Safe Speed Forums

I post this on PH as well for discussion.


We back to tailgating again...

Impatience.. lack of basic manners.. arrogance .. rudeness.. intolerance of others... general personality of the half baked pretzel of toppest class twazak variety.. und small bits und bobs are the main characteristics of the tailgater.

But it seem from this research.. that they seem to harrass the "rigid lolly lickers" more so..

I cannot say that I find folk tailgating that often. I tend to create the space to let folk pass as soon as possible anyway. Und I do not hog overtaking lanes ever..

Anyway .. here ist the article... which not so new. to us in terms of what it say as conclusion of its research .

I note some of the comments made by the TRL und the insurer have been made already by various on these boards during the endless discussions on tailgating






So... less scams.. nit-picking on minor blips over lolly.. und just drive using COAST principles would appear to be safest bet then

Und yet again .. something get published which back up what Paulie kept saying in his all too short lifetime.

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Nicht ganz im Lot!
Ich setze mich immer wieder in die Nesseln! Der Mad Doc ist mein Mann! Und ich benutzte seinen PC!

UND OUR SMILEYS? Smile ... und the the world smiles with you.
Smiley guy seen when you read
Fine me for Safe Speed
(& other good causes..)

Greatest love & Greatest Achievements Require Greatest Risk
But if you lose the driving plan - don't lose the COAST lesson.
Me?
Je ne regrette rien!

or perhaps its the lack of overtaking skills that are the problem.

few drivers know the difference between 2 and 3 stage overtaking and when you should use it.

but there is a difference between lolly licking and obeying the HWC.

As you know, I've just acquired my first ever motorcycle - Honda SH125i - see avatar. Mine's the same colour too!

Because I've never taken a bike test, I'm riding with L plates, and when I feel comfortable enough with the machine to ride confidently and at a high standard, I shall take the test. That way, I won't have the CBT millstone around my neck every 2 years, insurance might be a bit cheaper, and I'll have more machines available to me should I choose to upgrade. Above all, if there's a recognised qualification that I can obtain, I feel that I should do it.

Until I can take the test, I have been trying to ride "by the book", concentrating on good observation and doing those lifesaver turns, and also observing the speed limits. I've done 470 miles on the bike already, and I feel I'm much better than that first day.

However...

I absolutely concur with this. I've been riding along in a at the 30 limit in my "dominant position" and had a car scream past me in what sounded like 2nd gear. This has happened at least 3 times since I got the scoot on Monday of last week. Part of it seems to be that drivers assume I'm riding that slowly because I've got a 50cc 2stroke and don't want to get stuck behind me. They'll come up behind me just itching for half a chance to squeeze past, and then sometimes have to cut in afterwards.

Now round here where I live, there's a stretch of the A4 at Sonning which has what must be the stupidest in the country. It's a dead straight road, it's wide, both sides are screened off by hedges, and 9/10 times when I come through there, it is free of pedestrians. And guess what? Most people ignore the limit, and frequently do 45-50 through there. RoadAngel warns of a safety camera van location, but I've never seen one there in 2 years.

Quite frankly, it simply isn't safe to pootle along at 30 on a scooter on that stretch of road. For one thing, people drive right up to me, and I feel very vulnerable. I don't want to say what speed I ride at, but if I say that I ride through there at less than 41mph, I'm not admitting to an offence. But what I can say is that I ride through as safely as I can, minimising the risk of having a car commit to a high risk overtake.

When I rode a motorcycle, I hated tailgaters - especially in the snow or ice, as they were too close to stop if you came off.

There is nothing to be gained by following so close - it reduces your view ahead, and leaves you with fewer options for maneuvering.
If you are further back, you have chance to build up speed prior to pulling out to pass.

Where are those public information films we used to have on TV?

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

When I am being a good boy in a built up area and some one is trying to read the part number of my rear window, I just put the left indicator on, move left a bit and let 'em past. They normally get a little smile too Best not to get wild or in any willy waving competions, it's quite empowering taking control of that particular situation.

"Lolly lickers"


Wildy.. you really do have a way with words despite the daft spellings you also come up with.

The woman frequently starts off with an English prefix.. gets "confused" and puts a German suffix in her spoken lingo at times.

But I am not commenting on the wild 's rather "outrageous command or whimsical use or even "bastardisation" of the Englsih language. (I have known her since she was days old.. changed her nappies even.. Nice serene woman in the flesh )

I am applauding adam's sensible approach Keep the space and time.. and you can make a very safe overtake. If you are being threatened or feel you are being threatened by a tailgater.. then again make the space/time for them to pass.

Follow the late Paul Smith's excellent advice too on this topic. I have much respect for his memory and his grieving Claire whom I think has an even better edge to road safety issues

Do not ever be intimidated by a tailgater when you are complying with a speed limit. Just let them pass you. They are risking their licences after all

NEVER EVER try to stop them or try to make them "comply with the lolly". Your first responsibility is to YOUR OWN SAFETY and to your passengers. A close second is your duty of care to other road users and this duty of care means you just let the idiot pass by you at the first opportunity By all means make a note of him and just tell us about it. We cannot guarantee we will cop him in the act on a routine.. and whilst we may not acknowledge the intelligence you give us.. we do actually use it. Please do not ever think you are wasting your time and ours by just contacting us. about various concerns

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Take with a chuckle or a grain of salt
Drive without COAST and it's all your own fault!

A SMILE is a curve that sets everything straight (P Diller).

A Smiley Per post
FINES USfor our COAST!

Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon - but driving with a smile and a COAST calm mind.