IS THE DARK HORSE ROAD RAGE BAIT?

[Papo]

I‘ve had my Dark Horse with the handling package for only a couple of months. With the cold temperatures, the rain and the snow here in Pennsylvania, the break-in process has been going slowly and I’ve only been able to put in ~350 miles. So far. in the few times I’ve taken it out, i’ve been gentle, keeping the RPMs below 4000, but still driving reasonably at the pace of traffic. But still, I‘ve found myself tailed by aggressive drivers who come right up to my rear bumper, almost bumping me, even when there is nowhere to go because of traffic. One time, after tailing me bumper to bumper, a Ford F-250 passed me aggressively on the right. Another time, a Volkswagen SUV that was also following me bumper to bumper went into the oncoming lane to pass me and the two cars in front of me while we were at a red light. On another occasion, another SUV pulled the same stuff, after following me aggressively, he gunned his engine and switched lanes to pass me on the right after I had signaled that I was merging into the right lane, almost causing a collision.. But it hasn’t been all negative. Several times I’ve gotten thumbs up and “nice car dude”, but in the few times I’ve taken it out, I‘ve definitely gotten some hostile vibes. Have any other Dark Horse owners out there gotten similar vibes?

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[Starship Enterprise]

I've lived driven all over south Jersey and PA. It's just the awful people that drive on the roads. It has nothing to do with your car. I used to commute daily on I 95 and just knew I'd have at least 3 horrible road encounters on the way to work and 3 more coming home. Just awful people.

anyone from that area that is offended, then just consider yourself the 10% that are courteous drivers. Other than that, you know what I'm talking about....

 

[Ewags81]

drivers do suck these days but our cars do seem to bring the "Jeff Gordon" out of other drivers around me, even when cruising responsibly.

 

[smurfslayer]

First, get a 2 channel video camera. 2nd, NEVER be a road obstacle. Ever. I was on my bike one time about 15 years ago, and while going about 12-15 over the limit, and passing another car I was being tailgated closely during the pass. This guy was in a serious hurry. Still, I don't like tailgaters.
We both got stopped at the next light, despite his vastly superior pace. I really wanted to give him a piece of my mind, and didn't - not that I would have had the chance, because he ran the light and turned into Alexandria hospital ER entrance. You never know when someone is having a legit emergency vs. just being impatient.

Anywhere in the 13 colonies is seriously overcrowded and that brings out the worst in drivers.

 

[Skye]

My car will attract negative behaviors and reactions from time-to-time.

- Large truck and SUV owners that have something to prove

- Those who resent others owning these cars. For whatever reason, they don't have one. And they hate that

- People who want to prove that their 12 YO Volvo or Tercel is just as capable

- Others cannot stand to be passed, no matter how graceful and friendly you try to maneuver around them

- Some see the car as an opportunity to haul ass. Extreme tailgating is the result

- US drivers as a whole are driving more angry and more aggressive than ever before

- In-general, 30% of drivers are operating their vehicles in an impaired status (illegal drugs, alcohol, mis-use of prescription meds, medical and physical impairments, age, mental issues, etc.). With millions of drivers on the road, that can make a rather large group by itself

I do my best to avoid all of that.

- I can control my actions. I cannot control others'. Overall, I practice avoidance and non-confrontation. Getting me, my passengers and the car home safely is paramount

- I'm always looking for an exit route. I'm always playing what-ifs if something goes negative

- I maintain gaps to other vehicles as best possible

- I look at the position of my vehicle and ensure I'm not resting in someone's blind spot. Or they are not sitting in mine. People don't use signals any more. I don't think many drivers know what a blind spot is. I either accelerate past or slow down to avoid those. And any mis-understandings. Or accidents

- No spirited driving when in traffic or around other vehicles. It's safer, draws less attention

- I signal for everything

I see myself as something of an ambassador, for motorsports in-general and Mustangs in-particular.

