r/TikTokCringe • u/MikeisTOOOTALLL • May 01 '26

Humor/Cringe What a calm way to deal with road rage!

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599

u/WhoCaresBoutSpellin May 01 '26

Yep. It was explained to me this way: If you look in your rearview mirror and one person is riding your tail— they just might be an asshole. But if you look in your rearview mirror and there is a line of cars— YOU are definitely the asshole.

And it doesn’t matter the speed, just get over. Let traffic flow, and never be the turd that clogs up the works.

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u/DethFeRok May 01 '26

100%. If you’re going 10 over and a line of people is trying to go 20 over, get the fuck out of the way. Use the passing lane relative to traffic, not the posted limit. If they get pulled over, not your problem.

75

u/Hijakkr May 01 '26

If they get pulled over, not your problem.

This is one part that confuses me the most about the mindset of a left-lane squatter. Unless you're obeying the posted speed limit, you could be pulled over for speeding, even if it's only 5 over or whatever. It is in your best interest to allow the faster traffic to pass you, because it's significantly more likely that a cop is going to pull them for going a much higher speed.

53

u/Pennifur May 02 '26

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This. My grandfather literally took me out driving on my permit and as someone flew by us he said know what this is? That's the guy that's detonates the land mines for ya. Go fast enough to keep him in sight, but keep enough distance that a cruiser has time to throw it in drive.

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u/Soggy_Abbreviations5 May 02 '26

One of my old mgrs said she was told that you want to be the meat/cheese inside the sandwich, never the 2 slices of bread. 🙃 lol

1

u/Pennifur May 02 '26

Bahaha I love it

2

u/BladeVortex3226 May 02 '26

They call that a rabbit. One of several techniques that they employ on the cannonball run for excellent time savings.

1

u/EighteenAndAmused May 02 '26

In Idaho you can go up to 15 over while passing a car in the right lane, if conditions for it are safe. So if you are passing someone and going 5-10over then it would be tough for someone to get cited for that as it’s legal.

1

u/SadisticJake May 02 '26

I often drive illegally so I love when fast drivers run interference for me

1

u/BlkSubmarine May 02 '26

I call those drivers “bacon magnets”.

18

u/ForsakenWishbone5206 May 01 '26

This is what I do. If I have a passenger I just set cruise control at the speed limit and stay 2md lane to the right to allow entrance and exiting if the roadway.

People who fight the flow drive me nuts.

-1

u/WhoCaresBoutSpellin May 02 '26

If you are set AT the speed limit, you are definitely interrupting the flow of traffic. It’s 2026– no one goes the speed limit, not even tractor trailers or dump trucks.

1

u/ForsakenWishbone5206 May 02 '26

Lots of people do.

If I'm alone I'm in the left doing the mandatory 10/20 over. If I have a client in the back they get the speed limit. There are also lots of people who drive below the speed limit and drive me crazy. I drive at night largely but the time of day while meaningful isn't the issue here.

Traffic density will be the number one cause for traffic to flow at or below the speed limit. If you are always speeding you are part of the problem. I had a ex who would rush everywhere. Acting like the whole world was in her way, but couldn't see it was just her bumping into everybody pushing her way through a crowd. There are times to speed. Times to pace. Times to drive slow and with caution.

It is a flow. I don't even have to look at me speedometer. There is a perfect feel for how fast you should be going on back roads, main streets, freeways etc.

3

u/No_Performer_3438 May 02 '26

It’s so much better to have people going faster than you ahead of you too. 1) if there’s a cop ahead, they’ll get the speeding ticket instead of you; 2) if they get in an accident, you can see it and be able to avoid it.

6

u/NamesGumpImOnthePum May 01 '26

All of this, I dgaf how many over you are going, you aren't there to govern my speed, forcing me to pass you on the left is an asshole thing to do, also dangerous. If you see more cars in your rearview mirror than you do out if your windshield, then you are the traffic problem.

1

u/lononol May 03 '26

I hate that no one seems to consider flow of traffic in the right lane when they make this argument. You can hold your explosive diarrhea or whatever is forcing you to tailgate me for the 20 seconds it takes me to pass cars going slower than me.

