Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

1231232234236237478

Comments

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I can see that in some areas here...but with no lights of any kind, doesn't one notice a lack of dash lights?

    I for one keep my dash light rather dim, so it has to be getting pretty dark for me to notice if the lights were on or not just by the dash lights.

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

  • davethecarnutdavethecarnut Member Posts: 248
    If someone going in my direction doesn't have their lights on and we come to a stop, I'll gesture for him to roll down his window and then I'll ask him how much gas he has left in his tank. Of course, when he can't read his guage, he turns on his lights. And then I give him a big wink ;) and we both laugh and laugh and laugh..........ahhh....time for bed
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    snakeweezy, the slowpoke probably had improper tires for the conditions.
    bald is beautiful except for tires in rain or snow.

    in other inconsiderate-driver news, it bugs me when a driver is signaling to turn to the right but then moves left just before the turn. or vice versa. it's as if these nudniks think they are driving 18 wheelers. catch ya later, i'm 10-7.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,357
    Regarding the drivers with no lights:

    Isn't it a gang thing in some parts of the country to drive around with the high beams on or no lights on and when someone flashes you to go after that car and shoot them?

    Or is that just an urban myth?

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    Urban myth
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    When targeted, shoot first and ask questions later. As you keep your Fire Extinguisher aboard and loaded, so you should keep your Glock. ;)
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,097
    Isn't it a gang thing in some parts of the country to drive around with the high beams on or no lights on and when someone flashes you to go after that car and shoot them?

    Wow, is that one still going around? I remember my mother warning me about that one way back around 1993! Of course, back then, in those pre-internet days, I actually believed it! I think there were actually a few instances where people actually did that, because they were inspired by the myth, but it wasn't a gang initiation rite or anything, just the copycat mentality. Or heck, even that could be a myth!
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,097
    When targeted, shoot first and ask questions later. As you keep your Fire Extinguisher aboard and loaded

    A can of Wasp and hornet spray works pretty well too, although they have to get within about 15-20 feet of you. Just keep that in mind the next time a horde of White Anglo Saxon Protestants tries to attack you. :shades:
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,788
    no, no, really, i swear! That happened to this guy a friend of my sister's knows!

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    lolol

    Probably my cousin's ex sister-in-law's brother.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Ok so I am southbound on a suburban road two lane in each direction traveling in the left lane. Off to the right is a strip type mall and an exit from their parking lot allowing only for a right turn. Well a van makes the right turn into the right lane as I am about to pass that point in the road, No problem as he is in the right lane and I am starting to pass him in the left.

    Now comes the problem, as I start passing him he merges left :surprise: and I blow my horn swerve as much to the left as I can (traffic there in a left turn lane limited that option) and we collide. His left rear area had minor scrapes my front right area has a foot long dent in it right behind the lens. :sick:

    Well this guy starts yelling "didn't you see my left turn signal". No I didn't see a signal but that really doesn't matter as he merged into me.

    We pull over to trade information and he wants to call the police. I kept on saying lets just trade information and be on our way. But he would have none of that he wanted the police to come and make an accident report.

    I tried to tell this guy if the police came it would only waste time and he would get a ticket. He got the ticket.

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

  • davethecarnutdavethecarnut Member Posts: 248
    Come on Elias..you never heard of invisible trailers??? :P
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,357
    "...I tried to tell this guy...it would only waste time..."

    Boy, lucky he didn't listen to you. Always get a police report. If you don't you risk receiving legal papers a year from now claiming you were drunk and hit a van load of nuns! :cry:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    We pull over to trade information and he wants to call the police. I kept on saying lets just trade information and be on our way. But he would have none of that he wanted the police to come and make an accident report.

    I tried to tell this guy if the police came it would only waste time and he would get a ticket. He got the ticket.


    Snake, he actually did you a favor...from an insurance POV. For many insurance companies it becomes easier to assign responsibility if there was a summons issued to one driver or another.

