What to do after you almost run someone off the road...

Rally1 · 05-13-2003, 03:21 PM

Isn't there some kind of obligation to stop or slow down?

I was going home on PCH north just above Laguna. And this "lady" in a gold fireturkey drifted from the far right lane, all the way across 3 lanes, and was 5ft from crashing into the back of a car that was stopped to turn left in the 4th turn lane.

She suddenly woke up, and swung right into me, i could see the the water spots ont the car, it was 3ft from me. I swerved like a mad man to the right, and just escaped her hitting me at 50mph.

I was shook up, so close to being totalled, she just drove on like nothing happened! I pulled up beside her at the stop light, she hid he face with her hand. At least say i'm sorry for almost killing you! She finally looked over at me, click took a little picture of her with the throwaway camera i carry in the car... cant wait to get that developed.

I there anypoint in filing a reckless driving report?

I'm ready for a volvo!

Or at least a car mounted video camera....

crowbar · 05-13-2003, 03:23 PM

don't you have a cage in your car?

monovich · 05-13-2003, 03:26 PM

always use protection.

Rally1 · 05-13-2003, 03:26 PM

No i took the cage out to make room for my collection of sarcastic retorts.

Kean · 05-13-2003, 03:38 PM

Chalk it up as a test of your driving abilities.

She was probably more freaked out than you by the way you described her driving skills........or just clueless.

I had a similar experience in Lake Forest on El Toro & Rockfield. I was pulling up to a light and some lady swept across 2 lanes (almost rear-ending a slowing car in front of her) to swipe my empty lane. She came inches from broad-siding my car. I had to swerve into the left turn lane and jam on the brakes. As I pulled up behind her, she gave no acknowledgement of what she had done. I made the usual hand gestures and she just threw up her hands and laughed (yes......I said laughed). Needless to say I was boiling at this point. Anyhow, It's been about two weeks and I'm getting to the point where I can talk about it without getting angry.

I've been driving now for 19 yrs without an accident (knock on wood). I walked away from the incident feeling a little more confident since I was able to avoid a costly accident. You should be too. I'm glad you're alright.

Kean

Rally1 · 05-13-2003, 03:45 PM

I know, we should just be happy we are alright. But man i was pissed at the time, not that she drove so bad, but that she didn't at least feel bad about it. If she had hit that stopped car, at 50mph, she would be hurting, and i'd be the fool who would stop to pull her out of the car.

crowbar · 05-13-2003, 03:49 PM

i wasn't being condescending or sarcastic. i was just wondering if you had one. sorry it was taken the wrong way.

Rally1 · 05-13-2003, 03:54 PM

i can never tell

SR-71WRX · 05-13-2003, 03:56 PM

I had a similar experience in Newport... this guy in a blue WRX wagon with a europlate on the front bumper came flying out of a liquor store parking lot blaring 'twisted sister' and came inches from hitting me. I didn't get a good look at him because his face was hidden by some aviator glasses. He had his hand hanging out his window holding a 40oz "king cobra". I tried to avoid him by slowing down, but he slowed down next to me and yelled, "you shoulda gotten an srt-4". I was like... ''huh?'' Then he mooned me and yelled something about 1 dollar tacos. I don't know man.. some people shouldn't be on the road.

--rob

Kean · 05-13-2003, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rally1
I know, we should just be happy we are alright. But man i was pissed at the time, not that she drove so bad, but that she didn't at least feel bad about it.

Don't get me wrong. You have every right to be pissed. In a positive light, I think it's commendable that your were able to avoid the accident to begin with.

Rally1 · 05-13-2003, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SR-71WRX
I had a similar experience in Newport... this guy in a blue WRX wagon with a europlate on the front bumper came flying out of a liquor store parking lot blaring 'twisted sister' and came inches from hitting me. I didn't get a good look at him because his face was hidden by some aviator glasses. He had his hand hanging out his window holding a 40oz "king cobra". I tried to avoid him by slowing down, but he slowed down next to me and yelled, "you shoulda gotten an srt-4". I was like... ''huh?'' Then he mooned me and yelled something about 1 dollar tacos. I don't know man.. some people shouldn't be on the road.

