Scare Tailgaters with Stickers?

[Filibogado]

I live in rural Virginia where the single lane country roads are narrow and the locals are always in a hurry. I'm turning 66 soon and as I grow older, my driving skills are in decline and I drive slower and slower as time goes by. Meanwhile, drivers behind me are getting more and more restless - they honk at me, overtake me on winding roads, ride my rear bumper, flash their lights, etc., all urging me to go faster even though I am driving at the posted speed limit as best as I can.

I bought a large "Protected by GLOCK" rear window sticker (I actually carry a CCW S & W stainless steel 9MM 5906, but the S & W sticker gets mistaken for a root beer drive-in commercial so it is not as threatening as a Glock sticker). I was wondering if the mere sight of the GLOCK sticker would earn me more respect and at least reduce all this harassment of an old fogey like me. Contrary to the fear that it would only encourage passersby to break into my truck, I live in a secluded lot with my next door neighbor at least a quarter of a mile away, so there is no pedestrian traffic. Potential thieves would have to drive or walk up a hill with an unobstructed 380 degree panoramic view (house sits on one block) if they want to even come close to my garage or driveway. Plus when I leave the truck, I carry the gun with me so there is nothing to steal.

Do you guys think this is a good idea? I thought of mounting a shotgun and a case of beer but I don't really fit into the stereotype of a redneck sine I look 100% Asian. Thanks for any feedback.

Fil

 

[David LaPell]

I would be careful about putting a "protected by" sign for the simple reason that it might lead to your car getting broken into. Of course if you see the back of my jeep and the fact I live in NY I am amazed mine hasn't been set on fire yet with my Worse President Ever, Gadsden Flag, and a couple others on there. That and it is painted in camo all over. I never had to worry about my jeep getting broken into, who would want an AM/FM cassette player these days?

 

[Alnamvet68]

Not a good idea at all. I have relatives who live in Northern Virginia who have stated that the ever growing Central American gang presence have, on occassion, and strictly for $%&@'s and grins, as well as for initiation into the gang purposes, will drive on country roads late at night, with just their parking lights on, OR drive real slow and wait for someone to flash their high beams. When this happens, they start shooting at the folks in the vehicle that gave a friendly warning. With that said, I would be more prudent with what I display on my vehicles, and be more inclined to ignore strange behaving vehicles at night.

 

[tacreload]

Sir in this day and age I believe you would possibly be inviting possible problems rather than "scaring"them off.Tailgaters are just another product of the wonderful society we seem to have bred.If you're going the speed limit try to ignore them as best you can although I have a hard time with that myself,but don't advertise the fact you are armed.Be safe.

 

[CajunBass]

I'm an old foggy myself, and I tend to drive the speed limit or slower. When someone gets to tailgateing me, I'll tap the brake lights a time or two. That usually works. If it doesn't I just figure they want to maintain a set distance behind me, so I slow down to make that a safe distance. You want to see how slow I can drive? They can honk and flash their lights all they want.

Well, to tell you the truth, I usually just pull over and let them go on by. Life is short and I'm too lazy to get upset over little stuff like that.

Oh, and I doubt a bumper sticker would "scare" anybody.

 

[25elk]

I know you are asking this in all seriousness and it is a complex issue with no easy solutions. I also live in a very rural environment where individual isolation is a choice not an accident. For me, my privacy is paramount and that goes to attaching labels on my property...I just don't do it. Besides being misinterpreted (my wife until very recently thought the somewhat abstract Browning logo was a ballet dancer), in some areas those labels might be seen as a challenge. Your choice.

On a more personal note, I will be 70 in a few months and absolutely hate getting behind anyone that doesn't drive the speed limit at a minimum. I don't tailgate because that's reckless and illegal and I don't flash my lights because that's rude. However, the first safe, clear opportunity to pass you will be taken...damn the yellow lines and full speed ahead. Be sure to wave and toot your horn as you pass me and the trooper having a discussion at the side of the road.

 

[diamonback68]

I wouldn't bother, they probably can't read it anyway. Do your thing and let them complain.

 

[crofoot629]

Bad Idea.

