On Tuesday, on the way through Ennis, I met a fella who is a bully.
I was traveling south on Main, between where the two railroad spurs cross it. The road here is about 25 feet wide with no lane markings- no center lane nor any fog lines. I was riding in the left tire track of a standard vehicle complying with the slow moving vehicle law.
Up ahead of me, a car began to overtake another car . (Both of them were going north.) After clearing the car he was overtaking, he began to return to the right side of the roadway.
Until he saw me.
Changing the direction of his lateral movement, he swung back onto my side of the road!
I held my lane position.After about half the distance between us closed, he adjusted his trajectory to pass within a foot of my left handle-bar. I would say there was about six seconds of time between his clearing the other car and passing me.
I spat on his windshield as he passed by, and I continued on my way. Within a few seconds the whole thing was out of my mind.
But our bully couldn't let such an insult go.So I continue on my way down Main, maintaining my lane position. A car overtakes me with due care and in a safe manner, completely on the other half of the road. No sooner had that car passed me then I was buzzed by our bully, again passing me within a foot.
I laughed. I'm sorry, but it just struck me as funny that someone who was so anxious to get to wherever he was going that he was over-taking slower traffic, suddenly has the time and inclination to "teach me a lesson" by backtracking more than two miles in order to do it.
CHAPTER 545. OPERATION AND MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES
SUBCHAPTER B. DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY AND PASSING
Sec. 545.051. DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY.
(a) An operator on a roadway of sufficient width shall drive on the
right half of the roadway, unless:
(1) the operator is passing another vehicle;
(2) an obstruction necessitates moving the vehicle left of the center of
the roadway and the operator yields the right-of-way to a vehicle
that:
(A) is moving in the proper direction on the unobstructed portion of the roadway
So our bully, in expressing his objection to my "arrogant" and high-minded lawful use of the public way, failed to drive on the right hand side of the roadway and he also failed to yield to my right of way. He violated Sec. 545.051.
Sec. 545.053. PASSING TO THE LEFT; RETURN; BEING PASSED.
(a) An operator passing another vehicle:
(1) shall pass to the left of the other vehicle at a safe
distance.
He also violated Sec. 545.053 by failing to provide a safe distance between me and himself when he overtook me after he turned around. He did not follow the path of the car ahead of him the did pass me with due care and in a safe manner. He very obviously and deliberately attempted to intimidate me with his car.
With this in mind, I accuse this motorist of violating Sec. 545.401:
545.401. RECKLESS DRIVING; OFFENSE.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person drives a vehicle in willful
or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.
Why is it possible for people such as this to keep their driving privileges?
As with most bullies, they try to avoid pulling such dimbulb stunts in front of someone that could get their driving license revoked...
ReplyDelete"I spat on his windshield as he passed by, and I continued on my way. Within a few seconds the whole thing was out of my mind."
ReplyDeleteFirst, I don't doubt for a moment that this dude was bad, and you were in the right. Second, don't you think the second pass may have been retribution for the loogie action?
Yes, had I meekly went on my way without spitting at him he would have continued his trip and not turned around. However, his second pass at me did erase any lingering doubts as to whether the the first head-on buzz was a deliberate act or just very poor driving.
ReplyDeleteIn the moment when he drove his car at me, he was challenging my right to be on the road. He did not expect me to hold my line, and he did not expect me to spit on him. It could've turned out much worse for him.
I am very pleased to see that you stopped in, Rantwick, as I admire your blog very much. I recommend it to anyone who is passionate about bicycling!
I, too, have used the loogie or clam tactically. I'm always amazed at how motorists who seem willing and eager to cover their vehicles with your blood show such offense at your saliva.
ReplyDeleteOuch! (ChipSeal examining his hat and wonders why it shrunk so quickly and painfully.)
ReplyDeleteI am honored to have a visit by cafiend who authors the excellent blog Citizen Rider at http://citizenrider.blogspot.com/ . I recommend everyone place his blog in your favorites folder!