Define "getting cut off."

"GreenN_Gold" (GreenN_Gold)
11/25/2015 at 11:32 • Filed to: None

And I don’t mean at the bar. When do you declare, “Hey, that guy cut me off!” Sometimes I’ll be riding with someone who complains that they just got cut off, and I’m thinking to myself, “No you didn’t. That guy just changed lanes in front of you. He signaled and he had plenty of room.” I think some people just take it too personally.

I think it boils down to room, of course. Anything less than a car length is pretty tight (I’m talking about heavy traffic, here). There’s also a speed differential factor. Don’t suddenly jump into my lane if your lane is traveling significantly slower, unless you have the room needed to match speeds quickly. If you force someone to brake heavily, then you cut them off.

DISCUSSION (40)

jariten1781 > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 11:37

If I have to apply the brakes solely because you switched into my lane. That's pretty much it for how I define it.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 11:39

If people don't know the difference between cutting off and changing lanes, we're all fucked.

GhostZ > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 11:39

I’ve always seen cutting off as crossing in front of someone to get into a turning lane or exit. Such as crossing over at the very last minute. It’s like “cutting” in line, but done aggressively and without warning while the line is still moving.

If you’re sitting still and someone is edging their way in line, that’s not cutting off. Likewise, if you’re on the interstate and someone is just changing lanes, that’s not it either. It’s when you’re moving toward an exit or turn and someone pulls in front of you to get to the turn first, “cutting off” your exit and forcing you to slam on the brakes.

BigBlock440 > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 11:40

My definition is having to brake. If I can lift and coast down, I’ll still get pissed that I have to slow down, but that means there was room to do so and the guy’s not too much an asshole. Having to use the left/center pedal (transmission depending), would constitute a cut-off. But like everything else, it’s variable based on speed and distance, and “I know it when I see it”.

daender > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 11:41

Kinja'd!!!

Duct tape the entire window?

GreenN_Gold > gin-san - shitpost specialist
11/25/2015 at 11:41

Well speaking as a passenger, in my experience there are always people who think they got cut off, who didn’t, and people who cut someone off, but don’t think they did.

DoYouEvenShift > jariten1781
11/25/2015 at 11:42

Yep, usually accompanied by no use of turn signals.

GreenN_Gold > GhostZ
11/25/2015 at 11:42

I don’t think most people use the term that way.

GreenN_Gold > daender
11/25/2015 at 11:45

Well, it is speed tape, after all.

Urambo Tauro > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 11:45

That’s an important question. I see drivers reacting very differently to other traffic all the time. It’s very important to keep a close eye on who has the right-of-way.

Generally speaking, if I have to reduce my speed AT ALL, I tend to think of it as getting cut off.

If that means coasting down to avoid contact, I’ll grumble to myself and look for an opportunity to pass (if the other driver fails to get up to speed by then).

But if I’m cut off in a way that means I have to brake, that’s when I consider use of my horn or high-beams to be appropriate. It should not be my responsibility to yield to a car that never had the right-of-way.

gin-san - shitpost specialist > jariten1781
11/25/2015 at 11:47

That’s pretty much it - changing lanes should always been a couple of quick glances in the mirrors to judge how quickly the car behind is approaching to judge whether or not it's a good time to go, and how much gas (if any) I'll need to give it so that the driver behind doesn't have to brake.

Takuro Spirit > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 11:50

If I have to adjust my speed to maintain a ‘comfort zone’ ahead of me.

If the person is going slower/brakes after getting in front of me.

If they start changing lanes as they’re passing me.

If they don’t signal.

If they signal after already beginning to change lanes.

If they speed past me just to get ahead, when there’s a mile of empty road behind me.

And any combination of the above listed, plus a few I’m probably forgetting about.

vondon302 > gin-san - shitpost specialist
11/25/2015 at 11:51

Were all fucked.

Urambo Tauro > DoYouEvenShift
11/25/2015 at 11:56

Isn’t failure to signal a forfeiture of right-of-way?

GreenN_Gold > Takuro Spirit
11/25/2015 at 12:02

“If they signal after already beginning to change lanes.”

This one is tricky, because I can’t tell you how many times I’ve signaled with plenty of room and matching speed, and the car I’m getting in front of races up to prevent the lane change when they see me signal.

“If they speed past me just to get ahead, when there’s a mile of empty road behind me.”

This one is frustrating. Sometimes they’ll even start inching over to force their way in, and I’m thinking like you, there are miles of open highway, why do you need the space I’m currently occupying?

Alfalfa > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 12:03

As others have said, needing to slow down is the difference. But a lot of people here in Utah seem to get the two confused as well.

Also, of there’s heavy traffic, I’ve been signalling, and you won’t give me more space, I feel I have the right to merge into the little existing space. (Sorry, somewhat related rant I need to get out once in a while.)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Takuro Spirit
11/25/2015 at 12:09

Pending an explanation of the last one, I hereby agree to all points but the first, agreement with which will commence upon the insertion of a caveat stating that your comfort zone is less than half a mile.

In other words, I can get behind the first if you aren't one of these people that think they need enormous gaps and I don't get your wording on the last.

GreenN_Gold > Alfalfa
11/25/2015 at 12:11

I make room for signalers in heavy traffic. The only exception is the speed difference thing. If my lane is moving significantly faster than your lane, I’m not going to hold up everyone behind me to let you in. You can wait until the lanes match speed better before getting over.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Urambo Tauro
11/25/2015 at 12:13

If I have to reduce speed but I have time to do so without using the brakes, I don’t consider it “cut off” I consider it “annoying person”.

If I had to hit my brakes immediately, you cut me off.

If I had to hit my brakes even after a reasonable coasting distance, you just plain suck and need to remove yourself from the highway.

