Road Rage Against Smart Car
Has anyone noticed that some drivers (especially of large pickup trucks) become quite aggressive behind your Smart Car? It doesn't seem to matter what lane I'm in or whether I'm moving with the traffic, some drivers don't seem to think such a small vehicle belongs on the road. I just smile and wave as they give me dirty looks and make ugly gestures because I'm loving my Smart Car!!!!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tori on -
Yes, it's some kind of mental handicap these people exhibit and I hate it so very much. At times it makes me want to mount rocket launcher on my fortwo.
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Permalink Reply by columbus on -
I have noticed that on occasion, also I notice that a couple of times when I parked in a parking lot someone in an old beat jalopy will park within an inch of my driver's side door
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Permalink Reply by Eric on -
Those with those big SUV's and pick-up trucks have always acted like kings of the road, but you are right that they are worse behind a Smartie. I recall one such jerk in a Porsche Cheynne, that person was on my rear the second we took off from a stoplight and when it came time for him to get on 95, he flew past me as if he was in a hurry. All i say to that is your gas wasted not mine.
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Permalink Reply by Alan Brask on -
I had what looked to be a 25-year old woman flip me off the other day... still can't understand what she was so angry about. She was driving a full-sized sedan (undoubtedly either belonging to her parents or because she couldn't afford something cool). I had the top down and the stereo on... maybe that just pushed her over the edge.
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Permalink Reply by Sue on -
I've had a few big trucks ride right up to the back end of max. It's somewhat intimidating, but we're not afeared. I think a few of them are just trying to see exactly what max is. The first time it happened, I was pretty nervous. They came within' a few inches of my back end and hung there for a few minutes. I was hoping I wouldn't have to break fast-I didn't want to end up on their hood!
I live in the bible belt of the south. I've had quite a few old bitties look at max as if it's a blaspheme of the car god. The look on their faces are too evil to believe. Do you all find that, too? Most people look, smile and have a question mark expression on their faces.
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Permalink Reply by Sher Orpen on -
Yeah, I've had BeBop for two weeks and have had a couple of similar occurrences. The most blatant one was someone cutting in front of me. I think it's a combination of a couple of things. First, others expect our smarts to be slow...because they're small. They don't realize the great pickup we have and how we can hold our own in the acceleration department just fine, thank you, so they figure they can go fast to get in front of us. When they find out they can't, they're committed and then some just cut in anyway. (I almost always shift myself because I can minimize that big hesitation 1-2 and 2-3.)
Second, though, I think other cars may be giving us the room they give everyone else, it just looks to us like it's not enough room because we're a lot shorter than we expect to be, given our experience driving larger cars. That one's just a theory so far. Still thinkin' on it.
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Permalink Reply by Elena on -
Perhaps she was listening to Rush Limbaugh who said Smart Cars were nothing but putt-putts that don't even have enough room for groceries and people who buy them only want to be seen in something different!
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Permalink Reply by Jessica on -
I have experienced the following rudeness:
numerous flip-offs, a sexual hand gesture (from car in on-coming traffic, at a stoplight), extreme tail gating, yelling ridiculous slurs, as well as the rude laugh & point (not to be mistaken with the amazed or happy laugh & point).
On a few of these accounts, I am not sure if it's the car or my Obama bumper sticker, but either way it's unnecessary. On the other hand, the good/fun/positive expressions are 90% of the time, so I just chalk the negative nancies up as them needing someone to take out their frustrations of their own lives on. I get Thumbs up constantly - still.
I DO get bright-lighted constantly - which isn't rude, it's annoying. My lows *are* on, mister, here are my brights!
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Permalink Reply by Hudson on -
It's most likely your Obama sticker!
Jessica said:I have experienced the following rudeness:
numerous flip-offs, a sexual hand gesture (from car in on-coming traffic, at a stoplight), extreme tail gating, yelling ridiculous slurs, as well as the rude laugh & point (not to be mistaken with the amazed or happy laugh & point).
On a few of these accounts, I am not sure if it's the car or my Obama bumper sticker, but either way it's unnecessary. On the other hand, the good/fun/positive expressions are 90% of the time, so I just chalk the negative nancies up as them needing someone to take out their frustrations of their own lives on. I get Thumbs up constantly - still.
I DO get bright-lighted constantly - which isn't rude, it's annoying. My lows *are* on, mister, here are my brights!
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Permalink Reply by Dave G. on -
I have had my smart for several weeks but haven't driven it too much because #1 I have another car and #2 winter weather has still been recently occurring in my area---N.E. Ohio. Now that the weather is getting better I have been planning to drive the smart more, but these experiences others are relating in this discussion have me concerned. I fail to understand why people driving can't just mind their own business and have respect and courtesy for their fellow motorists---this is how I drive, but I guess in this increasingly complex and me-first world I am in the minority. I hope that the situation doesn't become so bad that some of us--including myself--start to consider selling our smarts for fear of our personal safety. Where is law enforcement???
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Permalink Reply by James A Ballentine on -
Most of the time I just get smiles and thumbs up.
I have driven small cars since the 70's.
There is just some poeple that don't like anyone esle on the road.
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Permalink Reply by Sher Orpen on
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Aw, you're not in the minority. The vast majority of folks are respectful, pleasant, or downright friendly. Don't let a few odd ducks deter you from driving your smart. It's so fun! And no one can take that away from you! ;-)
Dave G. said:I have had my smart for several weeks but haven't driven it too much because #1 I have another car and #2 winter weather has still been recently occurring in my area---N.E. Ohio. Now that the weather is getting better I have been planning to drive the smart more, but these experiences others are relating in this discussion have me concerned. I fail to understand why people driving can't just mind their own business and have respect and courtesy for their fellow motorists---this is how I drive, but I guess in this increasingly complex and me-first world I am in the minority. I hope that the situation doesn't become so bad that some of us--including myself--start to consider selling our smarts for fear of our personal safety. Where is law enforcement???
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