Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

ronsteve

This one takes the cake...

Early this evening, I was on a 4-lane suburban through-street (45mph SL), 2nd in the right lane at a signal light. The car in front of me was a late-1990s Ford Escort. The light turned green and he was slow to take off... a bit annoying but nothing outlandish. Then he slows a bit, in the classic I-don't-shift-very-well fashion. But wait! How can that be? His right hand is holding a cell phone up to his ear. He carries 2nd gear to 20-25 mph, and I'm too busy trying not to rear-end him to even try to find a gap to move to the left lane, and...

still holding the cell phone in his right hand, he reaches across with his left hand to shift!

fintail

Yapping while using a manual is a special breed of idiocy indeed. The gene pool needs some chlorine.

Today's winner - middle aged woman in a new X3 pulls out from a commercial driveway directly in front of me as I approach at 40-45, and gets up to maybe 20. 4 lane road, and she sticks in the left lane. Absolute oblivion, no clue of other vehicles on the road. I tried to cut close when I got back into the left lane, but she was going to slow I was way past her in a fraction of a second. I would question how she bought that thing, but some might label that to be "jealousy" against the spoiled nonworking class :shades:

shrifty

Guess using the steering wheel isn't as important, got to have priorities!

This woman didn't feel she needed to pay too much attention either. Old story, but didn't see it listed in this forum after doing a quick search. If mentioned before, please ignore.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/02/27/ddn02270- 9breastfeedweb.html

KETTERING — A Harrison Twp. woman faces child endangering charges after police said she admitted to breastfeeding her child and talking on a cell phone while driving, according to Kettering Police Officer Michael Burke.

xwesx

That takes the cake. The worst part is that this woman is breeding! :surprise: :sick:

fintail

I thought exactly the same. It's a shame birth control can't be forced retroactively.

Today's winner: Young woman with huge sunglasses in an Escalade, texting while she drove holding the phone to the steering wheel rim, weaving around in her lane and got a honk from someone she almost scraped. I again have to question how she bought that rig...

xrunner2

Now what is being done on those 55 MPH rural roads that is inconsiderate?

Here's some inconsiderate bicylists.

Riding 2, 3 abreast, then moving over very slowly to allow motor vehicle to drive by.

Riding on twisty, curving, hilly 2-lane 55mph roads in double yellow zones, causing motor traffic to slow way down from 55 to 10-15 just to find safe spot to pass them. Sometimes these bikers can be found on these type roads with heavy semi traffic.

Blowing stop signs.

Bikes belong on lightly travelled low-speed limit city, suburb streets only, or on designated bike paths.

euphonium

Were she intelligent, she wouldn't be BFWD, but she is saving tax payers on formula.

snakeweasel

I never saw bicyclists on the back roads riding two abreast. Well unless they are pacelining and rotating who is in front. (thats where one rider rides infront and the others follow in his/her slipstream)

Hardly see them running stopsigns (usually see that in the burbs or city and usually while on hybrids).

I see far more inconsiderates in cars than I do on bikes.

snakeweasel

I am on I-55, in front of me in the right lane is a car about 1/4 to 1/2 a mile ahead of me with me slowly apporaching them. One car a little bit ahead of him (her?) in the next lane to the left and then the next traffic is way ahead of them. I am in the middle lane and the left lane is totally empty.

Behind me is one car approaching fast in my lane (the middle of three) I saw them signal and then merge to the right to pass me on the right. I thought to myself that that driver didn't use much common sense in their lane choice (the road at this point was straight and level so they should have been able to see the left lane being clear) and that they would have to pass me and cross two lanes of traffic to get into the left lane. Thats exactly what happened. Had they passed on the left they wouldbn't have had to cross two lanes after passing me.

This is what I think is a major problem, people failing to look ahead and plan when they drive.

xwesx

Were she intelligent, she wouldn't be BFWD, but she is saving tax payers on formula.

I'm sorry, but I have no idea what that means.... :sick:

shrifty

Breast Feeding While Driving?

Sad thing, someone will probably post a story about an even dumber driver soon, the way our country drives. :sick:

Not sure why, but every day I see at least one or two wrong way drivers on 1 way streets, past few days they have been coming at me head on (one this morning on the way to work). Either this, or people driving on the wrong side of the double-yellow.

