Sandwiched , road rager in front

[Penn]

You're right - five mph under probably isn't too slow. But it is really annoying. If you're looking for an address, pull over and let some cars pass. Have some common courtesy.

[seamusTX]

Why would you be driving below the speed limit?

• It's raining so hard that safety dictates you slow down.
• The road is covered with loose gravel spilled by a construction vehicle.
• You're rolling up to a red light or other impediment.
• Some potentially dangerous situation is emerging ahead, like an unsteady bicycle rider.

I've had people yell and gesture at me when I slowed down for all those reasons.

I've also had tailgaters when I was going over the speed limit, and not in the left lane.

- Jim

[mcub]

You're right - five mph under probably isn't too slow. But it is really annoying. If you're looking for an address, pull over and let some cars pass. Have some common courtesy.

Hu???
This is Texas, don't we consider anything less than 10 over the sign as slow??

[frankie_the_yankee]

You're right - five mph under probably isn't too slow. But it is really annoying. If you're looking for an address, pull over and let some cars pass. Have some common courtesy.

Hu???
This is Texas, don't we consider anything less than 10 over the sign as slow??

No kidding!

[kw5kw]

my advice: Slow down, make a block so the person can get in front of you.
If on a freeway, take the next exit so the person can get in front of you.
If that person continues to follow; dial 911.

[shootthesheet]

First, never get out of the car. That is a loss of potential protection and a way to get away. Getting out also tells the potential aggressor you want to fight even if you don't. The best thing is to not get close enough to be trapped. I changed how I drive when carjacking became popular. I leave enough distance to get out even if I have to plow between two cars to do so or go over a curb. Also, control your anger and fear so you do not do anything that will get you in trouble.

[AEA]

First, never get out of the car. That is a loss of potential protection and a way to get away. Getting out also tells the potential aggressor you want to fight even if you don't. The best thing is to not get close enough to be trapped. I changed how I drive when carjacking became popular. I leave enough distance to get out even if I have to plow between two cars to do so or go over a curb. Also, control your anger and fear so you do not do anything that will get you in trouble.

I disagree. You cannot move or gain any advantage/cover from inside the car. You are already trapped.

Everyone suggesting to not get close enough to get trapped should consider what he said in the first place. That is the lead car started to go and then stopped several times. This makes it almost impossible to mantain distance unless you actually just stay where you are.

I stand by what I said. Get out of the car and leave the scene. Be prepared to take defensive actions as required, putting as much distance between you and the problem as possible.

[seamusTX]

Everyone suggesting to not get close enough to get trapped should consider what he said in the first place. That is the lead car started to go and then stopped several times. This makes it almost impossible to mantain distance unless you actually just stay where you are.

I have had people pull that trick. There is no law that says you have to follow closely. The law says the opposite: You must maintain a safe distance.

There are many other factors to consider before you leave your car:

• Is cover available away from the car? Often it is not.
• Is losing your car a major problem for you? Many people don't have insurance and can't afford to replace the car.
• What kind of neighborhood are you in?
• Who else is around? A gang on the corner?

- Jim

[Mithras61]

Everyone suggesting to not get close enough to get trapped should consider what he said in the first place. That is the lead car started to go and then stopped several times. This makes it almost impossible to mantain distance unless you actually just stay where you are.

I have had people pull that trick. There is no law that says you have to follow closely. The law says the opposite: You must maintain a safe distance.

There are many other factors to consider before you leave your car:

• Is cover available away from the car? Often it is not.
• Is losing your car a major problem for you? Many people don't have insurance and can't afford to replace the car.
• What kind of neighborhood are you in?
• Who else is around? A gang on the corner?

- Jim

I would also point out that inside the car you are still armed and you most definitely can shoot through the doors, windshield, side windows, etc., and yet still have some protection from physical assault (not using firearms). You also still have the option of driving over them or using your vehicle to push them out of the way if necessary. If you abandon your vehicle, you give up what little protection it offers.

[Penn]

You're right - five mph under probably isn't too slow. But it is really annoying. If you're looking for an address, pull over and let some cars pass. Have some common courtesy.

Hu???
This is Texas, don't we consider anything less than 10 over the sign as slow??

Well , I meant slow enough to be illegal as far as impeding traffic. I generally keep it at 5 over, so he would be slowing me down by 10 miles an hour.

[frankie_the_yankee]

A long time ago when I lived in RI I was driving home on a snowy night. I happened to be driving a Firebird, which is not exactly a good performer in the snow.

At one point, I was on a side road that sloped upwards where it met a main road. There was very little other traffic and very few people out and about. The road was covered with hard packed snow. Almost immediately after I stopped at the stop sign I was bumped gently from behind by another car.

I looked in my rear view mirror and saw 2 guys in the other car. At this point my mind was racing, as I knew "bumping" was a common carjacking technique. With the road surface as slippery as it was, I knew that I couldn't make any kind of quick getaway. In fact, I probably couldn't get above walking speed until I got on to the main road, which was level.

I concluded that I was a sitting duck in the car, and decided to get out. I figured that if I was out of the car, I could fight, run away, or do whatever was needed.

So I got out, loosened my coat, and put my hand under my sweater where it rested on the grips of my SP101 while still technically "concealed". Then I cautiously walked towards the other car where the two guys were still inside. (This is what you would "normally" do when bumped, right?) I began to relax a bit at this point. The driver, who appeared to have possibly been drinking said something like, "I don't think there's any damage, man." I can't swear to it, but the guy's eyes might have gotten real big as he looked me over and maybe noticed where my right hand was.

Firebirds of this vintage had a big rubber/plastic rear bumper. I looked it over and quickly agreed. "Looks OK.", I said.

Then I got back into my car and we both drove away.

My point is that in this circumstance, I definitely felt trapped in the car and decided my prospects were better on foot. I think that even if things had turned bad, I would have been better off out of the car.

Other situations might require a different response.

[PAR]

I agree the car may be the best place for you and I'm not willing to give up the protection or the ability to use my vehicle to my advantage. Heck if I want to be on-foot in a strange area, along with the others having the ability to run me down.

The rule of thumb for leaving an escape route at all times when stopped in traffic, is to be able to see the rear tires of the vehicle in front touching the ground. This will allow you to steer around the vehicle without pulling an extremely hard move regardless if you're driving an SUV or a MG.

[cbr600]

He sounds like a drunk driver. I would call 911.

[shootthesheet]

If you know he is going to shoot and cannot leave the car I hope the victim will be firing when the victim sees the weapon and not after the aggressor fires. If the aggressive driver gets out and had no weapon then the victim gave up a very good place to avoid injury. There was an report of a man who came to the defense of a driver that was being attacked in his car by a large number of people. Neither was armed and the one outside the car was beaten to death while the original victim was fine. And, even if the person had a weapon and fires doesn't mean they are going to be able to hit a person inside the car. Leave the car if necessary but use the advantage of the options available from driving off or over the guy and to conceal the draw. That is opinion and each of us must decide what we will do in any given situation. Since my family is with me much of the time I cannot run away if trapped between cars and unable to drive away. I try to never be each time I drive.

[drinks]

My experience in Houston and Dallas has been that if you leave 22' between the car in front of you, a 20' long car will occupy that space within 15 seconds.