the WORST incidence of Road Rage - creepy igorant people!

macreative · 12-14-2004, 07:57 PM

How I drive;
I always drive in the slow lane at 64 miles per hour in my Prius. I rarely change lanes unless someone in front of my is going slower. Im never in a hurry and I do obey the laws as best I can. Im no angel, but I haven't had a ticket {knock on wood, or metal, or whatever} - in a nutshell, I don't piss off other drivers and I am not vengeful.

Here's what happened;
I was on my way home from San Clemente to Los Angeles last night. In the far right lane of course, on the 405 freeway. This a-hole behind me flashes his lights at me, then begins to tailgate me to the point of being less than 1 foot from the Prius' bumper. So Im thinking, OMG, what's this bs all about. I didn't do ANYTHING to affend anyone and I have no bumper stickers or vanity plate that one could find offensive. Here's where it gets interesting. The same guy, in Green Ford Focus hatchback ZIPS around me and then SLAMS on the brakes, so that I would rear end him. So I slammed on the brakes to avoid from hitting the idiot. I thought he would just go on but NO, he slams on the brakes again. I have 911 on speeddial in the Prius so I pressed it, as it was connecting the line, he slams on his brakes AGAIN, so I swerved around him and the guy behind me rear ended him. I would have hit him becuase he hit the brakes like a panic stop and went from 64 to who knows what very quickly. There was noone in the second lane so I was lucky to get around without hitting anyone. I feel bad for the poor person who rear ended him because they were totally innocent, but I DIDN'T do anything either.

So when the 911 operator finally came on the phone after holding for what seemed like an eternity but was probably only 2 mintues - I told her the whole story. I told her that he caused the accident and I thought he was trying to commit insurance fraud and I explained how he was tormenting me by flashing his lights. I told her that I would be a witness if the victim needed any assistance. It looked like he nailed that bastard focus pretty good. I was very sure to tell the 911 operator that the guy behind me did NOT cause the accident and she told me that those things happen all the time but they don't get reported. So while I had a traumatic evening, my Prius got home unharmed, I got home unharmed, and I felt I did a good deed by telling all to 911. I hope that guy gets the chair. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. Sad that people like that exist on our roads. That focus driver was a sue happy leech, no doubt, that was going to claim he was rear-ended on purpose or something. Maybe he had a vendetta against the Prius. Who knows.

Thanks for letting me vent,
Take care everyone - beware of all the weirdos

-Rob

Brenna · 12-14-2004, 08:31 PM

If you really want to be proactive, you should call the local CHP office (local being closest to where the accident happened) and ask to speak to the officer investigating the accident. Give him your account of what happened. That way the truth will definitely get into the report and maybe - if there is any goodness in this world -- that creep will get whats coming to him.

Hats off to you for putting safety in front of life's timeline. So many out there (myself included) should drive slower and be more courteous.

Brenna

V8Cobrakid · 12-14-2004, 09:06 PM

good post. I'm glad that nothing this bad has happened to me. Just the normal bad drivers in traffic who run up the next car and slam on their brakes making traffic worse.. i always feel good in the prius because i cruise.. and help traffic because i never really stop.. try to use my breaks as minimal as possible. So yeah.. good to hear the situation turned out where you and your prius was ok. too bad someone became a victom of his road rage though.

Canuck · 12-14-2004, 09:28 PM

While its easy to give advice in that type of situation I suggest that you conducted yourself correctly. Since you have no idea as to the physical condition of that driver ....booze,drugs,mental, mad at his partner.... any aggressive response on your part could trigger a demolition derby or, worse still, gunfire. Difficult as it is under those conditions I think maintaining control, driving to minimize danger to yourself and others and trying to record/remember vehicle identification/tag # ( maybe also that of a nearby vehicle who may have witnessed the scene) are the best courses of action. My $0.02 worth.
Glad you are safe! :P

pepa · 12-14-2004, 10:14 PM

I drive Prius for just two weeks now, and I did notice increase in hostility. Hazardous passing, etc... And I'm not driving so anyone would have reason to feel held back at all. Seems like they just want to "show me".

I admit, once or twice I let them have it - this Prius, when asked to, is able to accelerate in most unexpected manner

Anyway, glad to hear that you're safe mac. These lunatics do pay for their stupidity sooner or later - one way or another.

The sad thing is that they often take innocent people with them.

macreative · 12-14-2004, 10:17 PM

Thank you for your input - I was shaking all the way home to Los Angeles! That was the single most freaky episode of crazy people I have ever witnessed! I did call 911 to give them my account of what happened and I explained to the operator that I didn't want ot stop because, I was unsure of what I could expect and I wanted to let the autorities take care of it. I still quite thankful that nothing happend to the Prius or to me. It was very aweful. The 911 operator took all of my information so it's quite possible that I may need to be a witness for the guy that ran into the focus that caused the accident. Watch out guys, there are nutty folks out there! This guy was definetly trying to pull an insurance scam but Id be damed if he was going to harm me or my Prius in the act. I would have ripped his head off FOR SURE had he caused harm to the Prius. But all is good and I feel that I took the appropriate actions. It was hard to calm down. Have you ever had anyone pull in front of you and slam on the brakes to a complete stop? It's very very scary.

