Question for the Interstate Mavens

[tbaydog]

Driving in heavy traffic in middle lane on 3 lane Interstate, middle lane speed, 75. Coming up on slower traffic in middle, preparing/trying to move over to pass in left lane, see SUV hauling *** up on my bumper, close enough to see her picking her teeth. Saw an opening, gave a signal that I was coming out to pass, the ***** decided to do the same and cut me off. I knew she was going to pull that, so I scared her with a couple swerve overs.

I say common courtesy, she should have allowed to pass first?

 

[turkish]

I never expect someone to change their speed to accommodate me. If I see someone approaching and I want to get in front of them, I always increase my speed so as not to cause them to change theirs.

You aren’t wrong, but it’s also common courtesy for you not to cause her to alter her speed.

 

[coach66]

What the hell were you doing in the middle lane, can't commit to 80 in the

left lane? Be a lefty, it's the place to be.

 

[Drebin]

Driving in heavy traffic in middle lane on 3 lane Interstate, middle lane speed, 75. Coming up on slower traffic in middle, preparing/trying to move over to pass in left lane, see SUV hauling *** up on my bumper, close enough to see her picking her teeth. Saw an opening, gave a signal that I was coming out to pass, the ***** decided to do the same and cut me off. I knew she was going to pull that, so I scared her with a couple swerve overs.

I say common courtesy, she should have allowed to pass first?

In my view, it depends on the situation. If she was in the middle lane for some time and you saw her coming up on your bumper, then yes, you should probably let her pass first. If she is weaving in and out of lanes and is in the process of passing slower traffic that's clogging the left lane, then she can pick her teeth and wait her turn.

 

[patdog]

If she is weaving in and out of lanes and is in the process of passing slower traffic that's clogging the left lane, then she can pick her teeth and wait her turn.

Actually, if she's driving that aggressively, you want her either way behind you or way ahead of you so you're not involved in the wreck. Safest thing is to let her go on and endanger other drivers on down the road and not you.

 

[Drebin]

Actually, if she's driving that aggressively, you want her either way behind you or way ahead of you so you're not involved in the wreck. Safest thing is to let her go on and endanger other drivers on down the road and not you.

Well, I'm not going to cause any wrecks or endanger anyone around me, but I can't control other drivers regardless of the situation. Your mindset is exactly what a driver like that is banking on, and I just don't share the viewpoint. I'm going to be a courteous driver and follow the traffic laws, but I'm also not going to be intimidated by someone who thinks they own the highway.

 

[Go Budaw]

Driving in heavy traffic in middle lane on 3 lane Interstate, middle lane speed, 75. Coming up on slower traffic in middle, preparing/trying to move over to pass in left lane, see SUV hauling *** up on my bumper, close enough to see her picking her teeth. Saw an opening, gave a signal that I was coming out to pass, the ***** decided to do the same and cut me off. I knew she was going to pull that, so I scared her with a couple swerve overs.

I say common courtesy, she should have allowed to pass first?

I’d say y'all are both in the wrong.

She was wrong because you don’t wait to get over left until you are right on somebody’s bumper, and trying to beat someone to the same spot in the left lane like its NASCAR is a recipe for disaster.

You were also in the wrong (perhaps moreso) because, as you said, you knew what she was going to do before she even did it. There are enough people that drive that way that their behavior is extremely predictable. And using your vehicle as a machine for scaring / intimidating other drivers (regardless of whether they are following proper protocol) is a serious no-no. If I found out my kid did that with his car on purpose, he’d be working 50 hours a week all summer to pay for the Uber rides he was going to need for the next year.

Yeah, common courtesy would be for her to let you go ahead. But it should have been plainly obvious by the way she pulled up on your bumper that you weren’t going to get common courtesy. Just be the bigger person / driver, and let them go on ahead and be somebody else’s problem. Not that hard.

 

[triton28]

Sounds like y’all were both waiting for an opening to get in the left lane but she was driving faster than you. In that case you’re the slower moving traffic. She should pass you then call the police for you swerving at her.

 

[The Peeper]

Funny this conversation going on while there's another thread on the front page that lists "significant speed" over the limit as a contributing factor.

 

[tbaydog]

I never expect someone to change their speed to accommodate me. If I see someone approaching and I want to get in front of them, I always increase my speed so as not to cause them to change theirs.

You aren’t wrong, but it’s also common courtesy for you not to cause her to alter her speed.

She/we had altered our speed for a good mile. No opportunity to pass until the opening.

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

You didn't say whether the right lane was an option for passing. If it was open I would have taken that route, if not then I would have let the teeth picker pass and then change to the left lane. You got to accept what the traffic gives you and "punitive" maneuvering is a big no-no, besides teeth picker probably would not see it as a "learning experience" anyway.

 

[Nunya.sixpack]

Your mindset is exactly what a driver like that is banking on, and I just don't share the viewpoint.

I am with you, except for this. I don't believe that person has anything in their mindset they are banking on from another driver. I'm sure that driver will chime in a little later in this thread too.

 

[RocketDawg]

Did the woman signal her lane change?

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

I've seen that lady before..

View attachment 13381

 

[rebsgoingdown]

One thing I don't understand about all the left lane 80-90 mph drivers who are constantly griping about everyone should immediately get out of their way is.........Why do you slow down so much when you see a cop? I drive a constant 75 and stay in the right lane...you slow down to where you are the ones blocking the left lane when a cop appears.
I commute an hour or so one way to work every day...have for years... and see this constantly with almost no exceptions....If it makes you feel better I guess.
I know not entirely related to original post but related to the topic at large.

 

[Dawgtini]

You didn't say whether the right lane was an option for passing. If it was open I would have taken that route, if not then I would have let the teeth picker pass and then change to the left lane. You got to accept what the traffic gives you and "punitive" maneuvering is a big no-no, besides teeth picker probably would not see it as a "learning experience" anyway.

Right lane? How about the right or left shoulder? I go by Texas rules and if someone slow Won’t use them then you use them.

 

[InTheIttaBenaHotSun]

I never expect someone to change their speed to accommodate me. If I see someone approaching and I want to get in front of them, I always increase my speed so as not to cause them to change theirs.

You aren’t wrong, but it’s also common courtesy for you not to cause her to alter her speed.

^^^^This is the correct answer^^^^^