Dueling drivers

[yaris-me]

I disagree, the truck driver should allow people to pass. That is the safest option for everyone.

On a road trip with my son we came across a Corolla pacing an 18 wheeler with a black Mercedes trying to pass. It was a hilly section with two lanes. The Corolla would speed up like he was going to over take the truck, then slow down. Mercedes would speed up, then move to the right lane thinking the Corolla let the truck go ahead. When the Mercedes moved to the right lane my son wanted to move up. I told my son to stay back and let the Mercedes deal with the Corolla, "Let the two assholes fight it out." We stayed five to seven car lengths back while another car showed up and wanted to pass. This went on for over five miles until the truck pulled off. As we passed the Corolla the driver was laughing his ass off. I told my son that there are drivers that get there sport pissing other drivers off.

[Loren]

Originally Posted by yaris-me

I disagree, the truck driver should allow people to pass. That is the safest option for everyone.

Absolutely! But, if that doesn't happen, tailgating that truck, weaving in and out "doing battle" with other drivers vying for that passing position is NOT the next best thing.

Always remember Loren's rules of driving:
Rule #1: People are stupid.
Rule #2: Don't Be Stupid!

[nemelek]

Gene gets into more situations in a month than I do all year. I have driven the past 25 years 17,000 miles/year 425,000 miles with only one ticket and no accidents. Sure there are people that piss me off but safe and defensive driving starts with attitude.

[jinxor]

I agree ^^^

[SailDesign]

I'm going to quote RI General law 31-something. not because I think it's wise, but it is THE LAW in Rhode Island, and is much more offensive than a little flash of the headlights. Plus, I just love this one.

§ 31-15-4 Overtaking on left. – The following rules shall govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules stated in this section:
(1) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall give a timely, audible signal and shall pass to the left at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.
(2) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is permitted, the driver of the front vehicle on the audible signal of the overtaking vehicle shall give way to the right, and shall not increase speed until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.

Personally, I have never tried this in normal driving, but I remain ready to at all times to give "timely, audible" signals to idiots who hog the fast lane. That's what the horn is for, and it's the law....

[Loren]

Don't y'all get all anal on me. I know there are lots of cars smaller than the Yaris... there are two of them in my garage! (a MINI Cooper and a Triumph Spitfire) But, it fits in the class of "smallest cars on the road". More often than not, when you're driving a Yaris in traffic, you are the smallest car on the road.

[GeneW]

What I did not mention, probably because it did not become apparent until I thought about it for a while, was that my boy in the Truck and the Beemer were riding side by side when I came upon them.

He was not passing the beemer, he was riding alongside of the beemer, for at least a mile. That's not so odd but the combination of them riding in tandem and then ganging up on yours truly is a bit coincidental for two strangers.

I asked the kid's brother if my boy knew the Beemer pilot. He said, "No, they were just getting together to mess with you".

I said to him, "Are you sure about that?". I added, "I saw them go about a mile, side by side".

I then asked the pertinent question, "Are you sure that there wasn't a young lady in the beemer, and your brother was flirting with her, and then all of the sudden I come along and he gets a case of balls? Perhaps two buddies who just watch each other's back and do what comes naturally?"

The kid said, "I don't know".

I said, "Ask your brother, by all means".




I've been dialing it back a bit, which is fortunate because the small town I usually have most of my "incidents" in is suddenly clamping down on speeders. I passed a catch and the Man on the road at 0100 hours. Damn odd time to be catching speeders, but good for drunk patrols.

Don't need a ticket right now.

Gene

[cali yaris]

my boy in the Truck

Condescending. Reveals a deeper and more authentic story.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by cali yaris

Condescending. Reveals a deeper and more authentic story.

He earned my condescension, it's hard but it can be done.

Gene

[ChinoCharles]

We have methods, Gene... ways to make you talk.

[cali yaris]

[Loren]

It's all good. Let's be careful out there.
(bonus points for those who can identify the source of that last sentence)

[cali yaris]

be careful out there.

Last night's American Idol auditions. The contestant said it on his way out after being rejected, and the judges perceived it as a veiled threat.

I'm pretty sure that is not the source you had in mind.

[Loren]

Nope, that's not it.

Hill Street Blues. (cop show from the late 70's) They started every show with their morning staff briefing, and the meeting always ended with the sarge saying "Hey, let's be careful out there."

[Thirty-Nine]

I think Gene's story points out the idea that many people in the U.S. still believe that small cars aren't safe.

I have friends that believe in buying the largest vehicle they possibly can for "safety reasons." By that logic, shouldn't we all be driving semi tucks or tanks for safety?

It's no secret that Americans have a love affair with large automobiles. However, one reason I love this places is because there are so many small car enthusiasts. Yes, some people that would actually <i>prefer</i> to drive a small, subcompact vehicle over a mammoth land yacht. While, large vehicles do have their place (I'm not anti-large vehicle), it is nice to see some companies realizing there is a demographic that is willing to guy small cars like the Yaris, and even "premium" subcompacts, such as the Mini and the Smart. It's one reason I started my blog; to show people that, hey, there are subcompact car enthusiasts out there.

[cleong]

My rule of thumb is not to start anything if I'm not prepared for the outcome(the worst case scenario).

[Pars]

Seems like Gene's always spoiling for a fight and likes to be the underdog. We're going to need to get the A-team to do some work on his Yaris. Low profile tires, TRD springs and a roll-over bar would be a good place to start.

Back when I used to be in a more aggressively tuned car that could cruise at 180km/hr (98 Civic Hatch) I used to come up very fast on the left lane hogs. If i'm in a super rush, I'd only flash them when they're a speck ahead and if they didn't get the message, I'd close-in extremely quickly, right up to their ass, at which point, I'll have the rpm close to the red, incase the car in front goes on the brakes, then I'll back off and see what they're going to do. If they still want to hog the left lane, I'll signal my intention, down shift (usually a couple of gears) and power around them. My attitude in this type of senerio is just buisness, I'm simply trying to manipulate the driver ahead to get out of my way cause I'm in super rush...enough so to rish my licences.

In more mundane situation, when I'm passing in the left lane and getting box'd out, It's hard not to lose your cool. I hate getting box'd out. I have over a million kilometer of driving under my belt and it's still tough to deal with stupidy on the road, when you're simply trying to pass. The only time I didn't get attitude when I was passing, was when I had an old rusted v8 cutlass supreme with 4 barrel carb and an engine that had less then 100,000km on it. That car was freaking fast. So, when that rusted-up and mangled bumper came at you in a flash, everyone was quick to move out of it's way.

[eTiMaGo]

blatant bragging of breaking the law is not quite appreciated here, guys...