NFR idiot drivers...

[NRC]

I remember driving home from a thing in Oklahoma as a teenager, following behind a friend’s car. It had a snowed a few days before, but it had been frigid and super windy, so all the snow was piled in drifts in the ditches, and the roads and fields were clear. We weren’t even thinking about snow.

Of course, it’s Oklahoma, so the wind was blowing again as we drove. And it was blowing the opposite direction as it had during the previous snow, so in one particular spot, a big snowdrift ended up blowing right back across the road and blanketing it for 50 feet or so.

The friend driving in front of me hit it, 180’ed, and glided fairly harmlessly into the ditch. I locked my arms and slammed the brakes, exactly like they tell you (not) to do. Beginners luck - i skidded straight through it and screeched to a halt on the other side of the surprise snow rink.

I pulled off and walked over to my friend’s car to check on him, feeling like hot shit. I bragged to him about how I’d reacted and kept control of my car, and he told me he’d watched as I skidded by - and that my eyes had been completely closed.

I thought back and found that I could in no way refute that. That following summer, I flipped my Oldsmobile belly up doing 75 on a shitty dirt road and spent the next 12 years without a car.

 

[joefromchicago]

I would have simply rolled down my window and explained to him that it sucks to suck.

Glad you and your wife didn’t get bumped off the road!

My urge is to yell "How fast are you getting there now?"

 

[Paige]

Subaru WRX Sliced In Half After Trying To Pass In Front Of Snow Plow

A Subaru WRX driver in New York learned a lesson about AWD the hard way and was lucky not to suffer any serious injuries. A snow plow sliced the car in half.

www.motor1.com

 

[_WW_]

Something that I learned with my first 4wd. Unless you do very specific things they will stop and turn just like a 2wd on ice and snow. And if the road is inclined you get a whole different set of problems.

 

[Dustin Chromers]

Drove my wife into Bend yesterday for a medical appt. Having just gone through a thaw /refreeze cycle after the last storm, roads had black ice warnings, and a light freezing rain had already begun to coat the hood, glad to be in the Forester with Cross Climate 2 tires.
Heading east on Murphy road, just under the speed limit, roads slick as hell, a late model Silverado comes up fast and begins doggin on our bumper, serving side to side, flashing high beams. Normally I just pull over for assholes, only nowhere to do so..piled frozen drifts on the sides have left the lanes minimal.
So we hit a straightaway, and the asshole suddenly turns into the other lane, rips past us, and as he turns to get back into our lane loses it, first whip sawing back and forth across both lanes, then breaks loose and starts spinning...several full spins, slams sideways into the frozen berm on our side, bounces off of that and slides across the road where it slams into that berm nose first and comes to a battered halt.
I'd slowed immediately when the fukkery began with emergency blinker on, incoming traffic had come to a dead halt, and was just pulling up even with the truck to see if the driver was ok when the door got kicked open and an obviously enraged middle aged driver jumps out and starts screaming and shaking his fist...at us.
At which point we resumed our drive at a sedate 30 mph.

Slow moving Subaru makes light truck driver crash. Are Subaru's and their drivers slow moving impediments on the road causing danger to others? Are lifted trucks and their Levitra infused drivers aggressive and a danger to others? Tune in tonight for a town hall debate you don't wanna miss.

 

[Wayne Kohan]

One thing I've noticed in most larger cities is that signaling for a lane change simply telegraphs your intentions...with the result of a driver aggressively preventing your access to your desired lane. Misery loves company.

When I grew up in the Chicago area, my dad taught me to signal in front of the new car and then make the move, he will give you space.....

 

[Lue Taylor]

Just be careful out there it was on the news yesterday talk about plenty shootings on our hwys so far.

 

[Westfly Refugee]

To the OP....
You were fortunate yesterday...others were not.
South of Bend yesterday on hwy 97 there were two fatal accidents, five miles apart from each other.
Reportedly, both involved vehicles losing control, crossing into oncoming semi trucks.
A busy day at the K'Falls morgue.

 

[Brute]

I remember years ago driving my Jeep pickup up a long uphill grade , doing 65 in the right lane…a 16 wheeler come barreling behind me, then gets into the left lane to pass…best he could do was pull even. At this point, there was a long line of cars behind both of us…he starts pulling his horn (I’m assuming for me to slow down so he can get in front of me) and starts giving me the finger. Eventually he begins to slow down and gets into the right lane…I just turned up the sound on my stereo…I’m geared at 5:38 and couldn’t go faster than 65 unless it’s flat, and at 70 I’m at 3000 rpm

 

[SurfnFish]

To the OP....
You were fortunate yesterday...others were not.
South of Bend yesterday on hwy 97 there were two fatal accidents, five miles apart from each other.
Reportedly, both involved vehicles losing control, crossing into oncoming semi trucks.
A busy day at the K'Falls morgue.

