Dear Idiot Drivers:

[stealthee]

I would like to point out some things that may help you in the future.

1. Headlights are not just so you can see. They are so other drivers can see you. USE THEM!

2. Stop signs are NOT optional.

3. Your turn signal stalk is that stick on the left side of your steering wheel. Up makes the right turn signal come on. Down makes the left turn signal come on. This instrument is to be used to alert other drivers that you intend on turning. USE THEM!

4. On the note of turning, if you intend on making a left hand turn in 1/2 a mile you do not have to start slowing down when you are still that 2640 feet from your turn. You can wait til you are about 300 feet to slow down.

5. When the speed limit is 45mph, it does not mean to drive 25mph. If you cannot maintain the proper speed, then get off the road and let those who can get around you.

6. If you can't fit a phone book between your front bumper and my rear bumper, you are probably too close

7. Last, but certainly not least, if you don't know how to drive GET THE FUCK OFF THE ROAD.

If you think of anything I have forgotten we can add it to the list.

[marshallh]

Preaching to the choir man. I see this all the time where I live (smaller town). I could complain more but it's really not as bad as a big city where you have 24/7 roadrage. If I start feeling pissed off I take it out 5mins north to some country highways.

[AgentOblivious]

I've got a couple to add...

1) If you're worried about the snow reducing your traction to the road enough to drive slowly, then you should have to brake further from the stop sign/red light. If that isn't necessary, don't become an almost immobile obstacle sitting in the middle of the street, then wait till the last minute to try to stop.

2) High beams are not for use in traffic.

3) The left lane is not for the leisurely sunday drive.

[DocWalt]

AO you hit the fucking nail on the head with #3. I've given up and I just use the right lane to pass people. I followed some nimrod the other day in the left lane fo a mile before I started flashing my highbeams and honking the horn. They never moved over even with enough space.

8. Your brakes and throttle are progressive, use them that way. If you can't decelerate and accelerate smoothly, learn how so I don't have to worry if you're going to blow that stop sign.

9. Turning on red still requires stopping before initiating the turn.

[TT4ME]

About that LEFT LANE issue...

I recently found out that some people cannot drive without a solid line near them. Hence some of the slow fucks constantly in the left lane. I have a coworker that had an ex-wife like that. Drove him crazy (among other things.)

[VR-4 0wnz j00]

I got one. In rush hour traffic, dont constantly gun it and slam the brakes. It would be easier and smoother if everyone maintained an equal slow speed. It annoys the piss out of me and it hell on my clutch to constantly stop and go.

[VR4Rob]

If you waited until 25 feet before a right turn to get into the dedicated turn lane (which I am already in), the size of your vehicle does not determine whether or not you deserve to merge in front/on top of me. I occasionally drive a big ass SUV too and part of the responsibility of me operating it safely is planning my traffic maneuvers in advance!

[bluzvr4]

you should check to see if someone is in the lane your merging into BEFORE you do it

[green-lantern]

I would like to point out some things that may help you in the future.

1. Headlights are not just so you can see. They are so other drivers can see you. USE THEM!

2. Stop signs are NOT optional.

3. Your turn signal stalk is that stick on the left side of your steering wheel. Up makes the right turn signal come on. Down makes the left turn signal come on. This instrument is to be used to alert other drivers that you intend on turning. USE THEM!

4. On the note of turning, if you intend on making a left hand turn in 1/2 a mile you do not have to start slowing down when you are still that 2640 feet from your turn. You can wait til you are about 300 feet to slow down.

5. When the speed limit is 45mph, it does not mean to drive 25mph. If you cannot maintain the proper speed, then get off the road and let those who can get around you.

6. If you can't fit a phone book between your front bumper and my rear bumper, you are probably too close

7. Last, but certainly not least, if you don't know how to drive GET THE FUCK OFF THE ROAD.

If you think of anything I have forgotten we can add it to the list.

Damn bro, you forgot the main one. THE LEFT LANE IS FOR FASTER TRAFFIC! IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS THEN RETURN TO YOUR HOME AND BEAT YOURSELF IN THE HEAD WITH A HAMMER.

[mb7050]

the left lane is for faster traffic! If you don't understand this then return to your home and beat yourself in the head with a hammer.

amen .

[stealthee]

Damn bro, you forgot the main one. THE LEFT LANE IS FOR FASTER TRAFFIC! IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS THEN RETURN TO YOUR HOME AND BEAT YOURSELF IN THE HEAD WITH A HAMMER.

I didn't encounter that one today or it would have been on my mind.

[93STLTH]

If you know a lane is coming to an end up ahead and everyone is lined up in the non-ending lane, it is NOT okay to use the ending lane as a way to cut in front of all those who are doing the right thing.
If your way of finding an address you're not familiar with is to drive slow and read every building address and street sign, it's time to buy a nav.

[green-lantern]

I didn't encounter that one today or it would have been on my mind.

LOL that is my biggest peeve of any driver. I believe there should be 5 questions that they ask people at drivers test and if you fail one you fail the test.

(1) if you are riding in the left lane and you have a faster car come up behind you, you

A) move over for the faster tragic.

B) block that driver because you want to be a dickhead.

c) Be totally oblivious of the rules of the road and plant your stupid ass in the fast lane.


(2) If you are driving in the left lane you are?

A) Passing somebody

B) A fucking idiot

C) Totally fucking clueless to what's going on around you.



(3) If you normally drive in the left lane you are?

A) passing people

B) next in line to vote Obama

C) Ready to route your exhaust pipe into the cabin


(4) If you have been driving in the left lane beside another car for more than 1/4 of a mile you should?

A) Immediately get sterilized before you can breed

B) Continue with the NASCAR side to side race feeling

c) Feel like you are saving to environment by keeping others from using too much fuel


(5) If a car is riding behind you in the left lane you should?

A) Move to the right immediately

B) go home and stick your dick in the garbage disposal

C) Eat lead sinkers until you hallucinate








The answer is A) BTW lol

[shmoo]

^^lol

off the fucking phone!

driving is for driving.

if people were more courteous on the road, we'd have a lot less problems

[ictponder]

1. Don't sit at an intersection and wave me on when you have the right of way. I will go when it's my turn.

2. When you are in the left turn lane at a light and the light is green, then turn left INTO YOUR LANE. DO NOT sit there and wait for everyone in the oncoming lane to turn right. This makes me not even want to drive.

[mcshooter]

stealth what makes me nervous is when i look in the rear mirror a woman is right on my bumper talking on a cell phone. i went to the store today and there was 2 women there talking on the cell phone while shopping . when i came out the car parked next to me had a woman talking on her cell phone.. i have come to realize women can never shut up so the cell phone is a tool so they can keep talking all day long..

[mb3000]

If you know a lane is coming to an end up ahead and everyone is lined up in the non-ending lane, it is NOT okay to use the ending lane as a way to cut in front of all those who are doing the right thing.
If your way of finding an address you're not familiar with is to drive slow and read every building address and street sign, it's time to buy a nav.

As a MB resident, I feel obligated to post this up. This is the worst year round traffic jam in town, those of you who have been to MB know I'm talking about the Back Gate. Around rush hour every evening, the traffic backs up behind the overpass you see in the distance, and about 2-3 miles ahead of the point where this picture was taken. US-17 becomes a 2 lane highway after the overpass, where 2 off ramps merge into the traffic. You can imagine what happens next.

http://i928.photobucket.com/albums/ad128/mb3000gt_photos/us17.jpg

[Jimvr4]

If you know a lane is coming to an end up ahead and everyone is lined up in the non-ending lane, it is NOT okay to use the ending lane as a way to cut in front of all those who are doing the right thing.
.
I disagree. Drivers should use both lanes and take turns when the lanes merge.

[93STLTH]

I disagree. Drivers should use both lanes and take turns when the lanes merge.

Well, what happens is the guy in the right lane cuts someone off... because he's a dick... so, the cut off driver has to brake to avoid hitting the dick, then the person behind him has to brake, and the person behind him has to brake. Next thing you know, you have a traffic jam, so more dicks start trying the cut people off move because they don't want to sit in the traffic jam. The same traffic jam the was caused by the first dick. It could all be prevented if people would just get in the proper lane. This sign http://thingsiwonderabout.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/traffic-sign1.png means to merge, it's there for a reason. When you see it, you should merge then, not when the lane ends.

[onebadmollafolla]

If anyone here ever gets a chance visit downtown Dodge Street... Street is five lanes and each lane is as wide as a Mini Cooper. Remotely bad drivers = coming half way into your lane.

[stealthify]

8. Put the damn cell phone down.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Kind of the opposite of this thread, but a good tip nonetheless. If you see a car with its turn signal on, that only means one thing...that the bulb(s) in the signal work.

Jeremy

[BigTyla]

24) Don't stop in the middle of a roundabout to yield to traffic that is yielding to you.

[green-lantern]

24) Don't stop in the middle of a roundabout to yield to traffic that is yielding to you.

I hate those things

[bluefox1081]

# The fat white line when entering an intersection is the line in which you're supposed to stop BEHIND. It means the front end of your car should be stopped behind it...not way beyond it.

