# Hey, you! Yeh, you in the white SUV! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 14, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953 "2005-02-14T02:10:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/21 "2005-02-15T04:16:45Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > You’re joking, right? It’s a 3-lane road. If you can provide a cite that says the MIDDLE LANE is for passing only, I’ll retract the following comment: You’re a moron. > > So get out of the damn right lane when I’m trying to merge from the on-ramp! Dunno about your state, but in PA the rule is: > [@](#): > > §3313 (1) Upon all limited access highways having two or more lanes for traffic moving in the sme direction, all vehicles shall be shall be driven in the right-hand lanes in the same direction except when any of the following conditions exist: > (i) when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. > (ii) when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow. > (iii) when moving left to allow traffic to merge. So, if you’re not passing, and there’s room to be in the right lane so someone can pass you, you should be there. As far as getting out of the right lane so you can merge, if I can, I will. If not, _you’ve_ got the Yield sign, not me. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/22 "2005-02-15T04:58:33Z")
Heh. That’s a rule for a _limited access_ highway. Route 1 is NOT that kind of road. There are stretches – like where the white SUV was tailgating me – where there are driveways in and out of businesses every 20 yards or so. Heck, there are even residences along that road whose driveways go right out onto Route 1. Route 1 is pretty much just one long strip mall from the outskirts of Boston until you get to Topsfield. “Limited access” – heh. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/23 "2005-02-15T05:26:03Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > This happened to me a few years ago, but rather than an SUV it was a tractor-trailor (a lorry I think, in the UK) It was night and there was NO ONE in the other two lanes. He could have easily passed. Of course, I got stupid and stuborn too, and so rather than change lanes, I just eased off the gas petal. (I like to believe that I am more grown-up now, but I’m full of shit :)) Soon we were both going about 35 miles per hour in a 65. Then, since I can accelerate much more quickly than he, I punched it and soon he was a small speck in my rear-view. I believe tractor-trailers must stay in the two lanes to the far right and would not be able to pass you legally in the fast lane, in California anyway. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/24 "2005-02-15T09:36:47Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Ahh yes, Mr.-I’m-too-important-to-change-lanes. He’s always in a big hurry. > > This is the same guy in the mall who will walk right towards and walk right into you rather than move the slightest bit to the side. > > My plan is always to stop walking and stiff arm the SOB. I never do. I always see the guy at the last second and step aside instinctively. I don’t think about stiff arming him until he walks past. > > I guess it makes them feel good. Hmmm. I’ve always found that merely stopping dead in my tracks and fixing them with a cold look works as well as stiff arming. (well not that I’ve ever tried actually stiff arming anyone :D). ---
**Author:** ![Siege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/25 "2005-02-15T11:31:43Z")
Actually, I’ve been going to post a similar rant for a while. Look, tailgating me when the person going slower than the speed limit is in the car 3 or 4 cars ahead of me and there’s no room to pass isn’t going to accomplish anything but annoying me and possibly making me show you my brake lights. Yes, I know you’re frustrated. I’m frustrated, too. I’m also not the one causing the problem. Even if I wanted to go faster, I couldn’t because the guy ahead of me isn’t going faster and the reason he isn’t going faster is because the gal ahead of him isn’t going faster. Deal with it and back off. Tell you what. As soon as we get to a point where passing is possibly, you pass first. That way you can find someone else to annoy. I really don’t know what people are thinking in situations like the one **EddyTeddyFreddy** described or like the one I described. It could be that they’re comfortable with a lot less room between them and the car ahead of them; it could be that they’re bullies. From what I’ve seen in other Pit threads, I gather that there are people who really do believe a few feet is a safe following distance, even at 40 mph or more. If that’s the case, good for you. Now back off! If you’re trying to a bully, I’ve been dealing with bullies since I was a kid. Even when I drove a tiny Geo Metro, I wasn’t intimidated and I’m not noted for backing down. I will drive at a speed and following distance I consider safe. If that means I have to go 5 mph below the speed limit because that’s what the person ahead of me’s doing, even when I’d rather be doing 5 or 10 mph above the speed limit, I guess we’re both stuck. Deal with it. CJ Who’s given up swearing at other drivers for Lent! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/26 "2005-02-15T14:52:52Z")
