scary incident

Worrisome, but probably nothing to do with your car. Just an idiot driving a big truck. You should have put on your blinkers, got out, and opened up your hood - feigning car problems. Then, being so close to you would have become a poor decision for him.

I've had all kinds of things like this happen - both in the Prius and in other cars. It doesn't matter what you drive, someone will have an issue with it or just in general.

Shrug it off, note the license plate, move on.

 

People on 15/501 drive like IDIOTS. Including truck drivers.

That's my 2 cents.

 

Hey if he's being a (insert name for male sex organ here) then just sit there after the light changes, if he hits you BAM instant payday, sucks to dent the Prius granted, but from a foot away damage shouldn't be too bad.

A few months ago there was a report in Motorcycle magazine about another big rig, or maybe it was a cement mixer, there about the same cab. The motorcycle in front of this guy apparently didn't move fast enough so the truck ran him over and killed him. Las update in the magazine I believe had the truck driver up on manslaughter charges.

 

I had a similar incident in my Prelude where I was sitting at a red light, second car back. The car in front of me made a free right hand turn at the red light and as I was moving up to fill the gap the semi reared ended me. He was only going a few mph but with that mass vs. my little Honda; it was quite a jolt and did thousands in damage. I was working as a paramedic then and actually, oddly enough, with such a simple accident, I sprained my back. The truck was one of those with a huge front end on it and the driver was very short. He state that "your car (Prelude) was so small and truck front end hangs out so far that I literally didn't see you in front of me; you were hidden by the front end of my truck“, or so went the accident report. I could see how this could happen if the semi initially pulls up to close and then forgets that something is in front of him.

 

And I thought California drivers were the only road-idiots in the country.

 

Granted he should have kept track of you the whole time, but based on WBJohnston's comment, perhaps he didn't know you were there at all, and when he did see you, thought you had squeezed in. That would explain the horn. Of course he should have stayed put after seeing you.

 

Yeah I know the feeling...I've thought about getting a bumper sticker made up that reads "Size of car is not an indicator of the size of the driver" :lol:
'cause I will say I have scared the hell ougta some people whe my 6" 215lb former Marine ex-biker a$$ comes flying out that little Prius to give some idiot in a truck an a$$ chewing...
:cussing: :cussing: I guess they musta been expecting a cute little tree hugger....LOL
and I will say that when I had my Jag and then my full size 4x4 GMC I didn't get nearly the tailgating grief (in NOVA I-95) that I get in my Prius...
:|
anybody else notice a difference since they got the Prius??

 

I had a friend in "stop n slow" traffic getting around an accident on the freeway during the commute. This was about 1990. He was in a low sports car with a tricky clutch, so he tries to inch forward only every second or third time the car in front inches forward. Sure enough, a huge delivery truck is behind him and practically hanging over the rear of his sports car (the bumper was well above the rear of the body of the sports car.) After 20 minutes of stop-n-slow, the truck driver apparently "forgot" the sports car was there, so he let his truck inch up to the bumper of the car in front (driving into the back of the sports car and pushing it forward until it touched the car in front of it.) The truck driver said he didn't feel a thing but was surprised to see the car in front of the sports car move, then he heard the driver hit the horn and saw the the hazard flashers go on and the driver get out of his car. My friend got out of his car and let the truck driver know this was going to be a bad day ... the sports car ... a Ferrari 512TR ... the gearbox alone cost $100K at the time ...

 

Standard highway patrol guideline: when you come to a stop behind another vehicle you should be able to see the other vehicle's rear tires. If you can't see the tires you are too close. At first this guideline may seem a bit much, but with time you realize it is a good guideline to prevent just the type of "too close behind" incidents. Whether you are a large truck or a small car, the guideline still holds: you should be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front of you.

 

Next time get the plate and call the state police. Also, many trucks have 1-800 #'s on the back, call them in. Probably just some redneck moron getting his thrills "messing with the l'il folk".

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ltu1542hvy\";p=\"97049)</div>

I totally agree...I was a school bus driver most of the way through college (about 3 years). A bus driver has the same responsibilities commercially as a OTR truck driver or any commercial vehicle for that matter. Visibility or not, it's the driver of the commercial vehicle that needs to be especially aware of defensive driving. Most of the bus drivers who didn't care, or felt they were driving long enough and could relax were usually the ones that got into accidents, got speeding tickets, or got hit by freight trains at RR crossings. Sorry to see that happen, but there's no excuse for operating a commercial vehicle recklessly. I agree, I would have faked a car break down just to make him wait it out for about 3 or 4 light cyles at the red light, then noted his plate and company info from the truck and wished him well in the unemployment line

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paul16451\";p=\"96970)</div>

You should see the trucks that hall ship containers between Portland and Seattle. The speed limit is the lower limit for them and they appear to have a agrement with the WSHP. The other truckers just speed and nearly no one drives the speed limit.

 

Moved to FHOP.

 

That truck driver does not have a leg to stand on, in Texas I am already getting the funny looks, scre them. Driving rules are simple and plain, and he can see it all. Get his plate, call the cops, get his number etc.. and if he does hit you from his front to YOUR back, he's wrong..automatically.. I've had that in another car, also INSIST on police presence if something happens, it is amazing how the lies later can change things. Best of luck, don't take any crap for being the smart one, tree huggers don't own the Prius, we all do.