lowkee
Lieutenant Commander
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2008
- Messages
- 1,890
In driving around for some home supplies this evening, I ran into a situation I have found myself a recipient of quite a bit in the last decade (or two?)...
The scenario:
I am driving along on a four lane street (two lanes each direction) when I begin to approach a driver who is traveling under the speed limit and, as it happens, slower than I am. He is in the slow lane, which is a nice change of pace, and is just barely going slower than I am, but slow enough for me to switch lanes to begin a pass.
Well before I overtake this driver (I switched lanes a good 300-400 feet behind his car), a truck pulls out of a road and stomps on the gas, switching lanes to the fast lane in order to not force the slower driver, who is ahead of me still, to slow down. This move I consider a considerate move, since even though I am drivign faster, in the fast lane, the slower car is closer and would have been more affected by the truck pulling out. This, of course, means I will soon be slowed down while the truck gets up to speed. Noticing the slower car is going faster than the still accelerating truck, I switch lanes back into the car's lane. At which time, the car immediately slows down to prevent me from passing the truck. As luck would have it, the truck pulls into a left turn lane and I am able to again resume my pass of the, now much slower than before, car. As I pass, the car stomps on the gas as I pull up beside him.
Now for my question.
What thought process enters someone's mind which compels them to prevent a person from passing someone else by going slower and trapping them, then when the coast is clear, prevent that same person from passing them by speeding up, even though both lanes are now empty?
Is there some sort of victory involved?
Did I someone kick in some jailhouse machismo challenge by going the speed limit?
Now, you may be tempted to balk and say I'm reading too much into this situation, but I will say I've come across this exact scenario many, many times over the years, some less aggressive, others downright hostile in preventing a pass. There is no mistake in the intentions of the hostile person.
So, what makes someone do this?
What is gained in the eyes of the aggressive driver?
Now, there are some more obvious examples, as to foreclosed homes and property damage. I can see how messed up people can blame the bank for foreclosing, even though they did not pay their bills. But a passing situation? If you are one of these people who prevent passes.. please share your thoughts, as I'd love to know why.
The big question I have is.. What causes this mentality to happen in the first place?
The scenario:
I am driving along on a four lane street (two lanes each direction) when I begin to approach a driver who is traveling under the speed limit and, as it happens, slower than I am. He is in the slow lane, which is a nice change of pace, and is just barely going slower than I am, but slow enough for me to switch lanes to begin a pass.
Well before I overtake this driver (I switched lanes a good 300-400 feet behind his car), a truck pulls out of a road and stomps on the gas, switching lanes to the fast lane in order to not force the slower driver, who is ahead of me still, to slow down. This move I consider a considerate move, since even though I am drivign faster, in the fast lane, the slower car is closer and would have been more affected by the truck pulling out. This, of course, means I will soon be slowed down while the truck gets up to speed. Noticing the slower car is going faster than the still accelerating truck, I switch lanes back into the car's lane. At which time, the car immediately slows down to prevent me from passing the truck. As luck would have it, the truck pulls into a left turn lane and I am able to again resume my pass of the, now much slower than before, car. As I pass, the car stomps on the gas as I pull up beside him.
Now for my question.
What thought process enters someone's mind which compels them to prevent a person from passing someone else by going slower and trapping them, then when the coast is clear, prevent that same person from passing them by speeding up, even though both lanes are now empty?
Is there some sort of victory involved?
Did I someone kick in some jailhouse machismo challenge by going the speed limit?
Now, you may be tempted to balk and say I'm reading too much into this situation, but I will say I've come across this exact scenario many, many times over the years, some less aggressive, others downright hostile in preventing a pass. There is no mistake in the intentions of the hostile person.
So, what makes someone do this?
What is gained in the eyes of the aggressive driver?
Now, there are some more obvious examples, as to foreclosed homes and property damage. I can see how messed up people can blame the bank for foreclosing, even though they did not pay their bills. But a passing situation? If you are one of these people who prevent passes.. please share your thoughts, as I'd love to know why.
The big question I have is.. What causes this mentality to happen in the first place?
