Road Rage or Rudeness?

OK, So I am a grown woman, mom of 2, not on a cell phone, just minding my own business, driving the speed limit (or above) on the freeway. I see a space to change lanes, so I turn on my blinker and begin to get over. The guy in that lane decides to be a jerk and substansially speeds up, not allowing me to safely get over.

Why?



It's interesting to me how often this happens... when someone puts on their blinker in front of me, I coast a tad to let them in safely.

It's rare I even get a thanks.....



What is the mentality behind speeding up?

I'm not slowing you down, or ';winning';.

What has happened to being nice?Road Rage or Rudeness?
I've noticed the same thing. I think it's a combination of childishness, stupidity %26amp; rudeness.Road Rage or Rudeness?
For whatever reason, people seem to take overtaking or changing lanes in front of them as some sort of personal affront. It's odd, but I see it all the time. Someone is lolly-gagging and you move to overtake and suddenly they speed up like you've just offended them in some way.

It is irksome...
Key word here....guy....some of them cannot stand it if they think a woman is getting ahead of them...it's very rude.
there are alot of nice drivers but i guess you aren't lucky to see one.
Maybe he was following someone and did not want to have someone come between him and the other car. Also, I know of many times when there is a long line of cars approaching an exit and there are people who do not want to be in line try to get to the front in the other lane and force their way in. Some drivers are very tired of people not wanting to get into line and will refuse to let them in. This guy may have thought that was what you were up to.
There's just a lot of ******* out there.
OH!! I have to comment on this. We think the same exact way..I was driving down the interstate with the cruise on, when I came upon a pickup, I went around him and then got back in the outside lane. Then he sped up and came around me, then got in front of me, then evetually slowed down, when all of this time I have my cruise on, I haven't changed speeds. So when he slowed down I ended up having to pass him again.!!! I got passed him then he sped up again!, and passed me, this time he went like a bat out of hell and pulled away from me. I still had my cruise on this whole time. I can't believe the #@!#$ people out there driving.
I totally agree with you! If they had any education those time clock people would understand to get up earlier and allow for more time. Also getting on someones bumper only makes it more slow in the long run due to harsh breaking. If we left four car lengths ahead of our driving people could maneuver safely and save gas, energy, and time not to mention wear and tear on their vehicle. ie. brakes tires.
America is the most individualistic nation in the world. Because of this American's are the most individualistic people in the world. ';Almost every'; American sees his or her world through his or her eyes only and does not take into consideration the existence of others and their feelings, needs, etc. So, let's just say this...the guy that sped up to not let you in his space did so to not let you in his world per say. Americans like walking around in a self-contained bubble...nothing gets in nothing gets out. Then they are comfortable. This is a harsh interpretation of American individualism (I am an American myself and have just passed sixth year psychology with an A).
They're everywhere. I agree with the answerer who said it's some sort of affront to pass someone. I don't understand it at all.



Along those lines, I hate when you're in the middle of trying to pass a slow moving car, and another car comes flying up behind you, tailgates you and then flashes his headlights at you to get out of the way - it's like, can't you see there's a car in the other lane - I can't change lanes into it!!



And my favorite is when people feel they must speed past you on a 4 lane road in order to get ahead of you, and then you pull up next to them at a red light. I love that. Is that totally mean?
This world has become ';Its all about ME!!';

and thats sad sad sad :(
After many years of commuting in SF Bay Area traffic I have seen it all. Most guys are interested in only one thing...getting there first. Seems like the whole reason for their existence is to beat you, to win. It may be left over from childhood when boys are taught to compete at the physical level. Since they are in their very own personal space which they feel they have all the control...competition drives them (no pun intended) to win. Road rage is a very serious problem and I think your method in making room is the right way. Dont ever do it back to them..just let them go. More than one person has been shot just this short year on our freeways just because someone cut them off...Cut them off...wow! Just making a simple lane change these days is cutting someone off...Be careful and be kind.
Psychologically, these morons are allowing themselves to react to emotions the same way as if someone cut in front of them at a grocery store line. Also they have large but fragile egos due to very low esteem. They think by not letting you in, it gives them false sense of superiority and control over other people. In essence they are angry due to something that happened to them during their formidable years and it's a mask for deep rooted fear. Next time this happens, feel sorry for him/her. Normal humans are kind, helpful and has compassion for fellow humans.
I've always wondered about this as well. It's especially bad in Cali where everyone is always in a rush and always want to be first(resulting in road rage)---which is one of reasons I don't like to live there.