[samgoody]

What’s the best way to deal with aggressive drivers coming at you from behind? I live in a country where the speed limit is a rather generous 120kph (75mph) on the freeways. Traffic tends to go at an average speed of 85mph, and it’s not uncommon to see speeds in the fast lane between 95 and 110mph. (On occasion, I’ve even been overtaken by tour buses and 18-wheeler trucks going 10 to 20mph over the speed limit). Add to that the fact that cage drivers here are mostly on the aggressive side; they tend to follow really close and don’t allow for safe distances between vehicles. (Elwood, is there any way we can include the whole of Saudi Arabia in the “traffic sucks” listings you mentioned? I’m sure it would come out on top!).

I can deal with a person ahead of me trying to cut me off by slowing down and staying out of their blind spots. The question is how can I deal with an aggressive driver going so fast and coming up behind me?

[Sangria7]

Elwoods list come from the US Base top 10 and I believe Houston was in there too, but yes overseas traffic laws are less followed LOL.

If people are coming that fast behind you…the best thing to do is to slow down and let them pass you. Nothing else you can really do unless you want to match their speed or faster.

Let them overtake you if needed. I have no problem when cars decide to past me. Its better than them tailgating me.

As per world census:

Some of the cities that vie for the title of world’s worst traffic include:
Bangkok, Thailand
Beijing, China
Cairo, Egypt
Calcutta, India
Chennai, India
Jakarta, Indonesia
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Shanghai, China

And from Forbes Magazine and DOT:

10. SF, CA.
9. LA, CA
8. Houston, TX
7. Washington DC
6. Tampa FL
5. Dallas, TX
4. Orlanda, FL
3. Miami, FL
2. Detroit, MI
1. Atlanta, GA

And there you have it.

[Munch]

Simple …change lanes. If not an immediate option try signaling to the driver that you intend to at first available chance. If they still are overly aggressive use the shoulder to get out of the way. Speeding up only encourages them to “push ” you up the highway faster. I hit my signal….if I see them soon enough I will flash my brakes a couple times to try and ensure they see me, hopefully before they get to you you have an opening to change lanes. If no openings and they are really bearing down on you and you feel threatened or severely uncomfortable about their intention…. pull off to the side and let them pass. Your safety is not worth their convenience.

Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a prediction, but today…… is a Bi**h

[Clay Dowling]

Explains a lot about why I’m always in a crap mood when I drive into Detroit.

[SantaCruzRider]

When someone is aggressively trying to get around, I find it’s good to over-communicate — possibly waving your hand to the side to catch their attention.
I’ve also found that standing up on the pegs will often increase a driver’s following distance. I’m not sure if they suddenly realize there’s a human on the bike or if they think I might jump — but it does tend to get you a bit more room.
If there is room for them to pass, try waving them around. It at least lets them know that you see them and are going to try to help them get around.
But when they do pass you, try to stay in the left wheel track until the driver is even with you. This creates an emergency space to your right, as well as discouraging the driver from thinking he’s going to just share your space with you. Of course you should be constantly ready for them to cut you off — hence that space to your right.
I would avoid using the shoulder. Bad things happen there, including gravel and debris, pavement edges and other wheel traps.

[Loki]

I have the gs500F and trust me you can get out of the way of anyone, you might have to drop the gear but you can move. Also what everyone else is saying, no passengers start by adding weight to the back with idk i a bookbag or something. Or start of with a small person on back and stay in a parking lot. DO NOT just have someone just jumb on the back and go. You also need to know how to drive with someone on.

[cubetraveller]

I reckon you get this all the time, so apologies for harping on, but i m in the market for my first bike at the moment and looking for some advice. I’ve read all the stuff about the ninja and love the sound of it, but i live in scotland and there’s just less choice as far as second hand bikes go and i am on a bit of a budget. Also, i’d be driving mostly in the city and in bad weather, was wondering if something that hunkered down closer to the ground might not be a better choice. At any rate, any comments would be much apprecialed. Cheers

[Author]

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