    Personally, if I have a "we take care of our own" fender bender, then there is no exchange of info... not necessary. If I have info being exchanged, then I want a police report... in fact, in NYC I believe it is required.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Actually a report would have been filed anyway as it is a legal requirement. As for claiming that I was drunk that would get dropped like a hot potato as there would have been no proof of that.

    Not only that but it would also have been reported to the insurance company no matter what.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    ...from an insurance POV. For many insurance companies it becomes easier to assign responsibility if there was a summons issued to one driver or another.

    In most cases the insurance companies (in this case just one company as we are both insured with the same company) uses may things to determine responsibility. In this case the damage to the vehicles supports my story and would make him the one responsible.

    in fact, in NYC I believe it is required.

    In Illinois an accident report is required but that can be filled out by the drivers. Actually the one the police officer filled out is incomplete and requires us to complete it. By law we have 10 days to file it.
    Anyway the summons is going to be dismissed as I will not take time off of work to show up to court.

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

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    Hey, no pro.... just sharing what have been my experiences over time.
  • tgkoenigseggtgkoenigsegg Member Posts: 52
    A week ago, there was a snow storm here in Colorado. Anyway, the aveage spped was around 30 mph. There was a guy merging from US36 and he was going around 70 mph in a few inches of snow. He almost crashed into us and only missed by a margin of a few inches. He even had the nerve to honk his horn at us even though he almost caused an accident. He almost caused sevral other accidents with his agressive driving style.
  • de77de77 Member Posts: 40
    I have driven in many different locales.However, I must say that the South Florida area has to be the worst! The scariest scenario (which has happened to me at least 4 times in the last 6 years) is on i-95. Anyone who knows this area is in agreement that i-95 is constantly under contruction and probably always will be. While expanding the roadways they create new lanes that are hard to decipher at night and on ramps they create cement barriers to control traffic.The lane changes are often sudden- or feel like it when everyone is going 65mph. These cement barriers are also located on ON RAMPS as well. If you can't negotiate a lane change onto the highway before the wall narrows towards you your creamed! My BEEF is with the completely unware drivers around here, some with their DVD screens, music blaring-all while talking on their cellphones, do not let the drivers in the lane thats ending merge over- EVEN WHEN THERE IS A CEMENT WALL on THE OTHER SIDE!
  • pulgopulgo Member Posts: 400
    That's why I installed an air horn in my car.

    I even wakes up dozing truckers!
  • rick_wallyrick_wally Member Posts: 8
    I had a little beep beep horn and I bought a new air horn made by WOLO.

    I found it at http://www.wolohornsusa.com/ and it sounds fantastic.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I got a horn from Farm and Fleet that allowed you to choose one of many sounds. Some animal sounds. Its fun to be at an intersection in the Loop with people walking infront of you and having a cow or chickens or frogs sounding. :shades:

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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,604
    This evening I am driving on a relatively deserted suburban street, 30mph, one lane in each direction with a turn lane in the middle. I'm going pretty much the limit, and there is nobody behind me or in front of me for maybe 8 blocks at least. As I am innocently driving along, from a side street a smoky old Corolla pulls right out in front of me. After I brake to avoid crushing it, the (let's just say less than documented looking) driver proceeds to go about 19mph. So,I let out my inner jerk and just pass him in the turn lane. He gave me a surprised but not offended look as I went past, and half a minute later I was many blocks ahead of him. Do people even look?
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Anything can happen during the "cocktail hour" of the holidays.

    What part of town were you in when Corolla Carla almost caused a crash?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,604
    Cocktail hour? heh...it was like 5:30pm. It was in a residential area...well, more decaying old apartments than houses, but no bars or stores within a mile or so. I can't blame drinks, just general cluelessness and general lack of situational awareness that defines driving in this century.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Not to laugh at an addiction issue, but for some folks ANY TIME is cocktail hour. :(:)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,604
    Good point...and it was a Friday...

