Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

backy

One of my cars has automatic headlights, but I never use that feature. I guess in nearly 40 years of driving I've figured out when it's time to turn on the lights. Two of my cars have auto on/off lights (when the car is turned off), a nice feature I think. And two cars (including the Sentra) just beep at you when you leave the lights on. But I'm not complaining. I got the Sentra last year because I needed a low lease payment. And I got it.

Speaking of driving with no lights... met an oncoming Acura tonight driving with no lights in the dark. It was near a shopping area so they could have just come out of a parking lot. Gave a quick flash of the high beams. They ignored it and continued the way of the Dark Side.

shrifty

That's good to know. Would this be something that the police would respond to if one were to report it?

shrifty

I agree with this, however considering the amount of people incapable of such a simple task, I'd rather make Auto Lights mandatory and do away with DRLs. Simple task, but not for a lot of people.

shrifty

Hopefully you didn't actually meet them in a bad way

euphonium

when the WS wipers are energized.

tjc78

when the WS wipers are energized.

There are some vehicles that do that for you. I've driven a Jeep GC that when the headlights were in auto mode they would turn on whenever the wipers were on regardless of the ambient light outside.

This and auto headlights should be standard. Its nothing more than probably $3.00 in parts (a sensor and relay and a little wire). I've actually never owned a car without them (even my crank window 99 S10 has them). What I miss is the older Fords that had a dial to adjust the amount of delay after shutting of the car.

angel53

I had a problem with one driver in which time my car was hit from behind was all intentional and caused the driver who was drunk and he did not want to admit error. :mad:

ruking1

I often have thought still think the percentage of "drunk" drivers goes under reported as even in the case, (such as yours) where the person stops and exchanges information, the DUI driver is not even tested, let alone arrested. EVEN if you adamantly claim he is drunk, it will not be duly recorded, let alone followed up on or proscecuted. Since there was no one "injured," they probably will not even send a cop. In the very best case, the DUI's insurance will pay for your rear ended damages. In that sense the DUI driver has his rights protected better than the folks he has caused the damage and injury (some times death) to. It really does not appear like rocket science, to swag why DUI drivers so readily commit another infraction: felony flight from the scene of the accident they have caused.

snakeweasel

EVEN if you adamantly claim he is drunk, it will not be duly recorded, let alone followed up on or proscecuted.

Well unless there is someone there to test the individual right away it becomes a baseless claim unless there was some obvious signs, and then it could very well be a medical condition.

Now if an officer shows up and you claim the other person is drunk the officer most likely would not do anything unless s/he suspects something.

Since there was no one "injured," they probably will not even send a cop.

Most times I have seen fender benders a police officer was on site soon afterwards. The only time they won't show up if called is if there are more pressing things occupying all officers in the area.

Another thing is what makes someone drunk? Yes there is a legal BAC limit but that is not always the best yardstick. With alcohol, like any drug, a user will build up a resistance and more would be needed to achive a desired result. That means that someone who pounds away a six pack a night might have to get a much higher BAC to display "drunken" behaviour.

The flip side of that is someone who rarely drinks may have a very low BAC and be falling down drunk.

ruking1

In effect, you agreed almost completely with what I have said. But you did bring up another valid and largely even more unnoticed scenario. A medical or medication condition that can and/or does IMPAIR/S driving. One should not drive EITHER. However since they do not have that tell tale "alcohol" smell.... that has a greater probablity of falling completely under the radar. Indeed NHTSA posts no figures about this.

backy

A medical or medication condition that can and/or does IMPAIR/S driving.

For example, blackberryitis, and ipodemia.

snakeweasel

A medical or medication condition that can and/or does IMPAIR/S driving.

Sometimes those medical conditions can suddenly appear. A couple of times I developed acute vertigo. It took just a moment to go from perfectly normal to being unable to walk a straight line. If that ever happens to me again and I am in one of the middle lanes of a Chicago expressway in fast moving traffic I might be in some trouble.

ruking1

Pop a half dozen to 12 meds with the two you mentioned and have a virtual STEW.

Saw this one in passing http://www.thepostgame.com/features/201103/k2-gains-popularity-among-athletes-si- milar-high-pot-no-positive-drug-test

euphonium

The driver was attempting to leave the Kaiser parking lot after a medical appointment around 5:30 p.m. when he apparently confused the gas pedal for the brake, said Longview Police Officer Chuck Davis.

Davis estimated Gilliam was going faster than 50 mph northbound through the lot when his Chevrolet HHR wagon struck a curb near the intersection of Hudson Street and Seventh Avenue. The car then hit a three-foot-high dirt berm, which sent it further airborne as it ripped through the 8-by-2-foot aluminum and plexiglass sign, Davis said.

