What Causes Road Rage?? - Topic The People of Pluba Land

Now, I wouldn't be changing lanes constantly or cutting people off, if they would just get out of that left lane!!!!!!! Just kidding.

"No one is ever his/her own boss. We will always answer to:
1)Law of nature
2)Civil law
3)Spiritual law."
Farmer Ledford

Posts: 660 | Registered: Wed May 21 2003

Ignored post by Deleted posted

Posted

Here is my story from personal experience! I had just left work and was traveling home. I stopped at the stop light and happened to be so tired I didn't catch the light turning green right away. The 19 year old male in a blazer behind me honked. Well I took off right away. But he was mad or who knows what........He proceeded to follow me when I turned up one of the residential streets. I made several turns to see if that was the case, and it was. I continued on although I was starting to panic. It was in the afternoon and in broad daylight. This continued on for several minutes. There was no one on the street but he and I. I decided to pick up my speed and so exceeded the speed limit by probably 10 or 15 miles an hour. He stepped on on it too. I noticed he had another male in the Blazer with him. We were now almost on the outskirts of town. There were no cars ahead and his Blazer was the only vehicle on the street besides mine. We were on a stretch of road where there were few houses, and I was going about 35 miles an hour. I began to feel I was in danger. Suddenly my heart began to pound and I stepped on the gas and got a bit of distance ahead of this guy. Then I slammed on my brakes and hard!! Well he was not expecting this and he slammed on his brakes hard, then skidded past me. almost blocking me. He started to back up, appearing to attempt to block me completely. I got a good look at him and the license plate number. His eyes met mine and he was furious! I backed up to get around him and then stepped on the gas and swerved around in front of him and raced, speeding through town, all green lights thankfully, and right up to the police station. I ran from my car terrified that this guy had followed me and was going to harm me. When I gave the license plate number they tracked down the vehicle. The ironic part was this guy was a nephew of my next door neighbor. But he didn't even know me. They caught up with the owner of the Blazer, apparently they had just loaned it to the guy for the day. When they questioned the driver he said I had pulled out of a grocery store in front of him and cut him off! Which I did not recall doing at all. Maybe I was so fatigued I could have, but why didn't he honk at me angrily at the time? Instead of following me to a light and then deciding to stalk me? I was so angry I wanted to press charges, but the only thing that came of this was they put a good scare into this guy. It's a good thing neither of the vehicles had children inside.( I wouldn't have tried to lose him like I did if I thought there were.) And what if a pedestrian or another car had been hit while I was speeding to the police station. I think back on this incident and it really scares me! This is one time I wish I had a cell phone with me. I could have called the police. I guess I hit my brakes thinking it would give me a few extra seconds to gain some distance. He was far enough behind me as I had speeded up rather quickly, so he wouldn't hit me when I braked. ( I hoped) But he still almost hit me. I'll never forget this and I doubt he will either. I never did run into this guy again, but I always think about this day whenever I see a green Blazer! Actually this was my second road rage incident! The other story is even more interesting. A young woman with a baby in her car turned around and decided to pursue me right up to my driveway and even jumped out of her car and ran up to me screaming and ranting and raving.It seems she was at the stop sign and I was turning into the street from a business district. This is what she said.... She thought I had turned too fast and gotten too close to her car! She must have been going pretty fast to turn around and pursue me right to my house. She jumped out of her car and began screaming that she had a child in her car. She was spewing out four letter words. I told her she had better not take another step towards me and to get off my property. She did back down and got into her car and left. She was just a young girl with a baby and what a temper. She had endangered her childs life my pursuing me. I do remember I was in a hurry that day as I had an appointment I had forgotten about. I got a call at my job and had to leave quickly to make the appointment. I know I was in a hurry, but do not recall turning so quickly as to almost hit her car! I had no idea this woman was following me! I hadn't even looked in the rear view mirror for the three miles to my home. Was I ever shocked. I jumped out of my car started up my steps and then heard her car and saw her get out of the car and start walking quickly and angrily towards me. Kind of scary. I think she was just having a real bad day, and found someone to take it out on. What a vulgar mouth she had, and that poor child in the car seat probably didn't know what to think! For the record I might add that I have only gotten a ticket once in my life, 20 years ago. I was on my way to a Halloween party and yes I was speeding, 13 miles over the 35mph speed limit! That is the only time in my life I have ever gotten a ticket. (I have never gotten warnings for speeding either I might add.) I try to always obey the law and go by the exact speed limit inside the city limits, even on the highway and interstates I might go 3 miles an hour over, but that is it. Does anyone else have any road rage stories to tell? (Please click on new topic on road rage)
Whitefish

Posted

Whoops, sorry Joe, your topic is entitled What causes road rage........I was thinking it was titled Poll. Anyway it would be neat to hear other stories about road rage. Please do post them here!

Deleted

Pluba Freshman

Posted

Whitefish, that is so scary! God was certainly with you.

