Most drivers have experienced another person behind the wheel suddenly merging into their lane, causing them to hit their brakes. In driving etiquette, it’s called “cutting someone off” and can lead to severe safety hazards or, in best-case scenarios, leave an individual intensely frustrated.
When such a thing happened to this guy, he wasn’t going to let it slide. Noticing that the SUV that cut him off had a ‘for sale’ sign on it, he came up with an ingenious revenge plan to teach the road hog a lesson.
Scroll down to find the full story and a conversation with its author, who kindly agreed to tell us more about it.
Cutting someone off is a big no-no in driving etiquette
Image credits: Life Of Pix (not the actual photo)
When it happened to this guy, he decided to pettily get back at the reckless driver
Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)
Image source: muphasta
"Living in SoCal, I see irresponsible drivers daily"
Bored Panda was lucky enough to get in touch with the author of the story, who decided to share it online after many years because of their recent interest in the r/pettyrevenge subreddit. "While I created my Reddit account years ago, I really didn't "use" Reddit until this past year. With more time spent on Reddit, I started discovering interesting subs. Petty revenge was one I recently discovered, so after reading other people's tales, I decided to post my story."
To keep the narrative short and sweet, the original poster kept it concise, which attracted some confusion they wanted to address and clear up. "Some of the negative comments told me to "grow up" and mentioned that I'd probably cut off people before.
That said, we were not in traffic. It was a busy shopping center, and the guy driving the SUV was in the "go straight" lane while I was in the "Right turn lane". He actually turned right and would have hit me if I hadn't hit the brakes. When I honked at him, he "flipped me off"/"gave me the finger" and sped off. Once he did that, I knew what I had to do."
For the author, situations like the one he shared aren't anything new. "Living in SoCal, I see irresponsible drivers daily. Lots of texting and driving—those people think they are really sly. Many like to get in the "Fast", "number 1", and "passing lane" and text there. Lots of speeding up and slowing down. Why they can't use cruise control, I don't know. But there are a lot of texters in all lanes. There are so many bad driving habits that I could fill a large notebook with all the dumb stuff I see. (I'm not immune to doing something dumb, but it isn't due to bad habits behind the wheel.)"
One of the most common reasons for dangerous driving is misjudgement of skills
Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)
Before the driver switches lanes, it’s their responsibility to ensure that they’re doing it safely, without putting themselves or anyone else in danger. If an accident happens because they merge without looking at the surrounding traffic or slamming the brakes in front of another car, they may be held responsible.
One of the most common reasons for such dangerous driving is misjudging their car operating skills. People who speed and rapidly change lanes often assume they are better drivers than they actually are. Such overconfidence leads them to believe they can get away with more dangerous behavior on the roads. They also often have less control over their cars, leading to accidents.
Another factor contributing to hazardous driving is impatience. Most chauffeurs are in a rush and running late, speeding and cutting people off so they reach their destination in time. Realistically, overtaking others in traffic saves them a few minutes at the most, and they’re putting their own and others’s safety in danger.
An additional reason for reckless driving is boredom, as it can get dull after driving on the same roads for many years. To make it more exciting, some may start maneuvering faster and more carelessly. Lastly, a significant part of driving is our state of mind. If we’re feeling fatigued, distracted, or frustrated, it can also lead to hazardous behavior behind the wheel.
To lower the chance of getting into an accident, it helps to be a defensive driver
Image credits: Stan (not the actual photo)
After a person gets cut off by someone on the road, the car ownership app Way recommends against losing their cool and blowing the horn constantly (even though the situation might be very frustrating). Instead, they should slow down and watch for cars behind them.
If such reckless driving results in a collision, car owners must notify the police and contact insurance companies. In most cases, the insurance of the driver who caused the accident covers any damages and injuries they caused. There are some exceptions, so it’s best to check with your insurance and make sure it’s up-to-date and covers what you need.
Admittedly, you can’t control what other people on the road do. But to lower the chance of getting into an accident, it helps to be a defensive driver. This means getting into the right mindset before taking off—being alert, focused, and watching out for other drivers.
Teen Health recommends paying attention to your surroundings, such as checking the mirrors often and keeping an eye on what’s happening 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. If you notice an aggressive driver, slow down or pull over. Meanwhile, keeping the speed down allows you to stay in control of the vehicle in case anything unexpected happens. Being prepared is key, as you can’t completely depend on other drivers to have good operating skills.
Readers supported the author's revenge plan and even suggested taking it to the next level
