Drivers that scare/concern you

[Opti]

In reading another thread, it occurred to me if I knew someone was

holding a cup of coffee and going around a turn, I'd be a little leary

of their skills and ability to not screw up, automatic or manual transmission.

The other day I saw this woman eating something with a metal spoon in her

car. I was glad I wasn't that close to her as people who don't spend 90 to 100%

of their effort on driving while the car is moving generally concern me. I  think she

was actually holding up a little bowl as she cruised to a stop with lots of traffic in front

of her. (I opted for another lane.)

 

Are there drivers you see on the road that scare or concern you?

Some you feel are more prone to accidents?

[Deleted]

Anyone on a phone or texting

[Deleted]

people so busy trying to see what I'm doing that they're not paying attention to the road

[Opti]

When cellphones were fairly new, I watched a driver on a phone rear end

another vehicle(both were in front of me).

I think those who use their phones while moving(car in motion) get in more accidents and

drive stupid more than most.

[Opti]

Oct 17, 2014 18:10:10 GMT -5 @singlemominmd said:

people so busy trying to see what I'm doing that they're not paying attention to the road

Now I am curious. What are you doing?!

[Pants]

I had a driver almost hit me earlier this week making a left turn from a stop sign into my lane. She came within a foot of hitting me, then came up next to me at the stop light and was yelling at ME! So I'm scared of her now.

[cktc]

People who treat their daily commute like a Nascar event scare the shit out of me. Speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, passing on the right, driving down the shoulder etc... Then they lay on the horn and tailgate if another driver isn't fleeing from their path. They must all die by 50 with that much adrenaline pumping.

ETA: Distracted drivers concern me, but they tend to drive more slowly and if involved in a major wreck, they are probably the one getting hit.

[Miss Tequila]

I always drink my coffee while I'm driving to work

[Bonny]

We're not going to start another thread about my MIL are we?

[8 Bit WWBG]

People who believe their SUVs are immune from the laws of physics.  Left lane dicks.  Hot headed people who simply cannot possibly let you get in front of them and will joust you to prevent you from merging.  People who can't park straight.  People that use their phones while waiting at a red light.  The light always changes and a big gap opens up -- then when they realize it, those people always manage to just make that light while everyone behind them has to sit through another rotation.

[swamp]

If some one can't drink a cup of coffee/bottle of water/soda and drive, they have no business driving. 

[Lizard Queen]

I once saw someone driving down the highway with a newspaper (folded up so that it fit) on their steering wheel.  They weren't driving erratically or anything, but were going faster than me (which would have been around 70 mph or so).

[ZaireinHD]

cops!
everyday or all the time I see them breaking the rules!

[Deleted]

But but but.... you simply MUST come to Boston and check out our mad driving skills!!! I will be the first to admit that I broke a couple of laws Monday night/Sunday morning going to and from Watertown but I had never been there and going at 8:30 at night and coming home at 5:15 in the morning puts a whole new light, or lack thereof, on it. I hate driving on 93 on a good day and I still can't figure out how the hell I wound up in Somerville trying to find 95. Seriously, I just don't know.

I have seen people around here brushing their teeth, eating cereal, reading the newspaper and putting on mascara. I kept hoping they would stab themselves in the eye on that one.

Stupid people at the rotaries around here are a treat as well. Some numbnut died the other day at a rotary off 95/128 in my area and I can guarantee that it was because they didn't think they had to yield. They never do.

[thyme4change]

I honestly clicked on this to see if you were the person that has every right to think I am the biggest idiot on the planet.  Today, I pulled out onto a street, absolutely sure the guy was in the right lane.  But, he was in the left lane.  And there was traffic coming the other way, so just about everyone had to compensate and adjust so I wouldn't cause a huge disaster.  Boo me!  I felt so bad.  I hope that guy realizes that everyone makes mistakes.  Bad judgement happens.  Sometimes it can be avoided, but nobody is perfect.

[ZaireinHD]

Oct 17, 2014 22:52:24 GMT -5 @empressspunkles said:

But but but.... you simply MUST come to Boston and check out our mad driving skills!!! I will be the first to admit that I broke a couple of laws Monday night/Sunday morning going to and from Watertown but I had never been there and going at 8:30 at night and coming home at 5:15 in the morning puts a whole new light, or lack thereof, on it. I hate driving on 93 on a good day and I still can't figure out how the hell I wound up in Somerville trying to find 95. Seriously, I just don't know.

I have seen people around here brushing their teeth, eating cereal, reading the newspaper and putting on mascara. I kept hoping they would stab themselves in the eye on that one.

Stupid people at the rotaries around here are a treat as well. Some numbnut died the other day at a rotary off 95/128 in my area and I can guarantee that it was because they didn't think they had to yield. They never do.

