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Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

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Comments

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I'd be leery of any open car from before the 60s, and even some from that era
  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    .......I would call smashing into a Duesenberg extremely inconsiderate, especially a freshly restored example (what are they worth now?).
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Ghulet.... We talk about the value of cars at my car club meetings. From what I have read and what people are saying, is that cars like the Duesenberg and others of that era are decreasing in value. It's because the "admirers" are dying off.

    I "appreciate" those cars but I really wouldn't want one. I like cars from the late 50's through the 60's. My antique is a 1964 of which I was only 8 years old at the time the car was produced.

    There is a wonderful collection of antique cars at the "Merle Norman" cosmetics(The Nethercutt family) heir collection in San Sylmar, California (North of Los Angeles). The entrance fee is free but you have to make a reservation. They have a beautiful collection of old cars, the full line of Rolls Phantoms (about seven), etc.

    They also have a huge collection of hood ornaments and musical instruments (large pipe organs). The building that everything is housed in, was in an earthquake a 8-10 years ago. The five story building was reduced to four (if I have that correctly) because of the damage, the top floor was removed. The top floor was a private apartment for the family to stay in.

    They also have a few of the old Duesenbergs in the collection. The cars that are increasing quickly in price are the 1970's muscle cars. I guess demand of certain vehicles depends on the era that you were born in.

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I am sure a sportily bodied SC Duesy is still a 7-figure car

    That Volvo driver just lost it all
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    How much is an old car like that worth? Depreciation. Wear and tear... grin...

    Of course they can always use foreign-made replacement parts too--and lots of bondo.

    Seriously, how much is the driver of the Volvo and his insurance company on the hook for out of the retail value of the car.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,685
    Couldn't tell ya, as I was not driving. However, we were following another vehicle (read "caravaning") and so my wife dictated her speed by their speed. There was no dangerous situation until the monkey went apeshat. Like I said originally, it was odd.

    Granted, the speed differential turned out to be small after the Pontiac driver sped up, but initially it was about 7-10 mph. I suppose my wife didn't feel like burning the extra fuel and riding the bumper of my grandparents' trailer. She wouldn't have needed to had she not braked when intimidated. Since we ended up having to pass anyway, no fuel savings there and probably lost a little. :P
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • mark156mark156 Member Posts: 1,915
    Just hypothical.....A Duesenberg might have been worth $1,200,000 and now worth... $1,100,000..... it's still a 7 figure car but not an increasing investment as the price may be going down.

    Mark
    2010 Land Rover LR4, 2013 Honda CR-V, 2009 Bentley GTC, 1990 MB 500SL, 2001 MB S500, 2007 Lincoln TC, 1964 RR Silver Cloud III, 1995 MB E320 Cab., 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    Given that three people were killed, and the Volvo driver is pretty clearly at fault (judging from news reports), I'll bet the Volvo driver is worried about lots more than the book value of that Duesenberg.

    Speaking of ignoring traffic signals...this just happened today on my way home from work. The exit road from my office parking area intersects with a three-lane, one-way road in downtown Harrisburg. At the intersection is a red light. Coming out of the garage this afternoon, I was following a new Ford Explorer.

    The Explorer and I had the green light. Just as the Explorer pulls out, a Mazda Protege sails through the red light...and the driver blows her horn at the Explorer. I later followed her in traffic. It looked as though she was talking on a hands-free phone.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Too bad the Exploder didn't nail the Protege and put the driver in PT for a few months

    This evening at about 9pm I saw a new Taurus - no plates or anything - on I90 with only its parking lights on.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    I later followed her in traffic. It looked as though she was talking on a hands-free phone.

    Something has gotta be done about these inconsiderate and "dangerous" drivers who are similar in a way to drunk drivers. Maybe a national campaign similar to Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Over the last year or so, I have seen persons that are pro cell phone use interviewed on television about the matter of using a cell phone while driving. They still spout the drivel that hands-free is the answer and it is safe. These people need to be combated by an organized group that has facts and research data saying that cell phone use by a driver, whether hands-free or not, is very dangerous and akin to drunk driving.

