Written instructions to help the public learn how to not drive 103mph when someone is following behind you in another car. Thanks to Lauren for losing me the night before.
Posted on :
12-18-06 |
There are two kinds of drivers.
1) Those who are good at letting someone follow them in their car
2) Blondes.
I thought I would offer some tips to those out there for whenever they find themselves in a situation where they know where they going, and someone else is following them in another car.
1) Always pay attention to where the follower is. This means check your rear view mirror every 5 seconds for the duration of the trip. Memorize something unique about their car. If it's day time, look at the color of the car and shape of the grill. If it's at night, try to find something characteristic about how the front lights look compared to other cars on the road. Find something that you are sure when you see it, you will know the person is still behind you.
2) Don't speed. Follow the speed limits. Although I realize this is Atlanta, and going the speed limit is practically a sin, it is a must when someone is following you.
3) Never let the follower get too far behind, and if possible, never let another car get in between you and the person following you. This becomes increasingly important on a road with stop lights. If you speed ahead, and 3 cars pull in behind you, and you hit an intersection as the light turns yellow, all it takes is one of those three cars to decide to stop in front of the follower and you will be pulling over on the side of the road to wait for them to catch up.
4) No switching lanes to pass someone unless you have verified that the follower has no one to his or her side and can also make a safe lane change with you. This requires extra effort on the part of the followee, because you have to be aware of your lane, and the lane to your left, and the next 100 feet behind you as well. You must be sure there isn't someone speeding up on the side of the follower. The point is for them to always be directly behind you. Again, one stop light is all it takes to lose someone. As a general rule, it is best to just get in a lane and stay there, no matter how slow it might be going. The end goal is to arrive at your destination together, not to get there 5 minutes faster without them. If you must change lanes, (ie. A turn is coming up), use turn signals early to warn the person behind you.
5) When making a turn, either left or right, take an extra moment to consider the time it will take for the person behind you to pull up, look both ways, and then pull out and follow you. Make sure there is room for both cars to turn before you pull out. If you are unsure, wait for a bigger gap in the flow of traffic.
6) If driving on the freeway, it's best to remain in the right lane, and follow the flow of traffic. If it's a long trip, then moving cautiously into other lanes is acceptable, provided you follow rule #4. Highway lanes changes can be a little more flexible, if you aren't going to be making an exit or turn soon. The follower has an easier chance of catching you and getting behind you again.
7) If you lose the follower, the first thing to do is find a place to slow down or stop, and let them catch up. Once you see them again, resume your position in front of their vehicle.
8) If playing music at loud volumes, be sure to have cell phone set to vibrate in case someone needs to get in touch.
The rules for the person behind doing the following are simple. Do everything possible to stay on the ass of the car in front of you.
This has been a private service announcement. |
