ST Forum: Wrong Advice On Dealing With Tailgaters

[Vulcann]

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Online...ory_811311.html

 

Wrong advice on dealing with tailgaters

Published on Jun 16, 2012

 

I AM appalled by Mr Nicholas Wong's suggestion for riders being tailgated to 'slow down until drivers get the message that motorcycles have an equal right to be on the road' ('3 misconceptions about motorcyclists'; Monday).

 

Whether a person is driving a car or riding a motorcycle, the safe thing to do when being tailgated is to filter to the next lane when it is safe to do so.

 

Slowing down in front of a tailgater is not only dangerous, but also frustrates the tailgater, who may become impatient and commit a rash and dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.

 

The road hogger is probably just as inconsiderate as the tailgater.

 

There is no need to be upset when being tailgated. Instead, we can assume that the tailgater has an emergency. We should then be considerate, signal our intention to change lanes, and do so safely.

 

The Land Transport Authority should impose a higher speed limit specifically for the right-most lane of our expressways. For example, it can be raised from 90kmh to 110kmh. Drivers who prefer to keep to 90kmh will then have no reason to be driving on this lane.

 

Daren Lau

[SGCMmaomao]

Upz to that!

[Xanavi]

Raising speed limit is not the point here, based on article. Raised to 110kmh, there will be people going above that and hoggers will still be considered hogging, this time at 110kmh...

[Nzy]

IMO if someone tailgates me on the overtaking lane, I will just filter to the slower lane. But if I am already on the slower lanes and still got people tailgating me I'll just slow down till the tailgater decides to overtake.

[Vulcann]

IMO if someone tailgates me on the overtaking lane, I will just filter to the slower lane. But if I am already on the slower lanes and still got people tailgating me I'll just slow down till the tailgater decides to overtake.

 

....& flip the bird!

[Spicky]

It is very frustrating most of the times that the road hogger on the fastest lane dont bother to change to the 2nd lane. act blur live longer?

 

and if u all driving a smaller cc car, the road hogger will even not change lane to let you pass compared to driving a bigger cc car. just my personal experience.

[TameDriver]

From my years of driving experience, I noticed that road hoggers are usually lower cc vehicles,

hogging the outermost lane on expressways.

 

Most probably the drivers don't see any wrong on their part or

the need to give way as they were already driving at max speed allowed on that stretch of road.

[TameDriver]

I own high cc cars but always give way to cars that tailgate regardless

of it's size or cc as I believe that whoever did that must be in a hurry,

No point 'Play Play' or act stubborn or maintaining one's pride in not giving way.

 

It's not worth the inconvenience caused should a collision occurs,

regardless of who's right or in the wrong.

[Sp4wn]

IMO if someone tailgates me on the overtaking lane, I will just filter to the slower lane. But if I am already on the slower lanes and still got people tailgating me I'll just slow down till the tailgater decides to overtake.

 

wah bro ... last year i was driving on ECP, lane 2, doing the speed limit or slightly above. some young chap in his daddy's toyota wish came behind, high beam etc even though lane 1 was empty. i figured he was trying to ask for a race, but thats not really my thing ... since he wants lane 2, i yield and move right to lane 1 and speed up a little. guess what ... my friend decides to follow so closely to my bumper i can see his grin ... so i yield again and move back to lane 2 to let him pass. he refuses and gets behind me again, with his stupid high beam flicking on and off .. so i tap my brakes, drop from about 90 to 60 (which causes him to emergency brake, since he was so close to me) ... i drop 2 gears and move to lane 3 .. and again he tries to follow .... so i have to choice, but to wait till the last minute to cut left to KPE at which point, he doesnt have the acceleration to filter and follow me ...

 

now, what would you do in my shoes? i already yield thrice, and his high beam is giving me anxiety since i cant even look in my mirrors. this was actually the only time this ever happened. most people when they tail gate and i yield, they get the hint and drive off .. even the ah bengs - if you yield to their wrxs or evos, they will just leave u alone .. but what about the nutjobs ?? lol :P

[Dinosaka]

The wish guy siao ah wan to play with your Godzilla??

 

Or u accidentally offended him wif your driving which u did not notice?

 

A taxi tailgated me once n do stunts like the wish driver...I drove straight into Bedok police station...

 

Sumtimes these idiots juz wanna pick a fight but not worth it la to be in such fight...

[Nemo6089]

wah bro ... last year i was driving on ECP, lane 2, doing the speed limit or slightly above. some young chap in his daddy's toyota wish came behind, high beam etc even though lane 1 was empty. i figured he was trying to ask for a race, but thats not really my thing ... since he wants lane 2, i yield and move right to lane 1 and speed up a little. guess what ... my friend decides to follow so closely to my bumper i can see his grin ... so i yield again and move back to lane 2 to let him pass. he refuses and gets behind me again, with his stupid high beam flicking on and off .. so i tap my brakes, drop from about 90 to 60 (which causes him to emergency brake, since he was so close to me) ... i drop 2 gears and move to lane 3 .. and again he tries to follow .... so i have to choice, but to wait till the last minute to cut left to KPE at which point, he doesnt have the acceleration to filter and follow me ...

