Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

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  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    prius tailgating

    That wasn't tailgating - that was some hypermiler drafting going on. :P
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,807
    maybe that was it. it was hyper-something! :)
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    2008 Smart Fortwo: The L.A. Welcome

    image

    The comments are enlightening, if scary.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,054
    it was this old geezer I saw in the mall parking lot this morning. I pulled into the mall to pick up some milk, and at a sort of a 5-way intersection, where only two of the ways actually have stop signs and there are no marked crosswalks, this old guy decides to walk across the intersection from the grocery store to the McDonalds, while reading his newspaper!!

    He took his sweet old time walking across, too. And for some reason, he didn't so much as look up from his paper at the other cars, but when I came along, he glanced from the paper and gave me a dirty look, even though he was out of my way at this point. And he kept looking back at me. I dunno what I did that made him notice me, though, unless it was my car? I was driving my '79 NYer this morning, and it has a nice, deep rumble to it...louder than anything else in that intersection. But it's not like I was sitting there with one foot on the brake and one on the gas, trying to rev it up menacingly or anything like that. I'd never even think of doing something like that. ;)
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Even as your scenario is water under the bridge, I can't help but wonder what his reaction would be if you were bringing your 79 car to a stop reading the newspaper. ... as he was reading his newspaper crossing the street. ;)
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,696
    image

    The engine is holding up the end of the main support after the engine and trailer knocked down the support concrete column. The I-275 south is closed for fear of bridge collapse and I-74 eastbound on top of the overpass is closed!!! Cincinnati. Happened last evening.

    Slideshow:
    link title

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,517
    Yesterday, evening commute - I get behind a young woman with scary wild hair in a neglected looking old Neon coupe going 28 in a 40, left lane, while she sends text messages from the mobile device she is holding in the steering wheel hub. No mind being paid to the stream of vehicles passing on the right.

    This morning, 0530 - I get behind a ca. 2000 Corolla at a light. I can see the guy in it is playing with a portable nav unit stuck to his windshield. As expected, he isn't paying attention when the light turns green. He then slowly takes off, I pass on the right, he guns it, I gun it harder (I probably have 3x his hp, so I didn't have to try hard), I neatly go around him, he then backs off, and a few seconds later makes a right turn from that left lane. How is that any better than a phone yapper?
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    Huhh how the hell does that happen. Not like a train can veer out of its lane. I am reading the story now.

    EDIT:

    Ohh I get it now never mind should have read the story first.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    The poster used the railroad term "Engine" for the truck term "Tractor". :blush:

    I had the same wonder and then read the story.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,696
    >The poster used the railroad term "Engine" for the truck term "Tractor".

    The poster used the term "engine" for train engine. The train engine was being carried on the truck. Maybe it's cheaper to truck them than to run them on tracks?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    The train engine was being carried on the truck.

    A locomotive weighs considerabley more than that allowed on the highway. How could it be allowed and it must have been more than the typical Freightliner towing it.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    It was an oversized load. They probably had a special trailer and special permits to transport it. Obviously something went wrong though.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,280
    "...I was driving my '79 NYer..."

    He was probably thinking: "Hey that young kid has a car just like mine." ;)

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

  • davethecarnutdavethecarnut Member Posts: 248
    Oh yeah....trucks can carry many more things than just cheap Chinese "trinkets". They can do Discovery Channel subjects. Plus those big earthmovers and "Tonka" dump trucks can weigh more than one locomotive. They tend to take two lanes though. Very "inconsiderate". :P
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,280
    I pulled up behind a car sitting in the right lane at a light. The right lane allowed you to go straight or turn right on red. The car in front of me didn't have any turn signal on so I assumed he was going straight and I would have to wait until the light changed to go right myself.

    As I wait for the car in front of me another car pulled up behind me. After about a 2 second wait this clown starts honking his horn. "What a jerk" I say to myself. "The guy in front of me isn't turning".

    To my surprise, the guy in front of me then proceeds to make a right on red. He had been sitting there for almost a minute (this was a long light) with no turn signal and plenty of opportunity. I couldn't decide who was more rude, the guy in front or the guy in back.

    To top off the day, a few miles down the road a car stopped in the right lane of a 4 lane highway and the made a left turn across all 4 lanes. More screeching and honking. I'm staying home. :cry:

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    OK I am leaving my house, backing out of my garage I notice a car coming down the street, So I pull out far enough to clear the garage hit the garage door remote and sit there waiting for the car to pass me before backing out into the street. Well this car started slowing down until they came to a complete stop before my driveway. I guess he was expecting me to fly out into the street even though I haven't moved an inch and was behind the sidewalk,

    Even if he was being kind and was going to let me out he stopped close enough that I couldn't back out without hitting him (at least backing out so I could go the direction I wanted).

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

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    I'm driving down a street in a commercial area, light traffic. I'm looking for a specific address, so I'm only moving at about 20-25 mph (area is zoned at 30). A large SUV comes up behind me, so I pull even more right. He sits on my bumper for a minute, then pulls out and blazes by, doing the "4 inches to spare" pass.... and then pulls over and parks less than a block ahead!
  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    Did it.... missed the same one - I interpreted it as a changing signal.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    It is a changing signal, it means the light is about to turn red and if you can stop safely before the intersection you must.