- I never drive aggressive amongst or towards anyone

- When in traffic, I attempt to be as accommodating as possible

- Bike in the bike lane or kid nearby? I move way over and slow down

- Person in or waiting at crosswalk? I stop. In my state, it's the law. You'd be surprised how many just drive right past without so much as a glance. Person looking to cross the road, even without a crosswalk? I stop and wait, if possible

For about as many negative reactions I receive, I get ones that are positive. A wave, thumbs up or neck-twisting look.

 

[TMR]

My car will attract negative behaviors and reactions from time-to-time.

- Large truck and SUV owners that have something to prove

- Those who resent others owning these cars. For whatever reason, they don't have one. And they hate that

- People who want to prove that their 12 YO Volvo or Tercel is just as capable

- Others cannot stand to be passed, no matter how graceful and friendly you try to maneuver around them

- Some see the car as an opportunity to haul ass. Extreme tailgating is the result

- US drivers as a whole are driving more angry and more aggressive than ever before

- In-general, 30% of drivers are operating their vehicles in an impaired status (illegal drugs, alcohol, mis-use of prescription meds, medical and physical impairments, age, mental issues, etc.). With millions of drivers on the road, that can make a rather large group by itself

I do my best to avoid all of that.

- I can control my actions. I cannot control others'. Overall, I practice avoidance and non-confrontation. Getting me, my passengers and the car home safely is paramount

- I'm always looking for an exit route. I'm always playing what-ifs if something goes negative

- I maintain gaps to other vehicles as best possible

- I look at the position of my vehicle and ensure I'm not resting in someone's blind spot. Or they are not sitting in mine. People don't use signals any more. I don't think many drivers know what a blind spot is. I either accelerate past or slow down to avoid those. And any mis-understandings. Or accidents

- No spirited driving when in traffic or around other vehicles. It's safer, draws less attention

- I signal for everything

I see myself as something of an ambassador, for motorsports in-general and Mustangs in-particular.

- I never drive aggressive amongst or towards anyone

- When in traffic, I attempt to be as accommodating as possible

- Bike in the bike lane or kid nearby? I move way over and slow down

- Person in or waiting at crosswalk? I stop. In my state, it's the law. You'd be surprised how many just drive right past without so much as a glance. Person looking to cross the road, even without a crosswalk? I stop and wait, if possible

For about as many negative reactions I receive, I get ones that are positive. A wave, thumbs up or neck-twisting look.

Good advice. A little courtesy goes a long way.
I used to get my hackles up about stupidly aggressive drivers, but now I let them by so I can do my thing. At best they find the cops ahead.

I will say that driving a low convertible vs my regular truck has made me more aware of/sensitive to other drivers on my bumper. I have never been a tailgater, and when I have a tailgater I increase following distance to give a safe margin in case of hard braking.

I did discover a manual with the exhaust in track backs off Escalades on 2 lane roads with bumper to bumper traffic.

 

[D/\rK•650]

I‘ve had my Dark Horse with the handling package for only a couple of months. With the cold temperatures, the rain and the snow here in Pennsylvania, the break-in process has been going slowly and I’ve only been able to put in ~350 miles. So far. in the few times I’ve taken it out, i’ve been gentle, keeping the RPMs below 4000, but still driving reasonably at the pace of traffic. But still, I‘ve found myself tailed by aggressive drivers who come right up to my rear bumper, almost bumping me, even when there is nowhere to go because of traffic. One time, after tailing me bumper to bumper, a Ford F-250 passed me aggressively on the right. Another time, a Volkswagen SUV that was also following me bumper to bumper went into the oncoming lane to pass me and the two cars in front of me while we were at a red light. On another occasion, another SUV pulled the same stuff, after following me aggressively, he gunned his engine and switched lanes to pass me on the right after I had signaled that I was merging into the right lane, almost causing a collision.. But it hasn’t been all negative. Several times I’ve gotten thumbs up and “nice car dude”, but in the few times I’ve taken it out, I‘ve definitely gotten some hostile vibes. Have any other Dark Horse owners out there gotten similar vibes?

