Dueling drivers

[oilman930]

This isn't Europe, mistake #1 was flashing your headlights.[/QUOTE]

I don't agree with this statement at all. Flashing to pass is the proper technique when coming up to slower cars. Flash to pass is in every drivers education manual that I have ever read. It's not my fault the other driver doesn't know the rules of the road. The US needs better driver education.

[SailDesign]

Originally Posted by oilman930

The US needs better driver education.

No sh!t.

[Loren]

Originally Posted by oilman930

I don't agree with this statement at all. Flashing to pass is the proper technique when coming up to slower cars. Flash to pass is in every drivers education manual that I have ever read. It's not my fault the other driver doesn't know the rules of the road. The US needs better driver education.

It's not a question of education, it's one of attitude. Most Americans don't see the lights flashing as "oh, I'm in the way of a faster car", they see it as "I'll drive whatever damned speed I want to, why is this asshole in such a hurry, and who does he think he is flashing his lights at me, anyway?".

Better to skip the confrontational attitude and just slide on by them without making a fuss. The alert driver has seen you before you flash your lights and if they're courteous, they're already planning on how to get out of your way. In this age of road rage and highway shootings, is it really wise to do ANYTHING that might piss off another driver? Especially when you're driving the smallest car on the road?

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by oilman930

I don't agree with this statement at all. Flashing to pass is the proper technique when coming up to slower cars. Flash to pass is in every drivers education manual that I have ever read. It's not my fault the other driver doesn't know the rules of the road. The US needs better driver education.

Can you find a citation for that claim? I've never seen such a thing, and IMO flashing just makes you out to be an incosiderate ass. I move over as soon as I see a faster car approaching, but when they jump in the right lane before I can or if they flash, they come across as dangerous idiots. Perhaps you're not an "incosiderate ass" nor a "dangerous idiot", but if your only means of communication is how you're driving don't blame the other drivers for making assumptions.

[oilman930]

I must be showing my age, because I always considered flashing to pass a polite way to get a slower car to move over. When did flashing slide into being an act of aggression?
Drivers ed in the late 1970's and the 1978 Pennsylvania drivers exam book both mentioned flash to pass. As for moving around a car by passing on the right, that move is illegal in Pennsylvania. A lot of drivers do it, and the law is not enforced very strongly, but it is still illegal and a cop will pull you over for if he feels like it.
For what it worth, the smart is the smallest new car sold in the US today. Next comes the Mini (exclude the Mini Clubman), and then come the Yaris Hatchback.

[Forrest]

Originally Posted by oilman930

I must be showing my age, because I always considered flashing to pass a polite way to get a slower car to move over. When did flashing slide into being an act of aggression?
Drivers ed in the late 1970's and the 1978 Pennsylvania drivers exam book both mentioned flash to pass. As for moving around a car by passing on the right, that move is illegal in Pennsylvania. A lot of drivers do it, and the law is not enforced very strongly, but it is still illegal and a cop will pull you over for if he feels like it.
For what it worth, the smart is the smallest new car sold in the US today. Next comes the Mini (exclude the Mini Clubman), and then come the Yaris Hatchback.

IN NY, if driving on a two/three lane interstate, passing on the right is legal. However, if is recommended that slower traffic stay to the right.

[andruboz]

let it go. if you are going to be late for work because somebody is doing 53 instead of 60, then you probably should have left the house a little sooner.

The first time he noticed you must have been when you were already tailgating. Your knowledge of Euro etiquette means nothing to many many yankees. headlight flashing in a lot of americano minds means impatience.
[in a whining voice]"UHHHNN. I'm so much more important than you. get out of my waaayyyy.. [/in a whining voice]

better to be cool, like a little fonzy.

If the economy eats hot death, there will be a lot of folks with a whole lot of stress on their plates. Why would you want to give them a reason to blow that stress all over you and your property?

and yes. I did just take the all day traffic school where they spend a half hour on road rage..

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