Made a driving faux pas

"Takuro Spirit" (takurospirit)
05/06/2014 at 20:30 • Filed to: None

Go ahead and lambaste me, Oppo.

But hear me out.

I had to pick up the kids after work today, so I had to get off two exits earlier than normal. I reminded myself of this fact, once I exited the city limits via the two lane highway.

I was cruising in the left lane, not holding anyone up, of course, passing slower and merging vehicles on my right. Now, a little backstory of this particular jaunt:

The highway I was on is poorly designed, and was so in the stone age. Lets say, the 50's. The on ramps are short, as are the off ramps, and several of the on ramps ARE the off ramps so the right lane is an exercise in brake, accelerate, brake, etc.

So I keep left, so long as I am not impeding asshats who want to do 70 in a 55, and later 80 in a 65. I maintain 10 over, usually.

Anyways, I reminded myself of the early exit, them promptly forgot. Until I saw the sign up ahead with the arrow exclaiming: "EXIT HERE MOTHERFUCKER".

But I was still in the left lane. Passing a horde of slower cars on my right. BUT. I know how this works. They are about to slow down for the exit. Yes. People SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY for their exits in this area. And this one isn't even a short ramp. It is long, and ends in three lanes. Two turning left, and one right. Wide, not curved, easy peasy. But people still slow down.

So I see a Camry (naturally) ahead in the right lane start to signal, and the Grand Prix behind him backs off. I am closing at ~10MPH faster than them, so I signal, and aim for the gap between them which is large enough >just< for my car.

Now here's where I look like a shithead. A thundercunt. A douche of epically massive proportions.

But hear me out.

The Grand Prix driver was already slowing down.... except once I started to move over, he ceased. Either he didn't see me signal/start to merge, or he intentionally sped up.

In either case, I puckered as his front end disappeared below my trunk-sight lines. I looked into his eyes.... his enraged face.. his shaking fists.... his blaring horn....

Sorry bro, I need to get off here. You should have had plenty of time to let me in to the exit.... wait a sec... he's not even exiting. He's continuing on the highway. What the....

WHY WAS HE EVEN IN THE RIGHT LANE???

Anyways, I'm not justified, I know. I made a boo-boo. The Grand Prix driver's apparent inattentiveness could have caused a crash, led on by my shitheaddery.

But we both escaped to drive another day. Not like either of us should have gave a fuck, we were both in 15 year old cars fercrhistsake.

TL;DR I cut off a guy because I almost missed my exit and I feel bad, but he should have seen me coming/let me in because he was in the exiting traffic lane.

I am sorry.

DISCUSSION (15)

jkm7680 > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:34

Quick! Enroll in a witness protection service!

Takuro Spirit > jkm7680
05/06/2014 at 20:34

I already have. I drive a dark green Camry. Invisible to everyone....

jkm7680 > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:36

He'll never find you. Ever. Never ever. You've got to disappear to a remote village in the Honduras. Or live in the Camry.

EL_ULY > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:38

i would of let off a bit to let you get in the lane. I would of though "i bet he needs to get off, let me give him some room to get across"

Nothing to get all angry about and honk at you. He was wrong you were right. That pontiac wasnt tailgating the camry, he should give ya room if he was paying attention and not thinking in his head, "ah fuck no bitch, you aint finta cut me off, fuck you, you missed your exit, aint my problem bitch RROOOOOAAARRRR!"

Nighthawkwill7, Hoon Depot Manager > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:38

"The Grand Prix driver was slowing down"

I imagined you scything in front of a Formula 1 car when I read this lol.

The Real Dacia Sandero > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:39

I've done/had some similar situations like that happen before. However, because I'm in NoVA, it's normal and expected.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:39

Did he have exposed fasteners on his car?

Squid > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:48

In SoCal that is a daily occurrence on the 5 and 405. . . I don't even think twice about it any more because invariably the person you want to get in front of decides it is their moral imperative to not let you in, NO matter how early you try to get into the exit lane. Since I have gotten the almighty Miata I have enjoyed shooting gaps in traffic with zero blind spots with the top down. It is extremely satisfying to give assholes who refuse to give common courtesy a giant thumbs up, which only serves to enrage them even more.

TL;DR Do what you want because the sheeple will always act like dick holes when put in a situation where you want to get in front of them in traffic.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:48

no harm no foul. Like you said why was he over there anyway. I forgot i had my car in reverse, took my foot off the clutch and almost cried at the noise it made as it stalled. (i have less than 4k miles on it)

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 20:58

From what I've heard/seen, you pretty much just described the ritual of every freeway exit in SoCal ever.

Takuro Spirit > EL_ULY
05/06/2014 at 21:06

I'm 100% sure that's what he was mouthing at me from behind the wheel.

Takuro Spirit > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
05/06/2014 at 21:07

He was so close I couldn't tell. :/

wiffleballtony > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 21:22

Sounds like he was a jerk for not dropping back. That said if there was a collision you would have been at fault.

BigBlock440 > Takuro Spirit
05/06/2014 at 21:41

Why was he there? Maybe because he was supposed to be, seeing as he wasn't passing anyone. You know, the whole drive right except to pass thing. It also happens to be the law in many states, and brought up quite frequently on this very website.

PyramidHat > Takuro Spirit
05/07/2014 at 00:11

It happens. You've owned your mistake and you're a better driver for it. Go forth and enjoy life. Via con Carne.