Driver Aggression towards Vettes
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 247
Likes: 7
From: Thomasville NC
I have a young friend, a guy who is 34 years old, rather big guy of 6 foot 4 and has a short fuse temper. Great guy with a nice personality, but he lights off easily.
He had an 07 Black on Black Z06 and was telling me that he too gets the crap on the roads constantly. One day two jerks in a pick up really gave it to him, so he ended up getting pissed and followed them for 20 miles (now I think he is the nutty one). He was right on them until they got back up into the Farmington, NH area which is hard core red neck territory and that should have been the tip off to him to just let it go. But no, he follows them to their home and gets out to 'have a word' with them. What he got was a gun in his face when he walked up to the pick up!! So guess who backed down in the end?
I don't care how big and tough you are, a 9mm will always win in the end.
I rest my case, there are far too many loonies out there on the highways and I for one would never carry a gun in a car with me, it's just asking for trouble at some point which you are going to regret.
He had an 07 Black on Black Z06 and was telling me that he too gets the crap on the roads constantly. One day two jerks in a pick up really gave it to him, so he ended up getting pissed and followed them for 20 miles (now I think he is the nutty one). He was right on them until they got back up into the Farmington, NH area which is hard core red neck territory and that should have been the tip off to him to just let it go. But no, he follows them to their home and gets out to 'have a word' with them. What he got was a gun in his face when he walked up to the pick up!! So guess who backed down in the end?
I don't care how big and tough you are, a 9mm will always win in the end.I rest my case, there are far too many loonies out there on the highways and I for one would never carry a gun in a car with me, it's just asking for trouble at some point which you are going to regret.
If you don't want to carry a gun because you’re afraid you’ll do something stupid with it, so be it. But don’t try to tell responsible people that they are “asking for trouble”, merely because they carry a gun in the car.
Back on topic:
I haven't noticed any more people tailgating me in the Corvette than in my other car. I have noticed that a lot more people try to get me to race them now... especially the ricers with their rubber band motors and annoying exhaust. I have also noticed that people (in certain cars) tend to speed up more now when I go around to pass them… not that it matters.
Last edited by Bodieism; Jul 9, 2010 at 06:01 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Back in Feb. 99 we had a very nice winter day. Temps were in the mid 40s the roads were dry and there wasn't a cloud in the sky although it was quite breezy. I took off from work early to take my 97 out for a ride. I was on the local insterstate running at 65 in cruise and just enjoying the day when this white ricer driven by a woman came up behind me. We were the only two cars on that section of road and she drove close enough that I thought she was going to ram me. Then she swerved into the left lane and started to pass but she matched speed with me and rode alongside for a while. Then she pulled in front of me and slowed down so I was forced to pass her. Once I was in front she pulled up to my bumper and then repeated the same thing all over again. This went on a couple of more times and I started paying too much attention to what she was doing instead of what was happening on the road in front of me. I took my eyes off the mirror just in time to see a contractor size white bucket blow across the road in front of me. With the car so close behind I couldn't hit the brake and I didn't swerve quick enough so I hit the bucket. It ripped the front fascia which ended up costing $1500 to replace.
That was 11 years ago and it still POs me.
Bill
That was 11 years ago and it still POs me.
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 7,163
Likes: 1
From: central OH
I have a young friend, a guy who is 34 years old, rather big guy of 6 foot 4 and has a short fuse temper. Great guy with a nice personality, but he lights off easily.
He had an 07 Black on Black Z06 and was telling me that he too gets the crap on the roads constantly. One day two jerks in a pick up really gave it to him, so he ended up getting pissed and followed them for 20 miles (now I think he is the nutty one). He was right on them until they got back up into the Farmington, NH area which is hard core red neck territory and that should have been the tip off to him to just let it go. But no, he follows them to their home and gets out to 'have a word' with them. What he got was a gun in his face when he walked up to the pick up!! So guess who backed down in the end? I don't care how big and tough you are, a 9mm will always win in the end.
I rest my case, there are far too many loonies out there on the highways and I for one would never carry a gun in a car with me, it's just asking for trouble at some point which you are going to regret.