It must be the hat. LOL . When i wear my white,black/snow camouflage jungle hat people react badly to it. Not sure why. Did you have that hat in your profile Pic on?

 

[D/\rK•650]

Jokes aside. Im serious about the hat thing it does happen.

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

I've lived driven all over south Jersey and PA. It's just the awful people that drive on the roads. It has nothing to do with your car. I used to commute daily on I 95 and just knew I'd have at least 3 horrible road encounters on the way to work and 3 more coming home. Just awful people.

anyone from that area that is offended, then just consider yourself the 10% that are courteous drivers. Other than that, you know what I'm talking about....

CT, NY, NJ drivers are certainly some of the most annoying to be around.

NY and NJ drivers think they're better than you and will will hog the left lane because they think its theirs.

CT drivers, however, are actually physically incapable of forming a single coherent thought and simply are not fit to be contributing members of society. They clump up across all three lanes going the same exact speed, with the only exceptions being a few clapped Nissans and Infinitis weaving through all the lanes. Otherwise, its just idiots drooling on the steering wheel driving straight through every single pot hole. I hate Connecticut. I intentionally time my drives through CT to take place in the very early hours of the morning where theres no drivers.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

where I live now is rural, people you don't even know wave hi on the road. It's awesome.

 

[BimmerDriver]

CT drivers, however, are actually physically incapable of forming a single coherent thought and simply are not fit to be contributing members of society.

LOL on that, although I've never driven in CT.

The worst aggressive hostile behavior I've ever witnessed was when I was in GA in a Porsche 911.

I figure most people wouldn't recognize a DH or know what it is. They're too busy on their phones anyway.

Ever since I retired, I find myself driving much more slowly and I put on my old man hat, scrunch down, and just cruise at 15 under. What's my hurry?

 

[Cz_Ziemniak]

LOL on that, although I've never driven in CT.

The worst aggressive hostile behavior I've ever witnessed was when I was in GA in a Porsche 911.

I figure most people wouldn't recognize a DH or know what it is. They're too busy on their phones anyway.

Ever since I retired, I find myself driving much more slowly and I put on my old man hat, scrunch down, and just cruise at 15 under. What's my hurry?

I wouldn't doubt that GA has some fussy drivers, hahah. I'd imagine similar to Brampton Ontario.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

One time, after tailing me bumper to bumper, a Ford F-250 passed me aggressively on the right. . . . he gunned his engine and switched lanes to pass me on the right after I had signaled that I was merging into the right lane, almost causing a collision

Papo, get out of the left lane.

Problem solved.

Stated simply, stay out of the left lane, unless you are actively passing somebody to the right.

Drive to the right. Pass to the left.



I know you will be tempted to post excuses for each of these two situations I quoted, but if they could pass you on the right, then you should have already been to the right.

Pay attention to the availability of a lane to the right and pay attention to cars approaching from the rear. Don't just drive obliviously staring out the front of your windshield until a car behind you can finally get your attention.

Then observe how these road rage situations simply evaporate.

You are causing them, not your choice of car.

 

[135Hoser]

Pretty sure it's just people who hate mustangs in general. Nothing specific about the DH.

Meanwhile where I live, I get nothing but thumbs up and interest about the car.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

First, get a 2 channel video camera. 2nd, NEVER be a road obstacle. Ever. I was on my bike one time about 15 years ago, and while going about 12-15 over the limit, and passing another car I was being tailgated closely during the pass. This guy was in a serious hurry. Still, I don't like tailgaters.
We both got stopped at the next light, despite his vastly superior pace. I really wanted to give him a piece of my mind, and didn't - not that I would have had the chance, because he ran the light and turned into Alexandria hospital ER entrance. You never know when someone is having a legit emergency vs. just being impatient.

Anywhere in the 13 colonies is seriously overcrowded and that brings out the worst in drivers.

Excellent post.

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