A Few Rants.......

[AngliaGT]

Why is it that people drive around in the daytime
with driving lights on?
And why do they swing right,to make a left turn?And
talk on cellphones (about nothing)?
Turn in front of me (when there's nobody behind me-
for blocks)?
And have to drive 45,in a 25 zone?

- Doug

 

[Guest]

1. Some new cars it's not optional and is a safety feature.
2. they are idiots and need as much room as possible as their small brain can't think in such a limited area, they need more room to think.
3.depends on what nothin is, nothing is the new something.
4. once again, limited brain capacity. once a thought is in place, it must be acted upon immeadiatly or else lost, if not, it's lost forever and the decision has to be made again. Like fish, their memeory only lasts five seconds.
5.oh, that was you? sorry, I didn't see you, I was too busy talking on my phone.

what were we talking about again?

 

[NutmegCT]

Hey Doug - You're not alone in feeling like that, believe me. Amazing how irresponsible some folks are, eh?

My thought: we do a great job in teaching our youth to envy whatever bling they see, and climb to the top of the social heap. But maybe not such a good job in developing a sense of personal responsibility and "how to fit in the social structure".

Are people breaking laws? Well ... just build more prisons! Don't worry about trying to fix the mess that causes many people to break the laws; that's too difficult.

OK - I'll crawl back into my cave.
Tom

 

[PAUL161]

What tic's me off most, is when they can't wait to pass you after dogging you for a mile or so and then slow down when they get in front. I see that a lot on the interstates.
On the light thing, I think the newer cars and trucks have lights on the front that come on when you start it up. At least it seems that way. I think that the driving light thing started in Canada many years ago by placing a clear light in the center of the grill for daytime driving, but was illegal here until recently. Probably because some politician bought stock in a light bulb company.

 

[DrEntropy]

I used to say I was an offensive driver... folk took it to mean driving as you describe. Not so. It meant I would EXPECT the behavior and be one move ahead of the stupidity by getting out of range of the likely consequence.

It's actually considerate driving: I'm makin' sure they don't need to confront me in a bad mood after their idiocy causes me some kinda grief. :wink:

 

[aeronca65t]

Why is it that people drive around in the daytime
with driving lights on?
And why do they swing right,to make a left turn?And
talk on cellphones (about nothing)?
Turn in front of me (when there's nobody behind me-
for blocks)?
And have to drive 45,in a 25 zone?

- Doug

Then you definately don't want to move to New Jersey!

I agree about cell phones. Driving while "on the phone" is obscene.

Our '08 Accord and '09 Chevy Express van both have Daytime Running Lights (DRLs).

 

[14dna]

We have had DRL's in Canada since 1990.
We just enacted laws in Ontario that means anything other than hands free cell phones are illegal when driving, ($500 Fine)
We just need a law about silly drivers, (would make a lot more room on the highways)

Dave

 

[BabaKahawa]

Why is it that people drive around in the daytime
with driving lights on?
And why do they swing right,to make a left turn?And
talk on cellphones (about nothing)?
Turn in front of me (when there's nobody behind me-
for blocks)?
And have to drive 45,in a 25 zone?

- Doug

We have a great hands free law here, can't hold your cell and drive.........
guess what, the police can't stop you for it...... how's that for politics of the city council.
I think people get in front of you just to slow you down, they drive slow to control your driving....... why?,..... beats me!!!

 

[swift6]

I don't think Doug is talking about DLR's but rather the accessory fog/driving lights. DLR's are part of the headlight (only?).

 

[MadRiver]

You nailed one of my pet peeves -- turing in front of someone when nobody is behind them for blocks. I see that one *all the time* and I just don't get it. And it always seems that they wait until the very last minute to cut me off, and I have to jam on the brakes.

I think the bottom line is that most people don't think of driving as a serious activity that requires their total attention and concentration. As I always tell my children (who, thankfully, are years away from driving age) -- driving consists of operating several thousand pounds of metal containing a highly explosive liquid in close proximity to electricity, so act accordingly.

 

[TRDejaVu]

Wish I hadn't seen this thread; oh well, here goes...

I recall that my 1979 Saab 900 had DRLs back in the day in the olde country. They were a brighter version of the side lights instead of the main beams.

The flip side is the people who won't put their lights on in low visibility conditions. It's almost as though they think it is going to cost them money for the electricity.

Still on lights. Why do people who have paid good money for high beams not use them when driving on country roads when nothing is coming the other way?

Why do people drive with their dogs on their laps? Don't tell me that they are not a distraction when they dart from hanging out the driver's window across to the other side to bark at something else.

It's not the act of holding a cell phone (although it has an effect), it is the distraction of the conversation. The same is true of drivers getting into deep conversations with their passengers. Won't even get into the applying makeup/shaving/reading topic.

Why do they have driving tests in the US that just cater to the lowest common denominator? They are a joke over here. I don't claim that all foreign tests are tougher, but many of them do a much better job of preparing young drivers. Surely higher driver standards will keep insurance costs from increasing at the rate they do now.

Traffic lights. Why does a population that doesn't want to be told what to do put up with them. Sitting at a red light for 2 minutes when NOTHING is coming is ridiculous. Why can't the country that put a man on the moon cope with traffic circles (roundabouts)? How much time (money)is wasted by all of this stop/go?

and finally, left lane bandits - aaargh. They take it as an insult to their manhood (even the women) if they have to move over. They are also self righteous in deciding that their interpretation of the speed limit should be adhered to by all.