Momentum and trajectory sent the car sailing over Hudson Street before the vehicle finally came to rest in front of the Monticello Park Senior Living facility, Davis said.

"There's a very good likelihood he almost entirely cleared Hudson," Davis said.

fintail

If it was a Toyota, heaven knows what people would be saying :shades:

I don't get why when people hit thw wrong pedal, they just floor it and leave their foot there.

backy

I saw a new high (low?) for inconsiderate driving today, which was really more insane driving. I was on a major freeway in the Twin Cities this morning, driving with flow of traffic in right lane (two more lanes to the left). An Explorer comes up from behind me--FAST. First, his lights are not on, and it's a dark day, pre-dawn, a little fog. And a dark vehicle. But now the best (worst) part: he doesn't slow down at all, but comes right up behind me, almost grazing my bumper, then at the last second before rear-ending me, he swerves and passes me... on the RIGHT. What's more, there wasn't a full shoulder, due to all the snow we've had. So I had to swerve over so he wouldn't hit me or the snow banks on his right as he sped by me at ~25-30 mph over the limit. Then he goes on his merry way, continuing in the right lane. I think he did slow down some. I was so flabbergasted I didn't catch his license plate number. Wish I had. Not sure if the police would take action based on a public report, but I'd give it a try in this case.

ruking1

I would not want to discourage you from reporting this, but if it is anything like this neck of the woods, I think you will be FAR from satisfied with the reaction and bottom line in-action from your local LE organizations.

backy

I figured it would have a snowball's chance in h***, but it was a nice thought. Anyway, w/o a license plate number there's no use even considering reporting it, as there would be no way to ID the culprit.

the_big_al

Well I saw justice served earlier this morning. Headed to work at about 0:dark-thirty in the rain. I was on a 4 lane road that varied between a median and center turn lane. Speed limit was 45 MPH. I was in the right lane, another vehicle was in the left. I was traveling about 49-50 (according to my GPS). The other vehicle in the right lane was slowly over taking me. All of a sudden a pair of headlights appeared in my rearview mirror. Some Ford Expedition had decided I was going to slow (50 in a 45 in the dark in the rain is NOT slow in my opinion). I don't think it's egregiously slow at noon on dry pavement, although in this particular stretch the speed limit is more for revenue generation than safety). Anyway, he rode up on my bumper that all it would take in this weather is a tap on the brakes and he would be my rear seat occupant.

The car in the other lane finally proceeded past me and Mr. Expedition moved over to get past. Now I won't say that what I did was right, but when I saw that he had moved over I increased my speed. Incidentally the other car decreased his speed and I became the overtaker. I think I got up to 54 maybe?? The expedition was riding this other car's tail as bad as he was mine. As I over took the other car, all of a sudden behind me appeared an eruption of red and blue. At first I thought he wanted me, but I hadn't really done any egregious speeding, although with the weather the way it was, I could see it happening.

Alas, he didn't want me, he wanted the Expedition. I knew he must have really been going a good speed as I was already doing about 5 over when he suddenly appeared on my tail. So Mr. LEO must have tagged him prior to him having to slow up when he reached me...

oregonboy

Don't you love it when justice is served!? :shades:

snakeweasel

It is possible that the officer saw the tailgating and pulled him over for that.

fintail

Driving around Atlanta is fun. Seems to be no speed enforcement at all. LLCs galore, bizarre hilarious lane discipline. Tailgating and rushing to the next red is an art form. Traffic going 80 in a 65 and 45 in a 65 right beside each other is normal. It's different.

ronsteve

Crazy driving happens everywhere, but it just gets magnified when you put enough crazy people together on the same highway. Interesting point you make about speeds... it seems like every second or third time it rains, I joke that the number posted on the speed limit sign is interpreted as the absolute slowest permissible speed under any conditions.

But your point reminds me of something about driving on urban interstates. There are often 2 signs with numbers on them, a speed limit and a minimum speed. These two numbers represent the two speeds in between which you should never travel.

hammerhead

I flew east for a family funeral several years ago, and I remember when planning my flight, I was cautioned to avoid ATL for just that reason. Flew into Greenville/Spartanburg instead, and drove to Clayton, GA from there. Very mellow, mostly 2-lane roads vs. the craziness that is Atlanta.

imidazol97

>It is possible that the officer saw the tailgating

Naaaah. The local police said it's hard to prove someone was tailgating to the judges. They have to have hit the car in front of them to be sure they were following too closely.

imidazol97

>Traffic going 80 in a 65

Long ago traveling in Fl after visiting my sister, my wife got pulled over in the middle of nowhere on the Turnpike with a 55 speed limit. We had left Ft Lauderdale on I-95 with everyone rushing at 80 and 90 in 55 general speed limit and not a cop in sight. But out in the middle of nowhere a state fund raiser stops us. BTW, there were no cars visibile ahead and behind us. He was the only car going the opposite direction. Light traffic.

backy

General rule: if you want to go 25-35 mph over the speed limit and not get a ticket, be sure lots of other cars around you are doing the same. Although that won't save you if an officer really wants to write a ticket, e.g. in a speed trap.

jimbres

Good point. The key is not to stick out. I have a fast car ('01 BMW 330i), & my rule of thumb is not to be among the fastest 10% on the road at any given time. I also avoid excessive lane changes.

So far, this approached has worked. Although I've been a licensed driver for 45 years, I've never been ticketed for a moving violation.

jwilliams2

I agree. I've been a licensed driver for over 50 years, and try to keep a low profile. And it's always nice to have a rabbit get in front of you. Usually go 10-15 over (faster when I was younger). Only speeding tickets were in 1960 in MO (radar) and 1984 in Iowa (airplane). Been clean for over 25 years.

andres3

As far as I can tell from over 16 years of driving, is that the CHP is completely useless in California. We could save billions getting rid of the whole department and no harm done. In fact, the roads might get SAFER without them and the overREACTION people do to avoid a ticket once they SEE the CHP patrol car.

euphonium

Only a very few flunk out of the CHP academy.

fintail

Back from ATL to the land of the slow and orderly. I can't begin to list the crazy stuff I saw down there, some of it good, some of it not. I like the speed and lack of revenue-based enforcement, but the disorder and bad manners are pretty damning. A different world than driving in the northwest, that's for sure.

tjc78

You need to come to South Jersey/Philly area.... its really fun here.

tallman1

And then there's Boston.... :sick:

fintail

Probably with the speed of ATL but more aggressive. Could be a fun challenge.

Oh yeah, a big pet peeve of Atlanta comes to mind - intersection blocking in traffic jams. I saw this so many times, especially on overpasses around on and off ramps. People have either no clue or no care. That and the nonstop tailgating, even in areas where the faster car can easily pass - they just don't want to, they'd rather sit at an "Audi" following distance as Jeremy Clarkson put it.

jensad

There are a few of us here that are now or have been Ca. CHP officrs, or some of us like myself are retired from the Ca. CHP. Many of my buddies died by doing their job and getting killed for doing it including my best friend, Bill Sniffin.

Whether you like it or not, there are over 1 million drivers in Ca, (conservative opinion only) that have no concern for you or me or anyone else other than themselves as they speed 120, 140, and even over 150 mph on the freeways.

And the reason I know how fast they were driving is because it was me and/or my partner that was driving (chasing them) on the Nimitz, Eastshore, Mac Arthur and SR 13. at those speeds.

Havling lost my close friend on the Nimitz Freeway years ago as he was racing to an accident at the Bay Bridge to save the driver's life gives the license to write this note to you.

Also I really dont value your opinion, and I don't care it what I have typed makes sense to you, but I suggest you might want to look at counseling. Good luck to you and wish you well and all others the best.

Good luck to all and stay safe.

Jensad

fintail

I always have wondered if chasing speeders like that is an effective idea. It's not so big in other places, which also have lower highway death rates - but admittedly, a better trained driving population too. I think sometimes ego leads to a chase, knowing the worst that can come out of it is paid leave.

I have all respect for the local state patrol who do accident control and clean-up, but when they branch out into revenue and quota based speed enforcement, it can become tiresome. I think that's where many people develop the dislike.

On that note, saw barely any speed enforcement immediately around Atlanta - probably because the crime problems around there are so huge (yes, that haven of low regulation has huge issues) that cops actually have better things to do. Saw a little more in touristy outlying areas, but they only seemed to be seeking the most flagrant abusers - those going 20+ over the limit.

backy

Don't blame the officers for branching out into revenue and quota-based speed enforcement--they're doing what they are told to do. If you have to dislike someone, dislike (and complain to) the politicians who force the police to branch out into revenue and quota-based speed enforcement. Then don't complain when your taxes go up.

ruking1

NHTSA 2009 stats

A lot of the long distance data is/are REALISTICALLY actually good to excellent. The accident/fatality/injury rates have been the LOWEST since they have been recording these things. There are also states that are significantly better than even significantly EXCELLENT !!

IIHS STATE by STATE

fintail

They don't have to do what they are told. What's going to happen, would state patrolmen all be fired for actually enforcing laws with logic rather than revenue based strategies? Get real.

Yeah, vote for change, that works well. No doubt a huge amount of politicos out there deserve a one way field trip to the gallows, but that's not going to happen either.

fintail

Better safety equipment at work - it certainly isn't because of driving skill or speed enforcement.

xwesx

Better safety equipment at work

Sometimes I think this forum needs a "like" button.

ruking1

Yes/no to all of your assertions. Those and many, many, others all play their part. Among other things, indeed the statistics are WAY better with higher than posted speeds, more drivers, more miles, more trips, etc. . While some of what you say is true it is really hard to codify.

So how did DC become the SAFEST per capita in the nation? Were all the stupid drivers sentenced to live in Wyoming? (see the IIHS state figures)

As goofy as LA (use any other metro city, I personally have driven in a LOT of them so I have real world and real time comparisons, so this is NOT in isolation) is reputed to be, it is actually pretty safe (per capita). Not that I am looking for agreement here.

stever

So how did DC become the SAFEST per capita in the nation?

You don't get hurt so bad when you wreck going 8 miles an hour.

Interesting link - noted that Michigan appears tied with Hawaii for observed seat belt usage.

And Fin's experiences in Atlanta are supported by the difference in Georia/Washington State death rates.

I think the drivers in the high plains states fall asleep or get highway hypnosis on their long trips between points of civilization.

fintail

Yeah, crash at a lower speed, chances are much better you'll walk away. You aren't going to get killed in a crash at 5pm on a Monday on 405 in Bellevue either, you'll be lucky to crack the bumper cover :shades:

I think a lot of demographic stuff comes into play with those rates too...I'm not surprised that some of those states have such high numbers.

I just don't see speed enforcement strategies being an impact. If limits were all about safety, interstates wouldn't move at much more than 40-45 or so.

ruking1

Actually DUI enforcement would be FAR better. I read an article in passing that said the costs to the DUI offender can be up to $13,000 and that is the first time offense !! What about taxation are the enforcers missing? Being as how @ one time alcohol was involved in up to 50 % of the accidents, fatalities and injuries , this is not only a (real) safety issue, but a great taxation issue. Currently the DUI is @ (for what I can see) app 37%.

The funny thing is that for all the news the stars make for getting caught for DUI, it is really in a more confined part of the US (LA county). Since a lot happens in Santa Monica, CA you would think the accidents and incidents etc would be far worse there. But,... they are not.

Funny too for all the driving while drunk in Wash DC it is also one of the safest !!!??? :P Washington DC is not a real "STATE". Great place to have diplomatic immunity!! Party down and drive drunk !! The population is really only 600 K +. I suppose if they really wanted to analyse it they should do cities that are 600k + in population.

isellhondas

Since I spent the first 21 years of my driving career in California I can, with one nasty exception say that the CHP people that I came in contact with were polite, professional and a head above a typical city cop.

The one exception was on the 91 freeway on a Christmas about 10:00 as we were returning from a family dinner. Not a drop of booze in either of us.

The CHP were EVERYWHERE looking for DUI's I suspect and no doubt rightfully so. Soon I had one on my tail. I looked down at my speedometer on my brand new car and saw I was at 57. I slowed down to 55. He followed me for ten minutes. I got tired of him so I moved over a lane and he did the same as he switched on his red lights.

Wrote me for 65 and was as rude as can be. When I refused to sign the ticket he threatened to haul me into jail. I was younger and cockier then so I told him to do what he thought he needed to do.

He reminded me that we were in Compton so I quickly signed the ticket.

I fought the ticket to no avail and almost got jailed for contempt by a judge who had no business being a judge. Getting thrown in a cell in Compton, CA would NOT be a good thing!

That said, overall, I do have a lot of respect for the CHP and although I didnt' deserve that ticket, I was let off other times that I did.

Anyone who looks on them with distate should do their job for a week.

bolivar

Quote"They don't have to do what they are told. What's going to happen, would state patrolmen all be fired"

They work in a political job.
In Oklahoma, they would not be fired, what they have is the threat of being transferred to the Panhandle. Desolute, flat, almost no towns. Just where you want to move your family.

backy

No, they don't have to do what they are told. That raises some interesting possibilities, though. Highway patrol officers are told to be professional, to obey and enforce the law, to not do things like shoot drivers they think deserve a bullet hole. If they don't have to do what they're told, maybe they can solve some inconsiderate driving problems "right here in Brainerd."

fintail

So entire groups will be shipped off to no mans land for not enforcing unjust and arbitrary laws to the letter? I find that hard to believe.

Move LEOs to empty places while the country still leads the first world in crime, yeah, sounds like a good idea...those making such decisions should be eligible for capital punishment.