Tailgating in the left lane...there has to be a better way (windshield, brakes)

[va_lucky]

So where I live in Virginia, about 90% of people will hog the left lane and not move. They will slow down and do exactly 65 or a bit less and the person in the middle lane will often play that game too.

I notice that this generates quite a bit of tailgating. However, the way that people tailgate here is out of control. I think that it may have something to do with Virginia's traffic laws being overly strict and just about everything being deemed reckless driving here.

Here is what happens:

Person A hogs up the left lane and does the exact speed limit or below the speed limit even when it is clear in front of them.

Person B tailgates person A but hits their brakes every few seconds.

Not sure if person B is trying to avoid an accident or just keeps coming up to person A's bumper to try and intimidate them then hits their brakes when they find that they won't move out of the way.

If you are stuck behind all of this mess in the left lane it is really difficult to keep a steady pace without having to hit your brakes as well (even if you are not following too closely).

Finally, once Person B gets a break in traffic, they turn into the next lane almost smacking into person A's rear bumper.

This sort of reminds me of the no depth perception thread. To me, the lane change by almost missing the other person's rear bumper is willful activity not depth perception issues.

This is the only State that I see the almost take off your back bumper as you turn activity.

[Galaxyman]

Happens here quite often. One tactic I use is slowing down putting a bit of distance between myself and the lane hogger then speeding up right on their rear end revving my engine, they usually get the message.

[va_lucky]

Lol! Do you keep hitting your brakes if they don't move though?

What kind of car do you drive where they can actually hear you? I know that they would hear my Galant VR-4 with open cutout, but I am not that confrontational because if I were to get into a confrontation I am in it to win it!

Originally Posted by Galaxyman

Happens here quite often. One tactic I use is slowing down putting a bit of distance between myself and the lane hogger then speeding up right on their rear end revving my engine, they usually get the message.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Galaxyman

Happens here quite often. One tactic I use is slowing down putting a bit of distance between myself and the lane hogger then speeding up right on their rear end revving my engine, they usually get the message.

You mean people 'down-under' look in their mirrors!!! Or do you have REALLY loud pipes.?


I use bumper mounted rocket launchers.

My friend sells decals for your windshield >>>>>MOVE-OVER >>>>

[snofarmer]

So at 75 mph your disengaging the drive line and reeving it.
and you think I'll hear it, hahaha
as soon as you did you would be left behind.

I'd be laughing my a-ss off if I noticed the car behind me doing this.
and I'd take my time moving over aggression is not condoned nor will I be intimidated.

Originally Posted by Galaxyman

Happens here quite often. One tactic I use is slowing down putting a bit of distance between myself and the lane hogger then speeding up right on their rear end revving my engine, they usually get the message.

[11thHour]

I installed a cow pusher on the front of my car, with the mini-gun option of course, just in case.

[snofarmer]

I found that with my Vee plow, it's easer to move them to the side so I can pass.

Originally Posted by 11thHour

I installed a cow pusher on the front of my car, with the mini-gun option of course, just in case.

[Wartrace]

Originally Posted by Galaxyman

Happens here quite often. One tactic I use is slowing down putting a bit of distance between myself and the lane hogger then speeding up right on their rear end revving my engine, they usually get the message.

Look, it's Mad Max!

[Retriever]

My "better way" is to ride in the right lane most of the time.
Because so few people seem to want to stay to the right, I almost always find that there is nobody tailgating me and--even better--there is nobody impeding me in the front, thus allowing me to go faster than most of the folks in the center and left lanes.

For those who are of the belief that it is illegal to pass on the right, I suggest that you double-check the MV statutes in your state. In my state, and in others with which I am familiar, it is most definitely legal to pass on the right on a multi-lane highway, as long as you are in a lane and not on the shoulder of the road.

By staying alert to traffic entering the highway, I can almost always execute a smooth "complimentary lane change" to the center lane, so that merging traffic can enter the right lane. Then, when it is safe to do so, I usually move back to the right lane, which I refer to as, "my personal passing lane".

Of course, I wouldn't have to do what I do if there weren't so many doofuses riding parallel to each other in the left & center lanes. I would prefer to be able to pass on the left, but--given the reality of what I experience on the road daily--I have had to make the right lane my usual travel/passing lane.

[jmking]

Here in Nova there are many left exits on main highways. This can and does cause issues when slower drivers must move to the left lane to exit and that means one must slow down to exit. Is this an issue the op maybe experiencing?