8 people have been killed so far this week from La Pine south, 5 alone in that mini van incident. #97 has been in desperate need of lane separation barriers in the single lane sections for decades. What the state troopers have to endure when they arrive on scene and must dig though the carnage to find out if anyone is still alive...

 

[Shawn Seeger]

So… this one is very hard for me (I will admit to being on both sides of this issue), first and foremost @SurfnFish I am glad you and the misses are ok and safe, hope the medical appointment was positive. I also do as you do in normal condition and pull over, when safe, to allow others pass me instead of being “pushed”. (The darker part of my personality always says out loud “go ahead and find the cops for me”, which has happened several times and I wave as I drive by.)

First, my actions are my own and my anger is my own. My anger is not caused by others, it is MY expectation and belief of how others should act that causes ME to become angry. I shouldn’t hold others to MY expectation, but I do and struggle to change myself. I can’t affect a positive change/outcome in others behavior if my starting point is hostile or anger to the others. I am still a work in progress in that I still lose my mind and temper sometimes while driving as I expect others to “JUST DRIVE!” and “JUST DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT!” (condition safe). The other thing about me is I would rather be an hour early than 1 second late.

Second, years back I was working in Florida off and on for 2 years. While I was there (and a younger man) I would become VERY impatient with the “Old” drivers. While I was there the state had an election and one law on the ballet was the “Blue Hair Law” that was the actual name being presented. This law was to establish a “minimum legal speed”, this was so the police could pull over the “blue hairs” that were driving to slow. I believe the law provided for pulling over if on highways a driver was driving 10mph under the limit and I think they set a limit for arterials. A lot of push back was being placed on the law as being discriminatory and fought by AARP. Well, the law passed, and on the day it went into effect there was an ironic and tragic story, an old lady didn’t see/realize that she had to make a 90 degree turn (T-intersection) and at the last minute tried to turn at full speed, losing control of the car which crashed into a house severely injuring two other old people. The new statewide pointed out that this was another reason for the “Blue Hair Law”.

Third, I have for years said while watching the news about “road rage” shootings or assaults the “victim” always makes the following statement to the media and police “I don’t’ know why the other person attacked me or was so mad, I wasn’t doing anything wrong or driving badly.” So, when I see these responses on TV, I wish we had a “go back machine – with video and audio” (instant replay) to review what the other person was so frustrated by, it might really clear up the situation. I have seen recently, because of dash and phone cameras, where police officers roll up behind cars driving the speed limit in the left lane and “light them up” and then escort them all the way to the right lane and then turn of the gumball lights and drive on down the highway. The other one in some states they pull someone all the way over and get out and explain to the “left lane” driver (even though doing the speed limit) that they can’t just drive along in the left lane as it is for passing. (Wa. DOL. – “On a road with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, stay in the right lane except to pass. On a road with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction, if there is a lot of entering or exiting traffic, use the center travel lane.” – signs are in the center meridian)

Fourth, had the experience of going to an appointment, a person rides my ass, passes unsafe area, I got pissed and did the angry look at the driver as passed and put both hand up in the “what the hell” gesture. Then walk into the office for appointment and guess who I am meeting with, the driver. They were in a hurry to not make me wait for them. We don’t know the other person’s reason for driving fast or slow.

Lastly, I know this will be a hot topic in the near future and that is self-driving cars. I don’t know enough detailed specifics, but I have grown to REALLY dislike those people with self-driving/driving assist or EV’s that get better milage by driving a slower speed. Recently in rural areas I have been frustrated and screaming (DRIVE YOUR CAR OR STAY HOME!) when an EV (usually Tesla) must be using the self-drive function and holding up at least 5 cars, because it appears they are having the car drive and maybe have it set to the “speed” limit. It is against the law to hold up traffic, of 5 vehicles, and you are required to pull over an let them pass, yes even if doing the speed limit because it alleviates road rage and unsafe passing. Here I am admitting I still am a work in progress, because I have “followed”/been trapped behind a Tesla, which I pass when safe and hit the breaks! Usually this wakes up the “person at the wheel” because the Tesla auto drive slams on the breaks. I don’t’ feel good about admitting this, and have stopped doing this, I sure wished it would change driver behavior though.

