I am not a confrontational guy by nature – because I’m a guy who much prefers to live and let live. But there are people who aren’t – and I find that many of them are aggressive cowards. I encountered one such the other day.
I was driving the ’25 Ram 2500 that is the vehicle I’m test driving this week down the mountain, as we locals say. Before you get to the mountain (Bent Mountain, it’s called) there is a long stretch of rural highway (US 221) that bisects my bucolic SW Virginia county (Floyd County) that is one lane in either direction. The speed limit on this road is 55 MPH and has been so for decades, notwithstanding the fact that almost every vehicle on the road no longer has disc/drum brakes or lacks ABS and has wheels/tires that have far more grip than the tires of decades ago, when most vehicles came with 14 and maybe 15-inch wheels and did not come with ABS or traction/stability control.
In other words, the 55 MPH speed limit is absurd. It is akin to restricting an eight-year-old who has long ago learned how to run to the pace of a wobbly toddler who can barely stand. Yet there are still wobbly toddlers on the road and some of them drive well below the absurd speed limit. Oddly – interestingly – many of them are driving (if you want to call it that) big trucks such as the Chevy Silverado in the video embedded with this article. It is odd because it was once generally true that most people who drove trucks were better drivers than people who drove cars – probably because they had to be, because trucks were once more challenging to drive than cars.
They no longer are.
More finely, they have been engineered to be easy to drive because they are no longer driven chiefly by people who need a truck. Rather, they are driven by people who just want something big and roomy (for people; note the fact that most of these late-model trucks have big cabs and small beds).
There are no longer passenger cars of that type available, because they have been out-regulated (the subtle way of outlawing something the government doesn’t want people to have). And that is why big trucks have become the passenger vehicle of choice. The Ford F-150 is currently the best-selling vehicle. Go back 40 years and it was a car that was – such as the Oldsmobile Cutlass, if you can imagine that.
Anyhow, it seems there are a lot of people driving trucks who probably ought not to be. It is not that they do not drive at least the speed limit. I italicize the latter to make the point that the speed limit is extremely dated. In this case, while 55 MPH may have been “fast” on this road back in 1980, it is absurdly slow today given the increased capabilities of every new car and truck made over the past several decades. That is why doing at least the speed limit is the bare minimum as far as driving etiquette is concerned. Those who wish or need to drive slower have every right to do so, of course – and it would be obnoxious to tell them otherwise. Some people are not in a hurry; others are dealing with vehicles that have issues and need to be driven slow. Others may have issues with their own skills. This is all understandable.
With the caveat that they make an effort to not use their vehicle to prevent others from driving at least the speed limit.
Some are worse than that, however.
When I got the chance to pass the Silverado that was doing 46-47 in a 55 where 65 is a perfectly reasonable speed to drive, the driver got angry. He ramped up his speed to match mine – fascinating! – and proceeded to follow me closely down the mountain. I eventually lost him when the road opened to two lanes each way and was able to put some distance between me and him. I then stopped at the auto arts place to grab some DEF (more about that here) and when I came out of the store, there he was – in his truck – cursing at me from within.
I called him out. Literally. I told him to park and step out and we’ll have a talk. He wouldn’t – so I called him a pussy and laughed at him as he drove away quickly. This is typical of the species. I did absolutely nothing to warrant the stalking or the verbal abuse other than pass the guy. But that is a big offense to people of this type, who are – as per the intro to this article – aggressive cowards. They will use a vehicle to harass other people – and to protect themselves from the people they harass. They are also almost certainly the type who will safely vote to have the government take your money to pay for things they want but would never have the stones to knock on anyone’s door and try to take it themselves.
Kind of like the disgusting aggressive cowards who just ordered us to war – again – from the safety of their offices, far, far away.
. . .
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So sorry but what does CLOVER MEAN? I have looked online and only found the definition as a plant. I am 68 years old and dont understand the new english. My nephew just yelled OK BOOMER TO ME
Hi Geoff,
“Clover” is inside baseball stuff. It goes back to the beginning of EPautos – when we had a persistent troll who used that handle. It became synonymous with the sort of person people who like cars and driving hate, because Clovers work to make driving and owning a car a miserable ordeal.
Just was following a woman on my motorcycle on a 2 lane 30 mph road and she was doing 27-30. She got all mad honking her horn when I passed her. Why is what I’m doing relevant to you? It has no effect or bearing on what you are doing as I will be well out of your way. Conversely, you are impeding my enjoyment and increasing my time on the road.
