Miata Mailing List: January 1994, Message #142
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   From: "Alex M. Postpischil" 
Subject: Tooooooo close
   Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 08:20:06 -0500

I've been really cautious on the road because every time I go out there seems to
be some eager person to stay on my rear. There was a discsussion on Compuserve
a long while back about how to signal to these drivers that they are too close
to your car. I've tried everything, sometimes with short term success, sometimes
with no success at all. The first thing I tried was to rub my neck as if I were
implying "that whiplash you are going to give me when you hit me is going to
be really painful and expensive for you!" Most drivers don't get that hint. 
Next I tap the brakes every so lightly (just enough for the lights to come on)
while staying at speed. This sometimes works, if it doesn't I tend to tap the
brakes and slow down (to the speed limit, I might add). The other day I tried
the next solution, I was being tailgated by a tractor trailer and I turned on
my hazard flashers. This worked! He backed off quite a bit, but within moments
he was back on my tail. This time I tapped the brakes and slowed down so he
definitely got the hint. I think the main problem is that these drivers don't
see themselves as tailgating, they see us as in their way and holding them back.
(At least on the highway).  When I stop at lights I always allow enough room in
front of me to stop and also to pull up when the fool behind me gets too close.
I sometimes try to tap my brakes while I'm sitting there so they know they
should stop. When I'm driving I have no problem jamming on the brakes to get
people to back off. When you're stopped at a light there is not much you can do
with the exception of leaving yourself lots of room. ....still frustrated...
-alex-
ps-just heard it's -5F outside here in DC, reminds me of WI, but glad I'm not
in WI right now cause they're cold too!