My mom lives in a small town with that same situation - an astonishingly high amount of jammed traffic for the size and economy of the area. I've long had the possibly warped theory that people are hired to drive around and make it look bustling, just as the city intentionally keeps its lights out of sequence in commercial areas to get more eyes fixed on local businesses.
I know Georgia plans construction on I75 during spring break just to keep tourists going to and from Florida in their state longer than necessary. My family and I call it the "Forever State".
There's a cure for that. Last time I drove to Florida I went east to Ashville and down I26 to I95 into Ft. Lauderdale to visit my sister. It was 50 Miles further for me leaving from Ohio. Depends on where you're going in Fla.
Driving home last night I encountered yet another example of my favorite moron: the parking-light poser. It's somehow "cool" to drive with parking lights only... I dunno why.
Anyway, it's late-dusk with light rain. 99.9% of the drivers have their headlights on, as they should. A compact oncoming car with parking lights only. I give him a quick lights-off/lights-on (2x) and he comes back RIGHT NOW with his brights. No hesitation at all. It was almost as if he was driving with his finger on the flash-to-pass stalk. Hmmm.
Anyway, it's late-dusk with light rain. 99.9% of the drivers have their headlights on, as they should. A compact oncoming car with parking lights only.
I see this also. What is their rationale? This could be easy pickings for cops. Cities, towns, counties could charge say $100-$200 fine. They could post notices in newspapers for a month ahead of time and then start pickup of these folks. Fine could be considered as tuition for these drivers to learn about proper vehicle lighting. Good revenue too for locals.
realized last night that I drove for about 20 minutes at late late afternoon (into dusk, not quite fully dark) with no lights on at all.
Why? Still not used to the electro/luminescant (or whatever you call it) dashboard on the new car. It's one where the dash is basically dark, and ights up when you start the car. Looks the same pretty much with the lights on or off (although it dims a bit when you turn on the lights).
In any case, you lose that visual reminder (that is, you can't see the guages), and Honda even adds a little lights icon to tell you they are on. I was on a highway, then a 4 lane localbusy road with lots of lights (stores, etc), so it wasn't particulary noticable to me (obviously), but probably ticked off a few other people!
There are already laws on the books-those are 'parking' lights not 'driving' lights. Long ago a friend was pointed over by State Patrol at dusk when he was driving with his parking lights on. Technically it wasn't time for headlights-10 minutes before sunset, but the man is the man.
I like people driving with their fog lamps or driving lamps turned on without the headlights. I hate fog lamps. I hate driving lights. MOST people don't need them.
The fog lights in perfectly clear weather along with headlights usually are more blinding to on-coming drivers. The driving light type lower light usually is misaimed because it's close to the ground and should only turn on with high beams but they are usually on with low beams to, again, blind on-coming drivers.
If there's a need for driving lights, it's in open country to watch for cows on the road or bears or... when driving at speed.
I have gotten in the practice of turning on my high beams in response to those driver's with bad aims on their "driving" lights.
If there's a need for driving lights, it's in open country to watch for cows on the road or bears or... when driving at speed.
Exactly. Driving lights are for driving on open road and are far too powerful to illuminate while sharing the immediate roadway.
But, to get back to the parking lights only person, what did you do in response to the displayed antics?
Hahha.... the other day I did a doosey to my wife. I turned off the headlights when we stopped at work for me to drop myself off, and she did not notice them off! She hopped in and drove almost all the way home in darkness wondering why everyone else's lights seemed so bright!
Eventually, a few miles from home, someone was courteous enough to double-flash her and she put 2-and-2 together! Hheheh.... I felt bad about that one.
This time of year it was just reflexive. I really dislike it when people leave their cars idling in parking lots, sometimes for hours on end, and leave the headlights on.
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
I think the vast majority of cars factory-equipped with auxiliary lights are fog lights, not driving lights. These are ordinarily wired so that they only come on with the LOW beams. This makes sense, because in true foggy conditions, you have to use low beams.
If you see ONLY the fog lights on, then the owner has fiddled with the wiring.
Driving lights, OTOH, should be wired to come on only with the high beams, because these are intended to aid in long-distance illumination.
Does anyone know of cars today that are factory-equipped with driving lights?
I'm just leaving the office, driving on a 40mph road that has two lanes in each direction plus a suicide lane in between. It's a busy road.
In the middle of the road (in between the two lanes of oncoming traffic) I see a flash, the sun reflecting off a shiny wheel. The wheel is attached to... a wheelchair! It's slowly, very slowly wheeling across the street just half a block from a crosswalk. Well, the light's been green for a while, so there are a lot of cars stopped in the middle of the road waiting for him/her to cross.
Then I look back ahead of me, and there's a woman in the middle of my lane! She's calmly walking behind the wheelchair (20ft behind), walking like... well, almost like a runway model. She's crossing diagonally, so she's facing away from my side of traffic. I come to a stop 10ft away from her (not a panic stop - I saw her in time) and as she walks through my lane she never turns her head to see my lane!
I start up and go again and come to a light that's turned red, half a block from where they were crossing. I turn around and see that she's pushing the wheelchair. I still don't really get it.
Aren't some "performance" cars like the new Mustang GT equipped with factory driving lights? I am not sure how they are wired, but it should be a "high beams only" configuration.
That's how I wired in my drivers. Technically, I could have just wired them through their own switch, but that would not have been road legal according to Alaska law and, more importantly, I would have had to switch them on/off manually which would increase the reaction time and margin of error.
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
The fog/driving/extra lights on the Corolla S turn on with the low beams. My coworker has one, and one of her fog lights is badly aimed (upwards). It's dumb, but nowadays having two sets of forward-facing lights is associated with performance driving.
My brother just got a 1987 Mercedes 260e. It has yellow fog lights in the same housing as the high beams, which is the only time I've seen fog lights that weren't mounted lower. Probably not cool to drive with those on.
Last night I am driving down this road in the left lane on a road where the right lane disappears about 1/3-1/2 mile ahead of me. Way behind me is another car in the left lane and there is a car in the right lane between us with more than enough room to merge in between me and the guy behind me.
Guess what? The guy behind me was all of a sudden tailgating me not allowing the other guy in the right lane to merge in. Once we lost the right lane the guy behind me fell back and left a large gap between us again. What is with some people, there was no reason for that guy to do that.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Now that IS ridiculous. I had a vehicle do that behind me coming out of Wasilla one time and I just dumped my foot of the gas and coasted down to let the other driver (right lane) in front of BOTH of us. The reality of it all was that it did not matter one way or the other which of us was in which order as there was wall-to-wall traffic for a mile in either direction, yet the bozo just had to keep THAT spot on the roadway. *smacks forehead*
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
I use my driving lights during the day time, not usually at night. I'm currently doing a "drive" across the country and should arrive at my destination this afternoon covering about 1,800 miles.
So, I turn on my parking lights and then pull out the light switch to engage the driving lights in the bumper (2006 Land Rover LR3HSE).
I've checked and my driving lights are aimed perfectly as not to blind on-coming traffic. Since I have xenons, I would rather not use them during the day and use the bumper driving lights.
I have not seen anyone flash me in 1,500 miles. And, I have not seen any crazy drivers either. Even the truckers are staying to the right on long up-grades. One of my pet peeves is when truckers try to pull a long grade at 50 miles an hour (speed limit 75 mph) and hold up traffic.
Mark :shades:
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
I saw a woman driving today while eating a salad. And that wasn't the end of the badness...when stopped at a light, she tossed all the bits she didn't want out the window. I was burdened with driving behind her for a couple miles - she'd floor it off the line, weave all over as she was eating. She was in a white Durango. The jerk side of me wanted her to veer in front of an oncoming semi as she was chowing down (only a 40mph road, so she would have just had the daylights knocked out of her). Her lane-holding skills were so poor that it wasn't beyond the realm of possibility.
I saw something similar a couple years ago. I was driving on a rural 4-lane divided 55mph highway behind a Chevy Astro minivan. The driver was weaving slightly and every couple minutes threw something out the window--but I couldn't tell what it was. I ended up next to the van at the next stoplight, and realized the woman driving had a KFC bucket in her lap and was throwing the bones out the window. Suffice it to say that the last thing that woman needed to eat was fried chicken.
What is with some people, there was no reason for that guy to do that.
He had a deep desire to dominate someone else or gaining one-up on the other drive in a perceived "weak" position, maybe he's into BDSM.
It's petty, given that it probably didn't impact travel times of either driver. They don't know how foolish they look when they're squeezing the lane and looking straight-ahead pretending not to see whats going on.
Here's a good idea for Spike TV: "World Most Arrogant Drivers Caught on Video!"
