the oncoming motorcycle with dual headlights on High beam Bright?
I dunno...same thing as when an oncoming car has left its high beams on? I usually give a flash of my own high-beams to signal them. Usually doesn't work, but short of swerving into their lane and making them crash, then getting out and walking over to their bruised and battered body and telling them you just wanted to warn them they left their high beams on, I dunno what else you can do? :P
At least they weren't those alternating lights that flash high beam then low beam about one full cycle per second. Those are really obnoxious. In fact I haven't seen one for over a year here. I wonder if they were found illegal in Ohio.
Some of the motorcycles don't have their headlights aimed correctly to not blind oncoming drivers. I think they aim them to benefit the motorcyclist's field of light.
That's the argument for loud pipes also. To get people to notice you so they don't hit you. Both are annoying but people simply don't notice motorcycles.
While I'm at it, here's a question. When did they change the rules of the road to say that when you see someone in the left lane signal to merge right, you gun your car and pass them on the right blaring your horn? They must have changed the rules because everybody does this now. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Both are annoying but people simply don't notice motorcycles.
My beef about motorcycles is that many of them drive like they are the owners of the road and we are just in their way. I can't tell you the number of times I have seen motorcyclists passing between cars, passing cars in the right lane at a stop light on the right and many other stupid maneuvers. At times I wonder how people can sometimes see them until its to late.
When did they change the rules of the road....
The flip side of that is those people who think that just because they turn on their signal they immediately have the right to occupy the lane they want to merge into. As I was driving back home from vacation last weekend I was on the Interstate doing about 80 in a 75. I was about to pass someone doing 60-65 at the very last second turn on his left turn signal and merged right infront of me, I had to quickly merge right to keep from hitting him. :mad:
Another example was a year and a half ago I got into an accident, someone I was passing when I was passing him used his signal and immediately merged left. Even though I hit the brakes and utilized the left turn lane in an attempt to avoid him we still made contact. Then this idiot tried to blame me because I saw his turn signal. :confuse:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I think at speed the loudness isn't a good excuse...when you are also in a car at speed, it is mostly drowned out. Around here anyway, the riders of certain loud bikes seem to be more into making pedestrians know they are there (while wearing dopey fake German helmets and somewhat ironic expensive cliched black leather) than trying to be visible to motorists. Very inconsiderate in that it is annoying, but it can be fun to mock at the same time :P
Yes, actually the experience with police cars are a PRIME example !! The colors are designed to be noticed. They has special purpose lights DESIGNED to get your attention, sirens, PA systems, etc. You really hear ALL the time that folks do not hear, see, notice, fully coded police vehicles. An untold percentage of people experience unnecessary or unneeded felony stops because of it. The same is true with even bigger and noisier fire trucks !!
Another is I have long since stopped counting the number of and times motorcycle drivers have split lanes with me. Yet, when you split lanes with them, for some reason they get PO'd to the max??? :surprise:
Around here anyway, the riders of certain loud bikes seem to be more into making pedestrians know they are there (while wearing dopey fake German helmets and somewhat ironic expensive cliched black leather) than trying to be visible to motorists
These types maybe straining for attention. Best measure is not to look at them, ignore.
Can understand noise making of little kids on bikes with playing cards making noise on spokes, or teens of yore putting on glass packs on V8 cars. After age 21, seems like major noise makers are some motorcyle drivers and July 4th adults who set firecrackers or aerial bombs.
At a time when the fatality and accident rates are literally the best (SAFEST) since they started keeping the records, the "murder" cycle community is experiencing an almost factorial growth in accidents and fatalities.
..."Overall Traffic Fatalities Reach Record Low in 2008 The number of overall traffic fatalities reported in 2008 hit the lowest level since 1961 and fatalities in the first three months of 2009 continue to decrease. The fatality rate, which accounts for variables like fewer miles traveled, also reached the lowest level ever recorded. These encouraging numbers were announced by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on July 2. The '08 highway death count was 37,261, a drop of 9.7 percent from '07, while the '08 fatality rate was 1.27, about 7 percent below the rate of 1.36 for '07. Read the News Release l 2008 Fatality Figures Detailed 2008 State-by-State Data l Preliminary 2009 First-Quarter Estimates"...
These types maybe straining for attention. Best measure is not to look at them, ignore.
Can understand noise making of little kids on bikes with playing cards making noise on spokes, or teens of yore putting on glass packs on V8 cars. After age 21, seems like major noise makers are some motorcycle drivers and July 4th adults who set firecrackers or aerial bombs.
Bingo. You're dead on right.
I have been an avid motorcyclist for years, the first exposure necessitated by the economy afforded by a gas-sipping Honda. I have never required noise or lights and by preference, would like less "fanfare". My brother is the same way, would rather be riding than comparing chrome accessories and socializing at the local hot spot with the "square tire" peacocks.
There's nothing wrong with socializing, I believe it is good for humans to interact but the past couple of decades has turned motorcycles into an inadvertent "stage show" that is more garish and less about "the ride". Bad dude biker on the week-end, certified public accountant during the week.
