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Post by danno711 on Jan 15, 2013 16:18:18 GMT -5
How to avoid aggressive drivers and defuse road rageYou know all about road rage. You even have a calming routine, calling up your Mozart playlist to help defuse your own driving frustrations. But it's not quite as easy to handle road rage when it's happening to the driver behind you. Defusing road rageHere are a few tips on how to handle yourself around an angry, aggressive, or bullying driver. Avoid inflammatory gesturesWhen cut off by a driver, our first impulse is often to honk the horn, flash the high beams, or make a certain hand gesture. But road rage isn't an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" type of thing, and these gestures, however gratifying, can inflame an already-heated situation.Save honking, flashing your lights, and hand gestures for situations when you need to alert other drivers to dangers ahead. Open a passing lane if you're on a multi-lane highwaySeems simple, but under pressure from a bullying driver, you may be tempted to slow down or speed up to get the aggressor off your back. In doing so, though, you could accidentally block a passing lane and further aggravate the raging driver. Our advice? Put on your right blinker to let the driver know you'll move when it's safe. This could prevent the road rager from furiously passing you on the right. Since not everyone here uses a "please move over, I'm going fast" signal like drivers on Germany's Autobahn, keep an eye on the rear-view for impatient drivers behind you. If the driver's flashing the high beams and honking, exit the lane as soon as you safely can. Build some bumper-to-bumper breathing roomWe tend to fill open space when we're driving in heavy traffic. But should the gridlock become too much, your neighboring driver may get belligerent and take liberties with your car's personal space. (Yes, cars have personal space.) Maintaining a few extra feet in traffic jams could be the buffer you need to make a quick escape. Don't make eye contactAs many bullying drivers operate on feelings of anger or personal frustration, any perceived challenge to their superiority can set them off. And making eye contact is a big one. So resist the urge to shoot a smart-alecky look at an offending driver. You never really know who's in that car next to you. Stay calmThe last thing you want to do is get in on the road rage. Keeping a healthy perspective (you won't get home much sooner when you're angry) and understanding how to defuse your own road rage can help you avoid an accident. Did you know that tightly gripping the steering wheel actually constricts blood flow and causes headaches? Or that playing music is proven to relieve stress? Driving around road ragersWe hope these tips can help you channel your inner Zen and play the grown-up when you're surrounded by angry drivers. If you're at your wit's end or worried about a certain raging driver, pull over and call 911 or your state's aggressive driving hotline. And if you do get into an accident with an aggressive driver, don't hesitate to call the police to the scene. www.esurance.com/safety/avoid-aggressive-drivers
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Post by inuyasha on Jan 15, 2013 16:22:23 GMT -5
Hi Danno +1 Take care and ride safely Yours Hank
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Post by snugglebunny on Jan 15, 2013 18:08:14 GMT -5
my answer to idiots Attachments:
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Post by danno711 on Jan 15, 2013 19:38:19 GMT -5
Even in Texas, brandishing a weapon will get you sent to jail. It's best to walk or in this case, ride away.
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Post by snugglebunny on Jan 15, 2013 19:41:28 GMT -5
i have a concealed carry permit. if, and it rarely happens, i feel threatened, i have the legal right to defend myself.
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Post by danno711 on Jan 15, 2013 19:45:03 GMT -5
i have a concealed carry permit. if, and it rarely happens, i feel threatened, i have the legal right to defend myself. I too have a CHL. The first rule in self defense is avoid the fight if possible. If you shoot someone, even if you're in the right, you're life has changed forever....It's best to walk away. PS...there's been many innocent people who pleaded self defense and lost.
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Post by snugglebunny on Jan 15, 2013 19:57:42 GMT -5
i have a concealed carry permit. if, and it rarely happens, i feel threatened, i have the legal right to defend myself. I too have a CHL. The first rule in self defense is avoid the fight if possible. If you shoot someone, even if you're in the right, you're life has changed forever....It's best to walk away. PS...there's been many innocent people who pleaded self defense and lost. oh i know and i have walked away a million times but .... just in case
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Post by danno711 on Jan 15, 2013 20:11:20 GMT -5
I'm glad you agree. The answer to idiots is to walk away,not to show them your weapon.
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Post by snugglebunny on Jan 15, 2013 20:16:15 GMT -5
ok danno here it is you can walk away most of the time 99.99999% of the time. but the idiot who will hit a woman, and acts like he is going to well thats what the m1911 is for.
if the IDIOT doesnt walk away when shown, then wont walk away when its cocked, well then .......
but i know what your saying
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Post by prodigit on Jan 15, 2013 20:21:00 GMT -5
Road rage sucks, and that's it. No need to confirm the obvious; The road is full of suckers, and people who belong in jail, or in a home for seniors. Getting angry about that only makes you one of them!
So, chill out, smoke some weed if that helps; or eat a whole lot of chocolate (lol) and if not, then just act like nothing is happeneing, and you need to make it to your next appointment.
