On my way into the office today...

[marlin29311]

I thought NiCo was a happy and nice place where flaming was monitored by the mods....this thread deserves a - it's getting out of hand with people making judgements and assumptions all over the place...this is not the NiCo i know...

[Sentientbydesign]

As a fellow member and Staff, I don't appreciate your language.

As for being a good or bad driver...That's so subjective, I won't even continue with it. I'm a very capable driver.

Let's turn the tables for just a second. Let's say the OP had to brake to miss a pothole or some other object. Maybe even a person. Now, where does that put the civic and the cadillac?

It puts them in the same screwed position, but the civic is now not even slightly liable.

Regardless if the OP was right and regardless if you like the way I drive, the Civic and the Cadillac were both following WAY too closely if a brake check sent them into an accident.

There could have been a turtle, deer, sandbag, sofa chunk, rabbit, bird...anything and those two idiots behind him were following too closely.

So here's my final position:

OP, stop being a road block on the FWY (I'll try to take my own advice). If you're doing a decent speed in one of the slower lanes and you get somebody tailgating you, I'd brake-check their asses all day long!!!

[IanS]

Regardless if the OP was right and regardless if you like the way I drive, the Civic and the Cadillac were both following WAY too closely if a brake check sent them into an accident.

There could have been a turtle, deer, sandbag, sofa chunk, rabbit, bird...anything and those two idiots behind him were following too closely.

So here's my final position:

OP, stop being a road block on the FWY (I'll try to take my own advice). If you're doing a decent speed in one of the slower lanes and you get somebody tailgating you, I'd brake-check their asses all day long!!!

Thats what Im saying, you cant control what those around you do. The mature thing to do is to set an example. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Just get out of the way so they can go ruin someone else's day.

[Sentientbydesign]

Thats what Im saying, you cant control what those around you do. The mature thing to do is to set an example. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. Just get out of the way so they can go ruin someone else's day.

I agree. My point is that those two tards would have had an issue regardless if the OP was impeding traffic or not.

Have good brakes, suspension, tires, and reflex times, OR STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY BUMPER!

[ERIC s.-14]

There is NO REASON to brake check someone if you are in the left lane. Right lane maybe, rural 25mph zone ok, but the left lane is for passing. I live in NJ its tough to get along with passing on the left because so many idiots don't, but they are the reason for such stupid problems.

[NismoDriver240]

I agree. My point is that those two tards would have had an issue regardless if the OP was impeding traffic or not.

Have good brakes, suspension, tires, and reflex times, OR STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM MY BUMPER!

dude! the only way your argument holds water is if the OP HAD to stop. in this case, he didn't, so he's getting reamed a new one.

or dont travel in the left lane and not let people by.

If "we have to know what its like to live in CA" then you should know EXACTLY what its like to drive and you should know that the speed limit is quicker.

[etschell]

For your info, the ONLY law I broke was speeding right off the bat. It's not my job to get over if I'm doing over the speed limit in the fast lane. I didn't cause the accident, nor was I involved in the least bit. I barely tapped my brakes to get him to back off. If he'd had a brain He'd of just done the same.

Seems to me, your one of the many little d!ck that think because you want to do 90, everybody has to get out of your way. Sorry, but the world doesn't revolve around you, and if you're an a$$, I won't oblige you, ever. I don't give a **** in the slightest if he got my plate number. Let him report me, I didn't do a thing wrong. If you want to get into a flame war, don't bother.

And marlin, young, latino with a baseball cap. Red civic, Super shiny 17-18 inch rims with a 3" fart can off the back.

for your information brake checking can result in jail time if it causes another vehicle to crash and the driver gets injured. there was a case about this in san antonio about 5 years ago.

[Bawkchicken]

Let me begin this with a statement; I am in no way defending all of the actions eomund took in dealing with the tailgater, and certainly not with his decision to brag about it. If we can get anything positive out of this post, it's been very interesting to see how many of us feel so strongly about different actions taken by all drivers mentioned, and how we might react to similar situations in the future.

With that said, I have to say that eomund actually acted within the guidelines for dealing with aggressive drivers, laid out in the 2008 California Driver Handbook (which I referenced here: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdb...c.htm ). I also should add, we only know of speed here. None of us were there with him, so we don't know traffic conditions, and we don't know how long the span of road (or distance traveled) in which this all took place. Also keep in mind, he mentioned that he was positioned in the left lane for an upcoming left-hand turn.

After eomund encountered the (unprovoked) tailgater, the following actions occurred:

1.

Well, when I get a tailgater, my policy is to slow down.

Per the aforementioned CA Driver Handbook section Know what is behind you: "“Lose” the tailgater as soon as you can by changing lanes or slowing down enough to encourage the tailgater to go around you." ( http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdb...ehind )

2.

He didn't get the hint, so I tapped my breaks.

So he has used the terms "brake check" and "tapped my brakes" to describe braking. We will never know the amount of time or how much pressure was applied to the brakes, so it will be open to interpretation. Nonetheless, per the manual again: "Brake slowly before stopping. Tap your brake lightly a few times to warn the tailgater you are slowing down." ( http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdb...ehind )

3.

He over reacts and slams on his breaks. I look into my rear view mirror just in time to see him get rear ended. ...Let him report me, I didn't do a thing wrong.

