Here I am

A funny thing happened on the way to the airport...

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I had a rather interesting trip to the airport this morning...



Driving in the center lane on the interstate, I caught up with an 18-wheel flatbed. After checking my mirrors, I moved over to the left lane to pass him. The nearest vehicles behind us was probably 200 yards back at that time.



About the time I get even with the trailer, there is this 1/4 ton pickup tailgating me REALLY close. When I say close, it looked like he was trying to rub the powder coat off my back bumper. He's also flashing his lights and honking his horn like it's HIS road and I'm required to get out of his way.



I should probably mention that people like that are a particular pet-peeve of mine. When people maintain a sane distance and give me a quick flash, I'll normally (situation allowing) do whatever is necessary to give them room.



Instead, I waited until I got even with the tractor, disengaged the cruise control, and matched speeds with the flatbed.



Apparently, this just about made him bust a blod vessel. The next thing I know, he's over on the left shoulder trying to pass me! "Nope, not gonna happen!", is what I thought. I roll on the skinny pedal and it doesn't take him long to figure out that wasn't going to work.



Obviously, this took us well past the 18-wheeler, so when he backed off and shot back behind me, I knew he was going around on the right. After he was in the center lane, I let completely off the pedal. Good riddance!



He shot by on the right and cut back in front of me, which I was expecting since it's so typical of that type.



Unfortunately, he cut it just a bit too soon and hit the front of my truck, which I wasn't expecting. As soon as I heard the crunch (never felt a thing), I cut the wheel to the right to get away from him. He's sliding at about a 45 degree angle pointing at the concrete center divider. Luckily for him, he got it under control without hitting the wall.



As I move toward the right shoulder to stop, this guy runs! Either no insurance, or he knew he was in the stink.



I get close enough to get his license number and call 911.



While I'm waiting on the police to show, I check my truck and find not a scratch on it. My ranch hand bumper did it's job!



When the cop got there (pretty quick, too), he looks at the truck and can't find anything either. He sais "The other guy must've gotten the worst of it. That's a big truck you've got!"



Since my baby's not bent and I had a plane to catch, I didn't file a report. It's not like the police were likely to do anything about it anyway. I don't need my insurance to go up.



Bob
 
... I should probably mention that people like that are a particular pet-peeve of mine. ...

You know, things like you describe used to bother me too- especially if you are in the "right" and are doing the speed limit or even 5- 10 over to keep up with traffic. But, it 'aint worth it anymore. Glad that you came out unscathed... but what if the other driver's erratic maneuvers caused a more complicated situation that ended up worse than just missing the flight?



Better to arrive safe rather that being justifed in proving the other person wrong... JMHO.



-frank.
 
Pawpaw said:
Unfortunately, he cut it just a bit too soon and hit the front of my truck, which I wasn't expecting. As soon as I heard the crunch (never felt a thing), I cut the wheel to the right to get away from him.





Shoulda cut to the left and pit'd him...



:D



Merrick
 
fkovalski said:
You know, things like you describe used to bother me too- especially if you are in the "right" and are doing the speed limit or even 5- 10 over to keep up with traffic. But, it 'aint worth it anymore. Glad that you came out unscathed... but what if the other driver's erratic maneuvers caused a more complicated situation that ended up worse than just missing the flight?



Better to arrive safe rather that being justifed in proving the other person wrong... JMHO.



-frank.



I agree.

MA has about the worst drivers I have ever seen, only place the comes close is NJ, full of drivers that tailgate, whip past you on the right without warning, and flash thier lights, it has taken me a long time to not let it bother me and feel the need to box them out or trap them, plus too many wackos these days carrying guns looking for an excuse to use them.
 
I hope that if I am faced with a situation like that one, I will consider that Maybe the other guy might just be an EMT headed to a medical emergency. Or, he may be a volunteer fire fighter and his squad is in dire need of his assistance. Or, maybe he has a medical emergency of his own. Or, maybe he got a call of a loved one who has been severly hurt and is in a hurry to see them before they pass on. And the last thing he needs is for someone like me with pet peeves to get in his way, and almost kill him in the process.

If on the other hand , should he be a crook or killer, or something of that nature, I guess that is why we hire law enforcement officers. Even if I don't always agree with their tactics either. But at least they have the proper lights and sirens.

I apologize for not being as politically correct as others on this site, but I felt the need to put in my perspective the only way I know how. I just don't want you or any one else to get hurt. Sorry
 
After reading that he tried to pass you on the left shoulder, it reminded me of all the idiot driver's down here in Texas. Then I noticed your location. Whatever happened to courteous driver's? I try and be nice, but sometimes people just need a good smoking... or in your case a PIT manuever.

Marc
 
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