Why the larger % of agressive pick-up drivers?

In My Humble Opinion
1

This is not a rant. I’ve said what I had to say about a couple of specific incidents in the Pit and am done with that. Nor is my understanding of what may be a regional trend worthy of Great Debates.

Instead, I’m just trying to find some comprehension of a trend I’ve seen that I’ve found a bit puzzling and more than a little disturbing.

Over the past 4 or 5 years that my rustbucket memory extends to, I can recall about 40 or so times that someone on the road showed me an aggravating amount of inconsideration. A dozen or so times it was outright aggression. Twice it could have been considered murderous. Here’s the thing… every time except for 2, it was from the driver of a pick-up. The other two were from a SUV. I don’t get this.

Let me interject here that the notion that all pick-up drivers are agressive is horsepuckey. My guess would be that 98 to 99% of them are as sane and kind as anybody on the road you’d want to meet. But I’m not kidding, there are some out there that are horrendously dangerous to the rest of the driving population. Why has the overwhelming majority come from one type of vehicle?

I really like pick-ups, had one myself for awhile and have several times considered buying another one. Never was I inclined to treat others on the road with the same disrespect that’s been shown me.

There’s a lot of pick-ups in Texas, maybe more than most states. Is that the reason? I don’t think it’s entirely a gender or race thing as I’ve seen women and blacks act pretty rudely as well but usually the instigators are younger to middle aged white men, my demographic as well.

The events of which I speak go beyond just cutting you off, they’re intentionally confrontational. When I’m in a two-seater and they’re twice my gross tonnage, it damn sure gets your attention. Far too often I see them on my or someone else’s ass, pulling in front of me, speding down the road, blaring their horn or road raging with other vehicles. I still get queasy when I think about one of them trying several times to run me off the road. The police got him but only because I wasn’t injured in that day straight out of hell.

Again, most drivers are decent but has anyone else seen evidence of this trend or have an answer for it? I’m really puzzled and have reached the point of actively trying to avoid proximity with trucks on the road, something that’s real difficult to do with them being so ubiquitous.

2

Re: OP.

Compensating for a perceived inadequacy in certain -um- areas, perhaps?

3

Well, one can hope.

Road rage in general has gotton so bad that about half a year ago I actually switched jobs so that I’d have a shorter commute. Driving 54 miles a day to the Galleria area and back on crowded freeways had put me in contact with some of the worst behaviour human nature had to offer. It just wasn’t worth the mental aggravation.

I’d hoped this shorter commute on slower roads would be better but I see the same types of aggression there as well.

I detest stereotypes, which is what makes this whole thing so confusing to me. I really am just looking for a little sense in the matter. If I knew why they were doing it, it would be that much easier to write off.

4

Are trucks that much more powerful or agile than they used to be?
Has the “pick-up community” been excluded from the recent general financial gains and they’re pissed? (This I doubt since many of the instigators appeared well-heeled).
Is it just the feeling of safety these behemoths present? (Then why aren’t more SUVs involved as well?)

Something’s gotta be responsible for the overwhelming majority.

5

I don’t see that - around here it is generally drivers of smaller sports cars.

6

Thanks Lisa Ann. Heh, that’s what I drive.

I do see the Mustangs and the like zipping and cutting but haven’t observed them doing the “shave your front bumper off” thing or slamming on their brakes in front of you. I really could care less about folks in a hurry. It’s the ones that are looking for a fight that I just plain don’t understand.

I swear, I’d actually be relieved to see one of them do it instead.

7

Just a WAG: It may be a general sort of bad-ass/macho/good-ole-boy attitude that causes some people to choose a pickup in the first place, and that is reflected in their driving. I drive a pickup myself, and I find myself slipping into that attitude just a little bit, though I usually catch myself.

8

I myself am a rather even-tempered pickup driver…but then, our other automobile is a Beetle, so I’m frequently on the other side of the situation.

9

I drive a pick-up, but I don’t drive aggressively.

I haven’t really noticed this around here, but then again I don’t normally drive that many miles. Maybe it’s because they perceive their trucks to be much safer than smaller cars, so they feel more comfortable in taking increased risks.

And today’s trucks have a much shorter stopping distance, so drivers don’t seem to find driving right on your ass.

10

That should read-

“And today’s trucks have a much shorter stopping distance, so drivers don’t seem to mind driving right on your ass.”

11

I agree with Geobabe: it may be that in your area, the particular group that already has the bad-boy attitude finds pick-up trucks more attractive to drive. (Perhaps they don’t go for the SUV’s, since they’re too ‘yuppy’ for the area/group of people in question?)

In this area (Memphis, TN), there’s actually little in the way of aggressive driving/road rage that I’ve seen… it’s ‘merely’ dumb, idiotic, and plain clueless driving instead. :rolleyes:

<< Foo! >>

12

I drive a small truck, lieu. :slight_smile:

I don’t like stereotypes, either, but you are in Texas. :wink:

I think Geobabe is close to on-the-money. In my little truck, I wouldn’t dare cut off someone, but the larger the vehicle, the braver or more invincible some may feel.
The little sports car drivers here are just too daring and take too many chances. And it’s not all young people, who might think they’ll live forever, it is all ages and both genders.

13

What do you drive? Pickups are slow, they don’t have the speed to cut you off.

They are big and the driver may act like a bus driver and just change lanes rather than wait for you to yield.

14

I guess you haven’t driven a pickup lately. They’re pretty zippy nowadays.

15

Definitely, someone that has been to Memphis. Also, Texas may have more pickups, but per capita wise Mississippi will hang in there with you. :stuck_out_tongue: