[David Holmberg]

Originally Posted by Tripower455

Great PSA and an awesome idea!

I learned the Smith System in HS drivers ed almost 30 years ago, although I had forgotten what it was called. It makes just as much sense now as it did then. Too bad most folks don't seem to use it.

Yes!

I grew up riding with my father, who at the time was a district mgr for a large insurance company. His job was to visit agents at their office, so it kept him on the road 5 days a week. He taught me the old school rules of the road.

Later, as a very young adult I drove for a Miller Beer dist, and their training, and the training from their insurance company mirrored what Dad had taught me, and the Smith system.

I drive looking (sometimes) as far ahead as I can see, but normally at least 3 to 5 cars in front of me. I drive looking in the mirror almost as much as I do looking out the windshield. Be aware of whats in front of you and coming up from behind and you will have very few surprises.

I feel almost blind when there is a van or large SUV in front of me because it limits my view. I want to be in control of what happens to me, so I know whats around me at all times.

[goatwgn]

We do have a problem all over this country with people who are generally inconsiderate of other drivers. The Smith system is very good and everybody should follow it (but dont). The truck drivers should just let the idiots in the fast line go barreling by without being the "Jury". Let the police take care of these people-saw one get nailed by the men in blue for this nonsense just 2 days ago on an Interstate. And the race car drivers on the street should take into account the lack of acceleration/manuvering capability/visibility/and fatigue that plagues big rig drivers. And as for modern speed contests on the street, most of our cars are likely too nice to put at risk racing unqualified egomaniacs on the street anyhow, even if it was legal. I have let all these people run my blood pressure up in the past and it simply isnt worth it. These "Left Lane Bandits" have always been there-just for the record. They just used to drive different cars than the Prius. They have been in Simcas, Renualt Dauphines, Fiat 500s,Diesel Chevettes and Izuzu I-Marks,Metros,4wd Toyota Corollas,any kind of small 4 cyl diesel powered pickups,Yugos,etc. And some people have a more powerful car but either are totally ignorant that the traffic is piling up behind them(they may be on the phone or doing their hair) or have the before mentioned "self proclaimed speed limit and traffic law enforcment mentality. Unfortunantly, we have to just live with all this nonsense while driving. Its not going away any faster than the same people in grocery stores or retail markets that walk backwards or in super slow motion when you are trying to get at something.

[Tripower455]

Originally Posted by wytnyt

lol,ok,
i guess you zip past them before they can hit you
i guess you must have a special license that makes you a safer driver if you speed.
in reference to your ''parade '' driving ,,that is THE SAFEST FORM OF DRIVING.
think about it
parade hits are very light since all are going the same speed VS.
some nut speeding 30 over and plowing into a car
and yes slower moving cars pose the same danger as speeders

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I thought of this post a few weeks ago when I watched 2 cars get totaled (from way too close a perspective) on I4 while in "parade" mode, well under the 70 mph speed limit. It was a bright, sunny day on a dry road. ZERO reason for this to happen and completely avoidable.

Of course, there was the guy in the left lane (I call these folks the grand marshall) that simply wouldn't pass an 18 wheeler with miles of road in front of him.

There was a pickup in between me and the grand marshall, and a honda in the middle lane behind the 18 wheeler, next to the pickup, all driving EXACTLY the same speed. This parade went on, without any opportunity to pass, for over 4 miles. Apparently the driver of the honda forgot that she was driving RIGHT NEXT TO A FULL SIZE PICKUP TRUCK, signalled a lane change, and started to go without even a glance, right at the pickup. He saw it coming, and swerved/honked, and she missed him (the first time). She overreacted, lost control of the car, swerving across all 3 lanes and back, hitting (damn near broadsiding!) the pickup, sending him off into the trees on the left shoulder, and sending her across 3 lanes again into the right shoulder in a cloud of dirt.

This all happened right in front of me, and I JUST missed hitting the pickup as he departed the pavement (good thing I always leave space), but took some shrapnel damage to my radiator. One of my co workers was in the lane to my right and about 3 car lengths back, and couldn't believe I came out the other side of the cloud of dust and car parts.

Parade kiss.... whatever......

Had the Grand Marshall friggin' passed like he was supposed to, it probably wouldn't have happened. And the pickup truck guy could've "zipped past before she could hit him". Of course, the GM got away with no damage at all.

I am thoroughly sick of dealing with idiot "drivers".

[PonchoV8]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

GET THE PUCK OUT OF THE WAY......

I drive a lot. I have dozens of circumstances where Prius owners are camped out in the fast lane at 58mph, with 15 cars behind them.

That's where I take the opportunity to get passed them even if it means the shoulder where I apply the brake so they go backwards while the rest of traffic changes lanes and gets right on by them. When the last one makes it passed, I accelerate to rejoin the group.

I applaud you for driving a hybrid but don't sit out there and try and control the traffic.

Thanks, that feels better.

I saw the first one ever driving aggressively today. I was amazed. Don't forget Al Gore Da Turd was arrested in CA for going 100 in one. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19601277.../#.T16N2IEXFJE

[Milepost]

[QUOTE=ponjohn;4177273]GET THE PUCK OUT OF THE WAY......

I drive a lot. I have dozens of circumstances where Prius owners are camped out in the fast lane at 58mph, with 15 cars behind them.

I applaud you for driving a hybrid but don't sit out there and try and control the traffic.

All I can say is.....