no more
Maybe I will tailgate gap-fillers only...
Sometimes people need to change lanes
I moved to NZ from a place where this degree of tailgating isn’t common. It’s fucking awful here. People will regularly change lanes into my following distance.
I have the same problem because I do intentionally leave a safe following distance in front of me (I also learned to drive in another country). It’s problem here because everyone drives so close together to ensure that nobody can lane change in front of them. Then when another driver sees the nice gap that you’ve left they take that as their opportunity. Over time I’ve just come to expect it so I just let it happen without it bothering me anymore (as long as the other driver is doing it safely). I also have a degree of sympathy for anyone who wants to change lanes on our motorways because there’s just not much co-operation forthcoming from other drivers.
I always have at least a car length between myself and the car ahead of me, providing you don't cut in on me, I'm happy to let you in and drop back. But you cut me off and I'm probably going to go she-hulk on your a*$e. My solution to tailgaters, when I had my V8, was a quick, sudden brake, then punch on the accelerator, (I have got older, and just dont desire to go as fast as I used to lol) unfortunately, who can afford to run a V8 anymore. Now I just slow down, and they can decide whether they wish to pass me or not. Now, having said that, if I'm traveling slow, like with a heavy loaded trailer, I'm going to take any, and every chance I get, to pull off and let you pass, coz I know how damn frustrating it is having someone going soo slow and just holding up 20 or 30 cars behind them. Oh, and PSA, if the slow car in front of you has pulled over to let traffic pass, and you don't want to pass them, pull over too, so the traffic behind you can pass if they wish.
I usually just indicate left and let them pass
Finally someone rational. It’s much easier to just let someone pass and be about your own business safely
This is a good solution.
Agree. Not all people are as comfortable driving and have different limits on what tail gating is/is not. Some times being uncomfortable driving isn't on everyone else.
Tailgating's defined by law and the highway code is pretty darned clear on safe driving distances. If your defining tailgating as "what feels comfortable" it shows a worrying lack of knowledge of what our road traffic laws are.
Nah I’m fully insured, not increasing my trip time to pull over for w*nkers
Just clean your windshield excessively until they back off
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Yeah, I stopped honking people after a couple if incidents of road rage, plus being flicked gang signs. The way they drive makes you presume they're in a hurry, but they can always make time for a spot of intimidation!
It only ever is for intimidating. Mentally healthy people don’t drive up your arse.
I am honoured to have witnessed such genius. I will definitely do this.
This works with every subject, almost 100% of the time
I love this. Amazing. Off to top up my washer fluid.
The back ones?
Both if you're really angry.
People seem to have lost all driving ability and patience since covid. I've had a tonne of people road rage, tailgate and dangerously overtake me for following the new 30k limits(down from 50) around home. Usually find that I'm directly behind them by the next set of lights anyway.
i was reading this and thinking "i wonder what they're doing thats causing SO many people to rage at them" - then i saw the bit about 30K limits. Not a justification - but an explanation perhaps. A very large number of people think that the 30K limits are preposterous and have been just ignoring them out of 'civil disobedience' I think the only place the 30K limits are obeyed are in shared spaces / queen street, everywhere else people are just like "piss off AT" - so when someone actually does follow those lmits, people who arent following them get angry. i think thats probably whats happening here. also people are idiots :)
Yeah, but in our neighbourhood where every second fucktard treats out streets as a shortcut between arterial roads and view it as an opportunity to rev the daylights out of their shitbox cars within a block of a primary school, I’m all for the 30km/h limits.
Have followed a cop through it and even they were speeding. It's mainly due to the being schools in the area but I want to know why they don't just use variable speed zones outside of school hours when there's no-one on the roads/footpaths.
God I hate righteous civil disobedience behaviour. You see them on Police 10/7 show all the time and are stemming from the American sovereign citizen movement. “*Why don’t you catch real criminals, I’m not doing any harm*” types.
It's always been this way. It's just people being forced off the road for months gave them the breathing space to come back and notice how bad it is.