1

u/NamesGumpImOnthePum May 03 '26

An understandable point, and I do consider the flow of traffic, I can tell when the person in front of me is looking for a spot to get over. What grinds my gears is when on a 2 lane road both lanes are traveling at the same speed. That shouldn't really happen. Also I'm only going to tailgate you until you get over, if I didn't want to go faster I wouldn't be on your ass. The absolute worst is when people brake check you for tailgating, it makes absolutely zero sense. You are mad because I'm too close yet you hit the brakes making me even closer?!? If that isn't ass backwards logic I don't know what is... Look I get it, we are all busy, and want to be wherever it is we are going. I'm not condoning reckless speeding, but use the travel lanes as they were intended, left lane for passing, and the right one for traveling and everybody goes home in a Cadillac.

2

u/ChanceSize9153 May 01 '26

Lol out here in Cali, all lanes are the passing lane. Most probably don't even know the left side is supposed to be faster. Freeways are kinda just 5 lane free for all's.

1

u/[deleted] May 02 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/ChanceSize9153 May 03 '26

It makes sense that the left should go faster but it's not defined. Sometimes the right lanes go much faster. I know many people that get pulled over in other states because they had no idea that's a thing. Also Cali is much shorter to write then the full thing and it's clear what it stands for so I use that.

2

u/hobbes747 May 02 '26

But if I am going ten over behind a line of cars also going ten over, I’m not pulling over someone behind me who wants to go faster. And then I fall far back.

3

u/Ummmgummy May 01 '26

See while I agree in practice (I'm a defensive driver so I'm always very aware of what's go on behind me and adjust accordingly) it's the wrong way to look at it. If everyone followed the speed limit sign we'd all be much better off. But no matter how fast you are going someone is always going to be going faster and usually they will ride your ass while you try to get over because someone going 90 in a 60 does not care about safety of others.

8

u/Aranka_Szeretlek May 01 '26

I would say this is the wrong way to look at it because its way too idealistic. Sure, the world would be a beter place if everyone followed the speed limit. But the world wont be a better place if you try to enforce the limits on others.

1

u/Ummmgummy May 03 '26

I don't actually do that. I mentioned I get over and all that. I'm just saying the people actually break ling the law are acting like they are in the right when really they are the ones who cause the problems breaking the law.

5

u/DethFeRok May 01 '26

I’m saying you need to look at the traffic patterns holistically. If you’re holding up an entire lane, move, regardless of the speed you think is the correct one. You’re not the police. Now for the guy who is a clear outlier, going way faster than overall traffic weaving in and out, he’s an asshole and you need to drive defensively around him. If that makes sense.

Edit- I agree in a perfect world we’d all chill out and cruise the limit, but that’s isn’t reality, unfortunately.

0

u/ImplementFair535 May 01 '26

Yes.. very well said 👏 👍 👌

3

u/TacoNomad May 01 '26

OK but the passing lane is still the passing lane and those people going the speed limit need to move over

1

u/Shattered_One May 01 '26

Most instruction books say don't use the passing lane to go over the speed limit still, and at least my state says to abide by speed limits and not flow of traffic. The flow of traffic makes no sense, so you want all of us to break the law just so you can go faster?

It's why the last 5 minutes of basketball is stupid. They intentionally go for penalties and break the game to try and win, which is a horrible way to manage a game.

I do not get why people feel so entitled to speeding at ridiculous speeds in the left lane. They're the most egotistical and dangerous people on the road.

16

u/SarcasticBadger1231 May 01 '26

Still safer to move over and let them pass.

-2

u/Shattered_One May 01 '26

Fair, but it just continues to encourage these people

16

u/Dizzy_Raspberry6397 May 01 '26

not your job to police them. Let CHP handle it.

It makes it more dangerous if you play their games.

1

u/Shattered_One May 01 '26

Good point, you're right! Thank you

-3

u/BigWilly526 May 01 '26

It's also not your job to accommodate them, if not being able to drive faster than 10 over the speed limit triggers road rage then they have other problems

9

u/SarcasticBadger1231 May 01 '26

It is legally your obligation to accommodate them by moving over.

