Freaking Out

The very first vehicle that got behind me when I left this morning, was a tailgater. A big black SUV. He was right on my butt for 3 miles or so.

I don't believe these people are distracted, or just "'not thinking"... I'm fed up with it, and I think they purposely do it. A-holes!! There was no reason he couldn't go around me. And I was already 8-10 over the speed limit. I'd speed up, and he'd speed up right behind me.

And that continued all morning long... Lots of tailgaters. The driving today was horrible. And it will only get worse because of the holidays approaching, and people become even more impatient and stressed-out. I see it every year around here. If I'm still experiencing this kind of "Prius hate" 6 months from now, I will seriously consider buying a used pick-up truck to drive around in. A "beater." Gas mileage be damned. I hate to give in to the jerks and thugs, but I want to enjoy a nice happy relaxing retirement! And not have to deal with a-hole Prius haters every day. (I don't ever recall getting tailgated or cut off, when I drove a Camry for 20 years.)

 

Maybe it's not the car you drive but where you live and maybe times have changed and people tailgate all vehicles more? Driving habits are FAR more patient and generous spirited up here in the UK.s Lake District than say around London. A VERY different world!

I still get tailgated but I reckon that's because I aim to stick to the speed limit (based on my actual speed reported by my phone Satnav not based on the Speedo which reads about 10% more than my actual speed). Many drivers even here seem to consider obeying speed limits to be deeply anti-social annoying etc etc, judging by their behavior. Maybe they are the tourists from London!

So maybe changing your car wouldn't help? Perhaps times and driving habits have just changed. I don't know. Roll on self driving cars I say!

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Yes, the time of day is a big factor. And certain parts of the city are worse than others. (and of course, some drivers are just idiots! But I already covered that.)

Somebody please explain, how did Prius drivers get such a terrible reputation? I was behind a Prius v wagon, and the guy was doing 25 mph in a 40 zone. And he was in the left lane. Is that why they get a bad reputation?

 

I'm going to step out here a little with my opinion. And I start this by saying again, its my opinion, completely open to discussion but not humiliation or responses totally aimed at attacking me. Lets just discuss this with the mature rational mindset we all have here at Priuschat.

When the Prius first came out, society considered it a "sissy" car. Even the name "Prius" was used in vulgar jokes and the like. And, to make matters worse and more judgmental, it was considered a car for the "rainbow" crowd. Thus more teasing and stupid thoughts ran crazy through our society. But the Prius proved itself beyond what anyone could have ever conceived. So, because the Prius was successful and gas guzzling american cars could not compete, labeling Prius owners became the rave. We are "veegans", we drive slow, we grow our own veggies at home, we drink tea and "lattes", we wear sandles, we wear sweaters (all year round).........and on and on the stereotypes go.

Then the "my brakes are stuck" phenomenon came out, totally trying to make the Prius a joke. That didn't work. I feel the Prius represents a change in attitude for the automotive community that some didn't want and still won't except. Other drivers see the car as the "enemy" to the regular driving experience. The type of vehicles that like to tailgate me are 90% truck drivers and SUV's, 10% other cars. The SUV and Truck drivers do insane manuevers to get behind me, just so they can tailgate. I haven't experienced this on a regular basis until I bought my Prius. I have to believe it is because of the Prius. Has any Tesla owners experienced this? I would guess not. It is assumed that a Tesla is fast and a Prius is slow. Well, now with the 4th Gen Prius, acceleration is even better.

So there you have it, my two cents. I really think SUV and Truck drivers need to get over it. Someone who is that worked up over someone driving a car they don't like ain't all there in the head.............and we need to steer clear.

 

Very well said, Montgomery. I've lived in "La-La Land" all my life, and I've never had any ill feelings toward the Prius, or Prius owners. I never even thought about it! I just consider it to be another good, reliable, economical car.

I don't know how all that "flower power" stuff got started. That's ridiculous. Yes, there may be some extreme environmental wackos, and some burned-out hippies that are driving a Prius... but they don't bother me. To each his or her own. I would never put somebody down, just because of the car they're driving. (I get angry at the WAY they drive... but not the vehicle they choose to buy.)

Have you guys ever looked on YouTube, and seen all the crazy Prius videos? Many are the fault of the Prius driver, and many of course are the fault of tailgaters and Prius haters. Weird stuff.

 

I think it's worse in the Prius, but I think the a-holes are like that to everyone. They just feel more dominant over the Prius.

On my commute there is a spot where traffic from two directions comes together, but each keeps their own lane. Shortly after there is an intersection where many need to take a left turn, so the people in the right lane need to get over quickly. Usually it is "each one let one" and traffic merges every other car. But this morning I watched a driver in the right lane squeezed out, the people in the left lane just wouldn't let him in. I go straight so as I passed by I gave a "one finger salute" as I was pretty disgusted. I haven't done that in years. Then i remembered I have a religious bumper sticker on the back, so I'm sure someone got a laugh.

 

I have done similar on narrow roads. It is an accepted practice to put flashers on, slow and stop. The opposing lane becomes the passing lane for the other car, and off they go. If there is an inlet that works also. The single lane foothill or coastal roads are especially places not to be tailgated.

 

Yes.

 

Are you being serious and saying all prius drivers drive like that? All prius drivers are individuals aren't they? There is no Prius driver driving style.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

I feel for you #PriusBro I live in Prius friendly minneapolis and Las Vegas want too bad. Don't sweat the small stuff! You will get used to it. I rarely get flashed by oncoming high beams and when I do I high beam them back (maybe they're just saying hi). Don't know what to do with the tailgaters but maintain the speed limit and be strong! Be comfortable on the road, put on some tunes and enjoy your ride.

 

It would be ridiculous to say that of course. But reputations get formed by samples.

 

I had this issue when I first got my car. There's post about it somewhere.

Anyway to make a long story short, I processed it as if I was riding my motorcycles (lots of bullying there if one doesn't ride like a hoodlum a-hole).

I installed a brake light modulator for the LED middle brake light and use it liberally, as in anytime someone gets too close, just tap the brakes and that bright LED light blinks for a few seconds (fast) then turns solid. Do that a few times and people tend to get annoyed enough to pass me. Good riddance.

 

lovely essence was last heard from on october 27th.

 

What happened to lovelyessence? No one seems to care. Who can enjoy driving their Prius when someone's missing? lovelyessence is in someone's trunk right now with duct tape over his mouth, AND he's freaking out about other peoples' headlights! We need a GoFundMe for our dear beloved #PriusBros

 

Please move to the right lane.

 

She probably went back to the dealer and got another car. Otherwise she's be here still talking about her prius c.

 

That's the thing about regret... it's a B.


iPhone ?

 

Bad move returning the Prius C! now lovelyessence is a lonelyessence

 

When that happens to me I just pull over and let the guy pass. I'd much rather have him in front of me than behind me.

On a freeway where you can't really pull over, I just stay in the right lane and slow down further and further until he moves to the next lane and passes. It never takes very long.

Although I gotta say that driving here in Vancouver BC I don't see that kind of behaviour all that often, and the behaviour I do see is split roughly equally between when I'm driving my Prius C and when I'm driving my Grand Voyager minivan. So I don't get the impression that the Prius C is being targeted specifically, I just think that there's certain percentage of idiot drivers that you need to contend with no matter what you're driving.

 

I just stay off the freeway lol.

Yeah it's not an everyday occurance, a pure Mad Max type. Just stay right, take it easy, keep your cool.

Cops told me, in a case like this, snap a cell phone pic. Yes, break that rule, get the guys plate, date stamped.