Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

xwesx

tried to wipe me out at a dual left turn. I was in lane 1 (inside left turn lane) and this vehicle was approaching me from behind in the outside turn lane. So, I was stopped at the light when it turned red and then entered the intersection. This driver never had to stop, so caught me quickly, but was behind me. I drove into the intersection, then turned into my lane of travel (inside of 2 lanes on the intersecting expressway). This monkey tried the standard cut-the-corner-because-I-never-learned-to-turn-properly foolishness and just about creamed me. I mean JUST about... and I didn't even see it until it was already swerving away from me because I was looking at my turning destination. When I noticed a problem, it was only inches from me! The funny thing is that this fella over-reacted to the whole thing so badly that he almost lost control of the cargo van he was driving and had to come almost to a complete stop in order to recover it. I hope he had to wipe his shorts after that one, but the sad thing is that he probably convinced himself that I took the turn wrong.

All I could do was shake my head in bewilderment and offer thanks for no collision on that one. :sick:

snakeweasel

One thing I have noticed about those dual turn lanes is that half the time I come up on one there will be three or fur cars in one lane and the other completely empty. Its like one comes to a stop in one of the lanes and everyone else just lines up behind them, like they don't know the other lane is there. Sometimes I think some people just don't realize that there is a second turn lane.

redmaxx

One thing I have noticed about those dual turn lanes is that half the time I come up on one there will be three or fur cars in one lane and the other completely empty. Its like one comes to a stop in one of the lanes and everyone else just lines up behind them, like they don't know the other lane is there. Sometimes I think some people just don't realize that there is a second turn lane.

Oh yeah, how about one the outer lane backs up so bad that no one can get to the nearly empty inner one? :mad:

imidazol97

I don't like those. I had a lady hit me when she didn't turn tight enough in hers in Cincinnati long ago. She said she skidded on the water at 5 mph.

marine2

I see we have posts up on drivers that are inconsiderate. I just wonder if people realize what they can do to be better drivers and more considerate. What do you do to be a better, more considerate driver?

oregonboy

90 percent of the driver-caused problems would vanish instantly if people would just PAY ATTENTION to their driving.

james

xwesx

Daily occurence..... :sick: Always in the combo straight/left lanes, so to their credit, many of the drivers in the bottleneck lane are not intending to turn. *shrugs*

snakeweasel

I would agree if you would include "and if drivers would not have a 'me first' attitude".

xwesx

Absolutely - be aware of the road around you and act accordingly. Patience, tact, assertiveness, and restraint. It is easy to get in a car with a destination in mind - it takes quite a bit more effort to be present enough to realize that each trip is its own experience. Expectations can often lead to unnecessary stress... and worse.

fintail

In those dual turn lanes, I always take the inside lane...as my experience tells me that the average lowest common denominator driver is more likely to turn wide rather than cut in. Where I previously lived there was a roundabout, and it was downright terrifying to be caught in that thing with someone beside you. I intentionally modified my driving to simply avoid it. People are stupid.

The lack of a 'me first' attitude must go along with a lack of a 'I own the road and I can go 25 in a 40 as much as I please' attitude.

marine2

How many of you will wave thanks to the driver that stopped short of the driveway you are trying to exit and lets you out? Or do you just pull out without thanking him?
You would be surprised how doing that will make that guy remember the next time he pulls up to a driveway and whether he stops short and lets you out, or whether he just pulls up and blocks it.

210delray

In those dual turn lanes, I always take the inside lane...as my experience tells me that the average lowest common denominator driver is more likely to turn wide rather than cut in.

That's been my experience also -- better to take the inside lane.

xwesx, I'm still trying to get my head around traffic in Alaska! It's really possible?

I'm still in awe of our recent cross-country trip where we went about 100-150 miles on a stretch of US 6 in Nevada, and there were only THREE oncoming cars and ZERO going our way. So the open road really does exist, somewhere.

marine2

When coming up to a stop light, I try and stay out of the far right lane as that is used for turning right on red after stop.

marine2

When coming down an on ramp to enter the freeway, do you stay behind the car in front of you if he is keeping his speed up, or do you cross the solid white line and pull ahead of him, causing him not to be able to merge into on coming traffic on the freeway which he was timing the traffic to do?

marine2

Your down the ramp and timing the traffic so you can pull into the lane of traffic when the solid white line ends. You adjusted you speed to pull into the empty space coming up on you and the guy behind, crosses the solid white line and takes the spot you were going for, leaving you hanging where the lane your in, ends.

marine2

Your driving down the freeway doing the speed limit or maybe even five miles or so above it and the guy behind starts riding your bumber. What do you do?

snakeweasel

Tell me what do you do when some bozo in the left lane is doing 35 MPH and you pass them on the right doing 45 MPH (the actual speed limit) and they speed up to keep you from passing them?

