I hit a car once. We were turning after stopping on red. The car in front started up then stopped dead. I was looking down clipping in and when I looked up had to veer left quickly. My gloved right hand (on the hood) brushed above the turn signal. I responded to the driver's question saying that I barely brushed the vehicle. She did pull over in the gas station I cut through after the turn and inspected her car.

Oh, sorry, I misunderstood the question. :)

Given the high cost of body work these days, that's Felony Vandalism in a lot of places.

With somewhat unstable people the driver's payback will be Assault and Battery, or Assault with a Deadly Weapon when they decide to run you over with a car.

With really unstable people the car driver may be facing Second Degree Murder charges.

[QUOTE=bragi;11680614]I Even if you're in the right, it makes you look like a fanatic, and won't help the cyclists that the driver will encounter in the future.

Good point

Really, most people who disregard you are anti-social when confronted anyhow. it's like they are driving around looking for trouble sometimes.
This AM I get buzzed by a crappy pickup who has to stop quick for the light up ahead anyhow. So I keep my cool and figure, lets see what being nice does. I roll near him, he looks at me (gee, think he knew why I might look at him too huh?) I show him the space he left me of a foot with my hands and gave him a nice look and asked for more space next time.


He said F U and drove off.

I smiled and went on my way. I thought about a foot to the quarter or telling him to get out of the truck, but I wanted to do the right thing. I'll hold my temper and see what next time brings.