[Boost4VR4]

Another thing that really irritates me are the people who can't stop behind the fat white line, and then, even as the red light is still shining, they continue to edge until they are literally under the light and then they go when it turns green. My question is, if you're under the light, how do you know when it turns green and also, do you feel like causing an accident because you want to lurch out in front of everyone else soon to approach yet another light that you will need to stop at? You got nowhere farther than those who are driving normal, so stop and stay stopped!

One time, I played a trick on one of these characters, it was a quiet road, two lanes with a divided median, and I stopped at a red light. I saw the guy next to me edge until he was literally under the light. When he was under the light I started to take off and he just bolted then I stopped lmao and he almost hit some car because he was paying attention to me for the signal to go!

[mb3000]

When people inch forward at a stoplight. Learn to stop at the proper distance away from the car ahead of you and stay there.

[IPD]

15. you can still pull into the intersection and make a left-hand turn on a non-turn-arrow-green-light, provided oncoming traffic is clear. if you sit through a green light with no oncoming traffic--merely because you don't have a turn arrow, i will stab you in the face with a soldering iron.

16. if traffic is merging, and there is a backup of cars in the lanes that continue, if you drive in the closed lane so you can bypass all the traffic, i'm not going to let you in front of me. just because you FAIL at reading comprehension and/or situational awareness, doesn't mean that i should delay my commute EVEN LONGER, so your pathetic "i can't wait in line like everyone else" asshattery goes rewarded.

17. i don't know who invented the 2-second rule, but apparently everyone is oblivious to the passage of time. in DC, if you even left 1/2 a second gap between you and another car, someone would merge in between. really? better dead than late?

18. rubbernecking to see what all the hubub is every damn time you see a bubblegum machine makes me want to rip your fucking balls off.

[onebadmollafolla]

Kind of the opposite of this thread, but a good tip nonetheless. If you see a car with its turn signal on, that only means one thing...that the bulb(s) in the signal work.

Jeremy


http://i.imgur.com/bzW4R.gif

[Street_Chally73]

Just because you work on a farm & have to occasionally access the local county highway with large farming machinery DOES NOT give you the right to pull out in front of any car travelling at the posted speed limit (55-60) only so you can make a left-handed turn a couple hundred feet (or yards) up the road. There's a local idiot who does this ALL the time & damn near causes an accident on a daily basis throughout the summertime.

Also, peripheral-vision is your friend; use it!! I don't care to count how many times people seem to negate the fact that a red sports car (me) is already in the location they wish to merge to (often without using any directional signals & I only catch it when I notice they're slowly creeping past the divided lines towards me).

[Jimvr4]

Well, what happens is the guy in the right lane cuts someone off... because he's a dick... so, the cut off driver has to brake to avoid hitting the dick, then the person behind him has to brake, and the person behind him has to brake. Next thing you know, you have a traffic jam, so more dicks start trying the cut people off move because they don't want to sit in the traffic jam. The same traffic jam the was caused by the first dick. It could all be prevented if people would just get in the proper lane. This sign means to merge, it's there for a reason. When you see it, you should merge then, not when the lane ends.

I see your point but still disagree :lo5l: How about the situation when traffic in both lanes is stopped? Do you suggest the drivers in the ending lane should immediately try to merge over? I suggest they should follow the lane until it ends and then merge safely.

[93mitsVR4]

ok i got one,
If your one of those assholes that likes to ride peoples asses on the road, please dont do it to me when I riding my motorcycle. Its not the same as if I was in a car, you rear end me I could die.

And just because you looked in your side mirrors dont mean you can merge into the lane next to you, turn your damn head to make sure noone is right beside you. Ive had soooo many people do that to me while i was riding my bike, and for some reason they always look pissed at me when i honk my horn to let them know they are about to kill me, like its my fault they drive like a douch.

[DocWalt]

24) Don't stop in the middle of a roundabout to yield to traffic that is yielding to you.

Some dipshit in a roundabout in NJ yielded to me at 2AM with not a single other car for miles. He made me wait just as long as I would have anyway because I just stared at him in disbelief for a few seconds.

[thor'svr4]

this thread pretty much sums up why i don't have a street bike. if i die on a street bike i know it will be because of some girl on a cell or some drunk. they really need to crack down on the dam cell-laws.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

ok i got one,
If your one of those assholes that likes to ride peoples asses on the road, please dont do it to me when I riding my motorcycle. Its not the same as if I was in a car, you rear end me I could die.

And just because you looked in your side mirrors dont mean you can merge into the lane next to you, turn your damn head to make sure noone is right beside you. Ive had soooo many people do that to me while i was riding my bike, and for some reason they always look pissed at me when i honk my horn to let them know they are about to kill me, like its my fault they drive like a douch.

Totally agree, but in the same turn, those of you on motorcycles shouldn't reciprocate either. So sick of the double standards for big rigs and motorcycles. Don't ride my ass, don't cut me off, watch out for ME...sure, no problem, but you need to remember the same. Not directing that at you, personally, I'm talking collectively. Every single day motorcycles and rigs do this shit to me, and it infuriates me due to the lecturing they're always pouring on.

Definitely on turning your head. I always do that, and use my turn signal, for every turn, or lane change, I make. Always. I made a triple lane change merging on to the interstate, about 11 years ago, using no signal. A cop pulled me over, gave me a verbal warning. Completely changed my habit, right then and there. :)

Jeremy

[93mitsVR4]

Totally agree, but in the same turn, those of you on motorcycles shouldn't reciprocate either. So sick of the double standards for big rigs and motorcycles. Don't ride my ass, don't cut me off, watch out for ME...sure, no problem, but you need to remember the same. Not directing that at you, personally, I'm talking collectively. Every single day motorcycles and rigs do this shit to me, and it infuriates me due to the lecturing they're always pouring on.

Jeremy

I understand what ya saying. Altho I do find myself pulling out in front of people that I would not have in a car, Im easily goin faster then they are way before they would even think of braking.. I tend to try to keep as much distance between me and everyone else on the road

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I understand what ya saying. Altho I do find myself pulling out in front of people that I would not have in a car, Im easily goin faster then they are way before they would even think of braking.. I tend to try to keep as much distance between me and everyone else on the road

Yeah, I have no problem with that. Even cars that do it. As long as I don't have to slow down, have at it!

I know there's a lot of good riders out there; I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. :)

Really, the big rigs are the worst. They truly think they own the road, and more often than not do all the things they tell us passenger cars not to.

Jeremy

[IPD]

i heard that the NTSB is pressing for legislation to ban all electronic devices inside a moving vehicle...

[HilbillyHomeboy]

^good luck with that. :lmao:

Jeremy

[Boost4VR4]

i heard that the NTSB is pressing for legislation to ban all electronic devices inside a moving vehicle...

This would be ludicrous. The NTSB is full of fail, I have a cell phone in my car in it's own holder and it has bluetooth integration with my head unit and I would be very upset to not be able to use it, for two reasons, 1 it is my speedometer until I can buy a speedometer cable, two it is my source of music, three it is bluetooth to my radio for a reason: so I don't have to use my hands and change my focus. I literally can drive and communicate to my phone in the car with no issues and I am never taking my focus off of the road. So NTSB can shove it.

[stealthee]

I HAVE to turn my head to make a lane change because the blind spot iis HUGE in my Grand Prix.

[AdamVR4]

Don't drive the wrong way on highway frontage roads?

On the way home from work Friday @ 5:30, as I utilized the 1-lane u-turn under a highway that I generally take pretty fast, I saw a car coming in the opposite direction. I pulled to the right, stopped, and watched this elderly... wait for it... female... Asian driver creep past me and continue heading the wrong direction.

I can only assume she turned the wrong way onto the frontage road coming out of the neighborhood, drove a 1/4 mile, then u-turned before realizing her mistake. This isn't downtown where it's relatively easy to drive the wrong way down 1-way roads. It's a clearly marked major highway.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

... wait for it... female... Asian driver

I had one of those last week flash their lights at me! It was dusk...I didn't have my headlights on(accidentally turned auto lights off)...she was right. feelsbadman.

Jeremy

[93STLTH]

I see your point but still disagree :lo5l: How about the situation when traffic in both lanes is stopped? Do you suggest the drivers in the ending lane should immediately try to merge over? I suggest they should follow the lane until it ends and then merge safely.

By that time, the damage has already been done. I'm still not letting anyone cut in front of me though, my time is just as important as any asshat that thinks they deserve to cut people off.
What I'm talking about is trying to prevent the back up in the first place by getting out of the ending lane before it ends and keeping traffic flowing.

[BigTyla]

Don't drive the wrong way on highway frontage roads?

On the way home from work Friday @ 5:30, as I utilized the 1-lane u-turn under a highway that I generally take pretty fast, I saw a car coming in the opposite direction. I pulled to the right, stopped, and watched this elderly... wait for it... female... Asian driver creep past me and continue heading the wrong direction.

I can only assume she turned the wrong way onto the frontage road coming out of the neighborhood, drove a 1/4 mile, then u-turned before realizing her mistake. This isn't downtown where it's relatively easy to drive the wrong way down 1-way roads. It's a clearly marked major highway.

