Not silly at all.
His comment applies to everyone. I never make the assumption that anyone I meet on the street is unarmed, or is unbalanced for that matter.
The correct answer is of course, “Yield to faster traffic” It is common sense, and in many places the law.
You were no doubt reacting to his/her anecdote about “I ran him off into the grass median”, and tailored your comment accordingly. Whether what he claims what he did was warranted, appropriate, or correct is debatable, but the point he makes is undeniable (and applies to him as well): If you piss off the wrong person, you have little control of the consequences, and they might well be consequences that your surviving family members will rue.
As someone who drives professionally, I see all types. Some react better to stress than others. Most drivers are barely adequate to maneuver two tons of steel down the motorway, mush less do so while jawing on their phone, eating, applying makeup, etc. The last thing any of us occupying the road is someone deliberately provoking other occupants. The clown that boasts that he deliberately provokes other drivers is an idiot and an embarrassment to FreeRepublic.
Yhe “speedracer” types scare the hell outta me. He’s the one who insists on going 15-20 mph greater than the prevailing speed. In heavy traffic they must play a dangerous game of “Frogger”, weaving through the openings in traffic between lanes, often cutting off others. Why would any reasonable person impede a fool like this? I always move over and let them go by. I figure it’s better to have them out ahead of me where I can keep an eye on them, than behind me looking for a chance to get by.
This is not an accent to them that what they are doing is OK. This is certainly not bowing to another’s ego. This is simply street smarts.
We agree.
I shouldn’t have used “You”. I should have said the agressive driver should head your advice.
I used to be a somewhat agressive driver. I have mellowed with age. Now after my commute, I am never stressed out about the idiots that were in the way.
My dad taught me to go the speed of the lane you are in. I use the left lane for passing only - one big reason is that I think a speeder (me) is more likely to “stick out” there. I always signal and take plenty of time in passing.
Just the other day I was in the left lane passing and up comes this little red Honda all tricked out on my tail. I moved into the center lane (a bit faster than usual so he wouldn’t scoot around me to my right) and he took off again weaving in and out of traffic - I imagine he was going 90 or so (posted 70).
My first thought was- where’s a cop when you need one. Then I wondered: if I came upon him crashed in the ditch down the road a ways if I would stop to help. And then, several miles down the road he WAS on the side of the road with the hood up looking at his engine! (I didn’t stop!!)