Anyway, I am getting to be the grumpy old guy! Drive safe and be respectful of others.
Be safe out there!

(My $0.02 worth)

 

[RCF]

^^^ Has not lived in Washington long enough yet to be grumpy ---> no discussion about merging; especially on and off ramps from the 'fast' lane.

 

[JudyM]

LOL! Tesla's are driving in the left lane here on I-205 like it is the Autobahn. Along with lifted 3/4 ton trucks, Lexus and Corvettes. And yes, Prius! Bail starts at 11 mph over the posted limit and it isn't cheap (over $200 and up). Good luck! I live across the highway from the Oregon State Troopers office, now using their silver chargers with low profile bubble lights. The thing that gets me is the GenZ and thier sport cars crossing intersections on the same highway when the cross traffic is sitting at a green light. Just had 2 fatalities a couple of weeks ago involving the same problem.

 

[PhilR]

So… this one is very hard for me (I will admit to being on both sides of this issue), first and foremost @SurfnFish I am glad you and the misses are ok and safe, hope the medical appointment was positive. I also do as you do in normal condition and pull over, when safe, to allow others pass me instead of being “pushed”. (The darker part of my personality always says out loud “go ahead and find the cops for me”, which has happened several times and I wave as I drive by.)

First, my actions are my own and my anger is my own. My anger is not caused by others, it is MY expectation and belief of how others should act that causes ME to become angry. I shouldn’t hold others to MY expectation, but I do and struggle to change myself. I can’t affect a positive change/outcome in others behavior if my starting point is hostile or anger to the others. I am still a work in progress in that I still lose my mind and temper sometimes while driving as I expect others to “JUST DRIVE!” and “JUST DRIVE THE SPEED LIMIT!” (condition safe). The other thing about me is I would rather be an hour early than 1 second late.

Second, years back I was working in Florida off and on for 2 years. While I was there (and a younger man) I would become VERY impatient with the “Old” drivers. While I was there the state had an election and one law on the ballet was the “Blue Hair Law” that was the actual name being presented. This law was to establish a “minimum legal speed”, this was so the police could pull over the “blue hairs” that were driving to slow. I believe the law provided for pulling over if on highways a driver was driving 10mph under the limit and I think they set a limit for arterials. A lot of push back was being placed on the law as being discriminatory and fought by AARP. Well, the law passed, and on the day it went into effect there was an ironic and tragic story, an old lady didn’t see/realize that she had to make a 90 degree turn (T-intersection) and at the last minute tried to turn at full speed, losing control of the car which crashed into a house severely injuring two other old people. The new statewide pointed out that this was another reason for the “Blue Hair Law”.

Third, I have for years said while watching the news about “road rage” shootings or assaults the “victim” always makes the following statement to the media and police “I don’t’ know why the other person attacked me or was so mad, I wasn’t doing anything wrong or driving badly.” So, when I see these responses on TV, I wish we had a “go back machine – with video and audio” (instant replay) to review what the other person was so frustrated by, it might really clear up the situation. I have seen recently, because of dash and phone cameras, where police officers roll up behind cars driving the speed limit in the left lane and “light them up” and then escort them all the way to the right lane and then turn of the gumball lights and drive on down the highway. The other one in some states they pull someone all the way over and get out and explain to the “left lane” driver (even though doing the speed limit) that they can’t just drive along in the left lane as it is for passing. (Wa. DOL. – “On a road with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction, stay in the right lane except to pass. On a road with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction, if there is a lot of entering or exiting traffic, use the center travel lane.” – signs are in the center meridian)

Fourth, had the experience of going to an appointment, a person rides my ass, passes unsafe area, I got pissed and did the angry look at the driver as passed and put both hand up in the “what the hell” gesture. Then walk into the office for appointment and guess who I am meeting with, the driver. They were in a hurry to not make me wait for them. We don’t know the other person’s reason for driving fast or slow.