It's the same as watching a Ferrari make its way down the beach front Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale - that car was meant for open rural road and road courses, not a "peacock walk" down the strip - what a waste.
Noise and lights, don't be fooled - even though there's a reasonable chance it's a long time experienced rider, it's probably not - use a LOT of caution around them.
I have make a similar joke in the past...the self-proclaimed rebel on his loud cruiser on Sunday drives a beige Camry to his miled mannered office job on weekdays. Not the most convincing show.
I think a certain generation watched too many of those terrible biker-gang movies in the late 60s and 70s...certainly a factor in why motorcycle casualties have skyrocketed.
I usually don't buy the claims that people "didn't hear" the sirens and lights behind them....but then I see how oblivious the lowest common denominator can be, with a cranked up stereo, phone on one ear, mirrors aimed at nothing...and maybe it is reality.
"...just because they turn on their turn signal..."
In your example those drivers were certainly wrong. The merging driver always has to look out for other traffic. My experience has been a little different recently. When I merge right I signal and then make sure the lane is clear before I move over. . The other day I was merging right to leave the interstate and a SUV which had been a good 10 car lengths behind me gunned her car and passed on the right. For some reason she wasn't going to let anyone in in front of her. Even if it resulted in an accident. That, I don't understand. :confuse:
As for motorcycles, loud or quiet, I think you're nuts to ride one in traffic. Recently one of our drivers was nearly killed while riding her new bike on the interstate. She'll probably never be able able to drive a bus again. In fact, I've never known anyone who rode a bike and didn't eat pavement sooner or later. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
usually don't buy the claims that people "didn't hear" the sirens and lights behind them
How do you hear lights?
But seriously there is a sizable percentage of the population that are deaf to certain frequencies. If the siren is at the frequency that the person is deaf to they will never hear it. That is why you have those two tone sirens and that some emergency vehicles cycle through several sirens.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
" I was merging right to leave the interstate and a SUV which had been a good 10 car lengths behind me gunned her car and passed on the right. For some reason she wasn't going to let anyone in in front of her. Even if it resulted in an accident. That, I don't understand."
Oh, that's nothing new. For lack of a better term call it "lane loss paranoia", plenty of room but the other driver is perceiving that you're cutting them off.
Didn't California recently pass a law making this illegal? If somebody is signalling a lane change and there's room - you HAVE to let them in, it's better for traffic capacity. Same thing (kind of) with merge points coming up on construction. They found out you get a LOT better traffic flow if people utilize all lanes to the lane closure point. PA has signs now that say "USE BOTH LANES TO MERGE POINT" followed by "MERGE POINT TAKE TURNS". My wife found the last phrase "take turns" to be comical - almost like it's a sign for preschoolers.....
Baltimore has the same thing even without construction. The famous I-70 ends its long trans-American run unceremoniously with the usual "EXPRESSWAY ENDS", if you're taking the north ramp (695) it has signs admonishing drivers to TAKE TURNS at a designated merge point.
Of course, it's ignored.... Unless a cop just happens to be sitting there - then everybody is downright "church social best behavior" mode.
Your last sentence is probably the best answer and usually a cop being there is the MOST remote. They like to hide out (plain non line of sight) of the way to pursue customer service.... aka, revenue enhancement.
..."Space to Merge Enter the freeway at or near the speed of traffic. (Remember that the maximum speed allowed is 65 mph on most freeways.) Do not stop before merging with freeway traffic unless absolutely necessary. Freeway traffic has the right-of-way."... (my sic, bold and larger font)
My wife is 60 percent deaf in one ear and 95% in the other. She can't hear most high pitched noises like sirens, smoke alarms, oven timers, annoying high pitched voices, etc.
While we are sorry to hear that, long gone are the days of hand signals from car drivers. (yes, some to most folks don't signal at all) I remember getting my license using these archaic conventions. Now a days folks used hand signals might be sending an invitation for a drive by shooting !!??
The nexus of course is car drivers used to be semi in touch with the environment. If anything the emphasis and technology is to insulate us. So truly driving has been and probably will remain primarily a visual experience.
let me relate what I did to a co-worker of mine a few years ago. We were both working on contract at a large auto manufacturing plant. I had a beat-up Corolla, he had just leased a BMW convertible, and parked it way out by itself at the end of the lot every day. So I started parking snuggled up to him, my pass door as close as I could get to his drivers door. Did it a couple times a week or whenever I had the time to, for months. Looked funny as anything - two cars snuggled up tightall by themselves way out away from the rest of the parked cars. He never mentioned anything. A full 2 years later, I was over at his house for a beer and his wife was saying how she hated taking the Porsche downtown to work, because you always had to worry about it, people always parked too close, etc etc, and turns to him and says "Remember, Ed, how there was that a###### that always parked next to the BMW? And how mad you were every time he was parked so tight you had to get in the passenger door and crawl over the console?" It was impossible to keep a straight face. Suddenly the light came on, and he figured out who the a####### was. I was still chuckling to myself days later. I think the only way I got away with it was, there were literally hundreds of vehicles in the lot, including several Corollas identical to mine.
