I have a lot to say about this topic. When I drive with the PU people seem ok and understanding but there's always someone who tries to push. I try to not let this get to me and just pull over.
But I don't want to just start this thread for driving when towing a trailer. Anyone who has a gripe about driving let's hear it.
One of the things that bothers me most are the cutters. People who use the off ramps or right turn lanes to pass traffic.
I think the way people drive in a given area says a lot about a community. I'm a planner by trade (transportation and city planning). I believe the way cities are designed along with their transportation systems are a big reason for road rage. People have to drive farther and farther in more and more crowded conditions. This leads to frustration because people are constantly late. Frustration leads to anger.
I think that we live in an age of constantly intensifying "Instant self-gratification". This is evidenced by the amount of debt and lack of savings. It is also evidenced by people's increasing emphasis on "Self importance" in their driving.
I think that some of this mentality is stimulated by video games. When a person is playing a video game, it is all about that person vs. the rest of the world (game world). The really bad thing is that the rest of the world has not value and often must be eliminated to proceed with the game. The intensity and time that is involved in this type of thinking permeates a person's life. A lot of young people spend 8+ hours per day involved in this "mode" it is only reasonable to think that it would continue on into their normal, everyday behavior.
The other side of the coin is the person behind the wheel that feels that they have some responsibility to correct offensive driving behavior. This is where the road rage comes in.
I highly recommend that each person be responsible for his/her driving and not be concerned about other's driving habits. It will only irritate a person if that person allows it. The trick is to be strong enough to not allow other people to control your feelings. It's not an easy thing to do but in this day & age, it could make the difference between life & death.
NOW...................having said all that.............my pet peeve is people passing on the right and cutting in. In my mind, that is the ultimate in flagrant self-importance. I have a habit of refusing to let those people cut in.
I am working on my annoyance of this behavior and I have come to the realization that these people are determining the way that I feel. I am trying to refuse to let these people control me.....but it's hard.
I couldn't agree with you more. The last trip I had someone try to get past me in bumper to bumper traffic on the shoulder. I nicely introduced him to the dividing wall (very low speed 2-3 mph). Of course while we were both sitting there, he told me I was his number one fan. As an EMT I can tell you that so many accidents are caused by people doing stupid stuff like that or not paying attention.
Quote from: waveryThe other side of the coin is the person behind the wheel that feels that they have some responsibility to correct offensive driving behavior. This is where the road rage comes in.
I highly recommend that each person be responsible for his/her driving and not be concerned about other's driving habits. It will only irritate a person if that person allows it. The trick is to be strong enough to not allow other people to control your feelings. It's not an easy thing to do but in this day & age, it could make the difference between life & death.
I have told each of my kids - repeatedly - "You are not responsible for enforcing traffic laws or customs."
Around here, a lot of what people perceive as being illegal is not, it really just not traditional. For example, I'd bet 20% of the drivers in Minnesota think it is illegal to drive to the end of an ending lane before merging. Only about 5% of drivers do so, but another 5% will attempt to block the lane by straddling the line to prevent those using the entire length of the lane from doing so - which is illegal. Without realizing it,
they break the law in an attempt to self-enforce a law that does not exist!Long story:
I was a passenger with my brother once about 20 years ago when we encountered road rage face-to-face. We were in the left-most lane of an interstate, taking a left exit (a two lane ramp) onto another interstate. The ramp went through a rock cut and didn't have the best visibility. The posted speed limit (white sign, so it's a legal limit) on this ramp was 50, and we were probably going about 10 over, approximate traffic speed.
My brother pointed out that the car behind us had no headlights (it was daytime - it meant he was tailgating to the extreme). I looked, and could see the guy's face; he looked angry. My brother thought that if we were going to be that close, we should at least wave, and maybe introduce ourselves, so he did so (5-fingers). No change. So he two-footed the brake & accelerator (no speed change, but the brake lights come on). About that time, we completed the merge with the other interstate, and this fine gentleman decides to pass us on the right. Except he doesn't pass, he paces us.
I noticed that no part of his car was not dented. Bad sign. He rolled down his window, put out his head (yes,
he stuck his head out the window of a car going over 65 MPH in the center lane of an interstate). His face was red, and I could see the blood vessels popping out of his forehead. At the top of his lungs, he hollers "Do you want to talk about it? Do you want to %*@#'ing pull over and talk about it?"
