Date: Sat, 28 Aug 1999 08:13:56 -0700
Reply-To: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject: Re: TAILGATERS AROUND THE WORLD
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
For future reference, from whom did you get the rental?
Karl Wolz
----- Original Message -----
From: Chuck Hill <hilltech@NETINS.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, August 28, 1999 5:15 AM
Subject: TAILGATERS AROUND THE WORLD
> Ah yes, tailgaters. It's a relative term, relative, depending partly on
> traffic density. A year ago, I took the family to Europe for a
> vacation, and did a trade deal for the use of a VW van. It was an old
> (70) popup 1600 engined camper, -not too fast, you understand, and there
> were four of us, adding a bit of weight to it as well. We started off
> in Rotterdam, and within a block, I was bothered by cars being
> practically glued to my bumper. This continued everywhere I drove in
> the Netherlands, but especially so in the more urban areas. I noticed
> that it wasn't just me who was being followed so closely--it was just
> the norm. With the traffic density, the roads, the cars, and the
> manners which the drivers displayed, it was just the way it was. Nobody
> did anything sudden, everyone was courteous, and all in all, it worked
> just fine. For me, from the midwest, the boondocks of Iowa, the first
> few days driving were a bit unnerving, but I got used to it. At first I
> thought I was being "pushed" because of my slow vehicle, but after a bit
> I realized, I just needed to pay attention to what was in front of me,
> and not do anything sudden with regard to speed changes, or lane
> changes, to signal properly, etc. Folks, I'm afraid the US is headed
> toward the same level of traffic, and with it the space around us will
> decrease. We went on the Germany, where I was more comfortable with the
> driver behind me mostly. You should realize that on the four lane
> roads, we were in the right hand or "truck" lane 99% of the time, and I
> found the truck drivers professional and courteous, not "pushing" like
> they do so often here in the states. In fact, only once on the whole
> trip, in Belgium, did I have a little encounter with a "cowboy" truck
> driver who passed me and cut in on me. The term "defensive driver" is
> clear at that point--I had no offensive moves available.
> Well, anyway, we had a great trip, survived it all, and came back
> home to where if you're being tailgated, you really should watch
> out--especially if you notice she's doing her hair & lipstick back there
> at the same time.
>
> Chuck Hill
>
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