Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

ruking1

In 20/20 hindsight, I made a mistake. I should have reported it. If that happened today and I did not press/report the issue, the perp would probably blame ME for a hit and run and damages to her car. No good deed goes unpunished. :lemon:

tjc78

In a race with an IS of any displacement, the Sentra will lose

I bet a Sentra SEr would give an IS250 a good run.

backy

"the Sentra" ==> my Sentra (2.0S w/CVT)

snakeweasel

Here is what happened; getting off the tollway end of the ramp is two right turn lanes feeding onto a street with three lanes in each direction and a raised medium. About halfway up the ramp the light at the end turns green giving traffic a green turn arrow. Since I will be making the very first left after I get on the street (maybe 100 yards from the ramp) I take the left right turn lane and turn into the far left lane. Then this lady who was making the right turn in the right lane next to me cuts across the two lanes of traffic into my lane a clips me.

Damage to the right side of the car just behind the headlight, part dented in and part sticking out. about the size you would expect if someone wacked it with a hammer. Some scratches and looks like a crack in the bumper.

$1,271.06 is the estimate to repair. Shop would need the car for three days.

Just talked to my insurance company, they stated that she neglected to tell them that there are two right turn lanes at that ramp. She also told them that I hit her in the rear, her damage is on the left side of the car not the back. They also said that she went to the doctors for back pain from the accident. After the accident she was rubbing her back and I asked her if she was OK, she responded that she was having back spasms all day.

My insurance company says that if her insurance companies doesn't accept the accident as her fault that they will fight it. The basically stated that it's a slam dunk that its her fault.

OK back to taxes. :sick:

xwesx

Great timing, too, I'm sure, given that this is your "busy" time of the year! :sick: All told, though, that's an incredibly small bill for damage to a modern car.

I had an interesting situation last night as well, but no vehicular contact. Mine involved another driver who was, apparently, buttsore about me passing. I just don't get that. The person was driving five to ten under the limit, so I approached, passed, and returned to my lane. Then, apparently, ten over was a great speed because the driver decided to crawl up my backside with brights on as I resumed my original speed and we continued down the road.

xrunner2

Sorry about the crash/scrape. Were the cops called to document the situation?

A few years back, I parked close to the entrance door to a Costco on a very cold day. I most always park far away near an island or penninsula.

So, come out with stuff in the basket and get near the rear hatch of my Honda Ody and see two dents on the right side of the hatch door. An inconsiderate idiot driver involved. Dents were pretty small. Got two estimates. One was about $1300 the other a couple hundred bucks more. Unbelievable how expensive are what seem minor dents.

They also said that she went to the doctors for back pain from the accident. After the accident she was rubbing her back and I asked her if she was OK, she responded that she was having back spasms all day.

From what you describe, did not seem like a lot of g-force involved. Looks like somebody trying to take advantage. But, hey. This is the Chicago area. There have been stories for decades in Chicago where a bus gets in an accident and people nearby on the sidewalks manage to work their way onto the bus and then claim they have back pain, spasms and reinforce their scam by getting a ride in ambulance to the hospital.

stever

Sounds like an intoxicated driver.

Bummer Snake. :sick:

imidazol97

>There have been stories for decades in Chicago where a bus gets in an accident and people nearby on the sidewalks manage to work their way onto the bus and then claim they have back pain, spasms

Wasn't that on video from a major city? Chicago or LA?

stickguy

Philidalphia. It is like a civic pasttime down here. GOt so bad, that they installed cameras on the buses. and you still see videos of people trying to jump on after an accident.

snakeweasel

Great timing, too, I'm sure, given that this is your "busy" time of the year!

Sure is, this time of year vampires see more daylight than me.

snakeweasel

Were the cops called to document the situation?

Yep we got a police report. No tickets were issued but my guess is that it would be real hard for her insurance company to avoid paying for this.

snakeweasel

But this time it was a deer that ran across the street right in front of me.

So since it wasn't another car I guess it doesn't fit this forum. :shades:

fintail

This morning I got on the highway, first car I encountered was a LLCing maroon Camry. That set the tone for the day. Rising gas prices must have people trying to conserve or something - slowpokes everywhere, regularly seeing people going 10-15 under in all conditions. Slow for the Seattle metro area = very very slow anywhere else.

andres3

I thought so too, but when I mentioned to Mercury that they should pay up for the 3/4 of a gas tank that was lost, they pretty much ignored me. I never got paid for the loss of gas, which at the time was probably around $4/gallon, so about $40 bucks in gas.

They did pay for about 1.2 gallons that the dealership had to put into the new replacement tank so I could at least drive off the lot. I do not know if the dealership siphoned off the last few gallons in the old tank, but they did have a receipt for a gas station that got reimbursed for a few bucks of gas.

andres3

I think maybe merging lane dummy signs would help.

LIke a sign halfway up the on-ramp that says you should be going "OVER 45 by NOW!."

Then at 75% down the length of the ramp, another sign saying "Be at 55 or MORE by now!"

andres3

AZ is a strange state. They have BIG BROTHER watching you in areas telling you that there is photo radar in place (though I think it got shot down by the courts, and no one was paying the mailed tickets anyway.)

However, they also have nice comfortable 75 MPH speed limits, which don't exist in CA. Amazingly, the average speed on these roads was in the 75 to 80 MPH range, same as on a 65 or 70 speed limited CA highway.

The higher speed limits don't automatically make you want to go 10 over as some argue. I found myself respecting the speed limit more and staying about 5 or less over the speed limit. I think a realistic speed limit helps gain respect from the public, including myself, and its easier to obey or obey close enough. In CA I just ignore the speed limits all together.

HOwever, in AZ they don't have 70 MPH speed limits where they are warranted. It's either 75 or 65, no in between. I found myself cruising about the same speed or maybe just a couple MPH or three less than I did in the 75 zones.

Drivers seem to respect the left lane for passing moreso in AZ, not perfect, but better than in CA. The AZ Highway Patrol's presence was seen and felt all around. They nailed this driver in front of me that probably passed me for the 5th time, after I passed them 4 times.

The thing is, I had it on cruise control the whole time, and they just kept speeding up after I passed them and slowing down after they passed me. The last time they passed me, the radar detector went off shortly afterward, and this time they built up a pretty good lead, enough of a lead that the Partol Car shot into the fast lane from the median in front of me as the offender passed in a 65 zone. They were probably going 75-80. I was doing 75, but due to radar read outs I had slowed very gradually down to about 69 when I saw the patrol car visually with my own eyes.

backy

Yeah, but then some idiot will plow into the back of another car that was NOT going over 45 (or over 55), maybe because of weather or traffic congestion or what-not, and the idiot who rammed the other car will go to court and use the defense that, "What I did was legal because the posted signs told me my speed was OK!"

But that would probably only happen in CA.

backy

In CA I just ignore the speed limits all together.

I think we've all figured that out by now, from your earlier posts.

tjc78

The higher speed limits don't automatically make you want to go 10 over as some argue

The last time I was in Montana on 75 MPH SL roads I parked the cruise on 84. I didn't touch the pedals for at one point over 60 miles! I did pass an officer on the other side of the road and he just kept on going.

I'm not sure if he didn't radar me, or I was under the threshold of stopping me. I know in Jersey the State Police can radar you if its a clear sight line while moving in the opposite direction.

andres3

But that would probably only happen in CA.

Actually, I read an article recently that said per Capita, New Jersey has the most lawyers of any city in the US. The article was about the 5 most expensive cities to pay auto insurance.

I suppose in CA they'd have to have some "fine print" on the sign that said "conditions permitting," or something to that effect.

andres3

Based on a quick straw poll it seems that the vast majority of traffic enforcement officials in CA all have the standard grace speed margin of 12-14 MPH. Go 15 over, and you'll get pulled over and cited. Go 12-13 over, and you should be fine, statistically speaking.

andres3

I think we've all figured that out by now, from your earlier posts.

I should add that when officers are present, I heed the Speed Limits.

With my Garmin Navigator, I always know what the speed limit is in any area.

Even better, I just recently aqcuired Escort's new smart cord live bluetooth capable wire power source. Combined with a smart phone and my GPS enabled radar detector, I both get and give real time updates.

It's pretty amazing. Fellow Escort Radar Dectector owners' radar warnings will show up on my phone if they are using the same new smartcord, before my detector can give me the same warning.

It's taking the "flash your lights to warn motorists about Johnny law's hiding spot" to the 21st Century.

Also, the Phone App will tell you the speed limit of any given road you are driving, without needing the Garmin anymore. It also gives a "exceeding speed limit" verbal warning everytime you go over the speed limit. With my driving in CA's ultra underposted speed limit society, I need to figure out how to turn off that audible warning voice on my phone

m6vx

Actually, I read an article recently that said per Capita, New Jersey has the most lawyers of any city in the US

When did New Jersey lose its statehood?

snakeweasel

With my Garmin Navigator, I always know what the speed limit is in any area.

I wouldn't bet on that. I have one of those Garmin Navigators and it is frequently wrong. The one main street that goes past my house goes from 45 to 40. Going from the 45 SL to the 40 the Garmin has the SL at 45 for almost a mile after it goes down to 40 (or tells you the SL went up a mile early if you are going the other way). Another road near me that goes from a 45 to a 35 SL the garmin has the SL at 35 about a half mile or more before the SL drops.

These are well established SL's that haven't changed in more than a decade.

I know other streets where the Garmin is never right about the SL and again these are long established SL's.

snakeweasel

Here in IL the state troopers will generally let you do about 10 over. However there are some places along the Interstate where local police will nab you for just a few miles over the limit.

ruking1

I think one also has to keep in mind that a LEO (CA anyway) is instructed to be within 3 mpg (aka defensible.) This means (with that metric) you can get a ticket going 65 mph (in say a 65 mph zone) for a 68 mpg infraction. As you can see he/she would be CLOSE ENOUGH !!!! :lemon: Is this right/wrong? No. You can always take it to court. I am sure we know how THAT usually goes.????

fintail

And it's all about safety, not money. Don't forget that :sick:

I saw a couple of inconsiderate walkers today, both walking out into traffic and stopping cars to cross the street. Both met a specific gender and age profile, but I wouldn't want to appear to be prejudicial...

Last night I rode in a car driven by a friend from Chicago. His driving is different from here in the PNW. He wanders around in his lane a lot, is generally distracted, and is amazed at both how slow people drive here, and how people will let you in if you simply signal, no fighting involved.

Also got behind one of my pet peeves, a car that will stop about 1.5 car lengths behind the car in front of it at a light, and slowly creep up every several seconds. Why do people here do that?

ruking1

Oh yes !!

Normally folks on foot and in cars are pretty easy to read. So to me a specific gender, age profile, etc will just "flow" if you will, what I will do.

Yes, I am a firm believer in " when in Rome"...". I have driven extensively in Chicago,Boston, DC., NYC also. So yes, transplanting to the Seattle/TAC area can definitely be a contrast. Seattle/TAC area amuses me in that it is entertaining to think you can do a Chevy Chase and do (in reality) just fine. Watching paint dry is a blood sport in comparison.

fintail

I can usually scan pedestrians or cars and know which ones to look out for just by appearance - ie: I am more likely to see a stupid move by the beige Corolla than by the A6 beside it.

To drive here, one must be able to accept that loafing along at 10 under with no obstructing traffic or road conditions is seen as normal, and that going 5 over will put you in the top 5% of speed.

the_big_al

I just started going back (starting is more like since I never began) to school after 15 years and to avoid paying the exorbitant fees for parking I park on a residential street a few blocks away. The school campus is part of the downtown area encompassing several blocks and buildings including the public library. To get there I walk under the freeway and then across a 3 lane one street that is part of the main drag through downtown. It has designated crosswalks in addition to several lights. I usually cross at non-light protected walk. It always amazes me though how many cars just whiz by with no regard to those standing on the curb trying to cross.

The law states that vehicular traffic must come to a stop so a pedestrian can cross. This is not to be confused with screeching to a halt because some moronic idiot just attempted to cross without bothering to pay heed to the two ton vehicle baring down on them. However, if a person is standing on the curb in an apparent attempt to cross a vehicle must come to a stop.

I can remember several instances standing there, looking down the road seeing that I am clear or can see that the vehicle is far enough away to stop and so I'll begin to cross only to realize that they have no intention of stopping. So I wait and then one lane will stop, maybe two, but the third will not and I refuse to start across until all three lanes are stopped. I get weird frustrating looks from drivers, but I just point at the car that just whooshed by in the last lane and smile. How hard is it to tell that the lanes next to you are stopped? However I always try and make a point to wave and show my thanks to the cars that have stopped as I cross the street. I also make it a point to get across as quickly as possible.

ruking1

Stay both safe and street smart !! In San Francisco, so called one of the more walk able cities, pedestrian injuries and deaths are almost at an epidemic proportion. Now I have read that pedestrians in a majority of the accidents are at fault, but it does not sound like the case for you. My take is discretion is the better part of valor.

stever

main drag through downtown

That was a gripe I had about Boise. They had two one-way 4 lane main drags dividing downtown. Idiotic. Not only was it a pedestrian hazard, it deterred shoppers from hitting all the stores, so it costs them tax money.

fintail

Yeah, not stopping for crosswalks is a problem. It happens here a lot when there is a crosswalk with a green walk sign, some vehicles - high end SUVs especially for some reason, like to crowd in or cut it close when people are walking.

One of the idiot walkers yesterday was crossing 6 lanes where there wasn't even a crosswalk, not to mention against a light. I don't mourn when such people get hit.

fintail

Last night I had a weird vision of my car somehow being written off and having to go through the hassle of replacement. Today I was stopped at a light and some kids in a 90s LeSabre came up pretty fast behind me and had to brake hard...almost got to live that bad dream.

Other winners include a woman in a Jeep Commander that looked like it was blinged out in Tijuana, who wanted a left turn lane late and stopped traffic to get it, and an Astro van that pulled right out in front of me as I was going 30, I got to brake to avoid hitting it, and see how long I could honk until my hand got tired.

elias

by "MLC" i meant middle-lane-controller, someone who refuses to move to the right lane when available. similar to an LLC but not *quite* as bad...

ps - your fave parts of CVC = my fave parts of CVC .

pps - the National Motorists Association is great !

ruking1

Tis good then to be an ALLF (any legal lane floater).

elias

speeding uphill is an effective tactic indeed! works great with torquey motors such as diesels and V8s. then over the crest of the hill be ready for the speed trap, and slow down to the unwritten highway speed-limit which is usually 74.9 mph in the northeast regardless of whether posted limit is 55 or 65...

elias

guys, the quick-right turn trick doesn't fool actual police just tv police. in real-world, it's the first thing a pursuing officer will check .
you can trust me on this one.

elias

sounds almost like an accident scammer intentionally crashing into you across the two lanes like that. the accident-scams are actually more sophisticated though... glad you are ok , man, !

elias

ALLF sounds good, and at least one L better than that wacky old tv show
Actually when traffic & tailgators reach a certain density I shun the left lane, like the bigrigs are required to do! Sometimes I drive so casually as to eliminate the bigrig-logjams caused by MLCs (safely creating convenient conditions where a bunch of bigrigs can pass the slowpoke Middle-Lane-Controller legally via the right-lane.)

(have you heard the george carlin routine about driving, maniacs vs idiots? funny stuff!)

fintail

Drove a bit on 405 and 167 in metro Seattle yesterday. Nothing too horrible, but numerous LLCs, especially on the night drive home. Once home I then paced a Prius taxi which was averaging an easy 50 in a 30...which made me think I have never seen a taxi pulled over by the revenue enforcers. Maybe they are in some kind of cahoots like the insurance companies are with the traffic regulators.

backy

Actually, one patrol car was going to pull the Prius over, but realized it was a Prius going 50 in a 30 zone, and they were so flabbergasted they ran off the road and the Prius got away.

Must have happened before you got there.

xwesx

Oh, man... I hope the poor fella was okay! :P

euphonium

The turbine around his head saved him.

backy

Saved him? Probably KILLED him--those turbine blades are fast, and sharp!

aghosh

>

When will racism go away for good??? :sick:

Claires

No clue, but non sequiturs, bad puns, and inconsiderate driving will probably be with us forever.

snakeweasel

Took my car to the shop yesterday morning to get the repairs done. They found additional damage after getting the car apart, but it was just the headlight got cracked. They called me a little while ago the car is ready and I can pick it up anytime tomorrow. :shades:

They gave me a Yaris as a loaner, I hate that car.

The other guys insurance company is dragging its feet about covering it though. That means I have to pay the deductible and wait for the other insurance company to pay up.

xwesx

That's frustrating. It sounds to me like the responding officer dropped the ball by not citing the other driver for an infraction. When a citation is issued, it makes follow through with insurance companies much easier.

backy

Civic with a woman driving was ahead of me today, turning right via a dedicated right turn lane. The dedicated lane continued onto the cross street. However, this driver decided to stop dead and wait for all traffic on the other lanes to pass before turning... which was quite awhile. I could see her doing that if she had the need to make a quick left turn, but the next possible left was over 1/4 mile away. Anyway, after turning she stayed in the dedicated lane and drove a block to a freeway entrance. Light was red. No matter. She hardly slowed down before turning right, onto the freeway--almost hitting a car turning left with the green arrow.