He repeated this several times as though he thought we could not hear him. We pretended to completely ignore him.
My brain was going a thousand miles a minute. Is he armed (with anything besides the deadly weapon of a car)? Is he on speed or something? Does he really want to talk? (Oh, of course he just wants to talk...) Does he realize there are two of us and only one of him? Do I really want to get in a scrape with a guy that gets this riled about defending his "right to tailgate?"
After about 20 seconds, he gave up, but not before he left us with a parting shot...he hocked a lunger out the window at us. In a bit of poetic justice, the slipstream blew it back on his car. Then he was gone, weaving through traffic at speeds that I would have estimated were close to 100 MPH at times.
I said to my brother "I hope he's not going home to a wife and kids like that."
Austin
What do you expect out a "Me" generation? In the last 2 weeks, I've almost broadsided 2 vehicles who ran red lights, and I got the attitude that I was in the way of their mad dash to work......:mad:
Quick story...about 3 years ago, we were caravanning back from a cg. Leading was a 5th wheel, then a travel trailer, then 3 pop-ups. I was tailing last. Some clown comes roaring up behind me(couldn't see his headlights, he was so close), plays peek-a-boo for about 2 miles, thens hammers it. He managed to pass ALL of us and disappears into the distance, but not before "saluting" all of us individually.:swear:
About 10 minutes later, we all slowed down to avoid a deer in the middle of the road, which had just been hit by....yep, Mr. Road Rage. His nice shiny Beretta was sitting in a ditch, with most of the front clip demolished.
We all gave a toot of the horn and our own "salutes" as we passed him, walking down the road to the nearest phone......:D
Excellent stories. I have a good one too.
One time I was being tailgated. I did the right thing and moved over one lane to the right. The person then sped up to the next car, which happened to be a city police. To my dismay she started tailgating the police! This didn't last for too long before the police moved over, let her pass, got behind and pulled her over! Yes.
This happened to us the night we actually bought our pop up, the first time taking it home!
I have driven with a motorcyle trailer on the back of my car before, so a pop up was a new thing, so I wanted to be cautious.
When I went to look at the pop up (1.5 hrs away from home) I installed the trailer wiring myself. When we checked out the camper, we realized we wanted it. Plugged the camper in, and realized none of the lights worked (my fault, I didn't do quite a good job on the wiring). So we left without the camper, and decided to come back next week. It wasn't the most convenient, but the safest alternative because this camper had electric brakes and all, and even with my wiring, I didn't prepare for that.
So on that monday I dropped off the van for them to wire it correctly and add a brake controller.
Fast forward to picking up the camper. We plug it in, and here one tail light isnt out (but it works when the guy plugs it into his car). Whatever, its getting dark, I want to get outta there and head home ASAP. We will just be cautious, take te PA turnpike to Jersey Turnpike and head home that way. Two straight roads, with 2-3 lanes each way, I can go in the "slow lane" and things will be fine.
Halfway home we come up to a section with merging traffic. Nobody is behind me for a little while and nobody is on either side of me. There seems to be like 4-5 cars in a row ready to merge, so I pull into the "fast lane". Out of nowhere, this blazer comes and does that disappearing headlight trick, that's how close he was.
Now here I am with a wife who is nervous about pulling a trailer for the first time, two twin 15 month old boys in their carseats (just them in the car make driving a nervous venture anyway) and now this guy who is in a huge rush.
By this time I have the first car of the merging group next to me....and he is now just about up to speed. So we are going about 10-15 mph faster than what we were doing before, and this guy next to me is keeping pace with us....great.
The guy behind is honking, flashing, peek a boo, everything. We are just staying calm, just letting this run its course. Once we feel we can safely pass, with what we think is adequate room to pull back over, we will. We are just trying to stay calm, relax, and get out of this guys way.
Well, apparantly we had adequate room to pull over, because that blazer shot into the left lane. Then proceeds to cut us off by sharply pulling over into the right hand lane, and then SLAMMING on his brakes. We went from 65-70mph to like 40 mph in the matter of seconds. Now I am no like 3 inches from his bumper (not by my choice). My wife is in tears, screaming how we have babies and this big trailer, etc...I am very shaken up because this was downright scary. I keep saying out loud, you see a van pulling a large pop up trailer, why would you do such a thing?