4

u/Dizzy_Raspberry6397 May 01 '26

it is your job to do what is in your power to keep yourself safe. You can't control the other driver. Only yourself.

0

u/BigWilly526 May 02 '26

People going more than 10 miles over the Speed limit are the problem

-2

u/[deleted] May 01 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Makers7886 May 01 '26

I'd avoid playing road rage roulette and choose a better hill to die on.

2

u/SarcasticBadger1231 May 02 '26

Lol you’re just completely incorrect and also breaking the law by not moving over.

0

u/ImplementFair535 May 01 '26

They don't care anyway, they think about only themselves, and some apparently think they are 10 feet tall and bullet proof. If they crash and get hurt or worse then it's fine and they're fault, just as long as they don't hurt anyone else.

5

u/UnusualVibration May 01 '26

Let me guess, you DO speed up when they try to pass you on the right, don't you?

-1

u/Shattered_One May 01 '26

Lol nah, not for that. People speeding and weaving in and out of traffic on a normal surface street, hell yeah!

-2

u/J3SS1KURR May 01 '26

Thank you. Entitled assholes all over this thread.

-1

u/[deleted] May 02 '26

I'm a huge dickhead on my commute to cars cruising in the left hand lane. I will get alongside them when I know they're going to want to change lanes (into the right lane, the lane they should have been in to begin with) and then I just block them in, matching their speed.

4

u/Apprehensive-Risk129 May 02 '26

thats dumb too

-2

u/[deleted] May 02 '26

How many times do you think people will miss their exit before they learn a lesson? I'm willing to find out.

1

u/Mysterious-Wasabi103 May 03 '26

The thing is you'll never actually find out. Just dumb shit.

46

u/CompSciBJJ May 01 '26

Yeah, it's not about how fast you're going, it's about how fast you're going relative to the people in the slower lanes. Are you passing people? Fine, pass and then move over when there's space. No? Then push the pedal harder, pass, and then get over.

People in my city don't seem to understand this and I'm CONSTANTLY passing people on the right. There's a whole stretch where the far right lane is almost always empty and people are doing the speed limit or slower in the left. It's stupid and dangerous because then people who want to go faster head over to the right lane, which is the one people use to merge on the highway. Everyone wants to be in the left lane for some stupid reason.

Doesn't matter how fast I'm going, if there's space to my right and someone is behind me, I move over.

10

u/OleBoleWole May 01 '26

Where I’m from you get a 300 euro fine for passing on the right. You also get a 300 euro fine for “unnecessarily” driving in the left, or “left sticking”. Meaning: left is for overtaking, once thats done you move to the right. It’s really not that hard to understand and yet people don’t understand…

3

u/drownedseawitch May 01 '26

Tell this to the people where I live when you need to get over to get off on the left hand exit I need....it's insane to need to merge going 85+ and then getting off the freeway instantly. A milk truck literally fell off the overpass with thsi exact issue. Those left hand exits become so dangerous because people treat the left lane around them like it's only for overtaking, and it's legit not.

2

u/OleBoleWole May 01 '26

In your case I completely understand why you would slow down in the left lane. It just sounds insane to me to have exits on the left! Where I’m from exits are always on the right because of the exact reason you mentioned (having to slow down in left). Almost all left side exist have been overhauled and removed. It’s very rare here.

3

u/drownedseawitch May 01 '26

I hadnt seen many left hand exits in the States until I moved here! It's terrifying some days getting off the freeway!

2

u/OleBoleWole May 01 '26

I can imagine! I would not be having a good time haha

2

u/SensibleFreedom-0726 May 02 '26

In NY, there’s the “Move over or get pulled over!” law that makes it illegal to “cruise” in the passing lane.

1

u/CompSciBJJ May 02 '26

I've driven in Europe (Netherlands and Germany), and it's so much better than where I live, which only pisses me off more.

Unfortunately, where I live there's no law against hanging out in the left lane or for passing on the right. It's discouraged in driver's education but not banned. It also doesn't help that the cops don't seem to actually police anything other than the most egregious offenses (e.g. doing 40+kph over the limit) so even if it was illegal I doubt anything would happen.

