Driving habits of rural folk

[Citydude]

Just curious if it was a passing lane where the car was passing?

We use to go to a church about 20 minutes away. Most of the driving on a very rural road into another town where it's only 2 lanes, with no passing lanes. Speed limit around 45MPH (forget, but lots of bends so you don't want to be driving fast anyway). So, driving to church some yahoo passes me out having to at least 65 in a no passing lane (Sunday morning mind you). We didn't have kids at the time, so I let out some choice words in front of my wife about that driver. Well, the guy driving like an idiot got caught behind some cars /trucks coming into town and we actually got behind him. Turns out the guy (and family) was going to same Church we were going to. My wife made me swear to her NOT to say anything to the idiot when we got out of the car LOL

Again, ultimately my point is I don't think "rural folk" drive any safer than "city folk". Stupidity and experience (or lack of experience) knows no boundaries.

I will say this pretty much for a fact though on my own rural road walking from my own observations having people pass us... Generally older guys driving older pick ups drive the most courteous

I have 6 miles of county road to town. I agree, gray haired drivers drive a winding county road at the 30MPH limit. I’m gray haired, or blue depending on the light I’m in.....

Young ladies in their BMW SUV’s are the worst speeders just behind contractors. Seems their time is more valuable than mine..

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have to think of Clint driving his Vintage Pickup in El Camino! Very courteous for sure! Or Bridges of Madison County. Different flavour Clint for sure.

 

[dragoneggs]

The real problem is people in a hurry moving into rural areas.



Bruce

I'm only reading post #4 of this thread (yes late to the conversation) and this was me in a nutshell! Two ways to frame this for me. I remember my ex-wife's uncle and family coming out from Ipswich South Dakota to visit years ago. I drove the extended family into downtown Seattle and my Uncle was horrified that I had to cut across three lanes of heavy traffic to get from an on ramp to an off ramp on I-5. I didn't understand his disbelieve and fear.

Fast forward 15 years and my wife and I moved away from Suburbia/City driving out to semi rural area and the closest 'city' really a town. I remember my first impressions were... "Com'n man... get moving or pull over!"

Now after 'adjusting' to rural driving... I am the one looking in my rear view mirror saying, "Com'n man slow down, back off, relax, and enjoy the drive.

That said... I do like to drive fast and own a 'cityfolk' luxury BMW. I suppose I am still a bit of a hypocrite but rural life has significantly lowered my stress level and elevated my appreciation for people that are not so much of a hurry than suburbanites.

 

[goeduck]

I got my old Mercedes 240D running with the intent to sell it..... now I am thinking of keeping old slowpoke :checkeredflag: :checkeredflag: :checkeredflag: and selling one of my other vehicles

 

[Diggin It]

I can't drive fast any more. I'm afraid some part of my old cars will shake or rattle too much and fall off. Which part might determine if I can stop or not.

 

[defranks]

As a young jarhead I did a lot of driving on southern California freeways and was always wanting the knuckleheads to get out of my way so I could get there more quickly. After 25 years or so of much more relaxed driving I had business in San Diego, and the traffic scared the bejeebers out of me! I stayed in the slow lane doing 70 and in constant fear of being squished like a bug!

The roads I drive now are generally winding and narrow, but there are still a lot of folks who drive them too fast. I really don't care how fast another driver wants to go, so long as he can stay in his own lane. But if you can't keep your car between the lines, you're going too fast.

 

[strantor]

I really don't care how fast another driver wants to go, so long as he can stay in his own lane. But if you can't keep your car between the lines, you're going too fast.

It's my observation that those who can't maintain a lane are the same ones who can't maintain a constant speed. The speed-up-and-slow-down(while maintaining an average below the speed limit) types. The very people who sparked this thread. The 90mph-everywhere types, at least around Houston, usually do a good job of staying in their lane (when they aren't cutting across multiple lanes).

 

[MossRoad]

It's my observation that those who can't maintain a lane are the same ones who can't maintain a constant speed. The speed-up-and-slow-down(while maintaining an average below the speed limit) types. The very people who sparked this thread. The 90mph-everywhere types, at least around Houston, usually do a good job of staying in their lane (when they aren't cutting across multiple lanes).

I drove a 20' uhaul in high winds on 120miles of highway yesterday. It has no cruise control. I could not maintain speed or lane many, many times. Fortunately, neither could anyone else. No one was passing or being passed.

 

[Jstpssng]

It's my observation that those who can't maintain a lane are the same ones who can't maintain a constant speed. The speed-up-and-slow-down(while maintaining an average below the speed limit) types. The very people who sparked this thread. The 90mph-everywhere types, at least around Houston, usually do a good job of staying in their lane (when they aren't cutting across multiple lanes).

I think you're comparing apples to oranges now. There's a vast difference between a multi lane highway designed and built for transporting people and goods; vs a winding country road with a R/W width originally for wagons, and which follows an old Indian trail.

 

[Aquamoose]

Used to commute in SoCal in traffic going to downtown LA. Stressful.

Got another job further away, going the OPPOSITE direction of traffic. Blissful, but still drove like everyone else, in a hurry.

Moved to the country after starting my own business 11 years ago. At first, drove fast but realized I didn’t have to get anywhere in a hurry so I had to condition myself to just keep within the speed limits.

After 1 year, now drive like a true country native and really enjoyed the drives.

We still take trips from WA to see unfortunate souls still living in SoCal and the ol’ cruise control can be useless driving behind “yo-yo’s”, it’s what I call drivers who vary their speeds.

Enter the Honda Pilot with adaptive cruise control with lane assist (auto steering) and I’ve died & gone to heaven!