The same thing happened to me when I was 18 and on my way back from Montgomery Motorsports Park. I was on US 231 driving home at about 11 PM. The highway is a divided four-way with a grassy median. I noticed headlights up ahead and though to myself that no one could be so stupid as to drive the wrong way on a four-lane highway. Imagine my disbelief as the car passed me going the opposite direction in the left lane. I cringe at the thought of what might have happened if I were riding the left lane like so many others do.

[terrets]

Dont fuckin stop at green lights when turning right. :). Very annoying when Im delivering pizzas.

[UTRacerX9]

NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/13/us/ntsb-cell-phone-ban/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)

I'm all for it.

[RealMcCoy]

NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/13/us/ntsb-cell-phone-ban/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)

I'm all for it.

I agree that distracted driving is a huge problem, but I'm just not of the "there oughta be a law" mentality... Nobody bothers to enforce the existing distracted driving laws, or ever aggressively prosecutes idiots that kill people on the road, but we're going to pass another law that WILL be enforced? I can't help but think revenue is the real appeal....

Let's look at the wreck that the NTSB is using for a poster child... No cellphones, no texting by drivers, US urges - Welcome to Charter.net (http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?id=17303325&ps=1011&srce=news_class&action=9&lang=en&_LT=UNLC_USNWU00L9_UNEWS) An idiot kid is texting, and runs into the back of a truck... Then TWO school buses pile on top killing the idiot kid and another person in one of the buses. Is the kid dead because he was texting? Or because a moron bus driver parked on his head...? We're all about gathering a lynch mob for someone on the phone, but the moron that demonstrates their inability to drive by simply not paying attention to anything on the road beyond the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead of them gets a pass...? Maybe we should pass a law against eating a ham on rye while driving. It's obviously distracting... Another law against putting on makeup, another against yelling at the children in the back seat....

[bboyalan]

2) High beams are not for use in traffic.
I have been meaning to rant about this for ages already! Cars are absolutely terrible on the freeway and even worse in opposing traffic on a 2-lane road. Trucks and SUV's are just as un-f*cking-believable here though... especially with improperly adjusted lights, or better yet, HID's. I have only seen ONE truck turn off his lights while behind me at a red light to turn left - thumbs up of course.

It has gotten to the point where I did not even completely defrost my rear window tonight just to maintain sanity.

[shmoo]

By that time, the damage has already been done. I'm still not letting anyone cut in front of me though, my time is just as important as any asshat that thinks they deserve to cut people off.
What I'm talking about is trying to prevent the back up in the first place by getting out of the ending lane before it ends and keeping traffic flowing.

i don't mean to be young and naive, but how can you be so sure that your time is worth as much as theirs is? you must rarely be at fault..

so, you'd rather keep them out, and possibly create another line of traffic?

sounds good to me, i'd rather be crazy.




NTSB recommends full ban on use of cell phones while driving - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/13/us/ntsb-cell-phone-ban/index.html?hpt=hp_t2)

I'm all for it.

when will i get a chance to vote for this? i would love to have a reason to scold people on their phones in traffic. i've already started, but not really with the intention to stop them from talking on the phone.

_isiah

hungry!

[a2j]

multilane roundabouts don't give the right to turn left/right from right/left lanes.

just something that I see every single day....

[AdamVR4]

Not sure why they would ban the use of hands-free cell phones... They might as well ban speaking to a person in the passenger seat.

[UTRacerX9]

I agree that distracted driving is a huge problem, but I'm just not of the "there oughta be a law" mentality... Nobody bothers to enforce the existing distracted driving laws, or ever aggressively prosecutes idiots that kill people on the road, but we're going to pass another law that WILL be enforced? I can't help but think revenue is the real appeal....

Let's look at the wreck that the NTSB is using for a poster child... No cellphones, no texting by drivers, US urges - Welcome to Charter.net (http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?id=17303325&ps=1011&srce=news_class&action=9&lang=en&_LT=UNLC_USNWU00L9_UNEWS) An idiot kid is texting, and runs into the back of a truck... Then TWO school buses pile on top killing the idiot kid and another person in one of the buses. Is the kid dead because he was texting? Or because a moron bus driver parked on his head...? We're all about gathering a lynch mob for someone on the phone, but the moron that demonstrates their inability to drive by simply not paying attention to anything on the road beyond the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead of them gets a pass...? Maybe we should pass a law against eating a ham on rye while driving. It's obviously distracting... Another law against putting on makeup, another against yelling at the children in the back seat....

This is one aspect of traffic law that I absolutely do not care if the "real" reason behind it is revenue. EVERY SINGLE DAY I drive in my car somewhere, I always see some car swerving into other lanes, or failing to notice that their light has turned green and they can now GO, or someone driving much slower than the speed limit... All because they are on the phone. I had some idiot woman suddenly slow down from about 70 to 50mph in front of me on the tollway. Reason? Had to answer and talk on the phone. I've never talked on the phone while driving (by that I mean, I may answer a call sometimes real quick and say I'll call them back.) I even have a bluetooth stereo that will allow me to get my calls through the radio... but I don't use it. If I absolutely need to take a call or make one, I pull over in a parking lot or something.


Not sure why they would ban the use of hands-free cell phones... They might as well ban speaking to a person in the passenger seat.

No law is perfect. I think it overreaches as well, but I'm willing to put up with that part, because frankly, it would be unenforceable. A cop would only pull you over if he saw you talking on a phone held up to your ear, or texting. If he saw you just sitting in your car with your mouth moving, pulled you over, you could simply hang up the call and say you were singing to the radio.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Until police officers start obeying the cell phone laws, I'll do as I please. ;)

Jeremy

[bluefox1081]

Another peeve of mine is when I'm in the left lane, and leaving a safe following distance in front of me (a few car lengths, not talking about football-field's worth of space) and the car behind me will go in to the right or middle lane to pass JUST ME. I've learned from this, and will now purposely close the gap in front of me to not let the car in. Fuck that impatient asshole. You're stuck in traffic like the rest of us.

[AdamVR4]

Another peeve of mine is when I'm in the left lane, and leaving a safe following distance in front of me (a few car lengths, not talking about football-field's worth of space) and the car behind me will go in to the right or middle lane to pass JUST ME. I've learned from this, and will now purposely close the gap in front of me to not let the car in. Fuck that impatient asshole. You're stuck in traffic like the rest of us.

While I understand your frustration, you're not helping the situation. That car passing you forcing you to temporarily slow down isn't really hurting you, is it? Sounds like it's been a while since you took defensive driving ;)

[UTRacerX9]

I also don't agree with leaving a gap in the left lane. Center or right, fine. The left lane is the passing lane, and should be moving faster than the other lanes. That doesn't happen if you have someone holding up the lane and no one behind them is putting pressure on them to either speed up or move over.

[AdamVR4]

I also don't agree with leaving a gap in the left lane. Center or right, fine. The left lane is the passing lane, and should be moving faster than the other lanes. That doesn't happen if you have someone holding up the lane and no one behind them is putting pressure on them to either speed up or move over.

I'm not saying he should or shouldn't leave a gap. I'm saying it's messed up to accelerate to prevent someone from passing you. He's right, they're both stuck in traffic. Why escalate the situation? Let the guy pass you if he wants.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

It's a dangerous situation. 1. passing on the right is illegal in pretty much every State, AFAIK. 2. the driver doing the passing isn't accomplishing anything, other than potentially creating a wreck. 3. he now has to slow down, possibly abruptly. is the person that's now behind him ready for that?

Or let's flip the situation. Driving in the left lane, legitimately passing someone. Car is up your ass. You complete your pass, easily overtaking the person in the right lane. Now ass rider drops the hammer, passes you, and whips it in front of you to make their exit at the last second. That's fucking stupid(happened to me yesterday), just 100% unnecessary. As you're saying I'm a good enough driver to not flip out over this. But, a large majority of the population would jack on the brakes. Now, you've got a potentially deadly situation. Why? So, sir-rush-a-lot could save 3.28 seconds, and waste gas.

I always stop and think about my passing. Where is my destination? Will I have to cut some one off to make it? How much time am I really going to save vs. fuel consumption? Shit, I learned this stuff in 11th grade...

Defensive driving...I'm starting to think we need a polite and courteous driving course.

Jeremy

[bluefox1081]

While I understand your frustration, you're not helping the situation. That car passing you forcing you to temporarily slow down isn't really hurting you, is it? Sounds like it's been a while since you took defensive driving ;)

Never took a defensive driving course, never had to. I've been in one accident in my entire life which was a minor fender bender that wasn't my fault when I was 17, and I've never been issued even one moving violation for the 13+ years I've been driving. No, the driver isn't hurting me, but passing on the right is illegal and dangerous, especially in traffic...so yes, they could potentially be hurting me. But really it's the principle of it all. I'm stuck in the same traffic as the person behind me. It's not like I'm moving slower than the traffic in front of me. If we're all moving at the same pace and we're still passing people in the middle/right lanes, then there's no need for the person behind me to take the small clearing in the middle/left lane to pass one car and get back into the lane. It only cause traffic jams when they have to slam on their brakes and cut someone off, causing them to slam on their brakes and snowball effect the whole thing.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

^exactly. :)

Jeremy

[UTRacerX9]

I'm not saying he should or shouldn't leave a gap. I'm saying it's messed up to accelerate to prevent someone from passing you. He's right, they're both stuck in traffic. Why escalate the situation? Let the guy pass you if he wants.

