Dear Tailgaters - What Do You Want?

kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 19:52

Hi all,

Just wanted to understand the perspective of tailgaters and also hear from others in how they deal with the issue.

TL;DR: Why do you tailgate? How do you stop others doing it to you, even if you're going at the limit etc?

My most recent scenario was last night. 2am on the M4, on my way home. Posted speed limit is 90, so I'm doing 90, in the left-hand-most lane out of three lanes. The motorway is entirely empty except for one car behind me, which speeds up and sits ridiculously close to my tail. I mean, at some point the headlights were partially disappearing in my rear view mirror because the car was pushing up so close! The other two lanes next to me are completely empty. He stays there for a good 4-5mins, and all I can think is how unsafe this is, but I refuse to go over the speed limit because he can clearly overtake. Finally, I tap on my brakes lightly to try and get him to back off - once. Twice. Three times. He finally gives me some distance, but after 30 seconds he's back again. Sits there for another few minutes, and again I tap my brakes which causes my car to slow down a bit.. down to 85, 84, 83.. and finally, he changes lanes into the middle lane and zooms off.

I do notice I get tailgated every now and then - perhaps as I'm a P-plater, or just by coincidence. When I do:

  • I check to make sure I'm going at the correct and max speed limit (eg if it's 90, I'll be going at 90). All good.
  • I'm usually in the left-hand lane by default. If it's a single-lane road, I'll try to pull over as soon as I can (eg into a small side street) and just let the person pass.
  • Otherwise, if it's a single-lane road and I can't pull over anywhere yet (or I don't feel like it sometimes!), then I'll just hold strong and keep going as I am. Same for if I'm driving on a multi-lane road and the tailgating car has clear opportunity to overtake, but chooses to continue riding up behind me instead. I refuse to be intimidated by people driving up riiiight behind me as if they can just will me to speed for them (at least, I refuse to be outwardly intimidated by it).
  • I almost never tap my breaks as I've heard it can incite road rage or whatever.. but in last night's situation, it was just so ridiculous and unsafe I felt that I had to do something, and it eventually worked.

So my question to all tailgaters is - what do you want from us?
Is it a game to see if you can intimidate other drivers? (in my situation above, I can honestly not think of a single other reason. Open to any opinions though!) Or is it that you just want others to go over the speed limit too? Or.. when you have an avenue of overtaking available.. why would you not take it? And if you don't have such an avenue, but the car in front IS doing the speed limit - do you expect us to break the law because you're in a rush / late for your meeting / etc? Are car's odometers just calibrated SO differently? (I have a digital one).

And to others who deal with tailgaters regularly - Beyond what I've already mentioned, do you have any additional tips or techniques or advice in how to further deal with the issue, for a fairly new driver? What's your approach, and your experiences?

TL;DR: Why do you tailgate? How do you stop others doing it to you, even if you're going at the limit etc?

Thanks in advance.

Automotive

Comments

        • Oipjo on 14/04/2016 - 09:36

          @Clear: 3 Seconds distance at all times is the general rule of thumb. Also when stopped, you should be able to see their rear wheels at the point they are touching the ground.

        • Clear on 14/04/2016 - 10:44
          +11

          @Oipjo: I'm aware of the rules and I'm not denying that I'm in the wrong. What I'm saying is that when someone is doing 60-80 up the highway in the right lane, I tailgate them for a few seconds and normally they move to left.

          In my state they must keep left unless overtaking and if they're doing 20+ under the limit then they can get fined/lose dermit points.

          However, causing a controversial comment will be a great way to win the next monthly stats ;)

        • cheesecactus on 14/04/2016 - 12:13

          The signs say that slow drivers must stay in the left.

          Really? Never seen a sign like that in WA.

          Overtaking on the left is legal though, so im content with just overtaking them anyway

        • Clear on 14/04/2016 - 12:14
          +2

          @cheesecactus: Yeah. It says something along the lines of "SLOW DRIVERS USE LEFT LANE" except they love to cruise down the right lane.

        • Grent on 14/04/2016 - 12:40
          +2

          @franco cozzo:

          Imagine being in court for having intentionally caused an accident by brake checking someone, based on dashcam evidence.

          I'm not saying tailgating is right, just that what you're suggesting is even worse, by a huge margin!

