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?

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.

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?

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?

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.

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:25

iaind said:
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

Well yes I do this anyway. However, that's got nothing to do with managing the person behind me, beyond the vague hope that he'll take the hint and back off.

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 16:28

As for the topic at hand, Burnsey, that's a good point I hadn't thought of that. Can you get parking sensors which use laser or RF signals to measure distance? Also, the GPS idea is a good one. Can you get one which will output selected data to a computer?

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 20:39

markweatherill said:
Seeing as it's near Hallowe'en, do this:
Get a scary mask and put it on the back of your head before setting out.
If you get a tailgater, lean your head between the front seats and if he can see you, he'll **** himself. Or roll the window down and lean your head out.

SlyReaper · 22 Oct 2009 at 21:37

cyborg said:
I used to work in the highstreet electrical store we all know. I was once selling a guy an invertor for his car, I asked him what for. He said he wants to wire up a strobe light in his car, thinking this was odd I asked why, he told me he wanted to use it on tailgaters....

I imagine there would be legal ramifications for deliberately dazzling / attempting to induce a seizure in another driver.