Back Road Rage

[theindependenteye]

On the way home from Fircrest Market, about 3:30 today (Friday), I stopped at the end of Lynch Road to turn right on Pleasant Hill. Two cars were coming from my left, and the first one was slowing and signaling for a turn onto Lynch, so I figured I could turn right. Wrong. The second guy, who was a pickup towing a small white box-trailer, wanted to keep on at 50mph and blared mightily, even though I was accelerating fast enough to give him plenty of distance. He blared some more, so I flashed my right blinker and pulled over to give him freedom to pass. So the mighty SOB deliberately clipped my left rear fender in thanks, leaving a grapefruit-sized ding, and peeled off with even more speed. I was too astonished to try to get his license number.

Gentlefolk, I have repeatedly been cussed out on Pleasant Hill just for slowing down enough to make the turn into our driveway, but this takes the cake. I pulled over to let the alpha dog know I was submitting to his need for speed, but he needed more. If you know any of these poor soul-deprived pissed-off guys, please do something nice for them, and maybe they won't have such a hard-on for violence.

Elizabeth Fuller

[DeadwoodPete]

Hi,

I used to live along Pleasant Hill and walked to Fircrest often. I had to be very careful because of the enormous speed of many cars and the disregard of pedestrians. Your story though takes it to another level. I suggest you report the incident to the police and you are welcome to add my stories to yours.

Bruce Gibbs

[phloem]

On the way home from Fircrest Market, about 3:30 today (Friday), I stopped at the end of Lynch Road to turn right on Pleasant Hill. Two cars were coming from my left, and the first one was slowing and signaling for a turn onto Lynch, so I figured I could turn right. Wrong. The second guy, who was a pickup towing a small white box-trailer, wanted to keep on at 50mph and blared mightily, even though I was accelerating fast enough to give him plenty of distance. He blared some more, so I flashed my right blinker and pulled over to give him freedom to pass. So the mighty SOB deliberately clipped my left rear fender in thanks, leaving a grapefruit-sized ding, and peeled off with even more speed. I was too astonished to try to get his license number.

Gentlefolk, I have repeatedly been cussed out on Pleasant Hill just for slowing down enough to make the turn into our driveway, but this takes the cake. I pulled over to let the alpha dog know I was submitting to his need for speed, but he needed more. If you know any of these poor soul-deprived pissed-off guys, please do something nice for them, and maybe they won't have such a hard-on for violence.

Elizabeth Fuller

I'm sorry to hear of your experience, yet another example of urban terror by those too stupid (arrogant, conceited, self-absorbed, psychopathic, etc.) to think and drive at the same time. Even if you did slow the driver down, physical retaliation for your mistake is unjustified. As a driver, I generally prepare for the quick right turn by drivers at intersections; not everyone has a great sense of speed or timing, and life is too precious to hold a grudge.

I walk and bike on west county roads a lot, and I am constantly on guard for ignorant, rude, dangerous, or malicious drivers. Too many people exceed the posted speed limits (and it's 25 mph if not posted), and I regularly see drivers ignore stop signs. I've had my shirt clipped by a passing car (its side-mounted rear view mirror) even as I stood off-pavement on the road shoulder. When I complained about a driver who forced me into the curb quite deliberately while I was bicycling on Jewell Avenue, the Sebastopol police did nothing, even though I provided them a license plate number and a partial personal description. The next time my life is threatened I won't bother with the whimsical nature of law enforcement to seek justice. Then they can ask me how the offender might have gotten a bike tire pump lodged in his throat.

Drivers who demonstrate disregard for pedestrians and bicyclists and other drivers need to be aware that I keep a log of license numbers and vehicle descriptions, and I will file complaints with the CHP and the Sonoma County Sheriff when I observe or experience the violations of repeat offenders. I get around on my legs and keep my eyes open for the offending vehicles. Break the law and jeopardize human life at your own risk, but be aware that I will not back down from your negligence and cowardice. The roads are public for everyone, not just those driving around in metal boxes!

[Bryan]

I wish people understood that the speed limit is the MAXIMUM one can safely drive.
It is NOT the MINIMUM. I really feel too many drivers tailgate aggressively. There is NO reason to do that!
Sorry this guy was such a punk !

[inezalea]

I
I'm very sorry. I can only imagine how vulnerable, isolated and shaken you must have felt.

It's mind-boggling and hard to absorb being singled out for anonymous violent attack on a road near your home in this way. And all the more so when being considerate, accommodating and respectful of others is second nature to you, and the ideal of a more humane system of values is in your blood.