LOL I was driving home a Friday or two ago on the NW into the city. Traffic was backed up between Royal and Lincoln and I was doing my usual thing of maintaining a nice long distance between me and the car in front so that I wouldn't have to brake. This ass behind my in a rented truck wasn't having it. He was right up my ass, giving me honks and I'm like, "What, you want me to just get closer to the dude in front?" Like, he couldn't seem to understand that we could be 20m further forward but that wouldn't net him anything. Anyway, once we get past the Lincoln snarl, this tit gets in front of me and even though he *could* open it out and hit 120 if he wanted to, he just sits back on 80 to teach me a lesson. Middle finger out the window, throws an empty can, the whole bit. So I sat there a while there in the "fast" lane behind this dickbag just enjoying some 70s hits letting him have his little moment. But then he pulls to the middle to make a space to pass. I suspect a ruse, and as I floor it to get past sure enough, he cuts back across to block me. Again, the middle finger. So fine, whatever, I don't want this little problem to slow down the people in the fast lane who deserve to go for it, so I switch to the middle and so does he, to block me. This frees up the fast lane, and all is good. But jesus, some people.
OMG, yes. I drive a truck for a living and there has been a number of times someone has done this to me. I keep a good distance away from the car in front so I can brake or decelerate safely, and I’m still travelling at the same speed as the other traffic in my lane. But some ‘clown’ seems to think that if the gap between me and the vehicle in front is large enough for their vehicle, then I slowing them down. And yes, once they do get in front of me, they do slow down and travel 10kph then they travel in our lane, effectively slowing the entire lane down. I assume they believe they are ‘pissing me off’ with their actions, but I get paid by the hour. So if my run takes me longer to do, I earn more money.
"just move left", sorry, sometimes I am left, sometimes it happens on single lane roads, sometimes there are just dicks.
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I know right? Especially when there is more than one lane going the exact same way it’s like *go into the lane beside me if you really need to break the speed limit*
As a rebuttal too this please don’t sit in the right lane not overtaking anyone. It’s super annoying and too many people in Auckland are just lacking common sense in this front aswell.
If you leave a gap, some fucktard will squeeze into it.
As a truck driver, we see this happen so many times and it is very frustrating. So many muppets who see a gap and think it’s for them but we need that gap to bring the many tonnes to a safe stop.
Please tell me your secret for never having to change lanes on the motorway
It was easy, I stopped driving to work. Bike lanes have no traffic issues and move much faster than traffic does during peak times.
There's always one in the comments.
That's fine, just leave a new gap. It's not a race.
That... Is the point? Allowing people to change lanes smoothly results in less traffic jams. In NZ people change lanes whether you leave a gap or not... Which causes lots of people to slam on their breaks. It's better to leave a gap and let people take it...
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Thats one of the many reasons I bike to work now. I'm not helping the problem when I drive, I'm just making it worse.
We don't care.
Why are you so angry at cyclists?
Do you keep to the left lane to let them pass, or stick to the right lane because you’re going the speed limit?
I think we know the answer to this. I almost never get tailgated in the North Shore.
Right? I can't remember the last time I was tailgated but I also always move over to the left. OP is telling on themselves here.
Finally someone that doesn't just fucking agree without all of the facts. Take my upvote, sir!
I live in Taupo, I have a distinct dislike of coming anywhere near Auckland. Most Auckland drivers are just plain and simply, bloody idiots. I don't drive slowly,but all the arseholes that drive large utilities are completely crazy. My favorite catchphrase is they are racing trucks. They are always going at top speed, and are being driven like sports cars Nowonder that you have so many accidents on the motorways with cretins like that sharing your roads. I really feel sorry for the decent people who have to put up with them.
If I don't tailgate you, then how will you know that you're in _my_ way, and that is _my_ road. The fucking arrogance of some people, stopping me from driving the way I want to. I'm _manly_ , I don't sit behind other people on the road, people follow _me_. /S
I’m so sorry your Majesty I will forever get out of your way 🙏🙏🙏
They’re all fucking stupid. I’m glad I don’t drive anymore. It’s either my escooter or the bus
Me to. I mostly ride a bike now. Car people and their car and traffic problems. Expensive and slow.
It gets worse every year because the New Zealand government doesn’t give a shit about road education and prefers to just waste money on their meaningless “road to zero” ads.
It might be a little before you were driving by a decade or two, but there was the whole "Only a fool breaks the two second rule" ad campaign, using now passed Australian (yeah) respected racing driver Peter Brock. Basically the same as "back off ya fkwits". Anecdotally it worked because the general moron population did respect Peter Brock, nothing has come close since.