Clips to include: - "He's a lead foot only when challenged" - "Single car-length at any price" - "Eight unnecessary lane changes within 15 seconds" - "Hyper hi-beam action in bumper-to-bumper traffic" - "Is he pushing or being towed by that Corolla?" - "Buzzing the Forest Preserve Police"
Guess what? The guy behind me was all of a sudden tailgating me not allowing the other guy in the right lane to merge in. Once we lost the right lane the guy behind me fell back and left a large gap between us again. What is with some people, there was no reason for that guy to do that.
Happens all the time here now. I mean every day. Worse is the instance when two cars are driving right next to each other. Two lanes in each direction. Eventually one car relents and one car ends up in front. The car behind that one inevetably begins passing and then just hovers next to that car. It used to be that I could set the cruise for 75 and have a nice drive. Now I always end up in a big chain of traffic that speeds up and down between 60 and 80 so that the front people never let anyone in front. Makes me so mad.
"Eight unnecessary lane changes within 15 seconds"
I sometimes execute a version of that maneuver by mistake. What happens is that everyone is obsessed out here with having bigger and bigger SUVs and trucks, and I can't see around. So move far left and look...sure enough, room to pass. I begin to make my pass and the macho driver speeds up and blocks (lead foot when challenged). I get back in behind. Another opportunity comes up and I try again. I'm successful and I'm now one car further in a line of about six cars. All going 60-80 because someone in front wants to hold the line of traffic up. When I make it to the front, I find that there is enough room to pass, but they are too timid to do so. :mad:
Oh how about stupid passengers giving directions. One time I am driving with a friend to some place and we are in the middle of some southern IL town and he tells me to get into the left lane, then tells me to get into the right lane, then tells me to get in the left lane back and forth as he is giving me directions to someplace just to be funny. Oh for lack of an ejector seat.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
But all of that banter needs not even be read. Heck, reading 5 posts is like reading 500. It is like a Chevy Tahoe compared to a GMC Yukon: same conversation, different name. :confuse:
Anyhow -
On my way to work this morning, I was cruising along at 60 in a 55, passing some traffic, holding fairly steady with others. We get to an area where the SL drops to 40 and I am running about 8 car-lengths behind and next (I was in the left lane, it was in the right) to a minivan. Typically, I will drop to around 50 in this zone initially because traffic patterns do not warrant full compliance with the zone. As I move deeper into it, I slow to between 40 and 45. Well, I'm doing the normal let-off-the-gass-and-coast-down routine upon entering it, and so was this van. Fine. The road merges down into one lane about 300 yards ahead, so the van puts on a signal and moves in front of me. Fine. Then, the van slows rapidly to around 30! Not fine. Initially I was continuing to coast up this gentle hill but this van was slowing much faster than I. I decided it was not worth the hassle of poking along behind it and signaled to the right lane, then passed. Immediately this driver flips on and sustains the brights for about 10 seconds until we joined other traffic, then follows me (not excessively close, ~3 secs, but matching speeds) to the point where our paths diverged. It even went so far as to make a questionably risky traffic maneuver (considering the vehicle and road conditions) to keep behind me.
Was I wrong to pass? Did I pose a risk to anybody? I was a bit surprised by the emotional response.... talk about reactive.
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
I'd say you committed no wrong, assuming that you didn't cut him off when you moved back in front of him.
Yeah, it's too bad this thread is being ignored because of the newer thread. But it'll probably get shut down too, just like the one about abolishing speed limits!
Sure you did wrong, you had the nerve to pass Mr. 'I am so important'.
Today I was on a two lane road in the left lane well ahead of someone in the right lane (like 4 or 5 car lenghts) I merged into the right lane and the guy (who was actually going slower than me) flashed his brights. :confuse:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
That sounds relatively similar to my situation. I did not cut the person off, though I may have thrown up some snow for a second or two while I was ahead, but not merged over, since we had a light snowfall that morning and the right lane is little-used that far into the 40 mph zone.
Oddly, I had another situation on the way home! Granted, I played a role in this one, but only because I would not grant an ignorant SOB his way.
I am leading a column of three vehicles up an on-ramp onto an "expressway" that has a stop light about 300 yards ahead of the merge area for this ramp. There are 4 vehicles on the expressway in the right lane, none in the left. In my mind, this is a perfect example of where "zippering" should be used. So, the leading van on the expressway is ahead of me. Behind that vehicle was a minivan running about 2-3 seconds behind. The lead vehicle was driving about 50 mph. So, I match speeds with the lead vehicle behind it and ahead of the minivan. As the two lanes become one and my merge becomes imminent, the minivan hugs the vehicle in front and tries to squeeze me out. The front of it was at about my rear passenger door. The driver lays on the horn and holds. I ignored the driver and just merged in as though it were not even there, and of course it backs off, but feels obligated to ride my bumper up to the red light and beyond before turning off onto a side street.
Turns out that all of us on the ramp zippered perfectly, despite the objections of one driver.
What a day for commuting.
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
I was driving in to work a couple days ago, and was on an on-ramp that leads onto a 2 lane road (1 lane in each direction) - I was on the on-ramp that transitions into the north bound lane of this 2 lane road. Speed limit on the 2 lane road is 45, and it is no passing. As I was traveling up the ramp, I saw a car several car lenghts back(25 probably), so I knew I could easily get to 50mph by the time I merged onto the main road, and would not interfere with his momentum.
Well, this is where I misfigured. I merge onto the main road (and I am at 45-50), and he is stillat least 5 car lengths behind me - so he didn't even have to brake to let me in. He proceeds to speed up, run right up to my bumper, and turn on the high beams (it was early morning and dark outside). The high beams are no big deal to me as I have very dark windows on my car - Just more of an indication to me of this guy's attitude. At this point I debate between a) roll down window and flip him off, b) slow down to a steady 25 mph (not brake check, just slow down), c) turn on both front and rear winshield washers and give him a spraying, or d) do nothing. 5-10 years ago, I would have gone with a,b, or c. I decided in this case to turn the radio up, relax, and forget about him. He rode back there for a couple of miles, and then turned off (but kept his high beams on this whole time even though there was a steady stream of on-coming traffic).
I find that happens ("they want to be in front of you") with Buicks in the left lane on the expressway. They figure that since they are in no hurry, nobody else needs to be in a hurry (and certainly, no one should have to exceed the speed limit).
If the car doesn't want to pass to just be in front then they fit the follower description. They want to go faster but they want someone in front of them. They they get up closer to make you go faster, they think, and then they will be able to go faster without being in front.
It's like the old CB radio/radar thing with people wanting someone in front of them going faster or as fast as they are thinking that a policeman won't get them on radar and give them a ticket; instead the person they're pacing 5 feet behind their front bumper or the person they're drafting gets the tickets.
Even worse are those giant tree-like SUVs who want to draft because they can't afford the gas mileage they get otherwise and they can see over everyone. I just hate it when they get behind my Buick.
...last night with its headlights off but that area between its headlight illuminated driving down a dark road. It was a case of "OK I can't see the road, but man I look cool". :confuse:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Worse yet is when they toss lit cigarettes out the window. About 15-20 years ago I worked for a HVAC contractor. Well one day our sheet metal guy had just picked up a load of sheet metal and was coming back. Well the sheet metal comes with a thin layer of oil over it to protect it. Well the back of the truck started smoking real bad. Turns out a lit cigarette butt had started something back there into a small smothering burn. :mad:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Ugh. Do not get me started on this! Having grown up in Eastern Oregon, I saw more brushfires from cigarette-butts-out-the-window than I care to count. This has given me a severe distaste for the activity. Any time a vehicle ahead of me tosses a butt, I immediately respond with my brights+drivers for a split second. The drivers are mounted on top of the car, so they give any vehicle a good dose. I really want to leave them on longer, but my rational side gets the better of me. :mad:
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
I decided in this case to turn the radio up, relax, and forget about him.
Every since my run-in with psycho-Blazer several months ago, I have been making a very conscious effort to ensure that I act in this manner as well. It sure has a way of making a bad situation a whole lot better.
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
Oh, man, I flash the smokers who dump butts out the window too. I continue to be amazed at how unthinking those folks are, but maybe the nicotine kills so many brain cells that ashtrays are suddenly too complicated to use. I've seen the same problem with turn signals - though anybody mentally capable of starting a car should have enough brain cells to use a turn signal properly.
Sounds like left lane rolling roadblocks are still a valid topic here, no matter whether they be Buicks or not... although hosts DO have a limit, right?
Sounds like left lane rolling roadblocks are still a valid topic here
Yep, happened to me on the way home from work. On a 55 mph 4-lane divided highway, I'm in the left lane pulling away from a light, when brake lights keep going on in front of me. Traffic is heavier because it's a Friday.
