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Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

21747 messages,  Last post on May 24, 2013 at 9:22 PM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety

Messages Page 1920 of 2175

#19191 of 21747 Re: Did I mention that [backy] by victor23

Aug 10, 2012 (10:26 am)

Replying to: backy (Aug 04, 2012 9:30 am)
If someone flying along at way over the speed limit in the left lane has to slow down a bit to allow that to happen, fine--
 
I would like to be more specific here. If it happens just by someone forcibly moving to the left lane, it is still the obstruction (and I have enough of that on my daily commute). I would say, it is preferable to indicate the intention to change lanes by a blinker, not really initiating the move yet (activating a blinker doesn't confer any right or preference), and wait a bit. Chances are (and I expect pretty good chances), someone of speeders would be considerate enough to slow down and let one in. (Well, at least if he really trusts you to return to the right lane thereafter ) If no one is considerate enough, however, then others have to be inconsiderate too and force their way. Will we be pleased to live and drive in this kind of a society?

#19192 of 21747 Re: Did I mention that [victor23] by xwesx

Aug 10, 2012 (10:50 am)

Replying to: victor23 (Aug 10, 2012 10:26 am)
Back in 1999, I drove my '69 Chevy C20 cross-country (Alaska to Pennsylvania and back). I kept the speed at 65 in order to balance fuel economy with time (given we were set to drive 11,000 miles and had only 28 days to do it), so in most places of the lower 48, we were regularly passed by faster traffic.
 
On I-79 north-bound, I was driving behind an 18-wheeler for a long while, with both of us going 65. Traffic was moderate, with the faster traffic going a modest 68-70 on average. It was enough of a difference to be passed regularly, but other drivers were casually drifting by - not blasting through. At one point, we caught up to another big rig going about 63. It was a slow catch-up, but the other rig was heavily loaded and would slow a bit on the inclines.
 
Planning in advance, the driver ahead of me signaled his intent to pass as we started a long, gradual descent (a good time for a big rig to gain a little speed!). Well, this casually passing line of cars in the left, spaced out probably just about the distance of the big rig, felt no inclination to let the guy in. So, that opportunity eventually passed us by, we went over the next rise, and he tried again on the next go. The gaps between cars were a little bigger, but still no cigar. In fact, many of the cars, who had gaps in front of them plenty wide enough to let the driver in without needing to alter speed at all, actually closed the gap.
 
So, I let the first driver that did that go by, but then I just pulled out in front of the next dude, who had an even bigger gap before he sped up, held pace (~63), and flashed the truck driver over. He came over, made the pass at ~70, and then moved back right. Once he was finished, I sped up a little, also passed the other truck, then pulled back right.
 
Hahah, that guy in the Cadillac behind me was hoppin' mad. I just laughed at him and waved. I figured inconsiderate behavior deserves a little turnabout now and again.

#19193 of 21747 Re: Bottom Line [xrunner2] by victor23

Aug 10, 2012 (10:58 am)

Replying to: xrunner2 (Aug 04, 2012 10:11 am)
The intimidators many times are driving ill-handling/braking full size pickups and large suvs. These are the kinds of vehicles that really should be relegated to the right lane and the speed limits of semis.
 
I am absolutely with you on this. I am one of 20-over speeders myself, but it is absolutely mind-boggling to see those behemoths flying at their technical (not legal!) speed limits without any regard for anything or anybody. This type of a vehicle on a public road is, in itself, a weapon, and should be considered as such. This is compounded by even a bigger problem: there is a significantly higher chance that their drivers are ignorant, aggressive, drunk, stoned, brain-dead, no-license or uninsured, or socializing moms feeling safe enough in a big vehicle to phone or text. Some can say, I am "profiling" or "stereotyping"; I am OK with that. Regrettably, the more we have those perceivably "safe" full-size vehicles on the road, the more their drivers will feel urge to switch to an even bigger one, if they feel that they are not as much protected anymore.

#19194 of 21747 Re: Did I mention that [victor23] by backy

Aug 10, 2012 (3:44 pm)

Replying to: victor23 (Aug 10, 2012 10:26 am)
If there is no good gap in the left lane, sure, turn on the blinkers and hope someone "flying along at way over the speed limit" is considerate enough to let you in. I have actually seen that happen once or twice... in 40 years of driving. More often, those in the left lane speed up to close the gaps even more.

#19195 of 21747 . by fintail

Aug 10, 2012 (6:58 pm)

Nothing big today, but a few things stick in my mind. Potbelllied boomer on a 900lb Harley was tailgating a Lexus (couldn't have been more than 2 feet behind) in slow moving traffic...one grab for the brakes and he'd dump it, I bet. Warm day, so no gear other than a skullcap helmet. No wonder casualty rates for that group are trying to catch up with young douches on SS bikes.
 
Also saw a woman in a Mini petting her dog while driving, even while she rounded a corner. One hand on the wheel, one on the dog. Had Princeton license plate frame and a sticker from another haughty school. Book smarts and street smarts diverge.
 
Topped it off by seeing an old couple in a Corolla throw a random U-turn on a downtown street, no look given to approaching traffic, who produced a nice long honk.

#19196 of 21747 Re: . [fintail] by hammerhead

Aug 10, 2012 (10:22 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Aug 10, 2012 6:58 pm)
U-turn out of a left turn lane. Against a red light.
Ding Ding Ding - we have a winner!

#19197 of 21747 Care not for others by euphonium

Aug 11, 2012 (2:04 pm)

Car stops for a pedestrian crossing the road. PU behind the car ignores the situation, goes into the opposing lane & guns it through around the kind car & pedestrian. Fortunately the pedestrian didn't enter the other side of the road.

#19198 of 21747 Re: Care not for others [euphonium] by backy

Aug 11, 2012 (3:02 pm)

Replying to: euphonium (Aug 11, 2012 2:04 pm)
Extreme example of some folks being in WAY too much of a hurry on the roads.
 
MN DoT recently started a PS campaign re aggressive driving. There's a web site and at least one TV ad, which I think is pretty funny... unfortunately also pretty accurate in transposing common driver behaviors to other situations. I particularly like the one at the end of the video, a guy pounding on a rest room door: "C'mon, can't you go any faster?!"
 
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/aggressivedriving/
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1y4tUIEb10

#19199 of 21747 people who cut you off... by goprius

Aug 11, 2012 (9:08 pm)

and then slam on their brakes in an attempt to have you rear end them.... and then they won't budge holding up traffic.

#19200 of 21747 The usual Louisville idiots- by roadburner

Aug 12, 2012 (11:51 am)

Taking corners and on/off ramps at 10-15 mph below the posted advisory speed, riding their brakes the whole time...

Messages Page 1920 of 2175

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