Lastly, I know this will be a hot topic in the near future and that is self-driving cars. I don’t know enough detailed specifics, but I have grown to REALLY dislike those people with self-driving/driving assist or EV’s that get better milage by driving a slower speed. Recently in rural areas I have been frustrated and screaming (DRIVE YOUR CAR OR STAY HOME!) when an EV (usually Tesla) must be using the self-drive function and holding up at least 5 cars, because it appears they are having the car drive and maybe have it set to the “speed” limit. It is against the law to hold up traffic, of 5 vehicles, and you are required to pull over an let them pass, yes even if doing the speed limit because it alleviates road rage and unsafe passing. Here I am admitting I still am a work in progress, because I have “followed”/been trapped behind a Tesla, which I pass when safe and hit the breaks! Usually this wakes up the “person at the wheel” because the Tesla auto drive slams on the breaks. I don’t’ feel good about admitting this, and have stopped doing this, I sure wished it would change driver behavior though.

Anyway, I am getting to be the grumpy old guy! Drive safe and be respectful of others.
Be safe out there!

(My $0.02 worth)

I’m getting old too so I’ll add to the rant:

Driving through the mountains, and an rv or trailer is holding up a big line. Get to a passing lane, they pull over, and someone in another rv pulls into the left lane to pass. Going maybe 2 mph faster than the first guy. Nobody gets ahead.

 

[Buzzy]

@SurfnFish - smart move on your part; the proper car with the right tires and the knowledge that safe and slow gets you there when conditions are like you described. I run Blizzack (studless) tires on our Forester - not only great traction in the snow but also on rain slicked highways.

We're spending time in SoCal this winter so no worries about snow, instead, rain. Several times since we've been down here it's rained so hard that the sidewalk in front of our house looks like a river, I went out and checked for salmon swimming upstream.

Last rant item for me: distracted. DISTRACTED. I think about one out of three drives (male/female, young/middle age/old - it doesn't seem to matter) pay far more attention to their phone screen than traffic. I watched a CR-V bounce off the curb on a 45 mph street, fortunately I was two lanes away.

Be safe. Don't flip other drivers off.

 

[clarkman]

I run Blizzack (studless) tires on our Forester - not only great traction in the snow but also on rain slicked highways.

I put those on my Prius and absolutely love them!

 

[Phil K]

Semi related story here, though no real idiocy involved.
Way back when, I went to college in upstate NY. For one holiday break I hitched a ride home with two of my professors who were using a big'ol school owned station wagon to return some video equipment to an artist (Vito Acconci; interesting stuff, check him out.) in NYC. On our way down it started snowing heavily and the roads got reeeeeally slick. We were heading south on I-87 doing maybe 20, passing multiple spin outs, with the wipers barely keeping up.
At one point we loose it and the car does a comical slow motion slide into the median. About 150' up the road is another car nose into the guardrail with a NY State Trooper there to assist, waving them to back up onto to roadway..... Just as another car comes creeping along, tries to maneuver around them, loses control, and slams the stuck car back into the guardrail. The Trooper apparently didn't even hear them coming, and must have jumped 10' in the air.
Eventually a tow truck showed up, we sorted it all out, and I made it home.

 

[SurfnFish]

@SurfnFish - smart move on your part; the proper car with the right tires and the knowledge that safe and slow gets you there when conditions are like you described. I run Blizzack (studless) tires on our Forester - not only great traction in the snow but also on rain slicked highways.

We're spending time in SoCal this winter so no worries about snow, instead, rain. Several times since we've been down here it's rained so hard that the sidewalk in front of our house looks like a river, I went out and checked for salmon swimming upstream.

Last rant item for me: distracted. DISTRACTED. I think about one out of three drives (male/female, young/middle age/old - it doesn't seem to matter) pay far more attention to their phone screen than traffic. I watched a CR-V bounce off the curb on a 45 mph street, fortunately I was two lanes away.

Be safe. Don't flip other drivers off.

Would trade the current ice skating rink that is our streets and paths for a river sidewalk...where in SoCal are you hanging?
We'll be down in the DanaPoint/Encinitas area towards end of spring, start scoping the area out. Decades ago stayed with surf friends in Encinitas coming and going on Baja trips.
We'd like to start renting Jan - March during winters, get us out of the snow zone...join the other elders at San Onofre riding longboards and talking story...

As to flipping other drivers off..have to be a moron to do that in our area, way too many guns

 

[RCF]

I once was an idiot driving on snow and black ice...

Stop sign ahead. Slowed way, way down. As I coasted toward the stop sign I found out I was going too slow. The camber of the road (center of road to edge) pushed my car sideways into a parked car.

Note to self: go fast enough to not let that happen again...

 

[Peyton00]

As to flipping other drivers off..have to be a moron to do that in our area, way too many guns

Are you implying the majority of gun owners in Bend Oregon are mentally unstable that they would commit murder due to a hand gesture?