Tailgating

I'm beginning to understand why Bermudians drive so close to each other.

The revelation struck as I found myself stuck behind a car doing a steady 40kph on my way in to work this morning. Minutes earlier I'd finally managed to pass a scooter chugging along at 35kph after spending ten minutes shouting at him to speed up, so I wasn't impressed at being forced to slow down again. The speed limit may nominally be 30kph here, but it's an open secret that the police won't stop you unless you're doing more than 50kph, so as far as most people here are concerned, that's the speed you should drive at.

Of course, there are always exceptions, and when you're stuck behind one it can be highly frustrating. The roads are so narrow and windy there are only a few places where it's safe to pass, and if you're on the road at a busy time of day you often just have to grit your teeth and wait for the car in front to turn off.

Or you can do as the locals do and drive about a foot from his rear in the hope that by doing so you'll encourage him to speed up.

Not even been here nine months yet, and already I'm feeling the pull of the Dark Side.

Comments

[kristen on 18.02.04 at 20:28]

Bet you my very last dollar you'll be honking "hello" in no time too!

[Fraz on 18.02.04 at 21:21]

Perhaps you need an obnoxious horn (a la Dukes of Hazard) for honking "hello", saving your regular horn for honking "move out of the way #%&@". You could even replace that one with a very loud air horn if all else fails.

[The Limey on 18.02.04 at 22:08]

I started honking hello a long time ago! I'm still struggling with what to do to express annoyance though.

[kristen on 19.02.04 at 11:01]

Oh, that's easy! You stop your car and honk for the next ten minutes while yelling at whoever has ticked you off. Don't forget the body language either!

[Somers on 19.02.04 at 12:54]

I wish I had a car like the General Lee... :(

[Lizardfish on 19.02.04 at 19:45]

short honk or two for hello, long angry honk for "you F**ed ,me right off baby right off!!"

[kristen` on 19.02.04 at 19:49]

listen to lizard fish. s/he is wise. very wise. *l*

[Lizardfish on 19.02.04 at 19:52]

Many people still tailgait at 50-55kph (esp on scooters), when this happens, especially when I am on a bendy road (and there is no way they can pass), I slow right down to 25-30kph and if they are really close, I like to jam my breaks on every now and then... if they go into the back of me..... they'll be loosing their no claims... not me.

Hee hee. Usually this is entertaining enough and I when they do pass, man oh man, if looks could kill, and I am laughing.

[Somers on 20.02.04 at 13:15]

Lizard,
You should try the "drive on the yellow line" trick during rush hour so they can't make the nip down the middle... and when they move to the inside, you then start to hug the stone wall... Always an entertaining drive to work! ;)

[kristen on 21.02.04 at 21:49]

*chuckles* i actually had this jerk riding by bumper. I slowly eased on the gas.. he kept going at his speed and then whack - he hit the back of my car.

anyway... i sped up (pretty sure that he hadn't done any damage).. he, in turn sped up and overtook me... when he reached my window, he said "trying to kill someone ?".. i just gave him a great big grin.. :)

[Lizardfish on 22.02.04 at 11:40]

Fantastic. I would have yelled "trying to kill yourself?" Then taken his reg no. down and reported him for driving recklessly.