[fiedlerh]

“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” --George Carlin

[fiedlerh]

Maybe the guy was used to driving on the Autobahn, driving fast and refusing to pass on the right.

[Brian Baker]

Speed limit or not, the basic rules of the road are simple:

Slower traffic keep right
Pass on left only

I get most irritated when someone is in the fast lane, doing the speed limit, and riding right alongside other cars doing the speed limit, when there is nothing but clear road in front of them, all the while a procession of vehicles is getting backed up behind this car in the fast lane. They could be in one of the lanes to the right, doing the speed limit with the others.

Let's get real, nobody obeys the speed limit 100% of the time...nobody. So for those who insist on it, please stay in the far right lanes of traffic.

Another thing that pisses me off is timid people entering an interstate when the on ramp is on the left and dumps into the fast lane. You're not merging into the slow lane people, if the speed limit is 65 MPH, there are people running 75 MPH (or more) in the fast lane...let's get your finger out of your bum and accelerate, don't pussyfoot around at 50-55 MPH as you merge.

[PonchoV8]

IMO, the Federally mandated 55 mph speed limit made people hover in the passing lane and feel justified.

We had a super dangerous on ramp into the left/passing/fast lane on to I-40 here. It was in a curve (sight obstruction), right after a city overpass (sight obstruction) onto a 2 lane portion of one of the busiest interstates in the nation. There were so many wrecks there it was scary. My sister was in 2 there. My girl, one. I got barely rearended once by a guy riding in the left lane and he wouldn't change lanes. There was almost NO acceleration area and I told myself he'll just have to change lanes or brake because I'm going and I'm not stopping on the on ramp. He was driving an old 4 door Olds Cutlass and must've had drum brakes because he bumped me in the rear and we both just kept on going and never made eye contact.

[mikeb]

I used to work with a guy that was known for having a hair trigger road rage habit. We all went to lunch one day with him driving. Someone in front of us did something that set my buddy off, and lots of shouting and hand gestures took place. We were stopped so the guy in front gets out (big guy!), comes back, sticks his upper body thru the driver's window and wants to know if my buddy has a problem. No one said a word LOL.....

Nowadays I just roll along and let the people who want to get mad get mad. I'll even pull over or exit the road to get away from them. I do NOT road rage, there are too many idiots willing to pull a gun out these days.

[wytnyt]

Originally Posted by mikeb

there are too many idiots willing to pull a gun out these days.

precisely and the majority just look for excuses to use it

[Stuckinda60s]

Originally Posted by mikeb

I do NOT road rage, there are too many idiots willing to pull a gun out these days.

Originally Posted by wytnyt

precisely and the majority just look for excuses to use it

Interesting statement. What's the factual basis for it?

[PonchoV8]

It occasionally happens here. A few yrs back in a western county of this state a trucker chased some guy down off of the interstate to start a fight and got shot dead on the spot by the other driver, who had a 'carry permit'. No charges were filed after the investigation.

[Diego]

It's pretty interesting to read about the poor and ill driving habits from your experiences, but then you guys openly admit to brake-checking and so forth.

I'm not old enough to know if driving was any better 20 years ago. However, I do know that we have a lot of different driving conditions, such as more cars, safer cars, car phones, and the like. In the end, the average driver is ill-equipped to understand the rules of the road.

That means move out of the left lane except to pass. If someone is passing you on the right, that should be a clear indicator that you shouldn't be there. And if someone flashes you, just get the hell out the lane and spare me the attitude, okay?

Stop signs mean stop. They do not mean rolll through if you think the coast is clear. A stop sign means a complete stop. This also is true for red lights and for those who want to turn right on red - a red light means a red light!

When the electricity is out - like I often experience where I live - and the stoplights are out, that means everyone has to make a complete stop and go in sequence. It's unbelievable how many people think they have the right of way just because it's the main street - ya gotta stop, man!