I am a manufacturer representative, and with my job I drive on average 300 miles a week all over S. Jersey and I have never seen anything this bad. Let alone to a family in a mini van pulling a trailer.
We haven't been out in the camper since we bought it in April yet, but since that time I have replaced both tires, replaced and repacked the bearings, went and found out what was wrong with the tailings (just have to jiggle the connection to get a good connection), and properly adjusted the electronic brake controller. So I do feel better about towing the trailer...
However that maiden voyage home is something I will probably never forget anytime soon....
Quote from: DrayI believe the way cities are designed along with their transportation systems are a big reason for road rage. People have to drive farther and farther in more and more crowded conditions. This leads to frustration because people are constantly late. Frustration leads to anger.
Most of the highways were built for X number of cars and now 3X travel them.
When I got my license, the rule was 1 car length between cars for every 10 mph. Now that 6 car gap at 60 mph would be filled by 4 cars instantly. Leaving room for safety gets eaten by others that don't care.
Not sure if there is such a thing as a safe driving distance taught in drivers education anymore?
Quote from: chasd60Not sure if there is such a thing as a safe driving distance taught in drivers education anymore?
There certanly is - and it is safer than "one car lenght per 10 MPH." It is the two-second rule. The problem with it is what you stated - not enough road capacity for the number of vehicles.
That and a particular aspect of human nature to gradually ignore "safety" issues when there is no *percieved* danger:
[INDENT]If I don't see the accident happening, it won't. If I get away with it, then it was OK. I can do it again. If I do it enough, then I can take even greater chances - it's no big deal.[/INDENT]Now nobody conciously thinks this way, but it is human nature to let our subconcious minds tell us these lies. Gradually, one car length becomes percieved as safe at any speed, no matter what we are taught. Many who drive that way would swear they don't, because the change has been so gradual.
Most of us come to a stopping point - a place where even our subconcious mind says "that's far enough," but a few never stop, to the point of not recognizing the serious hazard they have become. Even they would swear they don't have a problem. And a few go far enough to get angry at those of us who do draw a line for ourselves, and inconvenience them because we do.
I like my brother's tongue-in-cheek philosophy: "Anybody going faster than me is a maniac, and anybody going slower is a menace." :yikes:
Austin
Quote from: AustinBostonThere certainly is - and it is safer than "one car length per 10 MPH." It is the two-second rule.
The two-second rule is what I was taught in driver's ed 28 years ago. It works at every road speed.
Another thing my instructor taught us when being followed too closely was to gradually slow down (never tap the brakes). That accomplishes two things: 1) it forces the offender to pass you and get away from you, and 2) if they don't or can't, it gets your speed down to minimize damage and injury should an accident occur.
To this day, I enjoy using that. It is actually fun and gratifying to just ever-so-slowly reduce your speed to maybe 10 mph below the speed limit. You won't have to do it long. The person behind you WILL pass you just as soon as they are able. And if they don't and an accident were to occur, it is far better at 50 mph than 60 mph. Every 1 mph less that an accident occurs at makes a big difference in potential damage.
Quote from: fallsriderThe two-second rule is what I was taught in driver's ed 28 years ago. It works at every road speed.
The law in Minnesota now is a 3-second rule. I think it is silly, not because it is more than necessary, but because the issue isn't how much is safe, it's what people actually do. Most will admit to not following even a one-second rule, and I routinely see people following at 1/4 second even when there's plenty of open lane space.
How about enforcing the 2-second rule rather than making a 3-second rule? Oh, yes, that means more police...and $$$. Need that for the new rec. center in my district...
Austin
Quote from: cmack98Well, apparantly we had adequate room to pull over, because that blazer shot into the left lane. Then proceeds to cut us off by sharply pulling over into the right hand lane, and then SLAMMING on his brakes. We went from 65-70mph to like 40 mph in the matter of seconds. Now I am no like 3 inches from his bumper (not by my choice). My wife is in tears, screaming how we have babies and this big trailer, etc...I am very shaken up because this was downright scary. I keep saying out loud, you see a van pulling a large pop up trailer, why would you do such a thing?
