magnatom said:
My only concern about slowing down gently is that the driver has shown how bad a driver he is, and by giving him a bit of space he might cut in too soon.
I might have said breathe on the brakes, but that doesn't mean it will make a gentle difference. That's all that'd be required for the car to relatively leap ahead. You'd get a split in almost the blink of an eye at the speed thomas and car were doing. I'll say it again: There will be no danger at all from the car cutting in, whilst there is a substantial risk in continuing with the car next to you and the driver demonstrably misbehaving.
Given thomas's nearly into the back of the turning car in front, and the ease of getting away from the driver next to him by braking, it should be very obvious in hindsight that braking is the right move. I should also point out that this is all only in hindsight, and only intended in getting a preplanned and prepared strategy ready for next time. It would be quite hard to do better than thomas did at the time without the aforethought of a debate like this.
I'm still slightly flabbergasted that you should try to justify not braking by the behaviour of an (unknown if actually there) car behind. I think there's probably some sort of polarisation and defensiveness coming from you and thomas. Pity really, because it's getting in the way of truth.
) that in theory and (although I didn't state this) and sometimes in practice slowing down would help. On this occasion I think I'd have to be there to know. As you know BM it is very different sitting here looking at the video and actually being there.
