On Aggressive Driving
Michael Silence, who is apparently part of the problem, writes:
If you tailgate, I drive slower just to honk you off. If you are in a hurry, leave earlier!
Assuming you’re not in the left passing lane, doing less than the speed limit, and beside another car, I don’t have an issue with it. Generally, I get out of the way. And I’d expect others to be courteous and get out of my way. After all, you never now who is on their way to the hospital; who is on their way to a house fire; who generally doesn’t care about your (or their) well-being; or who is psychotic with a gun under their seat.
Staying in the way makes you the problem. It’s a passing lane for a reason: to pass other people and get out of the way. This whole tap the breaks (or as some idiots do, lock up their car) is akin to bright lighting someone who is bright lighting you. Sure, flash your lights to let the other guy know his lights are on but don’t keep your lights on when they approach because then you have two people on the road who can’t see.
And while I’m talking about driving, is it too much to ask that other drivers look more than one car length ahead? Seriously, the signs indicating that the lane you’re in is about to end started a mile ago. Get the Hell over sooner instead of waiting until the last minute.
Also, I am apparently the only person in the state of Tennessee who knows the rules for a four way stop sign. Here’s a hint: It’s not piece of shit cars go first.
December 17th, 2004 at 11:57 am
I have a problem with someone getting VERY close to me, in the right lane, when I’m going above the speed limit. Then I DO slow down, to the speed limit. If they have a chance to pass me, they should take it. Usually they do, and don’t, which is why I think they do it so the person in front gets a speeding ticket, not them.
I also have that problem with four way stops, here in southern Mississippi. Apparently “on a cellphone” “teenager” and “very fat” have automatic right-of-way, as well as “car worth less than my shirt.” (My browser glitched when I tried to make a post before, so if I post twice I apologize.)
December 17th, 2004 at 12:02 pm
It is also against the law in Texas. The law in Texas requires that slower traffic keep right, and that the left lane be reserved for passing only. It really isn’t enforced in the cities, but it is outside the cities. In Texas, if someone is tailgating you, you are as likely to get a ticket as them, especially if you are going under the speed limit. If you get passed on the right, you might get a ticket but the other guy won’t.
December 17th, 2004 at 12:28 pm
Phelps:
Actually, several states have similar laws. Kentucky, Michigan, and I believe Pennsylvania all have them, for example.
Uncle:
You might not be the only one who knows the four-way stop rules, but it is indeed a rarity in this state (and I’m on the other end of it). But rather than the “shitty car goes first” rule, Memphis seems to have the “three or more cars equals Mexican stand-off” rule. I’ve seen people wait until there were literally no other cars in any other direction before they would go. It drives my wife nuts.
December 17th, 2004 at 1:14 pm
Memo to self: Be more specific when posting. On tailgating I was mainly referring to two-lane roads. I should have pointed that out. Drive on!
December 17th, 2004 at 1:52 pm
Personally, I’m amazed at how mad and upset people get over stupid shit like someone not going fast enough for them, not to mention putting themselves into a dangerous position by tailgating and stuff like that. Come on people, we are talking about you getting slowed down by seconds, maybe a minute or two at the most. Its pretty rare that someone is rushing to a hospital and not in an ambulance. If your rushing to a fire, you probaby should be in a fire truck.
December 17th, 2004 at 4:42 pm
The rule that seems to stymie people around here is what to do if a traffic light is completely out at an intersection. Most of them seem to think that whatever road has the most traffic wins.
December 17th, 2004 at 5:10 pm
In Tenessee if there’s a sign saying the lane ends one mile down the road it means everyone merges instantly at the sign except for one big-rig 1/2 mile ahead staying with traffic at 5 miles per hour.
In California if there’s a sign saying the lane ends one mile down the road it means most everyone stays in their current lane except for the nervous folks merging a little early, that means that the lane about to end moves a little faster than the rest of the traffic jam.
December 17th, 2004 at 9:45 pm
Hmmmm, I was just driving home from the Doctors off ice this afternoon contemplating writing a piece on traffic manners.
Well Uncle you know what they say about great minds.
December 19th, 2004 at 2:40 pm
I agree with you except on the merge thing. (Or maybe we do agree and you just didn’t have this context in mind.)
When approaching a construction zone with one lane closed ahead – what is the psychological sickness which makes people want to merge half a mile early and leave the left lane completely open? Is this just a Tennessee thing? That drives me nuts. There are two lanes for a reason. Merge at the indicated point.