        • Maltopia on 14/04/2016 - 12:54

          @cheesecactus: It isn't a WA law

        • SimbaGirl on 14/04/2016 - 15:35
          +3

          @Maltopia: Actually there are "keep left" rules for WA, although a little different to those in other states (ROAD TRAFFIC CODE 2000 - REG 113 http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/wa/consol_reg/rtc2000113/… - 113 . Restriction on use of right lane)

          A summary of the rule from the WA Road Safety Commission website:

          Keeping Left

          On single lane roads, you must drive as far to the left as practical (except motorcyclists). On multi-lane roads if the speed limit is 90km/h or more you must drive in the left lane. This same rule applies to any road where there is a ‘keep left unless overtaking’ sign. On these roads you can only drive in the right hand lane if:

          you’re turning right or making a U-turn;

          you’re overtaking;

          the left lane is a special purpose lane, e.g. bus lane, bicycle lane;

          the left lane is a turning lane and you are going straight ahead;

          you’re avoiding an obstruction;

          the other lanes are congested with traffic.

          Penalties

          Failing to keep left in a multi-lane road = 2 demerit points and $50 fine.

        • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2016 - 15:36
          -3

          @Clear:

          I don't believe you for a second. If they are truly 20-30kph UNDER the limit then what is stopping YOU from changing into a more left lane and overtaking? If they are that slow then it should be a piece of cake.

          In reality - worst case scenario they are 10 under the limit. Most likely they are either 5 under or at the limit and you just want to speed because you're in the "fast lane"

          Better to get to your destination 5 mins later but alive

        • Clear on 14/04/2016 - 15:42
          +2

          @sagiballs:

          I don't believe you for a second. If they are truly 20-30kph UNDER the limit then what is stopping YOU from changing into a more left lane and overtaking? If they are that slow then it should be a piece of cake.

          This is only a specific road. Slow traffic in the other lane due to the multiple exits during rush hour and the road is up a steep hill that some vehicles can't handle as well.

          In reality - worst case scenario they are 10 under the limit. Most likely they are either 5 under or at the limit and you just want to speed because you're in the "fast lane"

          Multiple speed cameras and police regularly patrol. I don't live in a major city and this is the main highway ;)

        • Maltopia on 14/04/2016 - 16:11

          @SimbaGirl: Thanks for the clarification SimbaGirl. It (restriction on driving in the right lane) only applies for multi-lane roads where the speed limit is over 90km/hour which are the freeways and major highways (which are always congested with traffic except late at night) and country roads with overtaking lanes, which already state keep left unless overtaking?

        • Talonparty on 14/04/2016 - 17:00
          -2

          @franco cozzo: Your intention is to cause an accident? What if you kill someone, even if they are apparently at fault? Is that a desirable outcome? You don't know anything about the person behind you. Maybe they are in a rush to get to the hospital or a distraught relative? Why do you want to act like a vigilante instead of just getting out of the way and letting people pass you? People who brake check are arrogant morons who deserve to be in a serious accident which will be entirely of their own making no matter how it looks from up on your high horse. Just get out of the way and let live.

        • franco cozzo on 14/04/2016 - 17:03
          +1

          @Grent: hey i never said i did it….but i know its a typical tactic used by drivers who dont appreciate some knob sitting inches off their tail trying to intimidate them with 1.5-2 tonne of moving steel

        • franco cozzo on 14/04/2016 - 17:06

          @Talonparty: as i replied to the other poster…. i never said i did it….but i know its a typical tactic used by drivers who dont appreciate some knob sitting inches off their tail etc…

        • SimbaGirl on 14/04/2016 - 18:44

          @Maltopia: Seems so - however the rule is also invoked on ANY other multi-lane road which has a "keep left unless overtaking" sign erected anywhere along it (although not sure whether there are still many - or any - of these on roads with lower speed limits) This is an interesting "commentary paper" from 2004 about the same topic: http://www.perthlaw.biz/Roadcode/Paper%205%20-%20Regulation%…

        • [Deactivated] on 14/04/2016 - 22:18

          @Oipjo:

          3 seconds is a good rule of thumb which you double to 6 in the wet, by law though you must be travelling far enough back that you can stop in half the distance from the car in front.

        • Buggles on 15/04/2016 - 02:47
          +1

          @Clear:

          Chuckle, I know it's a typo, but I couldn't help but get a picture of Kermit in my mind, when I saw 'dermit points'!

