Why do people unconsciously speed up when you try to pass them?

[Hammer]

for the same reason my dog speeds up when i try to walk ahead of him, some people always gotta be first

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: Hammer
for the same reason my dog speeds up when i try to walk ahead of him, some people always gotta be first

lol

 

[ifoundthetao]

i do it because i get insecure and i think they're going to steal my masculinity. so i make it so that they cant pass me.. or i start crying so they feel guilty.. either way, the baby gets his bottle

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: her209
How does one unconsiously drive a car? :laugh:

Good eye

 

[Parrotheader]

The one that drives me nuts is the people who seemingly HAVE to pass you simply because you're within 100 yards of them.

Nevermind that we're going the same speed (or that I'm maybe even going a bit faster.) They can see me, therefore I must be passed. They speed up to pass, get around me and then seem to think I suddenly cease to exist and will then let off the throttle going slower than either of us were going before. Being a person who actually likes to drive a consistent speed, I get over to pass maintaining my speed and they suddenly either remember my existence and speed up or look at me like I'm a prick for daring to pass them after they already passed me. I guess I was already 'conquered' in their minds. :roll:

 

[surreal1221]

Cause they think they are NASCAR drivers. . .

idiots.

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

My favorite thing to is is when I see some clown barreling down on me like a bat out of hell while I'm already going 5-10 over is to pull out in front of them right as I'm getting ready to pass three or four rigs. Then I slow down to just about 1/2 MPH faster than the semi and take at least 5 - 10 minutes to pass them all. Boy that really pisses people off too!

I gets even better on a two lane road. I drive an F-150, and so when someone is riding my a$$ I'll just pull way over to the left almost to the center line and ride there knowing full well that rice-boy in mom's civic with the stickers and the fart can't do anything but sit there because he can't see around my fat a$$.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose
You judge your speed with your peripheral vision, when you see something coming up alongside you, your brain assumes it's because you've slowed down & you give the car more gas.

That's why people speed in the fog/rain, the usual cues for your rate of speed are screwed up & the default is to speed up...

Plus, it's always more fun when you actually have something under the hood.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
So I'm coming back to work from lunch, and I came up pretty fast on an SUV being driven by an older woman. As soon as I got in the fast lane to pass her, she started speeding way up. I eventually had to go really fast to pass her, and then suddenly her speed suddenly dropped off - I bet that she looked at her spedometer and realized just how fast she was going.

She was the grandmother type, so I don't imagine that she was playing road games with me. Other people including myself at times also seem to do this without realizing it. I wonder what the psychology behind it is.

Replying to Topic: Why do people unconsciously speed up when you try to pass them?
Created On 06/15/2005 01:51 PM by NuclearNed

Subconcious.They normally are Unconcious behind the wheel anyways.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

I don't get why people go on the passing lane going 1-2 mph faster than the guy on the right. They take forever to pass and block traffic. This is worse when they're doing this with 3-4 trucks on their right. Driving beside/behind trucks for any prolonged period is putting yourself at risk, and everybody eles behind you. If you're going to pass, don't take your sweet ass time.

Too many people driving (not passing) on the left lane and don't see you coming up behind them and force you to pass on the right.

As for the OP question, seems like ego war. If you're gonna pass me you're gonna have to work hard at it.