Hi Anchar,
These are the same psychotics who chased people around for not wearing a “mask.” The one they insisted “worked.” Well, if it “works,” then why are you worried? Wear your “mask” and be happy!
You’re right, Eric. It looked to be such an idyllic summer day. Only to be ruined by the actions of a beta-carotene stained blowhard and a truck-limping limp-dick who sought to take out his own inadequacies on you.
Maybe have a drink and sit out the rest of the day, man.
A non driving incident but my truck plays a part of the story.
A homeless dude was urinating in the alley beside my workplace. A coworker saw this and yelled at the bum for pissing in the alley.
I’m in my truck getting ready to depart for the day when I see my coworker in a verbal altercation with a bum on his way to his truck parked next to mine.
I get out and provide backup except I am the mediator and trying to de-escalate the situation. I’m telling the bum that he does want to scrap with my coworker and I’m telling my coworker that the bum isn’t worth it.
Meanwhile the bum was making an argument that he just had to go and acted as if he was entitled to piss by the dumpsters. The bum stood down seeing that it was 2 to 1 and not 1 on 1 as it was when he puffed his chest out to begin with.
After that, we both figured our trucks would be keyed after that. Nope, so far, so good
Until a couple weeks ago. I took a delivery late in the day. While I was out, that bum entered our shop and complained that I pulled a knife on him for pissing in the alley.
First of all, he still had no shame for pissing in the alley, second, he is a pussy because he waited until I was away from the shop.
Location helps at this point, I am in Anchorage, AK. The guys at the shop looked at him and told him, J is from the South, he would have just shot you. The bum promptly left. My truck is still unkeyed.
I have read of the homelessness issue in Anchorage. It sounds like a battle field there.
Thank goodness it isnt San Francissy but it is pretty bad for a place not to be out in the cold in the winter.
https://x.com/AlaskanRants/status/1931924325088813388/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1931924325088813388¤tTweetUser=AlaskanRants
I have heard it is called “North Seattle”, and earns the title proudly. But, Fairbanks is not much better.
I’ve been outright movie style carchased by clovers who were originally doing 10 under the speed limit. Luckily they’re not used to driving aggressively so I was able to get away, but one was making finger guns at me haha
I don’t give the bird. One never knows who’s packing in this day and age. Instead, I applaud and cheer for them as they feel the need to tail gate me for doing 55 in a 40. After they pass I blow kisses at that them. I think they end up more confused than anything.
I have done just that before, RG. Drivers expect to see the middle finger. When I smiled and blew a kiss at an awful driver, it threw them off, and they almost got more angry that I did not “One Finger Salute” them instead.
I give a thumbs down with a disappointed, slightly shaking face. Gets the point across, but not aggressive.
I happy gesture always pisses them off more, which is the point.
Watch out for your demographics out there! The border jumpers are in the news daily for shootings, stabbings, wrong way freeway crashes, drive by shootings etc. Especially prevalent is road rage shootings over being “dissed” via some perceived driving issue. The larger town in the county south of me, as an aging white fella don’t dare honk at anyone – great way to get shot.
https://www.nbcrightnow.com/news/investigation-underway-for-reported-shooting-on-nob-hill-boulevard-in-yakima/article_9d005590-7f8e-11ef-ac35-23ef06f4f596.html
Check your state most wanted listings to see what you’re up against, here we go WA:
https://wsp.wa.gov/crime/wsp-most-wanted/
He went home to review a ‘manliness’ website but was distracted when he saw ‘The View’ was on talking about transgender options. Your next encounter with him is likely at Walmart as he is leaving the woman’s clothing section. I see a purple Subaru and kiddie porn in his future.
I drive with a calm mindset now because even though I have a fast car, I do not like to piss people off, because the car culture in Placer County is people drive really aggressively and very fast. 80-85 on the highway and 50-65 on the arterials, cutting people off to merge first onto the interstate and blowing through the first second of red lights is very common here and small sedans like Hondas with young drivers are some of the worst. Pickups are driven by 30-50 ish fathers who need to be somewhere soon, moms drive SUV’s and everyone is hell bent for leather except the senior citizens. They mostly travel the surface streets, and are clovers who want to live to see another day!
