Date:         Thu, 19 Oct 1995 02:33:56 -0400 (EDT)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Lawrence Stivers <lstivers@freenet.columbus.oh.us>
Subject:      Re: making friends with tailgaters

On Wed, 18 Oct 1995, Michael Wagner wrote:

>      People tend to drive maniacally here in San Diego, and 
>      inexplicably tailgate at all times. I'm about as patient
>      as the next person, but there have been a few times when
>      I'm a tad upset about having some jerk glued to my rear
>      bumper AND I STAND ON THE F*****G BRAKES!!! Then give
>      them a nice smile and wave, knowing that they've soiled
>      their shorts in fear of running into me.
> 
This is the trick I learned from my drivers ed. instructer (In Clovis, New
Mexico even)  Instead of actually stomping on the brakes, I let off the
gas and turn on my hazards.  Idea is that tailgating asshole will suddenly
believe that (with my sudden decrese in speed and apperance of tailigts)
that I actually "STOMPED ON THE FU#$$^%&@ BRAKES"  Tailgater either panic
brakes are kisses ass good bye.  Moral of story:  Local law enforcement
type witness event and wants to pull me over for dangerous stunts on
highway-I smile innocently as I explain that i never hit the BRAKES, I
just turned on my hazards (which are still blinking) because I was
concerned that the guy fast approaching from the rear couldn't see me...  

>I'm in the market for a bumper sticker advising tailgaters that          
> tailgating will not make my car go any faster...

add to it another bumpersticker pointing out that it takes a real stud to
pass a VW camper, you stock car stud you.

Larry (Life in the right lane)
'85 westy

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