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Automotive News & Views Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)
14399 messages, Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 7:51 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: davethecarnut (Jun 17, 2009 9:02 pm) Isn't that why they invented NASCAR? |
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I think I have come to a conclusion that I just want to go faster than the general population and maybe I am the inconsiderate driver instead of them. Today seemed to really aggravate the point. I live in a "smallish" community with a traffic infrastracture that is outdated in my view and the city/county, while trying hard isn't or can't really do anything about it because of the lay of the land and the way the town has built up around the roads. A lot of people also seem to drive with that small town mentality of "no where to go and no where to be." \ For work I have to drive about 80 miles each night. On my way out of town the SL is 55 on the highway. This is a highway that the county has tried very hard to make so that you can indeed go 55 with out fear of running off the road. It is a major highway to get to many tourist spots and towns in southern Oregon and so traffic volume this time of year is increased. However, passing zones are few and the highway also cuts through a small town with a SL of 35. After the small town the SL resumes 55, but the road becomes curvy and somewhat mountainous. However, you can still go 55 or better with out any real issue with the exception of a couple of corners unless you happen to be driving a double decker bus (or Gargantuan RV, which is also common this time of year). If you happen to be driving one of those your speed will more than likely be lower, and the county (state?) anticipated this and put in a couple of passing zones, but only intermittently and not often enough. I generally try to take the highway before the small town at around 60-65 MPH. It it wide and fairly straight, although with traffic volume, opportunities to pass can be rare. More often than not, I will come upon someone who is going 40-45, maybe 50 MPH. Even at 55 mph, I don't think I could complain although I still think that the limit is low. These people that go this 40-45 mph will just dawdle along and let 4-5 cars pile up behind them and not take any notice of it. The highway then enters this small town with a limit of 35. Again, I will often (as I did tonight) come upon someone who insists on going 25. There is no passing while going through town and the lanes stay single, although there is a center turning lane. 35 is a good safe speed. Again no complaints as long as you maintain that speed. I even maintain that speed if I happen to be the only one on the road. After you get out of town the SL resumes is 55 limit but the road becomes curvy. I have and can with no trouble and no fierce driving or tire squealing or jamming of the brakes drive this road at 60-65 MPH. This is in a vehicle not designed for hugging corners driving like it's on a race track. If pushed I could do the road at 75 MPH, although you then really have to "drive" it. Invariablely, I will happen upon someone you again takes this road at 35-45 mph. They hit a corner and they go around it like they are turning into a parking lot. Passing zones are provided about every 6 miles or so but in between you are stuck behind someone who is unable or too afraid to drive the road. If you are towing a boat or driving that gargantuan bus ya okay. But in you're little Honda Accord, I would expect that you can go just a little faster. So maybe I am being inconsiderate and impatient. Maybe it's just me that I feel I have to go faster than everyone else. But is it too much to ask for you to at least go the speed limit? When I do happen upon someone going much slower than I would like, I do my best not to ride their tail. That is easy on an uphill stretch because I actually have to use the gas pedal to gain forward momentum. On downhill stretches, I find it very difficult when even no gas pedal pressure is applied I find myself either dropping a gear or riding my brakes, both of which I would never have to do if I was just going down the hill. The slope is gentle enough and the curves swoopy enough that you can just cruise down the hill. Okay - rant over. I will do my best to be courteous to those going slower than me and those of you going slower than me (at least slower than the posted limits) will be courteous and speed up to those limits so as to not hinder those who just might have some where to be. 
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Replying to: the_big_al (Jun 17, 2009 10:51 pm) I just go around, no matter if its a passing zone or not. If its clear and you know you can make it safely, go for it. |
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Replying to: davethecarnut (Jun 17, 2009 9:02 pm) Actually, I remember some dopes on a Harley pulled into the median and started taking pictures of the carnage  ...that doesn't help keep traffic moving either.
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Replying to: the_big_al (Jun 17, 2009 10:51 pm) I felt a bit tailgated this morning on a surface street route I take to town. The speed limit goes from 40 on a parkway (most of us do 45) to 35 in the neighborhood. A younger woman in a New Beetle seemed to be in a bit of a hurry, even as I was going 4 or 5 over the limit myself. I fixed her by waiting an extra two seconds at a four way stop so that a minivan had time to approach and stop, insuring that the minivan would be next in line and buffer me from her.
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Replying to: steve_ (Jun 18, 2009 12:19 pm)
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Replying to: oregonboy (Jun 18, 2009 8:33 pm) Anyway, we got stuck at a few more lights than usual, and two newer pickups both had "don't tailgate me" kind of decals on the back window. And both had similar, but different, foot or sandal logo decals too. Naturally I had to creep up pretty close behind them at the lights to read the decals.
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Replying to: the_big_al (Jun 17, 2009 10:51 pm) Southern Oregon is very dependent on tourists so be kind and considerate of the travelers who support your local businesses. Many out of state folk are not used to your scenic area so will be expected to drive slower so as to take in the bucolic area. We look forward to being in Ashland for the Shakespeare Festival in September & will drop a couple of bucks at the tourist dependent businesses. When we tourists are in your way - remember to start your trip earlier to accomodate us. Thank you. 
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Replying to: euphonium (Jun 19, 2009 11:21 am) CSPAN show this morning had an elected Oregon politician (Rep or Senator, don't recall) on for interview. He wore a suit coat with a bicycle logo in yellow on the lapel and a red bow tie. Visually, sure gets attention. I suppose Oregon is a very bicycle friendly state. Hopefully, the bicyclists are mostly considerate, obey traffic rules. |
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Replying to: euphonium (Jun 19, 2009 11:21 am) It's the locals that think they have all day to get somewhere.  Anyway, enjoy the Shakespeare Festival. You should also check out the Bitt Festivals in Jacksonville as well. They are well worth it as well.
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