🚀 go-pugleaf

Walt Horning wrote:

> DPH <rally2xs@csi.com> wrote:
>
> >I gave it some thought, and I think I know a device that could discourage
> >taligaters and still not cause accidents or be otherwise illegal.
> >
> >A device that would dispense a _small_ stream of sand from the back of your car
> >that would impinge on a car following too closely would likely cause the
> >tailgater to back off.  It would not damage his car or cause him to swerve and
> >have an accident, as he couldn't see it coming.  It wouldn't upset a motorcycle,
> >either (but maybe its tailgating rider <G>).
> >
> >Any thoughts?
>
> (A) Sand, at high speeds, can take paint off by putting pits in
>     someone's paint job. You have a liability issue.

Yes, and the tailgater knows it.  That's why he would back off, hopefully.

I said a _small_ amount of sand, enough to make noise on the windshield and annoy the
tailgater.  It shouldn't harm the person's car any more than small amounts of sand
and gravel that is often kicked up just off the road.


> (C) Why not just following the international standard, which is to
>     pass expediously, and follow the U.S. and international standard,
>     which is to keep to the right, except when actually passing?

Because, as you must know, people will tailgate you if your doing 135 in the right
lane in a snowstorm.  They just like to follow, and set their speed by whatever
you're doing, and their distance by whether they can read your "Mothers Against Drunk
Driving" sticker in your rear window.

> (C) The environmentalists will think of some reason that sand should
>     not be ejected like that.

There is normally no way to please environmentalists, so why try?

DPH