In a situation like this, I would probably grab my cellphone, call 911 and report the drivers actions, vehicle description, license plate number, highway number, milepost number and direction of travel. The call will be dispatched to the police and they will do a look-see. If they see anything, they will stop them. At the very least, reporting the other driver should help calm you down, and it's possible the other driver will be ticketed for some offense.
I guess I have a problem with all those vehicles out there that either have broken turn signals or are not equipped with them.
As a kid, I was taught how to use hand signals while driving. I wonder if this practice needs to be revived.
Quote from: GeneFI guess I have a problem with all those vehicles out there that either have broken turn signals or are not equipped with them.
As a kid, I was taught how to use hand signals while driving. I wonder if this practice needs to be revived.
Saw a bumper sticker somewhere, went something like:
"If you can't operate your turn signal, what makes you think you can operate the rest of your vehicle?"
I liked that one!
Quote from: dthurkSaw a bumper sticker somewhere, went something like:
"If you can't operate your turn signal, what makes you think you can operate the rest of your vehicle?"
I liked that one!
At first, I liked this, but it asumes that the ones who can't operate the turn signal can read... :(
Austin
I want to put a bumper sticker on my PU that says, "I may be slow but I'm in front of you!"
Quote from: DrayI want to put a bumper sticker on my PU that says, "I may be slow but I'm in front of you!"
A long time ago, I came up with a saying that I put in my signature: "I may be slow, you may be passing me. But I'm going camping!"
Popupexplorer.com made it into a bumper sticker and sold it for a long time, but I can't find it at their website anymore.
Larry
I mostly ignore the idiots who drive so poorly around me. I figure if they are driving that bady, and are in such a hurry, they must really have to PEE!!! :eyecrazy:
Don't let them ruin your camping trip!
What I really enjoy is rolling up next to them at the next red light. See, driving like that got you nowhere! :D
Quote from: fallsriderThe two-second rule is what I was taught in driver's ed 28 years ago.
I thought that must be a new thing, guess I was right.:D
32 years ago we were taught the 1 car length per 10mph rule.
In drivers ed we had a simulator that measured reaction time. A light turned red at random intervals and it timed how long it took for you to apply the brakes.
They should do that now with the person dialing a cell phone to make it real.;)
Quote from: chasd60I thought that must be a new thing, guess I was right.:D
32 years ago we were taught the 1 car length per 10mph rule.
In drivers ed we had a simulator that measured reaction time. A light turned red at random intervals and it timed how long it took for you to apply the brakes.
They should do that now with the person dialing a cell phone to make it real.;)
Chas60........just remember....when you were in drivers ed, they were still using candles. It took a while to blow out the yellow one and light the red one :p .
Quote from: chasd60In drivers ed we had a simulator that measured reaction time. A light turned red at random intervals and it timed how long it took for you to apply the brakes.
They should do that now with the person dialing a cell phone to make it real.;)
Yeah, we did that, too. It was more about being the fastest kid in your class with reaction time than it was learning about how slow we really are. But the reality of it is that you were sitting there focused intently on that light. How many of us focus our attention that intently ahead of us while barreling down the road at 65+ mph. I know I don't.
And like you said, throw a cell phone into the equation. Reaction time would probably slow down 10-fold.
I admit I struggle with getting really angry at the way others drive, but I am working on it. The thing I hate the most is tailgating, it still works me up when I can
2 weeks ago some jerk on I-95 pulling a travel trailer pulled up next to me and moved into my lane sending me onto the shoulder. I was pulling a new trailer and having sway problems and couldn't speed up to repay the favor which enraged me even more. I'm sure his #$%%# !@ ears were ringing.
