[quote]hedo wrote:
I was riding my road bike several years ago on a nice country road. Two lanes and decent shoulders. A 10-wheel dump truck brushed me as it went past. I was in the middle of the shoulder. He could of easily given me 5-10 ft. of clearance. Nobody was around. He was trying to see how close he could get to me.
Knocked me down but I got the name off the side of his truck and his truck number. Drove over to the trucking company and bitched the owner out till I was blue in the face. Said he would do the same to the driver when he got in. Sounded reasonable to me.[/quote]
Not me. I would have called the cops. Someone like that has no business being on the road.
[quote]larryb wrote:
Kayrob wrote:
… at which point I smiled and waved at him and I shit you not it looked like the Tasmanian devil was in the cab of his truck…
Good description. Around here I normally drive 35 in the 25 zones, which some people take offense to because apparently they think it is far too slow. I’ll see them behind me, tailgating, doing the Tasmanian devil thing, and sometimes honking. Of course, when that happens I slow down to 25. This happens much more often when I’m driving my friend’s Buick (an “old person” car), probably because they think I’m a harmless old person.[/quote]
This happens to me in my neighborhood where my kids play. I have come to a complete stop, gotten out of my car and let the people in the car/SUV behind me know that my kids play here. Both times these were women, and both times they were very contrite, especially compared to what they were like just a couple of mins ago. They were probably somewhat scared of me, but I was very polite, and as non threatening as can be.
[quote]Z-Man wrote:
Funny this thread should be here today. I had the opportunity to drive through Montana on my way to and from Denver this past weekend. On the way there, I’m doing about 75, speed limit is 70. The highway is undivided with single lane traffic, so you need to pull into the opposing lane to pass. There is no shoulder.
Anyway, I’m cruising along and I see a pickup truck in the distance, I can tell he is going sllllloooooowwwww. As I pull up behind him, the guy slams his brakes, I slow down slightly, make sure the oposing lane is clear and start to pass him As I’m doing so he starts to swerve into my lane while giving me the finger. WTF!!! Luckily, I’m going fast enough that I do get past the guy, and keep on going.
Almost the exact same thing happened on the way back, different truck so I assume different people. But this time I could see the lane was clear, so as soon as he hit the brakes, I didn’t even give him a chance to swerve into my lane, I gunned it past hime while he waved his middle finger at me. Maybe this is just how they treat visitors in Montana.[/quote]
That’s assault. You have a right to shoot those guys.
[quote]kellyc wrote:
Do people just become assholes behind the wheel or what?[/quote]
Yes.
Drive on the Autobahn in Germany, and it’ll be even clearer most American drivers suck.
From my experience on the Autobahn, people drive fast, use the left-hand lane for passing only (or they’ll be ticketed) and are generally observant and considerate of others. I felt I’d reached highway utopia.
Left lane hogs are my PEEVE; I do flash my brights to these idiots, and they usually move right, but I experienced crazy road rage a couple weeks ago.
Guy was driving 60 in the left lane, holding up a bunch of cars; I flashed my brights, he didn’t get right, I finally could pass on the right, guy sped up to like 90 to get back around me then dropped down to 55 next to a semi in order to ‘teach me’ and held me and 10 other cars up for miles.
[quote]SBB wrote:
kellyc wrote:
Do people just become assholes behind the wheel or what?
Yes.
Drive on the Autobahn in Germany, and it’ll be even clearer most American drivers suck.
From my experience on the Autobahn, people drive fast, use the left-hand lane for passing only (or they’ll be ticketed) and are generally observant and considerate of others. I felt I’d reached highway utopia.
Left lane hogs are my PEEVE; I do flash my brights to these idiots, and they usually move right, but I experienced crazy road rage a couple weeks ago.
Guy was driving 60 in the left lane, holding up a bunch of cars; I flashed my brights, he didn’t get right, I finally could pass on the right, guy sped up to like 90 to get back around me then dropped down to 55 next to a semi in order to ‘teach me’ and held me and 10 other cars up for miles.