I figure someone might be slowing up ahead to make a U-turn in a crossover.
I get into the right lane and see the source of the problem -- a Jeep Liberty with no lights on in the gathering gloom.
By that time, everyone in the left lane is jockeying to get around the LLC by using the right lane. I finally get my chance and pass, just shaking my head so the woman passenger could easily see what I was doing.
They were going about 50 -- okay with me, but WHY in the left lane?
It's a pretty normal thing, when you're driving down an expressway, and someone in a store's parking lot pulls in right in front of you.
But this time, the driver saw me. I'm barreling down the road at 50mph, along with a few other cars going the same speed. Two lanes in each direction, 45mph limit. This guy's in a beige van, with his window open. He sees me, and I see him. He stops. And then he goes! (Slowly.)
I see a big beige box getting bigger and bigger in front of me, and all I can do is panic brake. There's a bit of screeching before I remember to ease off, and luckily there's no one behind me. No. One. Behind. Me. Just a biiiiiig, mergeable space.
We both made a right turn at the light that was right there, and as I passed him he was staring at me with no discernable expression on his face.
Comments
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Harry
Anyway, it's late-dusk with light rain. 99.9% of the drivers have their headlights on, as they should. A compact oncoming car with parking lights only. I give him a quick lights-off/lights-on (2x) and he comes back RIGHT NOW with his brights. No hesitation at all. It was almost as if he was driving with his finger on the flash-to-pass stalk. Hmmm.
james
I see this also. What is their rationale? This could be easy pickings for cops. Cities, towns, counties could charge say $100-$200 fine. They could post notices in newspapers for a month ahead of time and then start pickup of these folks. Fine could be considered as tuition for these drivers to learn about proper vehicle lighting. Good revenue too for locals.
Why? Still not used to the electro/luminescant (or whatever you call it) dashboard on the new car. It's one where the dash is basically dark, and ights up when you start the car. Looks the same pretty much with the lights on or off (although it dims a bit when you turn on the lights).
In any case, you lose that visual reminder (that is, you can't see the guages), and Honda even adds a little lights icon to tell you they are on. I was on a highway, then a 4 lane localbusy road with lots of lights (stores, etc), so it wasn't particulary noticable to me (obviously), but probably ticked off a few other people!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Sorry dudes and dudettes, it looks anything but cool
If there's a need for driving lights, it's in open country to watch for cows on the road or bears or... when driving at speed.
I have gotten in the practice of turning on my high beams in response to those driver's with bad aims on their "driving" lights.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Exactly. Driving lights are for driving on open road and are far too powerful to illuminate while sharing the immediate roadway.
But, to get back to the parking lights only person, what did you do in response to the displayed antics?
Hahha.... the other day I did a doosey to my wife. I turned off the headlights when we stopped at work for me to drop myself off, and she did not notice them off! She hopped in and drove almost all the way home in darkness wondering why everyone else's lights seemed so bright!
Eventually, a few miles from home, someone was courteous enough to double-flash her and she put 2-and-2 together! Hheheh.... I felt bad about that one.
This time of year it was just reflexive. I really dislike it when people leave their cars idling in parking lots, sometimes for hours on end, and leave the headlights on.
If you see ONLY the fog lights on, then the owner has fiddled with the wiring.
Driving lights, OTOH, should be wired to come on only with the high beams, because these are intended to aid in long-distance illumination.
Does anyone know of cars today that are factory-equipped with driving lights?
In the middle of the road (in between the two lanes of oncoming traffic) I see a flash, the sun reflecting off a shiny wheel. The wheel is attached to... a wheelchair! It's slowly, very slowly wheeling across the street just half a block from a crosswalk. Well, the light's been green for a while, so there are a lot of cars stopped in the middle of the road waiting for him/her to cross.
Then I look back ahead of me, and there's a woman in the middle of my lane! She's calmly walking behind the wheelchair (20ft behind), walking like... well, almost like a runway model. She's crossing diagonally, so she's facing away from my side of traffic. I come to a stop 10ft away from her (not a panic stop - I saw her in time) and as she walks through my lane she never turns her head to see my lane!
I start up and go again and come to a light that's turned red, half a block from where they were crossing. I turn around and see that she's pushing the wheelchair. I still don't really get it.