I have always been told to drive to the nearest police station or well lighted public place if someone is following me. At night I never pull directly up to the car in front at a traffic light. It leaves an escape if someone blocks me in. I have also heard that women alone at night should have something in the passenger seat that looks like another occupant.

I am very cautious and alert most of the time, but it is always when we least expect it.

I have had a few incidents where I would be passing and the car beside me would speed up to stay along side. That always makes me nervous - especially at night. I have really floored it to just get way ahead, only to have them do the same thing. What is it with these jerks?

The only close incident with road rage happened a couple of years ago. My youngest and I were in our van when I saw that I was going to need to pass the car in front of me (she was in the LEFT lane). I did not wait to get on her bumper to change lanes. But, when I started to pass she would speed up or slow down. I finally floored it and passed her. By no means did I cut her off. She immediately speeded up and rode my bumper. I tried changing lanes and she followed me. When we reached our turn, she followed me on to the next road. When she did, she started blowing her horn and flashing her lights. She was motioning to me and she even pulled off the side of the road!! When she did, I really took off. When I knew she couldn't see me, I turned down another road.

Who knows what makes people so crazy?!?!?!

I am an agressive driver, but I am courteous. I give plenty of room and always allow others the space that they need. I have no problems with others passing me. I just can't understand the slower drivers that take it personally that you are passing them.

"No one is ever his/her own boss. We will always answer to:
1)Law of nature
2)Civil law
3)Spiritual law."
Farmer Ledford

Posts: 660 | Registered: Wed May 21 2003

Ignored post by Deleted posted

Cat

Good Pluba

Posted

Yes, I've been told by many friends that I am an "agressive" driver (and I agree too). I think I must inherit it from my dad...hehe. Anyway, I was going to Atlanta from Charlotte and about halfway into SC I guess I made a mistake? I was in the right lane, the (we'll call it a) volvo was in the left lane. There was a tractor trailer in front of me and I'll be d@mned if I'm going to stay behind one of those! So I drove directly behind the tractor trailer and merged to the left...there was PLENTY of room between me and the "volvo" and that guy was pi$$ed off! He tailed me the rest of the way to Atlanta and tried to do the same thing to me that I did to him (but he was never successful). Anytime he tried to do that I would speed up and act like I didn't realize him and act like I was talking on my cell phone and singing to the radio and he'd have to slow down and get behind me again...until he tried to unsuccessfully pass me again. Well after that I saw his finger numerous times when I looked in my rear view mirror. I was actually scared but at the same time I thought it was funny to pi$$ him off more. I think what made him the most mad was that I was playing dumb and it seemed to him I didn't know he was mad.

A yorkie at play makes happy your day!

Posts: 1648 | Registered: Mon May 19 2003

Ignored post by Cat posted

Posted

You know what really causes my road rage?

OTHER PEOPLE!!

DragonFly

Pluba Understudy
Picture of DragonFly

Posted

Know what I can't stand (no offense cat!)? People on cell phones while they're driving. ARGGGG!!! I saw the greatest bumper sticker (actually two of them) The first said "Hang up and drive." The second said "You're driving a CAR not a PHONE BOOTH!"

Your Pet deserves the best care available. If your pet is sick, take it to the vet! Be responsible, get your pets spayed or neutered!

Posts: 371 | Location (City, State): Havelock, NC | Registered: Sat April 26 2003

Ignored post by DragonFly posted

DragonFly

Pluba Understudy
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Posted

LMAO, sucks for that guy. I hope that cell phones get banned on the road. Dangerous stuff...

Posts: 371 | Location (City, State): Havelock, NC | Registered: Sat April 26 2003

Ignored post by DragonFly posted

Deleted

Pluba Freshman

Posted

Putting on my fire-proof suit - it most likely is not just the cell phone use that causes these drivers to be wreckless and inconsiderate. These are the same drivers that can't drive with ANY distraction - let alone the cell phone.

Haven't you seen the drivers so wrapped up in conversation with the other occupants that they can't drive? I have seen speeding up, slowing down, weaving into other lanes and off the road by drivers that are so "into" their passengers that they forget about other cars on the road.

I agree that cell phones cause problems - but I suspect that they are the same people who would have a problem with any distraction.

I do try to take my calls off the road. But, I can tell you, and anyone who has ever been with me can tell you - that driving is my focus and if I do answer that phone on the road, the caller is left hanging while I maneuver through the traffic. In the past year our family has had multiple life/death situations (I don't mean little illnesses, etc.) - the kind where just one of those situations would be more than enough for a family to handle. It was imperative during that year that I be reached at any moment. It was such a traumatic year that less than a week after a 5 hour surgery, I had to drive (not released to drive or much else for 2 full weeks) 50 miles to help with my mother due to another breakdown. We had already suffered my brother's death, and mother had just been placed in a facility after a lengthy hospital stay. I won't bore you, but those incidents were just "the tip of the iceberg" for that year. Even now, due to some extenuating family circumstances, I have to be "on call". Quite honestly, I am the rock upon which my family depends.

