Yard sales and cell phones. (rant)

[Farmwithjunk]

I started this mess? WOW!

OK, Here's ANOTHER one that bothers me. I'm on my way home just a while ago. I'm on the interstate. I'm in the "slow lane". (By the way, GATORBOY IS right about fast and slow lanes) Fast lane is stacked up with semi's. No way I can move over. A couple cars come down a feeder ramp and want to merge into traffic in the slow lane. What do they do? How about stomping on the brakes just as they pull into my line of traffic. What happened to the concept of blending into traffic? I slowed enough to allow room for both to pull in front of me. But consider there was a long line of 70 mph traffic behind me. They just about ran over the top of me when I had to stomp on MY brakes because of the pair that "merged" with their brakes instead of accelerating to the pace at which the rest of us were running.

I am disapointed to see the number of people (and in some cases WHO) that believe they have a right to enforce their own personal views as to what they see as permissable on the road. I've read some disturbing comments by a few people here. As I said in an earlier post, why do some people try to deal with stupid drivers by trying to "out stupid" them?

 

[Egon]

"out stupid" them?

Perhaps it is because they are the "Stupidest"

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Perhaps it is because they are the "Stupidest"

You may be right. Unfortunately, there seems to be an on-going competition in todays society to prove just who is the "stupidest".

 

[Onthesauk]

I use the following tag line on a number of other boards:

Don’t attribute irritating behavior to malevolence when mere stupidity will suffice as an explanation.

I believe it was written by an economist 70 plus years ago in reference to some economic situation but when I was still working and commuting in the city I had it taped to the dash of my car. There is often times a tendency to believe someone is doing something just to "get you" when often times they simply don't have a clue. Helped me deal with it.

 

[MikePA]

You may be right. Unfortunately, there seems to be an on-going competition in todays society to prove just who is the "stupidest".

Lots of examples in this thread of people's reactions to others driving habits that prove this point. The stupidest are those who react with others in their car. I USED to carpool with someone like that. I told him if he wanted to put himself at risk by acting like an idiot that was his business, but not with me in the car.

Road Rage - Life's too short to allow others to determine my mood. Common sense should tell us that when lots of people have yard sale signs out, there will be cars parked on the berm, cars will be slowing down, etc. I look at the person in front of me specifically to see if they're on the phone. If they are, I give them plenty of room because I KNOW they are not giving driving their full attention. When I can safely get away/around them I do. If I'm 'stuck' behind them, I simply decide there's nothing I can do about it, give 'em room and enjoy the day anyway.

Motorcycles - Many years ago, I took the motorcycle safety course long before it was a requirement to get a license. It was also before passing the class got you the motorcycle endorsement. I still had to take the test at the local state police barracks.

The class was a good mix of newbies who never rode before (like me) and old timers. Many of the old timers arrived on their motorcycles, anything from HDs to full dress Gold Wings.

There were 2 instructors, one always arrived on his motorcycle while the other always arrived in a car. After the 3rd class I asked the guy who always arrived in a car if he had a bike. "Not any more." was his response. "Why?", I asked. "Got married and have kids. It's not worth the risk."

I got my license, by borrowing my FIL's Suzuki, and have not ridden since. Same reason as the instructor. Even though I never bought a motorcycle taking the class was very worthwhile. It made me much more aware of motorcycles on the road. In fact, I think to get a license to drive a car, there should be some instruction about motorcycles and sharing the road with them.

One of the things they stressed in the class, and I assume they still do is;

Other drivers on the road DO NOT SEE YOU and you have to ride that way. Always assume the drivers around you will do something stupid, e.g. they will turn in front of you, they will cut you off, they will jam on their brakes in front of you, etc.. Always have an escape plan for when they do and as Robert_in_NY said, NEVER deliberately put yourself in a dangerous circumstance, and if you do, get out of it ASAP. For me, riding a motorcycle took A LOT more concentration than driving a car. While the sense of 'freedom' on a motorcycle was almost intoxicating, so was the sense of vulnerability.

Oh, a number of the old timers did not pass the class because they failed the riding test.