Always be discreet.

Also don’t “give driving lessons” by tapping your brakes. You’re just asking for trouble. Just be polite and try to drive the speed limit, or pull over so others can pass. Or stay home.

Emory

Emory

 

[kozmic]

I fear any benefit a sign might provide when driving on a 2 lane road would be offset by the hysteria the sign would create from the gun haters that are allowed to walk among us.

Seems like the same fruit loops who would run you off the road to get to their hairdresser on time are the same fruit loops who would call a "terrorist hotline" or do damage to your car in the name of "peace" because of a sign in your window.

Sorry, I don't know of an easy solution for the OP's problem. I'm just not sure a "Glock" sign is a good one.

 

[keith44spl]

Bad Idea.

Always be discreet.

Also don’t “give driving lessons” by tapping your brakes. You’re just asking for trouble. Just be polite and try to drive the speed limit, or pull over so others can pass. Or stay home.

Emory

Emory

^^^^Right thar it is folks^^^^

Pull over and let them go around....I do it all the time.

"Protected By Glock" now that funny right thar!

I myself had rather haxe a pink "Mary Kay" sticker.

At least if'n they's honkin their horn....It might be a nice lookin lady.....


.

 

[Marshwheeling]

George Carlin put it something like this. "The guy driving slow in front of you is a MORON. The guy impatiently riding your bumper is a MANIAC."

Most places, mountain drivers know well that the variation in speeds on mountain roads is much greater than on flatter, straighter highways. A relaxed comfortable pace for one guy may be way too fast for you. Since you know you are slower than most, just do the courteous thing and pull over at the first turnout.

 

[yeti]

Just get over to the right when it is safe to do so.... and let them go on by.

 

[Arik]

Would a GLOCK sticker stop me from hitting the horn or riding on your tail? No! Why would it? Assuming i even paid attention to it how do i know it hasn't been there from 6 owners ago? And there really is no reason for me yo be afraid, Im not threatening to kill you or rob you.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[kudzu3]

I get a lot of tail gaiting also. I've found that a sudden application of the brakes will move them back pretty quickly. Otherwise, "speak softly and carry a big stick", preferrably a black one.

 

[s1mp13m4n]

I prefer waiting for a cornor and deploying a small oil slick. No more tailgater.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

Some of these answers are really funny --- On another note. Years ago stickers were just there. Then we started haveing vehicles broken into that displayed them. People had even been followed home. Helping a buddy out that had a gun shop, we got all kinds of them. One day I just went out and removed them all. Only one I display now is a USMC sticker on the truck cap. It DOES get a few reactions. I have had tailgaters back off when they got close enough to read it, and am always getting a 'thumbs up' from passers by. I pretty much drive the speed limit, but on back roads I am always looking for things to photograph, so I tend to slow down. I do pull over when needed but it isn't a big deal. I am fond of saying at other times, if they are in THAT big of a hurry they should of left 30 minutes ago. Life is too short to worry about it.

 

[hobby-gunsmith]

scare tailgaters with stickers

I would be a little hesitant of any sort of gun sticker on a vehicle. That only invites would be robbers or anti-gunners to either break into your vehicle or intimidate you. The best thing, as I do, is maintain the speed limit, do not tap on your breaks as that will anger the idiot and sooner or later, the tailgater will pass you whether legal or illegal. For some reason in their own mind, people today need to speed or exceed the speed limit because they are late for work or simply ignore the speed limit. I, sometimes, do not want to drive for the sake of idots on the road. Sooner or later, those idots will wind up wrapped around a tree or killing some innocent person obeying the law and trying to navigate the roadways to the best ot their ability. Stay safe and ignore them.

Nick

 

[Xtasy]

I would just give a **** and drive at your pace. You got the same rights as them to be on the road. If somebody is tailgating.. Just step for a brief moment hard on the brake.. It is magic how people will keep distance

 

[feralmerril]

You need to get that bumper sticker, "I may be slow but I am ahead of you"

 

[ladyT]

Your sticker should read " The last person that tailgated me bought me a new home. What do you want to by me?"

But honestly I would love to have the back window open to revel a mini gun.