My lights are on in the rain regardless of how well I can see, so that others can see me better and not crash into me.
If a car’s front tire, or (usually) half his car, is already in my lane, it’s kinda late for him to put on his signal light. Discourteous drivers who don’t signal at all, are bad enough, but drivers who can’t even use their signal lights properly are even worse and bother me more.
When a driver passes me and immediately pulls into my lane only about car length in front of me when the highway ahead of us (including my lane) is open for a mile, passes my understanding as well.
I’m not sure how I feel about people who put dark plastic screens over their license plates, but respect is not one of them.
I try not to get angry at other drivers. I tell myself that they are morons and that they can’t help themselves.
Thoughts about highway driving in the coming winter snow:
People who drive a snow covered car with only a tiny part of their windshield cleared off strike me as being both foolish and lazy. Apparently they don’t care how well they can see behind them, or if their snow falls off on the already slick roads, or if it flies off and hits my windshield.
People forget to clear the snow off their signal lights so you can’t tell if they are stopping or turning.
Tips for city drivers who don’t drive on highways much in the snow:
You can either steer the car or accelerate it, but it is not a good idea to do both at the same time. The safest way to change lanes is to ease your foot off the peddle and ease into the other lane. (The idea is to rely on the car’s momentum rather than the traction of the tires)
Strong cross-winds are a good reason to drive a lot slower.
Just so you know, I am not a pokey driver. I generally drive about 10 mph over the limit. I’m happy cruising at 85mph.
Rant over.
“When a driver passes me and immediately pulls into my lane only about car length in front of me when the highway ahead of us (including my lane) is open for a mile, passes my understanding as well.”
The left lane is intended to be a PASSING lane. Not a travel lane. So the person that passes you and gets right back over is actually driving properly. There is nothing more infuriating than slow ass drivers hanging out in the passing lane for no apparent reason. This is what slows traffic and causes accidents. It also can potentially interfere with emergency vehicles. Many highways have signs up for the ignorant that literally say “Left lane is for passing only”. And you can also get a ticket for traveling in the left lane if you catch a cop in a bad enough mood.
Decent driving habits were a very early casualty in the death of common sense in general.
Many other things have followed.
And it started a long time ago...
driven by a smart driver, and then I just try to follow him (or her) for as long as I can.
I recently made a a trip like that, travelling south from Hanover, NH until he got off in Hartford, CT. He practically did the entire drive for me. From Hartford down to Westchester County in New York, I was on my own.
People have no idea on how to drive when we get ice in North Texas.
One interesting, purely Southern driving habit is the stopping of traffic for a Funeral procession. Hearses are escorted front and back by police. There is no law prescribing it, but traffic on both sides of the road ALWAYS stops and if it's a particularly long procession, people step out of their vehicle when the hearse passes by.
In PA we have the same law 'keep right except to pass' as other states. It's on the light up signs occasionally on our roads. Few have gotten the message. Sometimes when you come up on a left lane slow poke, they will move to the right, then after you pass, they move back into the left lane on a clear road... WTF?
One semi related issue is that we still have no 'hands free' law. You can still hold a phone, but many interpret that as 'I can text too!' The amount of texting while driving in any and all conditions is mind boggling out here. The drifting in the lanes, the change of speed, it's amazing.
“When a driver passes me and immediately pulls into my lane only about car length in front of me when the highway ahead of us (including my lane) is open for a mile, passes my understanding as well.”
The left lane is intended to be a PASSING lane. Not a travel lane. So the person that passes you and gets right back over is actually driving properly. There is nothing more infuriating than slow ass drivers hanging out in the passing lane for no apparent reason. This is what slows traffic and causes accidents. It also can potentially interfere with emergency vehicles. Many highways have signs up for the ignorant that literally say “Left lane is for passing only”. And you can also get a ticket for traveling in the left lane if you catch a cop in a bad enough mood.
BBS, I believe Marty is saying, that if you are passing, then don't dart in just past me(usually without a signal). Get a few car lengths ahead then come in.
It also pisses me off when someone comes screaming up behind me, I move over to allow them to pass and when they just get past, move over then slow down.
In PA we have the same law 'keep right except to pass' as other states. It's on the light up signs occasionally on our roads. Few have gotten the message. Sometimes when you come up on a left lane slow poke, they will move to the right, then after you pass, they move back into the left lane on a clear road... WTF?
One semi related issue is that we still have no 'hands free' law. You can still hold a phone, but many interpret that as 'I can text too!' The amount of texting while driving in any and all conditions is mind boggling out here. The drifting in the lanes, the change of speed, it's amazing.
I was born in NY and live in Hershey, PA, now. There is a stark contrast between tourist season and the rest of the year. When I see someone make a u-turn from the right lane of a busy four lane road (2 lanes in each direction plus a middle turn lane), I am guaranteed that I’m going to see NY or NJ plates on that car. PA drivers stink but I don’t know what happens to metro New Yorkers when they go on vacation- they lose their f***ing minds and forget all traffic laws when they enter this town.
Especially these days where GPS can direct you and reroute you if you make a mistake, it’s inexcusable.
Particularly when I'm pulling my camper - usually I'm in the right lane, but when if the road has gone to hell, I'm in the left lane. I'll do my best to keep clear so people can pass, but I'm not wrecking my rig.
Zipper merge at merge point has been proven in studies to be the most efficient at moving things along. Happily, signs have been showing up in construction zones to help with this.
PA drivers are awful and I've lived in NJ for almost 35 years! That says a lot.
For some reason, they just like to sit in the middle of the road and not do anything ... weird.
You are right Roman, merging is a challenge for PA people. I have seen people come down a ramp, and they interpret the yield sign as a stop sign...dead stopped where you should be accelerating. I hardly EVER saw that till I got to PA. I have to admit there are a lot of ramps that are engineered poorly with either curves that are not steady, way too short of entrance ramps, or a shared ramps (entrance and exit on same short stretch). PA is not known for their good roads, while we have the highest (or second?) highest gas tax in the country.
Zipper merge at merge point has been proven in studies to be the most efficient at moving things along. Happily, signs have been showing up in construction zones to help with this.
Oh come on man. You guys aren’t running up to that last possible second to merge to help traffic and those that will be exiting soon. That’s ludicrous. The assholes that refuse to merge until they absolutely have to are simply trying to get ahead of as many cars as they possibly can. There are signs for two miles telling you to merge. So move your ass over like everyone else. Your time isn’t any more important than mine or anyone else’s. Get in line.