That is one situation we have experienced many times. The smaller nimbler vehicle entering the highway while we could not pull over because of traffic. I notice that many of them are talking on cell phones, or don't even glance over until they are at the end of the ramp, then get upset when they finally notice a one ton dually diesel pulling a large 5th wheel!
The operative term here is "merging," an apparently lost art. You have two pedals that facilitate this. The "go" pedal, and the "stop" pedal.
Merging safely can involve acceleration as well as braking. And it isn't us bigger rigs that forget to merge, it is usually the car that can accelerate or slow down easily to merge!
But if you check with your local Highway patrol, many areas (not all) would consider you at fault in that situation if you accelerated or slowed down, and as a result of the person entering the controlled access road not being able to judge your speed, because you did not hold steady, the fault could be yours.
That surprised me because until I was an RVr, if someone was merging, I'd slow down or speed for them, or if they looked inattentive, speed up to get out of their way.
But with our long times to accelerate or slow down when towing heavy, we can't help the yoyo out that cannot merge.
I also encounter the folks who go gang busters to the end of the ramp, then look, and screech to a stop ten feet from traffic. No fun when behind them and towing heavy. Then try to accelerate to merge with traffic with only 30 feet of ramp left.
I also agree you did the right thing.
I am probably the kind that would win in any armed confrontation except being taken from behind with no warning. For me to stop and encourage a confrontation, just for that personal release from my adrenaline rush, incurred by the other's actions, would be murder pure and simple.
It would be another thing entirely were there to have been shots fired from the other vehicle.
How people interpret the fight or flight experience, when adrenaline pumps, the heart rate goes up, and time seems to slow down, makes a lot of difference too. Some interpret the shaking as fear, and give in to it, others interpret the shaking as being able to overcome anything, and vent all the daily slurs and slights they experience, seemingly just waiting for an excuse to explode. But only when they have the anonymity, and the advantage.
There is a third option for thinking people which you took.
Avoidance. That person was a borderline or actual sociopath. You were their "excuse" to get even for all the perceived slights of their miserable life. Believe me, it is miserable.
Those types are the wife, dog, and child beaters. They are the flamers online who derive pleasure from hurting others.
They get the same anonymity from abusing a person on the road, who obviously cannot follow them, or manuever as well as they can, because they are towing heavy.
Just like beating up on smaller wives, children, and helpless pets.
When cornered, they will be totally unpredictable as their fear drives them, not their minds.
Never let your fear drive you. Courage is not the absence of fear, but doing the right thing in spite of it. Be courageous.
But always have an equalizer when the sociopath goes beyond "harassment." Know how and when to use it. More importantly, when not to use it.
Whether you pull a small pop up, or a big rig, you will occasionally run into the folks that haven't a clue, or have a chip on their shoulder, on the road.
I've had a few of the same type of situations. Made it through them all.
Total count using avoidance/thinking? Us 0 dead or injured, none of us in jail. Them 0 dead or injured, four in jail.
They lived to suffer another day. Better revenge in my book than putting them out of their misery. That is the court's job, not mine, when avoidable.
Sure I have back up. Just like I have a spare tire. But I don't go out looking for things that can puncture my tires, just so I can use the spare tire. Too much hassle!
Unless I have a "thing" about having to "prove" I can change the tire. Which indicates my doubts to start with no?
RVing is supposed to be fun folks.
Non carborundum illegitimi sunt!
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