Learn to Drive, argh!!!!!

[no1cub17]

Great thread. I'd have to say Wisconsin drivers are almost as bad - just like here. Driving 10 below in the left lane, no regard whatsoever as far as signaling, etc. Another pet peeve is when you're trying to merge onto an expressway and the @$$holes in the lane you're trying to get into just don't get over, even if the lane(s) next to them are totally empty. They'll just keep cruising along at 10 below in the lane you need to get into - and since the morons who designed the interstate system in this city didn't think about building freaking ACTUAL MERGE LANES here, you run out of real estate awfully quick. Happened to me over the weekend merging on to I-240 E from Penn - the @$$hole driving his pickup just wouldn't get over. Gave him a friendly honk from the emergency shoulder where he'd forced me onto - then proceeded to follow me for the next 3 miles. What a major league douche. He has plenty of company here though that's for sure.

[Stew]

Do bad drivers know they're bad drivers? It seems everybody complains about bad drivers but its always the other guy who is the menace. Well I'll admit it. I'm a horrible driver and I don't know why that is. I don't text and drive, or eat and drive, or drink and drive or speed but geeze I'm always making boneheaded moves that cause near misses or backing into something. I suck at driving yet I really have no practical alternative. All I can say is my bad... Sorry guys.

[rezman]

"Happened to me over the weekend merging on to I-240 E from Penn - the @$$hole driving his pickup just wouldn't get over. Gave him a friendly honk from the emergency shoulder where he'd forced me onto"


It is nice when your trying to merge onto the highway, and other drivers get over to let you on, But it's just a courtesy. The folks already on the highway are not required to get over. When your getting on the highway, there is a big red and white triangle shaped sign with the word "YIELD" printed on it. Too many driver don't seen to know what that means.

[G22]

If you would move out of people's way that are doing 20 over more of them would get caught by the cops. Every day on I-35 I watch someone flying down the road only to get caged in by a do gooder blocking the fast lane and two minutes later they pass a cop sitting under a bridge. Blocking the fast lane isn't making traffic safer for anyone. The left lane is for passing so when someone comes up behind you Move Over. If everyone moves out of the left lane super speeders would quickly get caught and OHP or OKCPD would give out one of their wonderful $280 - $600 tickets. Once speeders get three or four of those hefty tickets they will slow down.

[RadicalModerate]

This basically wouldn't work. A cellular device is in constant communication with the surrounding towers, even if you're not on it. It's "active" when receiving calls and text messages, even if you ignore it. Additionally, smart phones are opening and closing data connections in the background.

Personally, my phone is both an audio source(Podcasts and music) and my GPS navigation. I'm not inclined to give up such useful functionality because some people can't stand to get off the phone or stop texting. I'll just keep a weather eye on the road and be ready to dodge.

Dang. Oh well . . . another idea shot down . . . =)
To me it isn't so much about "dodging" cellphoneys and textaddicts on the road. It's more about having to sit behind them for an extra ten seconds at a light that turned green, or having to change lanes to pass because they are going about 30 in a 45. Oh! And I'm not one of those people who like to drive fast. I just like traffic to move at the posted speed limit.

I think that the real problem comes down to the fact that--as I've said many times before--a large number of people don't actually drive. They simply steer. Their minds are off somewhere else rather than being "in the reality zone" occupied by their moving automobile. I used to drive an 18-wheeler and also rode a motorcycle. Both of those activities demand nearly total focus on what you are doing in order not to not kill someone else or be killed yourself.

[OKCDrummer77]

This thread reminds me of a post elsewhere on this forum. The poster (I forget who) said that they drove for the government, so they were required to undergo periodic driving tests. The instructor said that there was only one correct answer to the question "What are you doing?" while driving. Most people, when asked that, answer something like "I'm going to the grocery store" or "I'm picking up my kids from school." No. The only correct answer here is "I am operating a motor vehicle." If more people took this mindset when they got behind the wheel, our streets would be so much safer.

[RadicalModerate]

As I said, above, I've said it many times in many different ways . . . =)
(this post reminded me of the other one as well . . . =)
Thank you for remembering accurately a tiny bit of Truth.
I thank you and the guy who shared that bit of Wisdom with me thanks you.
Even if he doesn't know he does. =)

This thread also reminds me of one of the best chapters in one of the best "general common sense" guides ever: Everything I Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten by . . . let me think . . . Robert Fulguhm? (sp?). There was a chapter in there about a Driving Instructor. There was nothing hackneyed or corny about it. Simply what should be common sense regarding operating a motor vehicle.