He had an 07 Black on Black Z06 and was telling me that he too gets the crap on the roads constantly. One day two jerks in a pick up really gave it to him, so he ended up getting pissed and followed them for 20 miles (now I think he is the nutty one). He was right on them until they got back up into the Farmington, NH area which is hard core red neck territory and that should have been the tip off to him to just let it go. But no, he follows them to their home and gets out to 'have a word' with them. What he got was a gun in his face when he walked up to the pick up!! So guess who backed down in the end?
I don't care how big and tough you are, a 9mm will always win in the end.I rest my case, there are far too many loonies out there on the highways and I for one would never carry a gun in a car with me, it's just asking for trouble at some point which you are going to regret.
Back in Feb. 99 we had a very nice winter day. Temps were in the mid 40s the roads were dry and there wasn't a cloud in the sky although it was quite breezy. I took off from work early to take my 97 out for a ride. I was on the local insterstate running at 65 in cruise and just enjoying the day when this white ricer driven by a woman came up behind me. We were the only two cars on that section of road and she drove close enough that I thought she was going to ram me. Then she swerved into the left lane and started to pass but she matched speed with me and rode alongside for a while. Then she pulled in front of me and slowed down so I was forced to pass her. Once I was in front she pulled up to my bumper and then repeated the same thing all over again. This went on a couple of more times and I started paying too much attention to what she was doing instead of what was happening on the road in front of me. I took my eyes off the mirror just in time to see a contractor size white bucket blow across the road in front of me. With the car so close behind I couldn't hit the brake and I didn't swerve quick enough so I hit the bucket. It ripped the front fascia which ended up costing $1500 to replace.
That was 11 years ago and it still POs me.
Bill
That was 11 years ago and it still POs me.
Bill
Then she would have paid for the damage to the rear, not you pay for the damage to the front. Or you could have slowed to 50mph, as I have done before, and she wouldn't have wasted her time anymore.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Safety Harbor FL
Aggressive drivers
Same here on the west coast of FL. When I'm in my vette some jerk is always on my tail, when I'm in my P/U no problem. Inconsiderate, ignorant, brainless people are everywhere!
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Respect by Some and Antagonism by Others
It depends, I've had both, respect and antagonism. It depends on who is driving behind you and what they are driving. Everyone thinks their car is fast, until they actually get in a fast car and they ask "What was that?" That my good friend was torque and your car is incapable of producing it to that level. The more your car looks like a speed machine, the more they test you. My Lemans Blue C6 Z06 apparently gets the blood boiling of some young guns. Most of them assume an old fart is driving and they won't be challenged. But they don't know us do they? I've been driving performance cars 20 years before they were born.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
We didn't have this problem to the degree we have it today. Less people less cars, less congestion. Now we have different kinds of people on the road without insurance and license.Motorists have got more aggressive now plus there are just more idiots on the road now.
because you do hog up the whole road.Guest
Posts: n/a
Even though I should know better, I take a very immature approach about half the time that works very well. Here is how it goes. I'm driving at about 75-80, minding my own business, and some car with some idiot pulls up hard on my bumper, closing at 20-30 mph faster than I'm going. Like someone said, the person is usually young and on a cell phone.
I then downshift my 09Z to 3rd gear, find the open lane, go full throttle until red line, then shift to 4th and go full throttle for 5-10 seconds. I hit those nice 6 piston brakes and slow back down to 70-80 and look in my rear view mirror. About 1/4 mile back, I see a small speck in the distance. You know what, most have lost interest in pulling up on my bumper and I go my merry way. An occasional recalcitrant requires another dose or two and decides that repeated humiliation is best avoided.
I don't recommend this nor am I proud about my lack of will power, but I didn't buy a 500hp Z with the intent of letting crazy fools, driving inferior cars, not paying attention, get close to me and ruin my day.
PS: If you adopt this approach, a good radar detector and the phone number for your favorite defense attorney are highly recommended.
I then downshift my 09Z to 3rd gear, find the open lane, go full throttle until red line, then shift to 4th and go full throttle for 5-10 seconds. I hit those nice 6 piston brakes and slow back down to 70-80 and look in my rear view mirror. About 1/4 mile back, I see a small speck in the distance.
