Deal with tailgating drivers on NZ roads.

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Chaitanya

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Master Geek
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Topic # 109629 24-Sep-2012 11:13

Hi Geekzoners and New Zealanders,

I recently earned my Restricted License ( in 3rd attempt ) and drove from Auckland to Rotorua ( via Matamata ) last weekend to celebrate. I had a great time.

I believe I am a good driver and I make it a point to stick to all road rules including speed limits.

However there was one thing which concerned me.

I am aware that nobody should drive faster than 100 kmph ( +10 kmph) on any NZ road and that one needs to stick to safer speeds displayed on state highways where applicable.

When I was driving on SH 2 / SH 27 / SH 5 I noticed that people were tailgating me. They do so even when I am driving at speed limit. I try to let people in haste go but I can't do it every time because there may not be enough space on the side of the road and passing lanes are not everywhere. Where there is some space, I stop sometimes and let people go but sooner or later some other cars tailgate me. And I cant stop every time. I noticed people overtaking me even when I am doing 120 kmph sometimes. But in the safety of myself and others I don't do 120 always.

Given that state highways are not multi-laned, this whole thing makes me feel bad and uncomfortable because it looks like I am blocking the road for many cars behind me by simply observing safe speed limit. And despite other drivers over speeding and not following 2 seconds rule.

This is not the case on motorways because there are 2 lanes I usually stick to left lane.

Can some experienced and responsible Kiwi drivers let me know their thoughts on this matter. It will help me greatly.

Thanks heaps,
Chaitanya

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Reply # 690513 24-Sep-2012 11:19

Let them pass.

vinnieg

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Reply # 690516 24-Sep-2012 11:21

Just follow what's happening in front of you, and don't worry about tailgaters. They do make you feel uncomfortable, but just ignore them.

Once there is room, let them pass. Just don't do anything silly like tap on the brakes, because that'll infuriate them more.

If there is a queue behind you, don't worry. Focus on what is ahead of you, don't worry about holding some impatient drivers up for a few seconds

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

Talkiet

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Reply # 690520 24-Sep-2012 11:24

I absolutely promise I am never going to post in this thread again, regardless of the almost certain hate mail accusing me of being an unsafe idiot.

I drive at a safe speed for the current conditions and traffic, taking into account other drivers and their behaviours. I do this in preference to sticking to any posted speed limit.

If however there's no-one else around then I'll base my speed on the conditions INCLUDING the posted speed limit.

Cheers - N

John2010

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Reply # 690527 24-Sep-2012 11:30

As well as what nakedmolerat says, check your speedo with a GPS. Speedos often read 5-10% low so you may be driving much slower than you think you are.

kobiak

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Reply # 690528 24-Sep-2012 11:32

Talkiet: I absolutely promise I am never going to post in this thread again, regardless of the almost certain hate mail accusing me of being an unsafe idiot.

I drive at a safe speed for the current conditions and traffic, taking into account other drivers and their behaviours. I do this in preference to sticking to any posted speed limit.

If however there's no-one else around then I'll base my speed on the conditions INCLUDING the posted speed limit.

Cheers - N

helping others at evgenyk.nz

helis

96 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 690530 24-Sep-2012 11:35

People will tailgate. You can't stop it but remember to double the 2 sec following distance to 4 secs if someone is tailgating you. Because of their bad driving you need to allow more room to slow down so they don't blow into the back of your car.

What you can also do is note down the time and number plate and than report it to the police. One report wont do much but if a number of people report the driver it will show a pattern of bad driving and can result in a fine. All the police need to fine someone is a witness. The cop doesn't need to sight it.

Chaitanya

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Master Geek
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Reply # 690533 24-Sep-2012 11:40

@helis, I believe 2 sec / 4 sec rule is to maintain the following distance from the car ahead not the tailgating car at the rear! Isn't it?

helis

96 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 690537 24-Sep-2012 11:43

Chaitanya: @helis, I believe 2 sec / 4 sec rule is to maintain the following distance from the car ahead not the tailgating car at the rear! Isn't it?