 

[scott_vt]

Motorcycles

Other drivers on the road DO NOT SEE YOU and you have to ride that way. Always assume the drivers around you will do something stupid, e.g. they will turn in front of you, they will cut you off, they will jam on their brakes in front of you, etc.. Always have an escape plan for when they do and as Robert_in_NY said, NEVER deliberately put yourself in a dangerous circumstance, and if you do, get out of it ASAP. For me, riding a motorcycle took A LOT more concentration than driving a car. While the sense of 'freedom' on a motorcycle was almost intoxicating, so was the sense of vulnerability.

Mornin Mike,
Very good post ! I rode motorcycles for many years, but not the last few years. A couple of years ago my youngest son bought a Harley Superglide against my wifes advice and even though he doesnt live home anymore he still keeps it in our garage. I just couldnt stand the sight of a beautiful new Harley sitting idle so I took it for a few short rides. Before long I was taking it to work, only 8 miles away, but on the way to work I would have to go by a small shoping area that has people pulling in and out all day ! I used to do the speed limit by that area without a care ! I knew I had lost my nerve when I got to that area this time, because I slowed down to a crawl knowing full well that people whip on and out of that area without even looking and I didnt want to be a roadside casualty ! I think Ill stick to that big Dodge PU 4x4 truck, it offers a bit more protection !

 

[MikePA]

Morning scotty!

Perhaps I should have added an explanation to my statement that it took A LOT more concentration in case there are people who don't ride. Since you've riden, you'll know what I'm talking about.

There's the physical side of riding which requires the coordinated use of both hands and both feet. For most people, this becomes second nature, but there's a period at the beginning where you actually have to think about what you're doing. (Was it left foot down when I stop or right foot down? What gear am I in?) A dangerous time on the road for new riders. Another benefit of taking the safety course, you get plenty of seat time in the class. Certainly enough so you don't have to concentrate as much on your hands and feet.

After people have the mechanics of riding down, it takes conscious effort to maintain awareness of what's around you when riding. Blue car behind me, green car coming at me in the other lane, red car about to pass, white car sitting in a parking lot ready to exit. Where'd the red car go, did it pass me? Is the lady in the white car looking at me? Does she see me? Oh no, she's looking the other way and her car is moving. Actually, people should drive this way regardless of the kind of vehicle they're in, or on. However, a lapse in concentration at the wrong time in a car and you have a fender bender. On a motorcycle you can end up as road pizza.

 

[patrick_g]

You may be right. Unfortunately, there seems to be an on-going competition in todays society to prove just who is the "stupidest".

Yeah, just look at all the folks who scoff when tractor safety is mentioned, especially relating to the use of an FEL as a work platform.

Pat

 

[patrick_g]

Don’t attribute irritating behavior to malevolence when mere stupidity will suffice as an explanation.

There is often times a tendency to believe someone is doing something just to "get you" when often times they simply don't have a clue.

Then there are realists who don't care WHY the dog is biting them, only THAT the dog is biting them and react appropriately.

Pat

 

[dmccarty]

I was LMAO yesterday at this one driver yesterday. And part of the "humour" was this thread.

I take a road south from I40 that has lots of traffic. Its one of only two/three roads the goes to I40 so it has lots of cars. As I am heading south there is a car. Goes fast. Goes slow. Driver on the phone. Hard to believe I know. Eventually he turns and we get to a light. There is an 80's blue/white PU behind me. We go through the light and I'm not going fast enough so he passes me. Yet another surprise. He zoomed zoomed ahead to the next pulse of traffic, glued to someones bumper, and stayed there for the next 10-15 miles.

I turn off this major road on a short cut that takes me to another road going north/south. There are only three roads heading east/west that connect these two north/south roads. This second north/south road is where I get passed all of the time but not today. I get to the light. And guess what? There is an 80's blue/white PU in front of me!

He had to have taken the third east/west road! Boy Mr. Zoom Zoom saved some time. Now, he ALMOST got it though. The light cycled and he did not make it through so he zipped through the gas station. Two deputies where sitting there filling up. Good chance they and HP are working the road Zoom Zoom and I are going to use. Sure enough 5 miles down the road HP pulled a guy over but not Zoom Zoom. He go lucky.

It would be funny if he did not put so many people at risk.

Later,
Dan