Yes and no. eomund's defensive driving inexperience really shows throughout the entire event, but his actions after the situation ended for him, shows an inconsiderate person who really let down an (somewhat) innocent third-party. I think this is what irritates me the most. Though probably nothing could have prevented the driver of the Cadillac from getting a ticket, a statement given to the officer from eomund regarding the events up to the accident, could have a major impact on any claims the honda driver might try against him (the Cadillac driver). eomund, why didn't you stop? You already knew you didn't do anything "wrong".

I'm guessing eomund has probably only been driving for 5-6 years, and that inexperience can easily rear it's ugly head in certain situations. I'm sure many of us have been there, done that. I'm not proud to say it, but I know have similar stories (minus involving accidents). Most of them are ego/anger driven. But I've grown since then, and have learned to evaluate my best course of actions instead of making rash choices. You (eomund) should really take in a lot of the comments left here. As you can see, your story hit a nerve with many people. Perhaps you should take a step back and see that this story could have easily had a different outcome. Like it or not, you definitely contributed to that accident, and thankfully it was only minor. Next time, you might not be so lucky.

[Sentientbydesign]

^ Great post

[dusred]

To the OP:

[WDRacing]

I understand, but driving across the globe especially in the US doesn't differ all that much. It's known US wide that you're supposed to move over when approached by a faster driver.

I've driven in multiple countries, almost all of which have better drivers then America. They move over...

[dusred]

Have you ever heard the term "Utah Driver"? Srsly, Utah has the stupidest drivers on earth! I get to deal with dim wits like the OP all day everyday.

[Sentientbydesign]

98% of the drivers drive slower than me, so this situation doesn't rear it's ugly head often.

Baja California, mexico is still on my favorite place to drive list. Maybe, I'll take a cheaper car than my G over there next time.

[WDRacing]

No one here is the perfect driver...we all break the law, some of us do it daily. I'm definitly one of the people that willingly breaks quite a few traffic laws everyday. They range from full stop violations to speeding in excess of 25mph over the posted limit.

The main point with this entire thread is don't willingly be a douchnozzle when you have options not to. If a guy is tailgating me and I can't get over because of traffic, I'll simply get over when I have the chance. I'm not going to jump behind a 18 wheeler if I'm already doing 20 mph over the posted limit, but I will get over when I can. If he tries to shoot me...well then he'll get return fire cause I carry 100% of the time.

The road belongs to all of us, we share the driving experience everyday with 100's if not 1000's of people. Be the best driver you can be and life will simply be better I promise.

Anytime you willfully try to be a jerk you run the risk of escalating a situation...sometimes things can end badly.

WD

[NismoDriver240]

Have you ever heard the term "Utah Driver"? Srsly, Utah has the stupidest drivers on earth! I get to deal with dim wits like the OP all day everyday.

Utah, 20th BEST of US. California, 14th BEST of US.http://moneycentral.msn.com/co...1.asp

Come on over to Massachusetts, we'll show you how to drive

1. Well, when I get a tailgater, my policy is to slow down.

Per the aforementioned CA Driver Handbook section Know what is behind you: "“Lose” the tailgater as soon as you can by changing lanes or slowing down enough to encourage the tailgater to go around you." ( http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdb...ehind )

You have to remember though, eomund IMMEDIATELY contradicts that ENTIRE section of the manual...

Well, I came into town this morning doing 75mph, so I didn't really give a **** what was going on behind me.

even aside from that, he did not get out of the way. He did encourage, however, he should have moved when his "encouragement" didn't work

[SCCoupe]

this thread angers me in so many ways, the guy who quoted the drivers handbook just helped prove his counterpoint that the op should have taken the extra few seconds to change lanes seeing as the left turn wasn't for a few blocks.

Furthermore the op tells of "slowing down" when a tailgater comes up, obviously because he thinks tailgating is dangerous. So instead of nipping the dangerous situation in the bud by letting the douchebag in the civic pass, he creates an even more dangerous situation by slamming his brakes.

You don't rule or enforce the road. Leave that to police officers.

[TrueVillan]

Main point is. If someone is being a douche on the road (civic riding your bumper), why not move over and let them be. I rather miss my exit than get some lunatic in a car threaten my life and the life of others because I was too stubborn to move out of the way.

[sr20deTsomeday118]

i have to take both the OP's side and NICO's side. OP overreacted and took law into his own hand but on the same plate. The civic was being a tard and tailgaiting. my best way out of a situation like that is to just kill them with kindness, duh. move over, give em a wave and a smile and everyone is happy.

[bmike818]

I remember a time where you could flash your high beams at somebody and they would move out of the fast lane and they will actually waive to say sorry. now all i get is the middle finger.

I blame everything on the younger kids that are driving.(at least most of them) They don't know any road manners.

[gwoods]

I know what Sentientbydesign is talking about....

Hes not talking about blocking someone if the lane is wide open in front of him. Hes talking about blocking someone cutting from lane to lane trying to move up one car in traffic.

Theres a solid wall of cars all going around 70 mph and there is some jerk who thinks there is room for him to fast and furious his way through traffic cutting off as many people as possible.

Just match the car next to you in speed while still only 2-3 car lengths from the car in front of you and watch the lane changer dance from lane to lane behind you.

Sometimes I'm on the receiving end of the block and I just laugh and think maybe the car in front of me is keeping me from getting a ticket

that being said IF a faster car approaches from behind and the road is clear in front of you MOVE OVER,

NEVER brake check

Let cars out of side streets

I think this thread is just about to go crazy

[Beancooker]

[Sentientbydesign]

Si