I could use some advise-How do you guys handle dangerous drivers on the road?

[greymouser7]

When someone on the road tailgates you, cuts you off, whatever, what do you do deal with it? Or avoid the dangerous situations?

People seem to drive more and more aggressive, without blinkers, too close, too fast, etc. and with my ownership of tiny cars and my infant child-these people put the fear in me that my family is in danger.

I drive the speed limit or slightly faster ( when traffic is MUCH faster) in the slow lane. I move over on an over pass so the drivers coming from the highway on ramp can easily merge onto the highway. And I put plenty of thought into avoiding situations ( no accidents on my record) but with the recent addition to my family I find myself more and more pissed off at the lack of safety or distance people squeeze by our car on the road. I am not prejudice, but young people and ladies OFTEN ( more than 70%) are texting or reading their phones where I am driving. I look into the future and fear jail time if someone actually hits us. The stories the other sailors are telling me could make a TV show with what's happening on our two local interstate highways.

-I have driven like Justin- onewildandcrazyguy before, but I am adamant about keeping safe distances from other drivers no matter what.

 

[pacuda59]

Pull off into a parking lot or just the side of the road. You're right that these people are very dangerous. No sense in trying to stake you turf.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I let them go on down the road. If they tailgate bad enough, I pull over and let them pass. Safest thing is not to engage them. It's stupid. You're both in 3K pound weapons at highway speed. Do the math.

I've ridden with you a lot before. You have road rage worse than Kitty and that's BAD. lol

 

[Dart_Doctor]

There aint nothing to do bout it. drive the best you can ... You caint Drive for them .

 

[1969383S]

All good advice.....

But if everyone just pulls over and takes the "high road" does it not just empower the SOB'S to do it more???

I like the old Gallagher comedian bit that we all have stupid darts and after the SOB gets 3 , he gets pulled and given a ticket for being an A-Hole!!

 

[Bad Sport]

Pull off into a parking lot or just the side of the road. You're right that these people are very dangerous. No sense in trying to stake you turf.

All good advice.....

But if everyone just pulls over and takes the "high road" does it not just empower the SOB'S to do it more???

If we all pull over for the idiots we would never get anywhere.

My thoughts are stand your ground, drive defensively and let the idiot do the screwing up. Of course I spend most of my time in an 80,000 lb vehicle. Now you want to see interesting, ride with me or any tractor trailer driver for a day, it will give you a whole new perspective.

The things I encounter in a day would make your skin crawl. I am getting ready to install a dash cam in my rig for the "just in case" scenario. I know two drivers that were not charged for hitting someone after the officer looked at the vid from the dash cam.

 

[Princess Valiant]

I have not had too many problems with that kind of stuff on the road but every once in awhile I have someone following me which is really creepy ....

but I live near a fire station and I been told by fire fighter guys to go there and ring the bell or honk and guys will come out to help ....usually when I turn into the fire station driveway and the followers usually go away.

I definitely don't go home if I think someone is following.

 

[fishmens67]

do nothing, the next time you see them, they will be on their lid in a ditch.
that's what happens to people in a hurry going nowhere.

 

[waggin]

3 mph above the posted speed limit, if they tailgate 3 mph below the speed limit and no eye contact, if they try to pass make it easy by slowing and life goes on ........if they do something stupid.....I drove pro figure eight cars for over a decade...do the math ;)

 

[67Dart273]

3 mph above the posted speed limit,

X2. Ain't GPS great?




Tailgating is NOT allowed. There is no reason to tailgate me, because I'm always up with traffic, and always happy to "get over" if I'm not already. So I slow down. And then I slow down some more. Then I stick my arm and hand straight up, palm flat in the middle of the rear window in a stop gesture. There is no doubt. The next thing that happens is the brakes come on lightly.

After that............

The brakes come on some more.

repeat, rinse, repeat.

 

[krazykuda]

One guy that I worked with had a great thing to do to the "tailgaters"....


When they get close to your rear, slow down gradually (act like you don't even know that they are there). Then they slow down. Then you speed up slightly, when there is a gap between your cars and he starts to speed up, then slow down by without braking so then he catches up faster and has to slow down. Then when he slows down, you speed up slightly. When he speeds up, you slow down again. Keep playing this cat and mouse game, and they get frustrated and will pass.....


