Why do people drive like jerks?

Honestly, I think he was trying to let you over, but you were taking the exact same actions that he was. I don't think he was doing it on purpose...

 

I've been in his situation before, unintentionally. Stuck in the right lane on the freeway when someone's coming down the on ramp who doesn't know how to merge... i slow down so they can get over (lets say they're half a car length in front of me), and they slow down thinking to go behind me... i get frustrated and speed up at the same time they realize that i was slowing down to let them in so they speed up...

It's not a terribly good situation to be in.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 29 2007, 10:14 AM) [snapback]469998[/snapback]</div>

I agree. It happens all the time, even on foot: you turn left, they turn right, you correct, they correct, and next thing you know you are standing face to face.

Tom

 

Again, I think he was just thinking the same way you were thinking.

"Hey, it looks like this lady wants to get over, so I will slow down.

Oops, now she is slowing down too, so I will speed up.

Crap, now she is speeding up, she is going to think I'm doing this on purpose, so I am just going to slow back down again and let her get over in front of me.

What? Now she is slowing down again. What is this stupid broad thinking? Doesn't she understand what I am trying to do?

Finally!!! Now she is staring at me. Wth???"

Been there. Done that. Have the t-shirt.

 

I agree that on occasions I have done it accidently to others but usually it's done to me. I swear that people are doing it on purpose.

The rationale with me ticking someone off is if the speed up behind me while I'm doing 20-30 over the speed limit. I can't see why someone needs to go faster unless it's an emergency. If I'm doing 80 on a 55, why does someone feel like I'm going too slow?
The fact that they have a sporty car or "pimped out" SUV leads me to believe that all they want to do is be a jerk. With that in mind I trick them into thinking that I'm slowing down to let them pass but quickly gun it so they are put in a position where they get stuck in another lane. Bonus points for letting the car behind them pin them as well on the slow lane. It's a little harder to do nowadays in my Prius but when I was a Supra owner, I made sure to make tail gaters pay. B)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(chinito77 @ Jun 29 2007, 11:08 AM) [snapback]470034[/snapback]</div>

If someone comes up behind you and you are doing 80, you still need to get over and let the faster traffic pass. Those are just the rules of the road. You have no right to determine how fast they should be going.

Also, playing "cat and mouse" with another driver is wreckless and foolish. Just let them pass. No need to be a Left Lane Dick.

 

Altho pyccku's experience may or may not be an example of this, otherwise sane friendly non-aggrssive people *DO* sometimes act like aggressive jerks when they get behind the wheel of a car. It's a deadly combination of [a] having all that power, and being isolated in our cocoon/vehicle. It's almost a Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation.

I like to think that Prius drivers are less susceptible to this since we're more focused on a smooth fuel-efficient ride and less focused on the power

Many (many many) years ago I saw a Donald Duck cartoon in which Goofy transformed from a friendly happy-go-lucky character into a raging maniac as soon as he got in is car. It was both funny and illuminating.

 

I've seen that cartoon. It's a good one.

I've been blocked by that type of jerk on the road too. I've also been that jerk. It's bad, and there's no good reason for it, and no benefit from that type of behavior. Driving calmly and safely will get you where you're going probably within fractions of a second, compared to fast/aggressive driving.

The risks of aggressive driving far, FAR outweigh the benefits (unless you really highly value the feeling of being a superior a-hole).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pyccku @ Jun 29 2007, 11:10 AM) [snapback]470036[/snapback]</div>

Ahhhh you guessed it.... Its a conspiricy against you and your electric car! :lol:

I would have to agree with "Swanny1172's" reply.... I however like to box people in when driving down the interstate.. They come flying up and you find a driver doing 5 mph over the speed limit and pace em..
the poor speeder is faced with slowing down for a few miles.... :lol: :lol:

Its even more fun when your driving one of the plain white vans, because if they cut us off we just tie-up another 20-30mins on the road side.. Please press hard all five copies, oh yes and please have a safe day! B)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Jun 29 2007, 09:18 AM) [snapback]470041[/snapback]</div>

Rules of the road, maybe in some parts. But who are they to control you to move over if they are the ones doing illegal driving.
They have no right to determine how fast I should be going either.
Unless grossly under min. speed limit

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Jun 29 2007, 03:07 PM) [snapback]470194[/snapback]</div>

First of all, you shouldn't be driving in the left lane to begin with. The left lane is for passing. If everyone would figure this one out, what a wonderful world it would be.

Exactly how are they determining how fast you are going? Do you slow down everytime you change lanes, because I sure don't. When someone flies up behind me and I am already in the left lane passing traffic in the right lane, I get over as soon as I safely can. I don't speed up or slow down. When they pass, I either stay in the right lane, or get back over into the left to pass another car. It is all pretty simple.

The problem is drivers like chinito77 who think, "I can't see why someone needs to go faster unless it's an emergency." Well, first off, it very well may be an emergency. Second, you are not a self-appointed speed monitor. That is what we all pay taxes for the police to do. Finally, moving to the right is the polite thing to do. Of course, if you don't have manners anywhere else, why should I expect you to have any in the car?

 

Q) Why do people drive like jerks?
A) Because the driver's test doesn't test you for apathy, ignorance, pride, or selfishness and the government doesn't give a toss.

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=31214&hl=

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jun 29 2007, 08:20 AM) [snapback]470003[/snapback]</div>

Driving (or walking)- stay on the right unless passing. Once past, stay on the right unless passing. Repeat.

It's really not that difficult!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hycamguy07 @ Jun 29 2007, 08:55 AM) [snapback]470060[/snapback]</div>

Is there a law against passive-aggressive drivers?

I get these occasionally on the highway. They are doing, say, 5 under the limit. So, I go to the left lane to pass... and they speed up. Okay, maybe they were daydreaming, and just realized that they were going too slow... so I drop back in behind them.
They slow down again... 5 under.
I go to pass again... they speed up. Often to whatever speed I am using to try to pass (I won't go more than 5 over, actually)

At what point do I dial 911 and sic the wonderful guys in hats on them?

 

Haven't we had this conversation before (like, once every few weeks?)

Some people DO speed up intentionally to stop you from changing lanes. It can be a subconscious effort to actually teach you a lesson if they THINK you are being reckless, rude, etc. by changing lanes quickly in traffic. I remember getting into this mindset when I used to live in a big city. Don't let that guy ahead of you!

On an open highway, a driver without Cruise Control will very often speed up as you pass. This is caused by the optical illusion that occurs as you pass them: they feel like they're slowing down. It is totally subconscious (usually), and often they will fix it if you give them a second. Of course, there are varying degrees...

As for blocking the left lane, we've all been saying the exact same thing but calling each other names here.

1. Use the left lane to pass.
2. Get over if you can without slowing down.
3. If someone comes flying up behind you, STILL get over when you can.

As far as I can see, the only breakdown in this system is people going really fast not wanting to wait for you to finish your own pass before they pass you. That is, of course, their tough luck. What Priussoris referred to when he said they are trying to control his speed is that they want you to get over regardless of how much slower the right lane is going, just so they can top out. Sorry, not going to happen. When there's an opening, and I don't have to brake to merge, THEN I'll get over.

Swanny, you are probably seeing this same scenario from the other end. If you come up fast enough behind another car, it's impossible to tell if they are passing or matching speed with the other lane. Give them a chance to get over reasonably, and chill out. Most speeding does NOT affect arrival time, unless you are driving over an hour on the highway.