[Marty M]

On the way home from Fircrest Market, about 3:30 today (Friday), I stopped at the end of Lynch Road to turn right on Pleasant Hill. Two cars were coming from my left, and the first one was slowing and signaling for a turn onto Lynch, so I figured I could turn right. Wrong. The second guy, who was a pickup towing a small white box-trailer, wanted to keep on at 50mph and blared mightily, even though I was accelerating fast enough to give him plenty of distance. He blared some more, so I flashed my right blinker and pulled over to give him freedom to pass. So the mighty SOB deliberately clipped my left rear fender in thanks, leaving a grapefruit-sized ding, and peeled off with even more speed. I was too astonished to try to get his license number.

Gentlefolk, I have repeatedly been cussed out on Pleasant Hill just for slowing down enough to make the turn into our driveway, but this takes the cake. I pulled over to let the alpha dog know I was submitting to his need for speed, but he needed more. If you know any of these poor soul-deprived pissed-off guys, please do something nice for them, and maybe they won't have such a hard-on for violence.

Elizabeth Fuller

Elizabeth,
I am sorry to hear that this happened to you. About five years ago something similar happened to me on Bloomfield Road. I noticed in my rear view mirror a truck I recognized. And I thought oh no, that really bad driver is behind me. The car in front of me stopped to turn left so I stopped. The truck tried to pass me, couldn't because the car in front of me was turning left, ran into the back of me and drove off. I filed a police report and turned it into my insurance co. About four months later I saw the truck parked and wrote down the license. Turned out he was wanted by the state.

This guy probably drives Pleasanthill Road often and maybe at about the same time each day. You will probably see him again. Hit and run is a serious crime. You should file the police report (CHP) right away.

I've thought for a long time we need a three way stop at Pleasanthill and Lynch. The county keeps track of how many accidents happen at an intersection. Maybe someone could draft a letter to Sonoma County Roads department. I would be happy to add my signature to it.

Marty

[podfish]

I know it's difficult, but don't react out of fear. Too many of you who are complaining about speeds on Pleasant Hill or Petaluma Drive have stories about pulling over or taking other (often illegal or unsafe - or at least unpredictable) actions to allow the miscreants to proceed unimpeded. Take your right-of-way. Drive the speed limit. Stop for stop signs. You're helping preserve your community by doing so - you're helping teach the wacko drivers that their tactics won't work. Otherwise you're reinforcing bad behavior and it'll only get more common. It's extremely rare that someone who's driving aggressively is actually any danger to you - and when given a choice of acting bravely to help preserve community values, you should do it. Note that you only got hit -after- you pulled over. Sure it'd be easier if people drove with patience and kindness, and the police were everywhere to make sure that misbehavior was crushed. But take responsibility for doing what you can to establish driving norms.

[spam1]

. Too many people exceed the posted speed limits (and it's 25 mph if not posted),

Not that it makes it OK to hit you, but:
CVC 22349.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person may drive a vehicle upon a two-lane, undivided highway at a speed greater than 55 miles per hour unless that highway, or portion thereof, has been posted for a higher speed by the Department of Transportation or appropriate local agency upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey. For purposes of this subdivision, the following apply:
(1) A two-lane, undivided highway is a highway with not more than one through lane of travel in each direction.
(2) Passing lanes may not be considered when determining the number of through lanes.
(c) It is the intent of the Legislature that there be reasonable signing on affected two-lane, undivided highways described in subdivision (b) in continuing the 55 miles-per-hour speed limit, including placing signs at county boundaries to the extent possible, and at other appropriate locations.



And he likely crossed a double yellow line. Probably also illegal. Hit and run is always illegal, and another poster had a very good idea of staking out the road, as the guy will probably drive by it again.

[podfish]

Not that it makes it OK to hit you, but:
CVC 22349.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person may drive a vehicle upon a two-lane, undivided highway at a speed greater than 55 miles per hour unless that highway, or portion thereof, has been posted for a higher speed...

uh, that's not the only applicable code. I don't know if that was your intention, but the way you presented this makes it sound like CVC 22349 allows 55 mph on all two-lane roads. The conversations on this thread have all been about roads posted for speeds between 25 and 45. The posted speed on Pleasant Hill is 35 at the point in question.
Did you have some other point you were trying to make here???

[spam1]

The posted speed on Pleasant Hill is 35 at the point in question.
Did you have some other point you were trying to make here???

I'll try to be more explicit in my post: The previous poster stated "it's (the speed limit) is 25 MPH if not posted". That is not correct outside of city limits, where CVC 22349 applies.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person may drive a vehicle upon a two-lane, undivided highway at a speed greater than 55 miles per hour unless that highway

If there is another vehicle code that applies to rural roads, I'd be happy if you cite it. I do not believe that unposted rural roads have a 25 mph speed limit.

I'm sorry if it was insufficiently clear that this applies to unposted speeds. I was not intending to say that posted speeds do not apply to the roads that they were posted on. I'm hope this is sufficiently clear.

