Date: Fri, 01 Sep 2006 11:24:15 -0400 From: Fred W <Malt_Houndnospamm-me-not*yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Daytime running lights...what's the deal?
Jon R. Pickens wrote: > I have been "flashed" a few times... Usually by someone who feels that > my travelling 10mph over the posted speed limit isn't quite fast > enough. I don't get you. It's OK for you to go 10mph over the speed limit but someone that wants to go 15mph over is a fool? > If I see someone coming up faster than me, I'll usually move > over. But if someone comes up and flashes...well they can just wait > for a break in traffic in the next lane, and go around that way. Passing on the right is illegal in some jurisdictions, and bad manners in all others. So because someone wants to pass you and they signal their intent by flashing their headlights, you would then intentionally block their way, thereby forcing them to make a (possibly illegal) less preferable right-side pass. Why are you so miffed by someone flashing their lights? It is a polite way to request that you to allow them to pass. I certainly prefer that to the ones that run up your tail. Or would you prefer they used their horn? > I unfortunately don't have a "gentle" response for that sort of rude > behavior... Perhaps I might feel better about it if the folks that do > that sort of thing didn't feel the need to come within 3 feet of my > rear bumper at 80mph. > > I've found that the brakes in my tank...er...I mean 1986 Chevy Blazer > (full-size) work *quite* well at those speeds, and in that vehicle I > often use the above mentioned situation as a good time to test them. There is no excuse for tailgating, IMO. Period. But jamming on your brakes and possibly causing someone (even a tailgating idiot) to lose control of their car is an irresponsible action. The best thing to do when someone tailgates you is to slow down gradually. This does two things: 1) It makes it safer for you should you have to hiot your brakes they will be more likely to be able to stop without rear-ending you, and 2) it pisses off the tail-gater tremendously as they get the exact opposite of what they want. Then you should pull aside when you have the first opportunity and let them pass on by. They are much less danger to you when they are somewhere ahead and you can avoid them. They are likely to signal to you as they speed on by how they think you are "number one"!! It's best to wave back and smile without indicating any numbers, although the OK sign is acceptable. > > Sounds like the folks in the UK still have road manners...something > people here in the US, particularly my town, lost a long time ago. > People with good road manners would just pull aside and allow faster cars to pass no matter what signaling methods they use. By the way, before you accuse me of being a "rude" driver, I very seldom flash drivers to pass. I'm just not in that much of a rush... -- -Fred W
