Tailgaters on the Road

[masak_aer]

I only drive in the left lane if I am approaching a left exit. Since people are often merging into the right lane, I use the center lane most of the time.
There is no such thing as "letting" someone pass on a multilane highway, as there are always other lanes they can use for that.
The "left lane=passing" concept apparently never caught on here. People routinely pass on both sides, often at the same time, and often 30-40mph over the limit (Lanes clearly marked "turn only" are frequently used for passing, also.)

I just found out from you that the left lane is not commonly known/used as the passing lane. Shouldn't we pass on the left instead of right? Well, what do i know?

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Shouldn't we pass on the left instead of right?

Of course we should. Never confuse what people should do with what they actually do.

 

[rnatalli]

Closing the window wasn't an option? Or driving away to defuse the situation? Not trying to challenge you rnatalli (and the rest of this post is not directed at you, but is a response to your earlier post), but there are people that can maim, disfigure, and kill without a gun. For those in the arts, the safe zone is considered to be about ten feet. Anything less, one had better be quicker and better (and fully prepared) than the other guy...gun or not.

My point is, anyone that has been in these situations understands that is exactly how they escalate. It's that simply. Rather than walk away and defuse, some confront...to their own demise.

I would normally walk away if I could. I could have closed my window, but he was clearly out-of-his-mind so I'm convinced he would have gotten to me anyways. I was pulled into the spot already head first so couldn't drive off and even if I did, now we're in an even more dangerous situation behind the wheels. The best option in this case was to confront. Once it was over, I moved my car to another lot just in case.

I agree that confrontation is almost always a bad option, but there are times when standing your ground is the best choice. I'm trained in Aikido, but I wasn't about to find out how good (or not) I was, lol.

 

[chris6878]

If it's truly an emergency, use your emergency flashers (hazard lights, whatever you want to call them) to let other people know that it is, in fact, an emergency. Emergency is generally indicated by flashing lights, at least with automobiles (ambulance, police, fire truck, etc.....). It's a quick, safe, non-volatile way to allow people to know that there is a problem and you are in a hurry.

I hate drivers that think everyone else should get the hell out of their way just b/c they want to drive 10 or 20 over the speed limit. It's not your right to endanger MY life or anyone else's just b/c you think you need to drive fast, for whatever reason.

If you think driving fast makes a big difference, do some math. It in fact doesn't make a big difference at all, rarely more than a few minutes for any distance that most people normally drive.

Take a 30 mile trip for instance...say the speed limit is 60mph. That will get you there in 30 minutes...easy right? Ok, say you want to drive 10 over, at 70mpg...wow, it still takes 25.7 minutes. Just over 4 minutes saved...how often have you really gotten in trouble for being only 5 minutes late? And how often could you have prevented it if you had only planned ahead anyway? Last check-20mph over at 80mph....some idiots do this and over 30 miles, only save 7.5 minutes of time. Still under 10 minutes difference. You know what? If you drove 60mph and took an extra 7.5 minutes, you aren't even fashionably late yet...in fact, you're pretty much right on the money for almost everything except maybe work...but again-plan ahead. Don't hit the snooze button for the 10th time.

Rant over.

Just move out the way. Dont cause more trouble by staying in the way. You are the type that likes to tell others what to do on the road. It is not your job to tell others how to drive. Just move.

As for the time difference, It feels good to speed sometimes, that is why I do it.

 

[trnqk7]

Correction-I don't care what you do on the road chris, unless you directly affect me. That's when I get pissed off. If you speed up on my *** and start tailgating, then, hell yes, I do care and I will probably try to tell you where to go. How about people like you don't cause trouble in the first place by not speeding up and tailgating people? Ever think about that?

Besides the fact-you mention that it's not my place to tell others how to drive. You sir, are a hypocrite. You are telling me to get out of the way-therefore telling me how to drive.

I also never said I don't speed. I, however, try not to tailgate others. Sometimes, I do. I have my reasons, and in hindsight, none of them are very good. But I still do it. I can see the error in my ways though-whether I have been successful or not in changing my behavior all the time is a different story. I do at least make an effort though.

 

[Thaedium]

What some people fail to realize is that the speed limit is just that...the limit. Anything above that is technically speeding. There is also such a thing as driving too fast for conditions (entirely within the discretion of the officer), and conversely, impeding traffic (driving too slowly). I wouldn't suggest any of these tactics.


That too is a criminal offense in some of the states. Temporarily blinding someone with a deadly weapon (an automobile) at any speed is ill-advised.

Yes, I realize there is such a thing as driving too fast for the conditions, I made mention of that. I also made mention that the driver infront of me had no requirement to be driving 20 under.

Yes, I am also entirely aware that blinding someone with a light is not advisable, for so many reasons then just the fact it could get yourself in trouble.

However, if you think what I suggested was bad, while in Afghanistan in moving convoys we used to fire warning rounds and push impedeing vehicles out of the way. All things considered, I think a flash of high beams is much nicer

 

[Johnd]

However, if you think what I suggested was bad, while in Afghanistan in moving convoys we used to fire warning rounds and push impedeing vehicles out of the way. All things considered, I think a flash of high beams is much nicer

So you recommend comparing driving on our roads to hot zones?

Hmmm. I wonder why road rage exists? And confrontation...over nothing.