[Karl Frederick]

I disagree with Podfish's recommendation. As the person on the spot, Elizabeth was in a better position to know what to do. It seems to me she realized the pickup driver was dangerous and did the best thing she could have -- she tried to avoid him. In so doing she reduced the danger to herself, the aggressor, and other traffic. If she had not made room for him to pass, he might well have taken it anyway, with much worse consequences. Her first responsibility was to survive, and to avoid an accident if possible, not to enforce the other driver's compliance with traffic laws.

I know it's difficult, but don't react out of fear. Too many of you who are complaining about speeds on Pleasant Hill or Petaluma Drive have stories about pulling over or taking other (often illegal or unsafe - or at least unpredictable) actions to allow the miscreants to proceed unimpeded. Take your right-of-way. Drive the speed limit. Stop for stop signs. You're helping preserve your community by doing so - you're helping teach the wacko drivers that their tactics won't work. Otherwise you're reinforcing bad behavior and it'll only get more common. It's extremely rare that someone who's driving aggressively is actually any danger to you - and when given a choice of acting bravely to help preserve community values, you should do it. Note that you only got hit -after- you pulled over. Sure it'd be easier if people drove with patience and kindness, and the police were everywhere to make sure that misbehavior was crushed. But take responsibility for doing what you can to establish driving norms.

[The A Team]

Rage-filled, dangerous drivers seems to be the norm here. Everyday, whether on bike or car I am aware that it is a fearful gamble to be on the roads.

When I lived in Washington reckless drivers weren't tolerated and are viewed as revenue.
I know the CHP and local police departments are understaffed but... if they relentlessly ticketed this behavior the $$ would be helpful. Also, my view is people here drive homicidally because they know they can get away with it.

[Imagery]

Rage-filled, dangerous drivers seems to be the norm here. Everyday, whether on bike or car I am aware that it is a fearful gamble to be on the roads.

When I lived in Washington reckless drivers weren't tolerated and are viewed as revenue.
I know the CHP and local police departments are understaffed but... if they relentlessly ticketed this behavior the $$ would be helpful. Also, my view is people here drive homicidally because they know they can get away with it.

Unfortunately, there are people here who make it a point to complain about "speed traps" and "traffic enforcement" as if they are bad things. I've suggested that SPD could hire and pay for 4 traffic enforcement officers simply by enforcing the traffic laws on Main Street near the gas station. The other day, I was in traffic and a driver was weaving in and out like he had to have "pole position" - passed a few cars so closely, they had to hit the brakes to avoid being sideswiped.

[Tecumseh525]

About 5 years ago on Vine Hill Road I was run off the road by a pickup towing a trailer full of lawn/garden tools. Caused me to loose control of my motorcycle on a curve (he was driving too fast and half into my lane as I came through the curve). I was thrown off the bike and bounced off an oak tree and ended up with broken leg, ankle, ribs and was knocked unconscious. The driver never even stopped. A guy in a car saw it all but didn't get the license #.

Its several years later now and I just spend the 4th of July camping with friends and could barely get around using my cane and my back hurt so badly I was in pain most of the time. Bet the driver of that truck wasn't hurting, eh?

A report was filed with the CHP who showed on the scene, and in my opinion ALL hit & runs should be reported. I'm really glad that you took the initiative and the results worked out to get another unsafe driver off the road.

I've noticed lately that people seem to automatically assume that they'll be given permission to pull out into traffic so they just go ahead and wave "thanks" and then cut into a line or turn in front of oncoming traffic. Pedestrians just step off the curb expecting moving traffic to suddenly screech to a halt, cars don't let pedestrians or bikes have enough safe consideration. These days too there are more and more "swoop & squat" set ups that involve a fender bender and your insurance company will shell out thousands on these scam artists' false injury claims. A person at an intersection will wave you through, then when you go, they or another car working with them will hit you and claim they never waved you on through.

As a person who walks, bikes and drives I heed the rules of the road dependent upon how I'm traveling and attempt to be a considerate and cordial participant user of our roads and sidewalks and trails. We do need to direct attention to problem individuals and if taking down their license plate will help, then make the effort. We could post our own video of bad drivers in the county....might shame some of them into paying more attention.

Elizabeth,
I am sorry to hear that this happened to you. About five years ago something similar happened to me on Bloomfield Road. I noticed in my rear view mirror a truck I recognized. And I thought oh no, that really bad driver is behind me. The car in front of me stopped to turn left so I stopped. The truck tried to pass me, couldn't because the car in front of me was turning left, ran into the back of me and drove off. I filed a police report and turned it into my insurance co. About four months later I saw the truck parked and wrote down the license. Turned out he was wanted by the state.

This guy probably drives Pleasanthill Road often and maybe at about the same time each day. You will probably see him again. Hit and run is a serious crime. You should file the police report (CHP) right away.

I've thought for a long time we need a three way stop at Pleasanthill and Lynch. The county keeps track of how many accidents happen at an intersection. Maybe someone could draft a letter to Sonoma County Roads department. I would be happy to add my signature to it.

Marty