Quote from: harleywolfWell about 15 minutes later I get called to the principals office (yes 20 years later and I STILL get sent to the principal) who said he just got a complaint from a parent. I asked what the complaint was, he told me the parent told him what had happened, her tailgating and everything! By the end of our conversation we STILL could not really identify what her complaint was! But she certainly felt justified enough to try and get me in trouble at work! We had a good laugh. I think people forget that school people have feelings too and they think that we
Just this last weekend, we were driving through Center City in Philadelphia, and felt the car move at a red light even though my dh had his foot on the brake. I got out and ran around the back of the car to see if there was any damage, and then when I saw, I had to laugh. I forgot the tow ball was still attached to my TV, and the car that hit us had a nice dent in her front bumper! ;)
ok, so i'm working a late night shift. Got off work at about 2:30AM. I'm on the interstate highway completely alone traveling at exactly the legal speed limit -65mph- in the right lane, just minding my own buisness. There's not another car the road with me in sight. After a few miles I see a set head lights in my rear view mirror way way back there. In a matter of a minute or less he's right on my rear bumper and I mean his headlights have disapeared into my back bumper. I become quite concerned, man this guy is nuts and I don't have a clue what his intentions are. I'm not armed and my cell phone is not with me and it is just him and me out there, not another car in sight. I wait a little bit and then I move quickly to the left lane and this idiot doesn't lose an inch......he's right with me. Back to the right lane I go and so does he. Man, I am mad as hell now and scared. I considered stomping the brakes let him eat my a$$ but I think better of it......so I start VERY slowly backing down the speed. When I got down to to about 60mph, he pulls to the left lane and accelerates past me...........in his cop car!!!
Quote from: campdaddyWhen I got down to to about 60mph, he pulls to the left lane and accelerates past me...........in his cop car!!!
I hope you reported him. In his role, he has no business needlessly putting other people in danger.
Austin
Quote from: AustinBostonI hope you reported him. In his role, he has no business needlessly putting other people in danger.
Austin
I agree I probably should have but I was just glad the whole incident was over. It was an Ohio Highway Sate Patrol car. This was 7-8 years ago and back then I frequently worked those type of hours and was frequently on that strech of road, alone at that time of night coming home. I didn't want to do anythnig -like report him- where he would have had vendeta to settle latter.
I'd also like to make clear that in my 35+ years of driving this was the only time I can remember where a cop was anythnig but courtious and professional in our interactions. I think most police officers, especially Sheriffs Deputies and State Patrol Officers do a great job. I know when I 've needed them they have been right there for me. I am not anti-law enforcemnt at all; this was, I assume, just a rogue cop playing games for some reason and I would not want to paint them all with the same brush.
Quote from: campdaddyI am not anti-law enforcemnt at all; this was, I assume, just a rogue cop playing games for some reason and I would not want to paint them all with the same brush.
I am not anti-law-enforcement either, but I am just a little jaded. In the town I grew up,
four different police chiefs were
convicted of felonies in a 25-year period. In about that same period, a 14 YO girl confided in my brother that a uniformed police officer had picked her up in the middle of the night and gave her a choice...
...My brother went to the DA. Cop got out of it.
Same cop was later responsible for a 16 YO girl's death. Supposedly, they made a suicide pact because his wife would not give him a divorce. They both OD'd on coke, the girl died. He got out of that..."I have a drug problem and want rehab..." IMHO, he should have been charged with murder.
Same cop was responsible for breaking a 75 YO man's neck. He stomped on it as part of an "armed and dangerous" report. The man had never even had a parking ticket before. He got out of that, too.
At one time, after a string of break-ins, he was given an award for craking the case. About 20 teenagers were arrested. For a long time, we heard nothing about the case after that. Then it came out that nearly every teen had an alibi for nearly every break-in...and it was proven that some of the "evidence" against them had to have been planted...and guess who the only officer who could have done so was?
There were several other incidents that slip my mind right now. It seemed like no matter what we did, we couldn't get rid of him. He finally had a heart attack, which meant the town continued to pay his salary (a.k.a. full diability), but at least he wasn't breaking necks while wearign a badge.
There were 50 other officers on the force, and we never heard a thing about any of them. But there is one in every bunch...
Austin
One problem on the roads is the way people merge into traffic. As I am driving down the expressway at 65 mph I am not required to slow down to let merging traffic in. Merging traffic needs to speed up to the speed I am moving in order to blend with traffic. I know someone will correct me if I am wrong here, but I am tired of coming to a stop on the road to let someone who is going slow into traffic. Even if I am pulling a trailer I need to be going the same speed as traffic to blend in with it.
My wife actually got rearended because some moron decided to stop at the end of the ramp and the guy behind her slammed into her at 45mph.