That's how I wired in my drivers. Technically, I could have just wired them through their own switch, but that would not have been road legal according to Alaska law and, more importantly, I would have had to switch them on/off manually which would increase the reaction time and margin of error.
Sometimes it is better NOT to get it!
My brother just got a 1987 Mercedes 260e. It has yellow fog lights in the same housing as the high beams, which is the only time I've seen fog lights that weren't mounted lower. Probably not cool to drive with those on.
Guess what? The guy behind me was all of a sudden tailgating me not allowing the other guy in the right lane to merge in. Once we lost the right lane the guy behind me fell back and left a large gap between us again. What is with some people, there was no reason for that guy to do that.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
So, I turn on my parking lights and then pull out the light switch to engage the driving lights in the bumper (2006 Land Rover LR3HSE).
I've checked and my driving lights are aimed perfectly as not to blind on-coming traffic. Since I have xenons, I would rather not use them during the day and use the bumper driving lights.
I have not seen anyone flash me in 1,500 miles. And, I have not seen any crazy drivers either. Even the truckers are staying to the right on long up-grades. One of my pet peeves is when truckers try to pull a long grade at 50 miles an hour (speed limit 75 mph) and hold up traffic.
Mark :shades:
He had a deep desire to dominate someone else or gaining one-up on the other drive in a perceived "weak" position, maybe he's into BDSM.
It's petty, given that it probably didn't impact travel times of either driver. They don't know how foolish they look when they're squeezing the lane and looking straight-ahead pretending not to see whats going on.
Here's a good idea for Spike TV:
"World Most Arrogant Drivers Caught on Video!"
Clips to include:
- "He's a lead foot only when challenged"
- "Single car-length at any price"
- "Eight unnecessary lane changes within 15 seconds"
- "Hyper hi-beam action in bumper-to-bumper traffic"
- "Is he pushing or being towed by that Corolla?"
- "Buzzing the Forest Preserve Police"
Happens all the time here now. I mean every day. Worse is the instance when two cars are driving right next to each other. Two lanes in each direction. Eventually one car relents and one car ends up in front. The car behind that one inevetably begins passing and then just hovers next to that car. It used to be that I could set the cruise for 75 and have a nice drive. Now I always end up in a big chain of traffic that speeds up and down between 60 and 80 so that the front people never let anyone in front. Makes me so mad.
I sometimes execute a version of that maneuver by mistake. What happens is that everyone is obsessed out here with having bigger and bigger SUVs and trucks, and I can't see around. So move far left and look...sure enough, room to pass. I begin to make my pass and the macho driver speeds up and blocks (lead foot when challenged). I get back in behind. Another opportunity comes up and I try again. I'm successful and I'm now one car further in a line of about six cars. All going 60-80 because someone in front wants to hold the line of traffic up. When I make it to the front, I find that there is enough room to pass, but they are too timid to do so. :mad:
Oh how about stupid passengers giving directions. One time I am driving with a friend to some place and we are in the middle of some southern IL town and he tells me to get into the left lane, then tells me to get into the right lane, then tells me to get in the left lane back and forth as he is giving me directions to someplace just to be funny. Oh for lack of an ejector seat.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Hahaha....... but think of the traffic jam it would create! :surprise: (pun intended)
Anyhow -
On my way to work this morning, I was cruising along at 60 in a 55, passing some traffic, holding fairly steady with others. We get to an area where the SL drops to 40 and I am running about 8 car-lengths behind and next (I was in the left lane, it was in the right) to a minivan. Typically, I will drop to around 50 in this zone initially because traffic patterns do not warrant full compliance with the zone. As I move deeper into it, I slow to between 40 and 45. Well, I'm doing the normal let-off-the-gass-and-coast-down routine upon entering it, and so was this van. Fine. The road merges down into one lane about 300 yards ahead, so the van puts on a signal and moves in front of me. Fine. Then, the van slows rapidly to around 30! Not fine. Initially I was continuing to coast up this gentle hill but this van was slowing much faster than I. I decided it was not worth the hassle of poking along behind it and signaled to the right lane, then passed. Immediately this driver flips on and sustains the brights for about 10 seconds until we joined other traffic, then follows me (not excessively close, ~3 secs, but matching speeds) to the point where our paths diverged. It even went so far as to make a questionably risky traffic maneuver (considering the vehicle and road conditions) to keep behind me.
