No way I'd take that much risk, I leave my foot on the gas, and gently touch the brake just enough to get the brake lights on.
bashfulbro,
Jul 14, 8:47am
It definitely is a NZ thing, i`v driven a lot of miles in a few other countries, and must say, NZers are the worst , tailgating is a national pass-time here.
azzab54,
Jul 16, 10:22pm
I always let them get in front of me. Had a Ford Ranger tail gating me yesterday in the pouring rain,i l moved over and let him go past so he could tail gate the next car. I was doing the speed limit as it was. Is it because he could see further ahead than me and so felt he could react sooner to hazards up ahead ? Maybe but you never know what the person in front of you is going to do. There are some scary things happening out there.
two9s,
Jul 17, 4:57am
Just install a 3 foot long tow bar and pump the brakes. Get that through their radiator should send them the right message. Jeeze they wind me up. Driving rural roads at the posted speed, or according to the conditions, and someone's lights disappear out of sight in my rear view mirror tells me they want to photograph the inside of my tail pipe. Pump pump pump the brakes, they get the massage (or not). At least I drive a rough looking tank, so they know I don't worry about the damage they may inflict spudding in.
rob_man,
Jul 17, 5:06am
Why not just let them past? If they weren't there before they're obviously travelling a bit faster than you're comfortable with so just let them go. I don't understand why you feel the need to keep prisoners.
seadubya,
Jul 17, 5:18am
Buggered if I know, too many self appointed hall monitors? If someone catches me I pull left at the first safe opportunity, if I catch up with others I appreciate the same application of the road rules but have learned not to expect it. I don't have the equipment or training to judge the speeds or conditions of another driver so I don't. I do find tailgaters easier to negotiate, a few seconds to pull left and they're gone whereas the oblivious or obnoxious seem to revel in keeping others in their rear view mirrors, regardless of their speed (or perception of their speed). Pulling over for long enough for them to bugger off normally sorts them, I know I shouldn't have to but I don't have time to waste stressing about numpties with an authority complex.
friendly_prawn,
Jul 17, 5:43am
Well said guys. How hard is it to pull over and let them pass? They're obviously in a hurry. Why purposely play games and try to piss them off. Life's too short.
gunhand,
Jul 17, 5:57am
Tailgaters are awesome creatures. They themselves do not bother me as I let them do their thing. They do however provide some humor on a trip be it short or long. You know the sort, come roaring up behind you weave all over the road, get up close, back off, move up again then blast past in some ludicrous fashion and then in 10 secs up the arse of some other traveler. They then repeat the show, and generally many many a time. So after an hour of watching the gaiter swerve and weave and wave their arms about like a spastic Gorilla during mating season they have manged to gain. well nothing at all as they can still be seen up the road a bit. We all know the type, DON'T WE.
friendly_prawn,
Jul 17, 6:17am
this conversation reminds me of one that was had in here a while back where every one was saying they shut out people trying to merge. I dont get that either. If anyone wants to merge, I got out of my way to let them in. I dont get the attitude of anyone that shuts out other drivers from wanting to merge. Just seems so negative.
sr2,
Jul 17, 6:26am
Interesting study that claims tailgating contributes to traffic congestion.
it's not about how good YOU are or how superfrickin' cool your car is, it's about other people making mistakes and the inability to react in time. By tailgating you're creating unwanted stress and by overtaking illegally you stand to gain a few minutes maybe, even on longer trips. Skip the BP flat white, slap on some easy listening and go with the flow.
rob_man,
Jul 20, 2:31am
Yeah, go with the flow, don't impede the flow.
dublo,
Nov 19, 9:55pm
The latest issue of the Listener magazine has the Washington correspondent writing while back in NZ on holiday. She soon became accustomed to driving on the left again, writing "New Zealanders' aggressive driving habits being more than sufficient reminder of where I am." And this was in the quiet and peaceful Buller district.
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