    With an organized group(s) as catalyst, perhaps DOTs of states and US could run public information messages on TV similar to Smokey the Bear years ago, stating that cell phone use by drivers is irresponsible, dangerous and almost as bad as drunk driving.

    State legislatures could follow with laws banning cell phone use, hands-free or not, while driving. Laws could be backed up with severe penalties for those people found to cause an accident while driving and using a cell phone. Evidence for cell phone use by a guilty driver could be subepeoned from the cell phone company database.

    When operating a motor vehicle on public roads the "only" thing the driver should be doing is "operating a motor vehicle".
  • black_tulipblack_tulip Member Posts: 435
    That Volvo driver just lost it all

    No! He is the one who is alive!
  • black_tulipblack_tulip Member Posts: 435
    Here is a road rage story published in CNN. It seems that the guy had an altercation on the road, went on to drop his wife and then came back to shoot the other guy several times. Be careful before choosing a fight on the road!
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Cell 'phones today are the distractions that CB radios were when faddish 30 years ago. Drivers of 18 wheelers still are distracted while jabbering on the job often applying their brakes too late to avoid a jack knife of their trailer which is very inconsiderate as it blocks three lanes while lying on it's side. If a cell 'phone needs to be used, give it to your Navigator and enable the Driver to drive.
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    10-4, good buddy. :shades:

    james
  • black_tulipblack_tulip Member Posts: 435
    Cell phones, I am afraid are only half the story. I have a friend, who reads and sends emails using a blackburry, while driving. What do you think of that?
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    "Cell phones, I am afraid are only half the story. I have a friend, who reads and sends emails using a blackburry, while driving. What do you think of that?"

    I think I'd sent him an email: "LOOKOUT!!! The car in front of you just slammed on its brakes!!!" Idiot. :P

    james
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Ok here I am on a back country two lane road cresting a hill when all of a sudden there is this motorcycle coming straight at me in my lane. This idiot on two wheels decided to pass going up the hill in a clearly marked no passing zone. Lucky for him i reacted real fast and severed to the right as soon as I saw him. Lucky for me there was enough of a shoulder on my side that I didn't run off the road. I swear we missed by inches.

    Hey people out there, hills are marked no passing for a reason.

    If I ever find that biker he has one heck of a dry cleaning bill he has to reimburse me for.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • kdshapirokdshapiro Member Posts: 5,751
    He's lucky you weren't driving a dump truck.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    She held up a huge line of cars waiting to park at the Pacific Place garage. We were in the car behind her and could not figure out why she was waiting at the parking ticket machine instead of pressing the button that would open the parking gate.

    I got out of our car and went to her window and said, "You need to hit the button to get the ticket." Her reply was that she was waiting until the ticket machine clock read 5 P.M. - to get the evening rate.

    Meanwhile, a line of cars piled up behind us. The clock read 4:58. She not only waited until it was 5, but several minutes after, as cars honked and we all practically passed out from exhaust fumes.

    Next time, I will press her button for her. Wouldn't you? :mad:
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    I think I've had my first inconsiderate hypermiler event! :)

    An older gentleman (by that I mean seemingly older than me) driving a Prius, stopped in front of me at a traffic light, both of us going to make a right. The road we're turning onto is a single lane of traffic for about a mile before widening to two lanes. The light changes, and he starts to make the turn. Now I'm NOT a jack rabbit starter, but this was ridiculous. I couldn't get above thrid gear for the entire mile because Mr Green was going to drive with his eyes on the instantaneous mileage display to make sure he was getting maximum mileage. The heck with the rest of the world. 25 mph in a 45 zone! By the time we reached the two travel lane stretch, a fair parade had built up behind him. Being the car immediately behind the rolling roadblock, I was kind of stuck and had to let the cars behind me go past before I could safely move out. When I did pass the Prius (at a sane rate of speed since I was in no particular hurry) Mr Green gives me the one finger salute. Tell you what Mr. Green. I won't tell you how to drive if you don't tell me how to drive. But the next time I see you and you decide to show your contempt for people not as "smart" as you, you're going to get an earfull when you arrive wherever it is you're headed. How much gas did YOU waste by forcing those behind you to cruise along in a lower, less efficient gear?

