Soap box issue - Need Opinions

[MarkD]

It really chaps my ankles when people talk about AGRESSIVE DRIVERS!  Aggressive drivers are not the problem; they are a symptom of the problem.  INCOMPETENT, IRRESPONSIBLE, INCONSIDERATE DRIVERS are the problem.

 

People driving in the left-hand lane that have traffic backing up behind them ARE IN THE WRONG.  They do not have as much right to be there as the "maniacs" behind them.  This leads to 2 people driving beside each other blocking/slowing traffic to their speed.  Even if they are travelling the posted speed limit, they have no right to impose their speed on everyone behind them. (What if their speedometer is wrong?)  My hometown is plagued with people that will get in the left lane and run 3-5mph under the posted limit because they have to make a left hand turn 3 miles ahead!!

 

I may be alone in this opinion, but that is why I am asking...

 

Traffic laws are in place to ensure the safe, efficient, orderly transportation of people and assets.

 

If your vehicle is impeding the efficient flow of traffic, you deserve a ticket just as much as the guy going 60 in a 40!  He is probably going that fast because he was stuck behind you going 30 in a 40 for 10 miles and now has to rush to make it to work/appointment/etc. on time.

[General Lee 01]

My hometown is plagued with people that will get in the left lane and run 3-5mph under the posted limit because they have to make a left hand turn 3 miles ahead!!

 

 

I'd rather have them do that then have them wait til they get 50 FEET and slam on their brakes and dart across infront of me.

 

 

 

 

If your vehicle is impeding the efficient flow of traffic, you deserve a ticket just as much as the guy going 60 in a 40!  

 

 

If some law like this is enforced, then there should be as many "minimum speed limit" signs as there are for maximum.

 

 

Personally, the ones I hate are the ones at stop signs  that see you coming and pull out infront of you anyway.

 

They Must like brighties or brake lights for some reason.

[Elwood]

People in the left lane holding up traffic really pi$$ me off, however I am of the opinion that as long as they are going the speed limit they are NOT in the wrong.  HOWEVER, if they are going slower than the speed limit then they need to get the he!! out of the way, or speed up.  As long as they go the speed limit they do have just as much right to be there IF they are passing people.  Just because I'm speeding doesn't mean they should have to speed to keep from me running over them or stay behind someone who won't go as fast as the posted speed limit.

 

The ones at the stop signs tick me off too General.  But what really gets me are the ones in the right lane that cut me off in the left lane so they can pass when they are going 5 or 10 mph slower than me.  If I'm gaining on you that fast, JUST WAIT UNTIL I GET BY TO CHANGE LANES!!!!!

 

I don't like tailgaters or people who cut people off.

[City_Slicker]

Dam dudes. It will be allright. Breathe deeply and think happy thoughts.      Then follow them and beat the pi$$ out of them (calmly), they gotta get gas sometime.

 

My main complaint is tucking fruckers. One thinks cause his truck can wind up to 62 he should pass the other one going 61.    

 

Shizzle my Nizzle.

 

[General Lee 01]

Dam dudes. It will be allright. Breathe deeply and think happy thoughts.      Then follow them and beat the pi$$ out of them (calmly), they gotta get gas sometime.

Not according to my mom, she'll zoom around 'em cut in-front of them, and slam on the brakes. Causing themto take evaisive maneuvers.  

[bassdog]

I for one have a mix of aggressive and defensive driving. That being said, I WILL go out of my way to piss someone off AFTER they have done it to me. Most of the time I'll tailgate until THEY move or I'll get in front and slow down to the speed limit.

I hate stupid drivers, more, I hate stupid drivers that are on the PHONE!!! Is the call that friggin important???!!!!!

 

Ah, the pluses of having a 4000 lb truck

 

[BlueRado]

All posts have good points about drivers, and I certainly also get frustrated at times, especially on the highway. I voted, the incompetent . . . drivers causing the aggressive ones, although I think anybody who has the aggressive tendencies is more likely to be frustrated to the point of driving that way.

 

Having said that, I would add inattentive to the list w/ incompetent, inconsiderate, etc.  I log a lot of miles on the interstates, and the biggest issue I notice is people just aren't paying any attention to WTF is goin on around them, and some who are maybe don't give a spit if they're holding up things, etc.  

