Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options

Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

1320321323325326478

Comments

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    Spent a few hours driving to and from podunk this week. Not many issues - had two speeder uppers when being passed, a few distracted types who couldn't keep it in their lane, but the worst was LLCs. Seemed like a lot more than normal, maybe high gas prices has them pretending to have a second job as a deputy. I once actually used the evolved German method of signalling to wake up the slowpoke (90s Toyota pickup going 57mph in the left lane of 405 with nobody in front of him for a mile, shocking), and it worked, he got over, but didn't look very pleased. On secondary 4 lane roads I passed on the right several times, some people going way under the limit in the left. I never had a long term cruising speed of more than 6 or 7 over, so it's not like I was flying either.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    Call them in as suspected drunks...it's happened before in Bellingham :shades: :sick:

    Oh yeah, driving in a random rain shower this morning on 5 north of Tacoma. About half the cars hit their brakes! It wasn't a downpour, and they were lucky to be going the limit to begin with. What is it with people here, it rains 300 days a year and they still freak out.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Living here has nothing to do with developing a vision talent that lets you see through the foggy washup and spray.

    Sorry about your LLC that moved Right, because you wouldn't and why not?
    Either you or the LLC will move right so why insist on him moving? :P

    A podunk farmer knows, "It's easier to plow around the stump."
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    edited May 2011
    Even so, is some rain an excuse to hit the brakes on a straight lightly populated interstate? People here are incompetent. Same ones who merge at 41 mph and get confused at a 4 way stop.

    Obstructing traffic is illegal, right? ;) Right lane traffic was moving virtually the same speed as him. Funny though, when he got over and I moved past, he slowed even more...fell out of my line of sight within a minute.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    edited May 2011
    Winners this morning: minibus makes a right turn from the far left lane, crossing over 2 lanes diagonally to turn right. Then right on its heels a "new resident" looking driver in a Camry pulls the same move. Nice to see that socio-economic conditions aren't the only things being dumbed down by globalization.

    Also had 2 crosswalk close calls while jogging, both coffee drinkers, shocking, and I also saw a crosswalk walker have a very close call with a young woman in a new style X3 - I bet she bought it herself, right.
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Technically, you are right, but practically you are impatient.

    Why didn't you just wait until you could go around on his right? :D
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    edited May 2011
    Of course I am impatient, demanding too, insisting that someone get up to the frightening speed of 60mph or move over where he belongs. It's not like I was going 10 over or something.

    The right lane was going the same speed as the LLC, or maybe even marginally faster. But it's the responsibility of the LLC to move over, not for me to pass on the right. Sharing the road is a two way street, the slow and timid need to take responsibility too.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,928
    edited May 2011
    The person on the left lane going slow to move over to the right and let a pass happen on the left, then it is for a person to pass on the right.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    I love it.

    "...Northwest drivers have a reputation for camping in the left lane and holding up cars that are trying to pass"

    I hadn't noticed :shades:

    I hope this is actually enforced and not ignored, like phone laws seem to have been.
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    edited May 2011
    increased risk of head-on collisions with wrong-way drunken drivers who think they are in the right lane.

    Yeah, that happens to me all the time. :P
    Geez, were they that desperate for reasons why LLC-ing is a bad idea? :sick:
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    I only see that near bigger metro areas. If they do LLC camp, normally you can pass on the right.
  • shriftyshrifty Member Posts: 255
    I wish it were that simple to pass on the right here, not a major area though. Our LLCs for the most part will do whatever it takes to prevent you from passing on the right, with the exception of moving over into the right lane. Once they notice you, it then somehow becomes a race as they speed up to prevent the pass. As soon as they catch up to the next car they slow down to about the same speed as the person on the right. Very annoying.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,928
    Passing on the right is ill advised and should only be used as a last resort for dealing with someone that simply refuses to move out of the left lane no matter what you do.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2011
    When you have that luxury, I'd say use it. The only time I have ever seen something like that was on a 80 mph speed limit Texas interstate where they actually enforce keep right except to pass. GB TEXAS !!
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,928
    TEXAS gets it....

