The rear view mirror is your best friend!

[Kalispel]

Originally Posted by Idahotom

There is a port of entry just up from where this happened, 1/4 mile away, same lane, so semi's are pulling out at 45 mph all the time in the area. I'll be damned if I'm going to drive it 80, the speed limit. I was going a bit over 60, had the cruise set, and only bumped it off and fell to 58 or so about 100' before the downhill off ramp. Not only am I not going to cruise at 80, I'm not going to take the off ramp at 80 and then slam on the brakes. I get your point, (and why I use my mirror) but 60+ ain't too damn slow, the SUV driver was totally at fault. With the mountains in our areas often times the big rigs, including me when driving my crane, are lucky to maintain 45, so drivers like the one in that SUV have no excuse for running up someones tailpipe, other then inattention.

Yeah, I never understood people who fly onto off ramps (or down roads in general, weaving in and out of lanes) and then slam on their brakes right before every light. I take my foot off the gas a bit when I see a red light ahead (or when hitting an off ramp) and let my car slow itself down a bit on its own, and most of the time the light is turning green as I get to it (meaning I only have to drop to 2nd or 3rd gear and continue on my way). It saves gas, saves unnecessary shifting/clutch-wear, brake wear, etc. - but it sure does seem to piss off the aggressive primate drivers who just can't wait to get to that red light to slam on their brakes.