Possible project: tailgater deterrent

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 15:59

I wonder if this is feasible? I'm thinking about getting some rear parking sensors and disabling their "gear sensor" so that they're always on even when you're not in reverse. I would then wire this up to an LED message ticker thing on the back platform of my car. Then, whenever someone is driving too close to my rear bumper, a pre-programmed message such as "you're too close, please back off" would scroll across. (I'd like the message to be much ruder, but I fear that would be counter-productive)

The main problem I can see is that the "trigger distance" would have to depend on my own speed. I'm thinking of the old "only a fool breaks the two second rule" saying, so I'd ideally like to set it so that if they're 1 second behind me or closer, it would trigger the message. But my speedometer is mechanical (I have a very old car), and I can't think of an obvious way to interface this with an electronic system to calculate the time gap between me and the car behind.

Any ideas? Also, do you reckon this would actually make a tailgater back off, or would it just rile him up and make him drive even closer?

Firestar_3x · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:00

Pointless, learn how to manage the person behind you instead.

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:03

Firestar_3x said:
Pointless, learn how to manage the person behind you instead.

Without telepathic mind control, I don't see how this is possible.

bledd · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:03

get one of those things from the 80's, where a man pulls his trousers down when you press button

LiE · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:06

I can see this on dragon's den getting slatted by Peter Jones.

Dup · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:07

I wait till I get to a roundabout and see if they can still maintain their tailgating speed as I sudden launch the car to the side and round in style. Most end up going over them as they just do not have the room to anticipate at that distance.

Barry Smalley · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:09

SlyReaper said:
I wonder if this is feasible? I'm thinking about getting some rear parking sensors and disabling their "gear sensor" so that they're always on even when you're not in reverse. I would then wire this up to an LED message ticker thing on the back platform of my car. Then, whenever someone is driving too close to my rear bumper, a pre-programmed message such as "you're too close, please back off" would scroll across. (I'd like the message to be much ruder, but I fear that would be counter-productive)

The main problem I can see is that the "trigger distance" would have to depend on my own speed. I'm thinking of the old "only a fool breaks the two second rule" saying, so I'd ideally like to set it so that if they're 1 second behind me or closer, it would trigger the message. But my speedometer is mechanical (I have a very old car), and I can't think of an obvious way to interface this with an electronic system to calculate the time gap between me and the car behind.

Any ideas? Also, do you reckon this would actually make a tailgater back off, or would it just rile him up and make him drive even closer?

Get a faster car.

Mint_Sauce · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:09

You could wire up a gps unit to the display, which would track your speed rather than interfacing it through the car, that way it is portable to other vehicles as well being a single unit.

You'd also better hope the people behind have good eye sight otherwise they'll drive up closer to try and read what it says.

alex24 · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:09

msm722 said:
I can see this on dragon's den getting slatted by Peter Jones.

And for that reason, I'm out.

Seriously though, perhaps you should exercise your middle finger more, every obnoxious driver on the roads has no qualm about doing that even if they're wrong.

Burnsy2023 · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:10

You have two big problems:

1. You need, like you said, to measure your own speed. This is difficult with a digital one let alone a mechanical one.

2. Measuring the distance of the car behind you and having a lookup for what is appropriate for your speed.

This are not easy to get around.

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:11

Barry Smalley said:
Get a faster car.

You realise that doesn't work on roads which have speed limits, right? Which is all of them?

OllyM · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:12

Sounds retarded :confused:

BigglesPiP · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:13

Just stop lingering in the 3rd lane for miles and miles.

Barry Smalley · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:13

SlyReaper said:
You realise that doesn't work on roads which have speed limits, right? Which is all of them?

Really?

Burnsy2023 · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:14

Also bear in mind that because you're using ultrasonics to measure distance, airflow and speed will almost certainly put a spanner in the works.

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:14

BigglesPiP said:
Just stop lingering in the 3rd lane for miles and miles.

Why would you assume I do this?

Janesy B · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:16

Use the lanes properly and you won't have problems. I only get bullied when I dare to venture out into the outside lane

jamief · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:21

Janesy B said:
Use the lanes properly and you won't have problems. I only get bullied when I dare to venture out into the outside lane

People tailgate on all kinds of roads, not just motorways.

iaind · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:23

SlyReaper said:
Without telepathic mind control, I don't see how this is possible.

Simple - you slow down.

This creates a bigger gap around you (Eg in front), so if you need to brake in an emergency you have more room to do it

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:23

Janesy B said:
Use the lanes properly and you won't have problems. I only get bullied when I dare to venture out into the outside lane

Patently false, given that I only ever get tailgated on single lane roads. And my lane discipline is impeccable. It's one of the few aspects of my driving I can claim to be good at.