Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Fend off tailgaters

 With simple technology
  (+2)
(+2) 		  [vote for,
against]

I searched for this, came up in vain but it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Have a small laser distance measuring device, it doesn't have to be a good one, it only needs to work to a distance of about 5-6m max.

When a car comes too close to your car (1.5m or less), your brake lights flash on, and freak out any tailgater's I hope this will deter tailgater's and wake up people not paying attention.

—swimr, Jul 07 2004

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       I think this would have to be kept a secret to work. If the product were widely known than a tailgater could easily test for the existence of the device on the vehicle that she is tailgating.
—bristolz, Jul 07 2004
   

       What happens when you really put your foot on the brake? Maybe a different light (a "get off my arse" light) would be better.
—reap, Jul 07 2004
   

       Maybe something a little less subtle than brake lights would be better, but might escalate road rage. My crappy transmission on my crappy car allows me to move the shifter just enough into reverse before the gears grind to give the tailgater a flash of reverse lights. Works best at night.
—gabe, Jul 07 2004
   

       The switch that activates your backup lights is pretty removed from the transmission. It's usually mounted very close to the user end of the gear selector.
—bristolz, Jul 07 2004
   

       This is one of the better anti-tailgater ideas we've discussed here. You wouldn't need to keep it a secret, Bris, nor have separate lights - the whole point is that it signals the following driver that he is too close in a way that communicates the potential danger directly to his adrenal glands.   

       I've found the most effective way to deal with tailgaters in the real world is to gently slow down without braking, then speed up again. They usually get the message after two or three cycles. If your concern is safety, rather than principal, you could even pull over and let them pass.
—egbert, Jul 08 2004
   

       Another good reason to slow down for a tailgater is to piss him of.
—energy guy, Apr 06 2005
   
      
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