Road rage?

[Protected One]

The other day I was driving down the freeway in the right lane like I normally do. I noticed all the cars/trucks in front of me pulling to the left. This made the right lane completely open. I suspected there was some construction or an accident ahead and slowed down. But I didn't see anything so, I stayed in the right lane and started passing cars at a rapid rate. I was traveling about 5mph below the speed limit.

After passing about 20-30 cars, I see a sign that says right lane closed ahead, but I don't see any cones so, I keep going. I pass a lot more cars and wonder why everyone is over on the left.

Then a car pulls out in front of me. I think, "Finally someone else sees that this lane is completely open." Nope, he isn't trying to move ahead, he's trying to block me. He pulls into the right lane and just sits there. I haven't broken any laws yet and I'm not going to start now so I just stay there behind him. Eventually he doesn't want to lose his place in the left lane and moves back to the left. Needless to say, I continue on my way down the empty lane.

Sure enough some construction cones appear and I merge into the left lane. Interestingly, the cones start about 50 yards before the exit I'm looking for. I'm only in the left lane for about 30 seconds when I exit the freeway.

I'm sure that one guy who blocked me wasn't the only one who was irritated that I was moving when they weren't. Yet, I don't understand this behavior. Oh well, that's life. No reason to get angry about it because there's nothing I or anyone else can do about it.

There were no doubt a LOT of people who were unhappy with being passed by you, but as is always the case, few who are willing to take any action. For some reason people don't seem to grasp the fact that all the aggressive driving, speeding up - only to have to hit the brakes seconds later doesn't get them to their destination that much sooner. It's hardly worth the added wear and tear on their car, not to mention the emotion strain it creates.

People who work in traffic control will tell you that the ones who stay in the lane (as YOU did) until the last possible moment before merging, are the ones doing it right! It's best for the flow of traffic AND getting everyone where they are going in the fastest possible manner. Wish the road ragers understood it.

 

[oldIrish]

When I started riding a motorcycle, I starting driving my car
more defensively and anticipated the actions of others better.
When I got to senior citizen status I became more patient of
the distracted (smartphone) drivers. When I started carrying concealed, I began creating space between me and the stupid
that I encounter daily. Cross over skill sets that we sometimes
don't realize we're using.

You made it home to vent to us and that's what matters.

 

[Practical]

I have had a guy tail me for 2 miles bumper to bumper because I offended him trying to see around his truck and he kept pulling forward when I was trying to make a right on red I gave him a mean toot and it set him off. Personally I think a lot of guys who drive trucks are subject of mine is bigger than yours and they are being jerks a lot of the time competing on rank. You did the smart thing, but I honestly think truck owners unless they have a business are just trying to make statement.

 

[Wise_A]

Personally I think a lot of guys who drive trucks are subject of mine is bigger than yours and they are being jerks a lot of the time competing on rank. You did the smart thing, but I honestly think truck owners unless they have a business are just trying to make statement.

Same as those guys that insist on owning pistols in calibers beginning with "4"...

 

[Old TexMex]

I'm in no rush to get where I am ultimately going. If I act like a fool, or try to push a confrontation with a fool.... I might get there sooner than I'd rather.

 

[Valmet]

Cooling off and letting it go can be the hardest thing but it is always the best thing.

 

[elm_creek_smith]

My last work car before I retired was an Explorer Police Interceptor. Now I drive a new Jeep Cherokee without the radio, computer, and light bar, so I try to let stupid stuff slide. I don't, as a rule, drive aggressively, honk at people, wave hands (or fingers) at people, or flash my headlights. My wife says, "We're not in a hurry; we're on vacation."

I did have a guy get upset at my excessive speed one day. (I was following the ambulance carrying my wife to the hospital.) He drove like a maniac to keep up with me and followed me into the parking lot and parked behind the Jeep. He jumped out and came around his 4x4 crew cab dually pick-up like he was going to do something stupid. I held up my badge (I got to keep it when I retired.) and said, "I was talking to my dispatcher on the way down here. If you leave now, you might miss the traffic units." (I was talking to Dispatch, but it was to keep ME from getting stopped.) He U-turned in front of his truck, hopped in, and disappeared.

I'm usually not in a hurry; I'm retired.

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