I do agree with what you are saying about idiots and cell phone use. But, watch and see how many people are wacko drivers without a cell phone in their hands.

Abortion Stops A Beating Heart

Posts: 660 | Registered: Wed May 21 2003

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Posted

Let me tell you from personal experience, don't try to eat a Taco and drive at the same time! You will be wearing your Taco!

I know practically everyone eats while they are driving, but it really is dangerous. So is monkeying around with your cell phone, radio, or CD player. Or trying to adjust your car seat manually, (before they were electric) while you are going down the interstate!

Not to mention fighting with your passengers, or trying to lean over the front seat while you are driving to comfort your child, or retrieve a bottle or pacifier. Pull over! It's not worth a life!

Believe me I did alot of stupid and risky things as a young driver. It's a wonder I am still here to tell about it.

It's bad enough you have to drive defensively in this day and age, but add on stupid things we do as drivers, and you have increased your chances of serious injury or death to you and your passengers.
Whitefish

Pluba Freshman
Picture of DogBabi

Posted

What's the worst besides seeing a man shaving with his electric razor and a woman putting on her eye makeup was the other day, a man was actually reading and driving...ugh!! First he was reading at the red light...that was bad enough, but then I followed him and he was reading a bit and then looking up and driving and then reading a bit and then looking up and driving....I honked at him and tried to get him to pull over and I guess that scared him and he sped off down the road. I had planned on explaining to him the dangerousness of that. Awww...they never stop when I want them to, ya know.....

Save a dog/Save a life. It only takes one good person.

Posts: 713 | Registered: Mon May 19 2003

Ignored post by DogBabi posted

Joe

Pluba Understudy
Picture of Joe

Posted

Then there was that woman in Indiana or wherever she was and was driving 70 mph down the interstate and was breastfeeding...what an idiot....

"Your friend in time, Joe"

Posts: 282 | Location (City, State): Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA | Registered: Thu June 19 2003

Ignored post by Joe posted

Pluba Freshman
Picture of DogBabi

Posted

Hey Joe, I've missed you....I need some more movie trivia....I've promised Rayna some for a while now, but haven't come up with any...can you help me out here?

Puppy breath--ya gotta love it!!

Posts: 713 | Registered: Mon May 19 2003

Ignored post by DogBabi posted

Joe

Pluba Understudy
Picture of Joe

Posted

Want me to post it here or at some other topic????

"Your friend in time, Joe"

Posts: 282 | Location (City, State): Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA | Registered: Thu June 19 2003

Ignored post by Joe posted

Pluba Freshman
Picture of DogBabi

Posted

New topic Joe...so everyone will notice...I keep trying to find good clips, but everyone always guesses mine..you are better at it...make it really hard to figure out okay...thanks!!

*****************************
DOGS are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

Posts: 713 | Registered: Mon May 19 2003

Ignored post by DogBabi posted

Joe

Pluba Understudy
Picture of Joe

Posted

All right, Dogbabi...I got one..took me a while, but I got it...It's in the "Open Discussion" Forum under the title "New Movie Trivia".

"Your friend in time, Joe"

Posts: 282 | Location (City, State): Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA | Registered: Thu June 19 2003

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Bar B

Pluba Freshman
Picture of Bar B

Posted

For me, my road rage comes from drivers that are just plain inconsiderate. For example, they want you to slow down when they are trying to MERGE into traffic. NOT MY JOB to do that. they are suppose (when merging into traffic) get to the speed of moving traffic and merge or they are SUPPOSE to slow down (or stop if need be) until they can get into traffic. Instead they try to run me into the other lane rather there is a car occupying that lane or not. CELL PHONES, I find myself yelling at people out the window saying, "SHUT UP and DRIVE!" Then when they don`t use a turn signal, I wonder "Didn`t they make turn signals for that model?" I`m trying hard not to yell at people out of the window anymore but when things get soooo rediculous, I get mad... If anyone ever makes me have an accident due to they have a cell phone in their ear, I will probably go to jail for I will either stomp on it or shove it in their mouth.

"If your not in it for life, get a stuffed animal."

Posts: 569 | Location (City, State): North Carolina | Registered: Wed July 09 2003

Ignored post by Bar B posted

Pluba Freshman
Picture of DogBabi

Posted

I really hate the drivers that are in such a hurry, that they pass you and half a block later, they turn right and you have to slam on your brakes to keep from hitting them.It's even better when they do that on the highway where the speed limit is 70. Very irritating. Those and the the ones who have to swerve to the left to make a right hand turn. Sure wouldn't want to get behind one of them in the grocery store.hahaha!!!

*****************************
DOGS are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

Posts: 713 | Registered: Mon May 19 2003

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DragonFly

Pluba Understudy
Picture of DragonFly

Posted

Wow the speed limit is 70 on the highway? Where the heck do you live!?!?!

Save an animal in a shelter, adopt!

Posts: 371 | Location (City, State): Havelock, NC | Registered: Sat April 26 2003

Ignored post by DragonFly posted