Seems obvious that you should stay right except to pass....apparently, left-laners are "special" and this should not apply.
Posted on 04/27/2005 3:36:48 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
TAMPA - Vincent Edward Tucker refused to get out of the fast lane when a man driving a large, black SUV pulled up behind him honking the horn on the Courtney Campbell Parkway Tuesday morning.
Tampa police say that's when the road rage began.
The SUV was relentless, and Tucker just wouldn't budge, witnesses said. They told investigators that the SUV's driver and Tucker got into a "heated argument" while traveling westbound on the Courtney Campbell, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said. Gestures were exchanged by both, possibly even words, she said.
The black SUV eventually got into the right lane and passed Tucker's silver Isuzu Rodeo, then veered back into the fast lane, cutting him off, McElroy said. Tucker tried to avoid hitting the SUV by slamming on his brakes.
McElroy said the two vehicles never collided, but Tucker's maneuver caused his Rodeo to flip, and he was ejected because he wasn't wearing a seat belt. He later died in surgery at Tampa General Hospital.
The SUV driver never stopped.
"We have road rage. We have a hit and run. We have somebody who is dead," McElroy said. "And we have to find who is responsible."
The accident happened about 11:30 a.m. between the Ben T. Davis beach and a boat ramp west of there. McElroy said police hit-and-run detectives believe the SUV driver was a man, based on information from the only two drivers who had come forward with details Tuesday afternoon.
McElroy could only describe the hit-and-run vehicle as "a shiny, full-size SUV."
"This is a very serious accident, a very serious crime, and we have to find this driver," McElroy said. "We're going to assume that this is going to weigh very heavily on the conscience of the person involved."
McElroy said the driver of the black SUV had to have known that Tucker's vehicle flipped. She said she hopes that if he talks with family members or friends about the incident, they will call police.
Vincent Tucker, 33, lived at 7101 Lawnview Court with his mother, Glenda Tucker. A woman who answered the door at their Town 'N Country home Tuesday evening said the family did not wish to speak with reporters.
Cynthia Alvarez, who lives across the street from the Tuckers, has a son a year older than Vincent Tucker.
She said she often spoke with Tucker's mother because their sons had a lot in common.
"Vince is a very quiet person," she said. "He is either at work or back home."
Alvarez has known Tucker and his mother since they both moved into the neighborhood about four years ago. Before living in Florida, the Tucker family lived in North Carolina, according to state records.
Alvarez said Tucker spent most of his time watching television or using the computer.
He worked in Pinellas County for a company that made hotel reservations, she said. And whenever she or her son needed anything, like the time her car broke down, Tucker and his mother offered to help.
"I would like that driver to please come forward," Alvarez said. "There is just no reason why anyone would do something so stupid in the road that would take someone's life."
Detectives ask that anyone who may have information about the SUV driver call Tampa police at (813) 276-3578.
Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this story. Kevin Graham can be reached at 813 226-3433 or kgraham@sptimes.com
A trash cinema classic!
I was curious about what a "Class 6" could be ~ there are some others ~ e.g. burning a cross in the road in front of someone's house (although the Supreme Court said they have to do it in your yard for the threat to be real).
I think what it's about is the VA legislature makes things Class 6 feonies where there's a chance that a plea of self-defense might be made by the victim. Kind of a "get you off the hook" sort of thing.
Well said...I used to ride with my Trooper buddy and believe it or not, numbskulls would pull in the left lane, drive the speed limit and NOT MOVE until the lights were turned.
9 times out of 10, there was "Loser" written all over these creeps faces when they finally moved out of the way.
Most of the times this happened, it occurred when speed was increased on a silent run to help a stranded motorist.
Arrogant drivers are worse than most because they always attract problems....they want to enforce the speed limit? Get a badge Barney Fife!!!
It is illegal to flash the lights? I do not understand
Oh, oh......sounds like you are a Brit.
Here is a quote from the NJ drivers manual:
Most passing should be made on the left. Pass on the right only on roads with more than one lane going in the same direction if vehicles on the roadway are moving in two or more substantially continuous lines, or if the driver ahead is making a left turn. New Jersey prohibits passing on the right shoulder of the roadway.
They've been down that road a thousand times but they still don't get it.
I'm well aware and fully understand that in bad weather even going 10 mph could be considered too fast for road conditions. That being said, in good weather with excellent road conditions there is no excuse for exceeding the posted speed limit. It IS a limit. If it is 55 it means no faster than 55 (except for emergencies I would guess) But one cannot say they are allowed to go 60 just because the weather is nice. One may beed to go slower than the posted limit but not faster.
Some particularly creepy individuals run around with flashing red lights that they pop up on their dash so they can get women to stop on lonely roads at night.
Although we haven't had much of that lately,it seems to be one of those strange little folkways of the Mid-Atlantic states.
I've lived around here since the 60s and seen enough of this stuff go on to believe that it's worth regulating the practice.
It's so easy--obey the rules of the road. Be courteous.
I'm betting the dork playing road block in the left lane sped up to avoid being passed on the right., and that's why he had to slam on the brakes and rolled is Rodeo.
If the general flow of traffic is faster than the speed limit, then your safest course of action is "go with the flow", even if that means exceeding the limit. Driving slower than everyone else is just as dangerous as going faster than everyone else.
Seems obvious that you should stay right except to pass....apparently, left-laners are "special" and this should not apply.
If one person is going the speed limit, or even the 'buffer' of 10 miles an hour above it, then the jerk is, and always will be the one who thinks you're going too slow.
No matter WHICH lane.
hrmpt...
One day, I will have a dart gun and just start shooting out tires ;)
Gungrabbers don't live in such places.
I just figure that those that are considerate of others change lanes and are prepared for the road narrowing accordingly. Its the rude people that wait til the last minute and then force their way in. I would venture these types cut into lines elsewhere as well. Doesn't bother me though since I am already in the appropriate lane.
It's less dangerous.
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