[Chocaholic]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

A legitimate question. Let's remember how I "behaved", though. He was crawling up my bumper, so I gave him what I believed to be (re-evaluating that, see above) the universal "back off" signal - a quick flash of my brake lights. That's it, that's all.

To answer your question, yes - even if I knew he was rushing to the hospital, I would have sent the same signal. In that case, with the intent of trying to communicate "hey buddy, if you hope to make it there at all, you might want to calm it down a bit". Remember - I had nowhere to go. No way to get out of his way and let him through. I was sandwiched between two other cars. I could not change lanes, and I certainly could not speed up sufficiently in my '93 Land Cruiser to outpace the two cars next to me and let him through.

From that point on his behavior made it abundantly clear that he was experiencing no such emergency. Like I've said several times already, he was free and clear, on his way, clear sailing ahead. And, again as I have stated several times, I never did a thing to hinder his progress. Held my lane, held my speed.

So, yeah - I would not have done anything differently, because I was essentially unable to do anything to help him.

Understood. And considering the options a day later with plenty of time to think it through (luxuries you didn’t have)...I suppose instead of the brake light, a right turn signal would indicate that you’re trying to get out of his way once there’s an opening.

Thankfully all you endured was a half cup of warm coffee and nothing more.