Anyone else have roadrage issues?

[David]

I ride motorcycles too as you can tell by my sig. That's why I'm made at me and him. I try to give bikes plenty of room, but this guy would not get out of the way.

I only live a few miles from work so it's usually a nice quiet drive, but somedays there's a guy that insists on going the same speed in the left lane as those in the right. A few weeks ago I had a guy going 10mph under the speed limit in the left lane. After trying to get around him a couple times in the right lane only to have him speed up and block me, I had enough and passed him in the middle turn lane. I did notice his bumper sticker read "I'm just driving this way to piss you off". At least he was honest about it.

It will be nice when the 930's done. It's interesting to watch them disappear in the rear view mirror like you're on afterburner.

[singpilot]

Originally posted by RallyJon
So what is this law in CA? Does it apply only to motorcycles?

No, I don't think it is only in California, although, here, all of the complaints that are traffic related on the freeways are handled by a State 'traffic officer'. A CHP on a bike. You don't need to explain to him that you felt your life was threatened by an idiot in a car when you were on a motorcycle. That qualifies as ADW. All you need is a witness, license number, description of the driver, and a willingness to testify.

I find the photos or video are icing on the cake. I usually don't have the problem in Nevada, have never had the need there.

Thanks Moneyguy, I felt this was the best thing to do in the circumstance too.

[Noah930]

Glad it worked out for you, sing. Kudos. I once tried to call in a road rage guy after he very deliberately tried to run me off the road. I dialed 911 and was told by the trooper to write a letter to the DMV--they had more serious crime to take care of. Great. That's Massachusetts for you. So that's like ducking when someone purposefully swings a Louisville slugger at my head, and I'm supposed to do what, write a letter to Maor League Baseball? Perhaps I should report the next guy as a "suspected drunk driver" in the future.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally posted by Noah930
Glad it worked out for you, sing. Kudos. I once tried to call in a road rage guy after he very deliberately tried to run me off the road. I dialed 911 and was told by the trooper to write a letter to the DMV--they had more serious crime to take care of. Great. That's Massachusetts for you. So that's like ducking when someone purposefully swings a Louisville slugger at my head, and I'm supposed to do what, write a letter to Maor League Baseball? Perhaps I should report the next guy as a "suspected drunk driver" in the future.

Or just tell him "suspected speeder you can net the state $200 off of". They'll trip over themselves trying to be the first out there to write a ticket.

Can you tell I've gotten cynical about law enforcement priorities when it comes to traffic/road/highway?

Anyway more power to ya' sing. . . As a fellow rider, here's hoping we all manage to keep the "rubber side down". I'll keep your tactics in mind. Fortunately I've only ever had one major run-in with someone who REALLY incensed me to the point I've had pushed for 'em to be brought up on felony charges, but in case it happens again, you can bet I'll be looking for witnesses and the quickest place to make a 9-1-1 call.

[mikester]

Well, you know what I find irritating as hell...speeding in congested traffic.

People are stupid; For example the 405 is congested as all get out but if the HOV lane isn't - no matter how congested the remainder of the lanes are if those folks can put the long petal to the floor they certainly do but if *I* don't I get tail gated, flashed and what have you because I'm trying to drive at what I feel is a safe speed for the conditions (faster even). Say the freeways locked but the HOV is moving if you're doing 40 you're making a lot of folks angry.

Just the same, while I try to stay clear of the left lane unless I'm passing or going with the flow. Folks that think it is their right to speed are dead wrong. It's not really my job to get out of your way if you're going some insane speed (but if I see you coming I do what I can because I don't want to get hit by an idiot). I don't speed as much as I used to because I'm tired of stupid tickets for going with the flow of traffic, which doesn't get you out of it. The basic speed law is that the posted limit is just that, there is no "going with the flow."

[Paul K]

Good subject. I will admit I'm guilty- and the worst of it is 1) It drives my wife crazy, and 2) No matter how many people you 'teach' there will always be others. My pet peeves are the same as everyone elses- folks who won't get out of the left lane, or come streaking up behind you- and those who don't know what turn signals are. I'm lucky- my commute is pretty quick and painless. But we do have a 3-laner which climbs a pretty big hill nearby, and there is ALWAYS at least one monkey who sits all the way over there in the left lane, even though the right two lanes are completely empty. I find it very hard to ignore stuff and let it go- the sobering thing is just how easy ti is to get shot/beaten senseless over a simple traffic infraction. If anyone actually finds a way to let this stuff go, I'd be interested to hear it...

