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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
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