 

now, what would you do in my shoes? i already yield thrice, and his high beam is giving me anxiety since i cant even look in my mirrors. this was actually the only time this ever happened. most people when they tail gate and i yield, they get the hint and drive off .. even the ah bengs - if you yield to their wrxs or evos, they will just leave u alone .. but what about the nutjobs ?? lol :P

 

I think this driver is trying to play with you or he might be trying to tell you something like you forgot to switch on your lights? Hahaha

Most tailgaters will overtake you when you change lane to give way to them.

Fortunately I have yet to meet such nutcase, hehehe...

 

 

[Nemo6089]

For me I will mostly adopt the following practice :

Motorcycle - change lane to give way or speed away

 

Car - mostly travel in lane 2 and travel near or slightly above speed limit, slow down when tailgate by lorry or bus to force them to overtakes me.

 

 

[Nicholas]

On expressways...

If someone is coming fast behind you on lane 1, give way.

If you are on lane 2, keep to speed limit, or go to lane 3.

 

If everyone does the above, there shouldn't be any disgruntled drivers.

 

I have no problem with motorbikes being in the centre of the lane, as they're suppose to.

But trailing behind a motorbike on lane 2 at 70km/h is DUMB.

Edited June 16, 2012 by Nicholas

[Good-Carbuyer]

From ST Forum:

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Online...ory_811311.html

 

Wrong advice on dealing with tailgaters

Published on Jun 16, 2012

 

I AM appalled by Mr Nicholas Wong's suggestion for riders being tailgated to 'slow down until drivers get the message that motorcycles have an equal right to be on the road' ('3 misconceptions about motorcyclists'; Monday).

 

Whether a person is driving a car or riding a motorcycle, the safe thing to do when being tailgated is to filter to the next lane when it is safe to do so.

 

Slowing down in front of a tailgater is not only dangerous, but also frustrates the tailgater, who may become impatient and commit a rash and dangerous overtaking manoeuvre.

 

The road hogger is probably just as inconsiderate as the tailgater.

 

There is no need to be upset when being tailgated. Instead, we can assume that the tailgater has an emergency. We should then be considerate, signal our intention to change lanes, and do so safely.

 

The Land Transport Authority should impose a higher speed limit specifically for the right-most lane of our expressways. For example, it can be raised from 90kmh to 110kmh. Drivers who prefer to keep to 90kmh will then have no reason to be driving on this lane.

 

Daren Lau

No mention if the roadhogger driving with 2 wheels on Lane 1 and 2 wheels on Lane 2. There is no Lane 3 for him to filtered left, or there was another vehicle on Lane 3 already.

No mention if the tailgater unable to filter left for same reason.

No mention of the travelling speed of both vehicles, and roadhogging/tailgating can be at any speed above/below the speed limit.

Edited June 16, 2012 by Good-Carbuyer

[Good-Carbuyer]

IMO if someone tailgates me on the overtaking lane, I will just filter to the slower lane. But if I am already on the slower lanes and still got people tailgating me I'll just slow down till the tailgater decides to overtake.

So lucky you do not filter into the faster lane(s). Ever followed by a car all over each lane I go

[Good-Carbuyer]

It is very frustrating most of the times that the road hogger on the fastest lane dont bother to change to the 2nd lane. act blur live longer?

 

and if u all driving a smaller cc car, the road hogger will even not change lane to let you pass compared to driving a bigger cc car. just my personal experience.

The road hoggers I encountered are those driving with 2 wheels on Lane 1 and 2 wheels on Lane 2. How could they filter to Lane 2? I believe they need to attend Class 4 Driving lessons instead (they mostly drive SUV/Camry)

[Good-Carbuyer]

From my years of driving experience, I noticed that road hoggers are usually lower cc vehicles,

hogging the outermost lane on expressways.

 

Most probably the drivers don't see any wrong on their part or

the need to give way as they were already driving at max speed allowed on that stretch of road.

You are lucky

[Good-Carbuyer]

wah bro ... last year i was driving on ECP, lane 2, doing the speed limit or slightly above. some young chap in his daddy's toyota wish came behind, high beam etc even though lane 1 was empty. i figured he was trying to ask for a race, but thats not really my thing ... since he wants lane 2, i yield and move right to lane 1 and speed up a little. guess what ... my friend decides to follow so closely to my bumper i can see his grin ... so i yield again and move back to lane 2 to let him pass. he refuses and gets behind me again, with his stupid high beam flicking on and off .. so i tap my brakes, drop from about 90 to 60 (which causes him to emergency brake, since he was so close to me) ... i drop 2 gears and move to lane 3 .. and again he tries to follow .... so i have to choice, but to wait till the last minute to cut left to KPE at which point, he doesnt have the acceleration to filter and follow me ...

 

now, what would you do in my shoes? i already yield thrice, and his high beam is giving me anxiety since i cant even look in my mirrors. this was actually the only time this ever happened. most people when they tail gate and i yield, they get the hint and drive off .. even the ah bengs - if you yield to their wrxs or evos, they will just leave u alone .. but what about the nutjobs ?? lol :P

You may be aware that is what he wanted to do to you. Either slow down as you were slightly above the speed limit. Or make you panic, hit someone then he go away accident-free since he was not 'invovled'. He succeed since no mention you had signalled before filtering KPE (last minute cut left suggest you panicked/drove recklessly)

We need to be more alert for road safety