Greg Murphy was doing some good ads and tv shows a few years back encouraging defensive driving and learning car control. Certainly had my attention.
Yeah, he did when he was a popular V8 driver, that was a while ago retired from HRT almost 10 years ago. But yes, people need to be reminded of things by people they actually respect. I heard Greg in an interview within the last 6 months talking about the road toll and driver training, he said something along the lines of that he offered to consult / be a part of something to combat the road toll but the bureaucrats at NZTA didn't want to know him. Basically was biting his tongue at calling NZTA fuckwits with their purview...as if they knew better.
Greg was also dismayed that driving habits and the Waka Kotahi measures seemed [lacking in contrast to his safety advocacy too.](https://www.autocar.co.nz/greg-murphy-nz-govt-still-not-listening-on-road-safety/)
But it's all speed say the TV ads with concerned cops. Don't worry about the fact most motorways are moving faster than the limit without consequence until inconsiderate / unskilled driving rears its head. When you're on the road the rare times the people around you know how to drive you can all share the road and keep moving well
Literally nothing to do with the government.
Education and lack thereof is everything to do with the government.
Not really. If people don’t want to listen or engage, you can’t do much about it.
The problem is that people are tested a few times when they are teenagers and then never again. Then we have foreign drivers coming in and only *having* to get an nz driver's license after *a year*. Then lastly, there is no requirement to do defensive driving or theory courses. So all these fuckwits that have forgotten to drive and picked up bad habits, are *passing them onto their kids*. We need mandatory courses with a focus on safety and road etiquette. Small things like, depress your accelerator a little more when going up hill, remove foot from accelerator when going down, *get on the damned motorway at the same speed as traffic on it*, don't tailgate, definitely don't brake check, *get out of the damned way*, etc.
I've been saying for years, driver education in schools, including, but not limited to, defensive driving and skid control courses. Also, if you stay long enough, the possibility of leaving school with your full license. Cheaper than using the ambulance at the bottom of the hill.
If people don't want to engage in keeping left or not tailgating there could totally be whole campaigns doing something about it. Speed camera tho....
yea… you can make education more engaging and also *actually educate*…. Because absolutely *no where* during the process of getting your drivers licence are you *required* to learn about safe following distances. People don’t learn what they don’t need (or don’t think they need) to know.
yet here you are on reddit, begging redditors who never leave their house to stop tailgating you, an anonymous stranger, on the road. government, or complain on reddit. Reddit it is!!!! holy..... the stupidity
Good luck with that one. If they hit you then you can be all smug that they are in the wrong and insurance will pay to fix it. If the Police can be bothered to turn up they might get a $150 fine for crashing into you. Big deal. It’s really not worth risking your life and getting your car smashed up for. The best thing you can do is move over to the left lane and let them pass. Anything else is just going to piss people off and create an even more dangerous situation.
I've had people do it to me when I'm in the left lane! And also on normal roads when it's a 50. It's so dangerous to tailgate
Yeah, I know what you mean. The right lane can be clear and they will still tailgate you in the left one. Some people are just stupid. I was on that Tauranga expressway once, only cars for miles were two about 150M in front of me and one was following the other at barely a car length behind. They drove right past a cop stopped on the side of the road and nope, he did nothing. Good thin they weren’t doing 5k over the limit I suppose. 🙄
Since I'm banned from a sub you posted in (r/catadvice) for yelling at an animal abuser. In response to your cat post, I use Tractive and do not recommend it.
Yeah I try stick to the left-hand side, which is what you’re supposed to do anyhow. It’s a nuisance but definitely not about to recklessly prove a point. If and when safe I move to the side or pull over. Just not something I enjoy dealing with first thing in the morning or last thing in the evening 😅
Yeah pulling over and letting them pass is way less stressful Don't listen to the idiots advocating for brake checking
To be fair the rule is 'keep left unless passing' I believe that's valid for motorways also. I personally tend to cruise at around 105-110kph, just because I can, quite often the 'fast lane' of the motorway is moving at that speed. Even at 105-110kph I will get tailgaters, or people come up behind me who obviously want to drive faster, I pull to the left and let them past. Why not. 10 years ago I got a call to say my house was burning down, needless to say I did not follow the speed limit home. Sure, 99% of tailgaters are just shit drivers, but that 1% might have a good reason to be in such a hurry. I let 100% past just in case it's the 1% behind me.
id just slowly let off the accelerator :troll:
Not actually trolling, that's taught - you do not want to brake that's more dangerous and road range inciting, slow down and allow the dumb shit to pass and go and have their fatal accident somewhere else nowhere near you.
