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Observations from the Interstate.

Posted By: Lee446

Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 04:24 PM

I just returned from my 6 state road trip from Houston to Orofino, Idaho. I was trailering my old 4wd Nissan "Deer camp" truck to my retirement home, along with lots of electrical wire and fixtures to wire my shop, so I had a fair load. The trip was fairly uneventful, no problems along the way, other than fast food was the only option. The roads were wide open and it was a good time for the truckers, especially crossing Wyoming, you can see for miles and I frequently drove the Interstate for 15 minutes at a time without even seeing another vehicle, made me think "Twilight Zone". I have two observations on driving that I saw constantly under all conditions, including driving rain and even snow between Butte and Billings Montana.

1. People will drive up a entrance ramp at forty miles an hour, never looking to MERGE with oncoming traffic. They seem to believe that everyone on the Interstate traveling at the 80 mph speed limit is required to get out of their way! Since I was trailering, I was in the right lane doing 65, I am not exaggerating when I say that on the round trip, I saw hundreds of examples of this dangerous behavior, they make no attempt to speed up or slow down and blend with the traffic.

2. People passing you and then cutting over in front of you with less than two car lengths of clearance! Again, this happened to me at least 100 times, and the reason that I note this, is that I would be the only vehicle on the hiway for 10 miles and I would watch a car appear in the left lane and as soon as they would clear(barely) my front bumper, here they come! Nobody else on the road for miles! This happened several times in driving rain and of course, they flooded my windshield cutting in that close. When I took Drivers Ed. fifty years ago, they taught us never to move over until you can see the passed vehicle clearly in your rearview mirror.

After watching all of this over 6 hard days of driving and 4600 miles, I came to the conclusion that the majority of these idiots just don't know any better! I hope you folks that have kids learning to drive will teach your kids this kind of stuff, as the are obviously not teaching them in Drivers Ed. The life you save may be theirs! This is not to imply that most of the idiots were young, the majority were close to middle age. We all see this kind of driving everyday, especially in cities, but on the ghost-town conditions of the Covid hiways, I found it astounding!
By the time I got back, Texas had opened up, and getting through DFW and Houston traffic was back to its usual insane level of danger.

The positive of this little adventure is that I will never again, in my lifetime, be able to drive cross-country with such empty hiways, so that was a kind of a neat experience. It also renewed my respect for the professional over the road driver, for the BS they have to put up with, and the good driving they exhibit. I never worried when I was among the big trucks, but always kept a wary eye on any 4 wheeled vehicles. All in all, it was interesting.
Posted By: FM3AAR

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 04:30 PM

My observations as well. I bet the truckers are enjoying the lesser amount of cars in their travels.
Posted By: jcc

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 04:37 PM

"2. People passing you and then cutting over in front of you with less than two car lengths of clearance! Again, this happened to me at least 100 times"


My explanation:

1. The drivers doing the passing, woke up in the morning and decided:
a. They are the only person who should be on the road, and how dare anybody be in their lane, and require them to slightly turn their steering wheel slightly back and forth to pass them, and to show their utter hostility, they will pass them with the east amount of clearance possible, to make sure the passed know who is boss on the road.
or
b. How dare anyone on the road not drive at least the speed they are driving, irrespective of the passed vehicle's own safe speed or the speed limit, and they then cut them off to show how inadequate the passed drivers are.

Its all about, "its all about me, everybody else is wrong, case closed, I don't want to hear it" mindset.
Posted By: burdar

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 05:23 PM

Quote
"2. People passing you and then cutting over in front of you with less than two car lengths of clearance! Again, this happened to me at least 100 times"


My explanation:

1. The drivers doing the passing, woke up in the morning and decided:
a. They are the only person who should be on the road, and how dare anybody be in their lane, and require them to slightly turn their steering wheel slightly back and forth to pass them, and to show their utter hostility, they will pass them with the east amount of clearance possible, to make sure the passed know who is boss on the road.
or
b. How dare anyone on the road not drive at least the speed they are driving, irrespective of the passed vehicle's own safe speed or the speed limit, and they then cut them off to show how inadequate the passed drivers are.