You know what, most have lost interest in pulling up on my bumper and I go my merry way. An occasional recalcitrant requires another dose or two and decides that repeated humiliation is best avoided.I don't recommend this nor am I proud about my lack of will power, but I didn't buy a 500hp Z with the intent of letting crazy fools, driving inferior cars, not paying attention, get close to me and ruin my day.
PS: If you adopt this approach, a good radar detector and the phone number for your favorite defense attorney are highly recommended.
Last edited by redZ06bri; Jul 10, 2010 at 08:48 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida Sunshine State
Tailgaters get left foot hard on brakes, then right foot mashed into gas pedal. If you time it just right you get to see cell phones fly, coffee spilled and jaws wide open. It may not be safe or polite, but it gets them off your a..
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Southington CT
See more playful challenges here in CT. Pull up behind then on side then take off as if you challenge you to catch them. Especially the custom hondas. Another think I have seen lately is people pulling close behind only to take pictures out the window or sun roofs.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Even though I should know better, I take a very immature approach about half the time that works very well. Here is how it goes. I'm driving at about 75-80, minding my own business, and some car with some idiot pulls up hard on my bumper, closing at 20-30 mph faster than I'm going. Like someone said, the person is usually young and on a cell phone.
I then downshift my 09Z to 3rd gear, find the open lane, go full throttle until red line, then shift to 4th and go full throttle for 5-10 seconds. I hit those nice 6 piston brakes and slow back down to 70-80 and look in my rear view mirror. About 1/4 mile back, I see a small speck in the distance. You know what, most have lost interest in pulling up on my bumper and I go my merry way. An occasional recalcitrant requires another dose or two and decides that repeated humiliation is best avoided.
I don't recommend this nor am I proud about my lack of will power, but I didn't buy a 500hp Z with the intent of letting crazy fools, driving inferior cars, not paying attention, get close to me and ruin my day.
PS: If you adopt this approach, a good radar detector and the phone number for your favorite defense attorney are highly recommended.
I then downshift my 09Z to 3rd gear, find the open lane, go full throttle until red line, then shift to 4th and go full throttle for 5-10 seconds. I hit those nice 6 piston brakes and slow back down to 70-80 and look in my rear view mirror. About 1/4 mile back, I see a small speck in the distance.
You know what, most have lost interest in pulling up on my bumper and I go my merry way. An occasional recalcitrant requires another dose or two and decides that repeated humiliation is best avoided.I don't recommend this nor am I proud about my lack of will power, but I didn't buy a 500hp Z with the intent of letting crazy fools, driving inferior cars, not paying attention, get close to me and ruin my day.
PS: If you adopt this approach, a good radar detector and the phone number for your favorite defense attorney are highly recommended.
Guest
Posts: n/a
I'm "Apache" a psycho dog
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 31
From: N.J.
Driving Vette's for years and has always been a problem iv noticed on the road.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Loves Park Illinois
I can assure your that I don't drive slower than the other traffic! It really doesn't matter if I am at the speed limit, above the limit, on a back road, the interstate, wherever; it's just out there in this area.
Had a chick in a small something, no idea what the car was.... one of the new micro cars from Ford or Kia who was really giving me the non-sense on a two lane 55 mph highway the other night. Her headlights right in my mirror, swerving around side to side, backing off then running up on me fast. I just pulled onto the breakdown lane and got her in front of me then put the super brights on her. She didn't seem to appreciate it.
Had a chick in a small something, no idea what the car was.... one of the new micro cars from Ford or Kia who was really giving me the non-sense on a two lane 55 mph highway the other night. Her headlights right in my mirror, swerving around side to side, backing off then running up on me fast. I just pulled onto the breakdown lane and got her in front of me then put the super brights on her. She didn't seem to appreciate it.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Port Washington NY
Maybe my C6, maybe not
I was in a tight parking lot today, waiting for a minivan to back up at 1mph. After pulling out, backing in my direction the van just stops, right in front of me, for 30 sec. I toot my horn. SLOWLY she creeps forward. I start to pull around her (she is now on my right) and she zooms ahead of me, giving me the finger. If I was in my '99 Expedition I would have considered ramming her.