Miata Mailing List: January 1994, Message #145
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   From: buck@petra.ma30.bull.com (Kenneth J. Buck)
Subject: Re: Toooooo close
   Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 09:49:09 -0500

> From: "Alex M. Postpischil" 
> Subject: Tooooooo close
> 
> 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.
> [techniques deleted]

i think some care is required.

in my experience, gentle hints don't work (if the other person
was astute enough to pick up on the hint, they wouldn't be
tailgating you in the first place) and extreme "hints" carry
some risk.  aggravating the other person is not likely to
get you anywhere, and remember, you're driving the little dinky
car, not them.  plus some of these characters could be drunk or
psycho, and armed to the teeth - nowadays, you never know.

i sometimes tap the brakes lightly and occasionally
the message gets through, but usually not.

my recommendation is (difficult as this may be for some),
if the other car wants to go faster than you or is tailgating you,
LET THEM BY.  slow down and move the right if possible,
and if that doesn't work, just pull off the road a moment.
i grant, sometimes it seems like EVERYONE follows too close,
no matter how fast you go.  somewhere along the line, you just
have to decide what's acceptable and what's not - otherwise
you might be pulling off the road every 10 seconds.

remember:
the road is no place for tempers, egos, or games, so if
it looks like some kind of competition is about to start,
avoid it at all costs, or be willing to accept the consequences.

--                                             
Ken Buck                                          /|
Internet: k.buck@ma30.bull.com                \'o.O'    ACK!
Mail:     Bull, MA30-833A                     =(___)= THPTPHH!
          300 Concord Rd, Billerica, MA 01821    U