That actually happened to me the other day

fintail

On the merge thing, I've never had it happen. I'd just wait for another opening, and nose my way in.

I live in Bellevue, where people don't understand city or highway driving. More times than I can count I've merged on to I-90 with the car in front of me going under 45, wide open road with low traffic, good weather etc. More often than not I just punch it a little and go around as they are 'merging', and head for the left lane, and let them dawdle in the right lane (hopefully) at their desired 45-50 in a 60.

If a guy rides my bumper, I just keep going or marginally slow down to encourage him to pass. Of course, if I am not in the right lane, I'll usually just move over if I can - I wish that courtesy would be granted to me as much as I grant it to others.

fintail

Just gun it, and as you are passing pick up your phone, and point to it and then their car to make them think you are reporting them. You get some wide eyes that way.

210delray

That really doesn't happen that often to me, because the guy in a hurry behind me will usually shoot over to the left lane. If he does stay in the right lane, I just ride along the shoulder and get in behind him. Hardly ever though do I actually have to ride along the shoulder.

marine2

Tell me what do you do when some bozo in the left lane is doing 35 MPH and you pass them on the right doing 45 MPH (the actual speed limit) and they speed up to keep you from passing them?

That actually happened to me the other day

Well you only have two choices. Go faster or slow down and drop in behind him

210delray

Slam on the brakes, using both feet (one on top of the other)! That'll take care of his "bumber." (But only if his car is smaller than mine)!

Just kidding.

marine2

Your driving down the road and you find yourself coming into a heavy fog or dust storm, what do you do?

euphonium

Interesting to read your review of Bellevue drivers. We frequently visit family there and each time I go to merge onto either I-90 at Mile 13 or I 405 at Mile 10 the other vehicles step on the gas to really move onto the freeway. IMO Bellevue drivers don't dawdle in any lane, but they do follow too close. I also notice you can drive 70 in the HOV lane, but not over 65 on I-90 near Factoria.

snakeweasel

Just gun it,

Seeing that I had to make a left turn a half mile a head I did.

shiphro

"I will not let a car merge in front of me if his lane is ending and he has had over a 1/2 mile of notice and has yet to merge."

I've seen this argument made many times on this forum and on the road. My question to those of you who hold this view:

How far back (exactly) should the merge occur?

Think long and hard about your answer. What I usually see is "The same place I merged." Then it becomes a variation on 'everyone slower than me is an idiot; everyone faster than me is reckless'.

The fact is that the only clear, definitive indicator for merging are those cones. Using less road (especially during heavy traffic conditions) is inefficient and arbitrary.

Whenever there is a full lane of slow-moving traffic next to an empty lane (even if it ends in 1/2 mile), some traffic will move into the empty lane.

Instead of getting angry about it and inflicting your road rage on them...
"...have taken pleasure more than once of making a vehicle come to a dead stop just before he runs into the cones because I wouldn't let him in..."
... try being considerate.

docnukem

try being considerate

To those who are not being considerate of you and everybody else?

I would bet that most drivers (not all) who wait till the last moment to merge at construction sites have big egos and believe that their time is more important than everyone else who merged appropriately--particularly the ones who race up the nearly vacant lane. If everyone waited till the last moment (at an appropriate--that is, matched--speed), and everybody then alternated, this might make things go smoothly. I have no problems with people that are obviously trying to merge (matching the other lane's speed, with a signal on) and can't find a spot till the end. It's the racers that irritate everybody.

BTW, you can be ticketed in MI for pulling this kind of stunt.

snakeweasel

How far back (exactly) should the merge occur?

To be honest I don't think there is an actual answer to that question. I think it would depend on many circumstances that can and will change from one instance to another. As long as the lane is open and you are not violating any other laws you have the right to fully use that lane. However to avoid being stuck at the end one should merge when it is safe to do so. I think its safe to say that you will get all types of answers and every one can be right or can be wrong.

imidazol97

Just which type of driving stunt are you saying can receive a ticket in Michigan? How many are given out?

docnukem

Just which type of driving stunt are you saying can receive a ticket in Michigan? How many are given out?

Flying up the unused lane to jump in front of the other lane at the last moment is a violation. Unfortunately, I don't think too many tickets are given out, but I don't have the stats. I think this was a "feel-good" measure of the legislature a few years ago. Has it cut down on lane-jumpers? Not that I can tell. I doubt that many drivers are even aware of it. I just wish they would advertise it more at construction sites.

snakeweasel

I just did a quick search of the MI vehicle laws and I didn't see anything about that being a violation. Can you cite what code it violates.

imidazol97

I had seen a sign in Tennessee last summer saying that you had to merge now and something about law. It was on I75 north of Knoxville. I had everyone merging over at 50 mph instead of some people going way ahead, butting in, and causing the line to slow to 35 for those who didn't pass everyone else. There was a trooper sitting at the entrance to the one-lane but the drivers couldn't see it until they were much closer to the start of construction.

marine2

YOU SLOW DOWN!!! Turn on your lights and stay on your side of the road and don't follow anyone elses lights, but keep an eye out for them. If visiblity gets so bad that you cannot see the road, than pull OFF THE ROAD AND AS FAR OFF THE ROAD AS YOU CAN, TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS AND KEEP YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, so that other moronic drivers that may be following you don't slam into you.

Very good answer. One I hope people on this board remember. Especially about turning off your lights and keeping your foot off the brake.

docnukem

Funny, I just did the same search and couldn't find it either. I read it in the MI papers a couple of years ago. Maybe my memory is bad and it was only introduced legislation (but never passed). I did find info on a dynamic lane change system (used in MI) that creates no passing zones prior to construction sites. Maybe that was a compromise. Mea Culpa.

Michigan Lane Change System

It's a lengthy PDF, but they do describe giving citations (if you search for "citation").

snakeweasel

i remember one New Years Eve day we drove from Chicago to Springfield, IL doing 35 MPH on the interstate because the fog was so bad (this was at the time of the famous "fog Bowl" football game in Chicago where the fog got so thick the play by play announcers couldn't see the game and both teams had to resort to a ground game because the receivers couldn't bee seen by the quarterbacks). We eventually had to leave the highway because even though viability was usually under 100 feet (sometimes less than 50) people were still doing 50-60 mph.

marine2

If people would remember to just wave and thank a person that helps you out, it would go along way in making someone else courteous. If the guy stops and lets you out a driveway, or lets you pull in front of him,etc. Take the time to thank him. It will help make him do it again knowing you recognized his kindness and make you aware of the next guy that is in the same situation you were in, when someone helped you out. Hopefully you will do the same for another. A simple wave makes a big difference in how a person will act if the situation comes up again.

snakeweasel

Yes a wave should be given, but it has been mentioned here that sometimes a wave just cannot be given. On my route home the road I am on curves to the right just before a light and there is a gas station on that corner. Anyone coming out of that station needs to make a real tight right turn to stay in the right lane. This would require having both hands on the wheel to be safe.

fintail

LOL maybe you were behind visitors. I stay off 405 as much as I can, that road is a nightmare.

I usually get on 90 at Bellevue Way...lots of old people around there...no fun.

xwesx

Any time I am in a situation where somebody else has granted me access, I am sure to gesture thanks.

Wow. This forum sure came to life this morning; I have yet to read the posts, but hopefully they are worthwhile!

xwesx

If a guy rides my bumper, I just keep going or marginally slow down to encourage him to pass. Of course, if I am not in the right lane, I'll usually just move over if I can - I wish that courtesy would be granted to me as much as I grant it to others.

If the person is riding your bumper you will move over if in left lane?? Not I. I will not yield right of way to another vehicle unless that person is considerate enough to maintain a safe following distance. If that person cannot do that, then it is that person who will have to find another way around. Many times, especially when driving cross country through cities, I will have people zoom up on me at 20 or so over my speed while I am passing semis, etc. and fairly ride my tail for a moment, then immediately back off to a respectable distance. As soon as I clear the big rig, I pull over and let them by. I have no problem with this, as it clearly communicates that the other person wants to go faster than I am going, yet is willing to grant me the space that is currently mine. If a vehicle behind you has been there a while and never come closer than 3 seconds back, it may not be so obvious that the other person even wants to pass unless some sort of signal (lights, etc) has been given.

Tailgaters deserve no additional courtesy.

xwesx

Absolutely, doc.... that's the main point here is "matched speed." When folks match speed, that is when merging occurs smoothly and without inconvenience to anyone, regardless of where the merge occurs. I find that usually the reason why traffic comes to a standstill or near-standstill in these situations is BECAUSE of the racers/I-won't-let-them-in-ers who cause the speed differentials to become great and then force traffic to a near-stop at those bottlenecks, even though traffic is often moving smoothly at 40ish (on freeways) all the way through the construction zone. :sick:

Who cares if someone else ends up 1/2 mile ahead on the roadway because they merged later than you? How does it really affect your life? Do you feel it unfair? Come now..... :P

marine2

If a guy rides my bumper, I just keep going or marginally slow down to encourage him to pass.