    I wish California would learn some lessons from Texas.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Because I generally drive in light-to-moderate traffic and I always "Keep Right Except to Pass", I am frequently in the right lane as I overtake LLCers. I just "cruise on by", with my eye on their car and my thumb on the horn button.

    If my speed is only slightly higher that the camper's, I will speed up a bit to reduce the time spent adjacent to their vehicle. :blush:
  • shriftyshrifty Member Posts: 255
    Out of curiosity, what is the first resort for the LLC who refuses to move over?
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Out of curiosity, what is the first resort for the LLC who refuses to move over?

    image

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

  • shriftyshrifty Member Posts: 255
    Only one problem with that, not enough ammo! I'd be out in 15 miles max :D
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    I prefer James Bond's Aston Martin with the dual hidden machine guns--also the tire shredders. More subtle. Never knew what hit 'em. I think one of his later cars had guided missles. That would probably be overkill for LLC--save those for the really boneheaded drivers.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    I think one of his later cars had guided missles.

    I have always thought that every neighborhood should be outfitted with car alarm seeking missles. If a car alarm goes off for more than 1 minute the system solves the poblem.

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

  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,928
    First I'll do a double high beam flash from way back to give the guy going WAY TOO slow time to move over. My hope is he's paying some attention and will get out of the way in time to not impeded traffic (ie make me hit the brakes and waste brake pad, rotor, and gas).

    Funny thing is either 1) they are not paying attention to anything on the road including high beam flashes, 2) they want to control people behind them and refuse to move, or 3) they move over so slowly that you have to brake down to their speed anyway. I'm talking a movement of about 1" to the right per second; very slow!

    I'll usually double flash them at the point where I think they can still get out of the way if they hurry for the 2nd time. If that doesn't work, I will either drive on the left line of my lane so that they get the message in their left mirror.

    2nd resorts include: Honking (I extremely rarely have done that to LLC's though; maybe just a quick one occassionally as I'm passing on the right by force from them) I've known other drivers with loud engines/exhault/mufflers will rev their engines behind them to send the message, but I don't know how effective that is for someone in front of you that probably has the stereo on loudly anyway.

    3rd resort: ride their bumper moderately until they get out of the way or pass on the right.

    Aggressive tactics I"ve seen used: ride their bumper very closely, lay on the horn until they move, cut them off when you pass on right move back into the left lane 2' in front of their front bumper to send the message. Also, when going by a speed limit sign (when they are under it) point to it with your middle finger and give a look of disgust that hopefully they will see in their review mirror to remind them of the speed limit.

    Extreme tactic: After cutting them off slam the brakes and make them go 15 slower than the slow speed they wanted to go in the first place.

    Any other cool ideas?
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,946
    Extreme tactic: After cutting them off slam the brakes and make them go 15 slower than the slow speed they wanted to go in the first place.


    Super Extreme tactic: (especially applicable to large SUV/Truck drivers). Simply bump them from behind until they move :P

    Actually IMHO the best way to deal with an LLC is to safely move over to the right and pass. No drama, no finger waving etc. If they want to try and speed up a simple punch to the floor will do the trick (290 HP has its place at times)

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    edited May 2011
    For me, a honk is accident avoidance, or maybe for something insanely dumb. I'm a good light flasher though - also technically supposed to be verboten in Germany, but I have seen it many times there, along with tailgating someone with the signal on when you want them to move over. There, the slowpoke just moves over, sadly, it often creates a war here, as people think they can play traffic cop. I still want to get an old Power Wagon and just move the scaredy cats and wannabe LEOs myself.

    I've also pointed at speed limit signs...never really truly brake checked, although I have passed and slowed down, to make a point, especially with those who speed up while being passed, which seems like another local disease (happened to me just yesterday).
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    How about this for a tactic: demonstrate considerate driving practices. Show the inconsiderate drivers how it's supposed to be done. Maybe they'll wise up in time. Also it's a lot safer than tactics such as riding someone's bumper (who knows, they could brake check YOU) or cutting in front of them right off their front bumper when you pass them.
  • jensadjensad Member Posts: 388
    I always belived that cars should be equiped with "Ben Hur hub cabs that when you pass another car, you push a button on the dash and the razor sharp prongs come out and slash the other car's tires.

    In an alternative, I would use my steel pushbumpers and have a spring in each so after one tap the springs would catalput the offending car into the lane to me left and then I would have a clear shot passing them.

    I do remember three of us in three CHP cars were chasing a murder's car on the Eastshore Freeway and one of the "newer" CHP officers were driving the lead CHP car. He sped up and hit the rear of the fleeing car at about 30 mph. The front car spun our of control and stopped near the Albany exit.

    He fled on foot but the local police caught him. It was a crazy time in the 1967-76 years, and I am sooooo glad to be retired from that very dangerous job.

    Good luck to all and stay safe.

    jensad
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    The James Bond style shredders that come out of the wheel hubs are the perfect solution - it's been done. I wonder what a retrofit would cost ;)

    Something with metal bumpers is a necessity, modern cars with endless plastic just won't cut it.

    I bet there was some wild stuff back then too, especially in CA.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    Any other cool ideas?

    I wouldn't recommend any of those.

    Flashing high beams is illegal and could cause an accident if you happen to blind the driver in front of you.

    Honking the horn could escalate the situation and make things worse.

    Riding their bumper is illegal and could also cause an accident (if they break you will hit them before your foot hits the brake) and it will be your fault.

    Best thing to do is follow behind them at a reasonable distance until you can safely pass them then do so without being agressive. It truely doesn't cost you much time. Plus it will help prevent ulcers.

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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    It's only illegal if you get caught, right? It's also illegal to obstruct traffic...

    If there's no oncoming traffic, just make it downshift and pop around. No problem in my car anyway.
  • shriftyshrifty Member Posts: 255
    About 3 - 5 years ago I would have done exactly as you have described, but today these items would not work. A method I have used rarely for safety reasons I have described in message 16174 (not recommended though!).

    I have found that driving behind an LLC it can help to drive with your hazards on. The constant flashing tends to bother them for some reason.

    Instead of riding to the left of the lane, I actually ride more to the right behind them and put on my right turn signal. Not sure why, but it has worked a few times.

    On a two-lane back road we were traveling around 10-15 under the limit, so I put the hazards on. The guy in front pulled off to the side to let me pass, then gave me the finger and flashed his high beams on when I passed. I must say I was pleased with the results as I didn't have to crawl at his pace the rest of the way home.

    Typically around here, LLCs tend to have a massive chip on their shoulders. They refuse to move over, but if you are driving in the right lane they will speed up to try and prevent you from going around. This generally has nothing to do with the speed limit (could be more, could be less), but more to do with their chosen speed to be applied to everyone. As expected, they will slow down once they catch up to another vehicle and will pace them to keep you behind. I would guess this applies to about 85-90% of them.

    Best idea is to pick up the pace and blow past on the right, then cut left as quick as you can in front to prevent them from speeding up to block you.

    I have no idea why there is such an animosity for driving in the right lane, I guess I will never understand.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    It's only illegal if you get caught, right?

    So is bank robbery.

    It's also illegal to obstruct traffic...

    Here in IL the law reads that it is illegal to interfere with the legal use of the road.

    If there's no oncoming traffic, just make it downshift and pop around. No problem in my car anyway.

    Kind of hard to do on an Interstate.

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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    edited May 2011
    All crimes are not equal,nor are all laws. Blind deference to laws formed by overpaid irresponsible idiots is not what the nation was founded on.

    Thankfully I don't live in the most corrupt state in the union :sick: LLCing is illegal in my neck of the woods, and LEOs have at least promised enforcement.

    Interstates usually have many lanes, even easier to pop around those who shouldn't be driving at all.

    Just keep right.
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    All crimes are not equal,nor are all laws

    Depends on your viewpoint.

    Just keep right.

    Most of my interstate driving I stay out of the right lane, but then again I live in the Chicago Metro area where all the interstates have at least three lanes. Just to many people merging on and off in that right lane so I usually stay in one of the middle lanes.

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

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    I am sure you move with the flow of traffic too, I doubt anyone who is awake enough to post on an automotive forum is an oblivious driver.
  • shriftyshrifty Member Posts: 255
    I'd consider myself a fairly dedicated RLC as I rarely venture over to the middle or left....

    On a trip up to Boston last year through CT traffic was fairly heavy in the left and center lanes. What boggled the mind is that the right lane was COMPLETELY empty except for me. I was cruising along at about 75 or so, with the traffic "flow" limping along at around 25-35. I was a bit nervous to go over a hill to find that my lane suddenly ended due to construction or otherwise, but fortunately the lane continued on.

    My biggest concern was what if one of those drivers decided to actually use the right lane? At least there was a shoulder to swerve on if necessary. This went on for about 10 - 15 miles, couldn't figure it out at all. No construction, trucks. Just me and the open lane :)
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,928
    I try to be a good samaritan and perform good deeds by teaching LLC'ers that they are wrong and need to correct their deficient driving.

    If you merely blow by them on the right I doubt they even care much nor learn any lesson. (some do once 10 cars pass on the right successively).

    By letting them know while I"m passing on the right that there driving is unacceptable in some way (a quick honk, or something), you are letting them know their driving is below standard, and at least a lesson has been taught. Some people will probably need more lessons than others before they correct their behaviour, but you got to start somewhere.

    I do it for the good of society. I think if everyone did what I did then the people driving poorly would finally get it. I mean, I don't get honked at or flipped off very often. If I did, I'd question my driving skills. I think LLCer's, as hard as it is to believe, can learn and improve!
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    edited May 2011
    So how is the view up there on that pedestal?

    Has it ever occurred to you that the actions you suggested may be as inconsiderate or more so than being a LLC?

    You can't teach another good manners if you are not exercising them yourself. All you are going to do is give them a reason to come here and complain about the idiot driver who tailgated them.

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

  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,928
    I"m 100% absolutely positive that LLCing is the single biggest problem in all ways on our roadways today.

    The biggest problem with danger, the biggest threat to safety, the biggest causer of traffic and congestion, the biggest causer (even if indirectly) of accidents.

    It's a number 1 priority to correct! Life will be good when LLCing is non-existant.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Attempting to educate the lowest common denominator on American highways is a fool's errand. Better to just pass when and where you can safely do so, without drawing undue attention to yourself, and move on down the road.

    There are crazies out there. This is America. Some of them have guns. :sick:
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,680
    I"m 100% absolutely positive that LLCing is the single biggest problem in all ways on our roadways today.

    Unfortunately, it is just another symptom of the true problem, which is the selfish, self-righteous, control-freak attitude that is so prevalent in our society. The behavior is just another manifestation of that attitude, just like tailgating and a myriad of other roadway and societal maladies.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    edited May 2011
    I don't look for confrontation, I just want to get around the idiots. Too many crazies out there in this fractured society to risk looking for a fight. I just want to be able to proceed. Most chronic LLCs are beyond redemption anyway, IMHO - the selfish obliviousness as mentioned in the post before this.

    I think enforcement strategies are every bit as big of a problem as LLCs. Tenuous "laws" and regulations created by "engineers" of dubious merit are also up there.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2011
    I also think the (almost utter ) lack of enforcement on the LLCing issue is really the DEFACTO enforcement of artifical speed limits. Corollary: hard to go faster than the rolling walls. Indeed, if you are behind one, you pretty much have to go...slower!!??? For those having a hard time visualizing this, have you ever been behind two fully loaded tractor trailer rigs on a 2 lane freeway ever been behind trying to pass one another aka "DRAG RACING", elephant races ? One of course is going 54.5666 mpg (if that) and the other is trying to pass @ 55 mph? You are indeed lucky if one is going 35 mph and the other is passing at 55 mph (I have never seen this)

    I also think that what Andres3 said about LLCing being one of the (UNSEEN)major causes of accidents is very very true. It is just that safety agencies (such as NHTSA/IIHS) do not document nor run (correlation) statiistical analysis on it to verify the connections or whether the connections are totally random. How this isindicative of what I said in the first paragraph, as in Europe: the passing lane is left open for ...PASSING (by law) . One can get a real ticket for LLCing and a ticket for passing on the right. So it isn't like there are NO data nor history nor laws meant for certain things to happen.

    So the only thing that I can possibly hope, in some small way (not that I even give a lot of thought to this) is to not be the cause/victim/envolvee of a single to multiple car accident due to LLCing on my part.: ie., (I) KEEP RIGHT, except to pass.

    I also think it is an EXTREME disservice in that the lack of research and or corelations studies do not highlight nor make know the situations that lead to single and multiple car accidents.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,335
    speaking of rolling walls.

    A few years ago my boss got a speeding ticket (not sure if also got hit for passing on right?) on rt. 295 in Jersey, a stretch where it is at least 4 lanes wide.

    Left 3 had side by side by side cars cruising along at about the SL. So lead foot boss goes to the far right lane, and passes them (in a Mustang GT).

    turns out the 3 cars were all troopers (not in normal cars either, I think they were using "undercover" type vehicles), and they snagged him quick.

    cheesey in my book. if they want to slow down traffic, block all 4 lanes. Otherwise, it is pretty much just entrapment! not to mention dangerous, but they don't care about that normally.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited May 2011
    Ah, textbook case of revenue enhancement?

    It actually reminds me of a three state, 5 car wolf packs that I am sure they (3 states) were running in unison. Basically with a wide center meridian, they had one "radar" GUNNER car set up and two chase cars in either direction. Sort of like that TOP GUN movie where Tom Cruise say I'll hook em (gun em) and his GIB (guy in back) says and I'll clean em and fry em, ah ha. So a victim (customer) gets gunned and a free chase car nails him.

    So if you are happening onto the situation, in either direction on the frenzy, I am sure the first reaction is BAD BAD BAD accident. So I am sure EVERYBODY is ready to SLAM on their brakes. I know for me I get ready to literally leave the road if I can. Just as a passer by, I saw several near miss disasters. It turned a literally bucolic rural highway scene into more like feeding time for the sharks @ the aquariam.
  • shriftyshrifty Member Posts: 255
    Totally agree. A few trips through Canada I rarely saw any LLCs. I did notice that people signaled and kept to the right when not passing. Interestingly the speed differentials I experienced were massive! I was traveling around 75-80 while passing people who were doing around 50, only to find myself being passed as if I were standing still shortly after!

    It was amazing to see how everyone can peacefully co-exist up there, regardless of the speed at which you coose to travel :)
  • euphoniumeuphonium Member Posts: 3,425
    Both on the Left Coast. NW & SW. They have all the answers and know how to be critical. :P
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    edited May 2011
    I've noticed that in Canada too. I remember driving on 1 east of Van, in the fintail no less, going about 75. The right lane was slow, and when I would move over, someone would eventually shoot past. But it didn't seem dangerous. It's also like that in Germany, of course - a huge amount of unrestricted Autobahn is no more than 2 or 3 lanes in each direction, and you can have one car going 50 and another going 150. But LLCing is a cardinal sin there and relative to here doesn't exist. Driving needs to be serious business here like it is there. I am all for much more stringent testing. Might not be "business friendly" though, as so much of our economy seems to depend on idiots driving to the store and spending what they don't have, and to enable that, you have to make it easy for the less competent to drive.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,414
    The powers that be don't want to engage in such studies. If they do, they wouldn't be able to preach that "speed kills!!!" as they have for so long. The money game would run out.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    For example it is against the European law for the driver to eat a meal while driving. This probably would be almost to totally incomprehensilble in our country. Yet our records show (informally) that of "distraction accidents" 75% of them are due to eating. Of course, this is due in part to relatively slow speeds.
Sign In or Register to comment.