Seeing as I drive over a hundred miles a day, I have seen the spectrum of drivers. This morning for example, a Nissian Pathfinder with a couple of mountain bikes barely strapped the spare tire on the back (yeah no rack, really safe looking...) is doing about 65 in the left lane (speed limit on this raod is about 80, posted at 75). There is no one in front, or in the right lane, so I flash the lights real quick, as I have a car attempting to drive up my tail pipe, and the Nissian doesn't move. Thankfully the car right behind me went zooming by in the right lane, and the Nissian got the hint. She swerved to the right lane, gave me the bird wildly, then swerved back into the left after I passed her, blcoking even more traffic. I merely ignored her, because she was an idiot.

That being said, I do get upset sometimes, and occasionally give impolite hand gestures, but there is no way I would ever get out of my car. If some approached my car, you can bet the trusty .45 would be handy, especially if I had my daughter in the car with me. You never know now what someones real intentions are....

Bill

And to think I used to turn my squirters sideways on purpose...

in one instance that made me reconsider motorcycle riding:

two lanes converged to one lane. i was clearly ahead of a beemer. but instead of giving me the right of way, he squeezed right next to me. his lane disappears into mine, but he would not back off. i admit, i got stubborn and kept steady with my speed. i thought it was all over, until i felt the car rub my leg! then the steady pressure of his car pressing into me! i saved my self by actually leaning into his car. my left hand on his hood, my hips on his fender. the bastard was pushing me into the next lane. luckily the car next to me, saw and backed off. once i got the space, i went into that lane. i was shaking from fear and rage. i stopped and all the cars behind me that witness this, respected my space and stopped too. but you know san fran. traffic! i looked forward and saw the man stopped in traffic! i practically wheelied to him. the idiot saw me riding up fast. he rolled up the window, and i yelled, "OPEN UP!" he got scared and he actually rolled down his window. i effen launched off my bike and dropped it into the side of his car, my upper body was in his car, i pushed him by his jacket into the passenger seat, my feet were still on the bike (i think) i dont know what i yelled, but i didnt hit him (altho i already broke the law, by touching him). never have i been so stupid. in my opinion, he tried to kill me. but i should have let it go. i got stupid, really stupid.

it happened again, but with my girlfriend on the back, i sold that ninja.

OK, in fairness (and so Todd doesn't I'm think preaching...)

1995 I'm driving a Saturn SL2 with my dad on the west side of town. On a through street traveling about 40. Coming up on a cross street, I see a mid 80's Town Car stop at the stop sign, the driver looks left, doesn't look right, then proceeds into the intersection right into our path. I lay on the horn, punch the brakes and start to swerve waaaay right. We miss the t-bone and he hits a glancing blow on the drivers side door and spins us.

Everything stops, I ask dad "are you OK?" he's fine, I'm out the busted window over at the drivers side door of the Lincoln (nary a scratch mind you....80's bumpers...) and say "get out of the car" to the heavily tinted window. No answer

"Get out of the car!".

No answer

Hand hand punches through the drivers side window a la Terminator and I grab the shirt of the driver, "get out of the car no mutherf----!"

It's about this time that my dad bearhugs me and spins me away over to the front lawn of the house we ended up in. Witnesses in the house must have told dispatch somethign nasty 'cause seven cop cars came screaming up not more than 30 seconds after that. Cop gave me a talking to and I paid for the guys window. That was it, got off lucky.

Did I say the window was tinted and I couldnt see in?

I've got a great job, 2 kids, a fantastic wife, dream house, and a Porsche.

It's not worth losing any of those or them losing me for doing something stupid. I won't be repeating myself any time soon.

Supermans right, we could all probably use a trip to the nether regions of Eugene....

I know I'm right. That kind of behavior, and that kind of experience is impossible to have at The Fair. It would be so laughably out of place there. You cannot imagine. Jesus was right. If we look out for one another, everything falls into place. I jsut wish it wasn't a bunch of pagans showing the way. I wish "Christians" would give it a try.

Christians who have forgotten the true meaning of the word, I'm afraid....

I have been reading the posts here today and haven't had anything to add until now. I, too, drive many miles daily in all kinds of traffic. I am on vacation this week so I am probably a bit more relaxed than usual. We went to dinner with the in-laws tonight. It's around 5 miles away. In that 15 minutes I witnessed quite a few stupid people doing stupid things while driving 2 ton killing machines. I told my wife," If people would just think about the other drivers and let the guy next to you merge when the lane ends, use your turn indicator BEFORE actually making the turn, or keep a safe distance from the car ahead, we would all be better off.
Don't get me wrong, I am just as guilty as some here of aggressive driving and being impatient sometimes. I had ONE driver who impressed me tonight. We both came to a four stop on a two lane road.
I motioned for her to go and she gave me a nod and proceeded through. It's just communication. Pay attention to your driving and you won't usually have many problems. When I have the 911 I watch the other traffic more closely and try to be an ambassador for Porsche in safe driving techniques. I wail when the time is right.

In the good 'ol days a smack or two upside the head would've been all that was required.

People are just way to wound up these days?
You did the right thing by rewashing your windshield..... again.
Love it!
Knowing you, you'll be sure to have that windshield washer fluid full at all times.... Cheers.

Re: have you had it?
 

Yep, Manhood is now an endangered species. What a bioch..

rjp

That's a terrible story, unfortunately not all that uncommon. I personally know of one case of a guy honking at the wrong car in front of him, the driver gets out, (just paroled from prison), and punches the guy leaving him out cold w/ his toddler strapped into the baby seat. Permanent brain damage. He is an aquaintence of someone on this board.

These stories go on and on, and still I've been guilty of taking the bait. It is never smart. I feel great when I let someone go ahead of me, sometimes an angry person chills out when you give them a little break/courtesy. One of the best pieces of advice I've ever heard is to "Pause when agitated".....:cool:

Naw - I could see into his car - it was an early 90's Camry. If he had any kids I would have let it slide. This guy was just looking to get through. I was of the midset that his sort of driving was OK - without sounding like an arrogent american, he was not from this country and I think he thought that his driving style that he perfected in the mid-east was acceptable here.

DUDE, its the fuchin Westside

What did you expect?

Unless I am required, I NEVER go on that side of town. Too many pretentious pricks...

To quote Keanu, Just give him the "flipper"