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If someone is tailgating me, especially at night, I simply pull off and let them pass. The aggravation of them right behind me, and the potential cause for harm if I were to have to suddenly stop, is worth the 5 seconds I lose by pulling over.
I think this is an excellent plan and one I will use in the future. It lets the tailgater know they are following too closely (I am sure many times they don't even realize). And if defuses the situation.
I've had the same experience- it's the transplants (as you well know), not people from NC that do this. They just couldn't leave that part of their behavior behind in NY/CT/NJ/MA for some reason. I simply do my best to (safely) get out of their way and let them drive-crazy as far away from me as possible. I also (if I'm in a good mood) pray that they will eventually realize that aggressive driving is rare here and being a big jerk will only eventually lead to speeding tickets and accidents. (If I'm in a bad mood, I think much less friendly thoughts!)
We moved here three years ago, and trust me, your love for the area will only grow! We're originally from CT and don't miss it one bit!
Don't let those idiots get to you, just get out of their way as safely as possible - I really don't recommend confronting them, you never know how truly nuts they are!
I've had the same experience- it's the transplants (as you well know), not people from NC that do this. They just couldn't leave that part of their behavior behind in NY/CT/NJ/MA for some reason.
Sorry, this attempt to assign all blame to "others" doesn't work for me. There are bad drivers from everywhere - some of them are even native to NC.
HappyTees! I have had the same experience and I just moved here from Manhattan a year ago. The people on 40 are worse than the cab drivers in midtown. I feel your pain....
I don't know who it is, but I have to tell you that I drove to the beach with my mom and baby last weekend, and once I got past Raleigh, the tailgating stopped.
It seems to start once I get on 40 from Durham, it goes on until I am past Raleigh. I dread driving to the airport to get relatives and friends when they come to visit and I avoid driving on 40 as much as I can, taking side roads whenever possible.
Just steer clear as much as you can. Something about that highway transforming into 4 lanes makes people go tail happy... It seems that the people in large vehicles, vans, and pickup trucks are the worst offenders.
I usually just keep my distance, creating lots of space between myself and the person in front of me, in case I need to stop for any reason. Usually, the aggressive tailgater behind me will get annoyed and pass me.
You're supposed to slow down if you're being tailgated - that's how you make the situation safe. You don't slam on your brakes either, you just slow down.
Part of the problem is, people who think they are being tailgated will slow down, and then try and race the other car as it speeds up to pass them. What does that solve?
Just reading these threads its amazing how many bad habits are freely discussed...
Dropping below the speed limit in a passing lane is very unsafe. This should be common knowledge for anyone that has driven on I40/540/440 around here. This is what my response was directed toward.
Yes, you shouldn't even be in the left lane if you're going slow.
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and I avoid driving on 40 as much as I can, taking side roads whenever possible.