Gawd DAM!!!
Brushing Teeth!!


your place got some badass - skilled drivers!

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Oct 17, 2014 18:12:20 GMT -5 Opti said:

When cellphones were fairly new, I watched a driver on a phone rear end

another vehicle(both were in front of me).

I think those who use their phones while moving(car in motion) get in more accidents and

drive stupid more than most.

Texting is worse than talking. You can talk on a phone hands-free. Punch in a stored number while at a red light, then put your phone in a holder on the dash so you can hold a conversation.

Or wear a headset/earpiece to talk.

Texting while driving means having to take your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel in order to type out your message - there's far more accidents caused by texting than by talking. There are ways to make talking on cell while driving relatively safe. Not so with texting.

[8 Bit WWBG]

Sometimes we find it safer to break protocol out of self-preservation.  By that I mean cases where even though I knew I had the right of way, it was safer to let the other person go (and it turns out, they were going anyway!).

A few days ago we stopped at an intersection where we had no stop sign, but the other person did.  Since it was obvious that person was not paying attention, we slowed and stopped.  Good thing -- it was the difference between her hitting us, and not.

When our car was a month new and had barely 500 miles, some buffoon either mis-judged oncoming traffic or thought he could still slip through.  Thanks to DW's quick reaction and our brand new tires, we were able to swerve to the side and avoid hitting this person.  

Even though we totally had the right of way, and there was NO WAY he couldn't have not seen us (very visible, long approach, with him waiting idle to make a left across 4 lanes), the way the timing went he'd have been far enough out that we'd have hit him.  I'm not sure how the law would judge that.  I would argue it was 100% his fault.  If I'd been assigned any fault, and my 1 month old brand new car needed significant work (and it would have), that guy would need to enter the witness protection program.

[The Home 6]

I'll be the first to admit that I have a lead foot on the highway/interstate. Going 75 on the Glenn (when there is no snow) is normal operating procedure for about 90% of drivers around here.

On base, it is a different story. I do NOT speed at all. (usually because I have the kids with me) Two nights ago, I'm coming from the Richardson side of post, and it's dark already. Moose are coming down to the valley, because it's snowy up in the mountains, so of COURSE I'm driving the speed limit of 35. 

This dinkweed is behind me. And when I say behind me, I mean close enough to lick my bumper. I HATE that.   I gave my phone to older daughter to text BS to make sure it wasn't him (it wasn't). Ooops, was that my foot slipping off the gas pedal? Dang, am I only going 25 miles an hour now? Better speed back up to 35. Oh, you want to lick my bumper again, buddy? There goes my foot again. 

Long story short. I hate tailgaters. 

[The Captain]

Oct 17, 2014 19:48:59 GMT -5 swamp said:

If some one can't drink a cup of coffee/bottle of water/soda and drive, they have no business driving. 

In a stick?!?  Shifting gears and taking a swig at the same time?  To me that's the same as an idiot dialing a number with one hand while holding the phone with another WHILE the car is in motion.

I'd like at least one had on the wheel thankyouverymuch...

[The Home 6]

Who still drives stick? Who has the ability? I know how, but it is a dying skill.

[Opti]

Oct 18, 2014 12:10:13 GMT -5 The Home 6 said:

Who still drives stick? Who has the ability? I know how, but it is a dying skill.

Me. Various fun people with cars with manual transmission.

[midjd]

Driving a stick doesn't require constant shifting, unless you are in the worst traffic imaginable. Plenty of time to take a drink.

[swamp]

Oct 18, 2014 11:16:53 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Oct 17, 2014 19:48:59 GMT -5 swamp said:

If some one can't drink a cup of coffee/bottle of water/soda and drive, they have no business driving. 

In a stick?!?  Shifting gears and taking a swig at the same time?  To me that's the same as an idiot dialing a number with one hand while holding the phone with another WHILE the car is in motion.

I'd like at least one had on the wheel thankyouverymuch...

That's what a cup holder is for. Put it down when you shift. I spent many years driving stick and still managed not to spill my drink. 

[The Home 6]

Oct 18, 2014 14:58:37 GMT -5 Opti said:

Oct 18, 2014 12:10:13 GMT -5 The Home 6 said:

Who still drives stick? Who has the ability? I know how, but it is a dying skill.

Me. Various fun people with cars with manual transmission.

It was an honest question! Nyah.

[Baby Fawkes]

Outside of he US in European countries the answer would be about 95% or more.

I drive a stick but am definitely in the minority over here.

[milee]

We're in the process of looking for a used car with a manual transmission for our oldest son to learn to drive on.  We think it's a good skill to have, plus he's up for the challenge.  (And I don't really want him driving my car.  )