Not directed at you Thaedium, but I never looked the guy in the eye who was shot in the face (out of road rage)...wouldn't want to. It's much like the edge of a card, or rolling the dice....playing games and expressing bravissimo and angst on the road. You just never know what the other guys got...

The guy I was referring to shot a driver in the face for the way he passed him on the freeway. I shudder to think what he'd do if someone intentionally blinded him with headlights.

 

[stratman]

I usually carry a couple of boulders on the front seat, the tailgater that insists on drafting my log bumper, gets a granite boulder through their front windshield. Fred and Barney taught me this trick, it works, but those guys are nuts, specially Fred.

 

[masak_aer]

I usually carry a couple of boulders on the front seat, the tailgater that insists on drafting my log bumper, gets a granite boulder through their front windshield. Fred and Barney taught me this trick, it works, but those guys are nuts, specially Fred.

caveman, are u serious? don't know what to say....

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I am not a complete pacifist. I think that there are definitely situations in which fighting is necessary and justified.
Somebody being a jerk in traffic is not one of those situations, however! Life is too valuable to risk it over something so trivial.

 

[Johnd]

I am not a complete pacifist. I think that there are definitely situations in which fighting is necessary and justified.
Somebody being a jerk in traffic is not one of those situations, however! Life is too valuable to risk it over something so trivial.

Agreed. I think Tarub is the only one that suggested the moronic move of slamming on the brakes so the guy rear ends you, thus teaching him a lesson as he'll have to pay his insurance deductible. I think most of us are wiser than that around here. Hopefully, all but one of us are.

 

[Tarub]

I usually carry a couple of boulders on the front seat, the tailgater that insists on drafting my log bumper, gets a granite boulder through their front windshield. Fred and Barney taught me this trick, it works, but those guys are nuts, specially Fred.

Good idea caveman. Cool!! I think thats even better than my suggestion. I think there is an old nintendo game like that, maybe one of the stages on Mario & Luigi.
Hey, if your arms get hurt throwing those rocks let me know. I know a doctor that can help you for bogus medical claim when the tailgaters hit your vehicle from behind. That will help to support your AV hobby. SLAM on that break pedal. Bravissisimo!!! I really like that word.

 

[Pyrrho]

Slamming on the brakes would be illegal and stupid as it may result in serious injury to oneself as well as others. Is there any serious controversy over this?

In all fairness to the other members here Pyrrho, I believe the only one who suggested such an asinine move was Tarub.

Btw, I haven't heard from him in a while. I wonder if he just slammed on his brakes and got rear ended?

I am very sorry if it seemed as though I intended to insult the members of this site with that remark. In point of fact, I meant that it is unlikely that most people would seriously think that it was a good idea to do such a thing. Hence, my question asking if there was really a controversy over this matter.

 

[Johnd]

I am very sorry if it seemed as though I intended to insult the members of this site with that remark. In point of fact, I meant that it is unlikely that most people would seriously think that it was a good idea to do such a thing. Hence, my question asking if there was really a controversy over this matter.

I don't think you need to apologize Pyrrho. I think it's moronic and asinine to intentionally cause harm and injury (unless at war). I just can't believe there is such a discussion over this. It goes to show the disparate mindsets within our culture...on such a simple matter. Imagine how more convoluted it gets for some on more complex issues...like how to make a peanut butter sandwich.

As long as people have such strong differences in opinion on such simple matters, there will be controversy. And as long as people refuse to open their minds, compromise, consider others, and yes, sometimes even back down, that controversy will continue to rise to the level of an altercation. And unfortunately, sometimes to injury, or worse.

In a phrase, there's a lot of morons out there.

 

[rnatalli]

In a phrase, there's a lot of morons out there.

We're all morons in our own ways.

 

[Johnd]

Bravissisimo!!! I really like that word.

You do, huh? I got more of 'em. I'm full of 'em...and it, usually.

 

[Tarub]

You do, huh? I got more of 'em. I'm full of 'em...and it, usually.

Seriously now. I respectfully request to have your permission to use that word as part of my sig. That how much I like it.

 

[j_garcia]

One day I am the driver pissed off at all the other dummies, and other days I am the dummy I don't disagree with that. LOL

 

[Thaedium]

So you recommend comparing driving on our roads to hot zones?

Hmmm. I wonder why road rage exists? And confrontation...over nothing.

Not directed at you Thaedium, but I never looked the guy in the eye who was shot in the face (out of road rage)...wouldn't want to. It's much like the edge of a card, or rolling the dice....playing games and expressing bravissimo and angst on the road. You just never know what the other guys got...

The guy I was referring to shot a driver in the face for the way he passed him on the freeway. I shudder to think what he'd do if someone intentionally blinded him with headlights.

Not recommending anything really. I'm just saying if you think a little bit of aggressive driving is bad, hop on overseas for a bit and see what people who live there have to deal with on a day to day basis.

Frankly, tailgating is a non-issue in my opinion. If you don't like someone doing it to you its easy enough to move out of the way.

And as far as this person who shot another person in the face goes, it is a rare exception. No more different then walking down the street and getting shot because you didn't move out of the way of someone as they walked passed. No particular cause for me, and I hope others, to drastically change the way they drive (especially if they don't drive bad).

 

[rnatalli]

I'm just saying if you think a little bit of aggressive driving is bad, hop on overseas for a bit and see what people who live there have to deal with on a day to day basis.

Yeah... Getting into a rotary in Rome was tricky business and doing 100km/h on a winding mountain road is fun too.