how other people drive...

[CliffB]

I switched to a Yaris from a Chevy Tahoe (long story short: we had an old jeep cherokee we 'traded' with H's Dad for his GF's tahoe so he could give HIS MIL the jeep [didn't want tahoe] - he bought HIS GF a new car... understand that :confused:). Never really liked the tahoe and have the Tacoma for any horse or towing related needs. I am in a bit of shock though about how other people drive differently. I've had a civic literally try to drive me off the road as he had to move over right then, and people generally passing me very quickly only to cut me off. Now I know I am not accelerating as quick - but often this is once I've reached the speed I want to go (which is about as fast as I'd go in the tahoe even if it takes a little longer to get there!). The only thing I can attribute it to is simply that I am driving a much smaller car. I only have 200 miles on my Yaris so far, so I am sure I will adapt but I never thought that I would have to consider that other people would drive so much more aggressively if you aren't in a truck [I live in Texas, too .... so trucks / suv's are the norm].

[Bella]

I switched to a Yaris from a Chevy Tahoe (long story short: we had an old jeep cherokee we 'traded' with H's Dad for his GF's tahoe so he could give HIS MIL the jeep [didn't want tahoe] - he bought HIS GF a new car... understand that :confused:). Never really liked the tahoe and have the Tacoma for any horse or towing related needs. I am in a bit of shock though about how other people drive differently. I've had a civic literally try to drive me off the road as he had to move over right then, and people generally passing me very quickly only to cut me off. Now I know I am not accelerating as quick - but often this is once I've reached the speed I want to go (which is about as fast as I'd go in the tahoe even if it takes a little longer to get there!). The only thing I can attribute it to is simply that I am driving a much smaller car. I only have 200 miles on my Yaris so far, so I am sure I will adapt but I never thought that I would have to consider that other people would drive so much more aggressively if you aren't in a truck [I live in Texas, too .... so trucks / suv's are the norm].

This is something I've gotten used to! For me it's usually being tailgated excessively regardless of what speed I'm doing - It seems people just want to overtake you! And that being said, I accelerate up to the speed limit relatively fast, and this all still happens.

However, I have been rammed from behind for stopping at a roundabout, giving way to traffic, almost run off the road multiple times, and been abused by two b-double truck drivers who were racing on the highway..! Over here it's generally F-150 (etc) drivers, blokes in their 'awesome' v8 Commodore/Falcons/Utes, or old men in 4wds.. Definitely makes you angry though!

[bst82551]

I've spent most of my life in either Texas (I'm a native Texan) or Georgia. I've noticed during my time in Georgia that drivers in Texas are AWFUL about tailgating. They tend to accelerate quickly, and like you said, they'll try to run over anything smaller than they are. However, Texas drivers are courteous about using turn signals and letting you pass.

Georgia drivers tend to linger in the left lane on highways (blocking traffic from passing), speed like crazy (80+ in a 55 is the norm), cut out in front of you, and almost never use a turn signal. Nobody really tailgates here or tries to run you off of the road (at least not in Augusta), but there are a whole mess of other problems to make up for that.

In short, there are going to be idiot drivers anywhere you go. You just have to be a good defensive driver (I recommend taking a defensive driving course if you haven't already) and be ready for anything at anytime. Try to be courteous, even if others aren't, and follow the rules of the road. You can't help what others do, but you can always control what you are doing.

-Brian

[Kal-El]

I would just stay in the middle or right lanes. Stay out of the left passing lane unless you really feel the need to go 80mph+. Nothing pisses off and provokes drivers more than being slowed down in the fast lane.

If they're still on your butt in the right lanes, than all you gotta do is ignore them. If they want to go faster, that's what the left lane is for.

I haven't noticed much bullying by other drivers since getting a Yaris.

You just don't want to give people a reason to push you off the road.

[127.0.0.1]

you get used to it. then people acting like knobs are not so much noticable anymore

you see them coming a mile away


I move between my 4runner and the Yaris all the time and noticed the difference for
the first few weeks. now ...meh...let the knobs drive around me.

-----
small cars are taking over for real this time...not like the 70's...they are here to stay

[CliffB]

I am talking about even city driving where the speed limit is 45-50 or below. They fly past and then SLOW DOWN! Didn't have that so much in the larger vehicles. I am originally from Florida, and can sympathize with highway drivers over there. I am also always ONLY ever in slow or middle lane in the highway unless passing someone going below speed limit - but I am not having a problem in the highway. I only drive about 2 highway miles a day, though.

Specifically, it is people who have to fly by me in the city even if I am going 5 over for themselves to then only go 5 over but so they can cut me off. Just never noticed this in the larger vehicles. It is odd.