    I got 100% :blush:

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

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    OK, if you say so.... where I live the signals are not timed to allow anything that looks like a"steady" yellow, and the surest way to get rear ended is to do the unexpected - stop when the light turns yellow. I know that when I drive in places like Maryland the yellows are a lot longer, however I still don't see lots of people stopping on the yellow.

    I answered "be prepared to stop"
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Well thats what the law says, when the light changes to yellow and it is safe to stop you must stop.

    FWIW the surest way to get rear ended is for the idiot behind you to be following to closely or not paying attention or both.

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

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    OK, I just went to the NYS DMV site, and here is a cut/paste of what it says there...

    STEADY YELLOW: The light is changing from green to red. Be ready to stop for the red light.

    Only thing I added was the bold.

    As for the rear ended thing, for me, the issue is simple - I don't control the guy behind me, I control me. So this means that when I check my mirror, road conditions, and what I anticipate him doing, I can choose my course of action...
  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    In my State (Ohio), the Statute is you may enter an intersection lawfully if the light is yellow, you may not enter if it is red. That is the standard that we use in citing for red light violations.

    When we testify in court, we must introduce the fact that the vechicle in question did NOT enter the intersection on a yellow, other wise we lose.
    I would assume many states are written the same but couldn't swear to that.
  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    I would assume many states are written the same but couldn't swear to that.


    Wesley, the point you raise here is how difficult our patchwork quilt of road law from state to state is to interpret. It's one of the reasons I always pay a little bit more attention to the vehicle with out of state plates - looking for the unexpected. One example that I use with my kids is this - Right turn on red; legal or not?

    In NY - Right turn on red, if posted.

    In NJ - Right turn on red, except where posted.
  • wesleygwesleyg Member Posts: 164
    that's a valid point, in Ohio right turn on red is permissible if NO sign is posted, so we are comparable to NJ. When I take my trips to different states, I am very cautious since there are significant differences in traffic laws. The traffic laws among all the states is a veritable tangle of different infraction standards.
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Oregon is also the same as NJ regarding "Right on Red". We also have rectangular, black on white signs posted below some STOP signs that read: "Right turn permitted without stopping"

    That seems to confuse some out-of-staters :)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,517
    In WA those signs confuse natives, too. :sick:
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Don't have time right now but I will look at the motor vehicle code and see if I can find it.

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

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    OK... I'm not questioning the motor vehicle code in your state. I'm only citing the rules in NY.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Don't worry I will look up NY's too.

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

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    Good. Start here if you like: http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/dmanual/chapter04-manual.htm

    In addition you might want to take a look at one of the quizzes that NYS has on the site. https://harmonia.dmv.state.ny.us/quiz/displayQuestions.cfm?cpe=04

    Here is the applicable question:

    As you near an intersection, the traffic light changes from green to yellow. Your best action would be to
    Speed up to beat the red light.
    Apply the brakes sharply to stop.
    Be prepared to stop in the center of the intersection.
    Be prepared to stop before the intersection.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Not interested in what those say I want to look at the written law.

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

  • ny540i6ny540i6 Member Posts: 518
    Sure.... Here it is, and her's where it's from:

    http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

    If you go to the section labelled VAT (Vehicle and Traffic) that should help.

    § 1111. Traffic-control signal indications. Whenever traffic is
    controlled by traffic-control signals, other than lane direction control
    signal indications provided in section eleven hundred sixteen,
    exhibiting different colored lights, or colored lighted arrows,
    successively, one at a time or in combination, only the colors green,
    yellow and red shall be used, and said lights shall indicate and apply
    to drivers of vehicles and to pedestrians as follows:
    (a) Green indications:
    1. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady circular green signal
    may proceed straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such
    place prohibits either such turn. Such traffic, including when turning
    right or left, shall yield the right of way to other traffic lawfully
    within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal
    is exhibited.
    2. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady green arrow signal may
    cautiously enter the intersection only to make the movement indicated by
    such arrow, or such other movement as is permitted by other indications
    shown at the same time, except that a U-Turn may be made by traffic
    facing a left green arrow signal unless a sign prohibits such U-Turn or
    such U-Turn is in violation of any other provision of law. Such traffic
    shall yield the right of way to other traffic lawfully within the
    intersection or an adjacent cross walk at the time such signal is
    exhibited.
    3. Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as
    provided in section eleven hundred twelve, pedestrians facing any steady
    green signal, except when the sole green signal is a turn arrow, may
    proceed across the roadway within any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
    (b) Yellow indications:
    1. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady circular yellow signal
    may enter the intersection; however, said traffic is thereby warned that
    the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication
    will be exhibited immediately thereafter.
    2. Traffic, except pedestrians, facing a steady yellow arrow signal
    may cautiously enter the intersection only to complete the movement
    indicated by such arrow or make such other movement as is permitted by
    other indications shown at the same time; however, said traffic is
    thereby warned that the related green arrow movement is being terminated
    or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter.
    3. Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian-control signal as
    provided in section eleven hundred twelve, pedestrians facing any steady
    yellow signal are thereby advised that there is insufficient time to
    cross the roadway before a red indication is shown and no pedestrian
    shall then start to cross the roadway.
  • nonjth13nonjth13 Member Posts: 91
    In upstate NY right on red unless prohibited by sign.