Disclaimer: This is in no way to be taken as an endorsement from the radical left or radical right as a proposal that we need to allow Kindergardners to operate motor vehicles until their feet can reach the pedals.

[Just the facts]

If you would move out of people's way that are doing 20 over more of them would get caught by the cops. Every day on I-35 I watch someone flying down the road only to get caged in by a do gooder blocking the fast lane and two minutes later they pass a cop sitting under a bridge. Blocking the fast lane isn't making traffic safer for anyone. The left lane is for passing so when someone comes up behind you Move Over. If everyone moves out of the left lane super speeders would quickly get caught and OHP or OKCPD would give out one of their wonderful $280 - $600 tickets. Once speeders get three or four of those hefty tickets they will slow down.

If I have anything that irritates me while driving, it is the people that flash their headlights to warn of police with radar. I WANT the speeders to get a ticket. Helping someone break the law is not helping the rest of us.

[ljbab728]

Kerry, the solution is to continually flash your headlights at everyone you pass so that they all think a speed trap is ahead. Then everyone will always be driving nice and slow.

[RadicalModerate]

Unless the "enforcers of law and order" have set up a "speed trap" . . .
[Luther . . . Forest Park . . . et cetera and so forth . . . 'cept in Piedmont it cud be a 'peed trap . . . heh heh heh]
Then it is the visual signal of "we are all in this together" . . . (except for the Speed-Trappers)

sheeeeeeit . . . i'm feelin' so friendly now that i can even begin to accept designated bicycle lanes and rules . . . =)

fyi jtf: before the invention of cb radios truckers--who bring all the goods to those quaint shoppes that you choose to bike or walk to to meet your needs--had extra secret symbols beyond "flashing the lights" in order to avoid the delays in keeping the world on a path toward perfect . . .

Just out of curiousity . . . are you actually old enough yet to remember "The Oil Embargo of . . . [whenever]" and the "55 MPH Speed Limit"?

And, as much as I love your Positive Vision For The Future except for that Big Bad Thing On Down The Road I thought you said that you didn't drive.
(a little cognitive dissonance goin' on here, i must say =)

To put things in proper perspective: Please be advised that I have never, ever--not once--failed to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. Or even a person in a wheelchair. Fortunately, I have never personally been faced with the dilemma of taking out a rickshaw puller or one of those Amish contraptions.

Please do not misinterpret any of the above as an unappreciation or misapprehension of your Idealistic Vision for a better tomorrow.
Thank you.

Rather than simply "talking about [the weather/problem]" . . . How about someone in here who knows Chuck Mai of AAA and John Doak "Insurance Czar" suggest they get together in The Lobby at The State House and actually Make Something Happen regarding . . . oh, i dunno . . . "Using Mobile Communication Devices In Traffic" . . .?

(sorry . . . that's crazy talk)

[Mel]

Just drive like everybody is out to kill you.

[Just the facts]

Just drive like everybody is out to kill you.

That is because they are.

I'm Ted:

[Just the facts]

Just out of curiousity . . . are you actually old enough yet to remember "The Oil Embargo of . . . [whenever]" and the "55 MPH Speed Limit"?

And, as much as I love your Positive Vision For The Future except for that Big Bad Thing On Down The Road I thought you said that you didn't drive.
(a little cognitive dissonance goin' on here, i must say)

Last things first. On rare occasions I do have to drive but for the most part it is only for 'vacations' and weekend get aways around Florida. Maybe someday we will have a train to Orlando and South Florida other than Amtrak.

Now first things last, yes I am old enough to remember the oil embargo and the 55 mph speed limit. Have you tried driving 55 mph on the interstate lately. For some reason it seems so much safer and I notice I get really good gas milage even for a Ram 1500 pickup with a 5.7 liter 390 hp Hemi V8. I probably wouldn't be oppposed to bringing 55mph back. Of course, people that have to drudge 20 miles to work on the interstate would probably hate it.