    I promised myself I wasn't gonna yell about this, so I better stop now...
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    You should have got in front of Mr. Green and slammed on your brakes, or simply rammed him off the road and drove off. The motorist gene pool needs a lot of chlorine.

    Today I was driving on a crowded suburban road, and a pseudo-thug looking young man was driving a rental Camry. He was tailgating and weaving in and out of traffic constantly. Locals know not to do this, as the traffic light sequencing is so irresponsible and idiotic that you can't get ahead unless you go about 150. He shot past me and my group of traffic, and weaved his way ahead. At the major intersection about 2 miles ahead...I was 2 cars behind him, and I never went more than 5 over.

    The woman at the parking garage gate should have been slowly pushed through the gate.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    This idiot on two wheels decided to pass going up the hill in a clearly marked no passing zone.

    One year in early 90's, wife and I driving home in separate cars from work at approx same time in late afternoon, would encounter an inconsiderate and dangerous driver of car on certain days. Our last 6 miles home included 55 mph 2-lane rural with mostly double yellow. This driver was not satisfied with going limit to 5 over. He passed a lot including in double yellow (hills, curves) many times. Finally one day I got his license number and car description when he was passing in double yellow. Then, stopped at home of state trooper in neighborhood immediately, explained dangerous driving and gave car license details. He told me to wait in his driveway and he went to his cruiser parked in garage. He came back 10-15 minutes later and said he took care of. After that day, we never again seen that car and driver on the 2-lane rural.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I think that would be dangerous for the trooper...
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    I did not give complete details, but trooper gave me the impression that the "taking care of" merely consisted of conversation with the offender about safe and unsafe driving. Nothing else. Who knows but that this conversation may have altered a driver's behavior and thus prevented a head-on collison with innocent people being hurt or killed.
  • bolivarbolivar Member Posts: 2,316
    Why would it be dangerous to a trooper? Giving little 'talks' to people is part of the job they do for 8 hours each duty day.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Confronting someone with hearsay evidence wouldn't get one far, I would think

    I am not disputing the truth of what happened...but enforcement can't be based on stories
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    So why did Mr. Hypermiler give you the finger? Were you blatantly tailgating him? (Not that he should have been going so slow in the first place.)

    I try not to make eye contact with people in situations like yours. That way if they DO give me the finger, they don't get any satisfaction from it, because I never saw it.
  • 210delray210delray Member Posts: 4,721
    Motorcyclists aren't exactly famous for NOT taking risks!

    I had an incident when I was in graduate school about 30 years ago. I was on a main artery of the small town in which I lived, going uphill at 30 mph in 30 mph zone. This was on one of the first warm days of spring, and I had the driver's window all the way down.

    This stupid motorcyclist roars around me in a no-passing zone in front of the local hospital and I mean ROARS. Well, at the very next intersection, the light was red, and I caught up to him. Being seriously annoyed both by his behavior and the awful noise, I started blaring the horn at him and yelled out the window at the top of my lungs, "YOU IDIOT!!!"

    He yelled something back to me, probably profanity, but I didn't hear a word of it.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    But enforcement doesn't necessarily mean giving out a ticket...a verbal warning from a police officer, combined with, "I'm talking to you because other drivers have complained about your driving," could be effective, especially if the officer ends with, "And we'll (the police) will be watching this road carefully in the coming weeks."
  • dougd7dougd7 Member Posts: 71
    Yesterday afternoon I'm taking my son to go see the Potomac Nationals game (minor league BB team) and have to travel I-95 north. I'm traveling at the limit (65) in the right lane, faster drivers are passing on the left - no problem. Around the 138 mile marker I glance in my right side mirror to see 2 cars ( a Accord and a Corolla) veer onto the shoulder and pass me at 85+. I guess the faster traffic wasn't fast enough. Only alternative was to dial the state police. Of course they had already had numerous calls concerning these idiots. And unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get their tag #'s. :mad: Had they pulled that stunt another mile up the road there would have been a mess as there was a diabled tractor trailer on the shoulder.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    "And we'll (the police) will be watching this road carefully in the coming weeks."