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Post by snugglebunny on Jan 15, 2013 20:41:07 GMT -5
see prodigit
thats why you MIGHT be the next dead innocent person dead. some nut, with road rage, forces you off the road, comes at you. what are you gonna do? what can you do? do u know karate, jujitsu some other hand-hand ? i know a bit of hand to hand, but im 5"1'' about well lol thin, aint telling ya the truth.
anyways i WILL not be a innocent victim.
and your right, dinner is way over, cup of tea, 3-4 one hit bongers, and all is right with the world.
untill i go out and get on the scoot. Then i will protect myself, in every way that i have 2. by defensive driving, by using manners, being polite, etc etc etc. the world is a strange place nowadays. people shoot other people for NO reason. Taint gonna b me ? lmsao
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Post by spandi on Jan 15, 2013 21:54:50 GMT -5
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Post by yoshidawg on Jan 15, 2013 22:29:52 GMT -5
I see a lot of big guys driving small cars at the gym. Us old timers just gotta deal with it, and like it's been said before, don't become part of it.
I've noticed the degree of RR changes with what type of car you drive. The Suburban MUST be passed at all costs, but that's ok, I'm used to it and try to drive it conservatively...LOL. The Subaru flies under the radar, pretty much gets left alone. It's a Plain Jane. The Mercedes seems to attract hate from the front, but respect from the rear?? I Just rode with my daughter in her Neon, we had to pull over twice on a short trip to campus and back from aggressive tail-gaiters.
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Post by jarlaxle on Jan 16, 2013 21:05:52 GMT -5
A dude I work with has taken to carrying a pound of roofing nails any time he rides his motorcycle.
I'm ready to start dealing with tailgaters by standing on the brakes!
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Post by wutzthedeal on Jan 16, 2013 21:29:07 GMT -5
I will defuse road rage with a fist to the face. I'm not going to look down and say nothing when somebody cuts me off or rides my @@@. They'll get an earful, and if that isn't enough, we'll take it up a notch. And yes, I'm trained, but even if I weren't, there's no way I'd run around like a mouse in a house of cats. We have just as much right to be on the roads as they do. There's my two cents and a nickel on a count of taxes.
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Post by thumper650 on Jan 16, 2013 22:29:13 GMT -5
I'm a professional driver, I'm pretty chill and it makes my life a whole lot easier.
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Post by danno711 on Jan 17, 2013 0:17:58 GMT -5
Below we have two riders with two different philosophies. Imagine you were a passenger on the back of the bike. Which one of the two would you prefer driving you around?
Just sayin....
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Post by wutzthedeal on Jan 17, 2013 2:50:47 GMT -5
There won't be a passenger on the back of my scooter, so the point is moot. If you are going to ignore infractions into your space that could cause serious accidents without letting a driver know about it, you're encouraging that behavior to continue. You want to be chill and let it slide? Ok, I guess, if it makes life easier for you. But I believe firmly in the philosophy that nobody is any more or any less valuable than anyone else, and if somebody does something to me while I'm on a scooter that they wouldn't do if I were in a car, I'm gonna fight for our cause. There's a time for peace; near-death experiences at the fault of an idiot fall outside that time.
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Post by jarlaxle on Jan 17, 2013 7:28:18 GMT -5
Hope the next guy you confront doesnt end with you getting fire-hosed off the pavement.
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Post by danno711 on Jan 17, 2013 7:34:06 GMT -5
There won't be a passenger on the back of my scooter, so the point is moot. If you are going to ignore infractions into your space that could cause serious accidents without letting a driver know about it, you're encouraging that behavior to continue. You want to be chill and let it slide? Ok, I guess, if it makes life easier for you. But I believe firmly in the philosophy that nobody is any more or any less valuable than anyone else, and if somebody does something to me while I'm on a scooter that they wouldn't do if I were in a car, I'm gonna fight for our cause. There's a time for peace; near-death experiences at the fault of an idiot fall outside that time. I used the word "imagine" you were on the back of the bike. Since you dodged the question, I'll take that as a vote that you'd wouldn't want to be your own passenger. Thanks for participating
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Post by inuyasha on Jan 17, 2013 7:54:56 GMT -5
I will defuse road rage with a fist to the face. I'm not going to look down and say nothing when somebody cuts me off or rides my @@@. They'll get an earful, and if that isn't enough, we'll take it up a notch. And yes, I'm trained, but even if I weren't, there's no way I'd run around like a mouse in a house of cats. We have just as much right to be on the roads as they do. There's my two cents and a nickel on a count of taxes. Hi A fist against a solid steel vehicle that weighs a couple of tons and has the power to move that weight with authority and has a road raging driver behind the wheel to boot Its no contest and i hope you never have to find out the hard way If the driver is that dangerous its best to avoid them like the plague get away and contact the authorities to deal with them as they are a danger to not just you but all on the road Trying to fight only makes it worse IMHO And im trained by the military to kill and have a permit to carry but still i would not engage but evade and live to ride another day Take care and ride safely dear friend Yours Hank
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Post by danno711 on Jan 17, 2013 8:12:23 GMT -5
I will defuse road rage with a fist to the face. I'm not going to look down and say nothing when somebody cuts me off or rides my @@@. They'll get an earful, and if that isn't enough, we'll take it up a notch. And yes, I'm trained, but even if I weren't, there's no way I'd run around like a mouse in a house of cats. We have just as much right to be on the roads as they do. There's my two cents and a nickel on a count of taxes. Hi A fist against a solid steel vehicle that weighs a couple of tons and has the power to move that weight with authority and has a road raging driver behind the wheel to boot Its no contest and i hope you never have to find out the hard way If the driver is that dangerous its best to avoid them like the plague get away and contact the authorities to deal with them as they are a danger to not just you but all on the road Trying to fight only makes it worse IMHO And im trained by the military to kill and have a permit to carry but still i would not engage but evade and live to ride another day Take care and ride safely dear friend Yours Hank I am really new to this..But, from my "virgin" eyes I sense they're a lot of scooter drivers who drive around with a Napoleon complex.
