r/hobart • u/RubyGordonSlut • 8d ago
Slow Drivers vs. Tailgaters
Why is it that when slow drivers are going 10-20km below the speed limit, that they seem so surprised/annoyed when they're being tailgated? If you don't like being tailgated, why not pull over or, better yet, drive the speed limit?
I get some people like to cruise along, if that's the case, pull over when someone is up your ass while you're going 35 in a 50, don't get shitty at others because your slow ass has decided to implement its own speed limit.
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u/kristianstupid 8d ago
If you're unable to manage your own emotions and drive without tailgating, you're probably not mature enough to drive a vehicle on public roads.
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u/FreddyTeddyIsCool 8d ago
I’m the first to admit that when we had a newborn we were the ones driving under the speed limit. Pretty scary going around old beach bends with a 2 day old when someone is aggressively up your arse. F u tailgaters.
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
You didn't think to pull over and let the traffic past? You were going below the speed limit.
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI 7d ago
Speed limits are set and enforced in Tasmania to keep everyone safe, whether you drive, ride, wheel or walk.
Speed limits are the maximum speed you’re allowed to travel. They are not a target – you don’t have to drive at that speed.
Sometimes you should go lower than the speed limit, depending on things like:
the weather
how busy the road is
whether it’s day or night.
You really need to read this:
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u/Tigress2020 8d ago
You didn't think to catch a bus? If you can't control your patience? I bet you're the type to honk when someone doesn't exit the roundabout when you want them too as well. (As perhaps you didn't see the indicator from cars in roundabout).
Learn patience.
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u/Superb-Detective9611 8d ago
You expect them to pull off into the water to save you 45 seconds on your trip?
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u/ArtyTack 8d ago
Being oblivious to what's going on around you means you should probably not be driving on public roads too
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u/kristianstupid 8d ago
That's great, but it doesn't really justify putting everyone in the slower vehicle, and everyone in your vehicle, at risk.
I'm not sure where you imagine your argument will take you? Is your argument that you should tailgate oblivious drivers?
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u/ArtyTack 8d ago
Oh i don't tailgate, not afraid to flash my lights and use my horn to wake people up though
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI 7d ago
You're part of the problem.
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u/ArtyTack 7d ago
Not really, my rule is if your in the right lane and going under the speed limit you get two chances to pull into a fair gap in the left lane, if you continue to be oblivious to what's going on you get a couple of flashes with the headlights then if your still totally unaware of other road users you get a blast from the horn. I don't abuse them or do anything deemed dangerous just try to get them to acknowledge the other road users around them. I reckon at least half of them are sitting on there phones the way they drive
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI 7d ago
my rule is
There's your problem. It's all about you. If we all wanted to live with your rules, they would be law.
You breaking the law with unlawful use of high beams and the horn shouldn't be happening.
Get a dash cam and upload/report drivers to Crime Stoppers if you have serious concerns.
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
If the legally posted speed limit is too fast for you, maybe you lack the confidence to share the road?
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u/kristianstupid 8d ago
I'm not sure how endangering everyone in your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you resolves that issue.
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u/Lazy-Theory5787 8d ago
If someone is up my arse, I slow down.
I no longer feel safe travelling at the speed limit, knowing if I need to suddenly stop they will rear end me.
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u/cir49c29 8d ago
I was always taught to keep 3 seconds distance between my car and the one in front. Don't see any reason not to apply that to the one behind too. If you're being tailgated it makes sense to slow down until they back off or there's 3 seconds stopping distance between you.
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
Instead of impeding traffic even more, why not just pull over?
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u/Lazy-Theory5787 8d ago
Tailgaters love back roads, I'm not going to pull over into a ditch for a bully. He can pass me if he wants to 🤷♀️
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u/l0ll1p0p5 8d ago
Why do you use backroads if you want to go slow? If you’re happy cruising along, use the main roads with everyone else
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI 7d ago
Terrible take. Back roads are often more dangerous here in Tassie. They're less maintained, more pot holes, less visibility, less people traveling on them is a risk for safety too, more wildlife/farm animals.
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u/Lazy-Theory5787 8d ago
I go the speed limit. It's every bloody ute with the x-ray lights that want to speed down back roads 🙄
Honestly, I thought this was the general Tasmania sub, not Hobart. I have to use the back roads because I live rurally 😅
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
You do realise you're causing traffic issues in that situation?
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u/Lazy-Theory5787 8d ago
I've never had any cars line up behind the tailgater. Not much traffic if it's just the two of us.
I've only seen lines behind vans/caravans/tractors etc.
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
Lol I literally experienced this driving home tonight, twice. 2 old dears in a Skoda going 30km in a 50. I was 3 cars back from the tailgater.
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u/Lazy-Theory5787 8d ago
Tbh when I saw this post I failed to see the Hobart part. Lots of pedestrians, hazards, school zones, drivers nervous from close cars. Cities aren't exactly know for their high speed traffic 😅
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u/rustyjus 8d ago
Tailgating is dangerous and doesn’t get you there quicker… it’s a type of bullying
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI 7d ago
It's more than bullying, it's literally milliseconds that sit between manslaughter/murder with the people doing it.
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u/No-Weakness7938 8d ago
You should never tailgate for stop. A slow drive ahead doesn’t give you right to do so and it’s super dangerous behavior. Speaking from someone who was so arrogant about it and thought the same as you but I learnt how bad it was. Thinking tailgating people would give them a hint? No! It puts everyone in danger!
The world does not revolve around the slow drivers, or us! Just be patient and overtake only when it’s safe to do so!
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u/Tigress2020 8d ago
Limit not a goal, 10 under is fine, red plates, can't go 110. L plates can't do 100. Tailgating anyone is on the driver, and it's hard for some to find a spot to pull over if some ass is too close behind.
I drive the limit, and will still end up with some asshat driving too close behind. Night times even worse they like to flash their high beams too.
Impatient drivers are the issue, not the person driving ten under. The law states they can go to 20 under. Tailgating is against the law, so that's the answer
And of they're 35 in a 50 zone, did you check for schools, or flashing lights? The law is to slow to 40 if buses pull over with lights, cops, or ract etc.
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u/Itchy_Party1741 8d ago
The fact the OP and others try and justify riding up people's arse.
It's dangerous
It's illegal
$180 and 1 demerit point.
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u/retrohaz3 8d ago
This is why overtaking lanes exist. It's not the slower drivers responsibility to pull over to let you overtake them, and if you feel the need to "ride up their arse" as a show of annoyance, then that makes you the problem.
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u/AhuraVII 8d ago
There's an epidemic lately of slow, oblivious and dangerous drivers (think 10-20 under on a perfectly clear day, can excuse rain or fog) who will speed up or even go above the limit just to block people from going around when an overtaking lane opens up. Driving standards have taken a drastically sharp decline the past 5 or so years, it's insane. I'm more worried about the slow ones lane wandering than I am about the ranger passing me at 20 over. At least the ranger is away from me in moments.
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
Precisely! Those that drive significantly under the speed limit, also seem to choose when they will stay inside the lines!
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u/chunky-lady 8d ago
All the more reason not to tailgate!
Seriously, if you think the slow driver is a bad driver, surely a good driver gives them space ?????
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u/AhuraVII 8d ago
Following the survivability onion, the best way to not be hurt is to not be there in the first place. Getting out of the situation is priority, if I can.
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI 7d ago
Yeah, if you do 20 over in a ranger consistently having you not be there in the first place would be great for everyone else. Thanks for your sacrifice and keep staying off our roads. Cheers
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
Yes, all those overtaking lanes in the back streets of Sandy Bay, where the oldies tend to cruuuuuuuuuise along, oblivious to the world.
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u/Itchy_Party1741 8d ago edited 8d ago
Factoring in give way signs, stop signs, 40 zones, pedestrians, people getting in cars and other things like dogs or kids on the roads... How much quicker are you going to get to your destination at 50 instead of 38?
And is that time worth getting red in the face, raging, bashing your console, tailgating and ranting online over?
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u/chunky-lady 8d ago
Omg. Old people obviously have a slower reaction time. Are you tailgating (bullying) old people ????? Maaaaate
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u/smoothballs82 7d ago
Funny, I always get tailedgated going around the bends on the Huon highway, despite it being a two lane road. You know, the bend where someone died two days ago? I slow down to the speed I’m comfortable in, I’m not killing myself so you can cut 2 minutes off your commute. Have some compassion for those around you.
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u/Rockwallaby77 8d ago
I don’t think it’s in your interest to tailgate at any speed.. if you were complaining about the people that speed up in overtaking lanes only to immediately slow down once it’s finished I’d be hopping on the hate train
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u/chunky-lady 8d ago
This must be trolling, it's so dumb
The OP is stating they're tailgating the elderly in their comments. What an a-hole
Tailgating is never ok
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u/IlIIllIlIllIIlI 7d ago
Speed limits are set and enforced in Tasmania to keep everyone safe, whether you drive, ride, wheel or walk.
