When merging, every other car doesn't apply to most? Why?

[jandtjil]

To much "Grand theft auto" being practiced on the roads.
JJ

 

[JimB1]

Control your blood pressure and learn to appreciate the good fortune we have of living our lives the way we do.

 

[JasonCzerak]

irony \ˈī-rə-nē also ˈī(-ə)r-nē\ - 3 a (1): incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result



Ryan

Hey now. I can actually pay attention and hold a simple conversation while driving. I multi-task for a living and do it well. If I need to the phone goes down/off or I pull over, however, I'm very capable of merging and chating and notice I'm about to be cut off.



BTW, do you use a hands free set? or no phone at all with a reply along them lines? If the answer is hands free, you're calling the kettle black, it's not the hands that's the problem, it's the focus on the task!. If not, then you don't understand that some can actually handle the tasks. How that for a pre-answer!!!



It's the ones that take their mind AND EYES off the road while texting I'm worried about. A toot of the air horns is rather comical for them folks

 

[JasonCzerak]

Are you inferring that I'm not "smart enough" or that you are able to "send a message back" to the "tards" and I can't?



... .



Scott

I said "some" so, some could include you.

 

[BigPapa]

I feel the same way about driving and dealing with people on the road as I do about arguing with people on the internet. It just ain't worth it.



Scott

Like I said... ... ... ... :-{}

 

[JFaughn]

Jason , like mentioned a few times before , MN - MN - MN , drivers & road design , cart & horse .
A cross country drive should show a Mn diver how to drive , if they are capable of learning .
My new area , Hwy 65 , 65 MPH get caught at most lites most of the time , class action law suite , I have thought about a lot , to change , some times it seems like its an experiment to see how they can screw things up .
And lets not forget all the left handed exits & entrances .
Jason whats the update on the coolant issue ?

 

[rbattelle]

BTW, do you use a hands free set? or no phone at all with a reply along them lines? If the answer is hands free, you're calling the kettle black, it's not the hands that's the problem, it's the focus on the task!. If not, then you don't understand that some can actually handle the tasks. How that for a pre-answer!!!

I'll do you one better - I don't even own a cell phone! I know, I may as well be Amish. I don't believe I'm important enough that anyone needs to be able to reach me when I'm out.



I've tried talking on a phone and driving at the same time. I guess I don't multitask as well as 99% of the rest of the population that has cell phones.



I have a very small brain, and the older I get the more I look like a cave man. :-laf



Ryan

 

[JasonCzerak]

I'll do you one better - I don't even own a cell phone! I know, I may as well be Amish. I don't believe I'm important enough that anyone needs to be able to reach me when I'm out.



I've tried talking on a phone and driving at the same time. I guess I don't multitask as well as 99% of the rest of the population that has cell phones.



I have a very small brain, and the older I get the more I look like a cave man. :-laf



Ryan

Well, at least you admit defeat



My cell is my own means of contact, no house phone (another topic, another day. ) Gota roll with technology. I love and embrace the advantages, however many abuse it. I suppose that's nothing you can about it.



I for one will be the first to appose any ban on cellphone use in cars. If that happens, You need to get rid of the radio and the ability to eat. Heck, even talking to a passenger. All things that cause just as many accidents. . How many folks know ppl that work in ER's? What the end all cause of accidents? The phone? or the eyes of the road while using htge phone? how about that dropped CD or beverage that spilled, maybe channel surfing the XM?



If you can talk to your passenger while driving, you can certainly talk on the phone. Tho the fact that you have a second set of eyes bends the equation a little.

 

[donnier]

IMHO, the problem rests in the fact that the people merging are so wrapped up in whatever is on their minds that they think they are the only people on the road.



It also has to do with the "me first attitude"



I dont know how many times on the road, Iv had some idiot following two cars behind me, accelerate around both cars just to cut in front of us because they wanted to exit at the next offramp.



Coming back from Vegas, I was in stopped traffic. Idiot was using the shoulder to pass everone.

A second after he went by, a CHP followed.



Im wondering why they even put speed limit signs up.

If you attempt to do the legal limit, youll get run over.



Even doing 70 in a 65.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Yeah, the solid single and double white lines are optional around here.



35W exit to 94W. It has to be just over 1/2 mile exit/entrance lane. it turns into an exit on the other side... . white dotted line the entire time. . folks just LOVE to merge into that lane that are exiting AS SOON as the cement barrier ends. and folks LOVE to get onto the highway as soon as the barrier ends. .



mnDOT placed LARGE signs "do not cross double white lines". and took HALF of that dotted line and make it a double solid white... The intentions here is if no one crosses the sold lines, they have time to "jocky" for position and match speeds so folks and then merge in and out of this lane... ... .



Essentially I give the drivers of MN a big fat FAIL for this one.



I have personally blocked and *****ed out some lady that was going to cut in front of me in stop and go traffic while crossing this very same double white lines. One of those "well, were all stopped, so I'm going to "nudge my nose" in front" I didn't have any of that.



It went something like this:



1. I move to "deny"

2. She honks

3. I hit the air horns and roll down passenger window to ensure I had her attention.

4. "Can you read? Do you understand the lines on the road? DO NOT CROSS DOUBLE WHITE LINES!!! You stupid %$@#$%@"

5. getho fabulous ebonics followed... .

6. the retard behind me let her in. pfffft.



One of the main reason for traffic jams.....



Infact one person this morning went from 70mph in the middle lane to 30-35 while going "ohh crap my exit" and then ends up exiting at the east bound exit. this person slowed down traffic just before for the west bound exit, where the majority of the folks exiting where and where she "just had to" attempt to merge. Normally, there is LARGE amounts of room to merged RIGHT AFTER the first exit. If she's just look past her freaking nose and think for a second she's have saw that!

 

[PGAdams]

I find the most rude people when I'm pulling my travel trailer. They just don't seem to get it that, even though I'm driving a CTD:-laf, I can't accelerate up the onramp with a Corvette, or slow down like crotch rocket. Also, I can't fit 50' of rig in a 20' hole. If you're in the middle lane and have your signal on to move to the right lane, it's few and far between those who will slow down a little and open a space. And if they do, some other dumbarse fills it before you can! MEMEMEMEMEMEMEME!

I used the tactic of "wiggling" use a zig-zag controlled manuever within your lane, scares the H*ll out of the people on your side that won't let you in.

Nothing against 18 wheeler's but, watch them as an example, some of them just start moving over, this has a tendency for the people to get out of the way.



(2) vehicles

2001 Mazda Miata - dealing with tailgaters, they don't see you etc. I usually drive-off, drive around, out-manuever.



2004. 5 CTD, quad, Off-road pkg - I don't get moved nor intimidated, fairly well respected just because of its size,in fact if I have a tailgater, hopefully they get a real CLOSE look at the Type 3 hitch that WILL leave a nice crease in their front bumper etc. if I have to stop quick. If they're real close, I don't even see them, the Hitch will take care of protecting the rear of the truck.





Happy Motoring in ATL

 

[PGAdams]

Yeah, the solid single and double white lines are optional around here.



35W exit to 94W. It has to be just over 1/2 mile exit/entrance lane. it turns into an exit on the other side... . white dotted line the entire time. . folks just LOVE to merge into that lane that are exiting AS SOON as the cement barrier ends. and folks LOVE to get onto the highway as soon as the barrier ends. .



mnDOT placed LARGE signs "do not cross double white lines". and took HALF of that dotted line and make it a double solid white... The intentions here is if no one crosses the sold lines, they have time to "jocky" for position and match speeds so folks and then merge in and out of this lane... ... .



Essentially I give the drivers of MN a big fat FAIL for this one.







I have personally blocked and *****ed out some lady that was going to cut in front of me in stop and go traffic while crossing this very same double white lines. One of those "well, were all stopped, so I'm going to "nudge my nose" in front" I didn't have any of that.



It went something like this:



1. I move to "deny"

2. She honks

3. I hit the air horns and roll down passenger window to ensure I had her attention.

4. "Can you read? Do you understand the lines on the road? DO NOT CROSS DOUBLE WHITE LINES!!! You stupid %$@#$%@"

5. getho fabulous ebonics followed... .

6. the retard behind me let her in. pfffft.



One of the main reason for traffic jams.....



Infact one person this morning went from 70mph in the middle lane to 30-35 while going "ohh crap my exit" and then ends up exiting at the east bound exit. this person slowed down traffic just before for the west bound exit, where the majority of the folks exiting where and where she "just had to" attempt to merge. Normally, there is LARGE amounts of room to merged RIGHT AFTER the first exit. If she's just look past her freaking nose and think for a second she's have saw that!

**********************************************************

Roading striping in ATL/Ga is more decorative. The GORE, ingress, egress solid white striping means nothing to these folks.

I never thaught about it,,,maybe "reading and comprehension" was their worst subject in grade school.

Speed limit signs - FORE-GET-ABOUT IT

Traffic lights - we supposedly have smart traffic lights, sometimes late at nightyou pull up to the light from a crossroad the thru-traffic at 55 mph has to stop to let the one car cross.

I've had situations where if you approached uncoming traffic at an intersection slightly later then them, their light turned green and my side remained red.

Heck, we even have commercial businesses that hire off-duty police, in uniform, they stop moving traffic of about 6-10 cars, to let one vheicle exit the business.

Can you say "impeding the flow of traffic"?

 

[JasonCzerak]

**********************************************************

Roading striping in ATL/Ga is more decorative. The GORE, ingress, egress solid white striping means nothing to these folks.

I never thaught about it,,,maybe "reading and comprehension" was their worst subject in grade school.

Speed limit signs - FORE-GET-ABOUT IT

Traffic lights - we supposedly have smart traffic lights, sometimes late at nightyou pull up to the light from a crossroad the thru-traffic at 55 mph has to stop to let the one car cross.

I've had situations where if you approached uncoming traffic at an intersection slightly later then them, their light turned green and my side remained red.

Heck, we even have commercial businesses that hire off-duty police, in uniform, they stop moving traffic of about 6-10 cars, to let one vheicle exit the business.

Can you say "impeding the flow of traffic"?

Yep, we have the EXACT same crap here for traffic lights. If they just time them, people won't be as tempted to run a red light. at most, you'll hit one redlight and then become part of the "flow"



Right by my house. I'll hit the light before the bridge, on the other side of hte bridge and the next light down and the one after that, and the one after that. Total distance traveled, 1. 3 miles. Reason for stopping? people exiting the residential streets hit the light. Who cars about the folks already moving at 40mph on the MAIN ROAD!.



I called the city folks about this. . apparently there are studies done that these make traffic more efficient. My *** they do when it takes 25 minutes to go the 6 mile commute to work. I can go an extra 5 miles outa my way and take the highway and get to the office faster then the 6 mile DIRECT route.

 

[rbattelle]

Who cars about the folks already moving at 40mph on the MAIN ROAD!.

Now you're onto something I can agree with - shoddy traffic light timing. At what point did we lose the comprehension that people on the MAIN road get precedence over people coming in from side streets?



Man, you really struck a nerve with me. I am so angry with civil engineers that design this stuff.



Ryan

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

Hey now. I can actually pay attention and hold a simple conversation while driving. I multi-task for a living and do it well. If I need to the phone goes down/off or I pull over, however, I'm very capable of merging and chating and notice I'm about to be cut off.



BTW, do you use a hands free set? or no phone at all with a reply along them lines? If the answer is hands free, you're calling the kettle black, it's not the hands that's the problem, it's the focus on the task!. If not, then you don't understand that some can actually handle the tasks. How that for a pre-answer!!!



It's the ones that take their mind AND EYES off the road while texting I'm worried about. A toot of the air horns is rather comical for them folks

Actually, I will disagree with this. The answer is hands-free, and there is a HUGE difference between using it, and trying to hold the phone. I've done both. There is no way you can hold a phone and try and talk without being distracted. And yes, I know how to multi-task. Using a bluetooth, or u-connect is way less distracting.



The biggest problem is people just don't know how to drive any more. You take one driving test when you're 16 and drive for life. Just renew it every couple of years and you're good with no more tests. And like rbattelle said - the idiot civil engineers. How about those single merge on and off ramps, especially the ones only 50 ft long?



Here's the next question. Everybody I know gripes about how other people drive. Where are all the bad drivers? I know I've never spoken to one.

 

[rbattelle]

Where are all the bad drivers? I know I've never spoken to one.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think I'm a particularly good driver. I want to be a good driver, and I spend time trying to get better, but I have a long way to go. I do keep a copy of the driving manual for Ohio at my desk, and refer to it periodically for guidance.



I think my biggest failing is not looking carefully for pedestrians when turning onto another street. Especially when turning right (I tend to look left, and when it's clear, just go... excellent way to kill someone by running them over).



I also want desperately to be discourteous and try to teach people a lesson. It's something I must learn to keep in check. I tend to take personal offense when someone is tailgating me, or cuts me off.



And, I'm a VERY slow driver. Especially now that fuel prices are high. I drive to maximize fuel economy with little regard to others. I accelerate very slow, and I think that annoys people to no end. I'm not sure how to fix that one. I even occasionally drive too slow in the fast lane... for short periods if I'm passing a truck. I know, that's terrible.



So if I were to rate my driving on a scale from 1-10, I'd give me a solid 4.



Ryan

 

[JasonCzerak]

Actually, I will disagree with this. The answer is hands-free, and there is a HUGE difference between using it, and trying to hold the phone. I've done both. There is no way you can hold a phone and try and talk without being distracted. And yes, I know how to multi-task. Using a bluetooth, or u-connect is way less distracting.

.

...

I dunno about the hands free. Do you drive with your hands at 10 and 2 when not shifting, then find it difficult to manage a phone? I mean, your just holding something to your ear, not brushing your teeth and washing your hair.



The only time my hands are at 9 and 3 (more race car style) is when I"m having some fun or something that require a very sensitive touch and accuracy, typically pushing the truck beyond normal conditions. And when doing such I'm NEVER on the phone, and typically telling the passenger to STFU and radio off.



Normal driving, I"m accustom to one hand on the wheel style.



As far as bad drivers. everyone has their issues.

 

[JasonCzerak]

Seacoastonline.com: New traffic circle can cause confusion

heh, driving over the middle. . ha ha ha haha... Should lose his privilege to drive.

Comments from Fark.com community are typical priceless

FARK.com: (3228946) Not news: People still don't know how to use traffic circles. (With pics and video)

 

[AMink]

I'm not a perfect driver. No one is. However, I became a much better DRIVER after I became a RIDER. When I was riding motorcycles, I paid much more attention to what was going on around me. I had to, or risk getting run over. Everyone should have to ride a motorcycle in traffic and pull a trailer for a while, with kids, in an unfamiliar city with poor street markings and directions. Then, and only then, will people become more courteous. Maybe. :-laf

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

I'm not a perfect driver. No one is. However, I became a much better DRIVER after I became a RIDER. When I was riding motorcycles, I paid much more attention to what was going on around me. I had to, or risk getting run over. Everyone should have to ride a motorcycle in traffic and pull a trailer for a while, with kids, in an unfamiliar city with poor street markings and directions. Then, and only then, will people become more courteous. Maybe. :-laf

I have often thought the same thing, about everyone having to learn how to ride, and pull a trailer. My driving habits changed when I learned how to ride, also. I also think states should offer more advanced/defensive driving classes, similar to the way motorcycle classes are set up. If everybody drove defensively, and obeyed the laws, there would be no accidents.





Ryan - If more people thought about their driving skills the way you do, and looked for ways to improve, there would be a lot safer drivers on the road.



JC - I typically drive with one hand, also, and have found that if I'm trying to use a phone, just holding it tends to be distracting, especially when trying to turn your head to check your mirrors. I have also found that with the Bluetooth, there is virtually no interaction with a phone. Phone rings, answers, and I talk. Don't even have to look at the phone. When the other end hangs up, my phone hangs up. Again, don't even have to look at the phone. It's like talking to a passenger, without even looking at them. Makes things a whole lot easier.