Driving

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-07-21 04:32am

Well it's one of the most frequently reoccuring Rants over in my venting thread. Other people's driving habits. Or more precisely why are there so many complete idiots on the road?

So what do you think should be the basic skills that someone should have to display to be able to command a ton or more of metal?

Superman · Post by **Superman** » 2003-07-21 04:40am

One skill that everyone should have is this: When driving down a one lane highway, one should know that driving 45 (on a freggin highway), and holding up an entire string of cars behind it, is not smart. At least have the stinking courtesy to speed up and drive the speed limit so that the other drivers can get to where they're going.

You hear that you slow asses? Speed the hell up! Don't hold all of us up because you are too retarded to drive like a driver is supposed to drive! Guess what? The majority of accidents are caused by the slow asses! Get a clue, damnit!

BlkbrryTheGreat · Post by **BlkbrryTheGreat** » 2003-07-21 04:41am

Well, I find that being able to drive with ones kness is quite useful when one's hands are occupied with food and coffee.

All kidding aside though, basic hand eye coordiation skills are definatly a must. Emotional control is also a definate plus, not only in terms of road rage, but also in terms of the ability to control emotional impulses, like speeding cause you feel like it. Finally, the ability to use TURN SIGNALS!

Superman · Post by **Superman** » 2003-07-21 04:46am

Yeah, what's with the 9 out of 10 drivers that don't use turn signals?

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-07-21 05:05am

I think people should be beaten in the public square for failure to use turn singles. This is probably worse for me when I'm biking, since being hit then is going to be painful then car crash. Its even worse at intersections when a person doesn’t single and doesn’t pull to one side of the other or even turn there wheels so there is no way in hell to tell which way there going.

TrailerParkJawa · Post by **TrailerParkJawa** » 2003-07-21 01:55pm

For me excessive speeding is the most annoying. I see people zipping along at 50 in a 25 and what the hell for? So you can get to the next stop light 15 seconds before I pull up behind you. Ive also noted that most excessive speeders hold their driving skills in high esteem. What they dont understand is you cant change the rules of physics if a child runs out in front of the car, or someone makes a legal lane change and doesnt see you cause you are zipping in and out of lanes at a high speed.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-07-21 02:02pm

As far as going 45 on the highway.

I live in the Yosemite. The local highways all have clearly posted 25mph to 35mph speed limit signs. WIth 15mph curves in somelocation. Can you see why I would not gun my engine to 55mph to 75mph when I know that in less then a minute I would have to be breaking anyways? I can take just about any 25mph curve at 35 - 40 mph with no stress on my car, or inability to control my vehicle.

I use the turn outs when ever possible.

What annoys me are the people who PASS me, driving 20mph over the posted speed limit, double yellow line with a TURN OUT 200 yards in front of me.

Other fun ones. People who use break down lanes/turnouts to park their vehicle for the day.

Getting rear ended because I stopped at a STOP SIGN

Idiots who don't use their turn signal (I either Hike or Bike 90% of the time anyways)

Also chock this one up to my mom's intense southern gentleman training and my dad's Nascar fanatic training.

I see a woman broke down on the highway, I will signal, pull over in front of her, and break out my rolling jack and full tool kit from the back of my car. I will also Run up and 250 yards behind put my warning triangles....

NOW WHY DOES CHP HAVE TO RUN OVER MY WARNING TRIANGLES, before putting their own up. And then interrogate me while I am fixing this woman's car. and then as I release the jack. Finally ask If I need anything?

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-07-21 02:14pm

For those who don't full grasp the situation I am on my 4th set of warning triangles...

I am trained up to Late Apprentice grade, in automotive mechanics. I carry enough supplies to fix a broken radiator, flats, jump a battery, and do serveral other things, plus I have a tow cable (and I drive a GEO METRO!) They have even asked me, looking at the waterproof sack in the back if my road flares were dynamite? and Asked me what the well used plastic box that says "CHAINS" was for? I really think traffic enforcement cops should have at least some knowledge and awareness of vehicular basics. Like what chains are used for...., or why someone who is not police would keep a full first aid kit, fire extinguisher, basic 250 piece tool kit, 2 galloens of "Spare" anti-freeze, a rolling jack, spare hose material, clamps +Splice kit, and fix a seal for flats and radators. Along with 2 canisters of compressed air. (For fixing flats). All of which can be bought at any Sears/Kragen/Pep Boys.

aerius · Post by **aerius** » 2003-07-21 08:13pm

Awareness, anticipation, and knowing your car's capabilities. Put down the fucking cell phones, turn the radio down so you can hear what's going on around you, and scan around your car so the crazy incompetant drivers don't sneak up on you and whack you.

