Tailgaters and FAS

JimG · #21 07-12-2011, 09:06 PM

I am trying a different tactic... I read about this in a forum but I cannot remember where. I made a bumper sticker that reads:
"Fuel Efficiency Research Vehicle Please Pass Safely"

I have only had it on for a short time - so I am still researching whether it works on tailgaters

uRabbit · #22 07-18-2011, 10:33 AM

The other day, on a 55 mph highway, I was going about 53mph. A Mazda thought this was not fast enough, so the best approach would be to endanger the lives of myself, my wife, and my baby. I plateau'd at 45, 35, then 25. This guy finally decided to pass me. Why did he not pass me before?

There was a double-yellow line up until he passed ms. Seriously? He 'respects' lines of PAINT more than he does the safety of everyone else? Jeez!

After passing me, I met him at a stop light TWO MILES down the road. Unfortunately, he turned right. I was going to get out and have a word with him... Now, I am a God-fearing person, conscientious objector to wars, advocator of peace, etc. So I was a bit upset with myself for getting to that point... So I had to just turn to my wife and laugh.

ItsNotAboutTheMoney · #23 07-18-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uRabbit

The other day, on a 55 mph highway, I was going about 53mph. A Mazda thought this was not fast enough, so the best approach would be to endanger the lives of myself, my wife, and my baby. I plateau'd at 45, 35, then 25. This guy finally decided to pass me. Why did he not pass me before?

There was a double-yellow line up until he passed ms. Seriously? He 'respects' lines of PAINT more than he does the safety of everyone else? Jeez!

After passing me, I met him at a stop light TWO MILES down the road. Unfortunately, he turned right. I was going to get out and have a word with him... Now, I am a God-fearing person, conscientious objector to wars, advocator of peace, etc. So I was a bit upset with myself for getting to that point... So I had to just turn to my wife and laugh.

As a rule you can't pass under double yellow. Unless there are special exceptions in the statutes (as Ohio has) they'd simply be obeying the law and I can't fault them for doing that.

It's very easy to stick to laws that don't require judgment.

It's the tailgating that's the problem. I don't mind if somebody gets close ready to pass, it's when they don't pass when there's a legal opportunity that it sends me into an angry glide.

Fat Charlie · #24 07-18-2011, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItsNotAboutTheMoney

As a rule you can't pass under double yellow. Unless there are special exceptions in the statutes (as Ohio has) they'd simply be obeying the law and I can't fault them for doing that.

As a rule, following too closely is also illegal.

I don't have a problem with tailgaters because I do move pretty rapidly- the only time lots of people pass me is on my glide into the tollbooths. Of course with EZ Pass and the ability to read traffic I'm past a lot of them before I'm even through the toll. It's pretty amusing.

herm · #25 07-19-2011, 10:27 AM

You guys need to control your temper.

Most likely the tailgater is decreasing your drag by following you closely.. you keep your eyes on whats ahead and the tailgater will keep his eyes on you.

ItsNotAboutTheMoney · #26 07-19-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by herm

You guys need to control your temper.

Most likely the tailgater is decreasing your drag by following you closely.. you keep your eyes on whats ahead and the tailgater will keep his eyes on you.

Right. But just as I don't drive close enough to be wiped out by a braking semi, I don't want to be slammed from behind by an idiot because I had to hit my brakes in an emergency.

Incidentally, gradually decreasing speed is perfectly legal and is a suggested method to deal with tailgaters.

micman · #27 07-19-2011, 09:27 PM

I love that bumper sticker idea. There should be an official "cleanmpg.com FE researcher" bumper sticker. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

I'll design one if nobody else wants to.

hyperme · #28 07-20-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by micman

I love that bumper sticker idea. There should be an official "cleanmpg.com FE researcher" bumper sticker. I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

I'll design one if nobody else wants to.

I agree, I also think that would be a great idea. I'm not so sure the one in the above photo is big enough though. It may be targeted at tailgaters but I would want a larger one that someone following at a normal distance could read so they would pass. At the same time though, I understand that no one wants a huge sign on the back of their car.

micman · #29 08-03-2011, 04:18 AM

There would have to either be a good balance between readability and conspicuousness, or just two different versions to make both happy.

ItsNotAboutTheMoney · #30 08-03-2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperme

I agree, I also think that would be a great idea. I'm not so sure the one in the above photo is big enough though. It may be targeted at tailgaters but I would want a larger one that someone following at a normal distance could read so they would pass. At the same time though, I understand that no one wants a huge sign on the back of their car.

If I were somebody who put bumper stickers on my car I would want one that says

"What's happening up ahead?"