Cheers,

Paul.

[curlesw]

Just spent 2 hours getting home...normally takes me 45 min...kicked the dog when I walked in the door...that's about it.

Wayne C

[Noah930]

If anyone actually finds a way to let this stuff go, I'd be interested to hear it...

In Oregon, I think you just let it go. I lived there for a year, and found that people were like that. The majority of people are just space cadets. They (everybody) drive the speed limit in the left lane. The tradeoff is that these clueless but generally nice drivers also respect things like using your turn signals (i.e. I use my turn signal, generally people try to allow me in).

Here in Mass., it's much more of a wild west mentality. People speed, and tailgate, and cut you off, or try to go around the line of cars waiting for a crosswalk of schoolkids, etc. If someone hogs the left lane, it's possibly because they're feeling entitled. If they sense you want to get around them, they'll maliciously make it as difficult as possible. They also regularly do things like purposefully speed up to make it hard for you to change lanes if you use your turn signal.

So if I had to pick a poison, I'd opt for the slower, but kinder & gentler driver of the PNW.

[singpilot]

There is a 1-800 number in California for reporting cars that are smoking. (I wish someone here would find it.) You phone in a license number and that person gets a 'smog check' requirement notice in the mail.

Anyone that has ever gotten one of those knows what a PITA those are.

Perhaps everyone should phone in the offenders as you see them.

[sroeser]

As a fellow Mass driver, I find that the best way to avoid the "Mass crazies" is to find open road -- ie no one in front of me -- so I can avoid hazards, even if it means being in the left lane.

You see, the drivers in this state believe that they're entitled to have the right of way at all times.

In Mass, it's not uncommon for the following:
-- Have all 3 lanes of a 55 mph highway (Rt. 128) to be traveling at 75-80 mph
-- Have drivers cross over 3 lanes to make an exit at the last moment
-- Have drivers feel that they're entitled to force their way in front of you even if there's no room

After reading an earlier thread about how other drivers challenge Porsche drivers, I began to alter my driving style in my daily ride -- 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. I drove in the flow of traffic staying to the right, trying to play nice.

On day 3, I was rear-ended stopped at a red light by a Honda Accord.

Now, I've been driving with a $36 ball receiver from U-Haul with my factory trailer hitch for over a year -- ever since I saw another receiver bent 45% having taken the full force of a Suburban with virtually no damage to the Grand Cherokee.

In my accident, the ball receiver trailer hitch caught the impact. No damage to me and the Honda's grill and radiator were punctured, the hood compressed and that "H" emblem bent completely backward.

I moved back to the left lane.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

As a former resident of Massachusetts I can attest to the fact they've got some of the absolute worst drivers in the nation.

The only place I've ever seen that was worse was Florida. Primary difference was in MA, EVERYONE drives like a maniac - it's expected. In Florida, it's absolute chaos. You have all the NYC transplants with aggressive tendencies, all the "near-deads"/"blue-hairs" in their land yachts driving 30 mph under the limit through lights, stop signs, school yards, whatever without ever speeding up or slowing down, meandering and drifting about lanes. You have the yahoo/redneck/*****kicker types (usually the ones with "NATIVE" bumper stickers) that have watched too much NASCAR and think every road is a drag strip. You have young kids with no skills. You have the junker pickup trucks piled high with (probably stolen) landscape equipment usually driven by individuals with questionable immigration status. You have regular old working-class commuters trying to mind their own business and (of course) the ones on the cell phones oblivious to everything around them. You have the minivans crammed full of screaming kids. It's a complete zoo down there. Glad I left. California is somewhat crazy/aggressive but honestly if you get away from the traffic (difficult to do, but if you can) it's pretty tame by comparison.

[singpilot]

Was in Miami a couple of weeks ago. Best bumper sticker ever.


"When I get old, I am gonna move up north and drive real slow."

[mikester]

I have a 4 mile commute to work. It's great but I must admit today I'm off my game and was driving like an idiot. I cut two people off and took the right of way when it wasn't mine.

Everyone has an off day - I'll spend the rest of it in the office as punishment.

[David]

I rode my bike to work today to make up for my bad behavior yesterday. I didn't block anyone and I didn't have anyone tailgate me. I wonder if there's a correlation?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Good stuff here. Throw a little gas on the fire. . . Why not?

http://www.youdrivelikeanidiot.com/stickers.php