[kuyachris84]

get use to it... every car larger than the yaris... especially SUV's and trucks try to run me off the road or cut me off or pull out of some side road with barely any space ... which means I almost hit them, but they don't care.. because they think they're big and mighty in their gas guzzler. *sigh*

[127.0.0.1]

I am talking about even city driving where the speed limit is 45-50 or below. They fly past and then SLOW DOWN! Didn't have that so much in the larger vehicles. I am originally from Florida, and can sympathize with highway drivers over there. I am also always ONLY ever in slow or middle lane in the highway unless passing someone going below speed limit - but I am not having a problem in the highway. I only drive about 2 highway miles a day, though.

Specifically, it is people who have to fly by me in the city even if I am going 5 over for themselves to then only go 5 over but so they can cut me off. Just never noticed this in the larger vehicles. It is odd.

you are in Texas. put a big set of horns on the hood of that thing
and they won't cut you off

[CliffB]

:bellyroll:
That'll be a new trend...

[Yaris Hilton]

I've thought of hanging some Truck Nutz on the back of mine.

[STC]

Texas Horns and Truck Nutz... what a combination! :thumbup:

Can you feel the machismo! LOL! Nobody will bother you ever again... :headbang:

Cheers!

[BailOut]

I've seen the same thing, Cliff. I can be going anywhere from 5 under the limit to 10 over it and I will often be tailgated for miles of my 2 lane highway commute. Around 50% of the tailgaters pass me even if it's just to go the same speed I am, and often in no-passing zones.

However, when a passenger in my buddy's Tacoma this never happens, even if he runs right at the speed limit the whole time. Folks give him space, and if they do want to pass it always happens in a passing zone.

It's an ego thing for those people, which I find wholly comical. They behave as if driving a vehicle designed, built and fueled by other people's labor somehow directly impacts their personal worth, and that "dominating" smaller vehicles somehow adds to that. Conversely, I've always looked at a car as just another way to get from one place to another, and I've never thought of public roads as a race track..

[127.0.0.1]

every time I am in my 4runner, some puke in a Yaris is slowing me down

every time I am in my Yaris, some douche in a 4runner is jacking me


:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

[MadMax]

CliffB

I'm in San Antonio and find the same thing, but one of the reasons I bought my Yaris was that I too was driving like a complete moron in my last car (a VR6-equipped Passat wagon) and knew that eventually I would end up either crashing or getting an expensive speeding ticket. I keep at or close to the speed limit (within 5 MPH either way) and in the right lane, but people still fly up my six (and old Air Force term) and drive aggressively around me.

But the same thing happens in my Jeep, which I also drive the same way; so I wouldn't say it's just the car. However, I think being in such a small vehicle around so many people over-compensating with their huge SUVs and trucks is what gives them their new-found but temporary courage to act so tough...

Whereabouts in Texas are you? If you're anywhere near San Antonio, we're have a meet up at Freebirds World Burrito at 151 and 410 (http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25314) (info starts around page 6).

Cheers! M2

[bst82551]

I'm all for the horns. I still have Texas plates on my Yaris. Maybe I should show these Georgia drivers how we roll in Texas.

[STC]

What do I do when someone is tailgating for quite sometime and it becomes really a safety issue?

First, I let off the gas and throw on my turn signal. Looking at the rear view mirror the car backs off. I then look for a safe place to turn off (good shoulder). When I'm off the road, I let the car pass me. I then resume back onto the highway.

This is only when a driver is jeopardizing my safety! The funny thing is most of the time when I gently pull off the road, the vehicle holds back and is hesitant to go by me. When they do, I never make eye contact and always look forward. The drivers who hesitate are definately aware of Road Rage and are questioning me behind the wheel!

I use to live in S. Florida and Road Rage is common. You do not want to antagonize! You may become a statistic.

When you surround yourself in a bubble of glass and metal (the car) this makes your environment static. You're in your comfort zone as if at home. When someone upsets this zone... Road Rage happens! People feel invinsible and at the same time hidden... no one knows who they are and no one can do anything about it! IMHO

[CliffB]

I am in Houston. Too bad as a FreeBird sounds good !

[Twistoffate0817]

Same thing happens to me all the time, and im in New Jersey. I guess people feel the need to show off or something. I just laugh because they waste more gas that way, and because i usually catch up to them anyway. When it comes to the highway, I usually stay in the very right lane no matter how fast I, or the traffic, is going. I get more attention when im city driving then on the highway. Do not let it bother ya, because we all know who the better drivers really are. :)

[bronsin]

I never go faster than 45 and dont have many problems with other motorists.

[wooverstone8]

Since gasoline has gone up to over $3.00 a gallon in my area I've had less problems with SUVS/trucks riding my bumper and cutting me off on daily basis.

[why?]

i've never really had problems with tailgaters. Of course, I tend to brake check them too. I did it too a motorcycle one, dude was so mad, lol. people are stupid.

