A note to be careful out there (Austin, Lakeway: home, live)

[woodinvilleguy]

I wanted to remind everyone to be safe out there on the roads. I know it is hot out there but don't let it get to your head and go crazy.

Tonight on my way home I turn onto Parmer and I get stuck behind a slower car then a car comes up going at least 80 and rather than a) move to the open left lane or b) slow down, he decides to pass us both in the shoulder. Of course I see him at the next light and I turn into my development. He then pulls out of traffic to cut me off and slams on his brakes. I did my best to stay calm, I shouldn't have rolled down my window but I did. I calmy told him "Sir you were endagering everyone on the road" he then yells at me that I cut him off. unfortunately I only got a partial plate. reported it to the police,

Stay cool out there, people are letting the heat get to them.

[capcat]

Some people are about 8 years old again when they get behind the wheel.

[G Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by capcat

Some people are about 8 years old again when they get behind the wheel.

The only thing you can do in those situations is try to remain an adult yourself - not get sucked into being a child, too. Glad no one was hurt by that guy.

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

The only thing you can do in those situations is try to remain an adult yourself - not get sucked into being a child, too. Glad no one was hurt by that guy.

I agree, it was certainly a tense situation. It was difficult to remain calm.

[TexasHorseLady]

And, of course, he's no doubt posting to some message board about how people drive too slow in Austin and those people are the problem.

Sheesh. Glad it didn't turn into something worse and you're okay!

[someguyatx]

Yeah its been crazy lately but I've been trying to relax on the road and get better mpg and tune out the asshats. My strategy is to accelerate slower while still being safe, drive the speed limit, take it easy on the gas, leave larger gaps on the highways, use less gas and brake pedal, and pay more attention to the timing of lights. I have seen an improvement of 4mpg so far and I'm in a much better mood. I also get to places in the same amount of time or faster.

[Trainwreck20]

It is funny, I read this thread earlier today, and then on the way home I did one of those 'almost changed lanes when I shouldn't' maneuvers - the lane had been empty a moment or two before, so I started to change one lane to the left as I checked over my shoulder. As I did, I saw a BIG white vehicle and I jerked back. I never actually left my lane, or even quite got to the line, but it was an oh-**** moment that happens every now and then.

Anyway, the guy/girl either accelerated to high speed (or maybe already was, explaining why I did not see him before the attempt) and began swinging his vehicle toward me like he was going to hit me or cut me off, actually crossing into my lane and forcing me toward the shoulder. I slowed down, and he/she went on, but that was a bit over the top. Haven't every had that aggressive a reaction anywhere that I can recall.

[woodinvilleguy]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

It is funny, I read this thread earlier today, and then on the way home I did one of those 'almost changed lanes when I shouldn't' maneuvers - the lane had been empty a moment or two before, so I started to change one lane to the left as I checked over my shoulder. As I did, I saw a BIG white vehicle and I jerked back. I never actually left my lane, or even quite got to the line, but it was an oh-**** moment that happens every now and then.

Anyway, the guy/girl either accelerated to high speed (or maybe already was, explaining why I did not see him before the attempt) and began swinging his vehicle toward me like he was going to hit me or cut me off, actually crossing into my lane and forcing me toward the shoulder. I slowed down, and he/she went on, but that was a bit over the top. Haven't every had that aggressive a reaction anywhere that I can recall.

ugh, maybe it is the heat. I'm glad you are ok. I wonder if these people think about the fact that they are in control with a deadly weapon.

[G Grasshopper]

I always wonder why there are never cops around to see that sort of thing. Those are the really dangerous people on the road, not the good drivers who may be going a few MPH over the limit. (I'm not saying that I support speeding, just that there are more dangerous things that happen on the freeways than low level speeding.)

[TonyG5003]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

I always wonder why there are never cops around to see that sort of thing. Those are the really dangerous people on the road, not the good drivers who may be going a few MPH over the limit. (I'm not saying that I support speeding, just that there are more dangerous things that happen on the freeways than low level speeding.)

I've lived here now for 4 years, and other than in Lakeway, I do not recall EVER seeing a cop with anyone pulled over. I guess they just do not patrol. Perhaps someone should get with the city to suggest more of a zero tolerance policy to get some extra money flowing into the coffers. There are certainly more than enough opportunities to write tickets to make such an endeavor quite profitable.

I completely agree - people are nuts on the roads right now. I've been dangerously cut off three times this week on 620 south of 2222. The third time I had enough and very visibly flipped-off the woman, who purposefully sped up, and then zoomed around me (partially in the left-turn lane) as I was obviously changing lanes (with the signal) because I was stuck behind a rig. She acted as though she did nothing wrong.