I do my level best not to drive during the ironically termed 'rush hour'. Sometimes I can't avoid it. Today was one of those days.

Rush hour means everyone is hurriedly creeping along in congested traffic. Along I15 in SLC, Southbound traffic stop and go runs the length of Salt Lake County and into Utah County even if there are no accidents nor hazards. Pretty much the only way to stay sane is to abandon any urgency or anticipation of ETAs. Just roll on home and get there when you get there. There really is no strategy to expedite the commute.

That being said, I have come to believe that one can drive home efficiently and still be polite. I don't leave 86 car lengths between me and the next car nor do I fidget with my devices or drive distracted. But if another vehicle needs to merge into my lane, what harm is there in letting the other drive in? How much time is lost really? When I see a blinker indicating an intention, I make room to accommodate.

Well a driver behind me took offense that I let someone merge. This was only one car. Not two. Not several. One. Anyway the driver on my six came unglued and laid on his horn while nearly rear ending me. I looked in the mirror and saw what I expected; two middle fingers flailing spasmodically. Dude was actually yelling.....with his windows closed.

My reflex was to retaliate. I mean I was doing the right thing. I was driving with patience and selflessly. Suddenly this scatacephalic is in a hurry? We're rolling at 35 mph! There are thousands of cars ahead of us. Where does he think he's going? YOU FLACCID PRIMARY MALE SEXUAL CHARACTERISTIC!!!!!!!

Contrary to my impulse I decided to shrug my shoulders and ignore him. He tried to provoke me with the usual acrobatics, but I refused to be aggravated. He followed me for a while and then pulled into the next lane and pulled to my side. This time his window was down as he shouted obscenities and insults. Seriously, a man that miserable is his own punishment.

Just wanted to vent.

Yup, the best way is to ignore these road raging tools.

Some people are so pathetically unhappy that they let minuscule stuff like this ruffle their feathers.

All you can do is get a little laugh out of it and try to articulate how shitty their life must be.

I'm not sure what the primal urge is to get one or two car lengths ahead of the next guy, but there are a lot of angry people driving around these days.

There have been a lot of driving fatalities along the Wasatch front the past few weeks.

I15 in particular is now busy at all hours in both directions, not just at rush hour.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Yup, the best way is to ignore these road raging tools.

Yup, He's probably residing in his own self imposed Hell, no need to join him there.

You did well.

It depends on other things whether I'll let another car get in front of me.

But if I was behind you, I wouldn't hold it against you unless you are keeping a car length's space ahead of you. I would be frustrated if you keep letting people in. But I wouldn't be flipping you off. I never flip anyone off. Most i would do is knock the side of my head with my knuckles.

In slow and go, I would rather drive off the freeway and even add 30 more minutes to my commute than be stuck in slow and go traffic.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:

He followed me for a while and then pulled into the next lane and pulled to my side. This time his window was down as he shouted obscenities and insults. Seriously, a man that miserable is his own punishment.

My windows are tinted, in this situation I tend to roll my window down, blow a kiss while sending a flirtatious wave (channeling my inner Milo), before rolling my window back up slowly. In the privacy of my own car I am then able to laugh as their anger turns to confusion and disgust without further triggering them.

Sorry to hear about that tool trying to harsh your mellow, Mr. DF. Glad that you are okay and it didn't escalate.


Some so called adults really need a time out.

quote:

Originally posted by ridja75:


My windows are tinted, in this situation I tend to roll my window down, blow a kiss while sending a flirtatious wave (channeling my inner Milo), before rolling my window back up slowly. In the privacy of my own car I am then able to laugh as their anger turns to confusion and disgust without further triggering them.

Beautiful

I sometimes just wave and smile real big like I'm from the country and lost...

^^^^ This. My dad taught me this 40 years ago.

Good job. I do the same thing. Totally ignore them or smile and wave.

quote:

Originally posted by ridja75:

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:

He followed me for a while and then pulled into the next lane and pulled to my side. This time his window was down as he shouted obscenities and insults. Seriously, a man that miserable is his own punishment.

My windows are tinted, in this situation I tend to roll my window down, blow a kiss while sending a flirtatious wave (channeling my inner Milo), before rolling my window back up slowly. In the privacy of my own car I am then able to laugh as their anger turns to confusion and disgust without further triggering them.

I usually either point and laugh or do the "neener-neener" face at them.

If you flip them off they get some satisfaction that they made you mad too, but if you laugh at them it sends them into a rage spiral. It's fun to watch.

quote:

Contrary to my impulse I decided to shrug my shoulders and ignore him.

I do the same except I lay my HK 45c in my lap just to be sure.

Well, when you yell and flip people off, they learn valuable lessons and won't ever drive badly again, especially if you swerve and drive really crazy around the person that "wronged" you.

quote:

Originally posted by 12131:
Yup, the best way is to ignore these road raging tools.

Absolutely true, but do not forget the chance that such idiots just might decide to do some shooting, or even crash your car!

I see this kind of crap a lot, and try to ignore it, but keep a real lookout to make sure the asshole does not go over the edge into total insanity.

good job there OP;

last week I was driving N on I-5 out of Eugene in moderately heavy flow. Had managed to escape the peloton and was making good headway in middle lane at just over the 65mph limit.....coming up considerably faster behind was a largish RV, maybe around 30'. Lanes clear on both sides. This was just after a long 55 zone.

This dupe lunged around at close range from behind, passed and swerved back in front with barely a couple of feet to spare without making serious contact.

This fool had miles of open lanes and plenty of opportunity to safely pass. I don't know what his issue was.

Hadn't realized how widely spread his clan was, but you obviously found a member: 'YOU FLACCID PRIMARY MALE SEXUAL CHARACTERISTIC'

Don't engage at all. Ignore them completely. Don't give them what they want - a reaction. No smile, no wave, nothing. They'll usually get frustrated then just give up when they learn they can't get to you. Plus, it keeps you calm and thinking clearly in the unlikely event you are forced into a situation where you must defend yourself. You have no way of knowing what you are dealing with, how stable or unstable that individual is, so don't deliberately put yourself or those with you in potential danger.

quote:

Originally posted by jigray3:
Don't engage at all. Ignore them completely. Don't give them what they want - a reaction. No smile, no wave, nothing. They'll usually get frustrated then just give up when they learn they can't get to you. Plus, it keeps you calm and thinking clearly in the unlikely event you are forced into a situation where you must defend yourself. You have no way of knowing what you are dealing with, how stable or unstable that individual is, so don't deliberately put yourself or those with you in potential danger.

This is an important point. I think most people are rational, but there is an increasing subset that is teetering and with the right pressure will do anything. I'd hate to have to ventilate one of them right there on the highway.

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:
Sorry to hear about that tool trying to harsh your mellow, Mr. DF. Glad that you are okay and it didn't escalate.


Some so called adults really need a time out.

Lol. Yes we must keep up the mellow.

Thanks Frank. Hope you, your better half and the pups are well, brother.

quote:

Seriously, a man that miserable is his own punishment.

Bingo