I feel much better now Doctor, thank you.

 

[longbridgehealey]

My pet peeve is the folks who cannot execute a left or right turn properly. I was taught to enter the intersection, and then make my turn at almost a 90 degree angle. Most folks now seem to just start turning as they approach the intersection, and barely miss the cars waiting at the light or stop sign. Am I wrong?

 

[Silverghost]

And why do they swing right,to make a left turn?

At least this one is easy:

Newton's third law: law of reciprocal actions

Lex III: Actioni contrariam semper et æqualem esse reactionem: sive corporum duorum actiones in se mutuo semper esse æquales et in partes contrarias dirigi.

"To every action there is always an equal and opposite reaction."

 

[William]

Traffic lights. Why does a population that doesn't want to be told what to do put up with them. Sitting at a red light for 2 minutes when NOTHING is coming is ridiculous. Why can't the country that put a man on the moon cope with traffic circles (roundabouts)?

Two reasons:

1.)Expense. I can't imagine the cost of converting even a small number of our local traffic lights to roundabouts.

2.)Space. To turn most of our local stoplights into roundabouts would entail removing an awful lot of businesses and houses. It would be even worse in a major metro area. There aren't really any cities being built anymore, so introducing roundabouts would be limited to suburban subdivisions with low traffic flow anyway, and would have a limited benefit.

-Wm.

 

[TRDejaVu]

Traffic lights. Why does a population that doesn't want to be told what to do put up with them. Sitting at a red light for 2 minutes when NOTHING is coming is ridiculous. Why can't the country that put a man on the moon cope with traffic circles (roundabouts)?

Two reasons:

1.)Expense. I can't imagine the cost of converting even a small number of our local traffic lights to roundabouts.

2.)Space. To turn most of our local stoplights into roundabouts would entail removing an awful lot of businesses and houses. It would be even worse in a major metro area. There aren't really any cities being built anymore, so introducing roundabouts would be limited to suburban subdivisions with low traffic flow anyway, and would have a limited benefit.

-Wm.

Expense. The cost of all the delays needs to be factored into that analysis.

Space. Apparently, the United Kingdom as a whole (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) is about the same size as Oregon. They manage to fit a population that is about 20% that of the USA (60 million vs 300 million) and traffic circles into that space. I guess they should be more concerned about space.

 

[Basil]

Are people breaking laws? Well ... just build more prisons! Don't worry about trying to fix the mess that causes many people to break the laws; that's too difficult.

Geez, Tom, do they put people in prison for minor traffic infractions in your state? Dang, remind me never to drive on CT! :banana:

 

[swift6]

Expense. The cost of all the delays needs to be factored into that analysis.

Space. Apparently, the United Kingdom as a whole (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) is about the same size as Oregon. They manage to fit a population that is about 20% that of the USA (60 million vs 300 million) and traffic circles into that space. I guess they should be more concerned about space.

Around here, traffic circles are being used with increasing regularity. Not just in suburban neighborhoods, but in new high traffic areas like shopping areas. When intersections are deemed to busy for their current size, they are considered for traffic circles as well as simply enlarging the intersection.

Cost and space are part of the equation, but so is driver education. In the UK, they are not so much rebuilding intersections into traffic circle as beginning with traffic circles. The population is also used to traffic circles more than stop-lighted intersections (I'm aware that there are also stop-lighted intersections in the UK, including stop-lighted traffic circles). Over here, especially in the west, it takes a bit of time for the local driving populace to adjust to how traffic circles actually work. There is plenty of signage showing how to use a traffic signal, but that only works when people actually read and understand the signs. Most around here also don't understand the concept of signaling in traffic circle, as in signaling your intent to exit said traffic circle. Locally, traffic circles are increasing and the local populace is getting more used to how they work, so they keep getting implemented and used as an alternative to the traditional stop-lighted intersections.

 

[Gray_Cat]

I've tried resisting but have a few rants of my own:
1. Nevermind those that have headlights on in the daytime (and I see that requirement rapidly approaching for new cars), there are entirely too many in my 'hood that refuse to turn them on when it's dark! I'm not talking only the 'bangers who think it uncool to turn on lights, it's parents with kids in their cars. Unflipping beleiveable; it occurs on city strees and the freeways, argh! They the same group that let their cars warm up for 10 minutes too....a little ignorance goes a long way.
2. Stopping in the middle of the street to pick someone up or just converse even when there is curbside parking available.
3. Opening (throwing open) driver side car doors into traffic and expecting everyone to avoid them.
4. Parking in the left turn "infinity" lanes and going shopping. I will say that seems to have subsided.....
5. Pedestrians crossing the street any ol' where just cause it's cool, I guess...they do regret that when they walk in front of me on my MC though....
Ok, that actually felt good - have a happy Friday/weekend all!
Roy

 

[tony barnhill]

People who don't know what a merge lane is used for.

People who drive in the left lane of a 4-lane divided highway (at just below the speed limit).

 

[TRDejaVu]

People who drive in the left lane of a 4-lane divided highway (at just below the speed limit).

Left lane bandits; they don't care who they hold up.