        • apptrack on 15/04/2016 - 09:15

          @Maltopia: Correct, but the amount of times Taxi's sit in the right hand lane with moderate traffic does my head in.

        • Nousernamehere on 20/04/2016 - 11:45

          @SimbaGirl: I know I'm late to this conversation, but one road I know of that is under 90km/h and has that sign is Marmion avenue, where the limit is 80km/h.

        • SimbaGirl on 20/04/2016 - 17:55

          @Porthos: I don't go along Marmion much these days, so haven't noticed the sign, but it appears very few people take any notice of it anyway!

        • Nousernamehere on 21/04/2016 - 12:05

          @SimbaGirl: That's true, applies to all roads in Perth really. I don't mind if people are travelling in the right lane doing the speed limit (or going with the flow of traffic), but nothing worse than an empty left lane and they just need to travel in it like it's their right.

          Same as on the freeway, I see it all the time that people get onto it when there are 3/4 clear lanes and go straight into the right lane and just stay there. It makes no sense what's going through their mind.

      • Japius on 14/04/2016 - 06:56
        +3

        I find a lot of the time they don't realise or are oblivious to how they are slowing down the rest of the traffic and once you get close enough they realise they need to get over into the left lane

    • kash1 on 13/04/2016 - 20:06
      +4

      omg me too. There is an 80Km road near me 2 lanes and every time same place both lanes will drop to 50/60Km for no reason. I now call it the magic 80Km road.

      • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 20:12

        How odd! Any chance the road becomes a little less safe there, and everyone slows down? eg more curvy or windy, or some blind crests etc?

        • kash1 on 13/04/2016 - 21:28

          Nope, its completely straight. It's between 2 sets of stoplights on a Main Road which is 80km before and after for a considerable distance.

        • muncan on 13/04/2016 - 22:31
          -2

          They're probably checking out chicks

        • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:34

          @kash1: Huh. Magic 80km road indeed then. :)

      • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2016 - 21:22
        +2

        I'd hazzard to guess it's one of those areas that is not always clearly marked. Since it's near you, you know very well that it's 80kph, but I have lost count of the times I have driven in a new area and thought "where is the damn speed limit signs". Maybe thy are unfamiliar with the limit and erring on the side of caution. And no way can people guess what the limit " ought" to be and get it right all the time, either.

      • inertia8 on 15/04/2016 - 08:40

        I know of a few on my way to work. 70kmh posted limit, 2 lanes, straight, minor down hill angle.. people blousing in both lanes.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 20:11

      I understand it if people are way below the limit - frustrating! Does it help though? ie do most of your tailgatees (that is now a word!) speed up or move aside? Perhaps also think about your safety though.

      • Elee3112 on 14/04/2016 - 08:43
        +1

        If, according to my speedo, I'm doing the speed limit (or a little above), and the speed limit is 80 or less, then the answer is no, I am not doing anything wrong. You want to overtake, you work out how you're going to do it.

        If its a freeway and I'm for whatever reason in the right lane, I'll move out of it as soon as i can.

    • captobvious on 14/04/2016 - 00:01
      +5

      I do it too. Usually slipstreaming though
      Oz bargain, im reducing my drag hence saving fuel

      • inherentchoice on 14/04/2016 - 07:50

        Me three. Also when traffic is accelerating ahead sometimes I get a bit too close to the car in front because they are about to accelerate and thus it allows me to conserve momentum and not have to change down a gear.

        Same thing when going around corners. I usually take corners faster than other drivers and therefore can be tailgating when coming out of the corner. I don't intend to be harassing anyone though. Usually as the car in front accelerates away from the corner I accelerate more slowly and hence I was only tailgating for a very brief time.

    • nautic on 14/04/2016 - 00:32
      -2

      The road rules say you are suppose to travel below the speed limmit.

    • apptrack on 15/04/2016 - 09:13

      I usually flash my high beams until they move if they are in the right hand lane going 10 under.

    • Cusack on 16/04/2016 - 00:42

      What about people doing the speed limit? Are you one of those idiots that still tailgate?

      • Clear on 16/04/2016 - 00:43

        Nope. I explained further down that it was the main highway with plenty of speed cameras and police.