I am tired of people who will not go the speed limit. That is all I ask is go the speed limit, if you can't, then get off the road. Coming home a week ago driving down I90 thru Wisc where it is 2 lanes, we came upon traffic backed up as far as the eye could see going about 50-55mph (SL is 65mph). By no means was I mad or upset, but we finally make it up to where the delay begins and there is an older couple (driver could barely see over the steering wheel) driving a dually pickup with a 30-40 foot 5er. Maybe I am weird, but cmon at least do the speed limit. I am not trying to set any land speed records towing my trailer.
Also on the same trip I came up on a slow moving trailer in the right lane, a slow moving truck in the center lane, and I jumped over into the left lane. I was going the speed limit passing the truck which now decides to speed up. I turn on my signal to move over behind the truck when I notice this. A white car behind me, that I could only see part of the roof of over the pup, decides to jump over there just as I start moving over to that lane. Needless to say I scared to poop out of him by continuing to move over to that lane. :yikes:
Quote from: mars00XJOne problem on the roads is the way people merge into traffic. As I am driving down the expressway at 65 mph I am not required to slow down to let merging traffic in. Merging traffic needs to speed up to the speed I am moving in order to blend with traffic. I know someone will correct me if I am wrong here, but I am tired of coming to a stop on the road to let someone who is going slow into traffic. Even if I am pulling a trailer I need to be going the same speed as traffic to blend in with it.
If it is a true merge (i.e. has the word "merge" on the sign or has the two solid arrows joining into one arrow) then this is technically not correct. Essentially, if the vehicle in your lane has gone, then you are obligated to yield to ONE vehicle entering. Meanwhile, if you are entering, after another vehicle has entered in front of you, you are obligated to yield to ONE vehicle already on the road. This is true for all merges (lane closures, lane ends, freeway entrances, etc.).
BTW, if there is no sign, then traffic on the right (usually, entering traffic)
has the right of way! In most cases where there is no sign, I have no doubt that the "Yield" or "Merging traffic" sign is missing.
From a practical point of view, it seems to make sense that it is not safe to try to merge into traffic if you are not up to traffic speed. But in many cases, this is simply not possible. For example, it is not reasonable to expect truckers to have a 1500 horsepower engine so that they can go from 0-60 in ten seconds.
QuoteMy wife actually got rearended because some moron decided to stop at the end of the ramp and the guy behind her slammed into her at 45mph.
Sorry, that is
ALWAYS the fault of the guy in back. That's what "following too closely" and "inatentive driving" laws are for.
QuoteI am tired of people who will not go the speed limit. That is all I ask is go the speed limit, if you can't, then get off the road. Coming home a week ago driving down I90 thru Wisc where it is 2 lanes, we came upon traffic backed up as far as the eye could see going about 50-55mph (SL is 65mph).
The real problem isn't one slow driver, it's drivers that take their time passing. It is perfectly safe and legal to go the minimum in a multi-lane highway. If you don't like it, review your patience skills. If you can't deal with a slower driver, you need to review your driving skills.
Note: In many western mountainous states, there are rules about allowing a parade to build up behind you, but they only apply on roads where passing is not possible.QuoteBy no means was I mad or upset, but we finally make it up to where the delay begins and there is an older couple (driver could barely see over the steering wheel) driving a dually pickup with a 30-40 foot 5er. Maybe I am weird, but cmon at least do the speed limit. I am not trying to set any land speed records towing my trailer.
I'd rather an older person be more cautious than drive faster than their skills are up to. When they can't do the minimum, then it's time to give up the license, but until then I'm not going to deprive them of their driving priveledges or ask them to drive too fast for their skills.
QuoteAlso on the same trip I came up on a slow moving trailer in the right lane, a slow moving truck in the center lane,
Now you have a point. There is a reason they call it the "slow" lane. If you are going to go slow, get over to the right.
Quoteand I jumped over into the left lane. I was going the speed limit passing the truck which now decides to speed up. I turn on my signal to move over behind the truck when I notice this. A white car behind me, that I could only see part of the roof of over the pup, decides to jump over there just as I start moving over to that lane. Needless to say I scared to poop out of him by continuing to move over to that lane. :yikes:
I know of no law that requires drivers to plan ahead, but some don't. Obviously, this guy didn't. I don't know any other way to label people like that than "stupid driver." While I might have been kinder than you, he deserved the problem his driving created.
