Learn to Drive, argh!!!!!

[C_M_25]

This is more of a rant than anything, but if any of you want to comment on this issue, feel free.

OKC drivers: LEARN TO DRIVE!! I'm tired of constantly being delayed driving home because traffic is backed up like crazy because of a rear-end accident!! It is a very simple concept. Put the phone down, give some space between you and the driver in front of you, and don't wait till the last minute to merge. How hard is it?? Oklahoma City easily has the worst drivers I have ever seen. Grrr....

I was almost involved in my first accident because of this idiocy. It is crazy. My vehicle sits up a little taller than others, so I can anticipate what's going on further up the road. However, this guy was driving a low-profile car, tailgating the car in front of him, and going 70 mph in a 60 when suddenly, the car in front of him stops short. This guy locks up his brakes and swerves toward me and nearly side-swipes me right before he nails the driver in front of him.

Also, I don't see how they can't make cars into a small Faraday Cages which would cancel out any cell phone signal and remove the temptation altogether. It is absolutely insane how bad drivers are in this city.

[C_M_25]

People should have to retake their driver's test every couple of years, and I'm starting to believe that if you are involved in an accident of which you caused because you were on your phone, you should get your license taken away. Maybe go into a probationary state (can't drive at night, etc) after the first such incident, and after the second accident, you lose your license for a year or something.

[OKCisOK4me]

First off, there's an app that you can download on cell phones that tracks how fast you're going and will only allow bluetooth operation if all requirements (speed) are met. Personally it shouldn't be an app but an actual requirement of the cell phone production. Second off, I've seen worse drivers in Kansas City, but the difference between them and our crappy drivers here is that they know how to drive when precip has occurred. People here are just flat out stupid.

I once created a rant on my Myspace blog that had illustrations in it showing how people should deal with intersections where stoplights are prevalent because they are sitting in front of the sensor pad in the ground and get pissy when the light doesn't change for them, lol. Good times.

[adaniel]

Let me preface by saying that there are bad drivers EVERYWHERE and the bad habits may differ, the overall crappy driving will be the same across the country.

With that in mind, I definitely notice drivers here tend to drive with their head in the clouds. My best guess why is that there is not a lot of traffic here, and people rarely need to get into a "shut up and drive" mode. The lack of congestion means people think they have plenty of opportunity to text, eat, read, put on makeup, change the radio station, yell at their kids in the backseat, etc. You can also see this in the way people poke in the left lane or merge on the freeway going 30 mph (for the record, OK is about the worst when it comes to merging on/off the freeway). Its pretty shocking to me how many people here think this is perfectly acceptable behavior.

[C_M_25]

Let me preface by saying that there are bad drivers EVERYWHERE and the bad habits may differ, the overall crappy driving will be the same across the country.

With that in mind, I definitely notice drivers here tend to drive with their head in the clouds. My best guess why is that there is not a lot of traffic here, and people rarely need to get into a "shut up and drive" mode. The lack of congestion means people think they have plenty of opportunity to text, eat, read, put on makeup, change the radio station, yell at their kids in the backseat, etc. You can also see this in the way people poke in the left lane or merge on the freeway going 30 mph (for the record, OK is about the worst when it comes to merging on/off the freeway). Its pretty shocking to me how many people here think this is perfectly acceptable behavior.

That is no joke! I couldn't agree with this more. I about had a semi run up my tail pipe because some guy merged going 40 mph. That one scared the crap out of me (almost literally...luckily I was fasting that day).

[kevinpate]

Please don't blame cell phones for the lousy driving you encounter. Our fair state has had its share of inconsiderate, clueless drivers long before cells existed, and them folk taught their youngins, who taught theirs, and so on. Bad driving is absolutely a multi-generational issue round these parts, and elsewhere as well.

[C_M_25]

Edit

Please don't blame cell phones for the lousy driving you encounter. Our fair state has had its share of inconsiderate, clueless drivers long before cells existed, and them folk taught their youngins, who taught theirs, and so on. Bad driving is absolutely a multi-generational issue round these parts, and elsewhere as well.

I'm pretty sure nobody here is blaming the phones per say, but the introduction of phones into a situation that requires your full attention is asking for trouble.

Also, I don't buy your argument. It doesn't matter how bad of a driver your parents are. Students take driver's ed, and they have to pass a driver's test at the dmv (or wherever they take it these days). People "know" how to drive good, but they make poor choices behind the wheel.

