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Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

21742 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 6:43 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety

Messages Page 2130 of 2175

#21288 of 21742 Re: . [fintail] by backy

Jan 19, 2013 (1:35 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 19, 2013 1:26 pm)
I doubt that "I didn't see any other traffic and I didn't want to wait so dang long for the light to change" will be seen as a valid excuse to avoid a running-red-light ticket based on photo evidence.
 
Well, a little pain for a little gain!

#21289 of 21742 Re: Idea: let's take the "in" out of "inconsiderate" [fintail] by snakeweasel

Jan 19, 2013 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 19, 2013 1:32 pm)
And whether or not a SL was too slow/fast/right is irrelevant to this particular discussion. No "if's, and's, or but's".
 
Since we are discussing speeds and what is a "reasonable" speed it is relevant.
 
Nothing vague about a half an hour, sorry. 30 is a pretty concrete quantifiable number.
 
True but you didn't say "half an hour" you said when it gets dark which is not a concrete quantifiable number.
 
Keep throwing in red herrings and distractions, speaks volumes.
 
Not throwing any red herrings or distractions. I am just pointing out that what you consider reasonable my not hold true along the spectrum.
 
Just keep right.
 
Slow down, you'll live longer.

#21290 of 21742 Re: . [backy] by fintail

Jan 19, 2013 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 19, 2013 1:35 pm)
I'd just avoid that intersection, or document the broken light with my own camera, put it online and go to the press with it, get others to join in, and have the problem solved one way or another. Raise enough stink, and the overpaid underworked retire at 55 with 85% "workers" will face pressure and embarrassment.
 
On that subject, it appears my fair city finally fixed one of the sticking light intersections, I have noticed quicker changes the past few days, light changes before I give up on it.
 
Oh, another should-be caveat of light cameras - city buys the cameras and then owns 100% of the proceeds, no palm-greasing crony capitalist red light camera operators get to be involved.

#21292 of 21742 Re: Idea: let's take the "in" out of "inconsiderate" [snakeweasel] by fintail

Jan 19, 2013 (9:47 pm)

Replying to: snakeweasel (Jan 19, 2013 2:27 pm)
The original context was a notoriously slow highway in my area. I don't think any sound mind can defend the slowpokes on that road as being "reasonable".
 
I have repeatedly made posts about lights off during darkness. It is assumed this darkness is at least a half hour after sunset, as in most weather conditions, the light in the sky does not vanish until this point. And of no matter, if someone is stupid enough to not turn on the lights during dim conditions just because they legally do not have to, they deserve what they get.
 
Haven't seen anything showing going slow leads to longer lives. The limit, aimed for the lowest common denominator, is plenty slow enough on dry pavement on 95% of roads, in my experience anyway. What you consider "reasonable" might hold true for even less of the spectrum than what I hold likewise.
 
And that's enough time devoted to tangents and red herrings, have a nice day, I will return to posting about local yokels

#21293 of 21742 Re: Idea: let's take the "in" out of "inconsiderate" [fintail] by steve_ HOST

Jan 20, 2013 (6:44 am)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 19, 2013 9:47 pm)
Michigan says lights on a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and any other time you can't clearly see 500'. I didn't see a definition of "sunset" but Wiki says that's when the sun first completely sets below the horizon.
 
Kind of surprised - thought it'd be a half hour before sunset.

#21294 of 21742 Re: Idea: let's take the "in" out of "inconsiderate" [fintail] by snakeweasel

Jan 20, 2013 (9:46 am)

Replying to: fintail (Jan 19, 2013 9:47 pm)
The original context was a notoriously slow highway in my area. I don't think any sound mind can defend the slowpokes on that road as being "reasonable".
 
Again slow and reasonable are subjective terms. Case in point, I have talked a few times about one road I travel down. Taking into account that there are several spots of limited sight distance, no shoulder, high vegetation right up to the side of the road and the dangers of large wild life crossing the road I strongly believe that 35-40 MPH is a reasonable speed for the road. However the occasional driver that races up behind me and rides my rear end would call me a slowpoke. Who is right?
 
I have repeatedly made posts about lights off during darkness. It is assumed this darkness is at least a half hour after sunset,
 
Well darkness can happen anytime. There have been times during the daylight that I would have said it was dark (heavy dark cloud covering). I would consider any time during civil twilight bright enough to drive without lights on if the skies are clear. Civil twilight depending on location can extend past the 30 minute mark.
 
So what you consider "Dark" others may not.
 
Haven't seen anything showing going slow leads to longer lives.
 
I have seen studies that show an increased risk of a fatal accident increases with speed at speed higher that between 35-40MPH. When you look at the physics involved it does make perfect sense. However thats not what I mean. So slow down you'll live longer. Think about it.

#21295 of 21742 Re: Idea: let's take the "in" out of "inconsiderate" [steve_] by snakeweasel

Jan 20, 2013 (9:55 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jan 20, 2013 6:44 am)
Michigan says lights on a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and any other time you can't clearly see 500'.
 
Typically in Michigan Civil twilight extends just past that 30 minute mark. Civil twilight is considered to be to the time that the center of the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon. During Civil sunset on clear or mostly clear days one can still make out details and colors. So it makes sense that they have it at 30 minutes after sunset.
 
I didn't see a definition of "sunset" but Wiki says that's when the sun first completely sets below the horizon.
 
Sunset is when the geometric center of the sun dips blow the horizon. So when you can still see part of the sun (but less than half) it is after sunset.
 
Kind of surprised - thought it'd be a half hour before sunset.
 
Actually the hour prior to sunset (and the hour after sunrise) is considered to be the optimal lighting conditions. Photographers call this the golden hour.

#21296 of 21742 Re: Idea: let's take the "in" out of "inconsiderate" [snakeweasel] by fintail

Jan 20, 2013 (10:20 am)

Replying to: snakeweasel (Jan 20, 2013 9:46 am)
Your case in point is nice, but unrelated to the original context.
 
" I would consider any time during civil twilight bright enough to drive without lights on if the skies are clear. "
 
And you would be in violation of the law, at least in my state, as that would be more than a half hour past official sunset. Twilight is not relevant. Why would someone want to be less visible, anyway? Especially if there are shady streets or kids around, the former of which is a constant in my area.
 
Still seeing nothing concrete about slowing down and living longer. Seems some places with faster traffic than this soon to be second world mess also have better life expectancies, and lower casualty rates. Hmm. Drive as slow as you want, just stay in the right lane where you belong. Then we can all go about our way.

#21297 of 21742 Re: Idea: let's take the "in" out of "inconsiderate" [snakeweasel] by steve_ HOST

Jan 20, 2013 (10:30 am)

Replying to: snakeweasel (Jan 20, 2013 9:55 am)
It's funny that Alaska has the same requirement as Michigan, except the distance is out to 1,000 feet. In the summer, twilight literally lasts for hours. For most of June, there just isn't any twilight, even down in Anchorage. That time of year it helps to run your lights so the 10 year old kids playing in the street at midnight can see you coming.
 
I'm further west than Chicago yet on Eastern Time - that makes for nice long evenings with sunsets as late as 9:55pm and seemingly long twilights - really around 40 minutes at the peak.

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