I can't see my nose! (Re: front end clearance)

[fpage77]

Originally Posted by Suze

I think people who drive big cars believe it is their right to always be in front of littler cars. I've noticed more of this lately - they pass very quickly and pull in right in front, then slow down to normal speed.

There is no logical explanation for this, so I came up with my theory of "big cars right of entitlement".

I was passed over and over again on my way home on highway for 10 miles and I was going 70 MPH. The other cars would pass and get in my lane and settle down like you described.

[jetfuel]

...no big deal Suze...just down shift and pull right back in front of them....they get the picture and stay wayyyyyyy back after that...I do it

jetfuel

[PerryA]

Originally Posted by JPaul

That's one occasion small is not a plus: lots of drivers believe smart is not a serious car and treat it as a motorcycle: inconsequential.

As a (former) motorcycle rider, I have to respond - not to you but to that attitude you describe. I could be driving 70 mph on a freeway and have someone merge short like I was a bicycle. In fact, I had as much or more acceleration left then they did, but the consequences of a collision were more significant for me, so I just grabbed the clutch and the brakes and shouted obscenities into my helmet.

The situation wasn't much (or any) better in city driving, and, sorry to say, the Smart gets lumped into that category of small, must be insignificant. It's not you, it's the other drivers. I was getting into my car in a parking space and someone came up and asked if I needed motorcycle license to drive it. NO, it's a car, it has four wheels, go bother someone else.

I think the grenade launcher would turn the tide. NOW take me seriously. I long for some of the James Bond tech for the Smart. But the fact is, if you try what the other guy is doing with his Escalade when you're driving a Smart, you'll lose. Either they just laugh it off or they actually hit you and that's lose-lose.

I'd like to think more micro cars on the road would turn the tide. Until then, get a bumper sticker saying "I'm a Smart, don't be an ass."

[Bill Marshall]

Originally Posted by Snefferdoodle

I'm wondering if anyone else driving their smart experiences people pulling out in front of them or being cut off by someone merging into your lane?

Both of these situations have happened to me in the last couple of weeks and I'm really getting frustrated over it. Maybe it is because I don't know how far away from my nose (front bumper) they are?

It happened to me twice today. Complete idiots. Makes me mad!

[jetfuel]

...Perry love the sticker idea...many of times I've been cut off by larger cars and getting back in front in no time flat proved them wrong in their attempt to bully us...and they loose if the hit us from behind in traffic...this engine is not a the most powerful out there but when you get it in the RPM range with the right gear it really shines...

jetfuel

[gbryers]

Originally Posted by jetfuel

...no big deal Suze...just down shift and pull right back in front of them....they get the picture and stay wayyyyyyy back after that...I do it
jetfuel

jetfuel, in your case, I don't think it is the car that they back away from - it is the second glance at the driver...

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by Suze

There is no logical explanation for this, so I came up with my theory of "big cars right of entitlement".

More like Recto-Cranial Inversion, actually.

[Woody14619]

I'm thinking a nice big drill looking attachment for the front would solve some of that? OR big spiky hub caps? If you look like something out of Thunder Dome, maybe people will steer clear of you.

[chieftmc]

Having ridden motorcycles, scooters, bicycles, etc. for the last 40+ years, you can NOT fight for your piece of the road being smaller than the other guy! You WILL lose

Just laugh it off, be safe and enjoy your smart; I do

[Neonspinnazz]

Originally Posted by gbryers

SNefferdoodle, not your fault (though you may want to calibrate yourself to the front of your car). With the 2-second rule firmly in place, and globally ignored...

Illinois now uses the 4 - second rule to keep us safer! (yet still ignored)

When the local smart passes by about everyday, other vehicles usually keep a faaaaar distance away as many think that a smart is just as safe as a Segway on the interstate.

I get cutoff even while driving the Envoy (which is a quite of a large vehicle itself), but I just blow my horn and continue because road rage never solves anything!

As for your not knowing where your nose is, well that's something to solve on your own...