I can't stand people!!!

[Scepticalscribe]

My guess is theres other people that drive the speed limit saying the same thing about you.

The same unworthy thought crossed my mind.

Smart roads are coming- GPS enabled black boxes will just send you a monthly ticket for your offenses. THey could govern the engine but that would eliminate governmental revenue

Seriously the speed limit is a maximum. Anyone that goes over deserves the consequences including me.

Excellent post and well said.

So you're speeding is ok, but other people who do it, are reckless.

They were breaking the law and were guilty of speeding and you were also. I don't know the situation but if I see a car coming up in the left lane going faster then I am. I usually try to move over.

The best bet to stay safe and not be in a ditch is to drive the speed limit and stay in the middle lane.

Again, another excellent post.

Agreed but why not follow them though, because the amount of time you save is negligible really, on the average trip you might get there a half minute early or a minute at most. Is the risk of loss of $$$ worth it, i dunno.

I think a big reason people speed is because the limit messes with their sense of being in control and autonomy. Gosh knows a lot of modern society messes with that. Its bad that people have to die because of it but people die for a lot more silly reasons.

I think this nails it exactly; some people have a weird sense of autonomy, control - and sometimes, arising out of that, arrogance and entitlement and power - when they are in a car. Something about being cut off in a car seems to enhance one's strong sense of personal and private space and regard anything which intrudes on it as a offence against one's person. Conversely, the sense of a common duty of care seems to be eroded in these circumstances.

L'enfer, c'est les autres.

Who'd have guessed? A guy called Muscle Master and Jean-Paul Sartre, philosophical brothers in arms. But on the bright side, at least the highway you were driving on had exits....

Great post!

OP, you might think of changing the title of your thread; the title as it stands is a bit misleading. I was of the opinion that I was about to read the grumbles of a dedicated misanthrope when I clicked on your thread, rather than a howl of rage at a traffic incident. How about something along the lines of "I can't stand people who drive badly/dangerously?" or something similar which makes the topic of the thread clearer to anyone who might stumble across it.

 

[Muscle Master]

Have you ever stopped to think that you not yielding to faster traffic isn't also putting people at risk? Maybe the driver that was going "100" wouldn't have had to make an evasive maneuver to get around you if you had just merged right and let him pass. It's not your job to police the roads and decide who is going too fast and who is within "safe" limits, leave the policing to the police and merge to the right when you have a car approaching you at a faster speed.

I tend to drive 75-85 in the passing lane #1 lane when traffic/conditions allows it, while I am usually patient enough to wait for some dimwit to merge over while holding up a line of cars behind them I have seen other less patient drivers make outrageously stupid moves to get around them. While I don't think the person that does stupid moves to get around that car is in the right I do think part of the blame falls on the person that refuses to move out of the #1 lane because they have some superiority complex or thinks its their job to police the highways.

It's a big peeve of mine on the receiving end of your BS driving habits, I've seen 10 + cars get legally and safely passed a slow driver in the #1 (passing) lane only to have the driver not get a clue and stay in the lane. Those signs that say "Slower traffic merge right" are just as much for yours and others safety as the speed limit signs you're so fixated on. Learn to share the road and realize that its not your job to police it and just move the heck over next time a car is quickly approaching you in the fast/passing lane...

The nerve

First off all.. I'm not policing anything, secondly there's nothing slow about 70 mph at all I'm just freaking driving!!! Secondly how the hell do you yield to slower traffic when you don't see the morons coming!!! Answer me that!

The Ford Edge I mention in my op was not behind me.. It was a Honda civic that was a car length behind me, the trick had to be swerving in and out lanes 5 cars back before she even got to me cause once she was a head of me.. She was ghost! but that besides the point

If I'm doing 70 mph which is 15 over the limit anyway.. I don't have to yield to jack ****!! Especially if you don't see them coming

 

[rei101]

What worries me is that you hold your issue long enough to write it down in a forum in internet.