I agree with that. Sometimes though, I will stop someone from passing me, usually because they've already acted like an idiot. You know the situation, guy keeps changing lines left and right trying to get ahead, then gets stuck behind a stopped car, then you pass on by, then he cuts back into your lane, then back to the other... while not accomplishing anything or getting anywhere faster than anybody. When I see that happen, I do my best not to let him in front of me, because if there's going to be an accident caused by him, I want it behind me, not in front. :)

[j2k4]

Sometimes though, I will stop someone from passing me, usually because they've already acted like an idiot. You know the situation, guy keeps changing lines left and right trying to get ahead, then gets stuck behind a stopped car, then you pass on by, then he cuts back into your lane, then back to the other... while not accomplishing anything or getting anywhere faster than anybody. When I see that happen, I do my best not to let him in front of me...

Typical self-important-prick-move.

[TonyM]

I want it behind me, not in front. :)

Oh really? :lol:

That reveals a lot . . .

[UTRacerX9]

Gosh Tony, with wit like that, it's amazing you're not out there killing it on the comedy circuit.

[TonyM]

Gosh Tony, with wit like that, it's amazing you're not out there killing it on the comedy circuit.

I've always thought the same of you and life . . . with the vast intellect you display here I'm surprised you're not at the top of the Forbes 400, Fortune 500, and President - all at the same time.

[UTRacerX9]

I've always thought the same of you and life . . . with the vast intellect you display here I'm surprised you're not at the top of the Forbes 400, Fortune 500, and President - all at the same time.

If you'd really like to compare life success, I'm game. Don't feel too bad when you come up short though.

[AdamVR4]

This just keep getting better, haha.

[Jimvr4]

By that time, the damage has already been done. I'm still not letting anyone cut in front of me though, my time is just as important as any asshat that thinks they deserve to cut people off.
What I'm talking about is trying to prevent the back up in the first place by getting out of the ending lane before it ends and keeping traffic flowing.
That attitude is what we should be avoiding. Everyone's time is just as important. So just relax and let him in.


i don't mean to be young and naive, but how can you be so sure that your time is worth as much as theirs is? you must rarely be at fault..

so, you'd rather keep them out, and possibly create another line of traffic?

sounds good to me, i'd rather be crazy.

Agree. This thread proves we still have a lot to learn about respecting others and doing the right thing even when someone else doesn't.

[TonyM]

If you'd really like to compare life success, I'm game. Don't feel too bad when you come up short though.

Todd, it's already painfully obvious to everyone you have the biggest e-dick here, no worries. Always knew the a "measuring contest" was the only thing you really crave around here . . .

[UTRacerX9]

You know, I really DO have the biggest e-dick here! It's always following me around on every post! (Sometimes it takes awhile to catch up, since it's so big!)

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I think that question is pretty easily solved by the actions of the big rig drivers. There's good reason why they jump over and block people from running the upcoming closed lane. I always support them, and offer to be the guy that paces them assuring they can get back in line. I am also the guy that leaves enormous space between me and the car in front of me to try to get everything actually flowing, rather than gas, brake, gas, brake.

Patience is a lost virtue. *sigh*

Jeremy

[AdamVR4]

I am also the guy that leaves enormous space between me and the car in front of me to try to get everything actually flowing, rather than gas, brake, gas, brake.

That's how I roll, too. I'd much rather steadily cruise at 5 mph in stop and go than, well, stop and go.

[TonyM]

That's how I roll, too. I'd much rather steadily cruise at 5 mph in stop and go than, well, stop and go.

Especially if driving a manual . . . if not for the sake of the driver, for the sake of the clutch disc!

[j2k4]

Especially if driving a manual . . . if not for the sake of the driver, for the sake of the clutch disc!

I'll bet you'd have a more aggressive view of things if your Uncle was a senator. ;)

[HilbillyHomeboy]

http://i.imgur.com/sytIN.jpg


If you drive like the guy in the top frame, yep, you're an asshole. That burns me up, so bad. An emergency vehicle does not give you the right to jump in behind and pass everyone that has yielded!!!

Jeremy

[Boost4VR4]

Until police officers start obeying the cell phone laws, I'll do as I please. ;)

Jeremy

This is a huge problem in our state. I see the police on their cell phones all the time. They have all of this super expensive fancy equipment in their car and they can't afford maybe one more piece of equipment... bluetooth radio adapter?! Cmon! Only 59.99 for most aftermarket applications, and I do believe practically everything they have is aftermarket... Oh wait, maybe they shouldn't be on their phone period and doing their damn jobs! You can't hear the police scanner when you have a cell phone to your ear.

[BigTyla]

That's how I roll, too. I'd much rather steadily cruise at 5 mph in stop and go than, well, stop and go.

Same here. I did this all the time in the Z and it seemed to piss a few people off. Traffic ahead of me is at a dead stop and they're riding my ass just to get to the last car quicker, even though they're going to get to their destination at the same time!

Common sense isn't so common these days.

[TonyM]

Oh wait, maybe they shouldn't be on their phone period and doing their damn jobs!

Bingo. And I won't even add the "doing their jobs" caveat, if you're behind the wheel, put the cell phone away. Period. No bluetooth, no hands free, no nothing. Put in your briefcase in the trunk or backseat, put it in your glovebox, put it anywhere but on your person where it'll tempt you to make a call, write a text, or check and email.

Some interesting stats and food for thought: During the recent 3-day BlackBerry service outage Dubai experienced a 20% reduction in traffic accidents, while Abu Dhabi experienced a 40% reduction and no fatalities. For reference, a traffic accident tends to occur every 3 minutes in Dubai and a fatal accident every 2 days in Abu Dhabi.

If that isn't enough to show you that people need to hang up and drive, here's another:

Text Messaging and Driving - Texting Can Wait | AT&T (http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=2964)

Watch it, show it to your friends, family, coworkers, etc. I don't use my phone when I drive, at all. It goes in the back in my briefcase when I leave the office and doesn't come out until I get home, or it stays in my pocket on silent (say, on the weekends) to resist temptation to answer it. Bottom line, whatever insignificant conversation you feel you need to have while piloting a 4,000lb missile, I assure you it can wait the 20 minutes until you get where you're going.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I have to have my phone out, I use it for nav, and I spend a lot of time in the car(I don't stare at it, I just listen to what it tells me to do). Yes, I talk on it while I drive, as well. I've never put myself in a dangerous situation as a result. The closest calls I've had, have been a result of sleep deprivation. I try to avoid driving like that at all costs, anymore.

Jeremy

[AdamVR4]

The ambulance picture reminded me of another recent close call...

I'm cruising in the right lane of a 4 lane (total, 2 each way) road. There's hardly any traffic but there's a handful of cars up in front of me and one about to pass me on the left. Coming from the opposite direction is a long funeral procession with police escort. Suddenly, the lead car in front of me pulls off to the right. For whatever reason, EVERYONE follows suit, including the car that was passing me. They literally cut me off and slammed on their brakes. I couldn't believe it. I had to slam my brakes and change lanes to avoid rear-ending them. Of course it would have been "my fault".

I understand respecting the dead, but I can't remember seeing people pull over like this for a funeral procession before. Perhaps this is customary else where? Hell, people don't even pull over like that for ambulances. To top it off, the reckless idiot damn near caused a collision. I was absolutely LIVID!

[HilbillyHomeboy]

People do that where I live. I grew up 2 hours North of here, and had never seen such a thing.

Another wierd custom, locally, is people putting their turn signal on to let the person behind them know that the car in front of them is turning. The hell? I can see your brake lights, I don't need to know all that. LOL. It's one specific County, won't see it anywhere else around here. The first time I noticed it, it made me rage. Thinking why does this guy keep putting on his turn signal, yet never turns?! So odd...

Jeremy

[TonyM]

I have to have my phone out, I use it for nav, and I spend a lot of time in the car(I don't stare at it, I just listen to what it tells me to do). Yes, I talk on it while I drive, as well. I've never put myself in a dangerous situation as a result. The closest calls I've had, have been a result of sleep deprivation. I try to avoid driving like that at all costs, anymore.

Jeremy

Navigation use is one thing, undoubtedly nav systems can be a solid replacement for fumbling with papers maps (although I would wager that people are "dumber" about planning their route before hand nowadays since they just listen to the nav when it says "right turn NOW!").

I hope your string of good luck does continue Jeremy, I really do. But you're fortunate not have had an incident yet and that stats in this area don't lie; as we all know distracted driving is distracted driving, no two ways about it. The human brain is not a true "multi-tasking" machine, contrary to what some people believe. We only have the ability to focus couscious though one one thing at a time. After seeing some of the nasty accidents I have with respect to people yammering away on their phones, it's enough for me to commit to putting it away. The car is for driving, I make calls before and after I put my car in gear.