Its all about, "its all about me, everybody else is wrong, case closed, I don't want to hear it" mindset.


I blame the new cars with "blind spot monitoring". My 19 Jeep has a light on the side mirrors that illuminates when there is a car in your blind spot. The light turns OFF when I'm only half past another vehicle. If people are using these lights to gauge when they can pull back into the other lane, then this will happen. I don't pull back into the other lane until I can see the slower vehicles headlights in my rear view mirror.
Posted By: jcc

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 05:35 PM

I just use the "golden rule" and then add some, what is the hurry unless some jerk is already tailgating me?
Posted By: justinp61

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 05:44 PM

I drive a short section of interstate on my way to and from work and see the same thing. It has always puzzled me why people think it's a good idea to drive 45 mph and try to merge with traffic going at least 65 and most of the time a lot faster. A couple years ago they did some work on the two bridges that cross the Tennessee river and both were one lane for several months. Traffic would back up two miles at times, even with signs warning of possible traffic stoppage ahead four or five miles before the construction idiots would still plow into stopped traffic.

From time to time I drive my Dart to work and most of the time I'd take the long way and avoid the interstate. I have to be at work at 6:00 AM so I leave home a little after 5. One morning I figured that traffic would be light and decided to take the interstate short cut. It was plenty light and everything was going fine, I was cruising around 65 and hadn't seen another vehicle going my direction. Then I noticed a car coming up on me, he was probably a mile behind me and coming fast. When He did catch me he darn near ran over me, swerved over into the passing lane blowing his horn and giving me the bird. I had my lights on and it was light enough that I saw his unlighted car a mile or more away and he still almost ran over me. I don't drive the Dart on the interstate anymore.

Remember, there are idiots everywhere and they have a license to drive too.
Posted By: slantzilla

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 05:58 PM

Hate to say it, but this is nothing new. I drove a semi 25 years ago on I-90 and people did it back then. I have had it in my pickup, especially when pulling my race car. It always amazed me what people would do around a vehicle that has a long stopping distance.

My new Ram has the blind spot warning lights in the mirrors too, but mine work very well. I still won't pull over until I can see the vehicle in the inside rear view.
Posted By: Neil

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 06:30 PM

My brother used to drive a semi and people would pass him and then hop back in his lane and brake check him to show him who's boss. Talk about wanting to die.

Also had people drive around him when there was no room and they would tear their mirror off and keep going like nothing happened.

I could not do that job for any amount of money.
Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by Neil
My brother used to drive a semi and people would pass him and then hop back in his lane and brake check him to show him who's boss. Talk about wanting to die.





Years back when I drove a rig, fools that tried this with me often got just the opposite, I hammered the throttle and filled their rear view mirror with all grill and bumper along with the air horn, a few got pit maneuvered off to the shoulder....a little driving lesson for their future reference
Posted By: topside

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 08:10 PM

I've seen all the above, too many dozens of times to count.
How & why people don't use common sense or any understanding of physics when driving tells me 2 things:
Either they're too stupid to be allowed to operate a vehicle...
Or, they really think they're the only person who matters.
The concept of Courtesy is sadly lacking in many of life's activities, but in a vehicle, it's particularly bad.