Ah, makes me wax nostalgic for the days of Black powder coated Smitty Bilt F/R, LS/RS tube bumpers/sideguards. Almost forgot the self adhesive sand paper steps.
So I started parking snuggled up to him, my pass door as close as I could get to his drivers door.
Why is that so funny? I'll never understand why people care if someone parks far away. As long as they are in one spot, no one should care. I, for one, hate door dings and so many of today's cars have no bodyside moulding making them easy targets. The other day at the wholesale club, my clean new car was parked far away and some %^&hole decided to throw bags of trash around my car :confuse: I consider that very inconsiderate!
Well, maybe in this case, since the two knew each other and were friends, maybe it was a running gag between the two?
I'll never understand why people care if someone parks far away. As long as they are in one spot, no one should care.
Yeah, I don't really care, either, if someone parks far away. I do it myself sometimes. Now I do get a bit miffed when someone takes up two spots, but again, if they're off in the back forty somewhere, and there's no way in hades that the parking lot would ever get filled to capacity, I'm not going to put too much negative thought into it.
Gotta admit though, I returned one inconsiderate favor with another a few weeks ago at the liquor store. There was this old Lexus LS400 parked at a bad angle, right out in front. Maybe off kilter by about 20-25 degrees. I pulled in beside, in my '79 New Yorker, managing to leave enough room so that they would not be able to back out without a little maneuvering. And then, once inside the liquor store, I kept an eye out, and watched as this woman got into the car, started to back out without paying attention, and almost creamed me! But then at the last second she stopped, cocked her wheels the right way, and then backed out without incident.
That's one thing that always irritates me, when someone parks stupid like that. And it's not like these are small spaces that are hard to navigate. Hell, if I can park my NYer properly, I don't see how hard it should be to park a little car like that Lexus properly!
I remember back when I was in school, I parked the fintail at the end of a gravel lot on campus for a short errand. I came back, and lo and behold, a late 80s Civic had crowded its way in and left about an inch between it and my car - the guy must have got out of the passenger door or a window. I was at the end of the lot, with a cement barrier no more than a foot away from my drivers side. It took several attempts for me to get the car out, and when I made my final turn, I bumped the Civic - I think with subconscious intent - hard enough to set off the alarm. I sped away, never knowing and not caring if I hurt anything (it'd take a lot more than that to hurt my car) :shades:
BTW, how often do you go to that liquor store, It seems a lot of your posts involve trips down there. Maybe I should drive down from NY and pay you a visit...we may be related.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
LOL, yeah, I guess it is somewhat appropro to park poorly outside of a liquor store!
BTW, how often do you go to that liquor store, It seems a lot of your posts involve trips down there. Maybe I should drive down from NY and pay you a visit...we may be related.
Funny you'd mention that, as I just came from there! I usually go once per week. Today was a little adventure, too. I drove my '76 LeMans today. In the past it had intermittent starting problems, but has been pretty good for the most part. I'm sure you can see where this is going. :mad: Well, it started fine this morning and got me to work. I got out at 6, and it was around 95 degrees out. It was a bit cranky starting this time, but it did start. A little voice in my head said to take it home first, and drive another car to the liquor store. And my house is en route to the liquor store. But did I listen to that little voice?
So, get my booze, pay for it, and one of the owners helps me load up. Compliments me on the car, and we chat about it a bit. They're used to seeing me pull up in one old car or another. I made some comment about how it gets crappy gas mileage, but it's paid for, et. al. Also made a comment that sometimes it'll refuse to start, but usually at home; once it's running, it's usually fine and won't leave me stranded. Until today.
So, I'm home, and the LeMons is still up at the liquor store. Luckily one of my roommates was home, and came to get me. The owner said that I can leave it there this evening, and if it won't start, to just push it off to the corner of the lot. I figure I'll go back up there around 9:30-10, and see what happens.
Oh, and another inconsiderate parker story. Someone parked next to me, about 10% in the spot right beside me, about 90% in the other. So at quick glance it looked like there was a spot next to me, but most cars couldn't fit in there, and those that could wouldn't be able to get their doors open. So, when my buddy came up, instead of being ale to park right beside me, so we could just swap the cases over, we had to hoof 'em a bit more distance.
I was tempted to say something to the dude, who was just sitting in his car, yakking away on his cell, windows up, a/c on. But I was hot, tired, and aggravated...I don't think I would've been capable of nicely asking him to move over. Another thing I noticed, more of a reflection on humanity I guess, is just how many people walked past me, going in and out, as I was messing around under the hood. Sure, they'd gawk, but make eye contact with them, and they suddenly turn the other way. Usually when I'd see somebody having car problems like that, I'd at least ask them if they need a jump. Now that wouldn't have helped in this case, as I think the car just needs a few hours to cool down (along with some carburetor work, but that's for another time...I just want to get the damn thing home!), but it still would've been a nice gesture.
