Cruising Along Minding My Own Business...

[Big MAK]

Approach a merge ahead... I'm in the left lane, the right lane is ending and is supposed to merge. Bonehead comes accelerating up the right thinking I'll just hit the brakes and wave them in I guess. Not. No one's even behind me for about 10 lengths. Little celica or something, hard to tell -- it was shorter then the window edge. Only caught a glimpse of it as the driver was trying to regain control after plowing through the shoulder. Ah, er, no -- I didn't wave them in.

Brain size must be directly proportional to car size? I. e. little car = small brain? What makes these little car people think that I'm going to be intimidated? Oh LOOKOUT! There's a celica trying to cut me off! Better hit the brakes!

I'll lock 'em up to avoid a little car if they're signaling or trying to avoid trouble -- but if they come screaming up next to me and then want me to slam on the brakes to let them in ... forget it.

. . thanks for the vent time. .

ps: that was my neighbor 10 lengths back... tells me the little celica or whatever pulled off and was trying to figure out what to do with the dangling muffler and rear bumper; apparently the shoulder had a few hard bumps and obstacles #ad
...

 

[Andy Perreault]

Mark, I don't blame you for venting. I have the pleasure of driving an 18-wheeler all around the Seattle area during rush hour. No one likes to be behind a big rig, they all want to cut me off and get in front of me, or when I need to merge or change lanes, they'll close the gap so I can't get in. Every now and then you hear of a truck driver going berserk and using his truck as a battering ram, etc. I think to myself, "I understand how he feels. "
If I may be allowed to do my own venting... what is it about Washington motorists and crosswalks? Doesn't the pedestrian have the right of way in this state? Every night when I get off work, I have to cross Air Cargo Road at the SeaTac Airport to catch an employee bus to the parking lot. It NEVER FAILS!! Every time I'm in that crosswalk, I have to stop to let a car pass right in front of me. Tonight I had a guy flip me off as he passed by me. From now on, I'm going to have my pocketknife open, and if a car does that, I'll hold out the knife and put a nice big scratch down the side of their car as they pass by me within inches. You know what's amazing? Even the airport police won't stop for pedestrians!!! I had to almost jump back to let a cop past (no, he wasn't responding to a call w/lights or siren). Afterwards, I wished I would have slammed my lunch box on the roof or kicked the door. I'd tell him to explain to his supervisor how he got the dents! I called and complained to an airport police supervisor about that one. He said they'd step up their patrols on that road and keep an eye out for crosswalk violators, but nothing has changed, they haven't done squat.
I feel better now, thanks!
Andy

 

[lembaar]

Let me in here!!

I love it. I'm running 70 MPH with my 30' camper in tow and they want to get into that 15 ft. of open space I have left to me in traffic. I have taken to maintaining about 12" from their bumper for a couple of miles! Amazing how quickly they want to put additional space between us. But, guess what? There isn't any! I already had it on the margin.

They exhibit NO sense!! Of course, they often have numerous bumper stickers which support their favorite causes. None of which, unfortunately, include the pursuit of good sense behind the wheel.

I do love to sit up above them with that mass filling their rear-view mirror for a few minutes. I always hold out the hope that they MAY learn a lesson. Always the perpetual optimist!

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'01 3500 QC SLT, 5-spd. , 3. 54 LSD, Tow Pkg, Camper Pkg, White w/ Camel. (St. Louis) - Jacobs E-brake, GaugeWorks dual gauge pod, ISSPRO EGT & Boost Gauges.

 

[illflem]

Andy,what you need to do is get a baby carriage to push in front of you in the crosswalk.
You could even put a doll full of catsup in it, then when you see the non-stopping cop car approach push the carriage out in front of them,see if you can give one of those jerks a heart attack. Sorry,don't have a smiley for that one.




[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 02-23-2001). ]

 

[The patriot]

I used to drive a tractor trailer through NYC, so I know what ya mean!!
Here it's the senoir citizens( BIG TIME retirement area), and during the summer, tourists.
Eric

 

[GTX]

I think everyone should have to drive something with a heavy trailer during drivers ed so they know what its like. Especially the feeling you get when someone cuts you off and your thinking "this ought to be fun when I go over the top of them". Then when they get into their 4cyl piece o'crap they might realize what the driver is going through just to get down the road.

