[QUOTE]Originally posted by ralper
[B]

Thats ok on the interstate, parkway or freeway, but what about the two lane state route full of traffic?

 

the argument is simple: each side feels the other is dictating the pace of traffic; forcing their own "beliefs" on the other.

yes, it's true... you folks sitting in the left lane are impeding the flow of traffic.

we all have different interpretations of the speed limit - and need to respect that fact.

driving 130 daily, mostly on highway, i can tell you that the ONLY way to "negotiate" drivers out of the left lane is to come up behind them. i have tried sitting back, allowing them ample time to cease their restriction of my driving... each and every time i end up stuck at their desired speed for miles and miles...

this is not right. IMO, these people are just as rude as the closest of tailgaters.

that said, i think there are varied degrees of tailgating... measured simply in inches.

i am not an aggressive person, but if someone throws anything at my car because they refuse to move into the right lane (insert sarcasm here), i will just slow down and move into the other lane and be nice to them and smile and wave...

 

it's very simple...rule #1

"uless you're passing, get in the right lane"

even if there is not one friggin car in the left lane for 30 miles, always live by rule #1

oh, there's rule #1.5

"even if you're passing, if you're not passing as fast as the rest of traffic behind you, get in the right lane"

rule #1.75

"once in the right lane and approaching an on ramp, space out however maintain speed, and folks should merge without issue"

I swear folks in Portland can't merge into traffic at any speed above 10 mph!

 

webmaecker, I hear ya but don't you think that tailgating on a 2 lane (1 each direction) is just wrong, especially if there's a line of traffic!

 

yes... this is when the tailgater needs to respect the speed of the driver ahead... then pass when possible.

the only exception here is when there are turnouts available, and the driver dictating the flow of traffic refuses to turnout.

i dont know why this is so difficult... i mean, i know we are complex animals, coming together in so many situations and at great speeds, but...

i am just about never tailgated. if it occurs, i find a way out of it. if the person behind me is freakin out and i have nowhere to go, i just put on my right blinker and go halfway onto the shoulder to let them pass.

most of these people are not vicious looking to fight you or anything, just let them have fun. in fact, they are often looking to "play". many of us are guilty of loving to drive. if you own an S, i am sure you have done the same thing at one point or another...

 

It depends on what lane I am driving in. If I am in the fast lane and there is room for me to move over, I'll move over way before they are on my arse. If I am in any other lane and someone is riding me too close, I'll usualy let off the gas or tap the brakes and let them go around me. If they don't get the hint after that, I'll let them know how well stock S2000 brakes work.

 

Slower traffic keep right. I don't care if you are cruising at 100 MPH in the left lane. If someone comes up behind you going faster, let them over.

 

i wonder if people who are in front of me think i am tailgating? i have had people move to another lane, or just stay there. but i have never had someone jam their brakes.

maybe i am not technically tailgating...

 

Wait just one minute! We all drive the unequaled Honda S2000, right? So why on earth should ANYONE be able to tailgate us?

Several weeks ago, I was traveling late at night on a 4 lane divided highway, on cruise control @ 60 mph. A fancy stud pickup came up fast behind me, and blinded me with his headlights. I don't know if they were on bright or not, but the point is, he was high and I was low, and I was blinded by his lights.

No problem, I thought. As fast as he came up behind me, he'll soon pass and be on his way. I was calm and cool, enjoying a wonderful night out with the CD playing nice soft soothing music.

But he didn't move. He just stayed my speed. So after a bit, I took it to 80. He followed. I went to 95. He stayed right with me. With very little traffic on the road, he was telling me that my car wasn't so hot, and that he could run with me.

I suppose I could have taken the first exit or pulled off to the side of the road or slowed way down, but I thought to myself "Wait a minute. You're driving the Honda S2000, the most powerful car on the face of the Earth. Are you going to ..." Just kidding. That was the Clint Eastwood in me coming out just a little.

What I did, was downshift at 95 mph into 5th (isn't that a beautiful thing) and nailed it. Within seconds, no more tailgater. No more bright lights. When there was easily a mile or more between us, I dropped back and let the cruise control take over. Ah, sweet mystery of life. I LOVE this car.

 

excellent solution ESK