  • miarn on 13/04/2016 - 20:01
    +11

    I think it's just the default mode of driving for some people. If I'm being tailgated on a multi-lane road I will slow down, for two reasons. 1, because hopefully they will overtake, and 2, because it reduces stopping distance.

    The main thing is to try to ignore them as much as possible. If you are constantly checking your rear view mirror, you aren't paying attention to what's ahead. At least if you're hit from behind it's their insurance :P

    Agreed that in your case it may well have been an esteemed officer of the law trying to incite you to do something silly.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 20:15

      Good point about not checking the rear view mirror all the time - I do end up really distracted and wondering wtf they want from me! Should keep my focus on the road and try to ignore them more. And yes, reducing stopping distance is great otherwise it's so unsafe. I guess that means I'm within my rights to slow down. (I don't usually slow down just in case they think I'm trying to be annoying).

      Thanks for your thoughts! :)

      • BartholemewH on 14/04/2016 - 07:19
        +2

        You worry about what random drivers think a bit too much. Change nothing about whatyou're doing. Problem solved.

        • kyttiekat on 14/04/2016 - 12:02
          +3

          Re-reading my comment now… yeah, I sound overly-considerate don't I. :)
          Thanks, will stick to what I'm doing and think less.

  • chumlee on 13/04/2016 - 20:03
    +31

    When I'm getting tailgated I just slow my car down to a ridiculously low speed just to annoy them even more

    • miarn on 13/04/2016 - 20:06
      +1

      Just make sure you don't have to stop, then they can't beat you up :P

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 20:13
      +8

      I will do this. But I'll make sure to lock my doors first…

      • TheOneWhoKnocks on 13/04/2016 - 21:10
        +1

        Barricade your windows too!

        • charzy on 13/04/2016 - 22:41
          +5

          Hide your kids and wife as well while you're at it.

        • TheOneWhoKnocks on 14/04/2016 - 06:50
          +5

          @charzy: And hide your husband.

        • mooboy on 14/04/2016 - 11:28
          +11

          @TheOneWhoKnocks: Because they're tailgating everyone out there.

      • daveted on 14/04/2016 - 09:41

        Then when they come to kick your car….drive off really fast.

      • jellykingdom on 14/04/2016 - 12:07

        Yeah i do the same thing (re slowing down). I don't do the brake test anymore since i nearly got into a punchup when we both arrived at the same destination…..

        • andymatter on 14/04/2016 - 12:57

          Story time?

        • jellykingdom on 14/04/2016 - 16:17

          @andymatter: Nothing much to tell. The random guy was particularly…unimpressed with me, and started getting really aggressive

  • onetwothreefour on 13/04/2016 - 20:19
    +11

    Out of curiosity do they teach you about stopping distances when learning to drive in Australia?

    You get tailgaters in other countries but here it seems to be the normal thing to do.

    • chartparker on 13/04/2016 - 20:27
      +10

      Apparently not, but then again, most drivers here also can't seem to understand what "keep left unless overtaking" means. Either that or they have this strange notion that it somehow doesn't apply to them.

      • Elee3112 on 14/04/2016 - 08:47
        +3

        I'm under the strange notion keep left unless overtaking doesn't apply to me on roads with speed limit of 80 or below, and theres no "keep left" signs anywhere in sight. Wonder where i got that idea from.

        Oh right… the Victorian road rules.

        • chartparker on 14/04/2016 - 09:09
          +1

          Snarkiness aside, yes that's the law, and there are still many people who either don't understand it or still think it doesn't apply to them even under those conditions. Road courtesy is something that drivers here sorely lack, and it's the attitude like above that feeds and proves it.

          As the RACV puts it:

          "However, even where it is not legally necessary to keep left, it is courteous (when practical) to do so on all multi lane roads."

          https://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/internet/primar…

        • Hahuh on 14/04/2016 - 19:47

          @nytrojen:

          Really isn't a matter of courtesy. You do what is legally expedted. For instance in Victoria it's only an obligation on 80k roads

          "When driving on any multi-lane road with a speed limit over 80km/h, you must keep out of the right lane unless you are:

          overtaking
          turning right
          if all lanes are congested.
          If the right lane is a transit lane, this rule applies to the lane immediately to the left of the transit lane."

      • nethern on 14/04/2016 - 14:27

        What if there is no such sign and it is not in Victoria?