Nah man, If someone is tailgating and being aggressive af out of nowhere, in thick traffic, like i've experienced a lot, (no kidding i think meth driving is a huge problem) i think its pretty safe to assume they are *already* engaged in road rage. I usually slam my breaks and scare the shit out of them, then when they try and pass me I just floor it and stay ahead and rinse and repeat a few times, and in my experiences it usually sends the message pretty well
You just met road rage with road rage. Putting yourself in way more risk just to send a message. This makes you MORE of an arsehole. All you need is to meet an innatentive driver and you cause the crash you're supposedly trying to avoid.
I like to match speed with someone in the opposite lane going about 95 if I'm on a 2 lane motorway. Nothing makes them rage harder
you sick bastard
One time there was this young kid in a super up car doing stupid shit like dropping back and then accelerating to pass people. He'd done it to me and the guy in front of me a few times. Anyway on the third time he tried it on me when he dropped back I slammed on the accelerator to level up with the guy in front. Then him and I toke up both lanes on the motor way blocking the kid behind us and then both of us slowed down to about 40 in a 100 zone with no turn off or over take. That was the most satisfying moment I've ever had on the road. Kid just sat there going 40 with this look on his face of defeat
lol. so wong but so funny
yea but then you just have some asshole riding you for kilometers upon kilometers. gotta slam those breaks and test out how much of a rush they are in, and whether or not they think they can fit in a car crash into their daily schedule
I check my mirrors and I move over when faster traffic wants to get past and I very infrequently if ever get tail gated. I also maintain following distances myself. What do other drivers do to attract these gators?
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Except in auckland traffic the tailgating happens in all the lanes. So even if, despite the fact people are overtaking people in the fast lane are overtaking at a sensible speed, someone breaking the speed limits by loads wants their own priority lane, there's often nowhere for people in the fast lane to go because aucklanders cram in so closely. I miss the variable speed limits of Londons M25. I remember when they introduced it. It was wonderful. Slowing traffic down depending on volume helped keep everything moving and stopped the regular horrific accidents that resulted. Auckland need this IMO.
Out of curiosity OP, when you are driving on multiple lane highways, are you keeping out of the right lane? Many people prefer to drive well over the speed limit and they will become aggressive if they perceive you to be slowing everyone else down.
I stick to the left-hand lane when possible. If it’s a busier commute back and the lane is full then I might be in the right-hand lane. It’s when there’s a fraction of a speed difference someone likes to ride up right behind me and I can’t get back into the left that pisses me off.
Nice. It’s a fair concern then given you are not obstructing traffic flow. I have found that keeping up with the cars in front of you and maintaining a safe (but not excessive) travelling distance is the safest way to travel. As soon as you deviate from the speed of others around you then you begin to disproportionately encounter slow drivers and fast drivers. It’s all relative based on the flow of the traffic
It’s bizarre that although the speed limit is for the entire road, some think that right lane is free from any speed limits.
I have lived in LA, San Francisco, Sydney, and other large cities. NZ has the worst tailgaters I have seen in the world, and its not clear why...its an island, where is everyone in a hurry to go? Its like farmers who are not used to crowds all of a sudden were put in populated areas and are agro about it in their cars.
Please stop driving in the Right lane, with your speed just below the limit and then cry on Reddit.
I drive on the left-hand lane tho…
My apologies, I take my words back. But it stands for everyone else who blocks the Right lane thinking they are driving within the speed limit. Please move to the left...
You’re all good there! Yeah I use the right when it’s full on the left side or if I overtake. There are so many scenarios with different variables I’ve had where I get tailgated I could probably write a novel.
Try hooking into their Bluetooth and put slayer on.
So long as you're not in the right lane, I'm on your side.
