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Unbelievable agression on bridge

Started 4 months ago by amalia
Latest reply from JanS

amalia
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6:40 AM, a person in a shiny dark sports car of the sort preferred by middle-aged men deeply in mid-life crises, cut me off on the bridge, almost hitting me, I blew the horn and they moved back into the right lane. When I passed, this idiot jerked his car toward me, trying to hit me! Really! I later realized they were trying to shove me into the jersey barrier. Thanks to the person behind me for being alert when I slammed on the brakes.
.
I assume now it was a stolen car. He sped off, weaving into traffic, then crossed the double white lines to cut off a truck and get onto I5 N. I dialed 911 but must not have pressed the call button. Lic plate 076--- (maybe that will get removed, I'm not sure of the rule there), sports coupe of some sort (I skipped my mid-life crisis, so I don't know what kind).

Posted 4 months ago #
Jiggers
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What's up with all the angry rants about drivers here now..lol Maybe a troll? WSB check please.

Posted 4 months ago #
rico
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Jiggers, have you been on the roads much?

Posted 4 months ago #
JoB
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unfortunately, this is not so unexpected these days:(

Posted 4 months ago #
Jiggers
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rico...everyday bro.

Posted 4 months ago #
amalia
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Rant? Jiggers, did you read it? Or are you justing being a troll?

Posted 4 months ago #
Kimberley
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Amalia - perhaps it should still be reported to the police. Can't they caution drivers if identifying information is given?

Posted 4 months ago #
Jiggers
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I'm a troll...

Posted 4 months ago #
amalia
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Kimberly-
Yeah, the only reason I didn't is that I don't know what kind of car it was. Even when I got hit by a car, the police claimed that they couldn't follow up because I couldn't describe the car or driver although I had the license. Utter BS, I know.

Posted 4 months ago #
datamuse
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Jiggers: because people still drive poorly? Was that a trick question?

Posted 4 months ago #
365Stairs
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There are cameras on the bridge that should have caught this...

Posted 4 months ago #
WSB
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The cameras, the city says, do not record, and the imagery is not kept.

Meantime, yes, it is against our rules to use full plates or addresses or names that could be used to identify a specific person who is not charged with something, so I removed the last three digits.

At this rate, to Jiggers' point (I don't believe either he or Amalia are trolls - he's been participating on the site as long as I can remember!), we're going to need a separate section for CALLING OUT BAD DRIVERS or something like that!

TR

Posted 4 months ago #
GoGo
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So what are the cameras for, decoration?

Posted 4 months ago #
HelperMonkey
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maybe this is the same guy?

http://westseattleblog.com/forum/topic/angry-man-in-black-bmw-z4

Posted 4 months ago #
SarahScoot
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"So what are the cameras for, decoration?"
It's for streaming traffic information for DOT purposes. They make the camera images publicly available so citizens can monitor traffic congestion.

Posted 4 months ago #
365Stairs
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Memory is hazy...but when there was a police murder investigation going on regarding suspicious activity on the bridge at night a year or so ago...weren't the cameras used to aid in determining suspects? Again...hazy memory.

Either way...I understand that it would take a huge amount of storage space to save all the images...but simply streaming video is useless if you have to go in that direction anyway...

Posted 4 months ago #
SarahScoot
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"but simply streaming video is useless if you have to go in that direction anyway"
Well, then I guess all traffic reporting is useless. Many people do have some flexibility, though. They can see that the bridge is backed up due to an accident and choose to leave for their destinations a bit later. Or they may choose a different route. If I need to drive to Shoreline, for example, I can scope out traffic cams to determine whether my best route will be I-5 or 99.

Posted 4 months ago #
Bostonman
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I would have just let him run into the side of my car. Then he would need to exchange papers and it would be his fault. He would need to have his precious car in the shop to get fixed and I would get a free rental.

I have dealt with this many times on the bridge and on 99. If you are expecting to just motion your car over to my lane and I am there you picked the wrong car to try that with.

Posted 4 months ago #
amalia
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There was no time to consider the merits (?) of letting myself get hit (and there's no way this driver would have stopped). I'm a very cautious driver, which is why I had half an eye on this lunatic anyway (he had moved back into that right lane awfully fast after cutting me off the first time), and really, this was outrageous. Honestly the most aggressive (violent, in fact) act I've ever witnessed in 25 years with a drivers license - including in NYC.