This happens to me in my neighborhood where my kids play. I have come to a complete stop, gotten out of my car and let the people in the car/SUV behind me know that my kids play here. Both times these were women, and both times they were very contrite, especially compared to what they were like just a couple of mins ago. They were probably somewhat scared of me, but I was very polite, and as non threatening as can be.[/quote]
The few times I’ve tried that, they’ve always taken off. Last time, a couple of years ago, a dude on a motorcycle ran a red light to get away when I just wanted to know what the problem was. And I’m not even that intimidating (at least not with a shirt on).
[quote]SBB wrote:
kellyc wrote:
Do people just become assholes behind the wheel or what?
Yes.
Drive on the Autobahn in Germany, and it’ll be even clearer most American drivers suck.
From my experience on the Autobahn, people drive fast, use the left-hand lane for passing only (or they’ll be ticketed) and are generally observant and considerate of others. I felt I’d reached highway utopia.
Left lane hogs are my PEEVE; I do flash my brights to these idiots, and they usually move right, but I experienced crazy road rage a couple weeks ago.
Guy was driving 60 in the left lane, holding up a bunch of cars; I flashed my brights, he didn’t get right, I finally could pass on the right, guy sped up to like 90 to get back around me then dropped down to 55 next to a semi in order to ‘teach me’ and held me and 10 other cars up for miles.
[/quote]
That’s why the accident rate is way lower than US Highways, even though the average speeds are much higher. Slow speed limits do NOT prevent accidents, good drivers do.
As big strong weightlifters we should all adopt my wonderful rule.
When you drive, pretend you are walking on the sidewalk. You wouldn’t flip someone off or shake your fist and go ballistic if someone did something stupid in front of you. You also wouldn’t provoke shit if someone stepped on your heal and walked too close to you. If you wouldn’t do it to their face, don’t do it from the safety of your car. Do you really think all your tough guy bullshit is going to make that person a better driver?
I saw a big guy in a Jeep the other day flip off and yell at a minivan that cut it a little close while passing. Whatever. People suck.
[quote]kellyc wrote:
Specifically when you screw up or the other guy screws up. I ask this because a few weeks ago I was pulling out of a gas station on an open highway with boat in tow. I took a look and incorrectly decided there was enough space for me to go.
As I was already commited to going I realized I screwed up and I fully expected to take a finger and a good honking from the truck that was coming. What I got was at least five minutes of honking and flashing of the lights. Then when he finally got an opportunity to pass he cut in front probably less than two feet in front of my bumper.
This got me to thinking. When someone pulls out in front of me, causing me to slow more than a little bit I’ll give a quick honk and that’s it. If they pull out so I have to break hard I blast the horn. In both cases the driver of the other car most likely gives me the finger. What is up with that? They cut me off and give the finger?
Do people just become assholes behind the wheel or what? What do you guys think is the right way to handle these and other driving situations?[/quote]
[quote]dswithers wrote:
SBB wrote:
kellyc wrote:
Do people just become assholes behind the wheel or what?
Yes.
Drive on the Autobahn in Germany, and it’ll be even clearer most American drivers suck.
From my experience on the Autobahn, people drive fast, use the left-hand lane for passing only (or they’ll be ticketed) and are generally observant and considerate of others. I felt I’d reached highway utopia.
Left lane hogs are my PEEVE; I do flash my brights to these idiots, and they usually move right, but I experienced crazy road rage a couple weeks ago.
Guy was driving 60 in the left lane, holding up a bunch of cars; I flashed my brights, he didn’t get right, I finally could pass on the right, guy sped up to like 90 to get back around me then dropped down to 55 next to a semi in order to ‘teach me’ and held me and 10 other cars up for miles.
That’s why the accident rate is way lower than US Highways, even though the average speeds are much higher. Slow speed limits do NOT prevent accidents, good drivers do.[/quote]
It is much much harder to get your license in most European countries… and everyone, I mean everyone can drive a standard.
This happens to me in my neighborhood where my kids play. I have come to a complete stop, gotten out of my car and let the people in the car/SUV behind me know that my kids play here. Both times these were women, and both times they were very contrite, especially compared to what they were like just a couple of mins ago. They were probably somewhat scared of me, but I was very polite, and as non threatening as can be.