A few days ago I was almost t-boned on the driver's side while making a left turn into a parking garage on a two way street. The car that almost hit me was traveling behind me in the oncoming traffic lane as if we were on a 1 way street! Saw about 3 or 4 in total on the wrong side of the line this weekend.

Is this common in other parts of the country? Sad thing is, the signs are rather adequate around here. One intersection has about 2 wrong way signs, 3 or 4 do not enter signs, and depending on the direction of travel, quite a few no left/right turn signs. I see at least 1 a day turn and go the wrong way on this street.

fintail

I suspect most drivers never look more ahead than the car directly in front of them

fintail

When you can get a license after a simple 15-20 minute test, you get some very dumbed down drivers. I have to wonder why the standards are so lax. I do have some theories.

Yesterday I saw a douchey late model 3 series coupe shoot down the wrong side of the road for half a block to avoid having to go around the block to go into a shopping mall garage :sick:

shrifty

That reminds me, last week I saw an idiot decide to back up a two-lane one way street through an intersection or two to avoid driving around the block as you have mentioned. :mad:

Fortunately everyone was able to avoid him.

xrunner2

I never saw bicyclists on the back roads riding two abreast.

It happens.

Justify why bicyclists should be riding at all on 55mph twisty, hilly, double yellow areas. Can't they find nice straight flat lightly used roads where they can easily be seen and we in motor vehicle can readily move around them. Such as light traffic city/suburban streets. They do not belong anywhere on 55 mph roads. And, they pay no taxes for using the roads. Taxes are paid through motor fuel and license tags.

It appears that some bicyclists have a death wish by their behavior. I always slow down considerably and give them very wide bearth when passsing. Life is precious. They do not seem to understand that.

snakeweasel

Why shouldn't they be allowed on the roads? Hate to tell you this, just about every bicyclist pays road taxes as just about every one drives. Plus the wear and tear that bikes put on roads are practically non existant.

shrifty

I agree, I would have no issues with bicyclists on the road if they ride responsibly.

I did see one person on a bicycle today on a two lane country road, he was keeping to the right as best he could. No issues at all with him.

Sadly this is not a common occurrence, so I'm sure the next few I pass will be inconsiderate.

snakeweasel

The vast majority of cyclists I see on rural roads are considerate. It's on the urban and suburban roads where I see the crap.

ronsteve

Also, the vast majority of cyclists riding on rural roads have chosen their route carefully... seeking out the roads that are as bike-friendly as possible, either because there is a bike lane or because that road otherwise easier to share than others. But getting TO a favorable road, or getting from one good cycling road to another, sometimes requires a more risky stretch. Otherwise, we'd have no way to get the miles in.

Also, in central NC, there's not a lot of straight road and even less flat road to be had!

Two abreast on a rural road usually only lasts long enough to let a rider fall back to the end of the line after completing his turn at the front.

The greatest amount of cycling stupidity tends to happen in the city, and does not involve spandex, or usually even a helmet.

fintail

A few idiots today - first one, a very large man in a trashed old Camry merging onto a highway. Weaved around and couldn't get up to speed evenly - because he was eating some kind of wrapped food, a sandwich or burger. Just what you want to do while merging!

Then went jogging. First close call was when I was in a crosswalk and some bastardly old greybeard on a bike ran the red and nearly clipped me. I had some words for him. Second one was just down the road, errant young high maintenance woman in a newly plated RX was in a hurry to get to Whole Foods (where you can get 8 things for only $100) and got pretty close to me before stopping, too. I'd question how someone of her abilities paid for that rig, but that would paint me as unreasonable and jealous :shades:

Also insane slow traffic in general around here today, it's amazing how people can dawdle at 25 in a 35-40 with bottlenecks that eventually make gridlock. Add some poor traffic control to the mix, and lots of gas is wasted. Maybe what some want...

snakeweasel

1.) On the way to work appraoching an intersection some lady in an SUV made a right turn on red right infront of me. Since there was no other traffic near me I just merged into the left lane and passed her. Poetic justice strikes as after she makes the turn and starts acceleration someone pulls out in front of her from the corner gas station.

2.) Got behind a Durango, still going to work, and noticed the driver with what appeared to be a back scratcher and was scrating his back with it as he was driving down the road.

3.) Still on the way to work I appraoched an intersection where the light was red and traffic was backed up several cars. I intended to make a right turn so I entered the right turn lane which was completely empty. As I am traveling in the right turn lane passing the traffic stopped at the light the light turns green and traffic starts to move. An SUV (see a pattern?) in the right lane decides they want to make a right turn and starts to merge into the right lane just as I get next to him. :surprise:

Well anyway I did make it to work unharmed.

tjc78

On the way in this morning a Tundra (on a two lane road) decides to swerve into my lane coming at me head on. I am guessing he was leaning over to pick up somthing he dropped as there was no one near him to cause him to swerve. Luckly, my car has decent brakes :surprise:

fintail

I am amazed at how many cars are out at 0530 with no lights on. Yes I know, you can see, but that's not the point.

Best one was a late model base 328i (lease special no doubt), no lights, swerves across 2 lanes into an exit lane (I was already there), makes an unsignalled turn and zooms up a street near the office where I work. I can make a few guesses about the driver :shades: :sick:

hammerhead

Re #1: I've been seeing a *lot* of that sort of behavior lately - It's almost like I'm invisible. Can't explain it.

Fin: It's pretty light out here at 0530 - at least at this time of year... light enough that I might not consider headlights. Maybe if I had them on all the time (I don't), it would alleviate the invisibility factor in #1 above :confuse:

the_big_al

I personally think that unless the sun is shining you should have your lights on. Not for your sake of being able to see, but for the sake of others being able to see you. At 530 here, it's still pretty dim, however in AZ I know that at 530 the sun has already crept above the horizon and so it's generally light enough?

fintail

That's exactly it - lights to be seen, not to see. There is a bit of light here at 0530, but on a cloudy morning it is pretty dim and people tend not to be very awake.

xrunner2

I am amazed at how many cars are out at 0530 with no lights on.

At sunset and beyond, "amazed" about how many drivers think it is OK to drive with parking lights on, no headlights. My unscientific analysis, data collection shows it is usually pickup truck drivers. What the heck is this about? Do they think that it is "cool"? What dopes.

hammerhead

Geez - if they can't see me coming in broad daylight - perhaps they shouldn't be driving? (Especially in my 'speeding-ticket-red' truck) :confuse:

fintail

I don't know if we have broad daylight here at 0530 in the June gloom

But I am a lights-on-always type in my modern car - it's a dark color and people are insanely oblivious drivers in my area, they need all the help they can get, as our dumbing down licensing standards aren't helping anything :shades: :sick:

fintail

I think there is a "cool" thing to it - I don't see it myself, though. I'll take it over no lights, anyway.

A few fun ones today. First was a rental Corolla that wouldn't get up over 30 in a 40. I weaved around a little behind him, and he moved over, slowed even more as a line of cars then got to pass him. Second was a woman in what I will call "traditional headgear" who was also going about 10 under and was horrible about getting going at green lights. How can that crap be legal? I think I will start wearing a hockey goalie mask when I drive :shades: Third and best for last...typical corporate [non-permissible content removed] in a white X5, suit and tie, phone to his ear, goes straight in a turn only lane. Only problem is there is a car in the straight lane - a little old grandma in a Passat wagon. Bless her heart, she absolutely laid on the horn and did not give in, making him drop back.

snakeweasel

And one PO'd cop.

On the way to work yesterday morning I took a 5 lane road (two in each direction and a medium for left turns) where an accident happened. Traffic was back up pretty much and I was in the left lane with a 3 series BMW right behind me. On the medium were a few police cars with their mars lights going and in the right lane was a stopped truck. As I approached the stopped truck I noticed an officer next to the truck talking to the driver. As traffic slowly passed the truck the officer stepped in the left lane behind me and stopped the BMW and the traffic behind him. We moved enough ahead so that the truck could turn around and go back the other way.

Well the big truck was big enough that it had to do a three point turn. The officer knew this and as the truck cleared our side of the road the officer step out from infront of the BMW to straddle the two lanes to stop traffic in both lanes so the truck could back up. Well you guessed it, as soon as the officer got out from infront of the BMW the BMW went forward. The truck backed up and that was the end of the BMW.