In fact, one guy almost tripped over me, as I stepped back from under the hood of the car with the air cleaner top in my hand, and seemed annoyed that he had to go maybe 3 feet out of his way in walking around me. Oh, the humanity I guess. :sick:
**Edit: And if this isn't a sick twist of irony...I was going through a pile of mail, and saw the latest "Collectible Automobile" arrived. One of this issue's features? "Pontiac's 1973-77 Colonnade LeMans". So, now I can sit here and read about my car, while I'm cooling off waiting to go pick it up. :P
LOL, yeah, I guess it is somewhat appropro to park poorly outside of a liquor store!
New title - had to shorten it up.
Can't understand some drivers/parkers. At parking lot of liquour store I go to, sometimes have my car, otherwise the van. With van, park as close to entrance as possible. With car, park farther away with lots of open spaces available. Every once in a while, someone in a non-descript car or pickup or van just has "got" to park in next stall when plenty of other spaces. Non-descript meaning not expensive or not enthusiast.
Nothing inconsiderate to report today. Yet, at least. When I got to work, the dude with the Escape was back in his usual spot. But someone had gathered up all the road cones in the parking lot and taken them away. They do a lot of loading and unloading of tractor trailers back there, and sometimes have to block off parts of the lot with cones, but don't always pick them all back up. This time around though, someone did a clean sweep I guess. So, his poor little Escape is vulnerable on that side.
Oh, and last nite, I went back to the liquor store around 9:00...LeMans fired right up, like there had never been anything wrong with it. So I guess that the engine bay just got too hot and put a strain on the starter and/or battery. Or maybe it got vapor lock? Anyway, I didn't want to chance it again today, so I drove one of the Chryslers!
north just north of the bronx on I95, on return commute from florida to boston:
city slicker in fantastic new 4door maserati wants to join the big-dogs in left lane, pulls in and tailgates behind 3 non-tailgating dogs following the alpha dog.
within seconds traffic in the left lane goes from 65 mph to dead-stop, as often happens!
maserati guy screeches into the left-breakdown lane, sliding forward far enough to occupy space "through" *two* of the cars that had been in front of him - enough to have caused a 3 or 4 car "sandwich" had he not used breakdown lane, and major whiplash to his passengers (if they were lucky). he must have been really "asleep" and/or "incapable" or "adjusting his IPOD"!
Had one on my way into work for a late-night shift...
Relatively light traffic on a one-way with three lanes. Not quite a quarter mile up is a signal light, where the right lane is turn-only. SL is 45mph, and I'm doing between 45 and 50, and I have moved to the left lane because the center lane (which will be the right lane after the light) tends to load up just beyond the light.
There's a side street entering from the left, and I see a red car pull out straight into the center lane. Next up is a blue Accord, and I don't think they have room to enter my lane. She pulls out... very sloooowwwwwwly. She looks like she's going for the center lane, but I know she won't clear me, so I'm on the brakes and laying on the horn. I was down to 25 in order not to drill her, and she was still angling out of my lane at maybe 10-15 mph, and then... she decides she wants the left lane and jerks to the left. Still on the horn, I get on the brakes hard enough to engage the ABS, and somehow manage not to hit her.
You think the horn would have woke her up, but I guess not. :mad:
..."You think the horn would have woke her up, but I guess not"...
I am guessing this was one of those unintented consequences; but it would seem you actually reinforced what she did was indeed... SAFE !!??..... She probably thinks she was lucky because you (crazy driver) didnt do a drive by !!???
To add another one.
I was behind two HD custom hogs at a stop light (old guys, you know the drill: leathers, tats, boots) . Ultra loud would be a PC description.
We three continue for a block or so, all three took a left hand turn into one of those new era quieted downtown commercial streets. Up ahead, I see one of them pull far right execute a left turn and jocky his motorcycle back into a parking space, I was at both a safe distance behind and the first hog was not even close to being in my pathway. For some funny reason, I had a split second premonition the second hog was going to do EXACTLY what the first hog did: pull to the far right and then execute a left hand turn in front of me to back into the space.... SURE enough, that is EXACTLY what he did and I stopped a full two feet from fully T boning him. I guess he liked my SUV's front end push bumper and brush guard and wanted to get a very close look. :mad: I shook my head and sort of wondered how he got to be that old. He's probably thinking A..H... SUV driver....
Road rage is alive and well in NY; to be fair, the powers that be, highway engineers, have helped to create these situations by setting up 'merging lanes' in order to slow down traffic. Due to the slowdowns, manic drivers get angry and race into the merging lanes, cutting off other drivers for their lost minutes
I had a weirdo on my tail. I came up to an intersection where the light had just turned green. However, there were 4 or 5 cars that had been stopped at the light, and the lead one was a landscaping truck pulling a trailer. So needless to say, the cars in front of me weren't exactly taking off fast, so I had to slow down. Well, out of nowhere, this '92-96 era Camry wagon comes up fast on my rear, and evidently got miffed because I was slowing down at a green light. Idiot gets right up on my tail, close enough that I couldn't see his headlights. And with my '79 NYer, that's CLOSE, as it has a rear deck that's low by today's standards. The guy gets all wide-eyed and wild looking, and throws his arms up in disgust (when they should have been on the steering wheel).