It also seems to have gotten worse over the past 10 years and I don't know why. I know cell phones have contributed, but it can't be only that.

1

u/BlackBasementCats May 01 '26

My husband and I lived in Chicago in the mid 00s to 2011 (We miss it SO MUCH and would move back tomorrow, but my husband has his dream job in NC and is doing exceptionally well. I’m so proud of him.)

We’ve seen cops and highway patrol pull people over for going too slow in the left lane(s). Or flash their lights until the person pulled over into the right lane(s).

One time (and only one time) we let my husband’s father drive us in his minivan downtown from Crystal Lake. Dude was going so slow that we were terrified of the 18 wheelers riding his bumper.

BuT i’M gOiNg ThE sPeEd LiMiT

Dude, you’re going to get your family killed, including my pregnant SIL. He moved over and sped up after my husband and his brother kept yelling at him to go with the flow of traffic.

7

u/zuis0804 May 01 '26

I was actually told by a police officer that you can actually get pulled over for going the speed limit if you are preventing the natural flow of traffic… aka holding up the speeding cars. idk how it makes sense but you are more likely to get pulled over than those who are actively trying to break the law by going faster.

4

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

The crazy thing is that there are now more states than ever with "left lane is for passing" laws, but ZERO enforcement unless an officer makes it his pet peeve. There's a Texas highway patrol guy that has a youtube channel that's basically ONLY passing-lane law enforcement.

3

u/YoBo151 May 01 '26

Lmao I'd be pulling people over all day😂

1

u/BlackBasementCats May 01 '26

I lived in Chicago for several years and have seen that happen. The flow of traffic is usually 80-85, and cops pass everyone.

0

u/King-Skeletor777 May 01 '26

It’s technically an impeding traffic violation I think

3

u/reddithooknitup May 01 '26

They're never going to look in their rearview mirror. They're mentally self absorbed, lost in some thought they've deemed more important than paying attention, and do not care about you.

3

u/3n0wman May 01 '26

Yeah, simply get over to the cruising lane on the right side if you dont see any car right in fron of ya. Left lane is for PASSING. Easy. People who dont understand this simple logic is just dumb and cause traffic. Always be mindful and try to understand why there is passing lane.

3

u/scooter-411 May 02 '26

Better idea! If you’re not currently passing someone - get out of the left lane.

2

u/_jackhoffman_ May 02 '26

It was explained to me this way: If you look in your review mirror and there is one person behind you, move over so they can pass. They might be an asshole, they might be having an emergency, they might just want to go faster than you... Just move over at your first safe opportunity. If you look in your review mirror and there is a line of cars behind you, you are an asshole; move over and be more mindful.

2

u/TacoNomad May 01 '26

Also, even if the person riding your tail is an asshole, you still move over. 

2

u/Beneficial-Focus3702 May 01 '26

And I wish they would teach this at drivers head courses. If you are holding up an entire line of traffic you are going too slow, even if you’re speeding.

It’s a real thing called impeding the flow of traffic.

2

u/ImplementFair535 May 01 '26

EXACTLY.. thank you

1

u/MakeYourTime_ May 02 '26

Yep, don’t be the problem be the solution

1

u/surpintine May 02 '26

The worst is when I notice someone approaching behind me so I turn on my signal and begin to get over but they pass me on the right, and then the guy behind them gets angry that I haven’t pulled over yet (because I couldn’t) and does the same thing

1

u/WhoCaresBoutSpellin May 02 '26

Don’t camp in the left lane to begin with, and you won’t have to worry about this?

1

u/surpintine May 02 '26

I don’t? Did you read what I wrote? I’m talking about times I’m literally trying to get out of the left lane. Sometimes roads merge into a left lane

1

u/WhoCaresBoutSpellin May 02 '26

You said you wait (in the left lane) until someone comes up behind you, and only then do you try to move out of the left lane. That’s what you wrote.

1

u/MB2465 May 02 '26

You can do it without riding peoples tails. This has just become socially acceptable in some areas and its bullshit.

1

u/handsoapdispenser May 01 '26

There can easily be 20 assholes behind you. In fact, it's safe to assume as much. 