This week I was reminded of just how good modern cars handle. I picked up my parent’s old Caravan and was driving it home. Going through Illinois around 2:00am and I could finally put on the high beams. As luck would have it, they illuminated a deer standing in the middle of the interstate, literally with that “deer in the headlights” stare. I had about 100 yards or so, swerved to the right then had to quickly swerve back off the breakdown lane. In a 2016 Dodge minivan, which were never known for their handling, with about half the tread remaining on its basic all-season radials. Other than rearranging all the cargo (and suddenly making me very very alert), nothing happened. The vehicle was fine. Don’t know if it could do that sort of maneuvering all day, but at least that one time what could have been a disaster was just another story. In a minivan.
In a minivan.
I’ve never understood why people get pissed off if you pass them. It’s so childish and moronic. If someone behind me wants to pass, be my guest. Good riddance.
The only thing that pisses me off is when they ride my ass before they pass.
Even dumber is chasing people down to bitch about their driving. Unless I am getting a cop’s pay, dental, retirement, and qualified immunity, IDGAF. If they are doing something really dangerous like drunkenly crossing the center line, then call the cops.
The difference between slower drivers and clovers is that slower drivers not only don’t care if you pass them but want you off their ass as they are OK with driving at the speed limit.
Clovers on the other hand try to block you by speeding up well in excess of the speed limit to keep you from passing them and if you succeed in passing them they tailgate you while flashing their high beams at you.
Those sick b*stards are in need of a good Singaporean style caning if you know what I mean.
Big L,
The caning thing Definitely has an anti-street crime effect…
While slumming around in Kuala Lumpur (June98) a blackout occurred, the Backpacker/”Chinese Hotel” manager recommended a different place and his assistant walked us there. At one point the dude mentioned a short cut through a “questionable” unlit alley..
He saw skepticism on our faces …And quickly chimed in “Don’t worry, it’s safe!…..
I have no desire to be caned”……Yeah baby!…Chicongo should try it!!!
I’d be called a clover probably on this site. I tend to drive around the speed limit, sometimes less, sometimes a little over. It’s not that I think speed limits are the end all, be all. They’re arbitrary but have some basis in that they were determined by a baseline lowest common denominator.
Maybe it feels like odious government meddling but it’s also something that would probably occur due to spontaneous order organically. There needs to be some sort of way to prevent chaos due to choice of various vehicles types. The government in this case latched on to speed limits for control and revenue. But I suspect they’d still exist as suggestion to drivers in a purely libertarian world, too. Like a stop signs and lights. Those weren’t government inventions intended to subvert your liberty. They were reactions to bedlam of traffic with the rapid adoption of cars.
Anyway, as a probable clover, I’d get the full aggro treatment from the author on the road. Although I’m not a clover, I’m mindful of what I’m doing, do not impede passing and won’t chase you down for trying. That whole speed up when I decide to pass action really bugs me and I’ve been at risk of being caught out passing on two-lane a few times when a clover decides I shouldn’t be passing. I drive an older pickup, it’s got sufficient power but not overt drop you like a bad habit power. It’s a game of chicken in both directions in such a case.
Hi Tob,
No, you would not get the “agro” treatment from me! I don’t tailgate – I just pass as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Do you consider that “agro”? I’m genuinely curious.
I do not have a problem with that kind of driving. Just do not camp out in the left lane with six cars behind you waiting to pass the slower moving vehicle on the right. Which is exactly what drivers here do, and then shill that they are going the speed limit, and thus, have a right to control everyone else’s driving
I see that in these parts all the time, Eric. Then, add in snow and ice to the roads on a long Winter, just to make it more fun. I understand the first snow/ice, as everyone seems to forget how to drive in the Winter in the span of 3 months. But, you get people (like you, on nice days) who drive just like this Silverado did. Who will then refuse to pull over and let others pass, especially if they are familiar with the road. I had one traveler co-worker say she would never ride with me. She has no idea what it is like dealing with Clovers just like that, only being in a smaller vehicle. It does not take long to realize how one has to drive to survive, and to keep from getting killed from bigger vehicles (and trucks) like the one you followed. Yeah, I have had the speed-up-because-you-passed-me drivers, as well. I think it is a power trip for them, and the supreme satisfaction being able to control others. On a side note, I wonder if the guy was vaxxed, and how many booster did he get, because I am seeing more & more of this. And I remember you wrote an article a while back about vaxxed drivers. A couple of years later, and I think that article has even more relevance to today. The fact that he was willing to confront you is down right creepy, but looks like this dude took his few toys and went home.