--rob

hehe, i'm trying to whine here, please, dont liven it up with humor

SR-71WRX · 05-13-2003, 04:06 PM

I saw a cat's head get run over 2 nites ago..... I definately could've gone without seeing that one.

GimmeScoobySnacks · 05-13-2003, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SR-71WRX
I had a similar experience in Newport... this guy in a blue WRX wagon with a europlate on the front bumper came flying out of a liquor store parking lot blaring 'twisted sister' and came inches from hitting me. I didn't get a good look at him because his face was hidden by some aviator glasses. He had his hand hanging out his window holding a 40oz "king cobra". I tried to avoid him by slowing down, but he slowed down next to me and yelled, "you shoulda gotten an srt-4". I was like... ''huh?'' Then he mooned me and yelled something about 1 dollar tacos. I don't know man.. some people shouldn't be on the road.

--rob

Hey that reminds me of what happened to Snoopy and Gooseman in the O.T. forum...

Now this is no joke, i was driving home from work one night and i see a silver 2.5RS waiting to turn right from a side street (to my right). No other cars were behind me, and i was getting ready to wave as i drove by. (It's rare to see a GC8 for me so i was a bit excited) So i'm going about 45mph and just as i start to take my hand off the steering wheel to wave the dude pulls out and turns in front of me! I had to slam on my brakes so i wouldn't hit this moron! I was like "W T F?!? I just got cut off by another GC8, aint that some shiz." Anyway, like you guys, i pull up next to him at the next red light and he doesn't even look over. So i threw a soda can that i had in my car at his window and raced off!

monovich · 05-13-2003, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by crowbar
i wasn't being condescending or sarcastic. i was just wondering if you had one. sorry it was taken the wrong way.

I'm not sorry, but I'm glad you are ok, and I thought you hadd a cage from back in the day when the "check this out" thread was in full effect.

Rally1 · 05-13-2003, 04:55 PM

must be a different Rally1

mlambert · 05-13-2003, 06:16 PM

Happened to me twice in the same year. First I was driving a '90 corolla south on I-5 during morning traffic. Lady decides she wanted her car to be where mine was. Being that I was in the left lane I had nowhere to go but into the median or hit her. Hit the center divider so perfectly (at 65mph) that I nailed the edge of the wheel, like the lip. No other contact to the car as I basically just bounced it off the concrete divider, she had just enough room to pull into my lane, then I jerked it back into the lane.

The lady didnt even look at me until I started honking and flashing my brights. Then she got scared and took off like a retard, I gave chase for 15mins or so and gave up.

The second time I was somewhere east of LA, almost to the arizona border on I-10. Massive red suburban once again decides it wants to be where my wrx is. This time on the far right lane going east. I had to swerve completely off the road onto the dirt to avoid that collision and almost T-boned the side of an concrete underpass.

He didnt seem to care either until I pulled up next to him and called him and his wife vulgarities while waving my finger. Then he mouthed "sorry" and shrugged.

Rally1 · 05-13-2003, 06:26 PM

Where does the law stand on this, i mean i would think you would need witnesses so say they saw you get run off the road? Or if they dont actually hit you are they fee to keep going?

I am mattjk · 05-13-2003, 07:35 PM

Crazy old ricers!!! I guess that's how they did it in the 50's.

US2JDM · 05-13-2003, 07:40 PM

...I generally pull up next to them and empty my 9 into they dumass to finish the job.

somebody else · 05-13-2003, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rally1
Where does the law stand on this

I'm fairly certain that if the cop didn't see it, it's a waste of your time to report it.

So tell us: what did you do with that sudden build-up of adrenaline?!?!?

You must have been like jumping out of your skin!