[dingbat]

90mph in the hammer lane. FTW!

[Zaphod]

Speaking of aggressive drivers, I have a funny story.

I was just just pulling out of my parking space last week with my bike, heard a horn, just barely turned my head to see this car coming at me, tried to turn hard and then bam, down goes Frazier ...

So I get out from under the bike and make sure everything's alright and then we agree to exchange insurance cards, etc ... and when I'm taking pictures of it with my phone, I realize he's got all kinds of room to swerve, so I ask him hey, you got all this room over here, you didn't even try to buy a little time or space?

All he says is well ... I honked my horn and then fumbles for words. So anyway, I get the bike back up and the only thing wrong is the highway pegs are bent and this guy is practically in tears about the damage to his plastic bumper and door. Being a little sore from the experience, and trying my best not to lose my temper with this little prick, I get up on the bike and take off.

Well, he decides after the fact that he wants the police to write a report. So this really hot blonde police woman shows up at my house wanting to get my side of the story on this accident. It turns out he says I backed my bike up into him. Well, I explain that motorcycles don't have reverse gears for obvious reasons and that he ran into me. I wasn't just ahead of him by a little bit, but by a lot as if he'd hit that front wheel it would have been warped, but it wasn't in the least. He nailed the bike way past the front wheel up by the engine guard.

What a spineless little twit ... he decides to go ahead and nail the bike instead of avoiding the accident, then has to stand there and whimper about the damage he did to his car. He's got the audacity to lie about it when I have pictures of the position of the vehicles after the accident, and he's so bent about the whole thing that he leaves his car there overnight and has it towed in the morning over a dimple in his door from hitting the handle bar and a crumpled plastic bumper in the front and around the side.

I found out after the fact that he's infamous for screaming through the lot like a ricer boy.

Just ... too funny.

[bronsin]

But what about the hot, blonde, cop?

[Zaphod]

She was a total doll, and I think she was digging me a little.

But I'm pretty sure my current girlfriend wouldn't have approved approved :laugh:

[Thai_Dang]

Yeah I've had more people try to cut me off/pass me, as opposed to when I drove 1999/2005/2007 camrys. Lol I don't know why, but I guess since our cars do "look" slow with that small front engine area, that gets some people hot and bothered to pass us; sort of like when you see public transport, you try to high tail it and cut them off.

[centrysis]

I have to say There are alot more people that pull out in front of me in my car then when I'm driving the 4 door, full size, 8 ft bed, F250 diesel. (work truck)

[RedHatch08]

This happens all the time here in MI. Most of the cars here are domestic and large. Lots of D-bags that don't like imports and/or just drive like they own the whole world.

['LilRedYaris]

I thought the drivers in Kentucky were bad... They're nothing compared to the bad drivers of Minnesota & Wisconsin. I routinely see people on 94 not signaling, cutting people off, overtaking then slowing down, speeding in the slow lane, & tailgating.

The other week I had to drop my uncle off at the dealership where he was getting his Tundra looked at. The service dept. is open late at night. He needed his front brakes replaced but the dealer was going to charge him an outrageous amount. He decides it's a no-go getting it done there, so for safety I offer to follow him home - or a majority of the way home. He agrees and we set off. We take 694 which is under construction (like everything else in MN in the summer) and I'm following at a safe distance.

At some point a newer Ford Taurus decides to ride my bumper in the right lane. The left lane is empty & available to the Taurus - he decides not the utilize it. I'm getting blinded by his lights and aggravated, so I slow down in an attempt to make him pass. No workie. I attempt to speed up. He's still right there. In the meantime: I'm still trying to keep up w/ the Tundra when without warning two unexpected & freshly filled potholes surprise me and spray fresh asphalt underneath my car. The Taurus behind me is undeterred. I'm fuming by this point.

He continued to ride my bumper all the way to my intended exit ramp. If I could've taken his plate number - I would've. Frustrating...

Heck, even the day that I was bringing my Yaris home from the lot, multiple idiots tried running me off the road.

[wooverstone8]

When I drive my Yaris, people treat me like Rodney Dangerfield.

[RedHatch08]

^ no respect I tells ya!

I hear that.

Funny though I was just out to the store, and saw an exact copy of my car! In this area that's like spotting Sasquatch.

It was a lady driving and we waved at each other.

[Black_griffin6]

I had a guy in a Dodge Ram pull a gun on me because I honked/flashed at him for him passing me on the double yellow lines on a small country road. I was doing the speed limit too. People are terrible in Georgia.

[Revsson]

She was a total doll, and I think she was digging me a little.