Always know what's going on around your car, and anticipate possible problems and plan escapes from them. For example it's a good idea to keep a fair distance from the boy racer wannabe who's cutting his Civic in & out of traffic, and to be prepared for him to cause an accident that brings traffic to a sudden stop, and that the transport truck behind you doesn't ram your car when that happens.

And know what your car can do, trying to overtake a tractor trailer on an uphill 2-lane hiway in an underpowered econobox car is a good way to cause a head-on collision. How hard can you swerve your car before it skids, how hard can you brake, all that affects how you anticipate and plan for problems.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-07-21 08:15pm

One word: bluehairs. That sums up my complaints.

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2003-07-21 08:24pm

Read. Stupid people that don't read street signs. Like ones that say no turn on red and then damn near make me hit them when they're turning right.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2003-07-21 10:47pm

I ran into (almost literally) an idiot a few days ago. I was making a right turn on red when all of the sudden this asshole comes at me from a left turn and is honking like crazy. HEY, ASSHOLE, I WAS TURNING BEFORE YOU GOT YOUR TURN SIGNAL! PAY ATTENTION, YOU DICK!

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2003-07-22 02:33am

There's a point where living in a country where everything is so peachy and there are so many laws for doing anything the wrong way, that when it happens nobody knows how to react... like the case if this guy I know, he made it in the papers in the US or London or something because there was this huge 20-car crash and this guy was in the middle, was the only one with the reflexes to get out and avoid the whole damn thing.

IMO, the requirement should be the ability to survive in the roads of a lawless country like mine.

Utsanomiko · Post by **Utsanomiko** » 2003-07-22 02:41am

If you're going to ride the break pedal on a hill, do it on the way DOWN!!!

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2003-07-22 03:11am

The Yosemite Bear wrote:For those who don't full grasp the situation I am on my 4th set of warning triangles...

I am trained up to Late Apprentice grade, in automotive mechanics. I carry enough supplies to fix a broken radiator, flats, jump a battery, and do serveral other things, plus I have a tow cable (and I drive a GEO METRO!) They have even asked me, looking at the waterproof sack in the back if my road flares were dynamite? and Asked me what the well used plastic box that says "CHAINS" was for? I really think traffic enforcement cops should have at least some knowledge and awareness of vehicular basics. Like what chains are used for...., or why someone who is not police would keep a full first aid kit, fire extinguisher, basic 250 piece tool kit, 2 galloens of "Spare" anti-freeze, a rolling jack, spare hose material, clamps +Splice kit, and fix a seal for flats and radators. Along with 2 canisters of compressed air. (For fixing flats). All of which can be bought at any Sears/Kragen/Pep Boys.

Gee, it sounds like you live out in the sticks and ocassionally encounter bad weather and automotive breakdowns (not necessarilly yours). The CHP can't put that together, or does the fact that you drive a GEO instead of some SUV or pickup throw them?

Some of the stuff you've listed is a bit more than I've seen recomended but most of it isn't so I don't understand what their problem is with your supplies.

Boneheads. If they keep running over your triangles maybe you should just use the flares instead.

Trytostaydead · Post by **Trytostaydead** » 2003-07-22 03:14am

Ahem ahem..

If the driver's got any of the following.. be very careful!

Boobs
A Vagina
Asian heritage

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-07-22 04:21am

All Cell phones should be kept in the TRUNK

RV's and SUV's should be required to have oversized vehicle permits.

Also, My Geo has the rear seats gone, and a redneck fixed bedliner in it's place.... (I told you I am from the sticks)

My problem with CHP actually is not when I am home, the local cops even thank me for rendering assistance to motorists during the winter, and loaning them extra flares when the road is partially shut down due to rockslides (I can chain a car really quick especially since I have a rolling jack...)

It's when I get into "Civilization" that I seem to have problems with the police.... Hell out in the sticks I can put my chains on and get waved through on or 3+ roads, they know I know how to do my job, they also know that I keep 20 pounds of cat litter incase I need instant pot hole fill/mud fill.

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2003-07-22 06:44am

The Yosemite Bear wrote:All Cell phones should be kept in the TRUNK

RV's and SUV's should be required to have oversized vehicle permits.