If you cut a lane change tight in front of me but then rug it so you aren't in the way, that's "cut off in a competant manner, have a good day sir".

Takuro Spirit > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/25/2015 at 12:19

Regarding the last, lets say you’re approaching an ending lane, or the end of a merge lane from an on/off ramp. If you GUN IT to get in front of me, and I’m doing the limit (+-10mph over usually) when there’s no one behind me? You’re an asshole in my book, and you “cut” me off.

You could also not speed up to merge, and saunter over in front of me causing me to slow down in this situation, then that’d be a combination of the 1st 2nd and last.

The comfort zone thing is variable, based on time of day, speed, and visibility conditions. Its definitely a personal preference thing, but I usually at least follow the law or a little less regarding following distance to the car ahead.

Alfalfa > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 12:20

Nobody makes room for signalers in Utah. So people stop using them, them everyone complains that no one signals.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Alfalfa
11/25/2015 at 12:21

If there is a small but doable gap, and they are too stubborn to give in but too terrified to close it in case I come in anyway, I’m having it. They will back off once I’m in.

Kinja'd!!!

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I don’t like doing it because it slows down everyone behind when I have to cut in close to the car in front and then back off to get some breathing room, but FUCK YOU I'M A BEAR.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 12:22

This.

Urambo Tauro > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/25/2015 at 12:27

Those drivers who cut off “in a competant manner” can be annoying, but really, if they hustle up and prevent themselves from impeding traffic or anything, I’d say no harm done.

WiscoProud > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 12:30

If I have to alter my driving abruptly in any fashion, you cut me off. If not, fair game.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Takuro Spirit
11/25/2015 at 12:34

Fair enough. However if you’ve been dragging your ass (or behaving unpredictably) as long as I’ve been able to observe you, I’m coming by if you’ve left me an opportunity. In your example? I’m happy to get behind you.

These guys are AWFUL. However (I know there is no law about it, at least not here) if you:

a) Are on the highway in the slow lane

b) See people that will have to merge

c) Can see that they won’t end up in front or behind, but rather they will be needing to merge at exactly the same moment you are beside them

d) Have a clear lane beside you and don’t get into it

You are just as much of an asshole.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Urambo Tauro
11/25/2015 at 12:36

That's basically my view. I mean, I've done it myself, and it's usually because I made a mistake judging their speed. I get as far away as possible so that if I end up annoying somone it's not the same person :)

Takuro Spirit > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/25/2015 at 12:37

I tend to stay away from the people who have driving way down at the bottom on their list of important things to do while driving.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Urambo Tauro
11/25/2015 at 12:39

And I can never remember if that's competent or competant. It's one of those that just looks wrong either way. I figure most people will get it.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Takuro Spirit
11/25/2015 at 12:40

If at all possible. Sometimes it's not.

RazoE > jariten1781
11/25/2015 at 12:42

Unless you, yourself are speeding, I agree.

RazoE > daender
11/25/2015 at 12:43

It’s okay. It’s a Jaaaaaaaaaaag...

blacktruck18 > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 12:43

Of all the stupid things people do while driving this pisses me off to the most. It usually left lane hogs that do it to, I have to pass them on the right then I go to change lanes to the left lane to pass someone in front of me in the right lane and the lane hog speeds up.

Anyone who has ever done this needs a pineapple shoved up their ass.

Urambo Tauro > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/25/2015 at 12:44

Whoops. Looks like it’s “competent” after all. And I just missed my editing window... Thanks, Kinja.

GreenN_Gold > Alfalfa
11/25/2015 at 12:44

This happens here, too.

Zyrtec just kicked in, yo > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 12:51

If I’m forced to brake because someone came into my lane on the highway, I consider myself cut off.

In the city, I’m willing to give more leeway, especially where I live (Greater Boston Area), since traffic is bad enough and some intersections are pretty tight. As long as someone doesn’t turn in front of me and force me to hit the brakes hard in the city, I’m cool with it.

DoYouEvenShift > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 14:13

The one that gets me worked up the most. When Im driving in the right lane, doing the speed limit or slightly higher. A car comes up behind me, passes on the left, gets in front of me, and immediatley brakes hard and makes a right turn.

Really!? You couldnt wait 2 more seconds behind me?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 21:02

An asshole cut me off from the center lane to the passing lane with probably 2 ft of clearance the other day. Was furious, and laid on the horn hard. I was probably going 70, following a car in the passing lane at a safe distance. I was coming up to a slower car in the center lane and I had seen the car behind him in my mirror coming in hot. My thought was, there’s no way he’ll try that, and considered putting my foot down to close the gap, but then there he was, cutting into my lane. I got onto my brakes and my horn for several seconds - hopefully he’ll at least think twice before pulling crap like that (but who am I kidding?).

To answer you question, if it’s close enough or quick enough without a blinker ahead of time to make the driver behind feel unsafe (or have to adjust their speed rapidly), I guess that would qualify as cutting someone off. Granted, the heavier and more congested the traffic is, the tighter those margins become.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 21:08

Yeah, if people were generally more polite on the highway, I’d give more advance notice with my signals. Usually I make sure I’m clear, signal and start moving over as soon as it’s flashing.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > GreenN_Gold
11/25/2015 at 21:15

I’m all about trying not to impede others’ progress, and expect the same. If I see a car in the right lane coming up behind a semi, I'll either back off a bit to give them a clear opening, or get on the throttle to get past so they can slip in behind me. What really pisses me off is when I've got my cruise on for a long stretch, politely in the right lane, and some prick sidles up to me doing 1 mph more than me as I come up to slower traffic. Just get by if you want to get by, and don't mess with my flow!