Why do pick up trucks speed up when someone tries to pass them?

Question

This seems to happen a lot where I live. I get behind a big full size pick up truck on a four lane highway and as soon as I try to pass the driver speeds up and then I get stuck riding beside them. If I slow down the driver will slow down. When they pull up at a stop light they always have to gun it as soon as the light turns green and then a mile later I'm stuck beside them again. I had a driver do this to me yesterday and I finally ended up moving back in behind their slow tail so I could make my turn up the road. Why do pick up drivers do this? Do they think because they drive a large vechile that they should always be ahead of everyone else?

Answer 1

Many drivers speed up when somebody tries to pass.

I occasionally even catch myself doing this and then slow down. It may be some sort of a natural reaction.

A lot of guys who drive pickups are "drugstore cowboys" who try to be macho, and like to play games on the highway, especially with young women.

I have an 18 year old daughter who is very attractive.

Many times, drivers will let me pass and then pass me or drive at the same speed in order to flirt with my daughter.

(She won't even look at them.)

Answer 2

No-one should drive like that, BUT trucks take a lot of time and effort to stop and take off again, and they like clear runs even more than you do.  Most are running against the clock, and HAVE to maintain a reasonable average speed-hence the motivation for the described driving style.  Time is money, slow down is brakes, fuel, time and effort.

Answer 3

Two possible reasons:

Maybe you were tailgating and he/she got mad....

Maybe he/she likes your looks and wants to check you out....

Answer 4

because they think they are king of the road. same as taxi drivers!

I hate men in very expensive sports cars who drive slow!!! i mean whats the point in that! grrrr