Also, My Geo has the rear seats gone, and a redneck fixed bedliner in it's place.... (I told you I am from the sticks)

I should have put a smile when I mentioned the sticks bit before since it's well established where you are.

The Yosemite Bear wrote: My problem with CHP actually is not when I am home, the local cops even thank me for rendering assistance to motorists during the winter, and loaning them extra flares when the road is partially shut down due to rockslides (I can chain a car really quick especially since I have a rolling jack...)

It's when I get into "Civilization" that I seem to have problems with the police.... Hell out in the sticks I can put my chains on and get waved through on or 3+ roads, they know I know how to do my job, they also know that I keep 20 pounds of cat litter incase I need instant pot hole fill/mud fill.

Good call on the cell phones.

Glad to hear that the CHP in your neck of the woods aren't the idiots giving you trouble.

I still wonder what's up with the other boneheads driving over your triangles though.

Don't they see them?

As for the other troubles, I imagine they are being cautious because there are lots of people who try to take advantage of people who have car trouble along the highway. It's too bad that it's come back to be a problem for the rare person like yourself who goes out of his way to help.

Lord of the Farce · Post by **Lord of the Farce** » 2003-07-22 07:40am

Trytostaydead wrote:If the driver's got any of the following.. be very careful!

Boobs
A Vagina
Asian heritage

The first and second I have found to be quite true... If she's driving a 4x4-ish type vehicle, has kids in the back, and is gabbing away on the phone. But research has shown that overall women are safer (if not necessarily better) drivers.
The third...

In Australia, the people to look out for are those with P plates and/or driving cars which sounds like the engine's fucked and the mufflers had been yanked out.

Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2003-07-22 08:05am

Lord of the Farce wrote: In Australia, the people to look out for are those with P plates and/or driving cars which sounds like the engine's fucked and the mufflers had been yanked out.

What do the "P" plates represent?

Post by **Lagmonster** » 2003-07-22 10:08am

Superman wrote:Yeah, what's with the 9 out of 10 drivers that don't use turn signals?

I recall a saying: "I don't give a shit where you're going. I just want to know WHEN."

Luckily, I live in Canada, where the average driver drives very erratically, but at slow speeds. As opposed to, say, Italy, where drivers drive in a straight line at all times, but at several times the speed of light.

Mr Flibble · Post by **Mr Flibble** » 2003-07-22 11:07am

Tsyroc wrote:
Lord of the Farce wrote: In Australia, the people to look out for are those with P plates and/or driving cars which sounds like the engine's fucked and the mufflers had been yanked out.
What do the "P" plates represent?

"Probationary" after you get your lerners you get your "ps" in australia, which allow you to drive without supervision but more restrictions than a full license eg no alcohol (as oposed to 0.05 limit) and speed restrictions. You also go on these after you have lost you license.

Solid Snake · Post by **Solid Snake** » 2003-07-22 11:56am

I remember about a week ago. I was going about 15 over the speed limit on a highway, as everyone does (at least 15) So I signal to turn, look behind me, (I really hate assholes who signal halfway into their turn) and see a biker. He's a pretty good distance behind me, so i start to switch my lane. All of a sudden i hear a fucking bike horn running like the ass off a goose, and the guy drives past me and gives me the finger. Now, i should have been looking in my side mirrors, i admit that, but he had to be going at least 100mph to catch up with me that quickly! WTF is with bikers not wearing any helmet going over 100mph?

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2003-07-22 02:01pm

Well there is the on going joke about the three most dreaded words for a driver in Yosemite.

"RV 4 Rent"(Shudders)

You know I still have that broken turn signal/body long scratch from the fucktard who had to park his rented TAIGA in the COMPACT section......

Shrykull · Post by **Shrykull** » 2003-07-25 12:40am

The Yosemite Bear wrote:Well it's one of the most frequently reoccuring Rants over in my venting thread. Other people's driving habits. Or more precisely why are there so many complete idiots on the road?

So what do you think should be the basic skills that someone should have to display to be able to command a ton or more of metal?

Not sure, I've been a few minor fender-benders here and there, I've been rear ended twice on the same rotary and rear ended someone else as well, the thing is you think they are going and they stop, someone hit my car when it was parked and I was in blockbuster, and someone else backed into me because her rear view mirror didn't line up with my car, mine was too low to the ground, I got her insurance info but lost it! And she said her husband was a mechanic.

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