We were stopped right infront of this, I heard some yelling and looked in my rear view. I looked just in time to see the officer jumping back and the truck hitting the BMW. Just glad that I was past that point when that happened.

shrifty

Around here, about 25% or more drive with their parking lights ( if they don't have drls). It doesn't matter what type of vehicle, I'd say it is evenly distributed. They also need to swing wide into the next lane when turning with their invisible 40 foot trailer.

xrunner2

Around here, about 25% or more drive with their parking lights

Oxymoron? Drive with "parking" lights? As David Letterman would say: "Duhhhhh"?

oregonboy

Here on the left coast, there is a definite trend for the "parking light drivers" to be piloting: large trucks, pickups, and vehicles of sporting pretensions.

My daughter and I conducted informal surveys on long drives together and the relationship was undeniable. The reason why those particular drivers think it is cool is a bit of a mystery.

ruking1

While I am sure the laws are pretty similar, in CA it is pretty clear, from sun down to sun rise (headlamps lit).

shrifty

Well, we do drive on parkways and park in driveways....

shrifty

Not sure, but I think in PA there is a half hour after sunrise and half hour before sunset rule. Can't confirm, but without enforcement it won't happen. I guess we have to deal with it.

For me, if I find it a bit difficult to see a car without lights on, I make sure to turn mine on so I can be seen by others.

stever

And go nowhere during rush hour. :shades:

shrifty

I' be been fortunate with my travels to keep this at a minimum, but from what I have seen is the east coast rush hour has some of the worst.

fintail

Oh the wide turners, along with those who slow waaay down for a turn as if their vehicle is filled with Faberge eggs and Tiffany lamps. Small truck drivers are especially good at this, along with new residents and our elders. The poorly turning Harley I saw a couple weeks ago was also memorable.

shrifty

Definitely no need to slow down that much. When I came back from Ohio with a fully loaded suv with fireworks, we didn't slow down that much. Just kept to the limit to not attract attention from the law. :shades:

snakeweasel

Oh the wide turners, along with those who slow waaay down for a turn

Add to that the ones who slow down when they notice the car slightly infront of them in the other lane is slowing down for a turn.

fintail

And then when the turning car is gone, they don't speed back up...

I've noticed another clue for bad drivers - windshield wiper speed. Today we had some very light rain during my evening commute, that odd summer sprinkle that isn't enough to make the pavement wet. Camry in front of me with CA plate frames and a driver who could barely see over the wheel had the wipers going full speed. Lo and behold, it drove slow and obliviously.

shrifty

I went to the ER today for some issues. They said I'd be ok to drive, but need to get to the ENT quickly as she was preparing for my visit. I was walking out of the ER at the same time as an officer. He ended up driving behind me for about 5 or so miles at about double the limit in a 25. Didn't stop me, just let me be. I'm sure he knew my situation, and I appreciate the quick medical care I was able to receive as a result. I was fit to drive, just had some throat issues that needed prompt attention.

gogogodzilla

My driving rule is that if I can't clearly see my speedometer and tachometer... then the lights come on. That, and the lights come on if it's raining, snowing, etc, etc, etc.

shrifty

That is also another good rule to have. I was driving my mother's Caliber one day, and the vehicle broke my rule. The dash lights are on all the time, regardless if the lights are on. I didn't realize this at first, but then I looked over at the radio/temperature controls and saw they were off... Bad design.

snakeweasel

The wifes Sonata is like that, the dash is back lit all the time. The lights actually dim a bit when you turn on the headlights to adjust for the darker lighting conditions. However there is an indicator on the dash that tells you when the headlights are on and the car has daylight running lights.

the_big_al

the problem arises when the dash is always lit, whether the headlamps are on or not. I see this frequently. I'll be cruising down the road and approaching a vehicle that doesn't have lights on that should and as I pass them, I can glance over and notice the dash lit. This happens a lot during the "I can still see" hours of the day, but I've also noticed it frequently during full dark and that is what boggles me.

xwesx

Hahah; that's brilliant. That driver must have been completely zoned out not to understand what was going on there. :sick:

tjc78

However there is an indicator on the dash that tells you when the headlights are on and the car has daylight running lights.

I think since 05 or 06 that indicator is mandatory, since people were thinking if the dash lights are on the headlights must be.