From: pv9955@albnyvms.bitnet
Subject: Tailgaters abound!
Reply-To: pv9955@albnyvms.bitnet
Organization: University of NY at Albany
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 92 05:39:56 GMT

I just recently moved to Saratoga, NY from New York City.  I was born and
raised (and learned to drive) in Staten Island, though most of my time was
spent in BROOKLYN, where "only the strong survive."
I was told that Upstate NY drivers are much more competent and more curteous
than people in NYC.  I have no opinion on this (read: I do not neccessarily
agree), but I would like to make one MAJOR complaint about
Upstate NY drivers:  TAILGATING!
I forgot what the accepted distance between cars is, that I learned in Driver
Education.  I think it is "three seconds" from a fixed point on the side
of the road.  
Now, I consider myself to be a fairly aggressive, though cautious, driver.
Hell, I drove in Brooklyn!
But I NEVER tailgate, or even follow a little close.  When I moved up here
to Saratoga, I noticed that almost EVERYONE tailgates!
It is not limited to one class of drivers.  Truck drivers are the worst, and
the other teenagers (I am 19).  But "middle-aged" people  and "older" people
are equally annoying.  I won't even single out a particular sex; men and
woman ALL follow too closely.  If somebody is not tailgating me, I can see
the person in front of me tailgating the person in front of him/her.
Whether I am doing 40mph in a 35 zone, or 65 mph on the highway, there will
always be at least one ass who does not leave enough room.

There is a common courtest between drivers.  When somebody wants to pass,
they will "flash to pass" or flick their high beams at the person in front.
If somebody flashes me, I will move over and let that car go.  
But up here, if somebody wants to pass, they will approach at a fast speed
and stick to my ass.  No lights.  They just expect that I will move over.

I assume that most people who read this board are "aggresive" drivers.
Please be aware that there is a BIG difference between being aggressive and
being stupid.  There is nothing wrong with speeding in my mind.  There is
nothing wrong with flashing the lights to pass a "slower" car.
But tailgating is:
1.  illegal
2.  Annoying
3.  DANGEROUS AS ALL HELL!!!

If you like to pass cars, please have some courtesy for the other cars on the
road, especially the ones in front and back of you.  Do not do anything to
piss off the cars in front or in back of you.
Have good communication skills.  Flashing lights works great!
Please be careful not to tailgate.  If everybody could read this, there would
be far fewer highway accidents.

What experiences do people have about tailgating, Upstate NY driving?
I have been told that the "lousy" drivers are the NYC drivers staying upstate
fro the Summer.  But these people are mostly local (men going to work, "kids"
with their friends, tow-trucks with local addresses.  I can tell that most
of these people whom I like to avoid are local, not out-of-towners.
Besides, in the two years that I had my licence in New York City, I have 
been tailgated only ONCE!  Not twice a day, every day, like up here!

I know I cannot teach these people the rules of the road, but what suggestions
can people offer in avoiding tailgaters, or dealing with them (other than
violence) ?  I usually tap my brake, just enough so the lights come on, but
not so the car slows down.  But most people do not get the hint that they are
too damn close.  Only one man (a "family man" in a Ford Aerostar) got  the
hint, and he backed off a few feet.  But why would anybody follow so closely
at 70mph?!  (Traffic was moving at 65).
Sometimes, if I am really pissed off (if the guy behind me is not a big 
mean lookin' guy), and there is a double yellow line, I will slow down to
20mph, or even slower.  But this does not tell the tailgater anything, it 
just pisses them off too!

Thank you for listening to my trouble.
If anybody has any responses, please send them via EMail, as I have trouble
reading this board (though posting works fine).

Sincerely,
Peter Volpe
native of New York City!