Dude, I have the same issue as well all the time and they last less than a second and that is it. More important things in my mind like... trying a new After Effects plug in.

 

[TheAppleFairy]

how the hell do you yield to slower traffic when you don't see the morons coming!!! Answer me that!

Most cars come with at least 3 mirrors. If yours didn't I would look at getting them installed.

 

[Muscle Master]

Most cars come with at least 3 mirrors. If yours didn't I would look at getting them installed.

Smh.. I use my mirrors, its suicide not to.. it was a bus 3 car lengths behind the truck I was passing

 

[TheAppleFairy]

Smh.. I use my mirrors, its suicide not to.. it was a bus 3 car lengths behind the truck I was passing

I will just say this. If you are 100% accurate in your OP, then I agree the driver of that truck is an *******. I also have to agree with rei101, just honk your horn, maybe say a few cuss words and let it slide off your back.

You aren't going to change anyone, and there is no reason to let anger build up in you. 1 to 5 minutes after the incident you should have already let it go.

 

[Muscle Master]

I can't stand people!!!

What worries me is that you hold your issue long enough to write it down in a forum in internet.

Dude, I have the same issue as well all the time and they last less than a second and that is it. More important things in my mind like... trying a new After Effects plug in.

This happened yesterday..And I have a very long commute.. And people cut me off at least 6-8 times a trip.. I mean damn, it's not like I'm doing 40.. I'm doing 70 mph!!! 15 over the limit !!

If you need to pass, proper driving etiquette is to flash your high beams and and honk your horn! I gladly move over, but if your going to be idiot and dangerously cut me off may god bless us all

It's not that I'm holding a grudge.. Who has time for that but it's getting to the point.. I am starting to fear for my life.. People drive that reckless up here.. And I also forgot to mention.. 422 is 90% a two lane highway through the mountains.. Look it up

Besides me speeding, how the hell am I in the wrong!

 

[dejo]

Those signs that say "Slower traffic merge right" are just as much for yours and others safety as the speed limit signs you're so fixated on.

I prefer the signs that say "Keep right except to pass". Doesn't allow drivers to out of "Well, I'm not slower traffic. I'm doing the speed limit."

 

[Jesla]

If I'm doing 70 mph which is 15 over the limit anyway.. I don't have to yield to jack ****!! Especially if you don't see them coming

…and now we see the bigger picture.

 

[rdowns]

This happened yesterday.. And I have a very long commute.. And people cut me off at least 6-8 times a trip.. I mean damn, it's not like I'm doing 40.. I'm doing 70 mph!!! 15 over the limit !!

The hell is slow about that.. Besides me speeding, how the hell am I in the wrong!

Perhaps it is you who is clogging the fast lane of you are cut off by 6-8 drivers per day. Why are you trying to regulate the speed of the fast lane?

 

[heehee]

This happened yesterday..And I have a very long commute.. And people cut me off at least 6-8 times a trip.. I mean damn, it's not like I'm doing 40.. I'm doing 70 mph!!! 15 over the limit !!

If you need to pass, proper driving etiquette is to flash your high beams and and honk your horn! I gladly move over, but if your going to be idiot and dangerously cut me off may god bless us all

It's not that I'm holding a grudge.. Who has time for that but it's getting to the point.. I am starting to fear for my life.. People drive that reckless up here.. And I also forgot to mention.. 422 is 90% a two lane highway through the mountains.. Look it up

Besides me speeding, how the hell am I in the wrong!

Because it's not the fast lane, it's the PASSING LANE.

 

[Shrink]

Ok, can you explain your "best mileage at 70mph statement? My understanding is that your standard vehicle achieves it's top gear and once that happens the lowest or lower speed in the top gear will be most efficient. The faster you go above that, more energy is required, more wind resistance, less efficiency. I drive a Fiat 500 and I really notice this. My best mileage comes in the 60 mph range. The faster I go, the lower my fuel efficiency becomes. It seems to really drop off at 75 and above.