Amen, Shadow –
It’s very creepy – and very stupid. As I was armed. Had he been bigger than me – or come at me with a weapin – it might not have ended well for him. Over what? Because I pased him.
I could sit here typing stories all day of road side fights I’ve had. The thing is, Eric that he possibly/probably had a gun himself but being a scared pussy he changed his attitude when he found out you weren’t intimidated by him or his truck. You really should be careful because of the sheer number of dickheads and assholes out there carrying guns that just might shoot you and drive off.
Before the filthy lying hooknosed creatures PROGRAMMED the sheeple with endless blood, gore, and violence with its ‘movies’ and tele-vision bullshit and made negros violent with ‘raycism’ and rap ‘music’ and ‘jews’ put guns in every hand to solve every problem and to glorify killing on its tele-vision, you could get into a fist-fight almost anytime anywhere without worrying about getting shot. It was more like the Route 66 tele-vision PROGRAMMING where they get in a fist-fight in every town and settled differences like Men used to do.
Now, when you leave the house you are going into Enemy Territory. I’d say the chance of being shot by a Badged Predator versus an Armed Asshole is about 50/50, SO yes wear the bullet-proof vest while driving and keep a spare clip in your pocket. hehe
Eric: Dude! When armed, you need to please avoid any situation where you might come into a confrontation! With this bozo, you know the score, so let it go. Who cares? Really stupid split-second decisions could have lifelong impacts! Take care, be aware, and be safe out there… Tom
Truth. If you do decide to carry you need to be extra level headed and avoid any appearance of instigating. Based on the story there’s almost no question my colleagues at the other table would take a shot at putting Eric behind bars should solicitation of road rage lead to serious assault or a death. Got to ask yourself if it’s worth it to prove a point?
Wow!
Yeah, I’ve been brake checked and/or road raged by drivers on both sides of this discussion — for instance, a guy who thought I was accelerating too slowly onto the highway (old car, give some slack!) but also by these left lane slowpokes.
As a fireman, I’ve started seeing the results of road rage and am convinced it’s not worth it. Crashes, shootings etc. Even between tractor trailers! (Dude ended up shooting at cops in VA at the truck stop when they found him — suicide by cop). Another dude in a sports car tried the ol’ brake check on somebody and their car, behind him, lost control and got incinerated under a tractor trailer — how’s that on your conscience, oof.
How dare you pass my truck, I make the rules of the road because I have a great big truck. You will live by my rules, you dolt.
I see the truck behind me in the rear view mirror, I slow down so the trucker can pass without a problem. The truck goes 80 mph in a 65 mph highway speed sign, that is fine. Once you have passed and are going 80 again, I can speed up to 70 mph. You don’t have to go 85 to get by.
You turn off of the US highway, drive 23 miles on a two-lane blacktop, 65 mph for 20 minutes, you arrive at your destination.
Modern roads and transportation is what you want in this life.
The planet is in full tilt towards the sun, it’s summer, can’t beat that. Sun, surf and sand, what else is there?
Warm weather, everything is green all the way to Baffin Island.
It’s the verdant hills now, the place to be.
What was the color of the Truck Bro’s vehicle?
*White* trucks and their drivers are increasingly something to avoid here in Central Texas.
It was a silver Silverado!
The hilarious part was the driver apparently followed me to the auto parts store and planned to confront me when I came out – which I surmise because he was clearly waiting for me to come out. When I did, he saw I was bigger than he and pussed out, hurling curses at me as he scurried away like the pussy he is. I hope he sees this. I’d be happy to take out my Spray Tanned Chimp hate on his face.
Hi Eric,
Unfortunately, this type of behavior you experienced is not uncommon.
I’m always looking in my rearview mirror for the reactions when I
merely pass someone, which often is flashing their brights.
I’ve come to the conclusion these reactions are from a form of mental
illness and stupidity.
Flashing the lights is a common way to tell the passing driver that his pass is completed and it’s ok to get back in the right lane.
That is what I was taught and it seems professional drivers know this. I get a flashed tail light thanks from semis when I let them pass and give them a flick of the brights to know they’re clear to merge back right.
Silver is the color of choice for Subcontinent and SE Asian drivers here.
Not that they are any less rude/inconsiderate, but they won’t attempt a direct confrontation.
Once you commit you better come ready for anything. That’s why “Don’t start nothin’, won’t be nothin'” is a pretty good way to live.
Too bad George W Trump doesn’t agree with your last statement.