The only thing I can figure is that he was paying too much attention to what I was doing, slowing down at a green light, and reacting to that, rather than looking at the big picture, and seeing that I was slowing down because I had no choice.
Evidently, that's a common thing with drivers today. A few years back, when I got rear ended in my Silverado in a traffic jam, the girl in the Hyundai who hit me, first thing out of her mouth was "Why did you stop at a GREEN light?!" Umm, because traffic was gridlocked for at least a quarter mile ahead of me? :confuse:
One of my officemates got rear-ended last year, too, leaving work. The light was green, but he was making a left turn, and had to stop for oncoming traffic, and before he knew it a Toyota Sienna was snuggling up to the rear bumper of his Tundra. And again, first thing out of her mouth was "Why did you stop at a GREEN light?!"
Anyway, this dude in the Camry rode my tail for about a quarter mile, even once we were up to the flow of traffic, and then turned off. To his credit, he did use his turn signal.
As for "profiling", well the guy was white, I'd say late 40's/mid 50's, had a bit of a rocket-scientist/geek look about him. Thick glasses that gave him an owl-eyed look when he had his little arm flailing fit. Probably was wearing a pocket protector, too.
My father bought the 3rd 1946 Chrysler after the war and the Brake light in the middle of the trunk held a 21 cp bulb. He soon drilled out the port and installed a 50 cp headlight bulb. He was never rearended.
I would say good for him. Perhaps the 1946 Chrysler was enough of an anamoly, that folks just gave him a lot of room anyway.
I do not think there are any studies to indicate statistical correlation how effective the now mandatory third brake light (middle and high) has been. (in reducing rear end accidents) .
Indeed DRL's have shown NO statistical correlation in diminishing accidents due to lack of head lamp "illumination"., or lack there of.
I do not think there are any studies as to how effective the now mandatory third brake light (middle and high) has been.
My guess is that way back when those third brakelights came out, for awhile it helped reduce rear-end collisions. But then, as people got used to them, their effectiveness wore off. And worse, cars without the third brakelight, or with one that was burned out, were probably more likely to be rear-ended!
The first would probably have to be a look back. The second/third: those would be interesting hypothesis' to test. I would swag the same results: NADA.
ABS has also NOT met the (longitudinal) test of (REAL WORLD) statistical correlation either. Indeed insurance companies when ABS first was touted, offered an ABS "discount". As I recall, that lasted app 1 year. They (mine anyway) came out in writing saying no statistical validation/correlation (REAL WORLD), ergo: dropped ABS discount (REAL MONEY) :lemon: .
Wikipedia cites a Munich study which has a two sword edge conclusion. :confuse:
Comments
I dunno...same thing as when an oncoming car has left its high beams on? I usually give a flash of my own high-beams to signal them. Usually doesn't work, but short of swerving into their lane and making them crash, then getting out and walking over to their bruised and battered body and telling them you just wanted to warn them they left their high beams on, I dunno what else you can do? :P
At least they weren't those alternating lights that flash high beam then low beam about one full cycle per second. Those are really obnoxious. In fact I haven't seen one for over a year here. I wonder if they were found illegal in Ohio.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I can see why a bike would use normal high beams, the average driver is so oblivious, it just makes them more visible.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
That's the argument for loud pipes also. To get people to notice you so they don't hit you. Both are annoying but people simply don't notice motorcycles.
While I'm at it, here's a question. When did they change the rules of the road to say that when you see someone in the left lane signal to merge right, you gun your car and pass them on the right blaring your horn? They must have changed the rules because everybody does this now. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
My beef about motorcycles is that many of them drive like they are the owners of the road and we are just in their way. I can't tell you the number of times I have seen motorcyclists passing between cars, passing cars in the right lane at a stop light on the right and many other stupid maneuvers. At times I wonder how people can sometimes see them until its to late.
When did they change the rules of the road....
The flip side of that is those people who think that just because they turn on their signal they immediately have the right to occupy the lane they want to merge into. As I was driving back home from vacation last weekend I was on the Interstate doing about 80 in a 75. I was about to pass someone doing 60-65 at the very last second turn on his left turn signal and merged right infront of me, I had to quickly merge right to keep from hitting him. :mad:
Another example was a year and a half ago I got into an accident, someone I was passing when I was passing him used his signal and immediately merged left. Even though I hit the brakes and utilized the left turn lane in an attempt to avoid him we still made contact. Then this idiot tried to blame me because I saw his turn signal. :confuse:
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Another is I have long since stopped counting the number of and times motorcycle drivers have split lanes with me. Yet, when you split lanes with them, for some reason they get PO'd to the max??? :surprise:
These types maybe straining for attention. Best measure is not to look at them, ignore.
Can understand noise making of little kids on bikes with playing cards making noise on spokes, or teens of yore putting on glass packs on V8 cars. After age 21, seems like major noise makers are some motorcyle drivers and July 4th adults who set firecrackers or aerial bombs.
At a time when the fatality and accident rates are literally the best (SAFEST) since they started keeping the records, the "murder" cycle community is experiencing an almost factorial growth in accidents and fatalities.
..."Overall Traffic Fatalities Reach Record Low in 2008
The number of overall traffic fatalities reported in 2008 hit the lowest level since 1961 and fatalities in the first three months of 2009 continue to decrease. The fatality rate, which accounts for variables like fewer miles traveled, also reached the lowest level ever recorded. These encouraging numbers were announced by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on July 2. The '08 highway death count was 37,261, a drop of 9.7 percent from '07, while the '08 fatality rate was 1.27, about 7 percent below the rate of 1.36 for '07.
Read the News Release l 2008 Fatality Figures
Detailed 2008 State-by-State Data l Preliminary 2009 First-Quarter Estimates"...
link title
side bar: PG 40, the new registered vehicles 2007 figures are @ 255.748 M
Can understand noise making of little kids on bikes with playing cards making noise on spokes, or teens of yore putting on glass packs on V8 cars. After age 21, seems like major noise makers are some motorcycle drivers and July 4th adults who set firecrackers or aerial bombs.
Bingo. You're dead on right.
I have been an avid motorcyclist for years, the first exposure necessitated by the economy afforded by a gas-sipping Honda. I have never required noise or lights and by preference, would like less "fanfare". My brother is the same way, would rather be riding than comparing chrome accessories and socializing at the local hot spot with the "square tire" peacocks.
There's nothing wrong with socializing, I believe it is good for humans to interact but the past couple of decades has turned motorcycles into an inadvertent "stage show" that is more garish and less about "the ride". Bad dude biker on the week-end, certified public accountant during the week.
It's the same as watching a Ferrari make its way down the beach front Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale - that car was meant for open rural road and road courses, not a "peacock walk" down the strip - what a waste.
Noise and lights, don't be fooled - even though there's a reasonable chance it's a long time experienced rider, it's probably not - use a LOT of caution around them.
I think a certain generation watched too many of those terrible biker-gang movies in the late 60s and 70s...certainly a factor in why motorcycle casualties have skyrocketed.
First thing I did to my first car, a 66 Galaxie, was to put a loud exhaust on it
In your example those drivers were certainly wrong. The merging driver always has to look out for other traffic. My experience has been a little different recently. When I merge right I signal and then make sure the lane is clear before I move over.
.
The other day I was merging right to leave the interstate and a SUV which had been a good 10 car lengths behind me gunned her car and passed on the right. For some reason she wasn't going to let anyone in in front of her. Even if it resulted in an accident. That, I don't understand. :confuse:
As for motorcycles, loud or quiet, I think you're nuts to ride one in traffic. Recently one of our drivers was nearly killed while riding her new bike on the interstate. She'll probably never be able able to drive a bus again. In fact, I've never known anyone who rode a bike and didn't eat pavement sooner or later. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
How do you hear lights?
But seriously there is a sizable percentage of the population that are deaf to certain frequencies. If the siren is at the frequency that the person is deaf to they will never hear it. That is why you have those two tone sirens and that some emergency vehicles cycle through several sirens.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Maybe it's these people with the small dogs on their laps??!! :P
Oh, that's nothing new. For lack of a better term call it "lane loss paranoia", plenty of room but the other driver is perceiving that you're cutting them off.
Didn't California recently pass a law making this illegal? If somebody is signalling a lane change and there's room - you HAVE to let them in, it's better for traffic capacity. Same thing (kind of) with merge points coming up on construction. They found out you get a LOT better traffic flow if people utilize all lanes to the lane closure point. PA has signs now that say "USE BOTH LANES TO MERGE POINT" followed by "MERGE POINT TAKE TURNS". My wife found the last phrase "take turns" to be comical - almost like it's a sign for preschoolers.....
Baltimore has the same thing even without construction. The famous I-70 ends its long trans-American run unceremoniously with the usual "EXPRESSWAY ENDS", if you're taking the north ramp (695) it has signs admonishing drivers to TAKE TURNS at a designated merge point.
Of course, it's ignored.... Unless a cop just happens to be sitting there - then everybody is downright "church social best behavior" mode.
Here is a link. 2009 CA dmv drivers manual If you can find the reference please cite.
Here is a reference page 40,
..."Space to Merge
Enter the freeway at or near the speed
of traffic. (Remember that the maximum
speed allowed is 65 mph on
most freeways.) Do not stop before
merging with freeway traffic unless
absolutely necessary. Freeway
traffic has the right-of-way."... (my sic, bold and larger font)
The nexus of course is car drivers used to be semi in touch with the environment. If anything the emphasis and technology is to insulate us. So truly driving has been and probably will remain primarily a visual experience.
Why is that so funny? I'll never understand why people care if someone parks far away. As long as they are in one spot, no one should care. I, for one, hate door dings and so many of today's cars have no bodyside moulding making them easy targets. The other day at the wholesale club, my clean new car was parked far away and some %^&hole decided to throw bags of trash around my car :confuse: I consider that very inconsiderate!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Well, maybe in this case, since the two knew each other and were friends, maybe it was a running gag between the two?
I'll never understand why people care if someone parks far away. As long as they are in one spot, no one should care.
Yeah, I don't really care, either, if someone parks far away. I do it myself sometimes. Now I do get a bit miffed when someone takes up two spots, but again, if they're off in the back forty somewhere, and there's no way in hades that the parking lot would ever get filled to capacity, I'm not going to put too much negative thought into it.
Gotta admit though, I returned one inconsiderate favor with another a few weeks ago at the liquor store. There was this old Lexus LS400 parked at a bad angle, right out in front. Maybe off kilter by about 20-25 degrees. I pulled in beside, in my '79 New Yorker, managing to leave enough room so that they would not be able to back out without a little maneuvering. And then, once inside the liquor store, I kept an eye out, and watched as this woman got into the car, started to back out without paying attention, and almost creamed me! But then at the last second she stopped, cocked her wheels the right way, and then backed out without incident.
That's one thing that always irritates me, when someone parks stupid like that. And it's not like these are small spaces that are hard to navigate. Hell, if I can park my NYer properly, I don't see how hard it should be to park a little car like that Lexus properly!
You DIDN'T lob that softball in here, did you? :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
So YOU are the guy that does that to my new car no matter where I park. Tell me do you own a large pick-up?
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Now you know why she parked like that.
BTW, how often do you go to that liquor store, It seems a lot of your posts involve trips down there. Maybe I should drive down from NY and pay you a visit...we may be related.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
LOL, yeah, I guess it is somewhat appropro to park poorly outside of a liquor store!
BTW, how often do you go to that liquor store, It seems a lot of your posts involve trips down there. Maybe I should drive down from NY and pay you a visit...we may be related.
Funny you'd mention that, as I just came from there! I usually go once per week. Today was a little adventure, too. I drove my '76 LeMans today. In the past it had intermittent starting problems, but has been pretty good for the most part. I'm sure you can see where this is going. :mad: Well, it started fine this morning and got me to work. I got out at 6, and it was around 95 degrees out. It was a bit cranky starting this time, but it did start. A little voice in my head said to take it home first, and drive another car to the liquor store. And my house is en route to the liquor store. But did I listen to that little voice?
So, get my booze, pay for it, and one of the owners helps me load up. Compliments me on the car, and we chat about it a bit. They're used to seeing me pull up in one old car or another. I made some comment about how it gets crappy gas mileage, but it's paid for, et. al. Also made a comment that sometimes it'll refuse to start, but usually at home; once it's running, it's usually fine and won't leave me stranded. Until today.
So, I'm home, and the LeMons is still up at the liquor store. Luckily one of my roommates was home, and came to get me. The owner said that I can leave it there this evening, and if it won't start, to just push it off to the corner of the lot. I figure I'll go back up there around 9:30-10, and see what happens.
Oh, and another inconsiderate parker story. Someone parked next to me, about 10% in the spot right beside me, about 90% in the other. So at quick glance it looked like there was a spot next to me, but most cars couldn't fit in there, and those that could wouldn't be able to get their doors open. So, when my buddy came up, instead of being ale to park right beside me, so we could just swap the cases over, we had to hoof 'em a bit more distance.
I was tempted to say something to the dude, who was just sitting in his car, yakking away on his cell, windows up, a/c on. But I was hot, tired, and aggravated...I don't think I would've been capable of nicely asking him to move over. Another thing I noticed, more of a reflection on humanity I guess, is just how many people walked past me, going in and out, as I was messing around under the hood. Sure, they'd gawk, but make eye contact with them, and they suddenly turn the other way. Usually when I'd see somebody having car problems like that, I'd at least ask them if they need a jump. Now that wouldn't have helped in this case, as I think the car just needs a few hours to cool down (along with some carburetor work, but that's for another time...I just want to get the damn thing home!), but it still would've been a nice gesture.
In fact, one guy almost tripped over me, as I stepped back from under the hood of the car with the air cleaner top in my hand, and seemed annoyed that he had to go maybe 3 feet out of his way in walking around me. Oh, the humanity I guess. :sick:
**Edit: And if this isn't a sick twist of irony...I was going through a pile of mail, and saw the latest "Collectible Automobile" arrived. One of this issue's features? "Pontiac's 1973-77 Colonnade LeMans". So, now I can sit here and read about my car, while I'm cooling off waiting to go pick it up. :P
New title - had to shorten it up.
Can't understand some drivers/parkers. At parking lot of liquour store I go to, sometimes have my car, otherwise the van. With van, park as close to entrance as possible. With car, park farther away with lots of open spaces available. Every once in a while, someone in a non-descript car or pickup or van just has "got" to park in next stall when plenty of other spaces. Non-descript meaning not expensive or not enthusiast.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Oh, and last nite, I went back to the liquor store around 9:00...LeMans fired right up, like there had never been anything wrong with it. So I guess that the engine bay just got too hot and put a strain on the starter and/or battery. Or maybe it got vapor lock? Anyway, I didn't want to chance it again today, so I drove one of the Chryslers!
My 79 Continental was famous for that. If I had to make a quick stop in the summer I would just leave it running.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
city slicker in fantastic new 4door maserati wants to join the big-dogs in left lane, pulls in and tailgates behind 3 non-tailgating dogs following the alpha dog.
within seconds traffic in the left lane goes from 65 mph to dead-stop, as often happens!
maserati guy screeches into the left-breakdown lane, sliding forward far enough to occupy space "through" *two* of the cars that had been in front of him - enough to have caused a 3 or 4 car "sandwich" had he not used breakdown lane, and major whiplash to his passengers (if they were lucky). he must have been really "asleep" and/or "incapable" or "adjusting his IPOD"!
Relatively light traffic on a one-way with three lanes. Not quite a quarter mile up is a signal light, where the right lane is turn-only. SL is 45mph, and I'm doing between 45 and 50, and I have moved to the left lane because the center lane (which will be the right lane after the light) tends to load up just beyond the light.
There's a side street entering from the left, and I see a red car pull out straight into the center lane. Next up is a blue Accord, and I don't think they have room to enter my lane. She pulls out... very sloooowwwwwwly. She looks like she's going for the center lane, but I know she won't clear me, so I'm on the brakes and laying on the horn. I was down to 25 in order not to drill her, and she was still angling out of my lane at maybe 10-15 mph, and then... she decides she wants the left lane and jerks to the left. Still on the horn, I get on the brakes hard enough to engage the ABS, and somehow manage not to hit her.
You think the horn would have woke her up, but I guess not. :mad:
I am guessing this was one of those unintented consequences; but it would seem you actually reinforced what she did was indeed... SAFE !!??..... She probably thinks she was lucky because you (crazy driver) didnt do a drive by !!???
To add another one.
I was behind two HD custom hogs at a stop light (old guys, you know the drill: leathers, tats, boots) . Ultra loud would be a PC description.
We three continue for a block or so, all three took a left hand turn into one of those new era quieted downtown commercial streets. Up ahead, I see one of them pull far right execute a left turn and jocky his motorcycle back into a parking space, I was at both a safe distance behind and the first hog was not even close to being in my pathway. For some funny reason, I had a split second premonition the second hog was going to do EXACTLY what the first hog did: pull to the far right and then execute a left hand turn in front of me to back into the space.... SURE enough, that is EXACTLY what he did and I stopped a full two feet from fully T boning him. I guess he liked my SUV's front end push bumper and brush guard and wanted to get a very close look.
The only thing I can figure is that he was paying too much attention to what I was doing, slowing down at a green light, and reacting to that, rather than looking at the big picture, and seeing that I was slowing down because I had no choice.
Evidently, that's a common thing with drivers today. A few years back, when I got rear ended in my Silverado in a traffic jam, the girl in the Hyundai who hit me, first thing out of her mouth was "Why did you stop at a GREEN light?!" Umm, because traffic was gridlocked for at least a quarter mile ahead of me? :confuse:
One of my officemates got rear-ended last year, too, leaving work. The light was green, but he was making a left turn, and had to stop for oncoming traffic, and before he knew it a Toyota Sienna was snuggling up to the rear bumper of his Tundra. And again, first thing out of her mouth was "Why did you stop at a GREEN light?!"
Anyway, this dude in the Camry rode my tail for about a quarter mile, even once we were up to the flow of traffic, and then turned off. To his credit, he did use his turn signal.
As for "profiling", well the guy was white, I'd say late 40's/mid 50's, had a bit of a rocket-scientist/geek look about him. Thick glasses that gave him an owl-eyed look when he had his little arm flailing fit. Probably was wearing a pocket protector, too.
I do not think there are any studies to indicate statistical correlation how effective the now mandatory third brake light (middle and high) has been. (in reducing rear end accidents) .
Indeed DRL's have shown NO statistical correlation in diminishing accidents due to lack of head lamp "illumination"., or lack there of.
My guess is that way back when those third brakelights came out, for awhile it helped reduce rear-end collisions. But then, as people got used to them, their effectiveness wore off. And worse, cars without the third brakelight, or with one that was burned out, were probably more likely to be rear-ended!
ABS has also NOT met the (longitudinal) test of (REAL WORLD) statistical correlation either. Indeed insurance companies when ABS first was touted, offered an ABS "discount". As I recall, that lasted app 1 year. They (mine anyway) came out in writing saying no statistical validation/correlation (REAL WORLD), ergo: dropped ABS discount (REAL MONEY) :lemon: .
Wikipedia cites a Munich study which has a two sword edge conclusion. :confuse:
Anti-lock braking system