Quote:

While its easy to give advice in that type of situation I suggest that you conducted yourself correctly. Since you have no idea as to the physical condition of that driver ....booze,drugs,mental, mad at his partner.... any aggressive response on your part could trigger a demolition derby or, worse still, gunfire. Difficult as it is under those conditions I think maintaining control, driving to minimize danger to yourself and others and trying to record/remember vehicle identification/tag # ( maybe also that of a nearby vehicle who may have witnessed the scene) are the best courses of action. My $0.02 worth.
Glad you are safe! :P

**Tideland Prius** · 12-14-2004, 10:35 PM

ouch. Glad you're okay. I would've never thought of caling 911 and would've just tried to stay out of his way. Maybe I'll take your advice and put 911 on speed dial... never know when that'll come in handy. It seems you taken that incident pretty calmly. Hats off to you

V8Cobrakid · 12-14-2004, 11:01 PM

If you have verizon wireless.. you sould be able to just hold down 9 and it dials 911.. if you use bluetooth.. i think you can go into Emergency mode.. it will tell you where you are currently.. and there is a button for police.. not sure if it dials though. might tell you the nearest location and a phone number though

pafoss · 12-15-2004, 12:38 AM

I used to be a speeder and owned previously an Acura Integra GSR, Audi TT, and now my Super White 2004 Pruis. I find that now I am more interested in seeing how high I can get the mpg (while not pissing off other drivers at the same time...kind of a fun balancing act) than speeding from light to light. But one this one night, I was waiting to turn left onto a busy street and had no light, just a stop sign. So I was waiting and waiting for an opening and the guy behind me, after not too long a wait really and NO openings, honks at me. Pissed off, I give him the bird. Okay, so I was feeling testy. But who honks at you and tries to pressure you into going across traffic against your better judgement? I can only guess he was irritated about the wait and maybe ticked off that he was "stuck behind a hybrid". What a world... So I finally get an opening an pull out and he tailgates me within 5 or 6 feet and puts his high beams on. So I just put the car in cruise control (one of the best mpg increasers imho) at exactly the speed limit and go on my merry way. He continued after me at way to close a distance with high beams on until he turned off the road.

That was my 1 incidence with road rage so far and I guess I'm not a role model since I shouldn't have flipped him off, but please...pressuring someone into going into traffic when it's not safe is pure crap. I enjoyed reading your post.

Cheers,
Powers.

**Tideland Prius** · 12-15-2004, 01:19 AM

Yes. I love it when ppl honk when you're trying to turn left. Why? Every time someone does that, I think to myself, why don't you overtake me and turn left yourself. I actually saw someone do that and as a result got T-boned by someone running the yellow light. Serves him right. The person that ahead of the impatient driver then turned left and continued on her way.

12-14-2004, 07:57 PM	#1
macreative Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 157 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	the WORST incidence of Road Rage - creepy igorant people! How I drive; I always drive in the slow lane at 64 miles per hour in my Prius. I rarely change lanes unless someone in front of my is going slower. Im never in a hurry and I do obey the laws as best I can. Im no angel, but I haven't had a ticket {knock on wood, or metal, or whatever} - in a nutshell, I don't piss off other drivers and I am not vengeful. Here's what happened; I was on my way home from San Clemente to Los Angeles last night. In the far right lane of course, on the 405 freeway. This a-hole behind me flashes his lights at me, then begins to tailgate me to the point of being less than 1 foot from the Prius' bumper. So Im thinking, OMG, what's this bs all about. I didn't do ANYTHING to affend anyone and I have no bumper stickers or vanity plate that one could find offensive. Here's where it gets interesting. The same guy, in Green Ford Focus hatchback ZIPS around me and then SLAMS on the brakes, so that I would rear end him. So I slammed on the brakes to avoid from hitting the idiot. I thought he would just go on but NO, he slams on the brakes again. I have 911 on speeddial in the Prius so I pressed it, as it was connecting the line, he slams on his brakes AGAIN, so I swerved around him and the guy behind me rear ended him. I would have hit him becuase he hit the brakes like a panic stop and went from 64 to who knows what very quickly. There was noone in the second lane so I was lucky to get around without hitting anyone. I feel bad for the poor person who rear ended him because they were totally innocent, but I DIDN'T do anything either. So when the 911 operator finally came on the phone after holding for what seemed like an eternity but was probably only 2 mintues - I told her the whole story. I told her that he caused the accident and I thought he was trying to commit insurance fraud and I explained how he was tormenting me by flashing his lights. I told her that I would be a witness if the victim needed any assistance. It looked like he nailed that bastard focus pretty good. I was very sure to tell the 911 operator that the guy behind me did NOT cause the accident and she told me that those things happen all the time but they don't get reported. So while I had a traumatic evening, my Prius got home unharmed, I got home unharmed, and I felt I did a good deed by telling all to 911. I hope that guy gets the chair. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. Sad that people like that exist on our roads. That focus driver was a sue happy leech, no doubt, that was going to claim he was rear-ended on purpose or something. Maybe he had a vendetta against the Prius. Who knows. Thanks for letting me vent, Take care everyone - beware of all the weirdos -Rob __________________ 2005 PRIUS BC {package six} Super White and Grey-Burgundy Spaceship ToyotaPod