[bboyalan]

^Speaking of which, do they still make Thomas Guides? I have one or two of my old, bounded map books in the garage :)

[AdamVR4]

Navigation use is one thing, undoubtedly nav systems can be a solid replacement for fumbling with papers maps (although I would wager that people are "dumber" about planning their route before hand nowadays since they just listen to the nav when it says "right turn NOW!").

I hope your string of good luck does continue Jeremy, I really do. But you're fortunate not have had an incident yet and that stats in this area don't lie; as we all know distracted driving is distracted driving, no two ways about it. The human brain is not a true "multi-tasking" machine, contrary to what some people believe. We only have the ability to focus couscious though one one thing at a time. After seeing some of the nasty accidents I have with respect to people yammering away on their phones, it's enough for me to commit to putting it away. The car is for driving, I make calls before and after I put my car in gear.

I agree, but I might just be a ruh-tard. I always miss turns and shit when talking to the wife in the passenger seat (it's really strange, I don't have this issue with ANYONE else). Probably because I'm always over-analyzing what I do because she back seat drives like woah. No, I don't tolerate it, so that always ends well, LOL. When I'm by myself and need to be anywhere, I always leave way early and arrive early, but when she's with me, we're always at least 5 minutes late... Turning a simple missed turn into a disaster of biblical proportions... I let her drive so I can zone-out in the passenger seat. haha... Funny, her Dad rides shotgun with her Mom, too.

[BigTyla]

I understand respecting the dead, but I can't remember seeing people pull over like this for a funeral procession before. Perhaps this is customary else where? Hell, people don't even pull over like that for ambulances. To top it off, the reckless idiot damn near caused a collision. I was absolutely LIVID!

...are you serious? I thought everyone knew this was customary!

Yes, you are supposed to pull over for a funeral procession. It is a sign of respect. You are supposed to do it safely, however. :)

[HilbillyHomeboy]

It's not a matter of planning routes for me, other than by which city I need to hit first. If I'm out to see 6-8 places, over the course of 3-4 Counties, I can't really plan those routes(it's also a colossal waste of time). Especially when a lot of it is forensic, or undercover, work where I need to get in and out as quick as possible without being seen. Basically, try finding HC67 Box 239H on a paper map. Not gonna happen. Not that nav always knows, but google nav is pretty damn sharp. I do carry paper maps still, also. They come in handy from time to time.

Admittedly multi-tasking in the car is not the best idea, but I know my abilities. :)

Jeremy

[TonyM]

I agree, but I might just be a ruh-tard. I always miss turns and shit when talking to the wife in the passenger seat (it's really strange, I don't have this issue with ANYONE else). Probably because I'm always over-analyzing what I do because she back seat drives like woah. No, I don't tolerate it, so that always ends well, LOL. When I'm by myself and need to be anywhere, I always leave way early and arrive early, but when she's with me, we're always at least 5 minutes late... Turning a simple missed turn into a disaster of biblical proportions... I let her drive so I can zone-out in the passenger seat. haha

Hey it's true man, even a super intense conversation with a passenger can be really distracting.

I'm not trying to be a zealot about it and say everyone should be locked eyes forward on the road, but that's where the primary focus should be. At least a fellow passenger in the car, even if engaged in a conversation, is a second set of eyes that are [hopefully] looking forward and could also help with hazard recognition and avoidance.

I guess I'm just fed up with driving near some pretty awful drivers these days, to the point where you wonder if they feel asleep at the red light or are just plain drunk as they wander from lane to lane, only to get next to them and see them trying to hold a debate or write the next Odyssey on their iPhone. Just unreal and downright scary.

[AdamVR4]

...are you serious? I thought everyone knew this was customary!

Yes, you are supposed to pull over for a funeral procession. It is a sign of respect. You are supposed to do it safely, however. :)

I called my Dad about it and he was surprised too. I mean, I'd heard of it before and probably seen it once, but it's definitely not common practice in Austin.

Call me crazy, but I'd prefer people have more respect for the living in need (ambulances) than the dead. All people do for ambulances around here is just enough to allow the ambulance to pass.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I agree, but I might just be a ruh-tard. I always miss turns and shit when talking to the wife in the passenger seat (it's really strange, I don't have this issue with ANYONE else). Probably because I'm always over-analyzing what I do because she back seat drives like woah. No, I don't tolerate it, so that always ends well, LOL. When I'm by myself and need to be anywhere, I always leave way early and arrive early, but when she's with me, we're always at least 5 minutes late... Turning a simple missed turn into a disaster of biblical proportions... I let her drive so I can zone-out in the passenger seat. haha... Funny, her Dad rides shotgun with her Mom, too.

Oh wow, I thought I was the only one. For some reason when the wifey is in the car (also an avid back seat driver), I blow turns and what not too(only with her, doesn't affect me with anyone else). Good to know I'm not alone, ahaha! :D

But, she hardly ever drives us. She much prefers that I drive.

Jeremy

[AdamVR4]

Oh wow, I thought I was the only one. For some reason when the wifey is in the car (also an avid back seat driver), I blow turns and what not too(only with her, doesn't affect me with anyone else). Good to know I'm not alone, ahaha! :D

Seriously, thank you. I thought I had a problem. haha

[TonyM]

Admittedly multi-tasking in the car is not the best idea, but I know my abilities. :)

Ahhh if I had a nickel everytime I heard that with respect to this discussion! Haha. Godspeed good sir . . . everyone has to find it in their own right. For me it was watching that AT&T vid during a safety bulletin at work, I can now say I've been "clean" haha for about 8 months with respect to avoiding phone use while I drive.

[UTRacerX9]

I called my Dad about it and he was surprised too. I mean, I'd heard of it before and probably seen it once, but it's definitely not common practice in Austin.

Call me crazy, but I'd prefer people have more respect for the living in need (ambulances) than the dead. All people do for ambulances around here is just enough to allow the ambulance to pass.

They do that in FL. I'd never seen it anywhere in TX. (Obviously, when the cops/motorcade are turning, they can block oncoming or cross traffic and everyone stops.) If the procession is going the opposite way I am going, I don't slow down or stop. I think you got to see "pack mentality" first hand there. The first guy pulls over, the second guy wonders what the hell for, but oh, there's a cop coming! and proceeds to do the same, and it snowballs.

[TonyM]

Call me crazy, but I'd prefer people have more respect for the living in need (ambulances) than the dead. All people do for ambulances around here is just enough to allow the ambulance to pass.

I gotta say in my observation it's a Texas thing, people rarely seem to yield for emergency vehicles around here and most don't bother to change lanes if a cop is pulled over on the shoulder. Scary . . .

In Michigan I know it's always been law to yield but I'm fairly certain in Texas they only just recently passed a law that you have to change lanes or slow down if you approach a stopped officer. Or maybe that's just Harris County?

[AdamVR4]

I gotta say in my observation it's a Texas thing, people rarely seem to yield for emergency vehicles around here and most don't bother to change lanes if a cop is pulled over on the shoulder. Scary . . .

I always change lanes, but if I can't, I slow to like 20 below the limit. I wasn't sure if the law was 20 mph, but I just checked and sure enough it is (Move Over Act, 2003).

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Ahhh if I had a nickel everytime I heard that with respect to this discussion! Haha. Godspeed good sir . . . everyone has to find it in their own right. For me it was watching that AT&T vid during a safety bulletin at work, I can now say I've been "clean" haha for about 8 months with respect to avoiding phone use while I drive.

Oh, I know it's what everyone says. I drive a lot more than the average person. I do not use the phone just to yak it up. It's a 3 minute call from my wife, or a 2 minute call to someone for directions, or a 2 minute call for a solicitation from a client. I don't call my Grandma and philosophically discuss what I was like as a kid, or reminisce with buddies about the good ol days. My eyes are never off the road(no more than changing a radio station anyway), nor is my concentration.

You would cringe if you saw the amount of shit I used to handle while driving. Nav relieved a lot of that. We're talking smoking a cig, talking on the phone, writing down directions, and shifting gears. Driving with my knee, of course. :D

It's something I've always had a knack for. The same as I can hold my speed perfectly, without even paying attention to the speedo. This has always amazed people, while I find it to be a subconscious effort. I dunno, it's just kind of a connection with the car. *shrug*

Your advice doesn't fall on deaf ears, don't get me wrong. It's just a necessary evil in my business. Time truly is money for me, I have to be wired up all the time.

Jeremy

[Boost4VR4]

...are you serious? I thought everyone knew this was customary!

Yes, you are supposed to pull over for a funeral procession. It is a sign of respect. You are supposed to do it safely, however. :)

I definitely did not know that... I know that when you are in a funeral precession you do not have to follow traffic signs though... That really does bug me, I can't stand that...

[beepbeep]

...are you serious? I thought everyone knew this was customary!

Yes, you are supposed to pull over for a funeral procession. It is a sign of respect. You are supposed to do it safely, however. :)

It's customary. I've always pulled over for a procession. From WV as a kid to SC where I live now...always have pulled over.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Yeah, if a funeral procession comes up from behind, absolutely I yield. On the other side of the road? Sorry, I'm not stopping. It's obviously a very Southern thing. Grown up in WV all my life and never seen it until I moved to the Southern end of the State.