[RadicalModerate]

When, for a brief period of time about 15 years ago, I chose to face the "UrbanKlusterFukke" of OKCentralHighwayDesign as represented by that "freeway" exchange involving NS/MajorArteries and 39thSt. in order to court my honey who lived a long way from Jones . . . it occurred to me that if the speed limit in the vicinity of KlusterFukkes like that were reduced to about 35 mph during rush hour then many accidents could be avoided and folks in cars wouldn't be a-bangin' em all up instead of having time to merge and HOLDING UP MY PROGRESS to get to Point Be. (on my selfish journey =)

No road rage--or road rash--would be involved.
Folks moving forward--in traffic--are happy not to be going zero mph.
(on account of a fookin' accident caused by some total FukkinMoron who doesn't know how to Merge or Yield)
especially during "rush hour" =)

No improvments have yet been made to that particular stretch of Klusterfukkism . . .
Yet, the next time you exit northbound Hefner Parkway at Memorial and are thankful for two Westbound turnlanes onto Memorial by the application o' a wee bit o' pavement paint and a bit o' signage too . . . That was my suggestion . . . (not t' brag)

So: Mister Doaks! Do something about all this. Quit listening to all those "Health Care Insurance" hustlers . . .
If there is less Texting/CellPhoning in Traffic . . . there will be less need for medical care!
(Learn How to Drive Insurance Costs Down! =)

[RadicalModerate]

Just to lighten it up a bit.
Portrait of A Cabo Wabo Wannabee, in traffic =)

what a wuss . . .

[Anonymous.]

I don't know about you guys, but my driving test did not teach me anything about merging into interstates and interstate driving in general.

I think the main problem is definitely the competitiveness of driving, people don't think ahead and it just creates more problems. Like another poster said, the "me" mentality has killed driving.



I drive the OKC gauntlet everyday twice (both NB and SB I-235 in the I-44 corridor. During both rush hours there is a guaranteed traffic jam. If people would understand they don't need to speed up and slam on the brakes to follow the person in front of them while in the traffic jam, like 95% of the accidents in this area would not exist. People don't understand the concept of letting your car roll ahead in a traffic jam - and instead they think they have to always be putting their foot on the accelerator or the brake.

I develop my own rage against people's road rage in these jams every day. I have to actually laugh it off.

Thankfully I have equipped my vehicle with a dashboard camera that records everything so I have my own peace of mind for all the impatient people out there.

[Just the facts]

I think the main problem is definitely the competitiveness of driving, people don't think ahead and it just creates more problems. Like another poster said, the "me" mentality has killed driving.

Maybe some people just don't have enough to live for (at least some of them drive that way). Several years ago I was riding to lunch with several co-workers and the driver was being a bit reckless. The front seat passenger asked him to stop it but the driver continued. At the next light he said, I have too much to live for and got out of the car. I probably should have gotten out with him.

[Anonymous.]

The reality of a driver of a multi occupied vehicle having essential control over the destiny of everyone on board has always disturbed me in the back of my mind. I often will play out scenarios in my head where I come up with a plan if something were to start to happen or the driver went crazy.

It is definitely some weird thoughts and it puts into perspective the meaning of trust.

[SoonerDave]

Great thread. I'd have to say Wisconsin drivers are almost as bad - just like here. Driving 10 below in the left lane, no regard whatsoever as far as signaling, etc. Another pet peeve is when you're trying to merge onto an expressway and the @$$holes in the lane you're trying to get into just don't get over, even if the lane(s) next to them are totally empty. They'll just keep cruising along at 10 below in the lane you need to get into - and since the morons who designed the interstate system in this city didn't think about building freaking ACTUAL MERGE LANES here, you run out of real estate awfully quick. Happened to me over the weekend merging on to I-240 E from Penn - the @$$hole driving his pickup just wouldn't get over. Gave him a friendly honk from the emergency shoulder where he'd forced me onto - then proceeded to follow me for the next 3 miles. What a major league douche. He has plenty of company here though that's for sure.

Just so I understand, you think it's up to the guy already going highway speeds to trip over himself to let YOU onto the highway because you haven't reached highway speeds yet? Did it occur to you that the guy in the right lane has to slow down because he has to expect you are going to force your way in at 45mph, so he slows to avoid a collision?

Quick refresher: Highway traffic has the right of way. Oncoming traffic is the intruder, hence that little "Yield" sign on the entrance ramp. The guy already on the highway has no duty to move over to accommodate some turtle on the entrance ramp.

[venture]

Just so I understand, you think it's up to the guy already going highway speeds to trip over himself to let YOU onto the highway because you haven't reached highway speeds yet? Did it occur to you that the guy in the right lane has to slow down because he has to expect you are going to force your way in at 45mph, so he slows to avoid a collision?

