How to ask the car in front to give way?

AmenoJaku — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 23:41:50 +0800

Intro:
I'm opening this thread to seek others' opinion on the topic.
A poll doesn't seem fit as i can't have an exhaustive priori for all possible opinions.
You're very welcomed to give your inputs/opinions and hopefully would lead to well-thought discussions.

The Story:
Past few days, due to some unavoidable work-related matter, i had to drive (rush) KL-Ipoh-KL, twice over the space of three days.
Normally nowadays, for long distance drive, i would properly plan my travels in order to avoid being 'rushed' driving to destination.
Ok, let's just put it that i had no choice but to speed (slightly faster than what i would normally do) my way back and forth.

So the route was the PLUS highway.
KL-Ipoh and back.
On a weekday, office hour.
Traffic was quite minimal, not sure how to describe but open enough for speeding.
My cruising speed was ~140-160 km/h.
Overtaking speed & at some straights ~160-180 km/h.
No stops.
Sometimes need to brake and/or slow down due to lane closure.
Or when another car/vehicle cut in in front of me. Fine, no problem.

From Jln.Duta-Ipoh Toll and back , only 5 vehicles overtook me. A Porche Cayenne, a Volvo S60, a Subaru Forester, an Audi A5 and a Ford Focus (current gen). They were definitely cruising <160km/h. I remembered them all as i was quite attentive on what car was coming through my rear-view mirror. Each time, I immediately moved to the left (once there's space) and let them pass. Didn't even get a single 'flash' or 'right-blinking signal' from them.

Thoughout the journey, i used the middle lane and right-most lane... but most of time had little opportunity/space to move back to left/middle lane as the speed between myself and others on the left was quite significant. I would appear like a crazy, zig-zagging drunk if i were to to immediately move back to the left lane everytime i overtake another car.

Other cars that i overtook were well-mannered as well. I just move up to them, keep about 2-3 car-length distance behind them, and they'll give way (move to the left once there's space) usually in not more than few minutes. Some were probably cruising 130-150, but gave way eventually, probably realizing i was present too long in their rear-view mirrors. A BMW F10 kept to his right lane quite a bit longer, maybe 5-10min, but ultimately gave way. I never tailgated closely, didn't flash or used indicator/signal.

Then, i met with these 2 cars, on 2 separate moment. A BMW E90 and a VW Passat B6. I came up to them from behind like i do with other cars. They refuse to budge. Never. Even when there's space on the left AND no other car in front of them. No way was given. Not for me at least. This BMW and Passat must have given way to the other 5 cars that overtook me... if not, i would've come up to their behind instead.

For maybe 10-15 mins i followed the Bimmer closely, but not to the point of tailgating. Didn't flash or blink my signal. He eventually move to the left but only because he was exiting to Tapah. So in principle, he never gave way to me. Why? He must have saw me on his mirrors. Is it because, despite driving faster i was merely driving a cheapo non-luxury car? I'm not allowed to overtake a BMW even-though you're going slower? Or didn't i give obvious hint that i want to overtake?

Sometime after that, i met up the Passat B6. He also never budged. I know this car is quite powerful, way more than the car i was driving, but he was cruising slower, hence why i met up to his behind. If he driving was faster, i wouldn't have come up to his behind or even meet him. This time i was a little bit less patient, affected from my annoyance with the Bimmer previously. Space opened up on the left lane a few times... he kept to the right. When there are cars on the left (but none in front) slowed down to around 130 km/h... like on purpose trying to annoy me further. For at least 10mins, he fvcked with me. Then suddenly an opening on the left.... I know on paper, his car can simply smoke mine like shit. I've overtaken from left before, but not from a starting 150-160kmh against a way more powerful car. If we weren't already going fast to begin with and he was just a stock 2.0NA or similarly powered turbo car eg. Preve, then i might have a chance. But, at that adrenaline moment, i simply didn't care and was already piss mad, imma gonna overtake him dangerously. Slammed hard of the pedals and made an overtaking manoeuvre from the left. Once i came up parallel to his left, he tried to counter by accelerating himself... as though not letting me overtake from left. But it was too late... as soon as i was in front... i swerved and cut-in right in front of him. I saw him shouting with arms raised (cursing maybe) from my rear-view mirror. A lady was at his side. I responded by waving my hand (in a cursing manner) at him though my rear-view mirror. Not sure if he saw it. Immediately afterwards, he slowed down a lot and disappeared from my mirror. His wife/gf probably consoled him and asked him to back off, to let it go. What was he doing holding me up like that? Playing? Want to show his girlfriend how powerful his car is (against an obviously shittier car) ?

Ok, the last move was stupid and i shouldn't let my temper get to me.
But it shows how being being playful or inconsiderate can provoke others or make them become irrational.

The Question:
I'll phrase the issue/question in several ways...
On the highways, at high speeds, where both of you are going faster than legal limit;
1. How do we, non-provocatively, ask/tell others to please give us way?
2. What is the 'acceptable' method/sign to let the one in front of you know that they are hogging the lane?
3. Which do you think is better? Giving subtle hints/signal or just be direct (don't be a sissy, tailgate him!!) ??
4. What gesture/signal (from the car behind) do you find offensive if you're the car in front? e.g. being high-beamed, flashed, being tailgated, etc.
5. What gesture/signal (from the car in front) do you find offensive if you're the car behind? e.g. being hogged, being cut-in, etc.
6. Is there an unspoken rule that says... cheaper/weaker cars shouldn't overtake more expensive/powerful cars? Is this provocative?

Do share your opinion. Discuss.

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How to ask the car in front to give way?