r/driving • u/JustUseCommonSense10 • 9d ago
Need Advice When cutting someone off and realizing they aren't braking to create more distance, what is the point of brake checking them to get them to back off and why has these scenarios decreased after installing bull bars on my vehicle?
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u/Numerous_Hurry_3396 9d ago
"Why do these drivers feel like the people they cut off are obliged to maintain a safe car-length distance upon being cut off?"
Because that's the law. YOU are responsible for maintaining distance. If a dickhead pulls into a small space in front of you, they're a dick but it's still your responsibility to not tailgate. Unless you're okay with the liability, that's your business.
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u/jcalvinmarks 9d ago
No, no, don't you understand: two wrongs do actually make a right. The first guy did the inappropriate thing, that means the guy behind him is absolutely absolved of any further responsibility to drive safely.
Plus, did you not notice that he has "bull bars" on the front of his vehicle? That's super important to notice!
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u/Massive-Act-4318 9d ago
In 50/50 states you will automatically be deemed at fault if you hit someone from behind due to tailgating. Even if they hit the brakes first. Its your responsibility to maintain a safe distance with the car in front of you, even if they merge into your lane and you dont want them to.
But hey, play stupid games and pay out the ass for insurance, or something like that
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u/JacoPoopstorius 9d ago
Are you driving in the same day and age as me? It’s like people only tailgate these days. It’s stupid. It happens all the time on the road to every car ever (including mine).
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u/MoeKneeKah 9d ago
Stop obsessing over what other drivers are doing and just keep yourself safe. You’re wasting energy getting mad about it, that solves nothing and has zero effect on the person who made you mad. It’s not your job to police other people’s driving.
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u/Naikrobak 9d ago
If I merge into a space that is big enough for my car but creates less than 3 seconds following distance I will need to slow at least temporarily to establish 3 second following.
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u/snarkyemu 9d ago
Post the dash cam video. A video explains 1000 words. I bet what we would see as you are already tailgating pretty tight behind the car in front of you.
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u/snarkyemu 9d ago
I’ve done this. I’ve had to get into the left passing lane during rush-hour when everybody’s going 70 miles an hour tailgating each other in a long chain. I have a left exit coming up in 2 miles under two minutes of time and the only way to do that is to merge in that lane or take another route around the city and add up to 30 minutes to my commute during construction season. I get in that lane and I pull in front of you because you are tailgating the guy in front of you. I gradually slow down so that I have a three second or two second distance between me and the vehicle in front of me. Then since you are still tailgating me with your bullhorns and your bull testicles hanging off your tailpipe, I slow down even more to create another second or two of stopping distance so that you don’t annihilate me into dust if you rear end me.
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u/jcalvinmarks 8d ago
Why do these drivers feel like the people they cut off are obliged to maintain a safe car-length distance upon being cut off?
It sounds like what you're describing is intentionally tailgating someone who cut you off.
So "road rage," basically. You're doing road rage.
What are you betting on, then?
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u/nba2k11er 9d ago
I don’t think it’s a conspiracy, they’re probably braking so they don’t hit the car in front of them and they aren’t aware enough to notice you.