Austin
Quote from: chasd60Most of the highways were built for X number of cars and now 3X travel them.
When I got my license, the rule was 1 car length between cars for every 10 mph. Now that 6 car gap at 60 mph would be filled by 4 cars instantly. Leaving room for safety gets eaten by others that don't care.
Not sure if there is such a thing as a safe driving distance taught in drivers education anymore?
That is sooooooooo true. That gap will be taken up so quickly by those that don't think twice about tailgating.
Quote from: dthurkIn a situation like this, I would probably grab my cellphone, call 911 and report the drivers actions, vehicle description, license plate number, highway number, milepost number and direction of travel. The call will be dispatched to the police and they will do a look-see. If they see anything, they will stop them. At the very least, reporting the other driver should help calm you down, and it's possible the other driver will be ticketed for some offense.
As a 911 dispatcher for the Ontario Provincial Police, first let me just say thank you! :)
The important things to remember when calling 911 on your cell are:
1. Where you are (highway, road name, etc. We can't look if we don't know where! :eyecrazy: )
2. Direction of travel (sometimes officers can set up ahead to intercept the offender if they know where you are coming from/going to).
3. Description of vehicle (colour, make, body style, etc.). It really helps if there is something distinguishing about the offending vehicle, such as a bike rack, ladder on the roof, fancy graphics, etc.
4. Licence plate (do NOT put yourself in danger trying to get it!! :eyecrazy: )
5. Driver actions/speeds
6. What you are driving (makes very easy for officers to spot the offender if they know the offender is driving infront of your vehicle/PUP) :)
The most important thing is your safety!! As I already stated - DO NOT put you or your family in jeopardy trying to keep up or pace the offender!
If you can get a licence plate and are willing to speak to the officers even after the fact, the driver will be contacted and spoken to about their "habits" :swear:.
Quote from: AustinBostonIf it is a true merge (i.e. has the word "merge" on the sign or has the two solid arrows joining into one arrow) then this is technically not correct. Essentially, if the vehicle in your lane has gone, then you are obligated to yield to ONE vehicle entering. Meanwhile, if you are entering, after another vehicle has entered in front of you, you are obligated to yield to ONE vehicle already on the road. This is true for all merges (lane closures, lane ends, freeway entrances, etc.).
BTW, if there is no sign, then traffic on the right (usually, entering traffic) has the right of way! In most cases where there is no sign, I have no doubt that the "Yield" or "Merging traffic" sign is missing.
From a practical point of view, it seems to make sense that it is not safe to try to merge into traffic if you are not up to traffic speed. But in many cases, this is simply not possible. For example, it is not reasonable to expect truckers to have a 1500 horsepower engine so that they can go from 0-60 in ten seconds.
Here is the quote straight from the Illinois Rules of the road.... " A driver must yield: to through traffic when approaching a MERGE sign. You must increase or decrease speed to avoid an accident." If I am in the right lane(thru traffic), I am in no way obligated to slow down or speed up to let the merging person in. That person must speed up or slow down to blend with traffic. I didnt see anything that said what to do when there is no sign.
QuoteSorry, that is ALWAYS the fault of the guy in back. That's what "following too closely" and "inatentive driving" laws are for.
I fully understand this and he was at fault. Just dont stop at the end of a ramp unless there is a stop/yield sign.
I have had problems with my patience in the past, but now that I am getting older and can see that driving fast gets me nowhere any faster I am much more patient. (especially with the trailer)
Quote from: mars00XJI have had problems with my patience in the past, but now that I am getting older and can see that driving fast gets me nowhere any faster I am much more patient. (especially with the trailer)
I still have problems with my patience, but I am getting better. My kids, often after yelling at another driver, have heard me say "It's never, ever worth getting upset about something in traffic, whether or not the other person really was in the wrong."
I'm a lot calmer about traffic than I used to be, but I've got a ways to go. That's one of the reasons I prefer public transportation; I don't have to worry about, think about, or even notice the existence of, the other idiots on the road.
Austin