It is indeed. You must be 2secs or more behind the car in front. But if you have someone tailgating you the time should be doubled between you and the car in front of you. This is needed so you can slow down at half the rate giving the twat up your tail time to also slow down with little to no warning.

vexxxboy

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Reply # 690538 24-Sep-2012 11:46

dont want to be harsh but if you are been tailgated continuously on the open road then you are the problem , if you travel at a constant 100-110 and dont keep slowing down for corners etc when not needed you should have no problems. I cant remember the last time i was tailgated on the open road and i travel at the 100 -110 range.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

DonGould

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Reply # 690539 24-Sep-2012 11:47

Chaitanya: @helis, I believe 2 sec / 4 sec rule is to maintain the following distance from the car ahead not the tailgating car at the rear! Isn't it?

no.

If I'm very close behind you then the logic is that I need you to slow down more slowly to give me time to react.

So, if you are following 4 seconds behind the car in front then you will have more time to slow down, hence giving me more time to see you've slowed and adjust.

If you only have 2 seconds of following distance then you need to break harder once you react. That will cause you slow faster and give me much less time to react.

However, others are right, you need to stay focused on what is in front of you and less on what's behind you.

Yes, cars bunch up, and for the most part they bunch up without issue.

Your whole attitude seems to be that these people are in a hurry to get past you and want you to go faster.

This may not be the case. They may simply be happy with their following distance and happy to just match your driving style and be accepting that you're moving through the road at an acceptable pace.

As others have already said, it is mostly important to not do anything sudden or erratic.

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mckenndk

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Reply # 690540 24-Sep-2012 11:53

If there is a queue of cars behind you let them past at the first opperchunity (believe there are plenty of signs put around by NZTA stating this) even if its slowing down and staying to the left on a straight bit of road to help them past.
If you know there is a passing lane not far away they can wait until then but you will find the attitude of all drivers is different.
Some take offence to being over taken and will tailgate you until they realize they are being a dork and disappear behind you.

Have seen plenty of people that don't even consult there rear view mirror and end up with long queues behind them.
Other factors can come into it as well one person may know the road very well and can go the speed limit around the corners others who don't know the road will slow down to a speed they feel safe to take the corner and go the speed limit on the straights which does not allow for the person that knows the road to get past.

Not saying you are in the wrong by any means but impatient drivers no clear straight roads or passing lanes usually results in accidents.

my 2c worth.

Dion

clevedon

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Reply # 690547 24-Sep-2012 11:59

vexxxboy: dont want to be harsh but if you are been tailgated continuously on the open road then you are the problem , if you travel at a constant 100-110 and dont keep slowing down for corners etc when not needed you should have no problems. I cant remember the last time i was tailgated on the open road and i travel at the 100 -110 range.

I agree.

Chaitanya

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Master Geek
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Reply # 690552 24-Sep-2012 12:06

@helis, if I have to give the tailgater 4 sec of slowing time esp. when I am already at 120, how much speed I should be at! Can it get more scary than that?

@vexxxboy, @clevedon, Well no corner has speed limit of 100kmph. The highest safe speed on curves I noticed is 95 kmph. I am really taken aback if you are at 100-110 and you are not tailgated. My experience is that people were overtaking my Honda Civic Hatch doing 120 in all types of cars! I am sure they are 130+ at least. Probably because if you are doing 100 for extended periods of time you get used to that inertia of motion and feels like you are not moving fast enough.

@Don Gould, I get your point on seeing bright side. But why I felt bad is because almost everybody overtook me. So I thought they became impatient because of me doing speed limit. Thanks for your input.

Chaitanya

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Master Geek
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Reply # 690557 24-Sep-2012 12:09

@mckenndk That is what I did and will always do: Let people go whenever I can. I understand I am not in a road race. Thanks for your input.

Chaitanya

75 posts

Master Geek
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Reply # 690559 24-Sep-2012 12:13

Alright, Thanks you all for your inputs.

My takeaways:

[1] People do tailgate. Don't worry about it much and don't do anything silly. Just focus on what is ahead and do what is safe.
[2] Let people pass whenever you can.

Good thing is: I am already following the advice I got. Thank you all, once again. I appreciate your time.

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