I think I will give up driving

rodmkr

Temecula California
Have they changed the traffic rules in Kaliforniastan?
Went out this morning to grocery store at 0600.
Almost sideswiped by SUV .Figured the woman was still half asleep and let it go
Went out at 1700 o pick up take out( I'm a lousy cook if it isn't hot dogs)
The SUV driver missed rear ending me only because I saw him coming and changed lanes.
He gave me the 1 finger salute just after he rear ended the car in front of me.
Getting so an old man ain't safe on the streets anymore.

Jim
 

CWLONGSHOT

Well-Known Member
In my forty + years drivin & before the last 4-6 mo I have probably seen less then 5 middle of the road three point turns... In the last 5 ish months probably a dozen! One DA did one right in front of me on a four lane when a cop was couple cars back! She was properly informed of the law!! Was nice ta see!!
 

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
Had a big rig doing the "push on me" about 2 " from my bumper. When I slowed down to 20 mph on a state route.
Then blew past me. Throwing the finger.
Last time I checked you were supposed to slow down from 45 mph to 20 mph in a school zone , on a 2 lane road. In Ohio, during school hours.
Just to make sure I drove home the same way. Yep school zone warning sign, yellow flashing light, 20 mph. School open. Hope that camera was on . Cause I was going right at20 when he passed me in a no passing zone, right on the cross walk.
 
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CZ93X62

Official forum enigma
Our vehicles dissuade a lot of that nonsense--Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and F-250 4x4. Especially the latter. That F-250 weighs almost twice what the rice-burning 4-banger mini-cars do, and is a lot higher up. They keep their distance.
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Having been a driving instructor for fire engines and ladder trucks, always drive defensively. The two "accidents" have been involved in in 45 years was because the other driver had only been in the US less than three months and before that had been herding burros with a stick. FWIW
 

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
Our vehicles dissuade a lot of that nonsense--Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and F-250 4x4. Especially the latter. That F-250 weighs almost twice what the rice-burning 4-banger mini-cars do, and is a lot higher up. They keep their distance.
My F250 is a high boy, is pretty big and really ugly, works in most cases.
But I guess the Semi Tractor driver figured he was big enough to own the road. Ya think he would have looked around and noticed the school house and all the signs and flashing lights, when I slowed down.
 

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
Having been a driving instructor for fire engines and ladder trucks, always drive defensively. The two "accidents" have been involved in in 45 years was because the other driver had only been in the US less than three months and before that had been herding burros with a stick. FWIW
Bingo I did not want to sound predictive so I did not mention the rag on his head.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
we called those guy's that always had to go 80 on I-80,,,,,,,,,, in Wyoming,,,,,, during January.
king's of the road.
eventually you'd catch back up to them going 20-25 and they'd be standing on the side of the road....... with their hand's on their hips.
usually looking at their rig,,,,,,, on it's side, facing the wrong direction,,, buried in 2"s [yes inches] of snow.
 

smokeywolf

Well-Known Member
After the mid '60s, Dad sold his '56 GMC stepside pickup and Mom's '58 Buick Roadmaster 78 and they drove small cars. Upon buying my first car, I never owned or drove a small car again.

I have easily 1.1 million or more miles behind the wheel (also on motorcycles). Some of those miles driving a 1947 greyhound bus, some 1960s-'70s tractor-trailer rigs.

If I didn't practice defensive driving, I'd have been nothing but ashes a long, long time ago.

I need to get the 19 year old (who will soon be 20) his driver's lic. Mrs. smokeywolf can't drive anymore and probably never will again, because of her heart condition.
 

RBHarter

West Central AR
I've driven a dozen cars and trucks over 100,000 miles that were over 100,000 when I got them . I've had 1 young and dumb accident .
I once had the same guy on about 80 miles of highway try to take me out 3 times with bad passes back when 395 from Bishop to the 14 jct was mostly 2 lane .

Clipped mirrors with a guy once . Those big SS swing out truck mirrors will make the plastic mirror on a 86 Cougar poof at 12° .

