The thing that gets me are the folks that jackrabbit from a green light to the next red light and then slam on their brakes...

Do they really like paying for all that gas and new brakes? Are they just clueless when it comes to something simple like coasting to a red light? Is there something to be gained by rushing to a stop?

Because it irritates me as well as genec, that people have no clue about the waste of gasoline and/or energy that the kind of driving he describes causes. I see people racing from the rear to be the first at the red light by drag racin' from one light to the next. The irritation is from their ignorant brains that talk to much on the phone and text messaging and make-up and who knows what else. Their gas bill could be cut drastically by exercising the style of driving that I outlined in another post. It was the thread in foo on ways to increase mileage. I listed 10 or 12 realistic ways to increase mileage.

"Play" Grandpa???

Pete why do I apparently "get to you" so much?

okay, so if they're not ignorant, they're narcissistic, which is worse.

You're such a wussy. Don't let what others 'might' do dictate how you live your life.

I'm a big fan of giving tailgaters the brake lights. I've also been known to move left and block if they try to pass unsafely. I don't care if they get themselves hurt doing so, but there is a good chance they will hurt someone else, me included, and allowing that would be irresponsible of me.

I also get annoyed by the people who drive too slowly for the conditions. And there are those who have over-calibrated speedos so they slow down to 40 in a 50 zone then wonder why other drivers get so darn annoyed.

While I was driving home, I came upon one guy next to me smoking a cig and talking on the phone next to me. I just kinda turned up the classical CD I had in the car at the time, blasting Bizet at him. I kept next to him the whole time, and the speakers I have really carry. Needless to say, he had to end that conversation. Then he just proceeded to weave through traffic without using turn signals.

Yeah, I 100% support retesting drivers and taking away licenses.

I get annoyed by people who get annoyed because they can't drive at or faster than the speed limit. WTF is your hurry? Slow down, relax, take a breath, enjoy the ride and unbunch those panties.

Last time I researched the issue, the signs said speed LIMIT, as in no faster that a specified speed. The signs do not read speed THRESHOLD, as in you must go at least a specified speed. In spite of many drivers' perceptions.

When riding, I deal with the occaisional angry driver honking from behind with a smile and a wave. I act as if the driver is an old friend who is honking because he recognizes me and wants to say "hi." Withing 30 seconds, space in the passing lane has always opened up, and they can pass.

overinflated sense of self importance: check
willful disregard for others: check
need for immediate gratification: check

I've been working on just swallowing my pride and pulling over.

This one time in particular made me realize how dangerous it is to be a jerk. Some guy was tailing me really close in a no-pass, curvy area, so I slowed down to around 10mph in a 50 zone. I had room to pull over, but who cares? I ended up going between 5 and 10 for about a mile before he ended up passing me and throwing something at my car all the while yelling a long string of obscenities. Reflecting on it, I kind of figure if he had any kind of weapon he would have used it.

Me thinks mr. pete is a tailgating jerkweed on a bike, in a boat or a car. dude don't take your hangover out on us.

No matter how short it becomes as a result.

With that thinking, it would be kind of hard to staff our armed forces, public safety forces and most hazardous occupations. Good thing other people don't live in fear...and guess what, a whole heck of a lot of us actually survive to boring old retirement!

I brake for tailgaters. Actually since I drive a Ford Diesel, I downshift and watch them panick trying to avoid me.

Pete if I didn't "get to you" then why bothering even responding to me?

In that you find my comments apparently so irritating, I also am amused by the way some people seem so clueless in their driving behaviour. If there is no other reason for me to call out their behaviour in question, it is primarily that I have to share the road, in one form or another, with these idiots.

I think you're wrong. It sounds to me like the poster knew his limitations. If you don't believe enough in yourself to rise to the challenge of an aggressor, you're probably better off standing down. That's just being smart. It's also possible for a 110lb woman in a Hummer to be a huge threat to a 200lb man in a Prius.....

You know Chipcom, it's very easy to sound tough on a message board, but it's also equally meaningless.

While I agree with your first point, I can't believe you would even question the ferocity of Chipcom Man. (against evil doers only of course)

You must be new around here, don't let that pretty face fool ya.

My wife tells me I am way mellow when I drive, but I do hate tailgaters and have done the slam on the brakes thing to just flash the brakelights. None of which really does any good except to piss people off, and that aint necessarilly bad.
In my old feeble age I generally let more go by than before, but tailgaters still get to me and I'll slow down in front of them. I did this on a freeway with minimum traffic and they did not have time to pass, they just had to slow down until they had control of their car again. Oh well.
Steven

By the way guys, lighten up.

Buy a beat up manual transmission car. Next time a tailgater strikes, dump it quickly down into 2nd gear. Brace for impact first, of course.

I am going to be the lone voice of reason. If the speed limit is 40, drive at 40. Yesterday, I had someone going 37 on a road. I tried to pass them when there was a two lane at a traffic light. The jerk sped up to 55 mph. I passed him on the shoulder and then took control of the situation, just like he wanted to control the long line of traffic behind him. I drove and additional 3 mph slower. That means I was driving 33 mph in a 40 mph traffic lane. He was riding my ass. I think that people that make the decision to go below the speed limit have control issues they need to deal with. It was okay for him to drive 3 mph under the speed limit, but 6 mph under the speed got him pissed, just like 3 mph under the speed limit had the rest of us driver's pissed.

Using the handbrake works too.