I think you are partially correct, but there are other factors effecting fuel consumption. The car's aerodynamics (coefficient of drag), the roll efficiency of your tires, and other stuff (I can't think of the other stuff!)You said that once you reach top gear, cruising at the slowest speed in that gear maximizes mileage...but in my car, my top gear is 6th, and cruising at 4,000 rpms (8,000 rpm red line) means I'm going about 110-115 mph or more. Some problem with your theory!

There is research (no source, I'm too lazy, so take this for what it's worth) indicating that speed differential in traffic is a more important factor in accidents than speed per se. That is, if traffic is moving at 65-70 mph, and you're going 55 mph, you represent a risk factor. If traffic is going 60 mph, and you're going 75, you represent the risk factor.

 

[maflynn]

I admit to doing 10-15 mph over the limit but its a big difference between doing a little over the limits verses doing over a hundred miles per hour on a congested freeway.. It's a big difference driving safely, using your turn signals, properly passing people with a nice amount of distance verses swerving in and out of lanes like its the fast and the furious, cutting people off, not using turn signals and putting people lives at risk

I know I was being a bit facetious but my point is valid. When I'm driving the speed limit and someone whizzes by at 20 mph, there's quite a difference. I find, that its human nature when a driver comments on the recklessness of one driver that they see, even though they do the same thing.

If you really are concerned about other people causing an accident, then slow it down, your reaction time decreases the faster you go, and stay in the middle lane as I posted.

 

[Mousse]

You said that once you reach top gear, cruising at the slowest speed in that gear maximizes mileage...but in my car, my top gear is 6th, and cruising at 4,000 rpms (8,000 rpm red line) means I'm going about 110-115 mph or more. Some problem with your theory! .

Eh? You don't hit 6th gear until after 4000rpm? Either I'm missing something or you misunderstood what the other guy was saying. He means, if I read what he wrote right, maximum efficacy occurs when you run at the lowest RPM of the top gear. Makes sense to me.

 

[rei101]

It's not that I'm holding a grudge.. Who has time for that but it's getting to the point.. I am starting to fear for my life.. People drive that reckless up here..

Reckless?

In Venezuela (my home country)...
We do not have highway patrol.
We do not have speed limit perce... anybody can do what ever they want literally.
When the light is green you can keep going carefully BECAUSE if you stop at the red light you will be robbed. That means that Red Light meas: keep going but carefully, and Green Light means: keep going but at you own risk.

THAT is recklessness.

Oh... forgot to mention...

When you are in the traffic, the motorcyclist pass by between cars at all speed. If you want to change lines, they will kick your mirrors. They go at 50 miles per hour at least between cars and making noises with their horns. Is not like in the US that a motorcyclist has to be behind a car, forget about it.

And do not even think about parking your motorcycle in the spot for one car... it will be ran over even by the police! You go and park your motorcycle on the sidewalk or at the designated space.

 

[Shrink]

Eh? You don't hit 6th gear until after 4000rpm? Either I'm missing something or you misunderstood what the other guy was saying. He means, if I read what he wrote right, maximum efficacy occurs when you run at the lowest RPM of the top gear. Makes sense to me.

You hit 6th gear after going through the first 5 gears, turning about 5,500 rpm before shifting, which is a very modest shift speed. In theory I could take it to redline in each gear before I shift, but I don't push it much.

Lower than 4,000rpm in 6th gear is lugging it. When you have an 8,000 rpm redline, 4,000 rpm and the engine is just breathing right and very happy there. So 4,000 rpm is the lowest rpm to run or you're lugging, and that's probably around 120 mph...althogh I've not taken up to that speed!

 

[Scepticalscribe]

In some weird way, this thread is actually very funny. There is the splenetic and incandescent anger of the OP (for once, the expression 'road rage' seems accurate), along with his insistent justification for both his actions and his anger.

OP, three things occur, here: No 1: I mentioned it earlier, your thread title is misleading. Seriously, I suggest an amendment.