--scott

Rally1 · 05-13-2003, 07:48 PM

I was just happy to be in one piece. I have mellowed ever since some fool slammed on his brakes for no reason and i rear-ended his car, and he did the insurance scam route.

That's why i carry a camera in the car, and stay away from fools. The logic was, she already ran me off the road once, i better keep away from her or she will do it again! If i was in the Talon I would have turned into her

Arnie · 05-13-2003, 10:14 PM

I've certainly had my share of "oops, didn't mean to cut you off there" situations. I always try to apologize with some kind of a gesture indicating I'm sorry and that I'm an idiot. If it were as bad as what you experienced (luckily never has been AFAIK

) then I would certainly roll my window down, take the verbal abuse and apologize profusely. And hope they don't have a gun!

As it is, I'm on accident #2 in one year. Both times someone has made a left in front of me and there was no way to avoid it. Lost my RS last year(broken bones, etc.) and now the wagon is in the shop for the next month. Defensive driving is so key in SoCal. But sometimes, there is only so much you can do. I believe if someone ran you off the road and made no contact and you swerved into something then you would be at fault for losing control of your car. Insurance would nail you. Drag.

Subayai WRX · 05-13-2003, 10:44 PM

Unfortunately, it is a no harm, no foul situation. Only if you crashed could you get report her for causing the accident. But again she only has to pay damages, since it is perfectly within the reason that she may not have had knowledge that she ran you off the road. Basically you have to prove she knew, like coming back and saying sorry, and so on.

Only if she actually hits you, and then goes on. Now that is of course hit and run, and carries a hefty fine/penality.

Unfortunately it always boils down do if you are driving a car you car about, and don't want to have to hassle with a body shop, then try and avoid the accident. But if you are feeling especially pissed about the car you are driving, then it's time to play bumper cars. But you have to make sure her million dollar lawyer can't get her out of it (like a rear-end collision).

Sucks all the way around.

turner · 05-13-2003, 11:09 PM

...hiding her face with her hand is good. They usually wave, and smile or laugh like aren't they the big sillies. The other day some guy in an RS rolled through a stop sign in front of me, and when I gave him the outstretched arms, palms up like, what, you don't have to stop at signs like the rest of us, he smiled and waved. Glad you're ok.

SFastWRX · 05-13-2003, 11:17 PM

Yeah, maybe hiding her face with her hand was her way of acknowledging that she had messed up - and kind of an implied apology.

Then again, I'm pretty free with giving people the ol' benefit of the doubt.

05-13-2003, 03:21 PM	#1
Rally1 * Banned * Member#: 20633 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PCH HB OC CA USA	What to do after you almost run someone off the road... Isn't there some kind of obligation to stop or slow down? I was going home on PCH north just above Laguna. And this "lady" in a gold fireturkey drifted from the far right lane, all the way across 3 lanes, and was 5ft from crashing into the back of a car that was stopped to turn left in the 4th turn lane. She suddenly woke up, and swung right into me, i could see the the water spots ont the car, it was 3ft from me. I swerved like a mad man to the right, and just escaped her hitting me at 50mph. I was shook up, so close to being totalled, she just drove on like nothing happened! I pulled up beside her at the stop light, she hid he face with her hand. At least say i'm sorry for almost killing you! She finally looked over at me, click took a little picture of her with the throwaway camera i carry in the car... cant wait to get that developed. I there anypoint in filing a reckless driving report? I'm ready for a volvo! Or at least a car mounted video camera....

05-13-2003, 06:26 PM	#17
Rally1 * Banned * Member#: 20633 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PCH HB OC CA USA	Where does the law stand on this, i mean i would think you would need witnesses so say they saw you get run off the road? Or if they dont actually hit you are they fee to keep going? Last edited by Rally1; 05-13-2003 at 07:36 PM.

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05-13-2003, 03:23 PM	#2
crowbar Scooby Specialist Member#: 14262 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Nice swing, Sir Phobos! Vehicle: The key is to hit really hard, with the bat	don't you have a cage in your car?