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 20:29

      I did. It was drilled into my brain x 100000. But it seems that barely any other driver on the road knows about it? :/

      We were taught stopping distances, the three second rule, what that looks like on a road in terms of metres, how a small change in speed can affect the pedestrians that you hit (getting injured vs instant death), the top killers on the road, etc.

    • airzone on 13/04/2016 - 20:30
      +1

      Basically the 3 second rule… When I taught my brother, sister, and wife how to drive, I would take them somewhere quiet and go through some practical demonstrations on things like understeer, oversteer, locking brakes, blind spots, etc.. It's one thing to say not to drive fast in the wet, but another thing when they loop it because they were going too fast (of course in a controlled environment)..

      • Hahuh on 14/04/2016 - 19:49

        I'm just interested where you got the 3 seconds. To my knowledge it's always been 2. Unless you aren't talking in absolutes here

        • airzone on 15/04/2016 - 12:10

          In a car full of distractions - bluetooth phone, funny radio show, kids screaming, wife chatting, your don't always have 100% attention on the road, so it's a little extra headroom. Of course increase the distance if weather requires.

    • [Deactivated] on 13/04/2016 - 21:25
      +2

      It wouldn't make any difference, as science proves that the moment half of these people get their P's, they are immediately convinced they are the world's best drivers and simply know better than those rules.

  • mskeggs on 13/04/2016 - 20:37
    +16

    I rarely experience tail gaters, and while I tend to drive a little over the speed limit, I think it probably has more to do with me being a middle age Aussie male in a beaten up 4wd. Not an attractive target to harass.
    I can imagine a-holes who might tailgate a little Japanese hatchback with hello kitty dolls on the parcel shelf, or a subie with a spoiler driven by a skinny Leb kid, or any other combination that marks the driver out as a woman or racially different group.
    Tailgating as the op describes is not about urging somebody to get out of the over taking lane, it is about hassling people for entertainment.
    For the record, I occasionally tailgate stubborn drivers who hog the overtaking lane.

    • dylanando on 13/04/2016 - 21:01

      I do believe this is a big reason. I used to drive a VE and was tailgated by every susan and heather however now owning a mazda I get nothing.
      One thing I have learnt is, Not to tailgate a Holden VU ute.

      • TheOneWhoKnocks on 13/04/2016 - 21:12

        Not to tailgate a Holden VU ute.

        Bogans?

        • dylanando on 13/04/2016 - 21:17
          +1

          Does seem most are. Dont even need to tailgate them and they slam on their brakes and get out of their car yelling

      • Grent on 14/04/2016 - 12:43
        +1

        Maybe your Mazda's speedo is calibrated better.

        • dylanando on 14/04/2016 - 21:11

          Could be another reason or they know they aint getting anything out of a mazda driver and dont even bother. Wish they would though;) !

    • zeppeybabey on 13/04/2016 - 22:30
      +5

      I found this amusing, but it's true.

      My wife has a Corolla, always get tailgated. Last month we had a little Barina as a courtesy car from Right2Drive for almost a month (long story short - P plater totalled my wife's Corolla one day). Man, the Barina was like a magnet to every (profanity) driver on the road. On the other hand I have two cars that I use regularly (Benz C250 for work and a VT Commodore wagon as a weekend muckaround) and I never get tailgated.

      • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:38

        Yes I think this is actually a great reason! I have a little hatchback.

        Interesting to see what a difference the car seems to make.

      • ankor on 14/04/2016 - 00:28
        +1

        Well the ultimate revenge is sticking right2drive, acorn rentals, or a bunch of those other hire car agencies on a tailgater that rear ends you lol.

    • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:37
      +2

      Thanks for sharing! That's a good one to consider - I drive a little hatchback (but no obviously girly stickers or anything like that). The hatchback thing is probably enough for some people to see me as entertainment!

      PS you're a male?! I always just assumed you were a lady, from your username ("Ms Keggs"?). Poor assumption. :(

      • pandabun on 14/04/2016 - 08:57
        +2

        All this time I thought it was a woman too.

