How to deal with tailgaters

Forget all that stuff about recording and making a complaint to the local police.

Our thinking towards tailgaters was simple there are two problems they have, first off 40 tons and 70+ feet of rig that will not speed up. Usually this is a Governor. Not our problem. The other is that decap bar. Especially for those stupid enough to get between two trucks. One good braking makes a crushed human sandwitched garnished with plastic and metal.

Even in a car, we just do whatever speed we think it's best, there are two or three lanes they can use (And will use...) in the summer months it's slower than 70 to keep the tires cool mostly and during winter, we know our limits on ice. You are welcome again to pass and go faster... it's your vehicle, your life. Don't involve us. A number do pass and slide right off. Now you see? What a waste. Should have stayed slow.

We are long past caring about tail gaters. If you drive enough you will find someone SLOWER than you. As a concealed carry we prefer you take your need for speed and road rage elsewhere. It's not going to be our problem.

DO record where you can. Always.

 

I just bought a Garmin dash cam. One night last week, some douchebag decides he was gonna get pissed at me and tailgate, then he sped up, got in front of me and slammed on his breaks. I #### near hit him. He was in a little sedan (not even a fullsized sedan, so he would have been schmuckered had I hit him.

Then he decided he was going to play speed up, slow WAY down. I think the idiot wanted me to hit him. Wish I had footage of that mess at the time. I would have gladly sent it to the Sheriff's Office. That's dangerous driving!

 

I am surprised by the number of folks who tell you to mess around with people. Some of the drivers here have given you the correct answer which is to slow down and let them pass. We are professionals and are suppose to act that way. We do not want to injure anyone or anger anyone. We just want to get our loads safety where they belong. If someone is wanting to pass me, I pull over and let them pass. I slow down and brake when they are along side of me to let them around quicker. I do not want any of my actions to cause an accident. As a professional driver you are responsible for the lives of those around you. Take that responsibility seriously.

 

The worst are when your on a 2 lane back road, the local boy wants to do 30 over but only dips out to pass when the oncoming traffic is just cresting the hill a half mile up.... i cant count the number of times ive yelled (pointless i know) your gonna kill yourself for 30 seconds saved you idiot! Then they bob back in just in time and ride you even tighter, so you slow down, they have a clear shot, but dont take it.... so back up to the posted.... then they make a hard jerk left and monster the pedal giving you the finger all the way.. wth! I was trying to be nice.... jag offs with a death wish...

 

At about the 414 yardstick in Tennessee today there was a 4 wheeler parked on the shoulder because it got hit with a recap in the drivers side windshield,
Im sure it'll stay away from trucks now

 

That'll teach 'em (or not?).

When I was 17 I was driving on I45South in Texas and a couple guys in there probably late 20's was driving like aholes around this poor little old lady going 45mph.

I was a dick back then (wait, I'm still a dick sometimes) so I lit a cigerette and flicked it at the passenger. It landed on his lap and he freaked out. Good times!

I don't condone doing that, but he deserved it!

 

If they are in a 4 wheeler, I really don't care. You'll hardly even feel it if they run under the trailer.

Now if you're in a 4 wheeler and a truck tailgates you, you better either speed up or pull over and let him pass.

 

You can drift off the side of the road and shower their vehicle with gravel and shoulder debris.

Or you could just let off the throttle and coast until they realize that you're moving at 10mph, and they go around.

 

I wish they would do more enforcement and education when it comes to following distance. Many lives would be saved if everyone would do a couple of simple things and proper following distance is probably the biggest one IMO.

Not much you can do about people behind you other than leave extra space in front to decrease the chance you have to stop or slow quickly. If it's a two lane and they want to get by make it easier for them to see by getting over to the fog line. Other than that just keep driving.

I'm not a fan of slowing down to p them off or trying to throw rocks at them or whatever else. Just keep it steady. If they're really distacting or annoyng you then pull off when you can.

 

Lets face it. Most people are in a daze and that won't change. I observe,avoid and ignore the culls. Hell I like animals more than people.