05-13-2003, 03:26 PM	#3
monovich Scooby Specialist Member#: 8124 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Denver, Colorado Vehicle: 1998 Old Grey Mule Regacy Rype R	always use protection.

05-13-2003, 03:38 PM	#5
Kean Scooby Guru Member#: 25187 Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: So. CA Vehicle: 2020 Forester 2010 Challenger R/T	Chalk it up as a test of your driving abilities. She was probably more freaked out than you by the way you described her driving skills........or just clueless. I had a similar experience in Lake Forest on El Toro & Rockfield. I was pulling up to a light and some lady swept across 2 lanes (almost rear-ending a slowing car in front of her) to swipe my empty lane. She came inches from broad-siding my car. I had to swerve into the left turn lane and jam on the brakes. As I pulled up behind her, she gave no acknowledgement of what she had done. I made the usual hand gestures and she just threw up her hands and laughed (yes......I said laughed). Needless to say I was boiling at this point. Anyhow, It's been about two weeks and I'm getting to the point where I can talk about it without getting angry. I've been driving now for 19 yrs without an accident (knock on wood). I walked away from the incident feeling a little more confident since I was able to avoid a costly accident. You should be too. I'm glad you're alright. Kean

05-13-2003, 03:45 PM	#6
Rally1 * Banned * Member#: 20633 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PCH HB OC CA USA	I know, we should just be happy we are alright. But man i was pissed at the time, not that she drove so bad, but that she didn't at least feel bad about it. If she had hit that stopped car, at 50mph, she would be hurting, and i'd be the fool who would stop to pull her out of the car.

05-13-2003, 03:49 PM	#7
crowbar Scooby Specialist Member#: 14262 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Nice swing, Sir Phobos! Vehicle: The key is to hit really hard, with the bat	i wasn't being condescending or sarcastic. i was just wondering if you had one. sorry it was taken the wrong way.

05-13-2003, 03:54 PM	#8
Rally1 * Banned * Member#: 20633 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PCH HB OC CA USA	i can never tell

05-13-2003, 03:56 PM	#9
SR-71WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 31335 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Mission Viejo, CA Vehicle: '09 WRX SR-71	I had a similar experience in Newport... this guy in a blue WRX wagon with a europlate on the front bumper came flying out of a liquor store parking lot blaring 'twisted sister' and came inches from hitting me. I didn't get a good look at him because his face was hidden by some aviator glasses. He had his hand hanging out his window holding a 40oz "king cobra". I tried to avoid him by slowing down, but he slowed down next to me and yelled, "you shoulda gotten an srt-4". I was like... ''huh?'' Then he mooned me and yelled something about 1 dollar tacos. I don't know man.. some people shouldn't be on the road. --rob

05-13-2003, 04:06 PM	#12
SR-71WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 31335 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Mission Viejo, CA Vehicle: '09 WRX SR-71	I saw a cat's head get run over 2 nites ago..... I definately could've gone without seeing that one.

05-13-2003, 04:55 PM	#15
Rally1 * Banned * Member#: 20633 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PCH HB OC CA USA	must be a different Rally1

05-13-2003, 06:16 PM	#16
mlambert Scooby Guru Member#: 13831 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 99 problems but a bitch aint 1	Happened to me twice in the same year. First I was driving a '90 corolla south on I-5 during morning traffic. Lady decides she wanted her car to be where mine was. Being that I was in the left lane I had nowhere to go but into the median or hit her. Hit the center divider so perfectly (at 65mph) that I nailed the edge of the wheel, like the lip. No other contact to the car as I basically just bounced it off the concrete divider, she had just enough room to pull into my lane, then I jerked it back into the lane. The lady didnt even look at me until I started honking and flashing my brights. Then she got scared and took off like a retard, I gave chase for 15mins or so and gave up. The second time I was somewhere east of LA, almost to the arizona border on I-10. Massive red suburban once again decides it wants to be where my wrx is. This time on the far right lane going east. I had to swerve completely off the road onto the dirt to avoid that collision and almost T-boned the side of an concrete underpass. He didnt seem to care either until I pulled up next to him and called him and his wife vulgarities while waving my finger. Then he mouthed "sorry" and shrugged.