I think a major problem today is this "me first" mentality. It is like we are all in a race to get home, and I have to beat that guy in the red car for some reason. People swerve in and out of traffic to get "ahead" in a pointless race. Also, driving isn't enjoyable for a lot of people and this results in increased road rage which adds to tailgating among other things. If people just followed the speed limit and gave themselves plenty of room, a lot of these problems would likely subside to a degree.

[catch22]

Yes we have the worst drivers. No doubt. I was about to make a rant also due to some of the traffic I encountered today, glad you posted.

People need to be more aggressive drivers (I don't mean road rage at all). You need to keep up with traffic (even if the traffic flow is going faster than the speed limit, if you do not want to do that you need to be in the far right lane). When merging or changing lanes, you need to indicate with your signal and then get in the lane. No 1/4 mile merging. Find a spot and get it.

Merging: same thing, get up to speed as quick as possible, find a spot, indicate, and take it. Don't dilly dally around when getting on the freeway, look in your mirrors or beside you and find a set of cars you want to merge between. Match their speed and "zipper" in. Indicate, don't force your way but make it known what spot you want. Your brake pedal should never be used unless you are making a slight speed reduction to merge in, not any significant braking. If you can't find a spot or no one will let you in, take the emergency lane if available and safe to do so, people will let you in at that point, but don't reduce your speed.

I really hate our drivers here. HATE HATE HATE.

[Bellaboo]

We do not have the worst drivers, not even close. Go spend some time in San Juan Puerto Rico and you'll find 10 X worse drivers than here. Everyone's car is a beat piece due to this. You can be driving 35 mph and the next thing you know, someone is turning and stopping in front of you and making that U turn at your expense. There's nowhere else like it in the world, it's unbelievable.

[RadicalModerate]

This morning. Driving north on Penn in the outside lane, at just under the speed limit (43mph). A "Safeway" taxi comes flying up behind me in the other lane then starts to pass me. Apparantly, he isn't paying attention to the short line of cars, stopped in his lane, while the front car is waiting to turn left. It looks as if he is going to slam into them unless I slow down real fast and give him enough room to pull over into my lane. Instead of making the move he slams on his brakes and barely avoids causing a chain reaction accident.

The worst drivers I've encountered are in Dallas.

Something to think about the next time you are wandering the aisles of one store or another: All those zombified morons in there with you didn't walk to get there.

[OKCisOK4me]

It must be bad here if Radical isn't typing in poet mode lol

[SoonerBoy18]

Npthing pisses me off more than the junction to southbound I-44 from eastbound I-40 because drivers already traveling sounth on I - 44 DONT switch lanes so cars can Merge because that lane quickly turns into an "Exit Only" talking about SW 15th Street

[Ginkasa]

If you can't find a spot or no one will let you in, take the emergency lane if available and safe to do so, people will let you in at that point, but don't reduce your speed.

It drives (pun intended) me insane when people don't allow other people to merge onto the interstate. Just the other day I was merging on to I35, matched the speed, and some lady zoomed up either ignorant of what was going on or trying to block me from getting on.

Another anecdote from later on in that SAME drive, I was in the right lane and to my forward left was another car. An SUV was tailgating him for quite a while despite their being plenty of room to change lanes and pass. Eventually, though, the SUV did decide to change lanes. Unfortunately, he picked my line when he was almost directly to my left and didn't feel the need to indicate he was going to be changing lanes anytime in the near future. I had to brake to avoid an accident.

So, yeah.

[UncleCyrus]

The worst drivers I've encountered are in Dallas.

Yes! I had some business down there just a few weeks ago. I have driven in many cities, but Dallas area roads are the only place I have actually feared for my safety. I have seriously never driven one day in Dallas where I haven't seen an overturned car on the side of the road.

Oh, and the whole shoulder-as-passing-lane mentality needs to be cracked down on hard.

Ok, enough of that rant. Back on original topic: I have driven about 25 years in OKC and I really believe that road manners have gotten much worse in the last few years than at any time I remember. There is no other way to anger a large number of people at once than driving less than five MPH over the limit, and I wasn't even in the passing lane.

I completely agree that driver re-testing be mandatory at renewal, or at least a defensive driving class every five years. I recently took that class for an insurance discount and it was very informative and made me approach my driving habits differently.

[UncleCyrus]

It drives (pun intended) me insane when people don't allow other people to merge onto the interstate. Just the other day I was merging on to I35, matched the speed, and some lady zoomed up either ignorant of what was going on or trying to block me from getting on.

I have seen that a lot more lately also. As soon I signal my intent to change lanes, the driver in that lane hits the accelerator! Why? It isn't a race!

[venture]

When I was younger I use to be pretty darn aggressive at driving. Getting a bit older (mid 30s) now, I definitely have calmed down quite a bit. I'll punch it if I need to get around someone or a situation I see developing. I guess I'm using some of that training I took in flight school when I was a kid when it comes to situational awareness and always knowing what is going on around me and well ahead of me. If I see cars stopped on the I-35 on ramp from 240, I'll bolt to Shields or start slowing down ahead of time. There is always some idiot though that speeds around only to slam on their breaks and stop on the shoulder next to the line of cars.

The biggest issues with drivers for me isn't really speed on the interstate. Yes there are some that aren't comfortable going much over 60 mph. I personally think a basic 5 over is alright. I do have a problem with people that feel like doing 20 over and riding people's asses until they get out of the way. I've been known to observe said behavior and do my part to help...slow them down. Interstate merging here is also terrible. Besides the short on ramps, people don't get over for on ramp traffic. I also don't care much for people that don't observe yield signs and decide to pull out in front of you going 20 mph. Not smart.

One of my biggest frustrations is with those that REFUSE to get over or slow down for cars parked on the shoulder. IT IS STATE LAW. Not only that...it is a safety issue. Move your asses over. I've seen cops get upset and just go after them for violating this and wish they did more of it.

[RadicalModerate]

It must be bad here if Radical isn't typing in poet mode lol

No, that was the Jack "Dragnet" Webb mode. =)

And here is a short list of Just The Other Facts involved in utilizing our pavements of various descriptions
(like, all the way from highways to byways and the rest of them too =):

1 You Drive a motor vehicle. You don't text nor chat on your electronic umbilical cord to the Hive Mind in the Cloud.
2 You learn how to "merge" on both sides of the driver--not texter nor chatter nor only steerer--sides of the equation.
3 You decide to "Yield" to the survival instinct rather than being right no matter what the sign at the intersection says.
4 You choose to "Drive Friendly" even if that slogan on old Texas license plates is ignored every day in Dallas (and Houston)
5 You understand that large, semi-trailer rigs cannot stop on a dime or accelerate like a Cobra and respect the damage they can do.
6 You are aware enough of your surroundings while piloting a motor vehicle that you pay attention to other drivers' lane change signals.
7 You survive the Asphalt Jungle to appreciate "diversity" another day.

(or not . . . your choice . . .=)

Dang . . . That sounds like some kinda "Commuterist Manifesto 'r Sumpin'" . . .

did i forget to mention: keep an eye out for motorcycles? choose to do that too.
not only will you squish them to one degree or another but it will also mess up your day and your SUV.


"Submitted . . . For your approval . . ." --as compared to the endless crapola on the "Merry-Go-Round" at the "StateHouse" regarding banning [non-driverly devices] in automobiles, use of:

The Best Anti-Texting/while "driving" Ad Ever:

The "Blog" from which it was borrowed, titled it:

Prisoners And Their Cells:

Combine this with an automobile and nothing is left but an ugly stain on the pavement.

(someone in here knows The Local Guru of Auto Safety and Such in the paper (chuck 'a.a.a.' mai)? he seems to be more of a solution provider than a problem pointer . . . maybe he can "prod" the [drones] at The Local StateHouse into action . . . =)

[rcjunkie]

When I was younger I use to be pretty darn aggressive at driving. Getting a bit older (mid 30s) now, I definitely have calmed down quite a bit. I'll punch it if I need to get around someone or a situation I see developing. I guess I'm using some of that training I took in flight school when I was a kid when it comes to situational awareness and always knowing what is going on around me and well ahead of me. If I see cars stopped on the I-35 on ramp from 240, I'll bolt to Shields or start slowing down ahead of time. There is always some idiot though that speeds around only to slam on their breaks and stop on the shoulder next to the line of cars.

The biggest issues with drivers for me isn't really speed on the interstate. Yes there are some that aren't comfortable going much over 60 mph. I personally think a basic 5 over is alright. I do have a problem with people that feel like doing 20 over and riding people's asses until they get out of the way. I've been known to observe said behavior and do my part to help...slow them down. Interstate merging here is also terrible. Besides the short on ramps, people don't get over for on ramp traffic. I also don't care much for people that don't observe yield signs and decide to pull out in front of you going 20 mph. Not smart.

