Tailgaters

This evening I had two separate times where a four-wheeler got up behind me and rode for miles where they were so close I could only occasionally see one of their mirrors. I let the first one hang out there for about 20 or 30 miles since it was two lanes on the interstate and there was heavy traffic. The speed limit for trucks is 10 mph below that for cars, so I thought maybe they just wanted to go 60 and didn't know better than to tailgate. Finally, though, I got sick of it and slowed down. I had to get down to 50 mph before they finally passed me. I should've done it much sooner, actually.

Then about 15 minutes later I got another bumper barnacle. This time I only waited a couple of miles before I started slowing down - again, all the way down to 50 before they passed.

I began wondering, am I the only driver this happens to, or do you have it happen too?

Try it with a wide load. I know they are there because I saw them coming but there are times the only time I can verify that they are there is on the corners. I finally quit worrying about those Darwin Award participants.

Try driving in CA every single day, we have some special dummies here with their equally dummy Prius's.

Try driving in CA every single day, we have some special dummies here with their equally dummy Prius's.

I drove through Cali for the first time today & must agree. I was on I-5 coming off of 80 and multiple times I only knew I was being tailgated because I could see the shadows.

Trucks are state mandated to 55mph or less (with 30 miles of non-stop steep downgrades coming from I-80 via Reno Nevada) ...come on people!

This happens to me a lot. And it drives me bonkers!!

In 4-wheeler land, a rear end accident is always fault of the driver doing the rear ending. Does the same apply to trucks? Not that I would ever want someone to rear end me and I would NEVER brake check someone like I have been tempted in a 4-wheeler. Just a curiosity question.

It happens to everyone and for the rookies coming into trucking Bud handed tailgaters perfectly. Just gently keep slowing down more and more until they finally get sick of it and pass you. Don't jump on the brakes. Don't ruin your pleasant mood getting mad about it. Just gently keep slowing down until they pass you.

A lot of people think they'll get better fuel mileage following closely behind a truck. I think it's a dubious proposition to begin with but also incredibly dangerous because the truck could run over something in the road that kicks up into the car's windshield or the truck could throw a tire tread that does the same.

In 4-wheeler land, a rear end accident is always fault of the driver doing the rear ending. Does the same apply to trucks?

If a car rear ends a truck it's almost certainly going to be the car's fault. But if a truck rear ends another vehicle it could possibly be the fault of the other vehicle if for instance they were going below the minimum speed limit on the Interstate or pulled out too closely in front of an oncoming truck.

But what puts a professional driver at that highest level is not only the ability to handle your own rig like a pro but at the same time making up for the shortcomings of the amateur drivers around you.

Try driving in CA every single day, we have some special dummies here with their equally dummy Prius's.

"Some??!?"

You're from there, so I wanna ask you, is doing the Stupidest Thing Imaginable around trucks something they teach people in driver's ed down there, or are they all just...um...gifted?

I agree with Brett. Bud handled that in the best way possible. Make it to annoying to them to stay there, but do so safely.

I have also seen police officers tailgate trucks, hoping the driver will either not notice them out forget they are there to catch them speeding. I've seen them succeed at it too.

A lot of people think they'll get better fuel mileage following closely behind a truck. I think it's a dubious proposition to begin with but also incredibly dangerous because the truck could run over something in the road that kicks up into the car's windshield or the truck could throw a tire tread that does the same.

Studies have shown that it actually does increase fuel mileage, but you have to be extremely close to get any real gains and as you stated, it is extremely dangerous to do. Definitely not worth the minor gains.

The nice thing about being tailgated in the truck is that they are so far back that it's easy to ignore them. So that's what I do. If they are stupid enough to take that risk, so be it. I just drive normally. Sometimes when pulling a steep hill I get down to about 40 - 45 mph and they still won't go by. I call it a special kind of stupid.

I've gotten used to it. 4 wheeler aren't the only ones who do it. Trucks do too. I keep an eye on either the shadows on the ground or the headlight auras.... and I usually put on my hazards and slow way way down. I've even pulled to side of road