Freaking Out

Well all I can say to those folks tailgating you is to get over it. I see the same thing here on occasion with the big pickup trucks, the so called Cowboy Cadillac's, that try to intimidate others, not just me. I drive the way I always drive and don't worry about it. Have you flipped the rear view mirror to the night position? Note I do have tinted windows all around except for the windshield.

 

congrats and welcome! unfortunately, rius bullying is real. the only suggestions i have are to keep up with traffic, and physically adjust your mirrors so the headlights aren't in your eyes. all the best!

 

When I was first driving in commuter traffic (many years ago), pretty green on the road, having just completed driver training, for a while there I was seriously wondering if there was something wrong with my speedometer, the way everyone was tailgating and/or whipping by.

I would take a multi-facetted approach:

1. Stay in right lanes whenever possible.
2. Follow someone even slower, ie: big ol' trucks, buses. Resign yourself to being with the easygoing bunch.
3. Keep a generous following distance. This is good sense for a lot of reasons, and might encourage tailgaters to pass. And don't get all territorial about that space in front of you; let them in as they like. Better that than they're about to run into you.
4. Keep your cool.

 

I agree, it can be very frustrating. I've only had my Prius for eight months, and I never expected anything like this from other drivers. As the others have said, it's real.

Fortunately, I don't have to drive much at night. But yes, the headlights from other cars are blinding. The Prius must be lower to the ground or something. I tinted my back windows but not nearly dark enough. So now I also flip up the mirror to the night mode.

As I see it, we only have two choices. Mendel gives good rational advice. I'm getting better at what he suggested. Or, we just have to speed up and try and stay ahead of the tailgaters. I admit, I often lose my patience with them, and so I speed up to over the speed limit and try to keep ahead of the nuts... Go with the flow, or above. Not the most mature decision, but it really bothers me when people ride my bumper. I just want to get away from them. It's extremely frustrating, with all this crazy traffic in Southern California.

 

I've got one of these bumper stickers, have yet to put it on, still thinking about it:


(Guess it would go right about where the maple leaf is, in my avatar.)

More info here: Take the Pace Car Pledge! | Highland Placemaking Team

For a few reasons I'm hanging off on putting it on (here I go agin, anuther list):

1. I'm not a fan of bumper stickers.
2. It backfires, makes you a target?
3. It's not exactly low key.

Hey, that was a short list. Anyway, have a read through the "pledge points" in the link. Even without the sticker, this is a decent credo to follow. There's some basic rules of the road, that are easy enough to follow, and yet seem to have been jostled aside. Maybe it's been that way for quite some time too. For reference, here's the points in the link:

Be aware of my speed and observe the speed limit.

• Slow down near schools and other areas such as playgrounds, parks, residential streets where children are present.

• Always yield to pedestrians crossing the street.

• Come to a complete stop at stop signs, then look carefully before proceeding.

• Be courteous to bicyclists and other road users.

• Not tailgate.

• Not block walkways, bike lanes, or driveways when parking.

• Consider using alternative means of transportation and consolidate car trips to lessen traffic on residential streets.

• Display the Pace Car Bumper Sticker on my vehicle so other drivers know why I am driving courteously and at a safe speed.

• Encourage others to sign the pledge. The more Pace Car drivers the safer our streets will become.

There's another thread here that I think has a surprising amount of overlap with this one. It deals with the "me first" culture, what's worthwhile:

Tragedy of the Commons | PriusChat

 

I can't see one particular car being a tailgater magnet. There's been multiple threads here proposing just that, but I think it's overblown. Pretty much anyone, driving any vehicle, and playing by the rules, is going to have to contend with flack. Being a woman in a small car, brings out the bullies though.

Again, I'd try various small adjustments and concessions.

 

I got blinded by headlights from the rear when I had my Toyota Camry, too. I'm pretty sure this happens with just about any two or four door sedan type car.

You have to get the back window tinted, and/or use the "night mode" on the rearview mirror all the time.

 

i wouldn't wate any time. get right back to the dealer, tell them you're unhappy, and see if they'll make a reasonable deal on another car. if your lucky, it might only cost an extra grand or so.

 

The only time I wasn't bullied on the road was when I drove an 8 seater Suburban. I can drive that thing all over NYC. Nobody honked at me. The moment I stepped foot in my brother's little hatchback, I'm hanging on for dear life.

No one actually drives you off the road though. They just intimidate by getting real close You can deal with it or you can buy a different car.

 

Hummer, Excursion?

 

yosemite? everest?

 

Can you clarify how you are being blinded by lights? Traffic from behind, or from the front? Also what did you drive before the C?

 

When we moved my brother into a Brooklyn apartment, we had an F-250 crew cab long bed with a 16 foot trailer in tow. That is about the only time I have never felt intimidated. A couple of cabs tried to ride close, but they soon learned that wasn't smart.

I drive 38 miles one way and in some moderate to heavy traffic. There are many vehicles of all types I pass and that pass me. Best advice stated above is to move with the flow and I that is not comfortable for various reasons, find the slow lane and share it with the large rigs.

Use the mirror functionality as mentioned above. Remember the fuel savings you have and lower stress level compared to the people who are impatient and trying to get there 2-4 minutes sooner.

Enjoy your Prius.

 

I've had a few people (usually in large trucks) make a point to act like asses around me. A big diesel truck spewed black smoke all over me the other day. I just laughed as I knew what he was spending on fuel and what I was spending on fuel.

 

The real issue here is bullying. Sad state of the world we live in today. The lady is uncomfortable driving her car because of bullies. Just ain't right.

 

I can recall pulling onto the freeway, night, driving rain, rightmost lane of course, close to the limit.

About a minute later, my neck is getting warm, there's very bright light: massive truck within 6 foot of our back bumper.

We just held that pose for about 5 minutes, he abruptly whipped to the left lane and resumed the pose on his NEXT victim, I started breathing normally again.

 

It may also be that the OP is a slow driver compared to traffic flow, and is uncomfortable driving the flow of traffic which will likely be faster than the posted speed limit.

It may also be that OP is using the incorrect lanes on the freeways. #1 lane is supposed to be for passing/driving fast. Far right lanes are for trucks/slow drivers. I hope OP is not in #1 or #2 lanes, on a multilane freeway.

Having a 100% new car probably heightens these feeling, b/c she wants to protect her baby, as we all would.

 

In the city, just driving around town, and being in the far right lane, I think it's ridiculous when people start tailgating somebody in a Prius. (Me!)
And I'm NOT a slow driver.

WTH!? Excuse my language. But why can't they just simply pass the Prius! (or whatever car is driving too slow for their taste.)

Makes me want to get out of my car, and beat the crap out of somebody!
STUPID IGNORANT PEOPLE.