    I like to use general ignorance as the excuse though, I think it is more common around here.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    I would not disagree at all.

    I don't mean to dwell on the DUI issues, but I was surprised to read in passing, just how common dui is! I read one statistic/estimate where the average person so called "caught" for DUI, had app 2000 past (dui) situations where he/she was NOT caught!!??
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I read one statistic/estimate where the average person so called "caught" for DUI, had app 2000 past (dui) situations where he/she was NOT caught!!??

    I find that hard to believe, 2000 past situations would require driving DUI every day for 5 and a half years before getting caught. Doesn't pass the sniff test.

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

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Denial is one of the obstacles to recognizing and dealing with a so called " under the influence" dui issue. Well the truth is, it is NOT against the law to drink and drive. It is against the law to drive and be caught or stopped and exceed STATED measured amounts, which if one checks, differs from state to state, county to county, city to city, etc, IAW current procedures. Most folks do not drink and decide to drive JUST because they are intoxicated, under the influence. They just drink and and then drive as part of their daily activities. So being as how it is pretty normal for folks to drink at least one a day, (EVERY day) driving 5 years and then getting caught is within the realm of possibility, indeed by definition, not out of the ordinary. Another is anything under 6 drinks per day is not a huge concern to health care professionals.
  • xrunner2xrunner2 Member Posts: 3,062
    I got a horn from Farm and Fleet that allowed you to choose one of many sounds. Some animal sounds. Its fun to be at an intersection in the Loop with people walking infront of you and having a cow or chickens or frogs sounding.

    That's funny. So, is this story in line with title of board, "Inconsiderate Drivers, share your stories"? :P

    Will have to check out that horn at F&F later today. Still have a little silliness of early youth stunts and candid camera left in me that has not been wrung out by my proper wife.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Well the truth is, it is NOT against the law to drink and drive. It is against the law to drive and be caught or stopped and exceed STATED measured amounts,

    Thats like saying its not against the law to kill someone its just against the law to kill someone and get caught. Its against the law to drive under the influence, just because you don't get caught doesn't make it right.

    They just drink and and then drive as part of their daily activities. So being as how it is pretty normal for folks to drink at least one a day, (EVERY day) driving 5 years and then getting caught is within the realm of possibility, indeed by definition, not out of the ordinary.

    Well I think you have problems with this. First of all my guess is that most people do not take a drink every day. Secondly for most people one drink is not enough to push them over the limit for a DUI. And not everyone is driving right after they drink. So your statement isn't to founded in facts. So I serioulsy doubt there would be many people who fall into the every day pool, most would be 2 times or less a week.

    Another is anything under 6 drinks per day is not a huge concern to health care professionals.

    Not to sure about that, my sister (an MD) would disagree with you as would my doctor.

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

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    ..."Thats like saying its not against the law to kill someone its just against the law to kill someone and get caught. Its against the law to drive under the influence, just because you don't get caught doesn't make it right. "...

    Did you see me making any claims that it is at all RIGHT?? I am just discussing REALITY.

    Well I am sure they will tell you a lot of folks do EXACTLY as I had said and if they are drinking more than what I said, would probably tell (as per your example) your sister (the MD) and YOUR doctor differently.

    Just by your response " ...for most people one drink is not enough to push them over the limit for a DUI"... CLEARLY indicates you agree with my quoted statements.

    So in truth, I don't have a problem with any of this, but I do know that there are a lot of folks who drive "under the influence." I'd be foolish if I drove without this in mind. The government figures also indicate that fully 40% of accidents and fatal accidents involve alcohol. So on a graphic basis, that means of every 10 accidents you witness off the side of the road that in fully 4 of them PROBABLY involve alcohol.

    Keep in mind a lot of those so called "fender benders" where drivers exchange information have NO systematic nor required testing for drugs/alcohol etc. Fatalities are a bit more forensic in that the bodies dont run away from a blood test.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Did you see me making any claims that it is at all RIGHT?? I am just discussing REALITY.