And turn signals . . . why don't people use them? I use them even in my parking lot -creature of habit! And speaking of parking lots, just because the lot is empty doesn't mean you can cut across the parking spots and and make a beeline to the exit. Just follow the proper way so your lame ass doesn't hit my law-abiding one. And put the damn carts where they belong too!

[dstryr]

Quite a few years ago the Omaha, NE PD bought and outfitted a bunch of unmarked cruisers. I spotted one in morning rush hour traffic that had the right lane practically bumper to bumper holding up traffic. I was in the hammer lane and saw him in plenty of time to reign it in a little. The hot rod Mustang that was practically kissing my back bumper didn't see so good. I missed my exit because the cars in the right lane were so bunched up but slid over after several took the exit. The 'stang went all in and passed the unmarked car going probably 90mph. The unmarked cop gave him at least 300 yards then was on him like white on rice. I made the next exit and gave the guy a wave on my way back down to the exit I missed. Couldn't have been a cheap ticket.

[bird72]

I don't get road rage anymore but I would like to drive a garbage truck with spikes welded all over it and 12 inch diameter steel pipe bumpers

[LeighP]

I've done a fair bit of driving in the US, and one thing that always surprised me is how bad a lot of your highway on ramps are. They're often really short, no merge lane...just dump you into traffic doing 65+.
You just don't see ramps like that here in Australia...takes a little getting used to. lol.

[Diego]

Originally Posted by LeighP

I've done a fair bit of driving in the US, and one thing that always surprised me is how bad a lot of your highway on ramps are. They're often really short, no merge lane...just dump you into traffic doing 65+.
You just don't see ramps like that here in Australia...takes a little getting used to. lol.

That really depends on the location and when the highway was built. Chances are what you describe are over 50 years old.

[hurryinhoosier62]

I think there are way TOO MANY drivers today that have NO CLUE as to what the traffic laws are. 90% must think that they're Vin Diesel in "Fast & Furious"!! As Steve has said speed limits are SPEED LIMITS!! IF you think you have complete control over your vehicle at high speed, unless you're Richard Petty you're WRONG!! I don't know about other states, but in Indiana the left lane is for passing ONLY. I HATE TAILGATERS!!!

[Region Warrior]

Drive'n back in 60's and 70's was great compared to now.
Highways wide open. Little or no traffic. Cruise fast or slow as wanted between cities and towns.
80's stared get'n crowded. 90's got worse.
Now its bumper to bumper Spazzoids.

I dont play games. Leave 5 mins earlier then need to.
Drive at or little over posted limit.
Let off gas and coast to red lites. Dont like it? To bad, go around. And they do. Then slam on brakes in backed up LH lane wait'n for lite while i cruise past'm all in RH. Only to start all over at next lite.
Unless on Rts 80-94/294 in Il./In. Then its hammer down in passing lane. Only place 1/2 way safe on them.

[71GP76TA]

Originally Posted by Region Warrior

Drive'n back in 60's and 70's was great compared to now.
Highways wide open. Little or no traffic. Cruise fast or slow as wanted between cities and towns.
80's stared get'n crowded. 90's got worse.
Now its bumper to bumper Spazzoids.

The roads are way over crowded today.... especially here in California..... but thats another topic..

[PonchoV8]

We still have a serious rush hour here.

Originally Posted by hurryinhoosier62

IF you think you have complete control over your vehicle at high speed, unless you're Richard Petty you're WRONG!!

The last few years of the local TV sports coverage when Richard Petty was still driving always started like this: "Richard Petty was involved in this one..." The next week you'd hear, "Richard Petty was involved in this one...." I think I see a common denominator.

[Region Warrior]

On ha, if someone gets mad, i do a Forest Gump wave and grin
An have hunting and NRA stickers on back cap glass and step bar.
Shame on them if they should make a fatal mistake...

[Diego]

I never give the finger - I blow kisses instead. I usually brag to my friends how many fingers I received, especially when I'm not in the wrong.

[tikler]

Here in the deep south if you can reach the counter, they'll give you a licsense. They;ll also sell you a gun and everybody knows it so we dont have quite as much road rage as I've seen elsewhere.