Quick refresher: Highway traffic has the right of way. Oncoming traffic is the intruder, hence that little "Yield" sign on the entrance ramp. The guy already on the highway has no duty to move over to accommodate some turtle on the entrance ramp.

Exactly. If I know I can't be up to speed enough to safely get in without causing someone else to slow down, I mitigate my speed so I can slide in behind them. The complicated issue becomes when you have an idiot ahead of you that only gets up to 40 mph and then slams on their brakes. If they had been up to 50-55, they would have been able to merge in no problem. I never understand why people don't use their mirrors and observe the traffic on the highway already and plan where they need to be speed wise to make the merge.

Speaking of merging. If there is a sign that says your lane ends, and you continue to speed up or stay right next to me...I'm not slowing down. I love these idiots, like on Hwy 9 east of 77, that just love staying in the left lane and just force their way over when the lane ends. I'm sorry, did you not see the lane ending signs for the last half mile?

[Just the facts]

Speaking of merging. If there is a sign that says your lane ends, and you continue to speed up or stay right next to me...I'm not slowing down. I love these idiots, like on Hwy 9 east of 77, that just love staying in the left lane and just force their way over when the lane ends. I'm sorry, did you not see the lane ending signs for the last half mile?

I know that is a tempting attitude, but it isn't helpful. This is one of those times when I really piss off my wife because I do slow down to let them in. The more inconsiderate other drivers are the more considerate I have to be to keep the "courtesy pendulum" in the middle. Otherwise, we all move as a group to the "rude" side. Then where are we? Keeping the peace on the road is better than being right.

[catch22]

When merging, the best method is to only allow one person in. Any more than that and the person behind you has to slow down even more. So I allow room for one person at the merge point, allow them and only them in, and then I close the gap and the next person to merge needs to merge behind me. It's called zippering.

[Roger S]

I never understand why people don't use their mirrors...

Because most people use all three of their mirrors as rear view mirrors. Most drivers don't know how to correctly set their mirrors to be able to see what is beside them without turning their heads.

[adaniel]

Exactly. If I know I can't be up to speed enough to safely get in without causing someone else to slow down, I mitigate my speed so I can slide in behind them. The complicated issue becomes when you have an idiot ahead of you that only gets up to 40 mph and then slams on their brakes. If they had been up to 50-55, they would have been able to merge in no problem. I never understand why people don't use their mirrors and observe the traffic on the highway already and plan where they need to be speed wise to make the merge.

Yes!! This x100000!

This is just the way I learned in Texas: It is YOUR responsibility to have your vehicle at least be matching the speed of the lane you are merging in. Drivers in the lane do not have a duty to let you in and doing so may actually cause a safety issue for the drivers behind them. I think people get confused by the yield signs here. If you were on a street and there is a yield sign as you were making a right turn in a separate little turning lane yes you are supposed to stop. Not on a highway. In fact I may be wrong here but OK is the only place I've seen where there are yield signs on the end of entrance ramps.

Let me also just add something. I have a feeling that people who are "speeding up" to not let you in are doing so because you are absolutely poking at 35-40 mph and you are an obvious safety hazard to let them in front of you. I recently had to do this on 235. I could not get over and I was hoping a merging car would speed up from their current speed of no more than 30 mph. When it became obvious that they were not and slowing down to their speed would get me rear-ended I had to just punch it and let them get in behind me. This has happened on several occasion to other drivers in the same area. It also doesn't help that ODOT engineers seem hell bent on designing outrageously short on/off ramps.

Merging is just one of those things where a little aggressiveness is not a bad thing. If people are too freaked out to properly get on maybe they should just stick to the back roads rather than be a major safety hazard.

[Anonymous.]

Maybe some people just don't have enough to live for (at least some of them drive that way). Several years ago I was riding to lunch with several co-workers and the driver was being a bit reckless. The front seat passenger asked him to stop it but the driver continued. At the next light he said, I have too much to live for and got out of the car. I probably should have gotten out with him.

Sometimes a hard lesson learned is a lesson learned forever.

I understand some people may not have driven on a particular road before and did not realize the lane ended, these people try to make an effort to change lanes once they realize instead of riding it to the actual cut off point.

When you ride the ending lane to the cut-off, it clearly indicates you are an acehole who thinks they're better than everyone else in line who has waited their turn. This exact scenario I witness everyday on I-235 north where it is raised over 36th St. People I see who regularly are in this traffic jam do this daily. These people who repeat-offend are simply jerks.