Road Rage?

I usually shout, curse and scream at the idiot then promptly forget about it. It's over, move on. Let the cars play their games and hope they don't hurt anyone but themselves. One driver had the best answer that I can think of. Slow down and let the tail-gators pass so you can see what they are doing in front of you or ignore them and let them do what they are going to do taking care to not cut them off so they can be on their way. All in a days work.

 

I have encountered road rage in TX,Mo,and a few other southern belt states. IRONICALLY I have never encountered road rage around L.A. or southern CA. In Ca. every car seems to just want be in front of everyone else and if a car does cut you off they usually maintain their speed and keep going. Nobody seems to have time to enact road rage around L.A.,lol. One way I let off steam during road rage is that I just chalk it up to driver inbreeding and laugh. Chattanooga,Tn seems to have the absolute WORST drivers of both cars and trucks. Lots of goofballs drive slow in the left lane and speed up when you pass them on the right. In general people in the U.S. are just very selfish with their driving and most can't drive worth a crap. I have been seeing a lot of wreckless truck drivers lately that try to speed up in front of you going 20mph over the speed limit in a construction zone when one lane is about to end.It happened to me in AZ. and in TN across I-40. I have also seen a lot of Fedex trucks that stay in the right lane and dont move over to make it easier for you to merge on the freeway even when the left lane is empty of traffic. No courtesy whatsoever. Than you have the dumb cars that think you are supposed to move over to the left to let them in when there is too much traffic in the left lane.

 

I've seen road rage all over the place. Chicago is probably the craziest place I have dealt with. I'll take Atlanta any day over Chicago.

Drivers, especially in cars seem to be getting dumber by the year. Enforcement by the police would solve many of the problems out there on the roads. It seems to happen for short periods of time, when it needs to be happening all the time. The safer cars get the worse people seem to drive.

I vent, call the idiots names, and move on. They can't hear me, so I don't care what I say.

Unfortunately, too many of these idiots cause accidents that cost lives.

 

Earlier in my career, I would move over a lane on the interstate to allow a merging car in much more readily than I do now. I won't purposely stay in the right lane if it's clear to move left, but I'm not so quick to move left, either. I see too many trucks suddenly (key word) move left to try to appease a merging 4-wheeler, or even another truck.

Quick lane changes are dangerous. I figure if the 4-wheeler can't pick the spot they're going to aim for, it's on them.

 

I've noticed more and more freeway onramps have Yield signs instead of the old Merge signs of yesteryear.

OK have the traffic experts decided this is safer than Merge which no one really seems to understand is simple like stepping into a double dutch jump rope? Maybe it is safer but most people don't know their car can go from 15 to 60 in 10 seconds would rather aim for the ditch when they see that big 18 wheeler next to them going 55 when all they really need to do is step on the gas pedal and GO.

 

That seems to be the hardest thing for them to wrap their brains around.

 

I've had idiots try to merge with my truck in St. Louis, countless times trying to merge with my trailer....then they come around the back side, get in front, and give me the finger.

Actually had one so close behind me one day I couldn't see him at all. Cop on the shoulder, left lane clear, I move over, and all of a sudden there is a car there hitting his brakes and the shoulder......he had to have been just getting ready to pass me when I moved over......and, of course, I got the finger when I scooted back in the right lane and he went around.

I think my worst case was a couple of weeks ago in Kansas City....at night, in the construction going north on 71 to the 435......black as could be, new asphalt with little markers.....guy comes flying down the short little merge, almost into my trailer.....then goes around, stops at my door, and they were yelling something but I wasn't looking at them or paying them any attention at all.

 

It's great that truck drivers have the patience to work around impatient drivers. They would certainly win in an accident.

 

First let me say that I've seen poor driving and disrespect in both 4 wheelers and commercial drivers. It's the world we live in today. It's a me, me, me world. A lot of these truckers out here disrespect each other in many ways like blocking the fuel island to go inside and grab something other than a fuel ticket when there are plenty of places to park. I could name a dozen other ways too. The general public has no respect for us. Everyone's in a hurry going absolutely no place and God forbid we should hold them up. When I need to get over, I signal but I don't waste time doing it because when people see a turn signal today, they don't slow down, they speed up. This happens very fast and in the past there have been a couple of times where I started getting over and the car that previously was poking around, after seeing my intention has now suddenly found the accelerator. It's too late for them though because now I'm in their way. They love to show you their anger by flashing lights, riding the berm, weaving back and forth or finding a way around you, getting in front of you and hitting their brakes. These people are genuine (you know what).

The person you described earlier sounded as if they were doing other things besides driving poorly; like drugs or drinking. Personally, I have a few credentials that I carry along with my DL that says I'm quite capable of taking care of this sort of business but from a wiser perspective, I try to use a little common sense when dealing with these types. It's never a wise choice to intentionally get into a street fight with someone you don't know anything about. People that exhibit road rage may have other problems going on in their head and it is always better to let them go on their way.

It's always best to call 911 and hold your phone up where they can see that you're calling for assistance. This will usually send them on their way.