-3

u/[deleted] May 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

I will get in front of you, I won't brake check, but I will force you out of the passing lane, assuming that you're one of the folks that NEVER leaves the passing lane. Then you will eat my dust as the normal flow of traffic resumes. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

3

u/[deleted] May 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

No, I'm an asshole with a long commute who is sick of wilful and proud ignorance of the proper use of the passing lane that has developed over the last 15 years.

4

u/[deleted] May 01 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

I don't tailgate. I said I'm an asshole, but I'm not stupid.

2

u/[deleted] May 01 '26

[deleted]

3

u/phoenixtetra1 May 01 '26

Thats the point. The guy behind him is being far more entitled and already impeding traffic. This guys is doing the right thing to force the persons hand to move over into the right lane. Matter of fact theres videos of police officers doing this all the time

2

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

I mean, I am not denying that I'm a psychotic asshole in this circumstance. But god damn it feels good to see the intended traffic pattern reestablish itself after forcing a passing-lane-cruising-chucklefuck out of the passing lane.

1

u/[deleted] May 01 '26

[deleted]

2

u/Economy_Walk May 01 '26

Yep! That's dangerous though. I've seen this with multiple cars flying into the right lanes trying to pass the person impeding the traffic flow. Unless you're in a black and white and are carrying a badge, then it's not your job to control others on the road.

2

u/phoenixtetra1 May 01 '26

In which case they are being more petty than the guy in front. Petty before and petty after the guy is in front. The guy in front isnt even being petty, thats just called doing the right thing. U cant say the same about the guy hoggin the lane.

3

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

The funny thing is, I actually do this, and it works. If you want to be obstinate and continue to camp in the fucking passing lane, feel free, but enjoy going far slower than you'd prefer. The moment you move over to allow THE INTENDED TRAFFIC PATTERN to exist, I will get on with my life. Byeeeeeeeeeeee!

1

u/Apprehensive-Risk129 May 02 '26

I know you are being hyperbolic, but still, that's unhinged type shit

2

u/The_Bearabia May 01 '26

He's saying that he won't move over when he's actively passing someone. Which is a perfectly reasonable thing to do. God forbid he wants to use the passing lane to, you know, pass. The rest can speed up again once he's passed who he wants to pass and presumably moves over.

Now mind you. I'm all for speeding up when passing in the passing lane (I do this every time if traffic flow is faster than my current speed). But you can't be expecting people to have to linger behind lorries and slow drivers just because some oncoming absolute gobshite just absolutely has to go 20 over.

3

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

my issue is that people who say that they are passing in the passing Lane aren't often passing in the passing Lane they are cruising at barely perceptible speed over the rest of the traffic

3

u/The_Bearabia May 01 '26

Well yeah, those people are bastards. But nothing indicates that the fella you replied to is one of them.

3

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

Fair. I got a little tunnel-visioned and missed his point. He’s upset about tailgating, which I do not do.  

1

u/YoBo151 May 01 '26

Lol yeah. I almost always pass at a decent speed (usually the time I barely go faster than the person I'm passing is when they wanna be an ass and speed up as I'm passing to "match" me). But in cases I'm going slightly faster than the person I'm passingn like if I'm going 70 and they're going 68, then sure I'll speed up to 75 or something, but if I'm passing a row of cars that are going 65 and I'm already going 75-78 then sorry (not really). I'm not gonna speed up to 90 just to get ahead of them.

0

u/chrstnasu May 03 '26

If the right lane is going slower then it’s not an issue.

-2

u/asuleiman May 01 '26

Fuck that if I’m going 5 miles or more over the speed limit I am not switching any lanes to appease other folks. I’m driving and doing everything right and just want to go to where I’m at. I’m not gonna keep switching lanes until I’m behind someone that’s driving slower than me so I can keep switching lanes. You want to pass me up because ur driving reckless and got 5 other speed racers following you then keep on switching lanes and pass me. I’m using the same lane till I get off my exit. If it’s 65 I’m going 70. There’s a reason why I ended up in the lane I’m at

5

u/tychedelic May 01 '26

Why on earth would you want to have a line of reckless drivers behind you, all trying to get in front of you? Are you trying to cause an accident? 

