Flipped off some lady this morning

[Aced It]

Originally Posted by sacandagalady

Gentleman,

Put the bike away for the season yesterday morn...a sad day for sure. Anyway,in the afternoon was in the cage driving the 3-lane highway in the middle lane. As I am passing an on ramp from the right, a car and its rider decides that rather than staying behind the truck in the merging third lane and waiting to pull on over after speeding up, just merge into my lane, no signal and right where I am, no looking, no nothing!!! If I didn't move over to the passing lane, we would have both been road kill! I laid on the horn and gave the stupid woman the finger for sure. It is not because I am unkind or mean or stupid. The problem is that you can die with that kind of inattentive driving and maybe by pointing out to some idiot that they came close to causing a wreck will make them a little more responsible next time. Fortunately for me, I do drive defensively and knew I had an out in the first lane but what if I hadn't.

Of course, she didn't yield to the horn, go back in her own lane, look at me, or acknowledge me...just drove off with her stinking "who cares" attitude. Maybe the next time, she won't be so lucky.

Accidents do happen, and all accidents can be avoided. As I've stated many times, the variables as to what causes accidents can be infinite. I know that in my years of driving (31) I've experienced a few close calls resulting in mild road rage on my part (finger, fist, gestures, etc) and after evaluating some of those shortly after, I have found that some of them I could have not only reacted in a more mature manner, but most likely I was part of the cause. I have become MUCH more calm and patient through the years because I've learned to put myself in the other driver's place based on my own experiences. Now blatant stupidity as a licensed driver is inexcusable, however I do believe we ALL have our moments. It's how you react afterwards that demonstrates ones manners. There is no way possible to know what the other driver is thinking and/or preoccupied with. If someone is yelling and shaking there fist at me while speeding up and trying to run me off the road, that's a different story! But small incidents are forgivable when no harm done.

[MikeB]

It is said that when the British Army under Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown in 1781 the British band played a traditional (to them) tune called "The World Turned Upside Down." And now at the end of 2012 I find myself in agreement with Crazy Dave. Upside down, indeed. Oh, that sanity should soon return!

But I think Barncat's ball bearing story is pure bullsh*t anyway. Who rides around for years with pockets full of projectiles on the off chance that they will be needed to teach a lesson to a cager? Can you see someone fishing around in his jeans pockets for ball bearings while riding? Sheesh. This is something he read somewhere and was gullible enough to believe and then embellish with the fantasy that he was the thrower. Sad little life he's living there.

However, if someone actually DID that around here I'm pretty sure the cager would respond with some projectiles of his own -- and they would be precisely 9mm in diameter. A 3000-lb sedan projectile would suffice as well. The latter is the tactic I -- peace-loving, hippy liberal -- would use because I'm very much opposed to gun violence.

[Aced It]

Those who still can't quite get passed the childish reaction of pissing off a cager via the finger or something physical such as projectiles or boot kicking -AND- whether you're right or wrong, please take time to read this:

"I have seen this question posed many time in various places. I recently read someone pose the question again. I was thinking about posting my article on this subject in the Safety Tips section of this Blog, however, I decided to post my article in the Biker Laws section, because what you do could result in serious legal ramifications to you. This is however, a cross-over issue regarding legal and motorcycle safety.

Those of us who ride motorcycles have almost certainly been tailgated by a cager in a car or truck. It is not a fun experience, especially if they are driving close to the back of your motorcycle at high speed.

Now I must admit; the question that this article poses, does in fact make me chuckle, because I already know the standard bad assed biker responses that I will hear, such as; “I would throw ball bearings through their window;” “I would swing my homemade gauntlet at their windshield;” “I would flip them off as they passed by;” “I would let them pass, and then chase them down and kick their ass;” “I would turn my head and stare them down.” I even heard one biker say that he would throw pink confetti at them.

In reality, the vast majority of motorcycle rider riders would do none of the things that they boast that they would do. There are however, some bikers and motorcycle riders that would actually do the things mentioned above!

There is no set answer to the question I posed in this article, i.e. what would you do if a car or truck is tailgating you while you are riding your motorcycle.

I will offer my humble opinion and solution based upon my own real world experiences, and based upon common sense.


The first thing that every motorcycle rider knows or should know, is that no matter how big, tough, muscle bound, and bad assed you are, grandma driving her 1980 Buick can easily take you out with just a slight press of the gas pedal or a flick of her wrist on the steering wheel. This also goes for the 16 year old school girl on her cell phone. If you do not know this fact, than you should not be riding a motorcycle. The bottom line is that any time there is a situation where a car meets a motorcycle in an accident, the car will always win. This fact should be self evident.
Your goal as a biker and a motorcycle rider is to avoid impacts with cars at all cost, even if your ego is bruised, and even if you have to give way.

If you are being tailgated by a car, the first thing that you should do is to put your turn signal on, switch lanes, and get the hell out of the way as fast as reasonably possible. This is not rocket science, this is common sense. When the car passes, you just let it go. I will talk about this more later.

If you are on a one lane road, I suggest putting on a right turn signal, and then tapping your breaks to get the cars attention. In some cases this will cause the car to back off if they are simply not paying attention while driving. If it is an intentional tailgater behind you, this maneuver hopefully will not piss them off because they will see that you are trying to get off of the road, and they will back off and give you time to pull over to let them pass. You should then try to pull off of the road at a place where is safe to do so and let the car pass. When the car passes, you just let it go. I will talk about this more later.

Remember, I am talking about life threatening tailgating here, and not simply a car that is a safe distance behind you.