I've been a pretty cautious driver most of my career . 39 yr probably really close to 2,200,000 miles from Crockett Tx to San Quentin Baja , to Bellingham Wa , Bufford Wy , Calgary BC and to the western edge of Springfield MO . Drove a few miles in Nebraska , Indiana and Illinois but didn't drive there . I've run all of US 50 but a little stretch across the east end of KS from Springfield MO to Sacramento California and 66/40 from Barstow Ca to Ft Smith AR .

The worst drivers are always in the cities .
I'm in awe of how many will drive 40/55 mph in twisty places where there's no passing and 75/55 through the passing lanes .
That lil' darlin' that just hangs there until you make a signal then crowds you out so you can't move over .
The guy that won't back off for the merge after he crowded you so you couldn't then moves over passes salutes and cuts you off to get in the exit lane you just got out of .......
Then there was the guy that rode my bumper for 60 miles of wide open straight highway with 2-3 miles between cars I finally pulled to the shoulder and pounded the brakes from 70ish to about 25 .......the guy gave me the 1 finger ...... 40 miles later he was visiting with an NHP in a 4 lane 45 mph zone . I waved , felt like it was the least I could do .
 

RicinYakima

High Steppes of Eastern Washington
For many years Seattle had the reputation of having the most courteous drivers. Mostly because for 20 miles you only have north/south roads between Puget Sound and Lake Washington with only two bridges. Folks just have to let others move left and right to get anywhere. Then in the "internet age" hundreds of thousands of Californians move up to work for Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc... Now it is like driving in LA. Every other person is an animal trying to dominate the rest of the world.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Ric, those folks are simply aware that it really is their road and what the hell are you doing on it? In L.A. the drivers know they are the only important people on the road.
 

glassparman

"OK, OK, I'm going as fast as I don't want to go!"
Jim, every time I have driven through Temecula, I have always thought it to be a sleepy out of the way quiet town. Having just completed a 6300 mile road trip, I think it is just everywhere now.

I'm still in Commieland north of you in the AV but it is bad here as well. These are just crazy times!

Mike
 

Rick H

Well-Known Member
I get spoiled when I head up North in Michigan, the further from the border with Ohio the better. Spend a week or more in the "Tip of the Mitt" or the "UP" and then head back home. You start the trip home all relaxed and by the time you are home you are as wound up by the idiot drivers as if you never left. Back in "City Mode" I guess. My new pet peeve is the cell phone, and how people are so self absorbed with no thoughts nor concern for anything else that might be happening on the road.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
That is the result of drivers from countries that have few enforced rules and the one basic law is do not cause an accident......
 

oscarflytyer

Well-Known Member
Idiotic drivers have gotten MUCH worse lately. Towed the RV over the wkend. Can't count the near disaster occurrences on one hand! And thank gawd I was driving defensively!

Upon return, I have left my BIG RV hitch on the truck. Let them tailgate me. They will be hooked up and I can "tow" them wherever I want to leave them!
 

Mitty38

Well-Known Member
Idiotic drivers have gotten MUCH worse lately. Towed the RV over the wkend. Can't count the near disaster occurrences on one hand! And thank gawd I was driving defensively!

Upon return, I have left my BIG RV hitch on the truck. Let them tailgate me. They will be hooked up and I can "tow" them wherever I want to leave them!
That's so funny. Reminds me of an event back in the 80's.
Had a fellow at work while parking his older steel bumper s10. Hook himself to my hitch once. I had his truck half way out of his parking space before I realized he was attached. Let the air out of my back tires, got it loose, then drug the air hose out of the shop door and filled them back up. He was out on a parts run, so I just left his truck sitting that way. He never did ask what happened.
 
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fiver

Well-Known Member
y'all better avoid Salt Lake then.
I found the drivers in Los Angeles to be quite courteous when I was there, by comparison.

and watch out in North Dakota, their favorite tactic is to wait for you [the only truck/car whatever on the road for 20 miles in any direction] to get about 40-50 yds. away, then turn out in front of you in your lane.
that made for some excitement when the roads were covered in black ice.