What are the reasons for NOT using Cruise Control?

[MossRoad]

I probably did since the departmental safety program was part of my responsibilities at one time in the police department. I'm not sure which one, if there WAS just ONE, it might have been. But I think both the AAA and the AARP Defensive Driving courses are pretty good. My wife and I still take the AARP course at least once every 3 years for a very slight decrease in our insurance rates, plus I still learn something new now and then. The AARP course is geared more for older drivers. And of course, in Texas, people sometimes take such courses in order to get a traffic ticket dismissed. Fortunately, neither my wife nor I have ever needed to take one for that reason.:laughing:

AAA Texas - online-driver-improvement

Driver Safety Programs | 5 and Older Driving Program | AARP

Yeah, I think those are the ones. Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[tallyho8]

Those of you who believe that a car behind you is going slower than you and that each car behind him is going even slower are wrong. Although it would be very difficult, if there were 10 cars in a row all staying an equal distance apart they could all be traveling at the exact same speed.

To show this is possible, some of us proved it one day, not in cars, but with another mode of transportation. I was first in line on a beautiful Palomino horse and 2nd in line was a person on a speckled mule. Behind him was another person riding, of all things, an ostrich followed by a person on a zebra. We were all an equal distance apart and we all started out at the same time and same speed and got up to the same top speed and remained an equal distance apart.

After riding like that for what seemed like an eternity, we all gradually slowed down to a stop, remaining an equal distance apart, thus proving that the persons behind can go at the same speed as the person in front.

If anyone doubts that this is possible, you are welcome to come by and we will go repeat this experiment, but you can not ride the Palomino because that is my favorite ride on the merry-go-round.

 

[MossRoad]

I see that all the time. The other day I had one following me so close I couldn't even see his hood, only the bloom of his lights hidden behind my tailgate. I don't get it at all, do they think they are going to get there any faster? That was in a 3 mile downgrade in a canyon and I was at 65 in a 60 zone.

Two days ago, I'm stopped at a stoplight on a very busy street, looking left and right at cross traffic. I glance at my re-view mirror (I'm in a Suburban with clear windows, no tint, all the way around), AND THERE'S A GUY STANDING A FOOT FROM MY RIGHT REAR DOOR WINDOW LOOKING IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK!!! WHAT THE HECK???

Light turns green and I take off only to discover it's some loser on a moped. Due to our "smart streets" initiative, the speed limit is low, there's a center turn lane, only one lane in each direction, a bike lane, and a parking lane (sometimes) for about 3 miles. So this guy on the moped catches up to me and puts his left hand on my right-rear quarter and is cruising along at 35.

My first inclination is to swerve right and slam on my brakes to splat him like a bug.... but that's probably considered pre-meditated, since I thought about it. Anyhow, I figure what the heck do I care as long as he isn't scratching my truck up, so I continue along. We come up to the next light, he goes around me, turns right down the cross street, turns left into a business and I can tell he's going to turn right back in front of me. Sure enough, my light turns green, I and everyone else takes off, he pulls out in front of me and proceeds at 30 in a 35 zone holding up about 20 cars.

He finally turns off into a gas station...

Have I ever mentioned what a great town this is? :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

If someone tailgates me I just touch the brakes a little. Makes them back off every time!

They call that brake checking and its illegal in a lot of places. Fortunately, Karma is a classy lady....

My apologies, as it was already posted. A classic!!! :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

If your vehicle cant handle running at WOT for a few minutes each day, you need to maintain your vehicle better.

Aaron Z

I've never owned a car that couldn't maintain or increase speed up hill, let alone have to floor it. Even my junky $500 Nova's in the 80's could do it. If the car is that bad, its probably not safe to drive on the road.

 

[MossRoad]

Also, its safer to not cause people to have to go around you:

Aaron Z

Nice video! :thumbsup:

 

[MossRoad]

...Its pretty routine actually. Gain a few extra MPH before a hill, where its easy to do so. Which allows me to not have to tromp on the pedal on the uphill. Lots more efficient, and easier on my car.

Actually, in the name of efficiency, that's not the most efficient way to handle a hill, nor is it easier on your car. Its more efficient and easier on your car to let off the gas going up the hill, losing speed, then accelerate down it, gaining speed with the help of gravity.

 

[MossRoad]

...when the trailing car WRONGFULLY interprets my acceleration. And think I am speeding up permanently. When they make this ERROR in assuming they know what I am doing.....those behind THAT person pays the price. Perhaps on the next hill they will learn their lesson?...

The laws of nature say cars slow down going up hill and speed up going downhill. 99% of the people on the road expect that. I'll bet everyone in the choir but you sings off-key, too. :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

SQUIRREL!!! - YouTube

 

[MossRoad]

Those of you who believe that a car behind you is going slower than you and that each car behind him is going even slower are wrong. Although it would be very difficult, if there were 10 cars in a row all staying an equal distance apart they could all be traveling at the exact same speed.

To show this is possible, some of us proved it one day, not in cars, but with another mode of transportation. I was first in line on a beautiful Palomino horse and 2nd in line was a person on a speckled mule. Behind him was another person riding, of all things, an ostrich followed by a person on a zebra. We were all an equal distance apart and we all started out at the same time and same speed and got up to the same top speed and remained an equal distance apart.

After riding like that for what seemed like an eternity, we all gradually slowed down to a stop, remaining an equal distance apart, thus proving that the persons behind can go at the same speed as the person in front.

If anyone doubts that this is possible, you are welcome to come by and we will go repeat this experiment, but you can not ride the Palomino because that is my favorite ride on the merry-go-round.

Nice! :laughing: