Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site pegasus.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxl!houxm!hogpc!pegasus!avi From: avi@pegasus.UUCP Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: DEFENSIVE tailgating: urban guerilla tactics Message-ID: <896@pegasus.UUCP> Date: Thu, 2-Feb-84 10:03:36 EST Article-I.D.: pegasus.896 Posted: Thu Feb 2 10:03:36 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 8-Feb-84 05:16:02 EST References: <207@pyuxnn.UUCP>, <179@lzmi.UUCP> <644@pyuxhh.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft NJ Lines: 25 I prefer keeping plenty of space between myself and the traffic ahead of me -- particularly when I am using my cruise control. However, on crowded roads, I find that people invariably squeeze in front of you (often without bothering to signal) as long as there is more than .8 car lengths (Japanese units) available. Needless to say, this means I brake frequently. After this happens 3-5 times, I get annoyed and start to stay closer to the car in front of me. This adds to the stress of the drive, and makes me feel like I am driving the Indy 500 (at a slightly slower speed). No lane is particularly good to be in. The left lane is full of people who want to get ahead of you, the center lane (when available) has people merging in from both sides (as does the left lane in Chicago), and the right lane keeps changing speed as people get on and off. Maybe I should drive on the shoulder -- or take a bus. This problem also is rampant in the city streets of NY. Parked cars pull out suddenly, Taxis shift four lanes in 40 feet, drivers think red lights are Holiday Season ornaments that were not removed and STOP signs are trees that grow well in the concrete on corners .... I have given up and moved to "rural" NJ. However, I still have to visit people living in the "jungle". OF COURSE, I wear my seatbelt. :-) -- -=> Avi E. Gross @ AT&T Information Systems Laboratories (201) 576-6241 suggested paths: [ihnp4, allegra, cbosg, utcsstat, hogpc, ...]!pegasus!avi