Following the tail lights.

Steve Dallas · 09-14-2014, 12:16 PM

I had something happen while driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon a few days ago, and was curious if this had ever happened to anyone else. I almost feel bad, even though it wasn't my fault...and fortunately no one got hurt.

Typically, I set my cruise control to 3-5mph over the speed limit. On curvy roads like this section of 101, the curves may go to 35 or 25 even. If I'm doing 55, and the curve is 45, I may not even turn off the cruise control. I don't do this all the time, but occasionally I want to corner through the twisties like this. I would turn it off for a 25mph turn, but maybe not for a 35. Normally, I'm not even cornering that hard and I always keep the car between the lines.

Anyways, it was about 11pm, and I was doing 63 in a 60. I noticed this car behind me that seemed to be slowly catching up over a half hour period. Was probably doing 70-80 on the straights and would catch up a lot, then I'd pull away slightly during the curvy sections.

After this longer straightaway, he probably had closed to about a 150 yards away when I went into the corners. One of the corners was fairly tight, and I had already turned off the cruise control, but was still going fairly fast. Heard squealing tires but no crash. I had slowed down a lot at that point and saw the car rolling forward and stopping. Saw him get out, likely to clean the stains on his seat.

I guess my word of advice when night driving is to pay attention to YOUR driving, and not zone in on taillights.

ChrisBlair · 09-14-2014, 06:45 PM

Not everybody has a Z51, can't blame the guy for taking his foot off the scary pedal

Steve Dallas · 09-14-2014, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Not everybody has a Z51, can't blame the guy for taking his foot off the scary pedal

It's not that he took his foot off...I got the impression he went into the corner way hotter than he should have and spun the car somehow...I heard squealing tires for about 1-2 seconds, which is an awful long time. My guess is he wasn't watching the road & signs...it was night, and so he may not have been paying full attention to the road.

CruisingSpeed · 09-14-2014, 10:59 PM

Sometimes I do gawk at other cars tail lights. But that is usually only on regular road I drive and every time I corner I glance down at the speedometer. Cool looking tail lights are nice but I have found myself mesmerized a little too much from dodge. The Durango and Charger tail lights are nice, but damn you can't keep your eyes off them in a dangerous way of course!

09-14-2014, 12:16 PM	#1
Steve Dallas Commits weekly crime Drives: 2017 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Camano Island, WA Posts: 9,513 View My Garage	Following the tail lights. I had something happen while driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon a few days ago, and was curious if this had ever happened to anyone else. I almost feel bad, even though it wasn't my fault...and fortunately no one got hurt. Typically, I set my cruise control to 3-5mph over the speed limit. On curvy roads like this section of 101, the curves may go to 35 or 25 even. If I'm doing 55, and the curve is 45, I may not even turn off the cruise control. I don't do this all the time, but occasionally I want to corner through the twisties like this. I would turn it off for a 25mph turn, but maybe not for a 35. Normally, I'm not even cornering that hard and I always keep the car between the lines. Anyways, it was about 11pm, and I was doing 63 in a 60. I noticed this car behind me that seemed to be slowly catching up over a half hour period. Was probably doing 70-80 on the straights and would catch up a lot, then I'd pull away slightly during the curvy sections. After this longer straightaway, he probably had closed to about a 150 yards away when I went into the corners. One of the corners was fairly tight, and I had already turned off the cruise control, but was still going fairly fast. Heard squealing tires but no crash. I had slowed down a lot at that point and saw the car rolling forward and stopping. Saw him get out, likely to clean the stains on his seat. I guess my word of advice when night driving is to pay attention to YOUR driving, and not zone in on taillights. __________________ 2017 Camaro 1LT - Blue Barchetta IV I fire up the willing engine, responding with a roar. Tires spitting gravel I commit my weekly crime.

09-14-2014, 06:45 PM	#2
ChrisBlair Buick 455 Fan Drives: 1970 Buick, 2012 1SS LS3 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston MA Posts: 5,957	Not everybody has a Z51, can't blame the guy for taking his foot off the scary pedal __________________

09-14-2014, 10:59 PM	#4
CruisingSpeed The Stealth Bumblebee Drives: Black 2013 2LS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: SW of Houston Posts: 1,385	Sometimes I do gawk at other cars tail lights. But that is usually only on regular road I drive and every time I corner I glance down at the speedometer. Cool looking tail lights are nice but I have found myself mesmerized a little too much from dodge. The Durango and Charger tail lights are nice, but damn you can't keep your eyes off them in a dangerous way of course! __________________ KILLER BEE