    I would fear that would just encourage the guy to speed elsewhere. Seems some people can't learn until they are really in trouble.

    I just think of it from my POV...if some cop came up to my parked car and said someone complained about my driving...I wouldn't be shaking. I am sure some morons have called the police and complained about people going 5 over.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Your situation occurs on I-5 as well. The NASCAR wannabe's use the paved shoulder, but out here they have an additional hazard to themselves.

    The paved shoulders are usually littered with all kids of debris including, broken glass, metal pieces, small tree limbs (logging trucks you know), alligators, wheel covers, hubcaps etc all of which have been known to wreck havoc with the cars running over them.

    Several years ago, instant justice happened when such a driver pulled the shoulder stunt and was stopped a mile down the road having left a trail of engine oil. :)
  • dougd7dougd7 Member Posts: 71
    First it should be noted that according the Va State Patrol I was not the only caller to report these idiots. Numerous other drivers had called in on the guys. There are signs in our area encouraging drivers to report aggressive drivers. I doubt that the state patrol could do anything unless someone could have reported their tag #'s and be willing to be a witness of some sort. I don't know how that would really work. Most likely the authorities would have to catch them "in the act" to successfully presecute them. At best I could only testify that they indeed drove on the shoulder at a speed exceeding mine. I could estimate their speed but I doubt it would hold up in court.

    And it should be noted I did not call on the drivers passing in the proper lanes even though they too were exceeding the limit. At least they were not driving wrecklessly.
  • dougd7dougd7 Member Posts: 71
    if the shoe fits and you were in Virginia......(jk) ;)
  • gee35coupegee35coupe Member Posts: 3,387
    But although I have never used the shoulder to pass, I am sure I have had the police called on me for going waaaaay to fast for others on the interstate. That's why I no longer have a sports car. I know I'm not mature enough. My 130 mph Civic SI is more than enough. Thank God the minivan is keeping me from buying one of those $399 sign and drive G35 coupes they have advertised. Progressive says I can only have 4 cars on the policy. :whew: that would pretty much end my driving career.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    I did everything I could to NOT run right up behind him, but there was no way to avoid it as I thought he was going to stop several times. And I didn't really look to make eye contact. He made SURE that I got his message.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Confronting someone with hearsay evidence wouldn't get one far, I would think

    I am not disputing the truth of what happened...but enforcement can't be based on stories


    My eyewitness account to the trooper was factual and detailed. It was not a story.

    Don't know legalities obviously, but I was an eyewitness to violations and would have agreed to testify in court if called.

    There is broader issue here about whether or not citizens are willing to get involved when they observe serious law violation. I doubt that anyone would call police on someone going 5 over. However, passing in double yellow, not just once but as behavior, is a very serious matter. Similarly, driving/speeding on shoulder of interstate, pattern of someone driving straight through (no slow down) stop signs in a subdivision, etc. should not be ignored by citizens.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    As I said, I was not disputing what happened. But after the fact...it's a story to the cop and anyone else who wasn't there.

    I am not saying people shouldn't report dangerous driving, but if there's no police or video witness, I can't see it standing up. It'd end up as one person's word against another...the door is wide open for abuse in such cases.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    As I said, I was not disputing what happened. But after the fact...it's a story to the cop and anyone else who wasn't there.

    Hopefully a lawyer will read this board.

    I wonder. If a citizen witnesses a person that he can identify smashing a store window and then reports this to police, is this only a "story" because an officer did not witness it? And, therefore, police cannot do anything about this because an officer did not witness it? Is passing in double yellow (and more than once) a violation of law just as is smashing of a store window?
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    The benefit of reporting egregious and agressive driving is that your complaint,with others helps to make a case for the authorities to contact the NASCAR wannabe and have a little discussion about his driving habits.

    Agreed one hearsay complainer will not trigger a ticket, but when the lawmen receive numerous complaints from different folk, it does get action. :)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Yes, reporting dangerous drivers is a good thing, I am sure it can be used against them if they are nabbed by a cop or cause a wreck etc.

