The idea is simple enough:
Fit cars with automatic, speed-controled, extensible bumpers. The faster you go, the farther they extend - ensuring every car remains a safe distance ahead and behind you. It also prohibits people cutting in front of you, ruining your safety zone.

Just make sure they're all mounted at the same height.
-- phoenix, Jun 29 2002

Tailgating research http://www.smartmotorist.com/tai/tai.htm
Following distances and tailgating stats. [polartomato, Jun 29 2002, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Extendable fenders http://www.newscien...mart-cars-safe.html
Extendable fender could keep smart cars safe [BunsenHoneydew, Feb 22 2007]

I'm worried that males will decide that they need to drive as fast as possible in order to make their bumper stick out as far as possible.
-- polartomato, Jun 29 2002


[tsonga], it depends on where you live, methinks... I think the population as a whole tailgates nearly evenly, with men driving a tad more aggressively overall. (See link)

Going back to the idea at hand, it might actually work... I wonder how the bumpers would react in the event of an actual crash.
-- polartomato, Jun 29 2002


Hard to say, since they're passive/aggressive
-- thumbwax, Jun 29 2002


I normally just move over to let them pass. i asume that they are in a hurry. but also depends on what type off mood i'm in. if i feel like being a a..hole i slow down till they try to pass. then speed up so they get stuck in the slow lane.
-- chuck10669, Nov 27 2002


This might make sense if you had to use pre-WWII technology, but why not use a rangefinder coupled with the speedometer to determine when a vehicle is too close? Then do what you like to discourage the tailgater. Most effective (barring assault) might be to photograph the car, including the license plate, and automatically transmit the picture, location, speed, etc., to the highway patrol. A few minutes later, the tailgater is pulled over and you keep driving without even knowing you've just ratted on him.
-- horripilation, Nov 27 2002


horripilation, If the person is right behind you then they are probably going the same speed as you...
-- BJS, Sep 05 2006


I wonder how these bumpers would handle bumps in the road... Perhaps they will need wheels of their own, or at least rollers.
-- ye_river_xiv, Oct 01 2006



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