I met a guy once who carried a golf ball with him. He said that they bounce about as high as you throw them. Get a little distance between you and let the golf ball fly.... He stated that even semi's will swerve to miss a golf ball.... Luckily, I have never had to use this "plan B"....

 

[famous bob]

it is illegal to throw anything out of a car at another car, everywhere. if u cause an accident by doing it you are libel!~ if

 

[Dart_Doctor]

Well put a bumper sticker on the back ..... STAY BACK PARTs MAY FALL OFF . It works ....( you would have to see some of the stuff ive drove lol ) So it only works if you have a POS looking ride lol

 

[Bad Sport]

So it only works if you have a POS looking ride lol

Or a Ferd.

 

[Frankie]

It's not your responsibility, nor your right to "handle" dangerous drivers on the road, or anywhere else.
By doing so you become just as much a danger as the OTHER IDIOT.

Fact is, the further away you get from that idiot, the safer you, your family, and your vehicle are. With the advent of cell phones, it's very easy to report such a driver to the authorities. Giving his location, license number, a description of the car, and his offenses, is your right and your responsibility. You can even leave your name if you wish the offender to know that it was you who "got him back".

Getting personally involved and attempting to "teach him a lesson" is pure stupidity, and unfortunately regularly practiced. The ONLY thing accomplished by attempting to "handle the situation yourself, is that you create a second "dangerous driver' in the vicinity, YOU. .

 

[69MOPE]

With the advent of "texting" , driving anywhere has doubled the threat of being hit by an a-hole. My solution is to just drive a disposable daily driver, nobody or no law is ever gone to fix "stupid". You have very little control over when and where your GOING to be hit.

 

[krazykuda]

Well put a bumper sticker on the back ..... STAY BACK PARTs MAY FALL OFF . It works ....( you would have to see some of the stuff ive drove lol ) So it only works if you have a POS looking ride lol

I thought that the parts falling off your car was so you could find your way back home.....


Hansel & Gretel.....

 

[Frankie]

One guy that I worked with had a great thing to do to the "tailgaters"....


When they get close to your rear, slow down gradually (act like you don't even know that they are there). Then they slow down. Then you speed up slightly, when there is a gap between your cars and he starts to speed up, then slow down by without braking so then he catches up faster and has to slow down. Then when he slows down, you speed up slightly. When he speeds up, you slow down again. Keep playing this cat and mouse game, and they get frustrated and will pass.....

Good idea.

I met a guy once who carried a golf ball with him. He said that they bounce about as high as you throw them. Get a little distance between you and let the golf ball fly.... He stated that even semi's will swerve to miss a golf ball.... Luckily, I have never had to use this "plan B"....

Poor and very stupid idea, and could be a liability to you. Doing anything to take yourself from being right to being wrong makes absolutely no sense, and could end up with you as the defendant in a court case, or even worse a case involving injury or death.

Which do you find to be the worse offense, tailgating, or causing an accident, or injury, or possible even a death?

My recommendation, completely forget about option #2. It's stupid.

 

[Bigdummy]

I put you with that crap all the time especially from other supposedly professional drivers.I just slow down.I don't want to go to jail for giving someone driving lessons.it's society with their me mentality.people drive like it their last day on earth!

 

[RustyRatRod]

3 mph above the posted speed limit, if they tailgate 3 mph below the speed limit and no eye contact, if they try to pass make it easy by slowing and life goes on ........if they do something stupid.....I drove pro figure eight cars for over a decade...do the math ;)

LOL That's a goodun.

 

[Idaho]

The people who notice bad drivers the most are road ragers.
If the shoe fits, deal with your road rage.

 

[Bad Sport]

I put you with that crap all the time especially from other supposedly professional drivers.

Yup, that is becoming an issue as well. I was in Kentucky the other day and was leaving a truck stop. I had the right of way and a Carter Express driver didn't like the fact that I didn't stop and yield to him so the idiot lays on the air horns.

Steering wheel holders, I tell ya.

 

[Bad Sport]

The people who notice bad drivers the most are road ragers.
If the shoe fits, deal with your road rage.

Um...OK.