Another tricky one...school bus on the opposite side of a divided 4 lane road. Do you stop? I do not. Those kids are not crossing the road. The bus will come down the other side of the road; there is no need to stop. I've seen people freak out on this not knowing what to do.

Jeremy

[UTRacerX9]

A quick search shows that TX does not have a law requiring you to pull over for a funeral procession, you can even pass them if traveling the same direction. Only thing you have to do is yield if it is being led by an officer and they direct you to.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

A quick search shows that TX does not have a law requiring you to pull over for a funeral procession, you can even pass them if traveling the same direction. Only thing you have to do is yield if it is being led by an officer and they direct you to.

LMAO, my wife was in a situation kinda like that once. Stopped at a red light. A cop needed through. She had nowhere to go. Cop gets on the PA and says "go through the light". She had a "God, is that you?" moment. Dude had to finally say, "ma'am. I am a police officer and I am telling you it's ok to go through the light". This for everyone around to hear. :lol:

Jeremy

[AdamVR4]

haha, awesome.

[DocWalt]

Not many people here stop for funeral processions unless they're crossing the intersection in front of you.

Not many people stop when an ambulance comes up from behind, and 90% of people only slow a bit when one comes the opposite direction. I managed to destroy a tire on my Supra pulling over for an ambulance behind me, ran over a gigantic piece of metal because I was so focused on the ambulance lol.


Yeah, if a funeral procession comes up from behind, absolutely I yield. On the other side of the road? Sorry, I'm not stopping. It's obviously a very Southern thing. Grown up in WV all my life and never seen it until I moved to the Southern end of the State.

Another tricky one...school bus on the opposite side of a divided 4 lane road. Do you stop? I do not. Those kids are not crossing the road. The bus will come down the other side of the road; there is no need to stop. I've seen people freak out on this not knowing what to do.

Jeremy

I was curious about the school bus thing. According to PA law, if it's an undivided highway you must stop no matter how wide it is. If the bus is at a corner of the intersection with the red lights flashing you also must stop even on the side street. Interesting.

[TonyM]

Oh, I know it's what everyone says. I drive a lot more than the average person. I do not use the phone just to yak it up. It's a 3 minute call from my wife, or a 2 minute call to someone for directions, or a 2 minute call for a solicitation from a client. I don't call my Grandma and philosophically discuss what I was like as a kid, or reminisce with buddies about the good ol days. My eyes are never off the road(no more than changing a radio station anyway), nor is my concentration.

You would cringe if you saw the amount of shit I used to handle while driving. Nav relieved a lot of that. We're talking smoking a cig, talking on the phone, writing down directions, and shifting gears. Driving with my knee, of course. :D

It's something I've always had a knack for. The same as I can hold my speed perfectly, without even paying attention to the speedo. This has always amazed people, while I find it to be a subconscious effort. I dunno, it's just kind of a connection with the car. *shrug*

Your advice doesn't fall on deaf ears, don't get me wrong. It's just a necessary evil in my business. Time truly is money for me, I have to be wired up all the time.

Jeremy

Understandable, proceed safely. ;)

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Another one learned the hard way by my wife. At a stop light at a 4 way intersection. The road perpendicular to her is a one way, heading to her left. The road she is on, continues on the other side of the perpendicular road. She figured, ok, it's a one way, I can make a left on red. The cop that pulled her over explained otherwise. You can only turn left on a one way, if it's a T intersection. (obviously this will vary by municipality, but it's the general rule/law)

Wife, being a woman and all, tried alternate theories with the cop. Such as "what if the road I'm on is a one way also?". No dice, only at a T intersection, explained the cop.

I don't mean to paint her negatively. She is a good driver. Slow, but good. :D

Jeremy

[93STLTH]

That attitude is what we should be avoiding. Everyone's time is just as important. So just relax and let him in.


Agree. This thread proves we still have a lot to learn about respecting others and doing the right thing even when someone else doesn't.

Well Jim, since it seems the majority here share my viewpoint, we'll have to agree to disagree. I guess if I ever see a black Spyder coming up in the right lane and trying to merge at the end of it, I'll know it's you. :D

[Jimvr4]

Well Jim, since it seems the majority here share my viewpoint, we'll have to agree to disagree. I guess if I ever see a black Spyder coming up in the right lane and trying to merge at the end of it, I'll know it's you. :D

Haha Tom! I KNEW you would have to get the last word. Are you gonna try and cut me off when I do it? :D

[stealthee]

People do that where I live. I grew up 2 hours North of here, and had never seen such a thing.

Another wierd custom, locally, is people putting their turn signal on to let the person behind them know that the car in front of them is turning. The hell? I can see your brake lights, I don't need to know all that. LOL. It's one specific County, won't see it anywhere else around here. The first time I noticed it, it made me rage. Thinking why does this guy keep putting on his turn signal, yet never turns?! So odd...

Jeremy

They do it in Mon County. The first time I saw it I was on 119 heading back into PA with two cars in front of me. We were traveling 35 mph and that section of road is 55mph. Both cars put their right turn signal on and I thought "FINALLY" but the 2nd car turned his signal off and continued north. I was like WTF? Same thing happened a day later and now I see it all the time.

And as for talking while driving I do it all the time. I have never once even had a close call while on the phone because I pay EVEN MORE ATTENTION to my surroundings when on the phone. I don't slow way down either. If traffic gets heavy or the weather is nasty I will not answer though. I can text without even looking at my phone. I don't have a qwerty keyboard and now the how many presses of each button it takes to get to the desired letter. Again I don't do it if the situation is too risky.

No video will make me change my mind. All of those videos are stupid and over-dramatic.

[TonyM]

No video will make me change my mind. All of those videos are stupid and over-dramatic.

I don't know if I'd say a paraplegic kid is stupid and over-dramatic (i'd say engaging in unnecessary distracted driving that could wait 10 minutes is "stupid"), but giving up the phone in the car is something you have to arrive at one your own, nobody can really force you to do it, I've been unsuccessful convincing my own fiancee to do it so, there ya go. Hopefully it doesn't take a car accident to help people learn the dangers of it.

Happy motoring . . . :)

[beepbeep]

Hopefully it doesn't take a car accident to help people learn the dangers of it.


Unfortunately, it generally does.

[RealMcCoy]

Until police officers start obeying the cell phone laws, I'll do as I please. ;)

Jeremy

Oregon made police exempt from the cell phone law... That torqued me off in a big way. I can't EVER pass a cop around here without seeing them talking on the phone. Can you imagine how pissed you'd be if a cop had to hang up the phone to pull you over and write you a ticket for talking on the phone?

[mb3000]

Down south we always stop in respect of the dead, except on a busy highway with a median (4 lane, etc..) I can't imagine someone passing a procession, no-matter what type roadway.

As for the school bus stopping, 4 lane or divided median require no stopping/yielding from the opposite traffic.

[93STLTH]

Haha Tom! I KNEW you would have to get the last word. Are you gonna try and cut me off when I do it? :D

If I'm in my Infiniti, yes, in my Stealth... maybe.

[TT4ME]

Round-a-bouts are great, until they meet idiot drivers.

[bluefox1081]

Is it THAT f**kin hard to park your car somewhat straight within the lines of a parking space!!? And if you can't get it the first time you pull in, take the 10 god damn seconds out of your day to pull out and fix your shit you inconsiderate prick!!

[j2k4]

Is it THAT f**kin hard to park your car somewhat straight within the lines of a parking space!!? And if you can't get it the first time you pull in, take the 10 god damn seconds out of your day to pull out and fix your shit you inconsiderate prick!!

You remind me of someone...




















...oh, yes - me. :)

[IPD]

i vote that people who can't properly park oversized pickups shouldn't be allowed to own them.

[j2k4]

i vote that people who can't properly park oversized pickups shouldn't be allowed to own them.

Watched a 350 duallie crew-cab get stuck in the BK drive-thru the other day.

That was good for a larf. :)

[DocWalt]

I took the drivers test in my dad's pickup truck... Parallel parked that bitch like a champ lol

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Proud to say my wife can park her Escalade ESV...better than I can. She can whip that firetruck size SUV into any spot.

Jeremy

[stealthee]

I thought more about why I can drive while talking on the phone without worry. The reason is I am less likely to make "risky" manuevers. I am more aware of my surroundings as well. Also I am one of those people whose mind wanders if all I am doing is driving. If I am on the phone I am forced to concentrate.

This may not make any sense to the anti talk while you drive people, but for me, at least, its true.

[stealthify]

I thought more about why I can drive while talking on the phone without worry. The reason is I am less likely to make "risky" manuevers. I am more aware of my surroundings as well. Also I am one of those people whose mind wanders if all I am doing is driving. If I am on the phone I am forced to concentrate.

This may not make any sense to the anti talk while you drive people, but for me, at least, its true.

It makes sense.

Even though I hate being cut off by people who happen to be on their cell phones, I almost equally get cut off by daydreamers that just, naturally, aren't aware of their surroundings. It just seems that when you take those types of people, and THEN give them a cell phone, the problem amplifies ten-fold.