12-14-2004, 08:31 PM	#2
Brenna Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 19 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: the WORST incidence of Road Rage - creepy igorant people If you really want to be proactive, you should call the local CHP office (local being closest to where the accident happened) and ask to speak to the officer investigating the accident. Give him your account of what happened. That way the truth will definitely get into the report and maybe - if there is any goodness in this world -- that creep will get whats coming to him. Hats off to you for putting safety in front of life's timeline. So many out there (myself included) should drive slower and be more courteous. Brenna

12-14-2004, 09:28 PM	#4
Canuck Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vancouver Island,BC,Canada Posts: 607 My Car: 2011 Prius Model: Three Package: Premium w/ Solar Cells (Canada) Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 1	Re: the WORST incidence of Road Rage - creepy igorant people While its easy to give advice in that type of situation I suggest that you conducted yourself correctly. Since you have no idea as to the physical condition of that driver ....booze,drugs,mental, mad at his partner.... any aggressive response on your part could trigger a demolition derby or, worse still, gunfire. Difficult as it is under those conditions I think maintaining control, driving to minimize danger to yourself and others and trying to record/remember vehicle identification/tag # ( maybe also that of a nearby vehicle who may have witnessed the scene) are the best courses of action. My $0.02 worth. Glad you are safe! :P

12-15-2004, 12:38 AM	#9
pafoss Plug-in Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 54 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: Base Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: the WORST incidence of Road Rage - creepy igorant people I used to be a speeder and owned previously an Acura Integra GSR, Audi TT, and now my Super White 2004 Pruis. I find that now I am more interested in seeing how high I can get the mpg (while not pissing off other drivers at the same time...kind of a fun balancing act) than speeding from light to light. But one this one night, I was waiting to turn left onto a busy street and had no light, just a stop sign. So I was waiting and waiting for an opening and the guy behind me, after not too long a wait really and NO openings, honks at me. Pissed off, I give him the bird. Okay, so I was feeling testy. But who honks at you and tries to pressure you into going across traffic against your better judgement? I can only guess he was irritated about the wait and maybe ticked off that he was "stuck behind a hybrid". What a world... So I finally get an opening an pull out and he tailgates me within 5 or 6 feet and puts his high beams on. So I just put the car in cruise control (one of the best mpg increasers imho) at exactly the speed limit and go on my merry way. He continued after me at way to close a distance with high beams on until he turned off the road. That was my 1 incidence with road rage so far and I guess I'm not a role model since I shouldn't have flipped him off, but please...pressuring someone into going into traffic when it's not safe is pure crap. I enjoyed reading your post. Cheers, Powers.

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12-14-2004, 09:06 PM	#3
V8Cobrakid Green Handyman Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A Posts: 3,701 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 36 Thanked 109 Times in 102 Posts Friends: 6	good post. I'm glad that nothing this bad has happened to me. Just the normal bad drivers in traffic who run up the next car and slam on their brakes making traffic worse.. i always feel good in the prius because i cruise.. and help traffic because i never really stop.. try to use my breaks as minimal as possible. So yeah.. good to hear the situation turned out where you and your prius was ok. too bad someone became a victom of his road rage though.

12-14-2004, 10:14 PM	#5
pepa Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 103 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I drive Prius for just two weeks now, and I did notice increase in hostility. Hazardous passing, etc... And I'm not driving so anyone would have reason to feel held back at all. Seems like they just want to "show me". I admit, once or twice I let them have it - this Prius, when asked to, is able to accelerate in most unexpected manner Anyway, glad to hear that you're safe mac. These lunatics do pay for their stupidity sooner or later - one way or another. The sad thing is that they often take innocent people with them.

12-14-2004, 10:35 PM	#7
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 26,978 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 1,043 Thanked 1,177 Times in 850 Posts Friends: 31	ouch. Glad you're okay. I would've never thought of caling 911 and would've just tried to stay out of his way. Maybe I'll take your advice and put 911 on speed dial... never know when that'll come in handy. It seems you taken that incident pretty calmly. Hats off to you

12-14-2004, 11:01 PM	#8
V8Cobrakid Green Handyman Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Park View, Los Angeles, CA. U.S.A Posts: 3,701 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 36 Thanked 109 Times in 102 Posts Friends: 6	If you have verizon wireless.. you sould be able to just hold down 9 and it dials 911.. if you use bluetooth.. i think you can go into Emergency mode.. it will tell you where you are currently.. and there is a button for police.. not sure if it dials though. might tell you the nearest location and a phone number though

12-15-2004, 01:19 AM	#10
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 26,978 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 1,043 Thanked 1,177 Times in 850 Posts Friends: 31	Yes. I love it when ppl honk when you're trying to turn left. Why? Every time someone does that, I think to myself, why don't you overtake me and turn left yourself. I actually saw someone do that and as a result got T-boned by someone running the yellow light. Serves him right. The person that ahead of the impatient driver then turned left and continued on her way.