Why do you tailgate 4 wheelers?

This is just my take on the situation and for some of you it may seem like a stretch, but please hear me out. Thirty years ago, we had less traffic and most truckers were trained by a member of their family or a close friend. After deregulation, the demand for drivers increased dramatically leading to more and younger drivers being hired and trained by guys who really had no stake\interest in whether they made it or not. This has resulted in a lot of drivers being hired with no idea of what it actually means to be a professional. A lot of these guys just joined the industry because they were told they could make a fortune driving trucks, others have never been taught how to be courteous, still others think it is some kind of game. This is one of the most stressful jobs out there and has been rated THE MOST dangerous job in America based on fatality rates. IMO, if everyone would just calm down a bit and show EVERYONE else a little respect and courtesy, we wouldn't have to read all of the "killer truck driver" stories every time we pick up a newspaper. The few minutes gained by speeding and\or tailgating someone can literally cost you your life and career. I personally wouldn't mind seeing new(or old) drivers tested on personality and attitude before being issued\re-issued a CDL. I would like to say the "Knights of The Road" still exist but I fear there are very few left.

 

OK. The 4-wheeler is in the middle lane, doing 55. All well and good, if that the posted speed limit. Not so good if it's below the speed limit.

Usually, there are signs along the highway stating "slower traffic keep right" or something along those lines.

Even if the traffic in general is moving over the speed limit, if there is a slower vehicle impeding the flow of traffic, they can be pulled over and ticketed. I've seen it done. I don't condone driving over the speed limit (4-wheeler or commercial), but, in the interest of keeping the traffic moving safely, I do condone "going with the flow". And, if a 4-wheeler is impeding the flow, that is more hazardous that the act of speeding.

 

VERY well said,Sir.

 

The law states that slower vehicles must use right lane. This, in my opinion (and a practice I use), is where once you have passed a vehicle you move over again even if you are doing the speed limit. If someone wants to pass you, let them. If they're speeding that's their problem not yours. You are not the police nor should you try to try to control someone's speed by not following the laws yourself. I am by no means condoning a tailgater, but if you see a vehicle coming up behind you, move over and let them pass. It's true that in most states trucks are not allowed to be in the far left lane on a 6 lane highway, so be the bigger person asnd let them pass.

 

You are so right about us 4 wheelers tailgaiting you guys! I agree, I do not do it well ok, maybe a few times (especially before I knew what a big truck could do to my life! ) anyhow I have seen cars many times on the rear of a tractor & trailer and I have seen many times us 4 wheelers will pass you guys and the distance between it all just makes me cringe and break on my breaks of course. I slow down and I just think OMG!
4-wheelers should respect truckers and truckers should respect 4 wheelers
truckers remember we unfortunately have to be @ work @ a certain time and if we are not we get our butts chewed (like when you are late for a delivery), you usually (should and if not don't accept it) have enough time to deliver your load at the normal speed limit, so going fast does not concern me, but hey morning time (time for everyone going to work) let me around you so I can not get my butt chewed. After work hours (usually around 4:00 to 5:00pm, I must pick up my kid by 5:30 if I am late it is $1.00 per minute) let me slide around you because my babysitter is timing me for extra money! See we all have important things to do!
The thing is there is many people in a hurry to get to the bar and stupid stuff, well those people need to slow down and let us who have business to do get around! lmao, I guess we all have business and will speed!

NO ONE SHOULD TAIL GATE ANYONE! IT IS SO DANGEROUS!

 

Logsrus.....I guess if you wanna be to work on time you should allow a few extra minutes to get there, if you dont like the charges by your daycare provider find a new one.....there is no good reason to tailgate, or cut in front of any vehicle no matter what size it is.....

"truckers remember we unfortunately have to be @ work @ a certain time and if we are not we get our butts chewed (like when you are late for a delivery), you usually (should and if not don't accept it) have enough time to deliver your load at the normal speed limit, so going fast does not concern me, but hey morning time (time for everyone going to work) let me around you so I can not get my butt chewed. After work hours (usually around 4:00 to 5:00pm, I must pick up my kid by 5:30 if I am late it is $1.00 per minute) let me slide around you because my babysitter is timing me for extra money! See we all have important things to do! "


Just because your in a hurry or cut yourself short on time to get where you need to be is no reason to speed or drive in a manner that poses a threat to others who must share the road with you....it is better to be 5 minutes late than get a ticket...that will make you later, or have an accident that will make you really late or worse.

 

Well Here my 1/2 cents worth.

Tailgating is dangerous like many have said.

The Average American Driver has no longer the common courtesy toward others anymore. In my home town, it common for a car to go 35 in a 45 in the middle lane, and you have to get into the right lane to pass them. Many times I have gotten over and as I start around them they would cut over to the right lane and slam on brakes to make a right hand turn. Or they would see a buddy and ride side by side and talk through the windows as they go down the road.

My method of handling tailgaters, most of the time only makes them mad, but also slows them down. If your going to tail gate me, I'll bring them to a speed that it is safe at. So I'll end up doing 20 but if they realize what I am doing they back off. ( One reason I no longer drive my anger which is brought on by a medical problem. Best I do not drive anymore) Then I would get back to business of getting where I am going. Most of the time I am stuck behind someone and can not go any faster my self. BUt when I do get around the slower traffic the tail gater is also left behind. Yes I have a lead foot, but I also know the local Cops and their limits. Push it to the edge.

 

Very good post! I will have to say anyone who has a drivers licences should understand not to "tailgate"! It is ridiculous in this world today! You never know if I am going to have a heart attack and like lose control or not, so everyone should stay behind everyone in good distance and steady speed and think what if that person loses control! That is what I think about when I drive every day to and from work, I feel it helps me stay a little safe! Please don't attack me for this, but I do stay away from truck drivers as much as possible, because I don't know if they have driven 20 hours without sleep or if the Shipper loaded your load correctly, so I try and speed to pass you and that makes me nervous cause I am scared I will lose control and hit you then I will be dead.

ROAD RAGE! THAT IS ANOTHER SUBJECT! Don't let people get to you guys/ladies! I just cuse them inside my car and let it go, flipping them off today might just get you killed. TRUST NO ONE! NOT EVEN ME, I MIGHT GO TRUCKER POSTAL OR VEHICLE POSTAL ONE DAY! It depends if my child really ticked me off that morning! Does everyone get the point? WE all have bad days, we all are in a hurry in today's world we just have to learn to deal and move on so we can live! It stinks but it is very true and will prevent allot of accidents I think! Me and my smilies, I JUST LOVE THESE GUYS!

 

Profanity Is The Linguistic Tool Of The Inarticulate.

In New Jersey when I've been there driving a Combo and there was a slow 4-wheeler blocking my forward momentum, I would pass on EITHER side as long as I was able to effect this without causing interference to another vehicle. I would also cut back over as soon as I had passed the slower vehicle when I were able to perform this maneuver.
When there are "trucks only in two right lanes" signs about, and when both right lanes are blocked by ignorant 4-wheeler drivers, I WILL GO to the third lane to pass or I may ride your tail if you're rolling slower than the limit, till I am able to effect a passing.

Most states have a 5 mph allowance, so rolling @ 70 in a 65 ain't no big deal and if this bothers you then stay off the roads.
Learn to stay to the right or stay off the roads because you are one of the many reasons for traffic snarls.
Do your part to be a better driver instead of a problem driver.

Your either part of the problem, solution or landscape.

 

YOU're either part of the problem, solution, or landscape.