No 2: Your actions and reactions. They may be justified; I don't know, and cannot say, as I was not present.

No. 3: Anger - especially that witless sustained anger so often found in males when their sense of self comes under attack as they sit in their motor car - is not remotely attractive. I've long been struck by the insane escalation of (usually male) tempers - often quite exceedingly irrationally - in and around traffic accidents. I wonder whether our horse riding ancestors indulged in episodes of road rage to quite the same extent; I'm inclined to think not.

Rei101 makes a very good point in his post, when writing about Venezuela.

Different countries have different cultures & social cultures and varying attitudes to the public space, road ownership, access and usage; perceptions of masculinity seem to have become entwined in this, too.

I have visited, lived in, or worked in, a number of different countries, with widely varying concepts of what passes for road manners, and what was considered appropriate behaviour and conduct on the public roads, and in the wider public space.

The Balkans had some strange and homicidal driving habits, and a high rate of traffic accidents and fatalities; indeed, more (internationals) died from injuries sustained in traffic accidents than did from stepping on land mines. Dictatorships, or police states - at least in the former Soviet world - - perhaps unsurprisingly - tended to have orderly traffic. As do parts of Europe, such as Scandinavia, Germany, the Low Countries and so on, where road manners are exemplary. The UK is pretty good, too, and transgressions are dealt with.

One of the very worst places I ever saw for absolute insanity on the roads was Georgia, in the Caucasus where they drove like maniacs; over-taking at speed on climbing bends was a speciality. Next door neighbour Armenia was orderly and law-abiding by comparison.

 

[Plutonius]

I swear I'm gonna end up dead or in a ditch somewhere.. I'm am so sick of people endangering my life and everyone else's cause they are late for work or in a hurry to be nowhere!!

I'm in the fast lane on US 422 doing between 60-70 mph in my daily driver.. A 2005 Chevy Cavalier, it's bad enough the speed limit is 55 but I get the best mileage at 70 mph. Tell me while I was passing this oversized tractor trailer some trick in a Ford Edge came out of no where Doing at least 100mph cut me off just to get ahead of me.. Just missing me by inches!!! And damn near running me off the overpass.. Like that could have been a really messy accident, I just don't understand

Too many people sit in the fast lane when they should be driving in one of the slower lanes. I may be wrong but it sounds like he passed you on the right and then cut in front of you in the passing lane to get by the truck. You need to be more aware of the traffic behind you and change to a slower lane when you see a faster car approaching from the rear (cars usually don't come out of no where if you are watching the road). You can complain about all the crazy drivers all you want but, unfortunately, the only one you can rely on in preventing an accident is yourself by driving very defensively. That's why there are so many cases of road rage.

----------

Because it's not the fast lane, it's the PASSING LANE.

I think it's dependent on how many lanes the road has. On a three lane highway, it's definitely the passing lane. On a two lane highway, it's more of a fast lane.

----------

If you need to pass, proper driving etiquette is to flash your high beams and and honk your horn!

That is terrible etiquette and advice. In many places, you would get run off the road or at least put in danger.

 

[.eric]

Good post Plutonius.

My initial reaction was "Oh, so this is what the people I have to pass in the right lane think and feel when they're being passed".

So rude. Whenever somebody is coming up behind me I either speed up to match their speed, or get the hell out of their way. It's stupid to sit there and think to yourself "oh I'm going the speed limit I don't have to move"

Yes. You do. The speed limit is irrelevant. And you're putting yourself and others in danger by trying to be a stubborn jerk. (not necessarily directed at OP)

 

[zioxide]

I've paid my fair share of "speeding taxes". That's exactly what they are in most places. The maximum speed limits aren't for your safety, they are artificially lower than safe speed limits so they can ticket you and generate revenue.

I agree with you that they're lower than they need to be in many places to generate revenue, but that's a moot point. Go petition your local representatives if you want it changed.

Until it's changed, the SPEED LIMIT is just that.. the maximum speed you are supposed to go.