Driving while multitasking takes a whole different type of skillset than most drivers possess. You can't drive with a cell phone to your ear in the same manner you would drive without one. I can't say I've perfected it, so I try to keep my cell phone away.

[UTRacerX9]

I think those of you who are saying that you can drive while talking/texting on a cell phone are in the same camp as the people who swear they drive better after a couple of beers.

[JohnnyTurbo]

Back in line with the OP topic, #35) for those who live in the snow belt and have driven in it for more than one season; if you treat snow like it is the first time you have seen it and do not know WTF to do, just move your ass down to S. Florida!!!! Seriously, 90% of the snow belt drivers forget how to drive in the shit in just 7 months of dry roads.

[TonyM]

I think those of you who are saying that you can drive while talking/texting on a cell phone are in the same camp as the people who swear they drive better after a couple of beers.

Good god I agree with Todd.

Hell: frozen.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Buzzed/drunk driving and talking while driving I hardly feel are comparable. Twist it how you wish, but I disagree completely. ib4 AO links to silly studies.

Jeremy

[TonyM]

I'll do it . . . :D

Drivers on Cell Phones Are as Bad as Drunks - University of Utah News Release: June 29th, 2006 (http://unews.utah.edu/old/p/062206-1.html)


Key Findings: Different Driving Styles, Similar Impairment

Each of the study"s 40 participants “drove” a PatrolSim driving simulator four times: once each while undistracted, using a handheld cell phone, using a hands-free cell phone and while intoxicated to the 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level after drinking vodka and orange juice. Participants followed a simulated pace car that braked intermittently.

Both handheld and hands-free cell phones impaired driving, with no significant difference in the degree of impairment. That “calls into question driving regulations that prohibited handheld cell phones and permit hands-free cell phones,” the researchers write.

The study found that compared with undistracted drivers:

•Motorists who talked on either handheld or hands-free cell phones drove slightly slower, were 9 percent slower to hit the brakes, displayed 24 percent more variation in following distance as their attention switched between driving and conversing, were 19 percent slower to resume normal speed after braking and were more likely to crash. Three study participants rear-ended the pace car. All were talking on cell phones. None were drunk.

•Drivers drunk at the 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level drove a bit more slowly than both undistracted drivers and drivers using cell phones, yet more aggressively. They followed the pace car more closely, were twice as likely to brake only four seconds before a collision would have occurred, and hit their brakes with 23 percent more force. “Neither accident rates, nor reaction times to vehicles braking in front of the participant, nor recovery of lost speed following braking differed significantly” from undistracted drivers, the researchers write.

“Impairments associated with using a cell phone while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while drunk,” they conclude.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

16 years of driving and talking, here. :D back at ya.

Jeremy

[UTRacerX9]

Buzzed/drunk driving and talking while driving I hardly feel are comparable.

Jeremy

How they each make you feel are hardly comparable. How they affect your driving ability, by introducing a distraction or impairing your ability to drive, is where they've been found to be statistically the same. Think of it this way... Can you drive a car while texting or talking? Yes, you can. Can you drive a car while NOT texting and talking? Yes, you can.

Now, can you avoid being in an accident while you are fumbling with the delete key to retype a word that the stupid autocorrect filled in for you, looking down in your lap when a driver swerves into your lane? Maybe. Do you have a better chance of avoiding said accident if you weren't looking down and screwing around with the phone? Absolutely.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

I don't text and drive. On the extremely rare occasion that I do, it's at a stop light, which is of no threat to anyone or anything. So, I am never looking down, fumbling with the phone, etc.

I drive more than double the national average annually, and have never had an at fault accident. I've been rear ended twice, once while at a dead stop(15 yrs ago), the other was a crazy family that chased me down(20 yrs ago) after I flipped them off for pulling out in front of me(the turn they made was illegal, I was within my rights). Chased me to my house, and I locked up the brakes so they smashed into me. You follow me to my house, you had best be prepared to potentially die. Yes, I was armed at the time, as well.

There's really nothing more for me to say. I'm not changing my habit(s). With that said, I don't condone the act.

Jeremy

[bluefox1081]

i vote that people who can't properly park oversized pickups shouldn't be allowed to own them.

And anyone that can't properly park their micromachine-sized car (Civic, Fiat 500, VW Golf, Prius, etc,) should be punched and have their car lit on fire. It's not hard to fit a 5ft.-wide car into a 9ft.-wide parking space.

[j2k4]

And anyone that can't properly park their micromachine-sized car (Civic, Fiat 500, VW Golf, Prius, etc,) should be punched and have their car lit on fire. It's not hard to fit a 5ft.-wide car into a 9ft.-wide parking space.

Well, it can be an awfully tough fit if the five-foot-wide car is piloted by a fifteen-foot-wide attitude of self-congratulation.

That happens alot.

[thor'svr4]

the only thing that really pisses me off is when people blatantly risk the lives of others on the road. people who don't know how to drive are dangerous because they make a lot of small mistakes that could cause an accident. But the most dangerous thing on the road is someone who thinks they are a professional driver and pushes there car as hard as they can while others are around.

also if you stop at the end of a freeway on-ramp you deserve to get rear ended.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

the only thing that really pisses me off is when people blatantly risk the lives of others on the road. people who don't know how to drive are dangerous because they make a lot of small mistakes that could cause an accident. But the most dangerous thing on the road is someone who thinks they are a professional driver and pushes there car as hard as they can while others are around.

also if you stop at the end of a freeway on-ramp you deserve to get rear ended.

A million times this. It amazes me how many people I see pushing huge vehicles, and commuter shit boxes, so hard.

I've had to stop on on-ramps before. Very rare, but sometimes you just can not get in. I'm not the asshole that feels they have the right to get in. The cars on the freeway have the ROW.

Jeremy

[BigTyla]

48) If you are going to pass me, don't get in front of me and slow down, forcing me to lane change and pass you soon after you've passed me. If you have a problem keeping constant velocity, a neat device called cruise control should be able to assist you in your deficiencies.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Haha, no doubt. As well as, do not travel 75 in the slow lane, mover to pass and decrease speed by 5-10 mph. Hold your damn speed! Hate those people.

Also, please don't pull out in front of me, when I can see in my rear view there isn't a vehicle in sight. Another 5 seconds isn't going to break your precious schedule.

Jeremy

[TonyM]

I've had to stop on on-ramps before. Very rare, but sometimes you just can not get in. I'm not the asshole that feels they have the right to get in. The cars on the freeway have the ROW.

Jeremy

To me, not letting people enter the freeway from an on-ramp by changing langes is one of the biggest violations of "driver code" ever. Whenever I approach a freeway interchange I move to the center/left lane and return to the right lane after the on-ramp. Such a peeve of people barreling down the right lane when a string of cars is trying to enter - and half the time, it's some moron on a cell phone. :D

[HilbillyHomeboy]

To me, not letting people enter the freeway from an on-ramp by changing langes is one of the biggest violations of "driver code" ever. Whenever I approach a freeway interchange I move to the center/left lane and return to the right lane after the on-ramp. Such a peeve of people barreling down the right lane when a string of cars is trying to enter - and half the time, it's some moron on a cell phone. :D

And you make way too many assumptions. There are times when you simply can NOT get over. As in, bumper to bumper traffic, or a semi, in the lane beside you. I never get mad at people that are already on the interstate. It's my problem to make my way in. There is no entitlement. I do my best to let people in, but it isn't always possible (either I can't get over, or the person merging fails to understand how it's done).

Jeremy

[AdamVR4]

a neat device called cruise control should be able to assist you in your deficiencies.

I utilize that device like crazy :)

And I'm totally with Tony on the on-ramp merging thing. Gotta give people space. You can't just turn your brain off because you're in the right lane.

[AdamVR4]

And you make way too many assumptions. There are times when you simply can NOT get over. As in, bumper to bumper traffic, or a semi, in the lane beside you. I never get mad at people that are already on the interstate. It's my problem to make my way in. There is no entitlement. I do my best to let people in, but it isn't always possible (either I can't get over, or the person merging fails to understand how it's done).

Jeremy


Right, but when you've got a steady stream of cars in the right lane, an unoccupied center lane, and only a short distance for cars to merge or be forced back off the highway, it's just the right thing to do.

Very few people have your frame of mind. If they can't merge, they'll STOP and wait rather than trying again at the next on-ramp, dramatically increasing the chances of a high speed wreck.

[DocWalt]

Good luck doing anything other than stopping and waiting at any of the on ramps around here.

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Right, but when you've got a steady stream of cars in the right lane, an unoccupied center lane, and only a short distance for cars to merge or be forced back off the highway, it's just the right thing to do.

Very few people have your frame of mind. If they can't merge, they'll STOP and wait rather than trying again at the next on-ramp, dramatically increasing the chances of a high speed wreck.

I'm pretty sure that was a given. Where did I say it wasn't, or that I'm a right lane communist? Apparently you missed this part?