 

Also, the slow left lane hogs or passers gets me the most, and it's frankly a chronic problem in MI.  Because of the 15 mph differential in speed limit of semi's vs cars on MI interstates, you can pretty much count on a truck slowdown every few miles, during the week.  There are always ding-dongs (not semi's, who are just doing the best they can) who drive 4-5 mph faster than the semi's, mostly staying in the right lane, who decide that they must "ease" over into the left lane, to pass as they come up on the semi convoy.  

 

These people never slow down and wait for a clear spot to pass, or better speed up to match the passing lane traffic speeds, they never even touch their cruise controls, but they're good at making you slam on the brakes and follow them until they finally get past the semi and THEN speed up as they switch back to the right lane.  GET A CLUE!!!     I call this the MI pass.

 

I do agree w/ elwood, they're not in the wrong (legally) to be going so slow, as long as they're above the min speed, but the real point is be a little considerate - don't let yourself get pinched, don't be afraid of using that accelerator to more closely match the speed of the left lane traffic, and if you're in the left lane and somebody is coming up on you fast, get your  pass over with a little faster and get over!  That's what I try to do.  It's really about paying attention to what's going on and showing a little consideration.

 

Ranting all over.

[TheScaryGuy]

I always leave early enough so that I don't have to speed, just makes life easier.  Most people have a hard enough time driving the vehicle themselves let alone watching out for other people.  Thats why its your responsibility to watch out for the inconsiderate, stupid, @ssholes on the road.

[BlueRado]

You make a very good point, Scary!!  

[HillHound]

To me aggressive drivers are people who:

 

Tailgate

Consistantly do more than 5mph over the speed limit

Pull in in front of you too close

Run yellow lights or red lights

Drive with a chip on their shoulder etc

 

I usually drive the speed limit and just let people pass me. I don't make eye contact with other drivers and if someone tailgates me too close for a long distance I simply pull over and let 'em go by me.  I don't street race or get involved in stop light contests.

 

Here's a challenge for you if other drivers' behaviors stress you out.   For just one week:

 

Don't exceed the speed limits.  Don't run yellow lights.  When you enter highway on a entrance ramp-accelerate up to the speed limit slowly and let others pass you without challenging them in any way.  Just cruise along, listen to the radio and occasionally wave at other drivers.  Cut people some favors, such as yielding when you don't have to etc.  Just try that for a few days and you'll have a completely new outlook on your drive to work.  

 

Some days my drive to work is the only quiet time I get between my job and family and I try to enjoy the time I get to drive my truck in peace!  :thumb:

[General Lee 01]

Just cruise along, listen to the radio and occasionally wave at other drivers

WHAT?!  

 

 

Ok, but I can't guarantee I'll use all 5 fingers.  

[HillHound]

Ok, but I can't guarantee I'll use all 5 fingers.  

Tape all your fingers together-that way you'll have to wave if you put your hand up General!

[99silveradoz71]

Yes, driver inattention is a big problem.

[elboberino]

On some of the roads in Colorado there are Minimum Speed Limit signs.  It's cool.  Then, if people are going too slow, you have a legitimate reason to honk and bright them.  

 

But hey, in Phoenix, everyone drives 10 over, it's normal.  If you are going the speed limit, people look and you and occasionally give you the new york salute   .  Unfotunately, I brought that same mentality about 10 over to Boulder...yeah, no one drives over here.  It's weird.  But that's why I got a radar detector...

 

I promise, you won't ever see me going under the limit unless I'm in traffic and can't use the shoulder!  

 

I'm not a defensive driver.  I like to be on offense!

[sduquette]

I typically am a left lane driver, but I typically drive 5-10mph over, just about anywhere, usually I'm in my lexus though, and it feels like you're going 30 everywhere.  I usually won't move out of the left lane if I'm going 10 over, and the person behind me wants to go faster, that is their problem, and if they don't like it, they can change lanes and pass me.  I also don't let people in off the side streets and parking lots.  too many times I have seen accidents where you let them in to your lane, and they try to cross the whole #### street and get slammed by someone minding their own business.  I never tailgate, mostly because I don't want to be the cause of my own accident, and have yet to be in a collision with another car since I was 16, 7 years ago.  Sometimes I do get a wild hair up my ass though, and will do a 80 or so in traffic, and just pick my way through, in the car of course, I'm a grandpa in the truck.  Overall, I think I'm a pretty good driver, I;ve avoided so many collisions that would be caused by other drivers, and have only had ticketsw for either non-moving violations, or drag racing ones, which are more intentional that bad driving, and only 3 of those, all of which got thrown out in court, so my record is actually perfect.