Inferiority Complex?

[ardei]

:

Has anyone else noticed that by driving a small hatchback you often get denied the privilege to overtake by drivers of other cars? Now I know there are unwritten rules for when you're having a fang on a twisty road. That if you are travelling faster than the average motorist, then you will get caught behind someone eventually. And that not everyone is there to have a fang like you are, some just want a leisurely drive - and I respect their desires - as long as they respect mine!

First incident happened about 2 weeks ago travelling towards Sydney on Bells Line of Road. I was doing the speed limit (100km/h) and I caught up to two slower moving cars. One was probably a Camry and the second was a white VP Commodore driven by an older man (the one with the hat on the parcel shelf). When an overtaking lane opened up I let the Commodore overtake the first car and then thinking he would move over (as per "Keep Left Unless Overtaking") so that I can overtake him as I assumed that he was there for a leisurely Sunday drive. So I stuck behind him as he overtook the first car, but he didn't move over! I wasn't going to overtake him on the left as this is immoral (and illegal) so he just kept accelerating through the sweeping bends. I stuck with him up to about 120 before I realised his pride was too great to let a Fiesta overtake and backed off. And sure enough - he settled down to a pace slower then mine and I was stuck behind him again.

Second chain of incidents - I did the Great Ocean Road on Tuesday and as is normal, there were a lot of rental cars, tour buses and tourists on the road. However, this road has signage every kilometre or so telling people "Slower traffic use turnoffs" and "Consider those following". So I expected most of the people to obey this. The minibuses usually obey the rules and graciously pull to the side.

After having a clean run at the start of The GOR, I caught up to an AU Falcon Ute (Work ute with metal boxes in the tray). I gave him/her space where space was due but showed my intentions that I wanted them to let me passed on numerous occasions. Despite this, the driver did not pull over an inch at any turnoffs or slow traffic lanes to let me pass. Yet this was the least of my worries.

Later I caught up to a rental Corolla Sedan. Again same story, wouldn't pull over for anyone and was going at a very leisurely pace. And it's not like they didn't realise what was happening as there was a bus or two in front of this car that pulled over to let us pass. After about 10mins, I see the Red Cement Truck from Hell in my rear view mirror! Obviously a local driver tearing up The GOR doing 80km/h through the bends and using up the whole road like he knew what he was doing! So I pull off to the side to let this guy through hoping that he can scare the Corolla driver into pulling over. Another 15mins past and after countless attempts of the cement truck driver to tailgate, flash headlights, etc to the Corolla to pull over whenever a turnoff was coming up - nothing. Eventually this cement truck overtook the guy on the wrong side of the road and shortly after I did the same. I thought I had seen the worst by now!

Further down the track, caught up to a rental Focus Sedan with four passengers, two elderly in the back. As I said earlier - I respect their wishes to cruise at a leisurely and comfortable pace as long as they respect my wishes to drive at my pace (before this incident, I wasn't exceeding the 80km/h limit) and let me through so we don't have an incident. I left the guy plenty of room, and let him know I wanted to pass whenever a turnoff was approaching. But no budging from him either! Eventually I found a spot to overtake (and anyone who's driven an underpowered car knows just how hard it is to find the right spot to overtake) and went for it. As soon as he saw me indicate and move to pass him, the maniac floors it! I'm coming up to a blind bend at 100+km/h and he's trying to match my speed to cut me off! I got in front of him without dying (obviously) but my god - if I came face to face with this guy, I would've stabbed him :togo: . Just to put it into perspective - 80km/h speed limit. This guy was doing 60km/h max in the straights (even less in the bends) and then he guns it to over 100km/h just to stop me overtaking.

I'm sure it happens to other types of cars as well, but it's just downright annoying (and in the last case - dangerous) when this happens. I let any type of car overtake me, it doesn't affect my pride. Could be anything from a Commodore to a Cement Truck (as you've seen) and I know I've done a good deed as they've moved on and both parties conflict-free.

Is it just me or does anyone else find this?