I can recall 40 years ago driving in dense 65-70 MPH traffic on I-5, I-10, etc in L.A., everyone a few feet apart, and actually driving with awareness.
Those days seem to be gone; I can't count how many times I've had to pull off an immediate-reaction evasive move.
For the last 15-20 years, I've tried to avoid having another vehicle near me.
And for that matter, there are like 2 people who I'm comfortable with if they drive...both racers, with more talent than I have...
Posted By: bigdad

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 08:13 PM

[Linked Image]
Posted By: dart4forte

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/15/20 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Lee446
I just returned from my 6 state road trip from Houston to Orofino, Idaho. I was trailering my old 4wd Nissan "Deer camp" truck to my retirement home, along with lots of electrical wire and fixtures to wire my shop, so I had a fair load. The trip was fairly uneventful, no problems along the way, other than fast food was the only option. The roads were wide open and it was a good time for the truckers, especially crossing Wyoming, you can see for miles and I frequently drove the Interstate for 15 minutes at a time without even seeing another vehicle, made me think "Twilight Zone". I have two observations on driving that I saw constantly under all conditions, including driving rain and even snow between Butte and Billings Montana.

1. People will drive up a entrance ramp at forty miles an hour, never looking to MERGE with oncoming traffic. They seem to believe that everyone on the Interstate traveling at the 80 mph speed limit is required to get out of their way! Since I was trailering, I was in the right lane doing 65, I am not exaggerating when I say that on the round trip, I saw hundreds of examples of this dangerous behavior, they make no attempt to speed up or slow down and blend with the traffic.

2. People passing you and then cutting over in front of you with less than two car lengths of clearance! Again, this happened to me at least 100 times, and the reason that I note this, is that I would be the only vehicle on the hiway for 10 miles and I would watch a car appear in the left lane and as soon as they would clear(barely) my front bumper, here they come! Nobody else on the road for miles! This happened several times in driving rain and of course, they flooded my windshield cutting in that close. When I took Drivers Ed. fifty years ago, they taught us never to move over until you can see the passed vehicle clearly in your rearview mirror.

After watching all of this over 6 hard days of driving and 4600 miles, I came to the conclusion that the majority of these idiots just don't know any better! I hope you folks that have kids learning to drive will teach your kids this kind of stuff, as the are obviously not teaching them in Drivers Ed. The life you save may be theirs! This is not to imply that most of the idiots were young, the majority were close to middle age. We all see this kind of driving everyday, especially in cities, but on the ghost-town conditions of the Covid hiways, I found it astounding!
By the time I got back, Texas had opened up, and getting through DFW and Houston traffic was back to its usual insane level of danger.

The positive of this little adventure is that I will never again, in my lifetime, be able to drive cross-country with such empty hiways, so that was a kind of a neat experience. It also renewed my respect for the professional over the road driver, for the BS they have to put up with, and the good driving they exhibit. I never worried when I was among the big trucks, but always kept a wary eye on any 4 wheeled vehicles. All in all, it was interesting.



That’s why it’s called defensive driving
Posted By: Rhinodart

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/16/20 12:40 AM

I did 5500 miles over the last few weeks, one trip was 3500 the other 1000. What you observed was spot-on. I went from Chicago to Atlanta to Tampa then back roads to Arkansas and back home, then Chicago to Detroit to Cleveland and back. Both trips were in my 3/4 ton Ram with an enclosed trailer. I did find that truckers just don't care about cages anymore, even less so than 10 years ago. That was what I observed over my last 1000 mile trip from Chicago to Arkansas and back in a minivan. Cell phones are still the major problem especially on ramps, they just can't put them down to save their lives, literally... mad
Posted By: DirectSubjection

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/16/20 01:09 AM

Around here the Garden State Parkway is starting to return to its old Fury Road ways - yes, I do spray my mouth silver on the on-ramp catfight laugh2
Posted By: SattyNoCar

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/16/20 02:56 AM


Was reminded of this one today........why do idiots drive with their hazards on because its raining?

Had some pretty good storms roll thru the Houston area today, and lucky me, got sent on a 100 mile parts run for my job at the height of the storms (Promaster vans SUCK btw, but that's a different matter). Saw a lot of cars, new and old, cheap and expensive, poking along in the rain with their hazards on. Not just when it was raining sideways, but in ANY amount of rain, even a sprinkle.

Whisky Tango Foxtrot?

Aside from being idiots, what was another thing these idiots had in common? Almost all of them did NOT have their lights on. I was taught to turn on my HEADLIGHTS in bad weather (low visibility) NOT my hazards.