Posted 4 months ago #
kootchman
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No harm no foul. SPD won't review the film.

Posted 4 months ago #
JoB
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bostonman...

assuming your care would be the only casualty would be a mistake...

you may think bumper cars on the freeway is good sport but i am guessing your body wouldn't agree with you...

not to mention the pile up that would occur behind you... if you were lucky.

bank shots on bridges don't usually have a good outcome :(

Posted 4 months ago #
datamuse
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Nah, he's just from Boston, that's all. ;)

Posted 4 months ago #
cwit
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Bostonman - your insurance rate must be high if you've truly let people sideswipe you many times. At the same time, I'd hate to be in a scenario where I swerve to avoid a reckless driver and end up sideswiping someone else.

Posted 4 months ago #
JoB
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cwit..

guess what your insurance says about that?

creating an accident because you are avoiding an accident is still your fault:(

Posted 4 months ago #
cwit
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JoB - Correct, that's why I'd hate to be in that scenario.

Posted 4 months ago #
Bostonman
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Actually its not my fault if he hits the side of my car or if the front of my car hits him anywhere the middle or front of the side on his car.

I haven't had an at fault accident in 13 years or a ticket of any kind in 5 years. If I am occupying a lane someone can't just push you over. The fact that if you cause an accident while avoiding one is only more reason to just let the crazy guy run into you. Then grab a witness and file a claim.

Posted 4 months ago #
Bostonman
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I have ran into 3 instances in the last year or so where while I was in traffic some ass wanted to come up the left or right lane and cut me off. Both times I didn't let him in, rolled down my window and told him to just run into me if he doesn't like it. Otherwise stop driving like an ass.

Posted 4 months ago #
singularname
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Why not just let people merge?

Posted 4 months ago #
SeekingEuros
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Bostonman - you sound like the BMW Z driver that many are commenting. I agree with singular name. Pay a little courtesy forward. Traffic might flow a bit easier.

Posted 4 months ago #
JanS
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lol...singular name...have you heard how bad Boston drivers are? I'm sure Bostonman is very nice, just getting used to a city that has blocks and not circles, I suppose. Give him time :D

Posted 4 months ago #
datamuse
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People here merge? From what I've seen, they just come into your lane without checking to see whether their speed matches yours or there's adequate room.

Posted 4 months ago #
CandrewB1
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Someone in a Z4 is likely to be heavily insured and also have a lot to lose. I'd let him hit me. Even in the crosswalk episodes, take advantage of his lack of emotional restraint. Again, I'll take a couple of punches for $50,000. I'd make sure he learns how the world actually works. Someone in a rusted out Escort however, I'll give him a wide berth.

Posted 4 months ago #
Ken
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While it may have changed since I left, there is only one rule followed by every Boston driver.

Most expensive vehicle yields right-of-way.

All other rules, lights and signage are considered "advisory".

I drove a '71 checker cab (every panel hammered out) with railroad tie bumpers and winches fore and aft and never had a lane changing dispute in the 5 years I drove a cab there.

Drivers here seem to have inordinate faith in airbags and insurance.

:)

Posted 4 months ago #
datamuse
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Y'all are making me miss Boston, y'all.

(I only drove there once, years after I moved away from New England. It was a rental, so who cares?)

Posted 4 months ago #
kootchman
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I am always a perfect driver. I never make a mistake. I always change lanes correctly, am always driving the right speed, when out in the 67 Dodge 3/4 ton Power Wagon with 33" "mudders" .. nary an argument. Half bondo, primer, dents, and all steel frame.

Posted 4 months ago #
kootchman
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Remember the good old years.... when everyone had a winter "beater" ... like 58 Buick Century or Pontiac Chiefan? The only rules of the road were mass trumps silly things like merge lanes?

Posted 4 months ago #
JanS
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hey, Kootch...go out and play in the snow for a while. Then practice your merging. For goodness sake, life is not a free for all...

Posted 4 months ago #
kootchman
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Humph... you are no fun at all Ms. Jan.

Posted 4 months ago #
JanS
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you have no idea how much fun I can be, Kootch...after all, I did suggest playing in the snow ;-)

Posted 4 months ago #