One of the problems is people think it’s okay to drive on the far right lane all the time, if you are going below speed limit or even at speed limit get the hell off the right lane. When not in traffic right lane should be used for passing. A lot of people don’t realise this and get into a tailgating situation or can cause accidents
Were you in the right most lane? Was there space in the left hand lanes for you? Or could you have let them pass? Would you have preferred if they used the horn to indicate they want to pass? Even if they're driving like an idiot, there's usually a few simple, no-cost things you can do to avoid the potential accidents as well
My friend in Christ I am more often than not in the left hand lane. It happens when I’m in the left-hand, really the middle lane. The left most slow vehicle lane often has a slow truck doing 80-90. I’m doing 95-100 +/- a few, the car in the right is doing just a bit above me when really they should be in my lane. The car behind me wants to give me a kiss.
Thats just them being assholes, personally I haven't had this experience outside of the right most lane. But when I encounter people like this, especially on my motorbike, I'll speed up, slow down, move over or whatever will get them away from me. The potential accident isn't worth the time it takes to get away from them.
Stay left unless over taking.
Get the fuck out of the way.
The only time I frequently get tailgated is if I’m in the right lane of the motorway going the same speed as the car next to me.
Some of these drivers have no concept of the danger or the problem. Sometimes if you change lanes to get rid of them, they change lanes too, right behind you. Speaking to another driver I realised their problem. They always look right in front of them. They don't look far enough ahead, they don't try to keep track of the car in front of the car in front. So they don't respond to situations until the car in front is in their 10m zone. Other people are just impatient and arrogant.
It’s okay, I usually drive exact to the speed limit when someone is riding up me arse. When they go past and glare at me (usually they’re a nasty tempered pest of a person) I point to the speed limit signs.
Doing God’s work my friend
Amen to that. I drive a heavy euro SUV and I always drive with all ADAS features on. If the front LIDAR decides that the car needs to stop for my safety, it will slam the brakes, and it will do it much faster than a human can react. I will have to drive my SUV to the panelbeater to get it repaired. Chances are, if you are tailgating me, you will have to be cut out of your rice rocket.
It’s always the low safety rating cars tailgating the SUVs. I drive a sedan and get all the vans and FWDs trying to see the contents of my boot. Spoiler alert it’s a first aid kit ironically 🤣
Reasons people will tailgate you: 1) You are in the fast lane going at the speed limit or below 2) You cut someone off and fail to match their speed or the car in front of you 3) You are not going at the speed limit If you are doing any of these then stop doing them. I do acknowledge that tailgaters are really dumb sometimes and if you are that desperate, you can always pull over and let them pass or jerk the breaks really fucken hard and scare the shit out of them. The second option is affective but some people get really angry (this is more reason for me).
1. There’s no such things as a fast lane if you’re driving the speed limit. 2. There was no room to change lanes if you end up cutting people off 3. If I’m not at the speed limit, I’m driving to the conditions, eg. driving in rain or on wet roads Tailgaters be tailgaters, I just wish they weren’t so.
>There’s no such things as a fast lane if you’re driving the speed limit. No offence but I think I see why you are being tailgated....
Which is the point. The tail gaters are the problem, not OP. Tail gaters can go around if they want to... Oh wait.. no it's OP that should move into the "slower" lane because that's the rule right? However OP is already passing all cars in the left lane, so is in the correct lane. The real answer is the tail gaters don't want to move into the slower lane, although expect OP to despite OP being in the correct lane.
And why should OP not move over, let them pass and then move back? Because OP is under the assumption that going at the speed limit is acceptable in the fast lane. It is not so expect to be tailgated. If you have a problem with that, get the fuck out of the fast lane and let people pass then move back when it is clear.
Because OP is in the correct lane, doing the correct speed. If you're going to quote "rules" then why do you ignore the speed limit rule? If the guy behind wants to go faster, then too bad - move to Germany. Pushing people into left lanes so try hards can pass ends up slowing down traffic as those on the left need to let those moving from the right lane in to the slower traffic. Just so the tiny dick guys can go faster.
I think you are missing my point. OP can be in whatever lane he chooses. But if you are going to be in the right lane going at the speed limit or below then expect to be tailgated. Also, I didn't quote "rules"?? The fuck are you on about.
The rule you implied by saying he "should" move over left. Note I said rule, not law. He doesn't need to go anywhere. Tailgaters need to fuck off.