    "is this only a "story" because an officer did not witness it? "

    Well, it would be one word vs another...what's to stop me from calling in and saying I saw you smashing a window or driving recklessly?
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Agreed one hearsay complainer will not trigger a ticket,

    Actually testimony from first hand witness's is not hearsay. Now if Sam saw it happen and told Jim and Jim told the police officer than what Jim said was hearsay since he doesn't have first hand knowledge.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    On the way home today I was on I-55 with traffic going at the breath taking speed of 2 MPH. I was right at the end of the merging lane and I say a semi coming up the on ramp. As he rapidly approached I was thinking "no he isn't going to do what I think he is going to do". Yep he did it, this semi hauling fuel stays on the shoulder blaring past all the traffic stopped on the interstate.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • partsmanpartsman Member Posts: 16
    This seems to be another symptom of what this administration has started, everyone is butting their nose in other people's business. A select few are trying to control what they see as bad (ie:Janet's wardrobe mishap-You really couldn't see anything anyway). If some of you whiners had their way we would still be driving 50 mph on the freeway, this is a FREE country if you want the kind of police state your talking about go to China or Korea. I have the right to speed and break the law and get arrested if I so choose, that's part of a free society. Why do personal liberties bother you so much? If you want to go faster than me I don't care, if I'm in the left ( HIGH SPEED LANE ) I,ll move over for you. If you want to go the minimum speed in the right lane- fine thats your right -but start minding your own business !!!! If some loser that can't drive causes an accident I'll be the first in line to prosecute him/her
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    Don't think that there is anything in our Constitution nor in Bill of Rights guaranteeing the right to drive (buggies, horses, cars). Last time I checked, driving was considered a priviledge as long as one obeys the associated laws. Administration talk is off-topic, but I recall last administration had a guy working in White House looking up FBI records of politicians and no one there would fess up as to hired or paid the guy.

    Encountered an inconsiderate driver last Tuesday on rural 2-lane highway. He was a flat-bed trucker and I encountered his dumped load of large steel plates shortly after the incident. Pavement was covered with many plates. Passed by this point later in day and there were deep gouges in various places on pavement. Thankfully, these plates did not hit any other motorist.

    Believe that I heard that although loads are placed on flatbeds by other than driver, that driver still has responsibility to check/verify that load is properly secured.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    The ones that I consider at the very least inconsiderate and on the other side extremely dangerous are the dual trailer fully loaded dump or earth load trucks. While CA has passed a law ,a long time ago requiring loads to be covered (for obvious reasons), these earth movers pretty much go un checked in the above regard. Following them can literally be a sand blast job for your front edges and in the worst case projectiles hurled at you at 65 mph.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    I like the trucks carrying rock, gravel, sands, and no tarp that have a sign on them trying to fake you out if you get hit by one of their objects. The signs say "Not responsible for items thrown from roadway." Many people probably think that means they are not responsible for items that dribble off their load or side rails or under the bed parts. They are responsible for what they dribble.

    Has anybody successfully charged one of these trucks for damages?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    During WW II, the speed limit in this winning, not whining, nation was 35 mph because it cut gasoline consumption and other reasons. That law was imposed by a few in an administration for the benefit of all.

    Considering the price of fuel, alleged shortage of same, 50 mph today makes a lot of sense.

    Nobody has the right to break the law. Anarchy is not our lifestyle here nor is it condoned or admired

    This is NOT a FREE country. You do have Obligations, Duties, Responsibilities & Respect for others with whom you associate in every aspect of life.

    Try this one on for 90 days. "It's your attitude, more than your aptitude that determines your altitude in life." :)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    A 50mph is the only way if those who set the limits for safety and not revenue (bahahaha) are honest in what they preach.

    Some people have more obligations and responsibility than others.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    I am sure that most folks know obligations and responsibilities are never fair and also unequally applied.

    No where do you see this more graphically than in trolling for revenue. Safety and conservation as cited examples are unfortunately WAY down the list. I am sure folks can cite some more examples as it applies to the topic They sound good, and I might even agree with some or most intellectually. And if I could wave my magic wand... but literally they have no real world application.
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