Preventing lane changing aggresive 4wheelers

[Dennis C.]

Are we both named Dennis, or are you addressing me specifically?

[cyqk]

Thanks for all the replies


Never stop learning on this website!!!

[Holland2017]

After driving commercial vehicles of all types charter buses,tractor trailers,straight trucks for over 40 years my best advice is get the big picture forward and rearward. Know who and what is around you at all times. Check your mirrors constantly. You will be better prepared for a lane change because you will have the time to access the road ahead. People do not want to get stuck behind large vehicles. If you slow down in the left lane there will be a dozen cars passing you on the right preventing you from changing lanes or attempt to exit the highway. Don't sweat it if you miss your exit earth is not flat your not gonna fall off. Just go to the next one and turn around.

[CompuGuru]

Dennis C.,
Yes, you are both named Dennis!
When you dig down into Executive's blog, you will find a comment that he made and signed it "Dennis".

[Dennis C.]

Thanks for that clarification!

[Rzrbrn]

Cyqk, same exact thing has happened to me in AZ. I did not realize they were passing in the center turn lane, but when I did I yielded. Things happen. I suppose the only thing to do is drive defensively. And don't speed.

[Rev. Roy]

Originally Posted by cyqk

Just completed a trip to south florida and my what an experience of aggresive driving!!!!

So.....what tactic do you use to prevent this from happening??

Thks

Many years ago I had a OTR driver tell me, "You're bigger than they are so it's a fight they're not gonna win". I have cameras all around my RV that are recording and show if someone sped-up after I started to change lanes. A friend is a retired trooper and he said that if they see a car do that, they were to cite them for reckless driving. The other thing is don't doddle when changing lanes but move over quickly. Follow semis down an interstate and you'll see exactly what I am talking about. I recommend that all RVers at least have a dash and rear cam.

[John St Maur]

My tactic is to signal (obviously) and then make the lane change fast. I use this tactic in urban areas or when the drivers in that area are particularly aggressive. I’ve seen people doing the same thing you described…accelerating from a distance to try to beat you…but I merely signal and “jump” over. Otherwise you’ll be hung out to dry and unable to change lanes. And for those people reading this who think this sounds dangerous, it’s not. I’m not changing lanes like an emergency lane change like a car could do. I’m just not being as smooth and gradual as I would be under more “civil” hwy circumstances 😂

[Rymancn]

Here's a GREAT tip for keeping your cool while driving. As a musician I understand the power behind music. Have you ever watched a horror movie and muted the audio? Suddenly, the movie isn't scary anymore without the music. My point is....music set's the atmosphere in any situation. Before jumping in your RV, put on some smooth jazz, classical music, or whatever genre of music calms you down. Start listening to it 30 minutes before you leave and while you're driving. You'd be surprised just how much this WILL make a difference in your emotions while driving and even how you respond when that jerk cuts in front of your 30,000 lb rig. Side note....I would not recommend heavy metal music when driving your RV. You just might be the guy plowing over people in an "interstate mosh pit." LOL

Give the smooth jazz station a try. I think you'd immediately notice a difference

[Roadyacht1]

Ha ha. Welcome to S fl. Yes, crazy drivers.

My tactic is to let them do what they are going to do. BUT! Of all things, keep a very safe following distance. So what if they cut into the gap. Let them. It won’t affect you or your driving time. Just keep on truckin, and when possible avoid major metro areas. Especially S fl, Boston, LA, SFO, NYC. Etc. and I love an expression that Hispanics use: “Tranquillo amigo”. Stay tranquil my friend.

OH! And for goodness sake have a dash cam!

[kv1361]

Very interesting...... as I just wrote an article for the FMCA Blog with the title shown above after tolerating a rash of this on my November trip to Florida. Since then I have watched countless hours of CRASHCAM video looking for common threads. It has reinforced the physical signs I see on the freeway allowing me to predict what is coming next.

As a professional CDL driver, chauffeur, amateur road racer and driving instructor I do shift from Defensive Driving to Offensive Driving when I see it coming. The fact is that these drivers are not mindful of where they are in the journey; rather their mind is already on the destination and they see us as chicanes getting there.

My strategy is that I watch my mirrors and backup camera as much as what is in front of me. I allow these drivers to make their choice about how they intend to pass me and cut it close, and then I intentionally close the door with my vehicle and I give them several miles to cool off and slow their thoughts. It may take doing it twice but 90% of the time it works.

And if they back off enough and try a pass on the other side they notice my spare tire cover on my toad which reads:

If you plan to cut me off
I recommend you register as
as an organ donor first

Where is law enforcement and why won't they use my dashcam footage to prosecute?

[Dutch Star Don]

In 53 posts only one person does what I do and it works......I wait for an opening and then start the lane change. As soon as my tires start to cross into the lane, I turn my signal on. There's no requirement to give these idiots advanced notice.

If they try and speed up to fill the gap, I just keep going, as they typically don't want to tangle with my Raptor.

Someone else mentioned passing lanes and being forced to hit the brakes and pull to the shoulder. On short passing lanes, I let a few cars go by and then start coming back over. If someone wants to block me, I'm not going into the weeds and risking my life, I merge, and they can take their chances against 48K pounds or back off. This is not aggressive driving, it's Driver's Training!

[D Gardiner]

My two cents: (Bit tongue in cheek).
We live in the. SF Bay Area.

Oddly enough, the best way. to change lanes around here is to turn the opposite signal. IE. If you want to change over one lane to the left, turn your right signal on, and turn left.

Again, a bit tongue in cheek, but it does work around here. Normally, around here, drivers accelerate to keep you from changing lanes.

The reality is since Covid, most people are driving way, way, way, more aggressively. As others have said, drive defensively, drive. offensively (or assertive) and get a louder horn/

Yup, a louder horn. We added a 4-tone Cadillac horn to our class-a, and it does help. We. had a driver try and squeeze ahead of us, cutting us off, and entering the freeway clover leaf from the left. I laid on the horns, and they. backed off. If I had not, they would have been so close I would not have. seen their trunk lid.

End of the day, we carry a. dash. cam, and drive with our head on a swivel.

[cyqk]

The last few replies have been very good!!!!


Thanks