Rude behavior on the road
I have been on the road now for 12 days. All together, I have pulled over about 20 times to let the car behind me pass. Of all those times, only one person raised his hand to thank me. The others just went by. Sometimes I wish I could just go back ahead of the people who did not thank me, and then slow down to show them that they should be polite. In most cases I was going the speed limit or faster. I don't get upset about this rude behavior -- not really, really upset, that is. But it bothers me. If someone pulls over to let you by, please raise your hand to thank them or blink your lights if it's dark. It's a very good thing to do and takes almost no effort.
posted by Chuck Woodbury at
9:42 AM
16 Comments:
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
By
Anonymous, at 10:53 AM, November 11, 2006
You are so right about rude behavior on the road and people have no courtesy what so ever, so I sometimes wonder why should we but that is the kind thing to do, but that still dont mean it doesnt hack me off.
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Anonymous, at 11:00 AM, November 11, 2006
I've pulled over many times (probably more than 50 - 100 times over the last 6 years), and many times people have waved or honked in appreciation. I guess it just depends on what phase of the moon we're in.
At any rate, IMO, it just makes sense not to hold other people up unless it is unavoidable. Especially, as I'm never in a hurry pulling my 25 foot 5th wheel. It's my belief that being in a hurry pulling a trailer too often leads to bad karma.
By
Anonymous, at 12:39 PM, November 11, 2006
I've just returned from 10 months on the road and echo your observation regarding the rudeness of today's drivers. I'm so tired of being passed on the right including on the shoulder that if there are more than two lanes I stay in the middle. That way the bozos who need to pass on the right can do so and I can see them better.
Another driving habit which I consider extremely rude is straddling another vehicle. If you're going to pass, then pass. But then the concept of a passing lane has just about gone by the boards.
By
Anonymous, at 12:50 PM, November 11, 2006
If traffic is building up behind me, I pull over as soon as possible and let them go. I don't want someone to get impatient and try to pass and collide with someone. I might have just saved a life.
NLL
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Anonymous, at 4:07 PM, November 11, 2006
Perhaps it's more stupidity than rudeness. Maybe the people you pulled over for just didn't realize why you pulled over. Maybe they thought you wanted to make a cup of tea? :) It's nice to give people, even the stupid ones, the beneft of the doubt.
By
Anonymous, at 4:50 PM, November 11, 2006
I agree about rude behavior. I've pulled far to the right many times, to allow those behind to pass (I'm usually below the speed limit)- those that do almost never acknowledge; some, however, cut back into my lane, right in front of me, barely missing the bumper. No problem, of course. Everyone knows a 34 foot class A RV with tow vehicle at 60 mph is easily controlled, stops on a dime and gives change.
By
Anonymous, at 5:25 PM, November 11, 2006
You sir are an enabler. If you are traveling the speed limit or faster, why bother to pull over for those who wish to exceed the speed limit farther. Speed kills you know~ and speed in excess of the limit posted is as much a violation of law as running a stop sign.
By
Joe57, at 5:01 AM, November 12, 2006
joe57 said what many feel. However... No matter how frustrated you might feel, it's not you place to try to enforce the law. If you feel strongly about the poor choice the other driver made, call 911 give them the license, description, location of the incident and direction of travel. If you can describe the driver that will help.
If you take on the role of enforcer, you might just end up on the wrong end of a road rage incident.
I agree that most drivers aren't even aware that they should acknowledge the act of letting traffic pass you.
The best we can do is be aware and be considerate. Maybe, just maybe once in a while another driver will learn a little about common courtesy while driving.
By
Kevin, at 8:24 AM, November 13, 2006
Are you pulling over for the gratitude or because your mother brought you up to be a gentleman?
By
Anonymous, at 8:06 PM, November 15, 2006
A wave is always appreciated and I often get a friendly beeep, beep beep as well as a wave. those who do not have my prayers as they must be lonely souls who have not friends other then themselves.
By
Anonymous, at 8:05 AM, November 18, 2006
I have made it a habit to try and make it easy for trucks and other people to pass me. I like secondary roads, 45 to 55 mph, will even speed up to keep the semi from having to shift down and lose that momenteum to pass when clear. Usually after they pass I will flicker my headlights to let them know they are clear to pull in and they usually will blink the rear lights back as a thank you. Courtesy will pay...even if it is just in MY mind and heart!
By
Anonymous, at 8:45 AM, November 18, 2006
I do not own an rv (but hope to buy one) & live in a large national park where there are lots of rvs on the road. Most of us who live here are sick to death of the rudeness of rv (& other) drivers because they pass turnouts & won't pull over. Many of these are rentals but still, it would be considerate of the driver (usually going 10 mph slower than the speed limit) to pull over when there are others behind who want to go faster. It's not up to the rv (or other) driver to enforce the speed limit. A couple of months ago I got behind a rental rv that had both side mirrors pulled in so the driver couldn't see that there were vehicles behind, thinking that he didn't have to pull over for what he didn't see. Please use turnouts so that the rest of us can get where we're going on time. (I always leave 30-45 min. early so I'll get to my appt. on time because of impolite drivers) BTW, I always honk &/or wave when an rv or other vehicle pulls over to let me pass. Thank you.
By
Anonymous, at 11:11 AM, November 18, 2006
In my working days I rode to work in a carpool with 4 other fellows. We alternated days. One fellow drove "the speed limit" and sometimes in the left lane. People would drive by him and curse him. He commented that he was driving the speed limit and they should too. I've read comments here of road rage, being an enforcer, etc. My comment to my driving companion was "live and let live". If they want to drive over the speed limit, let them; what business is of yours. Pulling over to allow somone by is a "live and let live" act. I someone feels you have committed an act of kindness toward them and waves a "thank you" so much the better. Otherwise, you feel better for the act and that's what really matters anyway, right? Have a good driving day everyone.
By
Jovial, at 2:33 AM, November 19, 2006
My brother towing a Casita pulls over for anybody and everybody, sometimes in the most inappropriate places. He has the flats to prove it. I always wave when someone lets me by so maybe you're watching the road and don't see. Better to pull over and be courteous than to spread rudeness.
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writedesign, at 10:54 AM, November 25, 2006
In most states it says keep right except to pass. I believe that is what needs to be done. I hate a 75 mph limit only to have some person sitting there doing 65 . Yes I pass on right and glare as I go buy childish I know those people are most oblivious. I also give a wave when someone waves me through a 4 way intersection out of turn.
By
Anonymous, at 9:06 AM, December 09, 2006
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