  • altomic on 13/04/2016 - 20:40
    +2

    When I was driving European autobahns slow traffic merged on the right lane. Fast driver would flash their lights and cars would move over to the right. Police wouldn't pull you over for doing 150 because drivers (usually) weren't stupid and acknowledged other drivers who were driving faster. I'm incredibly frustrated when I drive in Aus, after driving many times in Europe, especially driving Melbourne to Holbrook, a route I travel often and despite it being a dual double lane freeway ( and part of the largest country in the world) we are limited to 110. And screw you if you do 115km/h as the police will penali$e you for a lot of buck$. I actually find it ridiculous and third rate that the hume is limited to 110.

    • tebbybabes on 13/04/2016 - 20:50
      +2

      I also find it ridiculous that some places have such low limits. There really should be higher limits on some of our roads and freeways.

      However, if the posted limit is 110 and I go over then I'm already committing an offense. If I get booked, I have no legal leg to stand on. I don't think I can complain. :(

      • altomic on 13/04/2016 - 21:25
        +1

        It just seems ridiculous that melb to Syd is 850+ kms on a very good and new road but drivers are constrained by 110km limits

    • djones145 on 13/04/2016 - 21:05

      think I watched some doco that said Europe has higher (or no speed limits) cause they have better roads and better cars

      • infinite on 13/04/2016 - 21:22
        +2

        Yep, they have both a much higher standard of quality roads & they also make it mandatory to have yearly inspections on all registered vehicles. Any issues at all with the car and it's not allowed on the road till fixed. The result is MUCH lower rates of death & accidents on the road though.

        • altomic on 13/04/2016 - 21:29

          True. Though the Hume is pretty decent now (dual carriage ways) so why not allow faster travel? Just have police pull over people in shit cars and fine them. Money right there.

        • kyttiekat on 13/04/2016 - 23:39
          +1

          Didn't know this - really interesting!

        • afoveht on 14/04/2016 - 02:05
          +5

          Getting a driver's license in, for example, Germany, is an elaborate affair compared to getting one in Australia, with lots of training by professionals including instruction in strict driver etiquette. Germans are then well capable of driving 200+km/h on good roads.

          IMO Aussie drivers are the pits compared to that and we show a massive lack of road manners. As much as I hate it I'm not surprised were so regulated here - we'd be killing ourselves if we weren't.

        • backpaqer on 14/04/2016 - 12:23
          +2

          Here, there is zero tolerance for speeding…so when you get two cars on a two lane road thinking that they're both on the limit, but actually sitting about 3kmh under due to inaccurate speedos…they sit beside each other with a massive sense of entitlement to be where they are and no-one is allowed to overtake them because that would be breaking the law.

          In Europe however, they're a lot wiser and rather than look at simplistic numbers, there is no issue with driving 10mph (16kmh) over the limit (even in front of a police car) as it creates a calmer flow of traffic. You get in the fast lane to pass someone and then you move back and there's no penalty for speeding a bit to do so (traffic cameras notwithstanding, but they are well signposted). Here it's like a snail race - pull into the fast lane to overtake someone when you can only go 1kmh faster than them without speeding and god help you if you have a Merc or Audi-ot driver who doesn't seem to worry about speeding fines start to tailgate you to pressure you to get out of the way.

          I read somewhere that the Hume has a design speed of 160kmh. If you drove at that speed, it would be quite safe…however, being limited to 110kmh, the brain doesn't have enough to keep it processing and engaged and you have people dozing off and becoming complacent and inattentive.

        • backpaqer on 14/04/2016 - 12:24

          well…maybe not wiser…but more pragmatic would be the more appropriate term.

      • Hikey on 14/04/2016 - 11:14

        A comment on German driving schools, vehicle inspections and autobahn death rates.

        Attendance of an accredited driving school is mandatory to be eligible for the licence test. New drivers are required to participate in a number of basic driving lessons that teach general vehicle control and driving. Once the teacher is happy with the students basic skills (typically after 10 to 15 hours) the actual mandatory hours start, which are 3 hours at night, 4 hours on the autobahn including high speed driving and 5 hours on single lane country roads. On top of that comes theoretical training in road rules, simple maintenance and economic driving (12 hours) and half a day first aid training.
        Licence training and the fees for the actual test will cost about $4,000.

        Car inspections are not annual, but every two years, with the exception of new cars that do not need to be inspected for the first three years. The inspections are quite strict. Anything safety related not functioning and the vehicle is not allowed back on the road.

