Hi guys, I was raged at a few days ago driving on the M3 (Eastern Freeway in VIC) towards the city on a Saturday afternoon.
So here are the facts:
- I was driving at 100 km/hr (speed limit) for most of the journey, going to 105ish sporadically (as you do).
- I entered from Springvale Rd (the beginning of the M3, end of the tollroad - Eastlink). As I intended on going all the way into the city, I decided to go fast as I legally can, changing a few lanes occasionally to get ahead of cars going under 100km/hr.
- Mid-journeyish, I ended up on the far right lane. At this place and point in time, there was almost a straight line of cars across the 4 lanes going at 100km/hr. This was when a huge (compared to my relatively small Mazda 6) black BMW X5 rushed up behind me and driving REALLY close behind me. Obviously he wanted me to drive faster but I didnt want to go faster than 100 and I couldn't change lanes either because the cars to the left of me was going at the same speed I was.
- (Then came the funny/aggro bit.) He then high beamed me constantly, which had little effect as it was a sunny afternoon. Then he switched on his screen wipers. At the same time, driving really close to me. Initially I wanted to get out of his way, but with the lane to my left blocked and me unwilling to speed - I felt kinda sorry for him. But then I got really annoyed when he wouldn't take the hint that there was nothing I could do without SPEEDING.
- After about a few minutes of this. There was a gap in the second lane and he changed lanes to get through the blockade. According to my partner, he was gesturing angrily and abusively across 2 lanes at my car - which I didn't see as I was concentrating on the road.
- He then sped off like a demon and cutting/zigzagging across many lanes and disappeared from sight within 20 seconds.
So here's my moral and ethical issue. I got home thinking that I did something wrong. But I was obeying the law wasn't I? I wasn't endangering anyone by going slow. I was driving at the limit and at the speed the sheer majority people were driving at. But why I do I feel bad about myself?
My trawls through the internet suggested that with few small adjustments, I was in the wrong. That I was in the 'wrong' lane. But this was a 4 lane freeway and I was not going under the limit. Anyone overtaking me would be against the law.
Hypothetically, if I sped up to accommodate this guy, and subsequently got caught, I doubt the police would be understanding in that I was only trying to help 'make way' for this guy. Back in the years, my driving instructor always taught me that if there was someone behind you trying to get you to drive faster than the limit, you should ignore him as it is not worth it to break the law.
So, because I was unable to find an exact post emulating my experience, I have turned to the Ozbargain community for guidance and to be judged as to whether I was in the wrong or was I in the right.
Also a poll below: Is it ok to ONLY travel at speed limit on a Saturday in the far right lane?
**I deliberately stated Saturday because the far right lane is a transit lane during peak periods during the week.
***Since everyone has been under the assumption I have been 'cruising' on the far right lane. Let me put it down to you guys straight. I was NOT cruising on the far right but only got there because I had wanted to overtake the car on the 3rd lane (maybe I didn't make it clear enough above). Then the black X5 showed up.
FINAL UPDATE (because thread has been closed):
Hi everyone, I just got back home from work and didn't expect my topic to be so divisive and the thread closed.
I want to thank everyone for their responses, including those that supported me, were against me or stayed neutral.
From reading the posts below, I conclude I am a relatively inexperienced driver. I had not come across such a situation until now. The thought of indicating left and slowing down did not seem like an option to me - given the car behind me was so close and the driver angry. I now know that is an option if I was ore confident in my driving.
Thank you for those that shared their similar experiences. I am glad I am not the only one who has found themselves in this predicament.
For the record, I was not trying to 'police' anyone, in fact this the first time I've even heard this phrase. I was not intending on keeping the car behind me slow but did so because I did not want to go faster.
In reply to people as to why I was in the far right lane: I was in there because I had wanted to overtake the car on the 3rd lane (at the time was under 100). When I got parallel to that car, it had sped up and matched my speed. At this moment, the black X5 showed up. By the time, the X5's intention was made, I was surrounded with the only option (perceived) was to speed.
I admit I was in the wrong in that I overstayed in the far right lane, it was not my intention to stay that long, it was only because I was surrounded by 3 cars in my immediate vinicity (1 behind, 1 left and 1 diagonally left behind) and unwilling to speed (my front was clear).
I have learned my lesson and I thank everyone for their contributions.
You may have been doing the right thing legally but it is poor risk management to stay in the right lane when another driver is obviously becoming irratic.
One day another driver may abuse you more than verbally.
You should have reduced speed, changed lanes, let the other vehicle past and re-entered the right lane to overtake vehicles if required.