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Post by WarrenS on Jan 17, 2013 9:50:59 GMT -5
If they have an attitude they won't be riding for long.
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Post by wutzthedeal on Jan 17, 2013 10:54:08 GMT -5
In some circles they call that courage, danno. You want to let rude and dangerous drivers walk all over you without saying anything, have it it. I handle things in a different way. If I had a Napoleon complex, I wouldn't be on a scooter (say nothing of being 6'5, 250lbs). Go ahead and cower; I'm sure you'll have easy days.
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Post by wutzthedeal on Jan 17, 2013 11:01:26 GMT -5
There won't be a passenger on the back of my scooter, so the point is moot. If you are going to ignore infractions into your space that could cause serious accidents without letting a driver know about it, you're encouraging that behavior to continue. You want to be chill and let it slide? Ok, I guess, if it makes life easier for you. But I believe firmly in the philosophy that nobody is any more or any less valuable than anyone else, and if somebody does something to me while I'm on a scooter that they wouldn't do if I were in a car, I'm gonna fight for our cause. There's a time for peace; near-death experiences at the fault of an idiot fall outside that time. I used the word "imagine" you were on the back of the bike. Since you dodged the question, I'll take that as a vote that you'd wouldn't want to be your own passenger. Thanks for participating And I'm sorry but if you pick with me, I'm gonna pick back. Here's a prime example. You used the word "imagine," not because it had nothing to do with being a passenger; you used the word imagine because you wanted other people to agree with you that it wouldn't be safe to be a passenger on my bike. The point is, in fact, moot, because there won't be a passenger on my bike. If I change my mind and their is, I will adjust my riding style accordingly. Tell me something--what question did I dodge? Did you expect me to answer the question of whether or not I would be my own passenger? Seriously? Would you say that out loud in an empty room and get back to me on how it sounds? But I'll answer your question anyway; hell yes I would love to be a passenger on my bike, because if I'm going to be out in the world riding on the back of a scooter, I fully expect the operator to have a pair. I wouldn't ride with a cowering wimp, but hey, I really understand--it makes things easier. So good for you.
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Post by danno711 on Jan 17, 2013 11:02:16 GMT -5
In some circles they call that courage, danno. You want to let rude and dangerous drivers walk all over you without saying anything, have it it. I handle things in a different way. If I had a Napoleon complex, I wouldn't be on a scooter (say nothing of being 6'5, 250lbs). Go ahead and cower; I'm sure you'll have easy days. Do I want to allow rude and dangerous drivers to walk all over me? No. Do I think a better and more safe option is to walk or ride away?Yes. I need not have to show my "toughness" , and that's what this is really all about...ones ego being bruised and tested...The best and safest option is to chill out. That imo, shows real "toughness"
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Post by danno711 on Jan 17, 2013 11:06:23 GMT -5
I fully expect the operator to have a pair. I wouldn't ride with a cowering wimp, but hey, I really understand--it makes things easier. So good for you. Like I said, this is really what this is all about..your ego. Those who refrain from lashing out are wimps those who do lash out, show they're tough. When I was a kid, I used to think that too.
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Post by inuyasha on Jan 17, 2013 11:10:37 GMT -5
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Post by wutzthedeal on Jan 17, 2013 11:11:47 GMT -5
I fully expect the operator to have a pair. I wouldn't ride with a cowering wimp, but hey, I really understand--it makes things easier. So good for you. Like I said, this is really what this is all about..your ego. Those who refrain from lashing out are wimps those who do lash out, show they're tough. When I was a kid, I used to think that too. Insinuation being that I haven't matured to your level? Please. If you don't have the courage to stand up and say something through the window to a driver that could have killed you, you are telling them that what they did is ok. If you say something, you are telling them it is not ok. I will say something. I have said something. And I'll KEEP saying something. And I'll be back here, year after year, ride after ride, with my same attitude that since there are a few too many passive people out there on scooters, somebody's gotta have a pair. You should be happy that I'm fighting the fight that you won't have any part of. Your ego is the only one shining through here, with condescending remarks about being a "kid." Get over yourself.
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Post by danno711 on Jan 17, 2013 11:16:24 GMT -5
Sorry of you were offended by the "kid" remark. A bad choice of words on my part. But, I have learned over the years, that "chilling out" prevents bad things from occurring than if I had escalated the situation.
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