    In NYC and maybe other areas downstate just the opposite
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Indeed in CA state, one that violates red light rules can actually recover damages from someone NOT violating red light rules. :sick:
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,280
    "...if it is safe to stop you must..."

    In my recollection, here in NY state you may enter the intersection on yellow and leave on red.

    "... surest way to get rear-ended..."

    My school district policy says stop on yellow. Once when I did this I was rear-ended by a woman driving a minivan.

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,280
    "...In NY - Right turn on red, if posted..."

    Not upstate. here it's right on red unless posted differently.

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,280
    "...Right turn permitted without stopping..."

    Dang, so that's it. All the drivers I see here are from Oregon. ;)

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

  • ronsteveronsteve Member Posts: 1,234
    Yep... upstate NY, and most of the civilized United States, is right turn on red, AFTER STOP, unless otherwise posted.

    In NYC, right turn on red is PROHIBITED... unless a sign says you may do so after stopping.

    The "permitted" signs in Oregon allow you to make a right on red WITHOUT stopping. Usually, you have to stop first, and yield to cross traffic.

    As for school buses, most states prohibit school buses from making a right turn on red at any time.
    2015 Acura RDX AWD / 2021 VW TIguan SE 4Motion
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    motor bikes with DRL on BRIGHT or HI beam during the day. :mad:
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Yeah, I have seen a lot of bikers riding during the day with painfully bright high beams on. I think the logic behind that is: "now that most cars have DRLs, bikers don't 'stand out' as they used to, by virtue of their requires daytime lighting." To overcome this deficiency, they ride with their brights on in the name of safety, in order to be more visible.

    The same argument (safety in being noticed) is used to justify the loud exhaust pipes. I do not know how that relates to the constant engine-revving while stopped. I guess motorcycles will not idle without blips of the throttle... or maybe the plugs will foul if allowed to idle for more that 5 consecutive seconds.

    The cynic in me says that it is all about getting attention and annoying the general public. One thing that I DO know for certain: those little-bitty scull cover-helmets that the Harley crowd favors are NOT worn in the name of increased safety. :surprise:
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Funny how those motorcycle drivers that split lanes with cars, can NOT for the life of THEM understand why car drivers get upset when they split lanes with cars. Almost every motorcycle drivers that split lanes with cars, seems to get HIGHLY IRATE when the car splits lanes with them! ;) :sick: :shades: :lemon:
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,696
    I've seen cyclists with some headlight that switches from brighter to dimmer about 2 times or more a second. It's very irritating. I started flashing my high beams on and off at them when I have one of those coming at me on our two-lane country roads. One guy got really upset looking.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,517
    I can deal with high beams on motorcycles...it's the pulsing lights that annoy me as half the people on the road seem to think a pulsing light means a cop, and they pull over!

    The revving Harleys and the dumb fakey German helmets are more annoying for their sheer lameness and poseriffic ideal than actual substance. It's all about attention.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    This was noticed on Highway 89 two Summers ago and when inquired about it found them to be very defensive. :sick:
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Illinois doesn't require you to wear a helmet.

    But you will get a ticket for not wearing a seat belt in a car.

    Something is just not right there.

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

  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    CT doesn't require helmets either which is stupid IMO. I must say that, excluding lack of protective gear, I have only seen one person on a bike acting stupid since the riding season started. That guy was some dumbass on a ducati doing wheelies through a parking lot.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,054
    yesterday, we had some serious thunderstorms roll through the DC area, knocking out power to many areas. On my way home from work, one of the radio stations made a public service announcement, stating about how when a traffic light gets knocked out, you treat it as a 4-way stop. Evidently, a lot of people were just blasting through the intersections, which I never understood.

    Well, about 5 minutes later, they made another announcement, ratting out a cop, who did it! Some woman almost got hit when a cop blew through an intersection, but she didn't get the unit #. She called in to the station though, and they pretty much read the riot act to the cops, telling them that they're not above the law (unfortunately though, they tend to be :sick: ), and that cops lucky the woman didn't get his unit #.

    Once upon a time, I thought cops were supposed to be role models, but I guess those days are over with? Heck, I had to holler at one a few weeks ago who was doing a crappy job directing traffic that was coming out of a church! I know it's not an easy job, and it can be downright dangerous, but jeez...don't they TRAIN them anymore? I mean, when you're in the public eye like that, you'd think you'd do your best to uphold your image.
  • pat85pat85 Member Posts: 92
    There is an intersection that has a red light camera..
    I saw a cop stop, put on his light bar and run the red light.
    The picture will show him with his lights on, even though he turned off the light bar once through the camera.
    He used his vehicle to run a red light without having to,pay for it

    I.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Just for consideration the officer could very well have been responding to a call. There are some situations when a response is without lights and lights are only used for such things as going through red lights.

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

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