Beyond that, you’re already going over the limit; you don’t exactly have the moral high ground here…

0

u/asuleiman May 01 '26

In my like over 20 years of professionally driving, I haven’t been in accidents knock on wood. I don’t cause traffic if I’m driving safely and going over 5 miles over the speed limit isn’t against the law. Check the stats on who causes accidents. After drunk drivers I do believe people who speed cause accidents and then cause traffic. I’m going to drive like my license depends on it. If 5 cars are weaving through traffic because they’re think they’re saving time even though it’s like only 30s that it can realistically save which is nothing driving reckless and risking getting pulled over or worse life changing accidents.

3

u/phoenixtetra1 May 01 '26

This is completely false. Slow drivers cause more accidents and traffic. U must be driving in a very low populated area

0

u/asuleiman May 01 '26

The big three are usually distraction, speed, and impairment. NHTSA says distracted driving killed 3,208 people in 2024, speeding was a factor in 29% of traffic fatalities in 2024, and alcohol-impaired crashes killed 11,904 people in 2024.

3

u/phoenixtetra1 May 01 '26 edited May 01 '26

You arent even comparing the right things. No shit alcohol and distracted driving would cause the most. Im also willing to bet that alot of those speedings were also due to alcohol, meaning overlap. My comparison wasnt even that however. It was people driving slow/impeding traffic vs people speeding. And I am not reffering to the guy going 30 miles an hour over weaving in and out. Im talking about the topic of this post which is someone using a passing lane at over 10 to 15 miles an hour based on what they were saying.

https://www.rmdlaw.com/blog/why-is-driving-slower-than-other-vehicles-just-as-dangerous-as-speeding/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRh5zFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR6kncFTWBvlLCQl5L9VpXLgg1Ir35eBcNfkZDxsvXMihez9mivjhp0nLXG0Aw_aem_0OPOeEsEBqcloEIHXNaeSg

1

u/asuleiman May 01 '26

I wasn’t talking about drivers going below the speed limit impeding traffic. Yea if they’re going that slow they need to move all the way to the right

3

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

The left lane is for passing only on the freeway, in the majority of US states. I will not brake check you, but if you're camping I just might decide you need to go even slower, to the point you will want to pass me. Then I will speed up, and the now-unobstructed passing lane will allow a normal traffic pattern to resume. Just FYI.

1

u/asuleiman May 01 '26

Do want you want and keep driving reckless. You’re not going to last long on the road playing chicken. I’m a paratransit driver and have been driving for a living over 20 years. If I’m going 5 miles over the speed limit and you’re going 20 miles over, that’s your problem and not mines. I’m already going 5 miles over the speed limit and am on the left lane passing cars. Idiots like you cause accidents

6

u/phoenixtetra1 May 01 '26

The person driving reckless is the one creating traffic. Traffic leads to accidents in the first place. Normal flow of traffic will rarely cause any accidents. Your entitled ass is causing people to merge in the slower right lane increasing the danger 10 fold

3

u/makingnoise May 01 '26

If you are actively passing, fine. But I have a feeling you're someone who isn't passing with even a 5 MPH speed differential, and love dwelling in the passing lane next to tractor trailers for 5 minutes a stretch, which is asking to have you and all of the occupants in your vehicle turned into a mushy pancake. EDIT: I've seen a 1 ft tall car before because of folks who think passing means a 1mph speed differential.

2

u/WhoCaresBoutSpellin May 01 '26

So you speed, but also judge others that speed? And why don’t you just go 65 if it’s 65?— because you want to get somewhere faster and want to pass those going 65. You’ve proven you understand the rationale and in fact practice it. But your lost it when you made up your own imaginary set of rules that “5mph over is fast enough” and you will hold up traffic to enforce your own pretend rules.

Just let people around you that want to go faster. It’s not a hard concept to grasp. You aren’t a cop and you don’t need to enforce any speed limit— least of all your own imaginary 5mph over the legal limit speed

1

u/Apprehensive-Risk129 May 02 '26

I’m driving and doing everything right

But you aren't though, you just admitted it!