If you're that scared of moisture, turn in your license and use Uber.

I'm going to my room and pulling the covers over my head.
Posted By: Lee446

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/16/20 03:19 AM

Sat73, you nailed it! These idiots don't care that the flashers are a distraction that interferes with brake light visibility especially in bad traffic. They should put a one thousand dollar fine for improper use of flashers and enforce it. Like all the little snowflakes that do it think that they are the only ones that noticed it is raining! Is this just a Houston problem? or are they doing this elsewhere?
Posted By: jcc

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/16/20 01:31 PM

Driving with emergency flashers on often happens in "clots", one monkey does it, and all the nearby monkeys do the same. It's been happening for decades, I can't believe it has only been until the past few years there is small outcry to stop it, and enforce it, It's flat out dangerous, it is narcissistic behavior, in that it says effectively, "watch out for me, I'm important, I don't care if you are distracted or mislead by my lights indicating an emergency while I drive at the the speed limit"

One of, IMO, the small road rage response behaviors I have been guilty of in the past while driving, I have flashed my high beams in sync with the flashing of the emergency lights of the car I'm following in front of me. Figure what is good for the goose, is good for the gander. whistling
Posted By: Twostick

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/17/20 01:11 AM

Welcome to my world.

High wide and heavy and they are completely oblivious to their near death experiences.

Kevin
Posted By: topside

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/17/20 02:18 AM

I haven't run into (no pun intended, but I'll take it) the hazard-flasher idiots.
But pretty much every time it rains, cars emerge from the downpour & spray without their lights on.
Usually grey or black vehicles, including pickups, and once or twice big-rigs.
I've actually had a close call or two when pulling out onto the highway into town.

I think it was NJ or PA that had a law: wipers on = headlights on.

Regardless of conditions, the guys driving log trucks around here are like the tanker in "Duel"...
Posted By: srt

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/17/20 03:21 AM

I've noticed an erosion of skill,, courtesy and care of many drivers on the road.
During my jaunts towing 27 and 24' rec and cargo trailers I learned a skill/method to deal with most passers. Without crowing the lane line allow your combe to drift to the left before prospective passer gets close, as he's gaining speed and getting along the tow vehicle slowly drift to the right, passer has already chosen his line and it really makes a difference as to how much additionsl space you gain with only a foot or two of lateral movement.
Posted By: Rhinodart

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/17/20 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by srt
I've noticed an erosion of skill,, courtesy and care of many drivers on the road.
During my jaunts towing 27 and 24' rec and cargo trailers I learned a skill/method to deal with most passers. Without crowing the lane line allow your combe to drift to the left before prospective passer gets close, as he's gaining speed and getting along the tow vehicle slowly drift to the right, passer has already chosen his line and it really makes a difference as to how much additionsl space you gain with only a foot or two of lateral movement.


That is one good trick, I use it a lot. I have other tricks too that utilize the "swing out" of the rear of the trailer all while watching the face of the passer in the side view mirror... whistling
Posted By: jcc

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/17/20 09:12 PM

I use a different tactic on two lanes, I see a car approach me from behind, I have two main possible assumptions, they are driving faster then me or a cop, and two, they likely will want to pass sooner of later . I then move as far to the right as safely possible, to give them a good view of oncoming traffic, it also lets them understand I know what I expect them to do, and gives all three(?) drivers the room to almost go three wide everything goes figuratively suddenly sideways, like a blown tire, misjudgment of closing speed, a spilled hot coffee, etc. Heck, I will even drop my speed if its needed to not be witness to a headon initiated by the passer. Even though I suspect my "rights" say I don't have to.
Posted By: SRT6776