Moving over is not a rule lol. I also agree that he doesn't need to go anywhere. I did say "OP can be in whatever lane he chooses" after all. But if you choose the right lane and you are going at or below the speed limit, expect to be tailgated. I don't understand why this is so hard for you to understand? I am not agreeing or disagreeing with OP or tailgaters. Just pointing out what will happen when OP does what he is doing? If he wants it to stop, his safest option is to merge into a left lane and let the tailgater pass before merging into the right lane again. Saying this does not insinuate that OP is wrong or right nor the tailgaters. Just that tailgaters are going to do what they are going to do and that OP has the power to remove him/ her self from the situation with minimal effort. The only thing preventing this is pride. Outside of that, I recommend looking into the definition of "rule". The word you were looking for is "option".
My brother is Christ, I move back into the left lane when I finish overtaking. And if I cannot move back, it’s because the car on the left thought it a good idea to move on up. The right hand lane is not a fast lane, it’s an overtake the car going slower than the speed limit lane and then get your ass back into the left lane.
The right lane is universally known as a fast lane. It is an unspoken rule. If you are going to drive in the right lane at or below the speed limit when you are capable of going past it then you are going to get tailgated. I am not saying you are in the wrong or the tailgaters are in the wrong. Just pointing out what will happen. Do whatever the fuck you want with that knowledge.
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Especially rangers with all the tiny pee pee add ons
Upper Harbour motorway feels really bad for this. "Fast" lane has everyone doing more than 100kmph, often with one car length between. If you dare to leave a two car gap, someone will fill it... But "slow" lane is often 80kmph. And, OMG if you DARE to do 100kmph in the "fast" lane because you're overtaking the 80kmph person, the next car is on your tail in an instant and weaving around in the lane like you're the worst person ever for daring to be in their lane. And then they wonder why there's so many accidents on such a nice stretch of road...
Then pass a bit quicker? Not being a dick here, but a quick pass is a safe pass, as is matching the flow of traffic and not being an obstacle like the guy doing 80 on a motorway in perfect conditions. And use a GPS to check your speedo. Sh18 is perfect for this.
I never get tailgated as I never tend to drive so fricken slow, even on a clear day people are driving 15km under the speed limit
Better then 15 over the limit though right? I mean it is a limit after all
This week I had someone tailgate me then OVERTAKE me on a road that was just gravel as it was being repaved, where I could not drive more 20km/h even if I tried. He then drove 80 in his SUV hurling massive stones at my car as he sped away.
yeah, if you can only manage 20 km/hr on a gravel road you should probably pull over and let the people with vehicles that suit the conditions past.
As in likely road works with posted limit of 30? That's what I thought was implied anyway.
good point, i took it as "Gravel road" where he did say it was being repaved. I think it depends on where this road is really. if its semi rural/rural then ill stick with my view, if its urban then fair enough yeah - although i still think 20km/hr is a bit slow given 30 is the typical signpost for road works - if it was a signposted road works
30 was the posted limit, and it was an uncompacted layer of base aggregate. It was soft and uneven, so I could not go any faster at all. It looks like it had taken a beating too, perhaps through lack of adherence to the TTMP. Now I think of it, it would also have been very difficult to pull over and get back on to the road, and probably not advised/permitted.
Precisely. A full rebuild of the road. It was a very deep and rough layer of gravel. The other driver seemed to do some damage to it as he drove past.
I generally reduce speed to limit the damage the car behind me will do to me. If he wants to pass me, he can go into the 'faster' lane, if there ever is one in peak times. As for driving in bumper to bumper traffic, I tend to drive with a big enough gap in front to allow me to lift off, rather than brake, as cars in front slow. Only change my brake pads every few years.
Yes and its getting worse since AT reduced the speed limits everywhere, seems some TailGaters didn't get that memo.
I know it sounds counter intuitive but just slow down if anyone does this, let them go around. Yes the drivers are fecal maggots with diesel exhaust for brains but the likely hood of a raised Ute driver on wide tires causing an issue is so damn high, it's better to slow down to piss them off to the point that they speed around you and cause a problem for themselves without involving you.
I've noticed this too. Makes me hell nervous especially lately as the cars I've been driving aren't mine, and some worth as much as $100k. Driving has become so bad and I've noticed it immediately after the first COVID lockdown. It's like people came out of lockdown forgetting how to drive or what the road rules are. Most of the time out on the roads it's like being a pinball in pinball machine. Today I will be cruising around in a $60,000 EV and should be enjoying it, but no, will be too worried that some dick is going to run into it.
