Thread: Road Rage

Originally Posted by Gordie

Well....I am a bit of a sensitive new age guy...so you 'modern-landy-lovers' are more than welcome.

Guess that means the RRC can come too. And the 69 Fiat.

Originally Posted by trout1105

Today I had some stupid woman pull out in front of me doing a right hand turn, I was in the right hand lane as I needed to turn of the road about half a click further on.
There was bugger all traffic so she would have had a perfectly clear view of my D2 coming down the road with the headlights on ( I always turn the headlights on when driving) But she pulled out anyway, Luckily I have a Disco with good brakes and a collision was avoided.

Did I yell and scream abuse or chase after the tosser? No I just shook my head and did the "Shrug" thing at the bloke who was turning left from the same intersection who saw it all happen and carried on.
You come across useless twerps on the roads and highways all the time and getting angry and bent out of shape is absolutely pointless.
I also did quite a bit of riding in my time as well, I Loved my Yamaha XL650 even though it rattled and vibrated much like a Blender.
It was not only good on bitumen it went bloody well on the dirt as well considering it was only a road bike.

As I posted somewhere else, this was common, even when I was driving a 26 metre long, 4.6 metre high B-Double. Like you, I always drive with my lights on, no matter what I'm in. I have been known to shout, especially when I have just flat spotted 30 something tyres. And then I see the look of astonishment on the face of the driver I'm shouting at, because all the blue smoke and red face was the first time he or she had seen me. Nuts, but I always went 'Phew. Another one I didn't kill.'

I loved my bikes. My first was a Kawasaki Mach III, probably the stupidest motorcycle ever built. Then there was a Mach IV 750, which was a little more civilised. But the best, one I truly miss, was the Z1000. I had a 900 rear guard and fairing on it, and it was sublime to look at and bliss to ride. Your average 250 these days would probably wipe the floor with it, but it was magnificent. Had to let it go. Wife of those days hated it. Only had two since then, a Z1R briefly ( dropped it) and a Honda VFR 750, which was nice, I guess. Handled and stopped way better than the Kwakas, but no soul. I'll never ride again. Oh, if someone offered me a ride on a Z1000, and there was no possibility of traffic, I'd have a go. On the road? No way, not these days. I guess I'm old.

I'm amazed at the narrow vision some people have.

The petty squabble between two people with selfish attitudes put the innocent ute driver in hospital.

Those two who caused the incident should never be allowed on the roads again. They're a danger to the public.

Gee what a lot of comments and arguing...

2 yanks have a fight on the freeway, somebody innocent gets hurt, now its become a small war...

Dont know what was more interesting, the news article or the thread...

At least it was only 2 cars crashed, normally there prangs involved a dozen cars, a few trucks and the odd bus, and thats only on a week day...

Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

I'm amazed at the narrow vision some people have.

The petty squabble between two people with selfish attitudes put the innocent ute driver in hospital.

Those two who caused the incident should never be allowed on the roads again. They're a danger to the public.

Good sentiments, really. Both people need to explain themselves in court.

Originally Posted by Wraithe

Gee what a lot of comments and arguing...

2 yanks have a fight on the freeway, somebody innocent gets hurt, now its become a small war...

Dont know what was more interesting, the news article or the thread...

At least it was only 2 cars crashed, normally there prangs involved a dozen cars, a few trucks and the odd bus, and thats only on a week day...

Lol. Hang around here for a while and you will see this is only a minor skirmish. Small wars are far more likely to occur on threads concerning recovery, or LED lights.

That said, as I posted earlier, arguments like this one should be welcomed. Makes us all sit up and take notice. Don't make the mistake that this stuff is all about "2 yanks".

Originally Posted by johntins

Possibly true. Let's assume you are right. Ian. You are a 'pro'. Would you 'engage' the way the biker did? Or would you back off and let him go his way? I know what I would have done. It doesn't really matter what transpired before. The biker had the choice to change things. He could have backed off. On a bike, he could have chosen to simply twist the handle on the right hand side and ridden off. He didn't do either of those things, he chose to kick the car. Red mist, perhaps, but it could have cost him his life.

I actually really welcome these debates. I have seen far too many roadside tragedies for one lifetime. If anyone gains even one little insight, and I most definitely include myself here, then the debate, or sometimes loud argument, has been worth it.

Was it 'Hill Street Blues' that used to say, "Take care out there"?

Firstly, in order of importance, yes it was Hill Street Blues.

Next, no I wouldn't 'engage' in that manner, for a number of reasons:

1. My bike has never been grounded, I'd like to keep it that way.
2. Sure as, they'd be an unmarked one behind me.
3. I have a decent sense of self preservation.

Even on a bike, there are times that it is not possible to throttle out of trouble, you can find yourself going too fast to avoid the clown who is determined to carve you up.

A couple of years ago I was on a weekend ride with another forum member. We were northbound on the southern end of the M1 on the Gold Coast, the traffic was very heavy but travelling at the speed limit. We were in the right lane with solid traffic in front, when some clown who wanted to travel considerably faster than the flow, cut me off, missing me with a pillion by a foot. He disappeared into the distance, carving up all who held him up. We stopped for a drink a few kilometres further, lo and behold there's our idiots car in the service station. It took remarkable restraint not to mash my fist into his dial, or my helmet into his windscreen. My restraint was influenced more by the CCTV than any sense of civilized behavior, I've left it too late to get a criminal record.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Even on a bike, there are times that it is not possible to throttle out of trouble, you can find yourself going too fast to avoid the clown who is determined to carve you up.

Know that. was that what was happening here?

Originally Posted by V8Ian

A couple of years ago I was on a weekend ride with another forum member. We were northbound on the southern end of the M1 on the Gold Coast, the traffic was very heavy but travelling at the speed limit. We were in the right lane with solid traffic in front, when some clown who wanted to travel considerably faster than the flow, cut me off, missing me with a pillion by a foot. He disappeared into the distance, carving up all who held him up. We stopped for a drink a few kilometres further, lo and behold there's our idiots car in the service station. It took remarkable restraint not to mash my fist into his dial, or my helmet into his windscreen. My restraint was influenced more by the CCTV than any sense of civilized behavior, I've left it too late to get a criminal record.

I don't really blame you, but my question to you was about your professional behaviour, as a long term heavy vehicle operator. Because, if you can snap on a bike, you can snap in a truck. Dealing with someone 'later' works fine for me. But that 'kick' could have just as easily been a 'swerve' in the truck. Not OK, IMO.