Originally Posted by evblazer

I agree with this but I also see a problem with it. Yes I a auto wants to avoid a collision but even more then that so do I. If they play chicken with squeezing me off or cutting me off and slowing they may see me but what is to stop them from saying then didn't? Add to that most every story I've read, and I'd assume drivers have seen, seem to say that unless it was a drunken driver even if the cyclist dies they don't get charged.
Being visible and assertive will make it harder for a driver to misjudge the situation but sometimes when I have asserted myself it made it easier for the driver to assert his 3000lb or 6000lb butt in my path after they skim past my handlebars to make a pass. A hostile driver may be in only one of 1000 cars or maybe rarer unfortunately on a bicycle you get passed alot more often then a car would that can keep up with traffic.
When traffic is high and cars have to pay too much attention to merge into lanes and avoid me and the cars they are merging with I have at times pulled off. Sure I could take the lane and force them to slow down traffic and merge, if they see me, but I have been cut off and sqeezed enough that I'd really rather avoid altercations. If the car behind me merged left at 45mph the car riding his bumper steps on the gas to pass him only to find me in their path? If they are swearing at the other driver and giving them the number one they may not find me until i'm under their front bumper.