Road Rage!

tbaleno · #11 03-30-2006, 04:06 PM

For the most part tailgaters aren't out to damage your car. If I get a tailgater I don't even worry much about him being back there. I figure I'm not likely to need to slam on the brakes because I am concentrating on where I'm going and looking for potential hazards.

I guess I'm past the point where I'm intimidated and to the point where I just recognize them as fools. If they give me the finger when they pass (happend twice so far in about 2 1/2 years of driving this way (both time women for some reason)) I just smile politely and look at them and wave like I would if they were waving hello. It keeps me from getting upset and keeps me calm.

Chuck · #12 03-30-2006, 04:20 PM

The thought crossed my mind last night. This morning this thread had the same thought from several members:

If everybody was basically content with themselves, the highways would be a much better place to drive.

You would not have people getting big, intimidating vehicles (particluarly Hummers, power trucks to simply commute, etc.). Courtsey would be common courtsey again. Less stress from jobs and family would get projected into agressive driving. Less substance abusers driving like the Tazmanian Devil.

VietVet'67 · #13 03-30-2006, 08:22 PM

I think krousbd was on the right track when he mentioned ‘insecurity’. I kind of equate it to the way I see wife abusers. They are insecure in there manhood and their actions and words ‘You had better do what I say or I will beat you to a pulp’ – are grounded in basically this is the way they 'Prove' to themselves 'I Am A Man'. They could never stand up to real man who is self-confident and doesn’t have to ‘Prove’ their manhood.

These are the same type that, ride your bumper, cut you off, give you the finger etc – They want to show YOU who is bigger and you had better get out of my way. They see the word or Hybrid logo and they just have to let you know that they are more of a man than the you by being aggressive. If they only knew the cars I have had in my past that would have blown their doors off – hey come to think of it my FEH could probably do the same if I wanted to.

As has been said here and other forums – driving a hybrid is a totally different experience. An experience in learning not just how to achieve greater MPG but learning to look at the road a little differently. Not just seeing what is 10 feet in front of you but what you are coming up on maybe even a half mile down the road – the traffic is stopped why not start slowing down now, no need to hurry up and wait plus (in a true Hybrid) regen the battery.

It makes you really more aware of how others drive – blast out from a light knowing that 200 yards away the traffic is stopped and going as fast as they can so they have to slam on the brakes just to get mad at having to stop.

Just the other day I had this guy lay on his horn just as the light changed – no one else had moved yet either – stayed on my bumper – even when he could go around to go on – giving me the finger – pulled up beside me, glared at me gave me the finger for about 100 yards then cut in front and slammed on his brakes all the time showing his IQ of one. After we had stopped at the next light – took me a while before I had caught up to him after he had rushed to the next stop light. He keep showing his IQ and you could tell he was getting hotter and hotter since I seemed to be totally oblivious of him and his antics. I couldn’t help but laugh at the whole situation – so just keep your cool and ignore them – that gets back at them more than stooping down to their level.

tigerhonaker · #14 03-30-2006, 09:18 PM

Well;

Heres my comments:

I think as more and more time goes by I personally prefer not to have all kinds of Conflict while driving. So I try not to hold up the drivers behind me and drive at or close to the Posted Speed Limit. I guess I just don't want to take the chance on someone slamming into my Brand New Hybrid because I was not going Fast enough.

I do want to point out a few things regarding my comments above. I am not going to take off from a Stop Light/Sign like I'm at the drag strip. I do stay in the Right Hand Lane of the Interstate and usually drive at 65 MPH. I know the speed limit is 70 MPH but I will allow myself this much lead way and I think if anyone wants to pass, go right ahead and that is what the Left Lane is for. I try my best to keep in mind because I want to get or at least try to get better FE, that the other people around me could care less and that has been mentioned here numerous times. Everyone is in a hurry and some in most cases are in a bigger hurry than the others.