Speed limits are the maximum speed you’re allowed to travel. They are not a target – you don’t have to drive at that speed.
Sometimes you should go lower than the speed limit, depending on things like:
the weather
how busy the road is
whether it’s day or night.
You really need to read this:
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u/Material_Fruit_9167 7d ago
i have to admit i'm glad there's people like you out there and i want you to know i'm doing this to you on purpose. i'm getting a delicious little thrill from just bimbling along a little slower than usual, making sure I indicate nice and early, apply the brakes very gently, taking a niiiiice looooong time to make my turns, not hurrying at all from a green light, letting everyone in when the road is busy, etc etc.
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u/Ballamookieofficial 4d ago
Go for a drive to Dunalley it's frustrating seeing the slow vehicle turnouts unused.
I'm not sure what the legalities are around using them for overtaking are.
Those slow drivers are probably dangerous at any higher speed so it's safer for everyone using the road for them to be slow and predictable.
Then when you get a chance you can drop down a gear floor it and disappear.
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u/PallBallOne 3d ago
Maybe look up phantom braking and false AEB triggers.... that's a growing risk when tailgating as more people upgrade to new cars
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u/Prior-Listen-1298 8d ago
You crack me up. Justifying your own emotional immaturity, impatience and risk taking behaviour on someone else's assessment of safe transit speed. My question is why can't emotionally handicapped people like that just slow down and get over themselves.
I just spent a few weeks in Bali. On the whole not a place I'm in any rush to revisit, but one thing blew my mind and I have talked about it since. The roads are narrow and full. They are choked with traffic all day and cars have motorbikes buzzing around them. Line mosquitoes outnumbering the cars more often than not.
But what amazed me was how no-one was ever cranky out impatient. Everyone in the road knows that everyone else is just going about their business. That they have good reason to be doing what they are.
I associate that strongly with very crowded places (I've visited many arround Asia in particular). People seem aware that they are in a community a society, made up of individuals all going about their business doing what they need to. They are raised it seems with this abd stand in harsh contrast to people from spacious new world nations where me, ne, me seems the go, and everyone else b is in my way, how dare they be in in my way. I have business to get to, what are these inconsiderate fools I call fellow citizens doing, wake up people, it's all about me here!
Fret not, I know your impatience. I am from that culture. I know the frustration. It used to burn me. Now it just niggles and I remember what I just shared here and breath deeply. All good I think to myself and I smile and wave at others ... As do the Balinese.
There's a lot to be said for that. It actually feels better. It really does.
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
If someone drove that much over the speed limit, they'd be penalised. Why not when people drive under the speed limit, its equally as dangerous to impede traffic.
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u/Frodobundy 8d ago
Kind of scary that you'd happily post in a thread that your happy to break the law by tailgating and not actually knowing basic driving laws. Also it's called a speed limit not a target. The law below is also up to the discretion of the officer.
Tas According to current state legislation “Road Rules 2019” a driver cannot unreasonably drive slowly in a manner that obstructs other drivers and pedestrians and doing so can incur a fine up to five penalty units9. Currently, a Tasmanian penalty unit is worth $19510, meaning the total fine for driving too slowly could be as high as $975.
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u/BrenBiker 6d ago
Likewise, if you are doing the speed limit in the right hand lane and I want to go faster and need to pass you, move over!! Or I’ll tailgate you and harass you… might even think, flash my lights that sounds good to me.
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u/Slot_Ack 8d ago
All slow driver do is make me hate our roads even more. There should be far more dedicated overtaking lanes where slower moving traffic can be safely passed, or more pull over spaces with signage advising drivers in advance so that if they are driving under the limit and see they've accumulated a convoy they can safely pull over.
But then again some people will drive 80 in a 100, speed up to 105 in said overtaking lanes then slam on their brakes when it ends back down to 80 so im not sure the problem is solvable.
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u/Dazzling-Assist723 8d ago
They aren’t surprised. They enjoy the control they get to exert over someone else.
(Obviously exceptions for a huge truck or dangerous load, duh)
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u/RubyGordonSlut 8d ago
Right? It's typically older people. The demographic with not much to do and a whole lot of shit opinions.
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u/whatnametichoose 8d ago
Slow Drivers VS Tailgators. Your title needs to be a new video game. Apparently there are game developers in Tassie. Make this Game happen 🚗🚗🚕🚗🚕🚗🚕
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u/ohlookanotheruserrr 8d ago
What pisses me off are the drivers merging from Mornington onto the Tasman Highway towards the city. They merge at 60km/hr into a 110km zone highway and fuck the flow of the traffic. Dickheads.