What would you have done?
 

Ok, had a little fun with a belligerant motorist on the way in this morning. Here's the scenario:

Was driving into work on loop 410 (speed limit is 65). I was doing about 70 or so in the left lane, passing a car in the center lane doing about 65. I was in my Honda Accord daily driver (wouldn't have risked the 911 doing this, lol). So this big bad truck comes up behind me in the left lane and starts tailgating me while I am passing this other car. There was another car about 2 car lengths in front of the one I was passing, also doing about 65. Instead of pulling into the center lane and cutting off the car I just passed to let the tailgating truck fly by, I decide to pass the next car as well and then get over where it is clear. This apparently really pissed off the truck because he starts flashing me with his brights. Now, I don't know about you, but last I checked this wasn't the autobahn and the surest way to make me want to slow down and make your life hell is to flash me with your brights when I am driving above the speed limit and passing another car. So, I slow down to 65 and basically just keep pace with the car beside me, blocking him in. I guess he got really pissed because he put his brights on all the time and kept tailgating me. Eventually he moved over and exited the freeway. Was I out of line?

Out here in California, your heirs would be divvying up your stuff right about now.

Just because he was tailgating you (which was not justified) that doesn't really entitle you to slow down just to piss him off.

I would have continued on at your previous 70mph speed and moved into the center lane when you cleared the second car. That would have been the appropriate thing to do.

"Having fun with a belligerent motorist" has gotten people killed around here. It's just not worth it in my book.

Mike

I understand why you'd want to do this, but it's the wrong way to go about things on so many levels. When I was younger (only 35 now) I did this sort of thing, and I've had it done to me.

You have no idea what the mentality of the guy in the truck was. He could be a moron that thinks with his nuts and has a gun or is willing to try to run you off of the road (he is in a big truck). He could be whacked out on drugs, anything.

Now, not only is he pissed at you, but when he finally gets by you he'll be driving like an a$$ for the next 20 minutes endangering everyone's lives.

It's better for everyone involved if you just ignore him and let him pass. Maybe not as fun in a childish sort of way, but control issues should be left at the curb when you get in a car.

I prefer to be far away from these mental midgets, so I either leave them far behind or let them pass as soon as possible.

If I were in California I would have been afraid for my life...course road rage can happen in happy southern Texas, but it is much less common. Anyhow, you guys are right, it was childish...but it sure felt good!!

I wouldn't have been doing 70 in the left lane, but even if I was doing 80 or 90 and someone wanted to go faster I would accelerate up to a clear lane change position and gotten out of his way. It's pretty rare for this to happen as I'm usually the one flashing the lights.

I hate it when people interfere with my god given right to speed. I only pass in the fast lane, or at least that's what I try to do.

Well, actually now that I think about it, I did speed up to almost 80 to try and pass the Jeep originally, that's when he started flashing his lights at me. I guess he thought I should have endangered the lives of those in the center lane by cutting them off and then braking suddenly to avoid rear ending the Jeep.

Re: What would you have done?
 

I can see a post on the truckers forum:

Just because the other guy is being belligerent doesn’t mean you should be belligerent as well. This belligerent trucker brought you down to his level, and you seem proud of it.

You should stay out of the left lane at 70. You will get branded here for that. Left lane is for commuters 75+ mph, and passing.
You must be getting old and slow. ....me too by the way.
I just move over & let 'em by.

Its impossible to know the mindset of other drivers. Its also very easy to call them "morons, psycho, and the like".

Consider this:
"Moron driver" (doing whatever you feel is out of line) received a phone call that their wife/child/parent/brother has been in a terrible accident and they are trying to get to the home/school/hospital. The aforementioned "moron" then drives like hell. Then, some very thoughtful/obedient/polite driver decides now is the time to teach them a lesson.

Those idiots out there aren't always just aggressive A-holes.

Just keep your current pace as if they are not there. Move over and let them go on. You have bigger fish to fry, IMO.

OK Rick, just so you don't feel alone. I most likely would have taken it one step further than you. When someone rolls up on me, flashing lights or not, I'll touch my brakes just enough to turn on my brake lights. Thats my first warning that they are too close for comfort. I'll make eye contact with the offender. This way you can read what your up against. IF it's some soccer mom with no sense of distance she'll likely pull back. If it's some a**hole on a power trip I'll take it a step further and if he doesn't back off I'll stab my brakes so he gets the message.
9 times out of 10 the offender will see the errors of his/her way and back off. For that one out of 10 the fight is on. Everyone is right when they convey the dangers of this behavior. But for me personally I refuse to be bullied or pushed about by someone. As much as I don't know who or what I'm dealing with (psychotic gun toteing drug crazed maniac) "they" don't know who they are dealing with either. And YES I carry a weapon in every vehicle I own. Kinda evens the playing field!!Granted two wrongs don't make a right but I'm not the type to live in fear over what someone else might do to me while I stand up for myself.

When he was tailgating you, you should have SLAMMED on your brakes. That way, you really teach him a lesson in physics. He would have run over you, and the fatality would have ruined his entire day.

George Carlin had it summed up...

"Have you ever noticed anybody going slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a moron?"

I do accelerate when in the passing lane and holding up someone behind me...why be an ass? Exception: I have fun with the ricers, but I wouldn't risk my ass to a tractor trailer.

People who do to me what you did, when they finally give up, I downshift and pass with authority, let the 944 bark at them a little. :) It usually doesnt impress, but it gives me an excuse to have a little fun.

Ok Superman, that was over the edge. You seriously think it is appropriate to insinuate that I should kill myself next time? Think before you post.

Just 99.9% of the time they are.

This my dear friends is one of the beautiful things about having a Porsche. Just a squirt of the gas and you are doing 90 and leaving all the bother behind...

According to what data?

Thank you for making my point, too. We just don't know what they are doing OR why.

Kind of like me saying "Oh, you're from Brooklyn. Must be some rude New Yorker".

Oh, wait. Bad example.;)

Kinda makes you think twice doesn't it? The next time you feel the need to intimidate someone to get your way, you need to ask yourself just how lucky do you feel?
P.S. If me stabbing my brakes effects you, Then YES your TOO EFFIN close. It's in the drivers handbook. Anyone really ever read that thing?

Your helping me make my point. Thank You
1.As wrong as my behavior is. It's just as wrong to try to intimidate and bully other drivers. Your right, it's just so much easier to just wait for a break in traffic then change lanes. But in the real world, who ever does that?
2. Stabbing ones brakes is done to either avaoid a collision or to convey a message. It's not very hard to tell the difference.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not on some crusade to be a one man traffic code enforcer. I'm just taking care of myself. For the most part, when it comes to navigating traffic, I'm sure you don't need my help..

I do the exact same thing. I watch my rearview to make sure I have time to make the pass then get out of the way.

Some MINI owner in Miami did the same thing as you screwing with the car behind him. When he got where he was going he found a bullet hole in his rear 1/4 panel.

I do not mess with people on the road. I keep out of conflicts at all costs. During those moments when I am the one cooking in the left lane coming up on the slow car. I keep back far enough to be polite but close enough so the driver knows I want to pass. If they are camped out I pass on the right VERY quickly and go one my way, usually staying in the right lane for a long while after the pass.