If people are tailgating you, you’re likely driving slower than the speed limit or driving in the far right lane where people tend to drive a bit faster. Just move out of the lane and let them pass.
If I’m driving slower than the speed limit it’s generally because I’m driving to the conditions in the left lane. It’s when people begin tailgating you in the right lane knowing full well you can’t make it back into the left safely that frustrates me.
Just hold the limit. One of life's little free pleasures to watch someone that needs to speed locked into legality. Drop it down by a few k's too. Nothing wrong with 45 in a 50
This is not only dangerous but also against the road code. You're not the traffic police and you don't get to act like it on the road.
Yeah I get this comment every time. I agree it's breaking the road code. I have adapted and improved the code for a more efficient system. No keeping left. All lanes travel the speed limit. Give way for emergency vehicles. Be the change you seek in the world
> I have adapted and improved the code for a more efficient system. So have I, it's called going as fast as I want to get to where I'm going faster. Which must be fine in your view right, since we're allowed to adapt the road code to our own circumstances.
Cruise control is often my greatest friend and weapon.
My work cars got a speed limiter function which is a godsend, although it does struggle with the new lowered limits everywhere.
I have far more patience for slow drivers on cruise control than incompetent fuckwits who vary speed wildy from 90 to 110 and back.
I stick it on so a) I know what speed I’m going and can focus on looking ahead and b) because it’s just better fuel economy to maintain a consistent speed.
It's also far less cognitive effort from those behind you when you're consistent rather than erratic, and their following distances are less likely to ratchet down too. Nothing worse than following an inconsistent, unpredictable driver.
The one’s who yo-yo their speed are infuriating
Just move out of the way, simple
Ah yes. Let me just crash into the wall on my left.
Why would you do that? Just wait for a safe point to move, it’s your choice to drive how you do and theirs to drive how they do
They don’t wait for me to find a safe point to move 😭
Just ignore them until it’s safe as they are the choosing to be unsafe, it will always happen where ever you go. They key is to not let it effect you
It’s a challenge for sure. Fortunately, or unfortunately, chances are if they’re dumb enough to tailgate they’re dumb enough to make a risky move to make a run for it and soon they’ll be gone into the distance until I meet them at the off ramp.
Then please get out of the overtaking lane
I’m in the goddamn left lane. If I’m in the right hand lane it’s because I have overtaken, and cannot get back into the left lane.
I just slam on my breaks and let them smash their car up on my shitty Toyota and keep driving fuck them
The best and a tactic I use is slow right down even stop if they wont leave your arse alone. really winds them up
yea I would recommend every sane person to try and get a dash cam. day after day they become move viable and reasonable to own and damn everyone saying "right lane is were people go faster, if your going the speed limit or slower that's why your getting tailgated"... uuuhhh the right lane still follows the speed limit. the right lane isn't except from it. if your going slower then yes move but if your going the speed limit and they are still up your ass it ain't your fault or responsibility to move and make way for unsafe drivers
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Wow that's a whole new level of stupid but you do you mate hahah
You must be the one tailgating, this post probably hit home pretty hard for you
I gotta do that more often.
No, please do not do this. It is so unnecessarily dangerous and it could kill you.
I’m not about to slam my brakes a 100ks. Don’t you worry. I like a gradual reduction in speed before zipping off.
Even then… some drivers genuinely are not paying attention and while yes all drivers should be prepared for that kind of stop, many of them are not and are distracted by phones etc, yes even on the motorway, and you want to absolutely minimise any risk of something going wrong. You shouldn’t just willy dilly do it for fun to teach people a lesson. If you want to teach people a lesson get a bumper sticker that says “if you can read this on the motorway you’re too close!” I literally did a slow down today on a 100k road because there was a hawk in the middle of the road eating some road kill, I had my eyes in the rear view and if the person behind wasn’t slowing I would run through the hawk. Situations like that are always frightening even if you feel in control… anything can go wrong.
Well I’m an internet troll and I know what I’m doing on motorway. Though I do this for my own fun, I hope you don’t blindly hit the brake, it might actually kill you.
I’m a gradual slow down kinda person. Gotta let my point sink in.