Re: OT Since We're Ranting (Tailgating Part Deux)

My younger brother taught me an excellent technique that I have tried a
dozen times -- and it has not failed to work for me yet.  This came about
for him because he had to drive his car around for awhile with no break
lights.  What you do is roll down your window, extend your left hand, and
signal for the driver behind you to back off.  No, I'm not talking about the
middle finger; I'm talking about a kind of quick hand wave motion -- think
of it like patting the head of a big dog that is running very quickly along
side of your car.   2 or 3 pats is generally enough.  If you've ever
tailgated someone, then you know it's not the easiest thing in the world to
do -- you have to be very aware of slightest movements of the driver in
front of you.  If that driver were to stick his hand out the window and
motion for you to back off (as if she didn't have any breaklights), you'd
most probably notice it.  And you are very likely to comply because you have
zero idea what the person in front of you is about to do.   Better safe than
ending up court.

give it a try.

Chad


"shelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> i had some idjit tailgate me so closely this morning that i
> couldn't see the car's headlights (can we say "death wish?").
> i dunno what hisser motivation was, as i was already going 65
> in a 55.  i tried the brake tap technique (unfortunately, it
> was pitch black out, so i couldn't see hisser reaction).  it
> worked well, though s/he crept back up a couple more times.
> not a bad result (trained in only three repetitions!), so i
> think i'll keep using this technique.
>
> and speaking of idjit drivers, i had a near-miss yesterday.
> i needed to turn off onto a side road that teed into the main
> road.  i put my blinkers on and slowed down.  then, as i was
> turning, i nearly hit the maroon who had been behind me, who
> decided to turn onto the same side road without waiting for me
> to turn first.  oye.  temporary insanity is my guess.
>
> --
> shelly (perfectly foul wench) and elliott and harriet
> http://home.bluemarble.net/~scouvrette
>