This is good advice. Don't speed up if your going the legal speed or 5-10 miles over. If this clown has been riding your bumber, he will continue to do so even if you speed up. Don't hit your brakes, as it could cause him hitting you. If you slowly ease up on the gas and marginally slow down, he will go around you.

marine2

I once had a guy call the company on me. He said he was entering the freeway from the on ramp and was doing the speed limit coming down the ramp at 55 miles an hour. He complained that I didn't let him in and he had to stop at the end of the ramp because there wasn't an opening in traffic and had to finally enter the freeway after waiting many minutes, from a dead stop.

I answerd the complaint that I didn't notice him, but that it was his duty to regulate his speed to enter the freeway in such a way that he can slip in ahead or behind on coming traffic. Just because he was doing the speed limit trying to enter the freeway does not give him the right to ask on coming traffic to slow down and let him in.

snakeweasel

True merging traffic has to yield right of way and adjust their speed to be able to merge.

snakeweasel

Naw I like living here in Chicago where we get all four seasons (sometimes all in the same day).

jipster

Some entrance merging lanes are longer than others. In this particular lane merging onto I-65...you cannot hesitate. Or else you find yourself onto the shoulder with all kinds or rocks, debris and shredded tires being kicked up. I try to enter going about the speed limit (55mph) that way I can adjust to traffic flow and go faster or ease off gas, for those cars approaching to fast,and go slower to merge.

The other day there were about a string of 6 or so cars lined up with little room between them to merge into. None would let me merge. With my new Yokohama T4 tires....I wasn't liking it.

(on thank you waves)No matter how tight a turn is, I can usually pull a hand off for a quick wave...OR wave when the turn is over as I will be in front of the person who just let me in. I would say 50% of the time someone does not give a courtesy wave, it has nothing to do with being impeded by turning the steering wheel. Maybe, they feel it is owed to them.

fintail

"If the person is riding your bumper you will move over if in left lane??"

No no...that's not what I wrote. I said "if I am not in the right lane, I'll usually just move over if I can " - meaning I will move to the right. You know, how things work in Europe. I really don't care if they are tailgating or not...to me, tailgating/being tailgated is a small annoyance, and goes away once the speed demon zooms by.

docnukem

Since we are discussing this, I wanted to ask something that has bugged me. What is with Pittsburgh? Drivers will routinely stop at the end of the entrance ramp and then wait until it is clear--starting into the highway from a stop. Does no one there take standard driving courses? I couldn't believe it when I first saw it. I understand the lights at the beginning of a ramp designed to stagger merging traffic, but stopping just before the merge is ludicrous.

Anybody from Pittsburgh care to explain?

redmaxx

Tell me what do you do when some bozo in the left lane is doing 35 MPH and you pass them on the right doing 45 MPH (the actual speed limit) and they speed up to keep you from passing them?

This is very dependent on the situation, but if there is room, I will floor it to finish my pass and get in front, maintain my higher speed for a bit and then slow back down.

redmaxx

Here is what I don't do and it may not be right, but it is one of my pet peeves... I will not let a car merge in front of me if his lane is ending and he has had over a 1/2 mile of notice and has yet to merge. This is usually in construction zones where they have closed a lane and they have big orange signs saying the lane ends merge... and than also a cones that start blocking the lane and also a HUGE electronic arrow that you can see from several blocks backs that a lane is ending and yet the guy insists on staying in that lane until the very last second and when there is no more room for his car in the lane because the cones have finally forced him to merge, does he finally decide to say to himself "der da lanes is ending I think I shoulds merge now and he tries to get in to already crowded traffic... This drives me crazy as it means he either wasn't paying attention and didn't get over, or he was thinking he can just shoot along as sometimes this lane is moving faster and than "cut" into line... I refuse to accomodate this type of behavior and have taken pleasure more than once of making a vehicle come to a dead stop just before he runs into the cones because I wouldn't let him in... Now I know this is wrong and I should accomodate even the idiots, but I feel that why should I? This idiot can't even pay attention to traffic signs??

Hey, before labeling these drivers idiots have you considered the following scenario, which happens to me a lot? I try to merge into the lane before hand when mine is closing but other drivers won't let me in (so many people do it I wonder if its required on the AZ MVD exam now :P ). I look ahead and see a nice big spot up there, so I pick up speed and try to move in there.