    You did say (and I quote) "Well the truth is, it is NOT against the law to drink and drive. It is against the law to drive and be caught or stopped and exceed STATED measured amounts," which implies its not against the law if you don't get caught.

    Well I am sure they will tell you a lot of folks do EXACTLY as I had said and if they are drinking more than what I said,

    I am sure that there are people the drink everyday, I just think that they are in a very small minority.

    CLEARLY indicates you agree with my quoted statements.

    No I do not as your quoted statements implies that its ok as long as you don't get caught regardless of your BAC level.

    So on a graphic basis, that means of every 10 accidents you witness off the side of the road that in fully 4 of them PROBABLY involve alcohol.

    Involving alcohol and being caused by alcohol are two different things. Say I spend an hour nursing a beer at the local post and then drive home, at a light someone rear ends me then that would fall under alcohol involved accident. It doesn't matter that my BAC was a small fraction of the limit or that the accident wasn't my fault, it still falls under "alcohol" involved.

    I still find that the average DUI driver gets away with it 2000 times before they are caught to much to believe.

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

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Idaho says if you drive with a BAC of .08, you're violating the law. link.

    I think the 2,000 number is too low myself. I bet it's more like 8,000 (i.e., I bet a lot of drunks drive 15 or 20 years before they finally get tagged with a DUI).
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    '..."Say I spend an hour nursing a beer at the local post and then drive home, at a light someone rear ends me then that would fall under alcohol involved accident. It doesn't matter that my BAC was a small fraction of the limit or that the accident wasn't my fault, it still falls under "alcohol" involved."...

    Yup and are you as the nurser of the beer going to insist the cops come and do a dui test on the driver responsible!!??

    Most folks will just exchange information and move on. So in that case, your alcoholic involvement even as it meets your "strict" intellectual definition/yard stick still goes unreported and undocumented. Let me ask another way, will YOU (in that example) report that you were drinking!!!???

    Same response!!! ..."I am just discussing REALITY"... I am glad you lead a shelter life!! Let's move on!!
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    And here I was trying to be polite! :)

    But yeah, I think that 8,000 in 15 to 20 years is probably closer to the truth.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    We're always polite around here, even when we vehemently disagree.

    It's just hard to tell sometimes due to the limitations of the printed word. :shades:

    More eggnog guys? (hold the snort, lol).
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    What was that old (popularized by Sinatra ) song?...

    ..."and One More For The Road? ". Don't look now but here is a two fisted type- the rest of the title, "One More For My Baby,"

    Well I did mean the depth and breadth of the addiction/dui issue/problems.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    But yeah, I think that 8,000 in 15 to 20 years is probably closer to the truth.

    That would mean an average of between 1 and 1.5 incidents per day. That just doesn't make sense.

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

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    While Steve the Host didn't say it, Lifestyle, and over time is what he meant. So let him weigh in on whether or not that was what he meant.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,357
    "...having a cow or chickens or frogs sounding..."

    Ahhh, home sweet home :)

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,357
    "...I'm just discussing REALITY..."

    How this for reality. The other day one of our school buses is stopped at a light. A car comes up too fast, can't stop and slams into the back of the bus. Goes right under the bumper and gets stuck.

    The cops suspect the male passenger was really the driver and switched seats with his wife because he was drunk. The driver didn't notice who was driving because her first move was to see if the kids were ok.

    School bus trivia: Whenever someone hits a big yellow school bus their excuse is always--"I didn't see you". 1 down 1999 to go. :sick:

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    If we're arguing over my math I'm conceding right now. :shades:

    What I'm trying to say is that I think that there are a lot of alcoholics who consume upwards of a fifth a day, every day, and then drive. And don't get caught for decades.

    But we were also talking about the average driver, so ... the average driver may have a tipple now and then but not every day and he's not driving after every tipple. At least I hope not, but looking at the accident rates, you do have to wonder.