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/18/20 01:31 AM

Posted By: Cab_Burge

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/18/20 02:39 AM

I think many people who drive like they have never been in a accident are waiting for theirs to happen, which it probably will. I hope they survive it and don't hurt any one else with their lack of skills and not paying attention with their bad driving luck
I've ben involved in more than one single vehicle accidents due to weather and driving beyond my skills to avoid losing control one black ice since moving to central OR. Shame on me blush
I spent 35+ yrs driving in SO CA and the Los Angles basin on surface streets and the massive freeway system, those years help me gain skills and common sense, you have to be watching on at a 360 degree area full time to get home safely, especially on Friday nights and Monday mornings up
I work for several different telephone companies in SO CA and had to drive to work and at work a lot, I probably have over a million + miles driving up to now, right at 60 yrs driving plus drag racing at the track and elsewhere. I
I learned to fly in 1989 and bought my first airplane in 1990, I've got a little over 11000 hrs. as pilot in command now, no idea on total flying miles on the ground but flying at 180+ MPH does shorten most trips flying by a bunch boogie
16+ hours driving from Hesperia, CA to Bend, OR. with multiple pit stops for my wife. Same trip takes 5.5 hrs. flying including one pit stop for my wife after 2.5 hrs. flying boogie
One trip from Tacoma, WA took us 5 hours non stop to Hesperia, CA with a good tailwind and a small porta john for momma whistling

I do drive a lot more defensive now, pass as needed and get back into the right lane on multi lane highways, watch as far as I can see in front of me and watch all three rear view mirrors to the sides and rear also.
Here in Oregon almost all the state roads and most county roads have a white fog line on the right edge of the pavement about 2 to 3Ft. from the dirt, I hug that line by using the right side mirror to see that line in the mirror beside the car thumbs scope
I had a Female OR state trooper stop me one night around 10:30 PM after a older couple pull out in front of me off the side of the road without using their rear view mirrors, I couldn't stop quick enough to avoid rear ending them so I had to, decided to, pass on the left with a oncoming car about 1000 ft. in front of them in the opposite lane going around 55 MPH towards us, I was going near 65 MPH when they pull out with less than a 100 yards between us shock That couple called 911 to report a dangerous driver, me runaway
The state trooper commented on me hugging the fog line for the last 5 miles that she had been following me in a 4 lane divided highway, I told her that those extra 2 or 3 feet gave me a extra nano second or two for better reaction times for avoiding oncoming cars coming over into oncoming traffic thumbs
She liked that thinking and had another state trooper pull the older couple over to check for drinking and driving that night devil grin
Drive and keep safe in all things thumbs
Posted By: DrCharles

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/18/20 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by DAYCLONA
Years back when I drove a rig, fools that tried this with me often got just the opposite, I hammered the throttle and filled their rear view mirror with all grill and bumper along with the air horn, a few got pit maneuvered off to the shoulder....a little driving lesson for their future reference


I'm glad you don't drive a rig any more. That kind of "meat in the seat" might-is-right attitude is one reason 4-wheelers hate big trucks.
Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/18/20 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by DrCharles
Originally Posted by DAYCLONA
Years back when I drove a rig, fools that tried this with me often got just the opposite, I hammered the throttle and filled their rear view mirror with all grill and bumper along with the air horn, a few got pit maneuvered off to the shoulder....a little driving lesson for their future reference


I'm glad you don't drive a rig any more. That kind of "meat in the seat" might-is-right attitude is one reason 4-wheelers hate big trucks.



When you say "4-wheelers" (out here a "4 wheeler" is an ATV), I assume you mean 4X4 owners? if so why would 4X4 truck owners hate "big trucks"?....

FYI, the general motoring public has no clue driving, never mind driving around a rig on the road...
Posted By: 4406bbl

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/18/20 05:41 AM

4 wheeler is trucker slang for cars, or anything on the road with 4 wheels.
Posted By: jcc

Re: Observations from the Interstate. - 05/18/20 04:52 PM

1. Interesting Video
2. Seemed like most of the apparent at fault drivers "think" they did nothing wrong, not sure if they are just clueless, or follow the time tested defense, deny, deny, deny.
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