Thanks for my turn

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Well Oregonians (Ignorogians) are some of the best tailgaters in the country. I've seen less than a 1/2 a car length at 75 mph. None of them have read about the NTSB tests showing what happens when Joe Cool in his Honda slides under a Pick-up or SUV. The cry is to make SUV etc safer - how about letting natural selection clear the gene-pool! I don't worry anymore because my 6700 lb '93 probably wouldn't even notice them as they go under.
Happy Trails?

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1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and tweaked pump. 27lbs boost unloaded.
Horton fan & NV4500 5 speed.

 

[Lil' Dog]

My dad would tell stories about truckin through the US. He always has one of those infamous right turn sagas. Right turn signal on but that big truck is in the middle lane???? Yup, some small sportster runs up on the right side at the intersection and the ol'man just cranked the wheel and grabbed a lower gear. Just as the trailer wheels are about to take his rear view mirror off he hammers the brakes #ad

Some fresh underwear for the car driver please... LOL...
Here in the city with the smaller 2wd its tougher to be more aggressive, but they seem to think the diesel means slow. Proved an Explorer wrong on the onramp as he tryed to dart out around me. #ad
...
The idiots seem to find a way to get a license.

J-eh

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Jason Hoffman
Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 5 Spd 3. 54 LSD Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", BD Injectors, Banks Pyro/Boost, 3. 5" Exst tail section straight. E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. 100W Drv,55W Fogs.
237,500 miles (380,000 Kms) 7850 Hrs. Cummins Power Booster member.
The Original Turbo Diesel

Lil' Mack Pics 07-00

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I'm just waiting for the day that I brand the back of a car with my front hitch cover when they pull right in front of me and stop when I've got a load behind me! So far I've been able to stop every time but it's been REAL close a couple of times!

#ad

 

[Champane Flight]

A good buddy of mine (another trucker) was in New York city with a load of computer stuff. He had made his delivery and went to nearest intersection. Had to turn right or go five miles through heavy traffic to get back on Interstate. Some jerk in a BMW pulls up on his right and parks next to the fire hydrant!
Gets out and walks away! My Bud sits there trough a couple of light changes thinking this joker was just stopping for a quick pickup or something. Finally a cop jumps up on his running board and says "Hey buddy you going to turn or what"?He tells him his sad story and the cop says"Just make your turn and get the hell out of the way"!My Bud puts her in 2nd gear and proceeds to make the turn. Sound of bending metal and busting glass. He gets around the corner and stops,figuring the cop wants to get his name and such. He gets back to the cop who has one leg up on whats left of the frontend of the Beemer writing a ticket . The cop looks at him and says"What the hell are you still here for"?

This is a true story!!!!!

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop,job to support toys. Yuck...

 

[Dane]

Good story Mark, brought a #ad
to my face. I guess everyone has had a similar idiot try and force his/her way in front when there was plenty of space in the rear. I have no problem letting folks merge ahead as long as they were ahead of me to begin with. I had one moron next to me on the right at a traffic light floor it to get ahead of me and then stop and put on his left turn signal!?! There was no one behind me at the light, why couldn't the guy just blend in behind and not make me stop and wait!?! I dunno, sometimes I think getting a drivers license in this country is a little too easy... OK, maybe a LOT too easy #ad
#ad
#ad


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2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[SLVRBLT]

Maybe this is a good place to say this since some of these posts are situations with 18 wheelers. I have been riding and traveling on Harleys all my life. Not as much now due to back injuries at job I retired from, but still get out occasionally. The big rig drivers are the most courteous people on the road, especially if you return their courtesy. When on a 2 wheeler, you are at the mercy of everything else on the road and the big rigs are always the ones that watch out for us guys on bikes. They are always careful to be well ahead of you when passing before pulling in and never tailgate you. Last year, traveling through Baton Rouge, Wife & I and another couple on Harleys were caught in a humongous traffic jam. Twice, idiots in cars almost rear-ended us until an 18 wheeler crowded his way over behind us. I looked back at the driver and he gave me the OK sign to let us know that he had pulled over there to protect our butts in the traffic. I salute all you guys in the big rigs out on the highway making your living.