    The ROI for setting up a sobriety checkpoint is about one arrest for every 100 drivers stopped, btw. (link)
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    ..."School bus trivia: Whenever someone hits a big yellow school bus their excuse is always--"I didn't see you". 1 down 1999 to go. "...

    Yes, and don't you hate it when trees walk in front of dui'ers? :sick:
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,762
    Will have to check out that horn at F&F later today. Still have a little silliness of early youth stunts and candid camera left in me that has not been wrung out by my proper wife.

    Hahahah! Yeah, same here, though she works very hard at it. :cry:
    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
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,762
    But we were also talking about the average driver, so ... the average driver may have a tipple now and then but not every day and he's not driving after every tipple. At least I hope not, but looking at the accident rates, you do have to wonder.

    Not to drag this out too much longer, but that statement adds onto what ruking1 mentioned at the very start of this conversation. Many, perhaps even most, adults in this country consume alcohol as part of their normal, everyday routines. Most of these people do not consume to the point of intoxication, mind you, but a drink with dinner or, perhaps, a beer while watching evening TV, games, etc. Usually it is one, but sometimes it is two or three (and sometimes more).

    Because the consumption of alcohol is a normal part of the daily routine in these lives, the thought, "maybe I should not drive because I just consumed alcohol," never comes up. Why would it? It would be like questioning the rationale behind a morning shower. Most of the time these people are not lawfully DUI (i.e., over the 0.08 or 0.10 thresholds), but they still have alcohol in their systems. Since the threshold is, by its very nature, arbitrary, whether they are "driving under the influence" is largely only a matter of debate depending on the individual circumstances. The chances are that usually the people are not legally DUI, and sometimes they are.

    I expect that the 2000 number is likely how many times a driver might, on average, have driven with any alcohol inbibed before receiving a DUI; not necessarily being over the DUI threshold for that area each of those 2000 instances.
    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
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    big al, i refer to those drivers you mention as "speed magnets". very annoying indeed.

    as for booze & .08, me & 3 variously-sized post-college heavy-drinking male friends of mine did a drinking experiment with a US Army breathalyzer, the day after it was calibrated, following all the correct procedures. one of the guys was an army captain at the time, certified/trained to use the breathalyzer. he was on his way to PA to surprise drunk-test his big-truck transportation corps drivers.

    our test was to drink until we each reached the point where we "knew" we were WAY too drunk to drive. we each consumed 6 to 8 drinks in about 2.5 hours, beer & vodka shots. at the time the legal limit was .10 in most states. after each of us "knew" we were too drunk to drive, and waited the 15 minutes before testing, each one of us blew a .07 before we resumed drinking too much.
    so i have no problem with a .08 legal limit. i think .08 is absolutely drunk. and .10 or above is what we call "hammid" .

    the next morning at about 7AM the army captain was ready to depart. for "yucks" i asked him to breathalyze himself again and he blew a .04 . and off he went to bag his troops for doing approximately the same thing he did, except he was driving a dodge magnum and they were driving huge army trucks. :| sure enough, half of his troops blew troublesome BAC #s the next morning. he didn't write any of them up.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    as for booze & .08, me & 3 variously-sized post-college heavy-drinking male friends of mine did a drinking experiment with a US Army breathalyzer,

    Remember that breathalyzers can be off by as much a .02, so if you blew a .07 you could be anywhere from .05 to .09.

    Also remember that alcohol is like any other drug, Keep exposing yourself to it and you will need more and more of it to get the same effect. Now I was a Hospital Corpsman in Alaska when I was in the service and we took blood samples of people arrested on base for suspected DUI. Drinking was a big problem on the island and I had seem many people with upwards to .15 appearing stone sober.

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

  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    your points are well-taken, snakeweezy. in about 1982, a few years before the breathalyzer experiment, a pal of mine blew above .10 when pulled over near her VT home town. but she had passed the field sobriety test perfectly so the cop let her drive home, not even a citation.
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.