        Despite the Autobahn not having speed limits in many places (some autobahn parts have speed limits) Germany’s traffic related death rate is quite low (4.9 fatalities per 1 billion vehicle-km). Australia’s is 5.2. The death rate for the German Autobahn itself is 1.6. The high speed is therefore not considered a big factor in safety. The issue in Germany are single lane country roads with a rate of 6.5.

    • andymatter on 14/04/2016 - 13:06

      "( and part of the largest country in the world)"

      You live in Russia?

      • altomic on 14/04/2016 - 13:20

        Part autocorrected from one. :(

  • Ughhh on 13/04/2016 - 20:41
    -5

    I'm guilty of tailgating some times too, but I'm selective eg. people who 60 in an 80 zone during busy hours. Yes the speed limit is the limit, but driving too slow (imo) does become a hazard on busy roads and does impact traffic, plus is effing annoying. But when there's free lanes left and right in the middle o the night, the tailgaters just being a stinky ass. A part of me thinks tailgating is a way to punish slow drivers without getting out of the car.

    I've braked quite heavily then accelerated quickly to avoid being rear ended before (only do this to new/expensive cars, you don't wanna be hit by a broke bum!). After 2-3 times, the Audi behind kept the distance for the rest of the trip. Another time, I slowed down on a one way lane, no cars behind the SUV, from 60km/hr to about 20km/hr, really pissed him off haha, it was like Christmas in my rear mirror.

    • miarn on 13/04/2016 - 20:52
      +7

      Doing 20km/h under the limit is dangerous but tailgating isn't?

      • Ughhh on 13/04/2016 - 20:57
        -3

        Did I say it wasn't? Wouldn't be tailgating if they went the normal speed limit like the rest of the traffic.

        • miarn on 13/04/2016 - 21:02
          +1

          It seemed as though you were using that as a justification. If you agree it's dangerous then it's just plain stupid.

        • Ughhh on 13/04/2016 - 21:14
          -2

          Justification that tailgating is okay because you thought 'I don't think its dangerous'? Thats absurd.

          It is dangerous, but I have my methods and I analyse the surrounds before doing so (including other things like turning/speeding etc)- something that I've noticed not many people do. Just as dangerous and stupid as people who drive ridiculously under the limit or have no idea how merging lanes work.

        • miarn on 13/04/2016 - 21:23
          -1

          @Ughhh: ah, so you acknowledge that it's dangerous and do it anyway. So you're in the "plain stupid" category…

        • Ughhh on 13/04/2016 - 21:31
          +1

          @magicmoose:

          My average speed is usually around 64 in a 60 zone too, provided traffic allows and no suspicious cars around. No fines, never been pull over by cops. Everyone has done plain stupid things, including yourself, unless you think you're perfect? Stupidity is contagious!
          Better than being in the 'special stupid' category right.

        • anglais on 14/04/2016 - 08:44
          -1

          @Ughhh: If cops are your main concern then you have the road rules all wrong. 4 or 5km can be the difference between killing a human, which is why Engineers design these speed limits. The safety of your fellow man is the issue it hand.

        • Ughhh on 14/04/2016 - 09:33
          -5

          @anglais88:

          As I've said before, I'm selective and I analyse the surroundings/situation before doing so. I don't just do it where ever and when ever. Not having been given a fine or pulled over by cops is just a way of 'showing' that I don't just speed whenever I'm on the road like some of the idiots do. The statement does not imply that cops is my main concern. On slightly off-topic and humorous note, I have seen people texting while at the lights, not evening realising that an unmarked cop car was right next to them or behind them.

          Anyway, I have my methods and techniques that has saved me and prevented me from getting into accidents where the other driver would be at fault. Just because you follow the books 100%, it doesnt automatically make you the safest driver. Im pro-speeding cameras btw.

        • Pinchie on 14/04/2016 - 10:53

          So it's their fault you're endangering them?

        • Ughhh on 14/04/2016 - 11:00
          -1

          @Pinchie:

          You don't think disturbing traffic flow isn't dangerous or contributes to increasing hazards? Did I ever say it was 100% their fault?

          Please don't put words into peoples mouths. Thanks

        • Elee3112 on 14/04/2016 - 11:09
          +1

          @Ughhh: as a matter of fact i don't think driving say… 10kph below the speed limit is dangerous.

          Hell i don't think driving half the speed limit is dangerous. Its only a concern when you throw other impatient drivers into the mix.

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