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2001 2500 HO 6spd QC LB 4x4 SLTPLUS All options except Snow Plow and Clearance Lights - Rhino Liner,Straight Exhaust, 90 Gal. American Toolbox/Tank Combo
'95 Harley Low Rider, Crane cam, S&S Super E

 

[Big E]

Mark, I had almost the same situation happen to me a few days ago. The difference being I was in the small car and the vehicle passing on the right was an 18 wheeler. He didn't drive on the shoulder, he just put on his signal and was coming over if I was there or not. I had to cut off another car in the fast lane to keep from getting crushed by this A--hole. I've been commuting from the Central Valley to the Bay Area for over 10 years now. I've seen my share of idiots and psychos, and believe me, they drive all sizes of vehicles.

 

[mikel]

I have to agree with what BigE said. I agree that by far the biggest majority of the 18 wheeler drivers are courteous and friendly drivers, however there are those few out there that give the rest a bad name. I have been passed by an 18 wheeler on a two lane road and forced onto the side of the road because another car approached from the other direction and the truck just came over into my lane.

The biggest problem with bad drivers in 18 wheelers are that they are bad drivers with 80,000lb behind them and they can do allot of damage to everyone else on the road.

Be safe,
Mike

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'99 QC 2500 SLT Driftwood 2wd SB 24v Auto 3. 55 LSD
ISSPRO boost and pyrometer, Walker 24168, 24,000 miles 2-12-00
-- email address removed --
Howdy Agg's!

 

[Briar Hopper]

On my way home from getting my new clutch put in at Enterprise Engine in Ohio, I was south of Cincinnati, running 70 in the left lane, and about 20 feet behind a big rig in the right lane that I was in the process of passing...
A brand new Crown Vic (paper dealer tag in rear window) just came out of nowhere right up to the rear of the truck, then cut left in front of me. I tapped his rear bumper before I could hit the brakes, and he fishtailed a little. Luckily, he didn't lose it. No marks on my front end that I could see, after I got home.
I also emptied my air horn's air tank at him, would much rather have emptied my SigSauer P229's 12 round magazine at him... not worth it though. He'll get his due, someday, at another's hand, such people usually do.

 

[Big MAK]

Mom taking her kid to school pulled out in front of me two weeks ago... she ran a stop sign. The road had a film of ice on it. Layed on the horn and skid (antilocks? what antilocks?) for about 10 feet (was only going 10-15 mph,,,, LUCKY HER). I watched her approach the sign and knew she was running it (she never looked) so I was on the brakes before she blew through. Have no idea how I missed. Steve's TDR receiver would have branded that little Camry quite nicely...

 

[Lurch]

Mark,
Maybe you should just stay out of your truck for the rest of the winter #ad
. Doesn't seem to be your year.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Boy, does this thread hit home. Anyone running a dually can relate to this. People see the dually immediately thing they must pass in order not to get held up. Next thing, you need to slow for them. Hopefully, there will be another passing zone for the payback. Nightime? High beams seem to get the message across. You know it's a good day when some zipper head blows you off only to go slip sliding away. Quickly assessing the situation for serious injuries and seeing none, flip the old "number one" and roll on.

I tip my hat to those who can handle driving for a living. I knew it was time to get out when I found myself clamping down and holding fast when someone passed with less than adequate time.

 

[RKohn]

Hey Steve,

You could put one of those Steel Horse tow hooks in the front receiver so you can catch them little cars before they get away. #ad




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Y2K Red Stealth Sport 2500 4X4 QC SLT+, 5-spd, 3. 54 anti-spin, 265-75-16 LTX’s (There ain’t no such thing as options, cause ya gotta have it all, including: DC’s dead cow/vinyl interior and don’t stop anti-lock brakes. ) Stock, but not for long. Oops, too late. What silencer ring? (More fun than my 98 SST)

 

[WOWZY]

The wife will not tolerate me showing any signs of road rage with her in the same vehicle. She does however think it's funny while I'm driving in the left lane and i always leave about 35ft. of space between me and the car in front of me. I'm always checking the passenger side mirror for the next victim of what i call "Door Slamming". The victim is the idiot who likes to pass on the right hand side, just to steal that open space in front of me.

That's when the fun begins. I speed up and close that space as fast as I can before he can cut in front of me. Wife thinks I'm nuts because i talk to the other car like a baby. I really get tickled when there's a car in the rh lane and the idiot is trying to take that open space of mine just before he hits the rh lane car in the a$$. Then he has to slam on brakes and go back to the end of the line.

Highway travel can have it's little benefits for us grownup kids!