Can anyone explain tailgating?

[lhatcher]

sheesh.. I wasn't talking about THAT

[Hoof Hearted]

I don't tailgate anything. I drive a lowslung fiberglass sportscar. I want to have room to SEE what is in the road and avoid it. I also want to have a cushion of space if the vehicle ahead of me does something stupid.

It isn't worth damaging my classic car over to tailgate. I want to arrive at my destination in one piece.

All it takes is one of those cars ahead of a tailgater to slam the brakes and BAM!, the tailgater has hit them and are at fault because they did not have enough time to react and avoid the collision.

If people tailgate me I'll tap my brakes at them. If they don't back off I goose it to put some room between us that I feel comfortable with. If they crawl up my pipes again I will tap my brakes to slow them down and goose again for space. If they still don't get the hint, sometimes I'll wave them back with a hand gesture (all fingers visible) and if that doesn't work, I slow way the fuck down. Then I'm driving and stopping for two. I am aware of my intelligence and driving abilities, but since the tailgater is doing what s/he is doing, I assume they are morons and need me to govern their driving. If only for my own safety while I am ahead of them.