05-13-2003, 07:35 PM	#18
I am mattjk * Banned * Member#: 36411 Join Date: May 2003 Location: I have my old screen name back Vehicle: I can be PM'd at "mattjk"	Crazy old ricers!!! I guess that's how they did it in the 50's.

05-13-2003, 07:40 PM	#19
US2JDM Scooby Guru Member#: 5893 Join Date: Apr 2001 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Fairport, NY Vehicle: 1997 Black GC4 1995 White BK6	...I generally pull up next to them and empty my 9 into they dumass to finish the job.

05-13-2003, 07:48 PM	#21
Rally1 * Banned * Member#: 20633 Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: PCH HB OC CA USA	I was just happy to be in one piece. I have mellowed ever since some fool slammed on his brakes for no reason and i rear-ended his car, and he did the insurance scam route. That's why i carry a camera in the car, and stay away from fools. The logic was, she already ran me off the road once, i better keep away from her or she will do it again! If i was in the Talon I would have turned into her

05-13-2003, 10:14 PM	#22
Arnie Scooby Guru Member#: 1725 Join Date: Jun 2000 Chapter/Region: International Location: Germany Vehicle: 2002 Subaru Forester SG silver	I've certainly had my share of "oops, didn't mean to cut you off there" situations. I always try to apologize with some kind of a gesture indicating I'm sorry and that I'm an idiot. If it were as bad as what you experienced (luckily never has been AFAIK ) then I would certainly roll my window down, take the verbal abuse and apologize profusely. And hope they don't have a gun! As it is, I'm on accident #2 in one year. Both times someone has made a left in front of me and there was no way to avoid it. Lost my RS last year(broken bones, etc.) and now the wagon is in the shop for the next month. Defensive driving is so key in SoCal. But sometimes, there is only so much you can do. I believe if someone ran you off the road and made no contact and you swerved into something then you would be at fault for losing control of your car. Insurance would nail you. Drag.

05-13-2003, 10:44 PM	#23
Subayai WRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 18589 Join Date: May 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Las Virgenes Cyn, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX, Formerly it was blue	Unfortunately, it is a no harm, no foul situation. Only if you crashed could you get report her for causing the accident. But again she only has to pay damages, since it is perfectly within the reason that she may not have had knowledge that she ran you off the road. Basically you have to prove she knew, like coming back and saying sorry, and so on. Only if she actually hits you, and then goes on. Now that is of course hit and run, and carries a hefty fine/penality. Unfortunately it always boils down do if you are driving a car you car about, and don't want to have to hassle with a body shop, then try and avoid the accident. But if you are feeling especially pissed about the car you are driving, then it's time to play bumper cars. But you have to make sure her million dollar lawyer can't get her out of it (like a rear-end collision). Sucks all the way around.

05-13-2003, 11:09 PM	#24
turner Scooby Newbie Member#: 35409 Join Date: Apr 2003 Vehicle: MY02 RS, 5MT	...hiding her face with her hand is good. They usually wave, and smile or laugh like aren't they the big sillies. The other day some guy in an RS rolled through a stop sign in front of me, and when I gave him the outstretched arms, palms up like, what, you don't have to stop at signs like the rest of us, he smiled and waved. Glad you're ok.

05-13-2003, 11:17 PM	#25
SFastWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 13379 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Los Angeles Vehicle: 2002 WRX I am Oz	Yeah, maybe hiding her face with her hand was her way of acknowledging that she had messed up - and kind of an implied apology. Then again, I'm pretty free with giving people the ol' benefit of the doubt.