I guess what I want to say is, I am not going to put myself, my car, in Danger just to add a few more MPG to a trip or tank of Fuel. To finish my thoughts on this subject. I am in No-Way telling anyone else here to drive a certain way, speed, or anything else concerning Members own Preferences to Driving Styles/Technique's. This is just my comments on how I have for the most part decided to get along with the Public and not to get in a Brawl/Shootout Etc. because someone out there had a really Bad-Day and I just was the Last Straw. Because I was driving slower than they liked on their way to getting that Beer. It would be Great if we all could drive the way we would like to and see how far we could raise our FE. However we are not the only ones on the Public Highways or Streets/Interstates and like it or not, there just might be that one person out there that would Shoot you or whatever because you held them up.

I think I have gotten Old and just don't Care for all the unnecessary Crap. Somethings I guess to me are just not worth all the Headache. I'll drive a little Faster than I might prefer to do and not have to constantly concern myself with the "Nuts/Crazy's" out there.

brick · #15 03-31-2006, 07:02 AM

I took a long walk yesterday afternoon and had a few good thoughts on this topic. What I came up with really just re-iterates what many of you have already said, which is that solution is to ignore the nutjobs. My "revelation" was that the root of my problem is within me, not the other drivers on the road. When my blood boils at being flipped off, honked at, tailgated, blinded, or otherwise targeted it is because I choose to take it personally rather than let it go. No doubt that is my own insecurity at work, convincing me that I have been wronged and if I let them get away with it then I have placed myself below my aggressor. But acting on that by letting my blood pressure rise to dangerous levels harms me and probably amuses the other guy. The best thing for me is to dig deep for inner quiet and do precisely nothing about him. Mastering the emotional response would probably make other parts of my life easier, too.

So it turns out that hypermiling is at least as much spiritual challenge as intellectual challenge.

krousdb · #16 03-31-2006, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brick

So it turns out that hypermiling is at least as much spiritual challenge as intellectual challenge.

I have never heard it put that way but yes, I would agree.

psyshack · #17 03-31-2006, 08:15 AM

I did some soul serching lastnight also. I want to drop out. But the wife is really scared and as always dosent want to leave the crappy place called okie*******homa.

Ive spend the last 15 years realigning myself and becomeing a gentaler person with a more open mind to my fellow man. Just trying to mature.

What a waiste of time!!!! Pure Bull **** it is. So Im reverting back to my old ways. My life was much better when I was the Bull in the china cabnet. I was happy. So this weekend Im going to go out and look for a old full sized Chrysler, Chevy or Linclon of the late 60's or early 70's. I will not be burden with other people on the road. You want to pull out infront of me. So be it. Im going to cream your ass. You want to flip me off as you pass and lip off. Im going to change lanes into you. You want to ride my ass. You are going to eat it. They want to turn the roads into a daily war? Im suiting up.

Im done with Mr. Nice Guy. They want to explore THE UGLY SIDE. WELCOME TO HELL!!!!!

Chuck · #18 03-31-2006, 04:05 PM

....what works best for me is to drive in situations I encounter fewer of these nutjobs. Drive on roads with fewer agressive drivers, drive around rush hour.... I'll admit that my dream car would have ordinacne that covertly shoots out the tires of reckless driver, etc....there have been a couple of times I've taken the risky chance of making sure they seem be laugh back at them.

I'd avoid looking for trouble - enough of it will come your way without trying....

philmcneal · #19 03-31-2006, 05:04 PM

sometimes I wish i had a suv so i can be king of the road haha.

tigerhonaker · #20 03-31-2006, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brick

I took a long walk yesterday afternoon and had a few good thoughts on this topic. What I came up with really just re-iterates what many of you have already said, which is that solution is to ignore the nutjobs. My "revelation" was that the root of my problem is within me, not the other drivers on the road. When my blood boils at being flipped off, honked at, tailgated, blinded, or otherwise targeted it is because I choose to take it personally rather than let it go. No doubt that is my own insecurity at work, convincing me that I have been wronged and if I let them get away with it then I have placed myself below my aggressor. But acting on that by letting my blood pressure rise to dangerous levels harms me and probably amuses the other guy. The best thing for me is to dig deep for inner quiet and do precisely nothing about him. Mastering the emotional response would probably make other parts of my life easier, too.

So it turns out that hypermiling is at least as much spiritual challenge as intellectual challenge.

Hi Brick;

Interesting view-point you have on the subject.