Just chaps my *** .

[jmc]

You're asking people to think from another person's perspective.

If you've ever visited TBN's political forum you know many people are capable of only one perspective. It's interesting how we tend to divide people into groups, liberal/conservative, rich/poor, educated/uneducated, etc...but I see on of the biggest differences in people is "empathy". People have it or they don't.
(the same as "curiosity", but that's a different discussion...)

Thoughtful point. I've had related thoughts, like, why the Deciders that are so against expanded health care also happen to have their own employer provided, gold-plated health insurance until **** freezes over. But I hadn't connected lack of empathy as a common denominator to various ideologies.

 

[MossRoad]

I've never seen a tire blow, but I did see a brake drum on a semi trailer come apart. It bounced off the road and came in through my windshield on the passenger side. It shattered the rear glass in my cab/chassis truck. I had glass everywhere in the cab. I was on my way to pick up a co-worker. He could have been decapitated if he was in there.

YIKES!!!

 

[Bigfoot62]

Kinda funny that you mention it... taking the wife to lunch the other day on a 4 lane road (two in each direction). We were heading south and we had a 44 ton truck pull out across both our lanes trying to head south, too, right in front of us so fast we were forced into oncoming traffic or go into the truck right about under the driver's door!

Yessir. Sadly, there are bad drivers in all size vehicles.

 

[MossRoad]

Yessir. Sadly, there are bad drivers in all size vehicles.

On the other hand, there was a fatal wreck near here yesterday where a car crossed the center line, smashed head on into another car, and someone else clipped a semi. The semi got pushed into oncoming traffic, but somehow the driver managed to shoot a gap in the traffic and go off the road into the trees without taking anyone else out. He's being held with high regard by many.

Here's a link to a facebook story about it and a dashcam video of it happening in the rear view mirror, so everything's flipped. This is just west of an intersection of U.S. 20 and Fail Rd. (ironic name) in LaPorte County, IN. There have been numerous fatalities in that area for decades. No one can figure out why. The speed limit has been dropped. A stoplight installed. And it just doesn't seem to matter. I kind of wish they'd just assign a trooper there 24/7 to ticket everyone multiple times. Every time I go through there anywhere near the speed limit multiple cars sail past.
Brad Novick - so today I was on my way to do an escort... | Facebook

And a local news story about it.
Names released in LaPorte County crash that killed three people | WSBT

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Yessir. Sadly, there are bad drivers in all size vehicles.

Yep, the size of the vehicle does not make the difference. Even cops make bad driving decisions, saw one of them almost cause an accident a few weeks ago.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Few yrs ago I was going down I77, down the mountain from fancy gap va into North carolina, went around a curve and everyone was locking up brakes for stopped traffic. Looked in my mirror, here comes a semi that wasn't gonna stop in time. He took his rig off the left side of the road, up an embankment, and landed on his right side. He saved a few lives by doing that, maybe even mine.

 

[dragoneggs]

When I'm on an open divided hiway and I catch up to a semi that's traveling near my speed I accelerate and pass it. I never shadow a semi. If things go bad you will lose.

Also when on an open divided hiway and a semi slowly catches up to me, maybe going 1-2 mph faster than me, I either speed up and get out of his way or when I see he doesn't have any traffic in the passing lane obstructing a pass, I slow down a couple mph and let him by. All "company" owned semis are governed. Usually between 65-70mph. He doesn't want to take 20 miles to pass you any more than you want him beside you for 20 miles. He's just trying to make a living and is driving the equipment he's given in the best manner he can. Give him a break and let him by if it bothers you that he's tailgating.
:

I will admit that I drive faster than the average bear on open highways/freeways (when the weather is good). I never 'hang' by anyone if I can help it. And I do get frustrated when folks are in the left lane holding up others wishing to go faster. I also am always considering an 'out' when there is a bunch of traffic.

I have done a lot of driving in Germany/France/England and people never 'loiter' in the fast lanes. Regardless of speed, people always seem to pass and then move over allowing a faster vehicle, even if not in even in view yet, the ability to move by. I have never witnessed road rage in Europe (but I am sure it happens) but seen plenty of clueless drivers and those that want to regulate traffic here in the US. This courteous driving does not judge or try to regulate driving and everyone seems much more alert and respectful.

 

[Gunny]

We've got a keep right except to pass law, but I rarely see or hear of it being enforced. It bugs the crap out of me to see someone going under the limit or just doing the limit and living in the left lane, making faster traffic pass on their right, just setting up a scenario for someone else to be involved in an accident.

 

[ovrszd]

I've never seen a tire blow, but I did see a brake drum on a semi trailer come apart. It bounced off the road and came in through my windshield on the passenger side. It shattered the rear glass in my cab/chassis truck. I had glass everywhere in the cab. I was on my way to pick up a co-worker. He could have been decapitated if he was in there.

Angels were guarding you my friend.

 

[ovrszd]

We've got a keep right except to pass law, but I rarely see or hear of it being enforced. It bugs the crap out of me to see someone going under the limit or just doing the limit and living in the left lane, making faster traffic pass on their right, just setting up a scenario for someone else to be involved in an accident.

I'm 100 miles from KC and 80 miles from Des Moines using I-35. When I get within 20 miles of either city drivers quit staying right. I call them city drivers. They stay in the left lane because in about 20 minutes they are gonna want to take a left turn exit........ Jeeezzzz,,,, anybody oughtta know that.......