The few times I’ve tried that, they’ve always taken off. Last time, a couple of years ago, a dude on a motorcycle ran a red light to get away when I just wanted to know what the problem was. And I’m not even that intimidating (at least not with a shirt on).[/quote]
I did it in my neighborhood, with cars on both sides of the street, so they were more or less stuck. Both times there were cars coming up behind them. There is a school behind my house and these people speed along my street to pick up their kids, nevermind that half the kids walk to school and have to cross that road.
By far the best thing you can do to freak people out is when they make a knowing mistake pull up beside them or if they can see you just start flipping out and go absolutely insane. Just like the previous posters driver start beating the dash and rocking/shaking uncontrollably in your seat all the while screaming at the top of your lungs. After they look like they are ready to cry or get away from you as fast as possible just stop all the madness and smile and wave. The looks I get with this manuever are priceless.
I get annoyed with people who don’t know how to use common sense and correct communication when driving. If you are going to be making a right hand turn, dont just slow down and turn, put your blinker on. When you are cruising in traffic on the highway and find that you have gotten a little too close for comfort on the car in front of you, DONT slam or even tap the brakes, get off the gas and your car will miracuasly slow down, without giving the eight cars behind you ulcers.
[quote]SBB wrote:
kellyc wrote:
Do people just become assholes behind the wheel or what?
Yes.
Drive on the Autobahn in Germany, and it’ll be even clearer most American drivers suck.
From my experience on the Autobahn, people drive fast, use the left-hand lane for passing only (or they’ll be ticketed) and are generally observant and considerate of others. I felt I’d reached highway utopia.
Left lane hogs are my PEEVE; I do flash my brights to these idiots, and they usually move right, but I experienced crazy road rage a couple weeks ago.
Guy was driving 60 in the left lane, holding up a bunch of cars; I flashed my brights, he didn’t get right, I finally could pass on the right, guy sped up to like 90 to get back around me then dropped down to 55 next to a semi in order to ‘teach me’ and held me and 10 other cars up for miles.
[/quote]
Sorry about that. You misunderstood. I wasn’t mad, I just wanted to look at you for a lot longer.
Everyone would be much better off if we all could realize that everyone in their car is just trying to get somewhere safely.
I will get pissed off at people who put my family in danger by driving like a maniac.
I also get pissed when I’m trying to make my train in the morning and some dumbass is driving 10 mph in a 25 mph zone and we get stuck at red light after red light. At least go close to the limit.
And I’m also pissed that I’ve never been flashed by a chick on the highway. What’s up with that?
yeah, people can be real idiots on the road, whether or not they are in a car. Like the guys (and gals) who, when traffic is backed up decide to pull out, run along the curb and then pull in in front of you, even it it means running you off the road, running you into the ditch, whatever. just so they can get a dozen car lengths ahead.
Out of cars, I’ve had bicycle Nazis who think that they can get away with whatever shit they feel like. Had one throw himself in front of me (with wife and two small children in car)when I had the right of way and was making a turn and he had been sitting on sidewalk. I spiked the brakes, narrowly missed hitting his dumb ass, and give him the digit. This guy turns around in the street (on his bike mind you) follows me to the next stop light to “straighten me out.” You should have seen the look on his face when he realized I outweighed him by about 80 pounds and could crush him verbally as well. Then he runs through a three way intersection on his bike against oncoming traffic to escape my putting his dumb ass in its place.
Another guy was a daily jogger back in the woods where I grew up. One of those damned city fellars who move out to the country, buy up a bunch of land, build an expensive house, put up a bunch of private property signs on land your family’s been hunting on for generation, etc… Well this guy like to jog along the road on the INSIDE of the line, not on the berm. With the turns, hills, woods, etc. the driving was bad where he took his daily jog anyways, but he made a point of playing chicken with anyone driving past him. He would NOT cross the line onto the berm. The oncoming cars had to go around. Well one day a local kid hit and killed his ass dead on a blind curve. The guys family has proven themselves to be cut of the same cloth with all the extra lengths they’ve gone to make sure this scared kid (who is a good kid but learning disabled and needs a little extra help and support) gets punished, not helped. Strictest prison instead of a youth camp, no early parole for good behavior or any of the other options that the law keeps trying to give him because he is just a scared kid.