But I'm pretty sure my current girlfriend wouldn't have approved approved :laugh:

Did she find the pics of the cop on your phone yet?? :tongue:

[brg88tx]

i've noticed a big difference going from a 03 tacoma prerunner to my yaris. mainly people pull out in front of me more often and everyone wants to pass me no matter what speed i'm driving.

[RedHatch08]

I had a guy in a Dodge Ram pull a gun on me because I honked/flashed at him for him passing me on the double yellow lines on a small country road. I was doing the speed limit too. People are terrible in Georgia.

Dodge Ram strikes again.

Here's a thread with my Dodge Ram story:

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28523

Slightly less life threatening than yours.

[TheRealEnth]

You want a fix? Nothing F**ks people up like a loud horn, Throw some Dual Hellatones in that shiz and when they cut you off blow it away, or if they tailgate you let them get in front of you and blow that thing into their ears. Even better if they have the windows down. Those things are like a mini train horn. It hurts. Besides... They look super sick through the grill... I am getting a pair after i helped install on my friends wrex.

[RedHatch08]

^
I'd love to have a train horn in this tiny car. No good place to mount a 3 gallon air tank though... :cry:

I'm thinking about maybe getting the Stebel Nautilus horn. The stock one is not cutting it.

[ChilliwackGuy]

I switched from an 09 Rav 4 Limited V4 (gave it to my wife) - and now I commute with a 2010 Yaris Hatch - 5 Door - and YES - I find people tailgate me / cut me off / honk at me - way MORE than when I drove the Rav4 - and I'm doing a daily commute of 250KM - and on the freeway - I'm always 5-10Km over the posted speed limit.

In all honesty - if it weren't for this thread - I would have thought it was only happening 2 me!

[wooverstone8]

The stock one is not cutting it.

I completely agree:thumbsup:. I'm planning to install a new and better horn soon.

[jmjonesey]

I used to drive a GMC Jimmy, lifted, swamp tires, 8 shocks, blahdity blahdity blah, and in the 3 years I owned that truck, only one tailgater ever. and when I brake checked her, she realized quick that it wouldnt be a good idea having the tow hitch go through her windshield and backed off. Nobody ever pulled out in front of me, ever, everyone heard me coming...oh man it was awesome.

Now for the last few years in my yaris, I suppose I get my fair share of frakheads, although here in NC, its pretty casual driving, nobody is in a great hurry, and only the elderly do 10 under the speed limit, highway driving is relatively boring, save the occasional crazy high school kid that just got 'em selves a coffee or something

[DebbyM46227]

Switching last month from a car with a trunk to a LB, it looks like everyone is tailgating me and stopping way too close now! :eyebulge:

[smell my finger]

I had a guy flick me off as he passed me only to get to the red light seconds before me. Everyone is in a hurry, the way I look at it is that I drive cautiously so if they tailgate and hit me its their fault. I don't get why everyone is in a hurry to get to the red light. I just love chicago drivers.

[ddongbap]

I hate it when people tailgate. Especially when I'm already in the slow lane.

Its funny how mad people get when you slow down to 30.

[Stove]

I've been chased out of my lane 2 times. Both times by a Prius drivers:eek: Apparently when you're hyper-mileing you don't have to watch your mirrors or check your blind spots.

[rudolfoz]

This happens all the time here in MI. Most of the cars here are domestic and large. Lots of D-bags that don't like imports and/or just drive like they own the whole world.

I am from Michigan too, but i don't feel that way. I actually catch my self often tailgating others. I used to drive and old Prizm before the Yaris. I think people feel weird when somebody in a small car drives faster than most of other drivers. I love it. My only advice, drive faster LOL.

[RedHatch08]

^
It's not a lack of speed that's my issue. It's simply how others choose to behave in certain situations.

I know this because I've owned several other cars, and it seems like there is just a different reaction to this car. Others in this thread have noted the same thing.

[Bella]

I had some bloke today driving a Lexus RX350 get massively annoyed because my 3dr Yaris YR, with four occupants (3 of whom were over 6ft tall), was faster going up the on-ramp to the freeway than he was.

Once I got on the freeway I did the right thing and moved to the right hand lane to give way to the Patrol trying to merge with the traffic from the next on-ramp.. But this bloke just wouldn't let him in! He decided it was better to try and block the other driver, who had nowhere to go when he ran out of road on the ramp.

Then, he slowed back down and sat in my blind spot so I couldn't get back in my lane. After 2km of this, I ended up accelerating up a little and changing back in to the left hand lane in front of him because my off-ramp was coming up and if I missed it I would end up 25 mins out of my way. As soon as I changed lanes, he swerved out behind me and sped up over the speed limit so that him and his buddy could smuggly wave at me. He then went on to do the same thing to the car in front of me, then slow down to about 20km below the speed limit in the overtaking lane ... Only to be tailgated by a Prelude!

[yarrr]

bunch of victims... sheesh