Was I wrong to pass? Did I pose a risk to anybody? I was a bit surprised by the emotional response.... talk about reactive.
Yeah, it's too bad this thread is being ignored because of the newer thread. But it'll probably get shut down too, just like the one about abolishing speed limits!
Today I was on a two lane road in the left lane well ahead of someone in the right lane (like 4 or 5 car lenghts) I merged into the right lane and the guy (who was actually going slower than me) flashed his brights. :confuse:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Oddly, I had another situation on the way home! Granted, I played a role in this one, but only because I would not grant an ignorant SOB his way.
I am leading a column of three vehicles up an on-ramp onto an "expressway" that has a stop light about 300 yards ahead of the merge area for this ramp. There are 4 vehicles on the expressway in the right lane, none in the left. In my mind, this is a perfect example of where "zippering" should be used. So, the leading van on the expressway is ahead of me. Behind that vehicle was a minivan running about 2-3 seconds behind. The lead vehicle was driving about 50 mph. So, I match speeds with the lead vehicle behind it and ahead of the minivan. As the two lanes become one and my merge becomes imminent, the minivan hugs the vehicle in front and tries to squeeze me out. The front of it was at about my rear passenger door. The driver lays on the horn and holds. I ignored the driver and just merged in as though it were not even there, and of course it backs off, but feels obligated to ride my bumper up to the red light and beyond before turning off onto a side street.
Turns out that all of us on the ramp zippered perfectly, despite the objections of one driver.
What a day for commuting.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Well, this is where I misfigured. I merge onto the main road (and I am at 45-50), and he is stillat least 5 car lengths behind me - so he didn't even have to brake to let me in. He proceeds to speed up, run right up to my bumper, and turn on the high beams (it was early morning and dark outside). The high beams are no big deal to me as I have very dark windows on my car - Just more of an indication to me of this guy's attitude. At this point I debate between a) roll down window and flip him off, b) slow down to a steady 25 mph (not brake check, just slow down), c) turn on both front and rear winshield washers and give him a spraying, or d) do nothing. 5-10 years ago, I would have gone with a,b, or c. I decided in this case to turn the radio up, relax, and forget about him. He rode back there for a couple of miles, and then turned off (but kept his high beams on this whole time even though there was a steady stream of on-coming traffic).
It's like the old CB radio/radar thing with people wanting someone in front of them going faster or as fast as they are thinking that a policeman won't get them on radar and give them a ticket; instead the person they're pacing 5 feet behind their front bumper or the person they're drafting gets the tickets.
Even worse are those giant tree-like SUVs who want to draft because they can't afford the gas mileage they get otherwise and they can see over everyone. I just hate it when they get behind my Buick.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Every since my run-in with psycho-Blazer several months ago, I have been making a very conscious effort to ensure that I act in this manner as well. It sure has a way of making a bad situation a whole lot better.
Sounds like left lane rolling roadblocks are still a valid topic here, no matter whether they be Buicks or not... although hosts DO have a limit, right?
Cheers!
Paul
Yep, happened to me on the way home from work. On a 55 mph 4-lane divided highway, I'm in the left lane pulling away from a light, when brake lights keep going on in front of me. Traffic is heavier because it's a Friday.
I figure someone might be slowing up ahead to make a U-turn in a crossover.
I get into the right lane and see the source of the problem -- a Jeep Liberty with no lights on in the gathering gloom.
By that time, everyone in the left lane is jockeying to get around the LLC by using the right lane. I finally get my chance and pass, just shaking my head so the woman passenger could easily see what I was doing.
They were going about 50 -- okay with me, but WHY in the left lane?
But this time, the driver saw me. I'm barreling down the road at 50mph, along with a few other cars going the same speed. Two lanes in each direction, 45mph limit. This guy's in a beige van, with his window open. He sees me, and I see him. He stops. And then he goes! (Slowly.)
I see a big beige box getting bigger and bigger in front of me, and all I can do is panic brake. There's a bit of screeching before I remember to ease off, and luckily there's no one behind me. No. One. Behind. Me. Just a biiiiiig, mergeable space.
We both made a right turn at the light that was right there, and as I passed him he was staring at me with no discernable expression on his face.
About 4 miles down the road.
She turned into the left lane when she got onto that road, so she is saving herself 2 lane changes by staying in that left lane for 6 miles.
And probably a long-time alcoholic.
He had just picked up the 6-pack he needed to get the rest of the way home each day.