I have no idea how my wife managed to look like a man, get a white SUV, and turn up outside of Boston. But from what you’ve described, it must have been her driving. I’m sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Fuji\_Kitakyusho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@Fuji\_Kitakyusho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuji_Kitakyusho)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/27 "2005-02-15T15:56:51Z")
I drive an E350 1 ton van with a fabricated steel deck mounted behind the rear doors, bolted directly to the chassis in place of where the rear bumper would ordinarily be. You know how much damage I would sustain if I hit the brakes and let one of these idiots plow into my rear end? None at all. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LeeshaJoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e8cbc/32.png) [@LeeshaJoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LeeshaJoy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/28 "2005-02-15T17:35:08Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > This is the same guy in the mall who will walk right towards and walk right into you rather than move the slightest bit to the side. Some asshole did this to me on the _sidewalk_ the other day. Knocked me down into the street, and barely gave me a second look before walking away. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/29 "2005-02-15T18:29:01Z")
> [@LeeshaJoy](#): > > Some asshole did this to me on the _sidewalk_ the other day. Knocked me down into the street, and barely gave me a second look before walking away. :eek: When you see someone coming towards you with no intent to move in their eyes, plant your feet slightly apart, bend your knees slightly, and move one shoulder forward. Proceed to stand like this until they either go around or bounce off of you, cause you’re not likely to be the one going down. What are they going to say - you were standing there, and they walked into _you_. I used to be a nice person, until I started walking downtown every day. Oh, and **Siege** - YEAH! I think cars need to come with tranquilizer mist being shot out of the steering wheel. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/30 "2005-02-15T18:30:54Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > I believe tractor-trailers must stay in the two lanes to the far right and would not be able to pass you legally in the fast lane, in California anyway. Not so in PA. They are restricted only in places where it is signed. Otherwise, they may use all the lanes. Also, you may pass on the right in PA. Other trucks had passed, so it should have been pretty obvious that it was allowed - even if he was from out of state. My Dad was a truck driver most of his life and he said that some drivers just refused to move for a car, figuring that the bigger vihicle had the right away. ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/31 "2005-02-15T20:12:46Z")
O.j.? ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/32 "2005-02-15T20:25:39Z")
Well, besides the first thing that came to mind (caltrops), it’s too bad they don’t have anything like those shotgun shells that spit out a flame for a car. (I think they were called Dragon’s breath, and used white phosphorous). Have it off a protruding exhaust pipe, maybe shoot a flame, 10, 20 feet… Trigger it from your car and I bet the guy would need new upholstery… (no, I wouldn’t actually DO it, but it is a nice idea…) ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/33 "2005-02-15T21:34:16Z")
> [@](#): > > it’s too bad they don’t have anything like those shotgun shells that spit out a flame for a car. (I think they were called Dragon’s breath, and used white phosphorous). We’re trying to deal with tailgaters, not murderers - Dragon’s Breath will take their arm off and set them on fire. I know, I know - Tailgaters. But it still sounds a _wee bit_ extreme. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lurkernomore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@lurkernomore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurkernomore)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2005, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953/34 "2005-02-15T21:42:55Z")
> [@smiling bandit](#): > > We’re trying to deal with tailgaters, not murderers - Dragon’s Breath will take their arm off and set them on fire. I know, I know - Tailgaters. But it still sounds a _wee bit_ extreme. 😃 Aww… I geared it back to 10 feet, not 100 yards… I’m TRYING… can we reserve it for people driving SUVs with lights focused too high while talking on their cell phones that have unbelted kids in the car while speeding thru school zones, changing lanes without signalling? (Hows about a (disabled) machine gun on a swivel that pops out of the trunk and points at the tailgater??) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hey-you-yeh-you-in-the-white-suv/289953.md?page=1)