One of my biggest frustrations is with those that REFUSE to get over or slow down for cars parked on the shoulder. IT IS STATE LAW. Not only that...it is a safety issue. Move your asses over. I've seen cops get upset and just go after them for violating this and wish they did more of it.

I agree its a safety issue to change lanes for vehicles on the shoulder, its only a required by law for emergency vehicles with lights activated.

[RadicalModerate]

I agree its a safety issue to change lanes for vehicles on the shoulder, its only a required by law for emergency vehicles with lights activated.

When you say "required by law" do you mean "current law"? Or do you mean "the law of human kindness and consideration"?
And how does all of this and the various interpretations thereof affect or effect the fishing in the vicinity of the area to which you have retired?
For example . . . Do you speed down the dirt roads kicking up a lot of dust to make the journey of those who follow better or worse?
Or do you drive real slow and enjoy the scenery? On the way to the lake . . .

Heck . . . I'm so into this "Learn to Drive" thing . . . i'm even a lot less pissed off about those dadgummed bicycle riders.

And, if you get right down to it . . . changing lanes to respect the vehicle on the shoulder might avoid a collision with some body who doesn't know how to change a flat tire in traffic . . . right? With or without lights flashing and cones and stuff . . .

Perhaps it is a matter of how one gets from Point A to Point Be . . . =)
(i'm still really angry about that f*ckhead driving that nearly fatal cab this morning . . . but not so much.)
(so consider the preceeding as a type of "zen cone" =)

[venture]

I agree its a safety issue to change lanes for vehicles on the shoulder, its only a required by law for emergency vehicles with lights activated.

Also includes wreckers as well. However, if someone is out changing a tire there is no reason that a person shouldn't be changing lanes to give them a safety buffer. It is just common sense and failing to do so is ignorant.

[RadicalModerate]

Also includes wreckers as well. However, if someone is out changing a tire there is no reason that a person shouldn't be changing lanes to give them a safety buffer. It is just common sense and failing to do so is ignorant.

(over-wordy bumpersticker):
Failure to Willingly Move To The Left For The Sake of The Stranded In Traffic
Ain't Only Ignorant. It's Stoopid. Well . . . Ain't It?

(two very quick asides from my grandpa while he was driving: "Johnny, don't ever git in no hurry" "Anyone who says he has no faith in people cannot possibly sit behind the wheel of an automobile when there is oncoming traffic." I'm not sure how those words of wisdom translate into Spanish or one of the many languages of The Indian Subcontinent/Elsewhere, yet there they is. =)

[Just the facts]

This is one of the main reasons I stopped driving. Funny how driving brings out the worst in people and walking brings out the best.

[C_M_25]

This is one of the main reasons I stopped driving. Funny how driving brings out the worst in people and walking brings out the best.

Unfortunately, I can't stop driving, but I generally agree with your statement. I don't understand why people get so worked up while driving. Do they think that going an extra 10 mph over the speed limit and yelling at all the drivers who aren't is going to save them any time? Let's just say your commute is 20 miles. If you speed at 70 mph in a 60 mph zone, you save 7 minutes. Big deal! And that is without considering traffic.

I like to take my time driving home and relax. I try to refocus after a day of work so I can come home and enjoy my time with my wife. Instead, because of the stupidity in this city, I often get home P.O.'ed and have to relax there. If everybody would just relax and realize driving isn't a race, we would all probably be better off.

[Just the facts]

The problem is drivers ARE in competition with each other. When I do drive I have to make a conscious effort to stay calm and relaxed. My wife (the driving instructor) gets mad at me when I don't tailgate the car in front of me and I let others change lanes in front of me. I tell her we are living in a society and I am just trying to make it a more polite environment for everyone. That seems to make her even angrier .

I realize not everyone can stop driving right away but I found you have to make an effort to live the kind of life you want to live. On the rare occasion I have to go somewhere at 5PM it boggles my mind that people choose to drive in rush hour traffic on a daily basis at all. Now that I don't do it, I could never go back to doing it again. That would be like breaking back into prison.

[Ginkasa]

This is one of the main reasons I stopped driving. Funny how driving brings out the worst in people and walking brings out the best.

I wouldn't say that. There've been a few times I've had to wait through a stoplight again because a group of people decided to jaywalk through my green arrow.