The reason why you want to get out of the way, and let a tailgater pass you is obvious; it is to avoid being rear ended if you are forced to stop or slow down suddenly; if you have a mechanical problem which causes you to slow down suddenly; if you have to switch to your reserve tank if you run out of gas on the main tank, etc. There are voluminous reasons that could cause you to have to slow down suddenly, and your job is to not get hit by the tailgater so you can go home and ride another day.

With respect to the legal ramifications of letting a tailgater pass, there are numerous reasons why it is better to let them pass, and let it go. The number one reason is that you do not want to end up in the hospital or lose your life, just to prove a point that you own the lane and have the right of way. Your job is to ride your motorcycle, and to not get jacked up in the process, so that you can live to ride another day!

Car v. Motorcycle injury accident cases are not pretty, and you sure don’t want to be the victim in such a scenario just to prove a point.

With respect to the options of throwing ball bearings, hitting the other car with a gauntlet, or chasing them down and beating them up, come on; you will either go to jail, or get hit by the cager who is now the victim of an assault and battery or attempted murder. Why would you want to do something so stupid? Do you really want to either give up your life, or your freedom, for some idiot cager who was tailgating you? No way! Chasing a tailgater could also result in an accident where an innocent victim is hurt or killed in an accident. Is it worth it? No! In the above scenario, you now become a criminal and not a victim. I am not willing to give up one day in jail for a stupid tailgater.

With respect to flipping the cager off, why would you want to potentially provoke an incident where the cager in a road rage, decides to take you out with their car on a spur of the moment impulse, or even worse, pull a gun and shoot your ass. It happens! Remember; car v. motorcycle = motorcycle loses. Let your ego go, and just enjoy your motorcycle ride.

With respect to the turning your head to get their attention and/or stare them down option; what if there is something in the road ahead of you? Imagine turning your head back around to discover the horrible scenario of stopped traffic in front of you, or an obstacle in the road ahead of you that you cannot avoid. It takes much more room for a motorcycle to stop than a car. We only have two wheels on a motorcycle. Turning your head would be a stupid thing to do. When you turn your head all the way around on a motorcycle you are putting yourself in extreme danger. This is not recommended because there is a significant chance that you will end up becoming an accident victim. You could also provoke a road rage incident with the tailgater. This is all common sense folks.

With respect to the throwing pink confetti option; come on, you could potentially get dinged for a 2 thousand dollar littering fine, or worse, a criminal charge for assault and battery on the tailgater. You could even provoke the tailgater into hitting you in a road rage incident.

Remember, the tailgater is either not paying attention, or intentionally tailgating you, and is in a rush to get to where they are going. In either case, your best move is to get the hell out of the way as fast and safely as possible, and to let the incident go. This way you are safe, and not yourself facing criminal charges for doing something stupid.

If you are riding your motorcycle and you yourself experience road rage, pull off of the side of the road, take a deep breath, and chill out. Road rage and riding your motorcycle are not compatible! You already have enough problems just riding your motorcycle on the road. The last thing you want to do is to have anger cloud your judgment.

If you are really upset and pissed off try saying this prayer to yourself:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

This prayer works for me everytime!"

Lots of sensibility in there, right? I think so. While riding, I have been guilty of the finger and the WTF gestures ... but I've been improving upon my patience. My motto? Educate yourself = protect yourself.

Link to above: What Should You Do if a Car or Truck is Tailgating You While You Are Riding Your Motorcycle? | Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog

About Me | Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog

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[gypsy]

Originally Posted by vito

Perhaps you should get to know us before you assume anything about the members. You hardly know us or our whims or inclinations. We're really a pretty decent self righteous bunch.

Damn I love this site! Great conversations to wake up to. Even the barncats, et., al. It really makes for an enlightening discussion. I learn a lot about bikes, riding and people here.

Any way... Just sayin....
Thanks

[O'Larry]

Thanks Aced It, the way it really is! Ride safe, but RIDE!

[invalidsession]

That makes a lot of sense Aced it. I'd do the same things you mentioned every time. I like waking up in my own bed with my limbs intact.

Chris.

[Aced It]

Before it may be assumed, those are not my words and that is not me. Just good advice from a fellow rider and lawyer who obviously has some sanity left.

[davelisowski]

Okay...

lol

It is great advice actually. Motorcycles are not cages and will always lose. But then again, it's just a finger.

But I agree that there is no reason to invite or entice pain and misery. There are plenty of idiots out there; no need to join them.

And a little birdy told me that 'flipping the bird' can be considered 'road rage' in some jurisdictions. But that might be myth.

[squidchief]

Originally Posted by davelisowski

Okay...

lol

It is great advice actually. Motorcycles are not cages and will always lose. But then again, it's just a finger.

But I agree that there is no reason to invite or entice pain and misery. There are plenty of idiots out there; no need to join them.

And a little birdy told me that 'flipping the bird' can be considered 'road rage' in some jurisdictions. But that might be myth.

It's not "just a finger" to some people. To some, it's a personal insult and some people out there don't accept personal insults under ANY circumstances. Last I heard, the finger means "F YOU". Flipping me the finger is the exact same as coming up and saying "F YOU" to my face. I won't stand for it, no matter who it's coming from or why.

[Aced It]

Originally Posted by squidchief

It's not "just a finger" to some people. To some, it's a personal insult and some people out there don't accept personal insults under ANY circumstances. Last I heard, the finger means "F YOU". Flipping me the finger is the exact same as coming up and saying "F YOU" to my face. I won't stand for it, no matter who it's coming from or why.

Anyone who doesn't know the meaning of the middle finger hasn't been in the world to long.

That said, Squid you make it sound as if, say you were a cager and accidentally cut off a biker resulting in him flipping you off, that you wouldn't stand for it. At least that's how I read the above. Please clarify - what would you do?

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