[pulpfiction]

I'm sure many of you have noticed this message on the variable-message signs along the interstates. According to what I heard on the news this morning, 180+ citations for tailgating have been issued thus far.

That's all fine and good...but how about addressing the real issue...namely, idiots who think they can cruise in the passing lane, regardless of the fact that they A) aren't trying to pass and B) are traveling at a speed less than the general flow of traffic?

State police cite tailgating as the cause of approx. 40% of traffic accidents throughout the state. However, much of this tailgating (justified or not) is the result of complete idiots who think theyre entitled to block the left lane and either are oblivious to the fact that it prevents me from getting around them, or simply do not care.

Why exactly is it that this extremely important aspect of safe, courteous driving is simply ignored by those who patrol our highways to (supposedly) keep them safe?

I'm sorry, but the dolt who is cruising in the left lane at 64 mph while the 20 cars behind him are trying to pass (but likely cant due to a tractor-trailer in the center lane) deserves to be pulled over and fined more heavily than a speeder caught doing 85mph but keeping to the right.

[APersonLivingInCT]

+1

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by pulpfiction

I'm sure many of you have noticed this message on the variable-message signs along the interstates. According to what I heard on the news this morning, 180+ citations for tailgating have been issued thus far.

much of this tailgating (justified or not) is the result of complete idiots who think theyre entitled to block the left lane and either are oblivious to the fact that it prevents me from getting around them, or simply do not care.

I don't think you can ever justify tailgating, it's dangerous.

[APersonLivingInCT]

I have had problems too. I commute up to Hartford every day and people drive 60 in the left lane . Then, everyone slows down which causes a 3 mile traffic jam into Downtown Hartford, where I work. If there is no bad drivers, I can do that 40 minute drive in 20-25 minutes at 80-85MPH.

[pulpfiction]

Originally Posted by andthentherewere3

I don't think you can ever justify tailgating, it's dangerous.

I don't think you can ever justify failing to keep right, except to pass. It's dangerous.

[trishguard]

I had someone tailgate me in the center lane, then pass me on the right when the passing lane was EMPTY. How much sense does that make? So if this enforcement takes care of people like that, good.

[andthentherewere3]

I'm not saying slow people in the left lane are not dangerous, but you are only making the situation more dangerous by tailgating. There's no excuse for it.

[APersonLivingInCT]

Originally Posted by trishguard

I had someone tailgate me in the center lane, then pass me on the right when the passing lane was EMPTY. How much sense does that make? So if this enforcement takes care of people like that, good.

In driving, you have to make a quick maneuver. That is either pass on th left or right. At 80MPH, you either have to merge right or left, or slow down. That person merged to the right. I drive in the right lane, best to pass all those people clogging the center and left lane.

[andthentherewere3]

Originally Posted by APersonLivingInCT

If there is no bad drivers, I can do that 40 minute drive in 20-25 minutes at 80-85MPH.

I wish they'd hand out more speeding tickets, too. Here's a thought, slow down.

[antinimby]

Where in CT are you allowed to go 80 mph?