Too many people in here are trying to excuse breaking the law. How about you just follow the damn speed limits?

The speed limit is irrelevant.

No it's not. The speed limit is the law.

Too many people sit in the fast lane when they should be driving in one of the slower lanes. I may be wrong but it sounds like he passed you on the right and then cut in front of you in the passing lane to get by the truck. You need to be more aware of the traffic behind you and change to a slower lane when you see a faster car approaching from the rear (cars usually don't come out of no where if you are watching the road).

You must have missed the whole part about him being in the left lane because he was about to pass the truck.

 

[.eric]

I agree with you that they're lower than they need to be in many places to generate revenue, but that's a moot point. Go petition your local representatives if you want it changed.

Until it's changed, the SPEED LIMIT is just that.. the maximum speed you are supposed to go.


Too many people in here are trying to excuse breaking the law. How about you just follow the damn speed limits?

Why follow an unjust law?

If you don't like your war in Iraq, petition your local government!!!11
If you don't like your inability to be gay married, petition your local government!1!

I would understand if that was a viable alternative, but it's not.

----------

No it's not. The speed limit is the law.

And it's irrelevant when you're sitting in the left lane not letting somebody who is speeding. You're just creating a dangerous situation.

 

[heehee]

I think it's dependent on how many lanes the road has. On a three lane highway, it's definitely the passing lane. On a two lane highway, it's more of a fast lane.

You stay in the left lane on an empty two lane highway?

 

[zioxide]

Why follow an unjust law?

Because it's the ****ing law?

If you don't like your inability to be gay married, petition your local government!1!

That's how it works. How do you think the states that have legalized gay marriage did it?

And it's irrelevant when you're sitting in the left lane not letting somebody who is speeding. You're just creating a dangerous situation.

The only one creating the dangerous situation is the douchebag who thinks he's above the law and is driving 100mph on a 55mph highway weaving in and out of cars.

The guy wasn't "sitting in the left lane". He was passing an 18 wheeler. Not his fault Mr. 100mph is an impatient douchebag and thinks he's above everyone else and shouldn't have to wait his turn to pass the truck.

Tell me while I was passing this oversized tractor trailer some trick in a Ford Edge came out of no where Doing at least 100mph cut me off just to get ahead of me.. Just missing me by inches!!!

It's not hard to read before you post.

 

[TheAppleFairy]

I agree with you that they're lower than they need to be in many places to generate revenue, but that's a moot point. Go petition your local representatives if you want it changed.

Until it's changed, the SPEED LIMIT is just that.. the maximum speed you are supposed to go.


Too many people in here are trying to excuse breaking the law. How about you just follow the damn speed limits?

I think you kind of missed my point. My point was that someone who drives 5 or 10 over the limit can't complain that someone that drive 15 or 20 over. You're both doing something illegal....that being said. I don't complain about speeders, as long as they keep right except to pass, use their turn signal to change lanes, and don't tailgate....might be a few other things that bother me too. My point was that it's not the speed that's always dangerous it's other things.

 

[.eric]

Because it's the ****ing law?

Sorry. Not a good enough reason.

That's how it works. How do you think the states that have legalized gay marriage did it?

So we're cool with injustice, so long as it's legal injustice. Right on.

The only one creating the dangerous situation is the douchebag who thinks he's above the law and is driving 100mph on a 55mph highway weaving in and out of cars.

Well I won't discuss whether the person going 100mph's state of mind, but regardless that individual is already going that fast. Sitting in the left lane just exacerbates the problem.

The guy wasn't "sitting in the left lane". He was passing an 18 wheeler. Not his fault Mr. 100mph is an impatient douchebag and thinks he's above everyone else and shouldn't have to wait his turn to pass the truck.

When he saw the guy coming up behind him at that speed he should have just got behind the truck until the other guy passed. Sitting in the lane creates a dangerous situation.

Or, he should have actually been trying to pass the truck. If he's going 70 on a 55 mph road, and it takes that long to pass the truck, he's not doing it right.