Best bit of advice (as opposed to instruction) I was given when I learned to drive was:
Don't do something that forces someone else to think and don't get yourself into a position where YOU have to think fast - there are enough problems out there.
I think some people may have got the wrong idea about my slowing down. We are talking here about a couple of miles an hour over a mile or so. Not an immediate slamming on of brakes to a snails pace. That would be stupid, illegal and dangerous. As is deliberately preventing someone from overtaking.
But then this thread wasn't originally about overtaking it was about tailgating.
thats true but if you do not go over 50mph on a 60mph single carriageway, then sorry what do you expect? People will be pissed off and then take chances to get past you as quickly as they can. That is where tailgating happens when people usually are going too slow.
I cannot believe that you go 50mph on a motorway and then use an excuse as it saves fuel fgs. :shock:
Whilst excessive speed can kill and it does often, slow speed can also kill. I would be interested to know what the minimum speed limit is on a motorway too.
There seems to be general agreement in various forums that there isn't a statutory minimum speeed limit on any roads in the UK. But the AA website displays minimum speed limit signs - a plain blue circle with a number in it (example is 30). End of the restriction is the same sign with a diagonal red line through it.
Because there is a special sign for it - and more importantly an 'end of restriction' sign - I would say that it is unlikely to be a standard limit, rather an occasional requirement.
I think some people are getting a little confused with speed limits....
Speed limits are exactly that.....Limits.....
They are not targets.....
Myself I usually drive at 70mph where conditions allow on motorways as I rarely have the time to drive at 50/55/60....
On the rare occasion I have had enough time not to rush I do like to drive at 50-60 mph....
Its so relaxed and it does save fuel and every little bit saved adds up....
And I also believe the minimum speed limit on motorways to be 30mph also which is why 50cc moped and the like are forbidden from driving on motorways as most could not/cannot attain/maintain that speed....
I tend to drive at a couple of miles an hour over the speed limit. It's a fault not a boast but I don't like to hold traffic up. I slow down below that quite happily if the conditions warrant it of course. If a prat tailgates me I slow down to a couple of miles below the speed limit. If he or she (and women do it too) gets closer I slow down more, if they pull back I speed up. It's the only way I have to stop them from being a danger to me. A driver at 50 mph ahead of me is acceptable, I might tut a bit but it's not the end of the world. I do get cross at modern cars driving on an open trunk road at 45 mph though. I notice they usually don't slow down when entering a 30 mph zone either. I wouldn't dream of tailgating a slow driver though. Aggression on the road such as that is close to attempted murder.
I never fume at tractors, caravans and cyclists either because they are incapable of moving at the higher speed and the road is for everyone.
The opposite of tailgating is at traffic lights when in a limited time and each driver pulling away at about 15mph the drivers cautiously allow 50 foot between each other.
I like the brake light switch on the dashboard idea. Where can I get one?
I admit to speeding on the M'way I do 90mph ish most times if its feasible I do most of my distance travelling at night so it usually is, and to be frank if the traffic is free flowing then most it in the middle and offside lanes are doing that sort of speed. s for tailgating it is crap. I do the slow down thing and also put my hazards on if it warrants it.
The thread discussion was about tailgating. How does the speed of any driver, slow or fast have anything to do with tailgating? Or is someone using slow driving speeds as a justification for something which is borderline murderous?
