Go! Go! Go!

[bic590]

I have definately noticed that more and more drivers are starting to just tailgate with ample room to pass.... Not sure what is going on with it, but it has gotten to the point where I have now just switched lanes to allow them to pass on my right, since there is literally nobody in the lane next to me/us.

[Tomjones76]

In 2 years of hypermiling, which in my case mostly consists of right-lane cruising @ 55, I've had a whopping 4 light-flashers and zero honkers.
I've probably had about a 6 ridiculous tailgaters.
I've probably had 500 cases of people following too close, but honestly 90% of those would have happened even if I was going 70 in the middle lane and half would have happened if I was at 74 in the left lane.
Even mild speeding doesn't protect you from real idiots tailgating.

[fuzzy]

Originally Posted by bic590

I have definately noticed that more and more drivers are starting to just tailgate with ample room to pass.... Not sure what is going on with it, ...

Cell phones and texting have increased the number of drivers who lack the extra hands to pass, or the situational awareness to notice that they could pass.

Make sure you drive something that rates well in rear-end crashes. Promptly replace any burnt-out or dim brake lamps. And don't be afraid to use the Reverse Pass.

[Ophbalance]

This brings to mind my only beef with the Prius... if I don't ride the pedal hard, the brake lights will not illuminate. Meaning, I can slow down to a complete stop, but the lights will stay dark. I've noticed this backing down my drive way, as well as just cruising around locally at night.

[99LeCouch]

I notice this a lot in city traffic. I'll be doing 25-30 (TCC locks at 30, I wish it would lock in 2nd too) and folks will race around me. Then I'll roll through the light they were stopped at, they see the clear lane, ride my tail, and do it over again. Although there was one guy in a private Crown Vic who got what I was doing and stayed 2 carlengths back for over a mile while we coasted through a bunch of lights.

[atr]

I had something like this happen to me. When I had my civic I was in the right lane approaching a tractor trailer going very slow around 45mph (in a 65mph zone). I checked my mirrors, downshifted two gears (highway started to go uphill at this point) and floored it. I was about halfway past the truck at this point when a car comes seemingly out of no ware glued to my bumper to the point I couldn't see his headlights. Now bare in mind I was still giving that little 1.6 some good gas. He then backs off just enough to where I could see his headlights then starts flashing me.
Now where am I going to go if there's cars to the left, Truck to the right? I tapped my brakes a couple times... BAD idea. Soon as I pass the truck I move over to the right to let him pass, then take the next exit just to make sure I get away from him. So he comes over to the exit and very nearly hits me.
Ok at this point I'm just plan mad, adrenalin pumpin' not thinking clearly MAD
I get back onto the highway so I can see who the guy is and possibly get his tag number, another mistake. I was by his left rear fender then he suddenly changes lanes and hits me on my front right fender (at highway speeds!). I came close to loosing control of the car. shortly thereafter I tried to get his tag number, but it was at night and he sped off easily speeding up to well over 100mph. No gooder hit and ran, never did get his tag number

I've learned a few things from that...
Number one of coarse would be never follow someone who tries to hit me, ever (even if they tick me off!). Let them go wherever they may go.
Lots of people love to bully anyone driving small cars, yet they don't think about the fact that they can typically stop faster then they can.
Don't feed into their desires for you/me to go faster, simply move over and let them pass.
Don't tap the brakes multiple times. if anything tap once and not again.
If they want to tailgate me in the right lane let off the gas a bit and put the 4ways on. They almost always get that and go around me.

Since I've gotten the accord I haven't been harassed by any cars since. Only 18 wheelers. And if I can get their number off the side of their truck I do and call the trucking company to report them.

[Chuck]

fanamigo,

I try to keep tailgaters from happening to begin with.

Yes, they will happen anyway, but you attempt to reduce those situations:

• Let them by with ridge-riding, shoulder, giving them the left lane.
• Flash the emergencies as they approach
• Avoiding rush hour
• Choosing less congested roads

[Rokeby]

Originally Posted by Ophbalance

This brings to mind my only beef with the Prius... if I don't ride the pedal hard, the brake
lights will not illuminate. Meaning, I can slow down to a complete stop, but the lights will
stay dark. I've noticed this backing down my drive way, as well as just cruising around
locally at night.

Ophbalance,

I don't think this is a problem with the Prius (that is all Priuses/Prii), but rather with your
Prius. On my '08, the brake lights come on with 1/8 inch pedal travel, with only finger
pressure. I just went out and checked. I took a flashlight and peered up behind the
lower dash panel and located the brake light switch high up on the brake pedal arm.

It appears that there may be a way to adjust the brake switch sensitivity, there
appears to be threads around the switch button, but I can't say for sure. Maybe another
Prianista poster can advise on this.

FWIW, it appears that a replacement switch goes for ~$125.
I'm hoping this is the wrong part/price, but it's the best I can do:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...10&catalogid=2

Here's some more I found on the brake light switch from PRIUSchat, but it's for an
'09 and I can't tell if it's relevant.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-p...ke-switch.html

[Ophbalance]

Indeed, then it does appear to be an issue with just my car. I've got at least 1/4 inch of pedal travel before it will light up the brake lights... and with that travel, I can usually slow to almost any situation where I'd want to stop. Oh well, chalk it up to something I should fix someday... if I find the time/inclination/moeny .

[Rokeby]

Originally Posted by Ophbalance

Oh well, chalk it up to something I should fix someday... if I find the time/inclination/moeny .

Ophbalance,

I do not feel comfortable thinking that I have created the impression that the only fix for
your brake light issue is at the cost of $125. Not having brake lights is no laughing matter.

I've found another thread at PRIUSchat that addresses brake switch adjustment, a detailed
procedure is given in post #8:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-p...-so-often.html

Hope this helps