Not Sure Whether to Complain or Compliment

[HawaiianShirts]

We took a drive to the coast this week to hang out with some grandparents. Had a great time, and even the drive was nice.

On the rural highways through the woods, I tend to stick to the speed limit. I'll drop to a slower speed for the sharp curves and get right back up to the limit again, but I rarely do anything faster than 5mph over the limit. I'm used to drivers who want to go faster riding my bumper until they get an opportunity to pass. I don't like them, but I'm used to them. When we come up to a passing lane, I'll drift to the right so they can pass on the left, roar off at their chosen cruising speed, and be rid of me forever.

This trip, I had a silver Corvette race up behind me. He was obviously speeding, probably for the thrill of going fast in a sleek and powerful car. I figured he'd be on my tail for the next 20 miles or so (we were on a stretch of road that I know to be full of twists and curves and not a lot of opportunities for passing). I was ready to deal with a tailgater.

But this guy backed off! Immediately! He caught up to me, seemed to take a moment to gauge my speed, then dropped back to a comfortable four or five car lengths behind. And he stayed there! After about eight miles or so, he found an opportunity to pass and went roaring past me like I was standing still.

So I guess I have to say to the guy in the Corvette, "You might want to slow down on some of those curves, but thanks for not being a jerk to the driver ahead of you.

[NecessaryCatharsis]

I vote compliment, but that may be because that's how I drive. Pick my speed, like to stick to it, get annoyed by people slowing me up, but I HATE tailgaters, and will patiently wait my chance to pass safely, from a safe following distance.

[Deserted]

Aside from the car I can't afford it sounds like me. If I'm on an out-of-town freeway, I'll go as fast as I'm comfortable with (and think I can get away with). But if there's a slower car ahead of me that I can't pass, I back off. WAY off. Not just a few car lengths, but several seconds' worth of travel.

[sms001]

I vote compliment, ...will patiently wait my chance to pass ....

Ditto for me, with the addendum that occasionally (time permitting) I'll skip the passing part. Why not, if the scenery's nice, or the company in the car, or the tunes; just take a few to relax.

[otakuneko]

"You might want to slow down on some of those curves, you're driving an American car with leaf spring suspension after all."

Fix't.

There's a small two lane road I take on the way to and from work each day. It has a few curves and rises. The entire thing is double-yellow lined, meaning no passing.

I do it anyway, when safe. Trucks get on that road frequently, and I admit, I get frustrated going under the limit.

[wolfie]

One time, many years ago, I was traveling significantly below the speed limit. Someone passed me, and I accelerated, matching his speed.

Explanation? It was at night in northern Ontario. I had been going at a speed where I wasn't overdriving my visibility, because I didn't want to encounter wildlife on the road. When the "moose absorber" passed me, I could go faster, since it was unlikely that a beast would jump out between the two vehicles. If a moose stepped out too close for HIM to stop, it would still be far enough for me to stop without adding to the wreck.

[Deserted]

One time, many years ago, I was traveling significantly below the speed limit. Someone passed me, and I accelerated, matching his speed.

Explanation? It was at night in northern Ontario. I had been going at a speed where I wasn't overdriving my visibility, because I didn't want to encounter wildlife on the road. When the "moose absorber" passed me, I could go faster, since it was unlikely that a beast would jump out between the two vehicles. If a moose stepped out too close for HIM to stop, it would still be far enough for me to stop without adding to the wreck.

Not a problem in Desert Hell. About the only things that enter the road here (aside from the usual dogs and cats) are birds, small critters, and coyotes. The first two generally don't let themselves become roadkill, and that third one I actively aim for. They're vermin. (What? It's not my car. )