I do my best to let people in, but it isn't always possible

What? I said earlier I have STOPPED at on-ramps where I simply could not get in due to heavy traffic(shit happens). Try again at the next on-ramp? What does that mean? How many on-ramps does one exit have? The on and off ramps around here are not that combined nonsense. They are solely dedicated. We are talking about trying to enter on to the interstate. You can't just keep going...where would you go? lol

If I can get over, I do it immediately(that goes for those merging in, emergency vehicles, or disabled vehicles). If I can't get over, I will front as much space as possible. When I say, people that don't understand how to merge, I mean the guy that tops the on ramp at a whopping 44 mph. I can't, in good faith to the drivers behind me, slow down to that level. It's not fair to them, and it's extremely unsafe. The whole point of on AND off ramps is to build/scrub speed. Shit, I think I'm the only person on the planet that uses off ramps properly. I don't touch my brakes until I'm 100% off the interstate. That way I don't hold up anyone behind me. On the retarded combo ramps, this isn't always possible.

I love that you guys are trying to paint me as some kind of raging prick. You couldn't be more wrong. ;)

Jeremy

[HilbillyHomeboy]

http://photovalet.com/data/comps/VCR/VCRV14P02_12.jpg


That's the kind of on ramp I'm talking about. There's no trying again, you either get in, or you stop and wait until you can. I'll help you as much as possible to get in, but you have to do your part, also. It's infinitely more dangerous for me to slow down 30 mph so you can derp your way in(even though I have done it many times for people when traffic was light), than it is to just keep going. If the traffic is dense and people are driving aggressively, I don't have much choice but to keep going. I'm not going to be responsible for a multi-car pile-up because some twat waffle can't accelerate to something resemblent of the traffic pattern he wants to join. :)

Jeremy

[AdamVR4]

I'm pretty sure that was a given. Where did I say it wasn't, or that I'm a right lane communist? Apparently you missed this part?

What? I said earlier I have STOPPED at on-ramps where I simply could not get in due to heavy traffic(shit happens). Try again at the next on-ramp? What does that mean? How many on-ramps does one exit have? The on and off ramps around here are not that combined nonsense. They are solely dedicated. We are talking about trying to enter on to the interstate. You can't just keep going...where would you go? lol

If I can get over, I do it immediately(that goes for those merging in, emergency vehicles, or disabled vehicles). If I can't get over, I will front as much space as possible. When I say, people that don't understand how to merge, I mean the guy that tops the on ramp at a whopping 44 mph. I can't, in good faith to the drivers behind me, slow down to that level. It's not fair to them, and it's extremely unsafe. The whole point of on AND off ramps is to build/scrub speed. Shit, I think I'm the only person on the planet that uses off ramps properly. I don't touch my brakes until I'm 100% off the interstate. That way I don't hold up anyone behind me. On the retarded combo ramps, this isn't always possible.

I love that you guys are trying to paint me as some kind of raging prick. You couldn't be more wrong. ;)

Jeremy

LOL!

J, re-read my posts without the negative tone. I wasn't trying to imply anything or insult you in anyway. Most of the on ramps here have a dedicated lane that feeds straight to an off-ramp. If you can't merge, you go back to the frontage. You know I love you. Yes homo.

*edit* You raging prick :lol:

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Yeah, we don't have those frontage roads here(I know what you're talking about). It's just like the pic above. You've turned onto the ramp, typically from a road that runs perpendicular to the interstate. You have only the on-ramp/merge lane to get on. If you don't make it, you're on the shoulder of the interstate. Like I said, I'll go out of my way to let anyone in, but I need some help from you. :o

100% homo. :Bliss:

Jeremy

[TonyM]

Shit, I think I'm the only person on the planet that uses off ramps properly. I don't touch my brakes until I'm 100% off the interstate. That way I don't hold up anyone behind me. On the retarded combo ramps, this isn't always possible.

I love that you guys are trying to paint me as some kind of raging prick. You couldn't be more wrong. ;)

Jeremy

Same here, brakes don't get touched until I'm out of the flow of traffic.

You can't hog all the credit for proper utilization of acceleration lanes . . . raging prick, hahaha. ;)

[BigTyla]

Lots of homo in here.




























Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[UTRacerX9]

LOL Adam, you knew damn well what type of onramp he was referring to. We both know that some of the onramps to get on I35 in Austin are some of the shortest and most fucked up places to be in. (That one by campus, like 26th street or something? That ramp is literally like 25-30 ft.)

[IPD]

Yeah, we don't have those frontage roads here(I know what you're talking about). It's just like the pic above. You've turned onto the ramp, typically from a road that runs perpendicular to the interstate. You have only the on-ramp/merge lane to get on. If you don't make it, you're on the shoulder of the interstate. Like I said, I'll go out of my way to let anyone in, but I need some help from you. :o

100% homo. :Bliss:

Jeremy

i SERIOUSLY dislike the parallel feeder roads for interstates. dallas uses them liberally, and i despise everything about it. GA and IN (and practically everywhere else east of the mississippi) uses perpendicular feeder roads, and there's no "merge into existing traffic on the access road" BS.

[Jimvr4]

i SERIOUSLY dislike the parallel feeder roads for interstates. dallas uses them liberally, and i despise everything about it. GA and IN (and practically everywhere else east of the mississippi) uses perpendicular feeder roads, and there's no "merge into existing traffic on the access road" BS.

That's where they put all the restaurants lol. We don't have em in Cali for the most part

[stealthee]

When there are on ramps I always look for cars trying to enter. If there is space to my left I move over so they can merge effortlessly. If there is not room to my left, but I have space in front of me I will speed up so they can merge behind me.

And on that note when I was younger I worked a crew that went out of town a lot. One of the formen was completely clueless as to how to drive. We stopped at a rest area once to take a piss and stretch our legs. Upon re-entering the freeway he STOPPED about 1/8 mile from the end so he could "watch for an opening in traffic."

I screamed at him, told him if he didn't know how to drive to get the fuck out of the driver's seat and let me drive. He was such a bad driver that the owner thought there was something wrong with the company truck he drove. It was a early 90's Toyota truck with the 22RE. Should have easily gotten over 20 mpg. He was getting less than 14 mpg. Boss thought there was a gas leak or something so he made him switch vehicles with another forman (actually my uncle) for a few weeks to see what the deal was. My uncle averaged over 20 mpg for those few weeks.

[terrets]

Our roads are just poorly designed in so many places.. Doesnt the DOT sit and study traffic in certain places? Otherwise, what the hell are those DOT cars doing sitting on the side of the road watching intersections..

I think we need more 3 lane highways in many areas.. At least around here.. Like in Europe.. Out of the city traffic just seems to flow so much better. The inner city, holy shit crazy. At least Rome. Never really saw problems with traffic in London..

We also need MUCH more extensive driving school. Also driving tests every so many years.

With parking, how fucking hard is it to parallel park a car. Our downtown in Appleton has 2 parking spaces, then a half car length no parking zone, then 2 more spaces, and so on.. To aid in parking I guess.. Who think that pulling into a space driving forward works, then their ass end is hanging out and they go back and forth 10 times trying to get their ass end in. ITS DOESNT FUCKING WORK LIKE THAT.

48) Passing and slowing down, my mom does it all the time. So glad I dont drive anywhere with her anymore..

Forgot who it was saying they can hold a steady speed without looking at the speedo... But Im sorry, if you cant (within reason), you either have something wrong with you, or dont pay enough attention to driving. I believe everyone should have a feel for their car.. Including how wide it is and not going 4 feet around parked cars!!!

Temporary end of rant.

[AdamVR4]

Seemed applicable

http://t.qkme.me/35b6si.jpg

[HilbillyHomeboy]

Oh yeah, gotta love those scumbags. :mad:

Jeremy

[BigTyla]

^Pretty much. :D

[stealthee]

So I know its pretty much been mentioned, but how hard is it to friggin park a car?

My sister-in-law is having this thing at the house tonight and there are about 10 people coming. There are a total of 4 cars in my driveway because people don't seem to know how to park. When my brother or I park cars there we could easily get 9 cars in the driveway, and possibly as much as 11 or 12 depending on whats left at the end of the drive.

It amazes me that people can be that incompetent to know how to park, and save space at the same time.

[MR2]

Seemed applicable

http://t.qkme.me/35b6si.jpg

Oh so many of those...especially when they are in a big heavy SUV, it's like "oh what, there is someone else on the road...?!!??!! and they are going faster!!! quick...."

[YoshiBishi]

Kind of the opposite of this thread, but a good tip nonetheless. If you see a car with its turn signal on, that only means one thing...that the bulb(s) in the signal work.

Jeremy

I nearly got creamed the other day when someone put on his turn signal 3 turns before his actual turn on the main road and I was trying to turn onto the main road in a busy part of town. You take any opportunity you can to get on the main road and I thought this guy was going to turn into the road I was on. After almost hitting me, he got out of the car and yelled at me telling me I should learn to drive. I yelled back to use his turn signals properly and both his girlfriend and him looked back at the car, blushed a bit, and was off their way.

[stealthee]

BUMP!

When you are sitting at a stop sign at an intersection waiting to turn left do not start your left turn before you actually turn. IE Do not be sitting there at a 45 degree angle taking up half of the other lane making it difficult for people with the right of way to make their turn onto that road.

[IPD]

...or sit behind the line & not pull straight into the intersection waiting to turn....or tailgate onto said persons, even though you know you can't even enter the intersection prior to a red light.