Thanks to your paper, I now know the names of two of the people I might have seen in my rearview mirror, tailgating my bumper while I was driving 10 mph over the limit in the left lane and searching for a way to move over into a crowded right lane [“Drive, He Said” March 16 Xpress and “The Left Lane is for Passing,” March 23 Xpress]. I'd like [the writers] to know that it is actually legal to pass on the right in North Carolina on four-lanes. And it's perfectly legal to drive at the speed limit in the left lane. It is not legal to tailgate, even if you are trying to teach me a lesson for being in your way, or trying to make me drive faster, or just chase me out of the lane a little quicker.
That said, I do actually prefer to get out of your way, rather than attract another speeding ticket or trigger your road rage. And I don't mind at all if you pass on the right, if you can do that. The overtaking vehicle has that choice, if it can be done safely. Oh, and "giving people a taste of their own medicine" is not smart, effective or safe driving behavior. Such actions rarely end well. Mine ended with a ticket for speeding and following too closely; he was an undercover cop.
— Glen Reese
Asheville
Regardless of my speed, be it the limit, over the limit, whatever…left lane or right: if you tailgate me I will reduce speed. If you’re going to threaten to rear-end me, I’m going to make sure it’s at a speed that does less damage. Tailgaters remember: I can ALWAYS go slower.
If you don’t tailgate me, I’ll gladly get out of your way. If you’re tailgating, you’re blocking my ability to see past you and your lights are blinding my rearview mirror. (If I can’t even see your lights, you’re far, far too close.) Therefore, I don’t feel safe merging right blindly…so I won’t until you back off.
While we’re on the subject: tailgating at traffic lights, especially on an uphill, is bloody stupid. Not everyone drives an automatic transmission, and pickup trucks aren’t the only ones that are stick-shift. I can only move my feet so fast between the brake and clutch, so if you’re a foot or less off of my rear bumper there’s a high likelyhood I won’t be able to avoid rolling back into you. I’m not trying to. They teach “safe stopping and following distance” in driver’s ed for a reason!
if you tailgate me I’ll hit my brakes. Thanks for the new car! ;P