What would you have done?

I appreciate and recipricate those gestures that assist other drivers on the roadway, regardless of legallity. I understand that legallity plays an important role for the overall flow of traffic. I'm thinking if its the end all to an opinion based on what happens elsewhere then perhaps a career change into law enforcement would be a good move. In this particular instance the law falls in favor of courteous driving behavior. It is good to see that.

 

It's possible by running onthe shoulder some junk like pebbles or gravel got kicked up on that oversized's windshield as to why he backed off. He might have been calling it in with your trailer number or something.

It might be the legal thing to do in Texas to ride the shoulder to make room for passers but understand the shoulders usually have more loose debris which can kick up on following traffic as well. The California CDL handbook says how to deal with tailgaters is to just slow down in the main travel lane so they will in turn slow down or pass.

 

Maybe Im just too old--or maybe the things that make sence to me don't make sence to others--no matter how you cut it--Tailgating is dangerous--and if/when it happens to you...imho--the smartest safest move is for YOU to take control of the situation--since obviously the fool pushin you is a tool...and the rules haven't changed in the 40+ years Ive been out here---first slow down--I dont mean brake check--just ease up a little---hold your lane and position--until you come to a Long--safe passin zone--then ease right as far as safely possible--so tool can see around you--as they finally step left---back out of it even more--make it easy--they fly by--you ease back out--go back to original speed---in almost every unsafe situation caused by another driver---somebody has to be the adult---make that your role--keep yourself safe--and go on about your business--the 2 or 3 minutes it cost you--is totally irrelavant--over the course of a 600+mile day--
but whadda I know.....

 

Then don't do it. Expect the finger. He is not driving the rest of the trip on the shoulder, It's temporary.

 

Hey if giving the finger makes them feel like a Big boy good for them lol

 

@MachoCyclone you did everything correctly for a Texas two lane. I have tried to drum up possible scenarios why the oversize driver would back off when you did the right thing and moved to the shoulder. The only thing I can think of is he never drove in Texas before.
If that's the case maybe someday he will realize what a jerk he was.

Regarding comments from folks that are unfamiliar with the laws and courtesies of driving on wide shoulders on two lane Texas roads, that's how it's supposed to be done. You move over to give a better line of sight to the faster vehicle when you get on a straightaway, and maybe slow when they initiate the pass to help them on through.

Courtesy goes a long way to keeping you and everyone on the road with you safe. I guarantee you will have a far better chance of arriving to your destination safely today if you are courteous. Those traveling the road with you will also be safer.

Drop the me first attitude. Instead concentrate on what other folks around you need. It's a good first step to becoming a professional.

Edit to add:. I don't move to the shoulder at night, only during the day when I can see at least a mile of clean shoulder ahead.

 

The only plausible explanation I can come up with is the oversize guy was new to OSOW and to the Texas two lane. "Gotta go! Gotta go! Gotta go!" That explains why he didn't have a CB.

For OSOW, its not just Texas...quite a few states require oversized to be mindful of traffic building up behind. Had to be a rookie to OSOW.