Insane drivers hassling RVs

[baraff]

Maybe it's just happening to me but the last few trips we've been on there have been multiple incidents of complete idiots who seems to delight in cutting us off.
I drive in the right lanes, especially in urban areas. Today traveling through Columbus, OH on I-270 some idiot came zooming up on the far right merging lane, cut in front of us literally an inch from our right fender, cut across to the left lanes, passed someone ON THE LEFT SHOULDER and took off at about 100mph. In an old Dodge Neon. I didn't think they could go that fast without blowing a cylinder or something, LOL. I thought my wife was going to have a heart attack. Didn't do much for my cardiac health either.

This has happened to us on numerous trips, always in urban areas. I drive 65 regardless of speed limit (unless it's less), always in the right lanes unless to pass. I drive defensively, as I was taught in Drivers' Ed back in 1971.

Is this some sort of game the fast 'n furious crowd is playing these days? Somebody is going to get killed.

[Backcountry1]

I don’t think it was more cutting you off because of the rv more than it was because it’s Columbus on 270. That city is horrible with its drivers, and even worse when it’s construction season. I watched a wreck happen a few years ago on 71 going north from 270 because of the same thing that happened to you…. except the speedy gonzales didn’t anticipate a whole bunch of barrels waiting for him after passing on the shoulder.

[fagnaml]

Burns --

I haven't experienced malicious intent (yet) from other drivers. What I do see rather frequently are drivers who "hurry up to get around the slow, big boy" before a light turns red, anxious to get to an exit a bit quicker, etc.

Like you I drive 63-65 mph mostly for fuel mileage and do drive in the right lane almost always. I do pull into the left lane and speed up to 70-72 mph to pass a hunk-of-junk driving 45 mph. Inevitably while I'm passing, someone driving 85+ mph catches up and rides my bumper until I get past the hunk-of-junk. That driver becomes really pissed off and speeds past me sometimes showing me that I'm number one.

[Keith55]

Originally Posted by baraff

Somebody is going to get killed.

Unfortunately, you are correct - people are frequently killed in vehicles. For the purposes for this post, I wont call them accidents. Stupidity is more like it.

Based on your description, I don't think the Neon was going after you specifically. But you would have been hurt in the accident nonetheless.

I haven't found people to treat me any differently than they do tractor trailers. I try to have an extra level of patience and realize they have no idea what it is like to drive a Rig.

I think I was always a polite driver but when I got a rig I became much more polite to the tractors trailers and, of course, other rigs.

Stay safe and try to avoid high traffic times when possible. I know there are sections around Chicago I will drive WAY out of my way to avoid!

[Sparky19053]

I'm in same mod as you guys, 65 MPH right hand lane. I recently moved my dash cam from my work vehicle to the RV. While it won't stop an accident or the idiots on the road it offers some piece of mind having it there.

[twogypsies]

We rarely drive through big cities or on interstates but sometimes you just have to. If enough lanes we don't drive in the far right lane where those merging need it to enter. We pick the next lane & stay there through the whole city. It's a lot more comfortable and if folks want to pass they can do so on the left lane.

[George Schweikle]

Episodes like this are why I installed a dash camera .

Originally Posted by baraff

Maybe it's just happening to me but the last few trips we've been on there have been multiple incidents of complete idiots who seems to delight in cutting us off.
I drive in the right lanes, especially in urban areas. Today traveling through Columbus, OH on I-270 some idiot came zooming up on the far right merging lane, cut in front of us literally an inch from our right fender, cut across to the left lanes, passed someone ON THE LEFT SHOULDER and took off at about 100mph. In an old Dodge Neon. I didn't think they could go that fast without blowing a cylinder or something, LOL. I thought my wife was going to have a heart attack. Didn't do much for my cardiac health either.

This has happened to us on numerous trips, always in urban areas. I drive 65 regardless of speed limit (unless it's less), always in the right lanes unless to pass. I drive defensively, as I was taught in Drivers' Ed back in 1971.

Is this some sort of game the fast 'n furious crowd is playing these days? Somebody is going to get killed.

[iowaone]

If more than two lanes going my direction through a city, I try to NOT drive in the far right lane. That way I avoid most of the on off ramp traffic and seldom get someone cutting in close to me. Sure some people have to go around me on the right or left but it seems much less chaotic.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We rarely drive through big cities or on interstates but sometimes you just have to. If enough lanes we don't drive in the far right lane where those merging need it to enter. We pick the next lane & stay there through the whole city. It's a lot more comfortable and if folks want to pass they can do so on the left lane.

Driving in the right lane through cities when you have no intention of exiting is dangerous for the reason baraff stated.

[Bylandorsea]

Originally Posted by iowaone

If more than two lanes going my direction through a city, I try to NOT drive in the far right lane. That way I avoid most of the on off ramp traffic and seldom get someone cutting in close to me. Sure some people have to go around me on the right or left but it seems much less chaotic.

Agree plus some exits on the far left lane in some cities

[followingsea]

Many years ago I went from a rural commute to 140 mile one way to SF Bay area. I was wondering if there was something about my PU truck that induced road rage.

Then one day I left my ride at the dealer for maintenance and was given a nondescript loaner. On the way to work, I found a crazy. I backed off to figure out what to do and was passed. Watched two crazies chase each other down the road. Road rage meet road rage.

On the way home it was late. At one point I am on a 3 lane freeway with no traffic. Road rage verses road rage were coming up fast. Just after they passed me, they hit each other and car parts went flying.

Point is that aggressive driving has nothing to do with what you are driving. A little situation awareness will help you see it coming.

In the last 400 miles, I have had to brake hard when a car was passing my MH in a no passing zone did not see a car coming. Insane or stupid?

[rollondown]

Dash Cameras are a must these days. I've had several come across the front of the truck to where I couldn't see half the car. If they tap the brakes, it's gonna get ugly for them quick.

[dons2346]

I stay out of the bumper pool (far right) lane because of the idiots that don't think any further than their nose and wait to do anything until the last minute

[96 Wideglide]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We rarely drive through big cities or on interstates but sometimes you just have to. If enough lanes we don't drive in the far right lane where those merging need it to enter. We pick the next lane & stay there through the whole city. It's a lot more comfortable and if folks want to pass they can do so on the left lane.

I do the same!

And those that do cut in front of me too close, get a good blast of the Hadley's!

Their loud enough to make normal sane people poop their pants !