Driving 101

[acosmichippo]

I have come to the conclusion that the average person is just not meant to drive an automobile. Why is it so hard to follow a few simple courtesies?

1) If you're on a multi-lane highway, and you're not passing anyone to your immediate right, move over.

2) In fair weather, if you're on a one-lane road, at least drive the speed limit.

3) Use your turn indicator BEFORE you brake to turn, and BEFORE you begin to change lanes.

4) Check your blind spots.

[mittenman]

5) Move over, speed up, or slow down for traffic merging onto the highway. Get out of the way!

[psylichon]

Seems simple enough. I learned these rules early and was taught to respect them at all cost. I think it's in the upbringin', but I share your frustration in these winter months. People act like it's no-holds-barred out there. Respect!

[mittenman]

Plus my truck is bigger, watch out:2cool:

[mittenman]

6) Clean off ALL your windows (for us that see some snow)

[ADDam]

What really gets on my nerves, is this scenario:

Your driving on a three lane road (turn lane in the middle). The douche in front of you starts slowing down considerably, THEN hits the turn signal, THEN, FINALLY merges into the TURN LANE!!! UGH!

[acosmichippo]

that is exactly what rule #3 is meant to address.

[psylichon]

6) Clean off ALL your windows (for us that see some snow)

And not just your windows, but the huge chunks of ice on the roof that are just gonna fly off your ride as soon as you hit the highway and smash into ME, scaring the living bejesus out of me. Thank you!

[mittenman]

7) Do not use the center turn lans as an "on ramp". You should never be accelerating in this lane!

[ADDam]

And not just your windows, but the huge chunks of ice on the roof that are just gonna fly off your ride as soon as you hit the highway and smash into ME, scaring the living bejesus out of me. Thank you!

My girlfriend calls those, "Snow Hats"

"That car is wearing a snow hat!"

[mittenman]

And not just your windows, but the huge chunks of ice on the roof that are just gonna fly off your ride as soon as you hit the highway and smash into ME, scaring the living bejesus out of me. Thank you!

I clean off my entire vehicle before driving, even my whole truck (bed cover and all).

[glsda]

Then there is the person that enters the freeway does not signal, look to see if the path is clear or notice you are in their way, moves across all 3 to 4 lanes to the fast lane and proceeds to drive 5 mph under the speed limit even if cars are stacked up behind them.

[acosmichippo]

If you can't parallel park, don't make people wait while you try to figure it out.

[acosmichippo]

Then there is the person that enters the freeway does not signal, look to see if the path is clear or notice you are in their way, moves across all 3 to 4 lanes to the fast lane and proceeds to drive 5 mph under the speed limit even if cars are stacked up behind them.

Definitely. There are varying degrees of this, but they are all equally frustrating.

I am ashamed to say my father does things like this. It makes it difficult to be a passenger while he's driving.

[psylichon]

My dad pulses the gas pedal, whether on local roads or the highway. It makes me absolutely nauseous.

[acosmichippo]

Mine too. He usually tries to initiate a conversation while forgetting about the accelerator, waits for my response, and taps it to get back up to speed, lets go and talks again, etc...

drives me crazy... no pun intended.

[psylichon]

Yeah, my dad's habit was bourne from conversation, but now he just does it whether we're talking or not. Old habits die hard. Maybe he's got a little conversation going on in his head, who knows...

[glsda]

My granddad would have to look at me while driving and talking, yep not looking where he is pointing the vehicle. I never said much at all since most of the time I scared shi* less. and busy watching the road so we didn't wreak.

[Witness]

Very helpful for someone who just started driving, thanks.

[dcom]

8) HANG UP AND DRIVE!

Don't use your cell phone while you're driving, even if it's hands-free. I don't want to hear anybody saying "Oh, it's not that distracting, I can do it". No, you can't, it IS distracting so just keep the phone off unless it's an emergency or you're parked somewhere.

[acosmichippo]

8) HANG UP AND DRIVE!

Don't use your cell phone while you're driving, even if it's hands-free. I don't want to hear anybody saying "Oh, it's not that distracting, I can do it". No, you can't, it IS distracting so just keep the phone off unless it's an emergency or you're parked somewhere.

Definitely. I'll even admit that talking to people IN the car distracts me.

[The Apple]

I have a list of about 72 different things people should know about how to use a round-a-bout.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

Mine too. He usually tries to initiate a conversation while forgetting about the accelerator, waits for my response, and taps it to get back up to speed, lets go and talks again, etc...

drives me crazy... no pun intended.

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=puns

[acosmichippo]

pretty much nails it.

the Dave Matthews bit is particularly spot-on.

[mittenman]

I have a list of about 72 different things people should know about how to use a round-a-bout.


Roundabouts are the stupidest thing ever concieved.

[coasts]

Roundabouts are the stupidest thing ever concieved.

nuh uh, jughandles are even stoopider

[Youngbinks]

They made it illegal and ticketable in Florida to ride in the left lane if not passing. Unfortunately they do not enforce it.

[Hondamaker]

I have come to the conclusion that the average person is just not meant to drive an automobile. Why is it so hard to follow a few simple courtesies?

1) If you're on a multi-lane highway, and you're not passing anyone to your immediate right, move over.

2) In fair weather, if you're on a one-lane road, at least drive the speed limit.

3) Use your turn indicator BEFORE you brake to turn, and BEFORE you begin to change lanes.

4) Check your blind spots.
Man, thosde are my biggest driver pet peeves too! Especially number 1. I get road rage with number 1.

[The Apple]

Roundabouts are the stupidest thing ever concieved.
I love roundabouts. There was an intesection that was constantly backed up and if you took the road to the intersection you could guarantee yourself about a 15 minute backup. They put in a roundabout and it is no waiting now. The only problem I have is that some people do not understand that you do not have to stop before entering it if nobody is there to yield to. They just stop in the middle of the road for no reason because they have to idea how to drive on a roundabout.

[The Apple]

They made it illegal and ticketable in Florida to ride in the left lane if not passing. Unfortunately they do not enforce it.
That is why drivers in Florida are REDICULOUS!!!!!! I have drove in over half the states, and Florida drivers are the most reckless!! :tounge:

[macgirl]

I have come to the conclusion that the average person is just not meant to drive an automobile. Why is it so hard to follow a few simple courtesies?

1) If you're on a multi-lane highway, and you're not passing anyone to your immediate right, move over.

2) In fair weather, if you're on a one-lane road, at least drive the speed limit.

3) Use your turn indicator BEFORE you brake to turn, and BEFORE you begin to change lanes.

4) Check your blind spots.

Spot on! I get so mad when I see idiots like this on the road. My dad learned to drive in Europe where driving on the right and passing on the left is a heavily-enforced law, and he passed that on to me when he taught me to drive.

I think it's so weird to see people who use their turn signals act is if the fact that they used it gives them automatic permission to go in that direction. No, jackass, it only signals your intent - if I'm in that lane, I'm not going to slow down to let you in just because you signal. :angry:

I have a friend who is a terrible driver - never uses her turn signal, sits in the left lane, etc. I thought we were going to get shot in Texas once because she was driving like a moron. I've given her feedback about this (which has led to terrible arguments between us) but she just doesn't care. I simply cannot understand that attitude. If we go anywhere and I have a choice, I drive, and I never let her drive my car.

[acosmichippo]

Oh, I forgot this one...

If you're in the wrong lane and about to miss your turn, don't try to cut across traffic at the last second. Go past, turn around and come back. Don't inconvenience others for your mistake.

[mittenman]

Oh, I forgot this one...

If you're in the wrong lane and about to miss your turn, don't try to cut across traffic at the last second. Go past, turn around and come back. Don't inconvenience others for your mistake.

....or kill

[glsda]

There are three lanes, the middle one being for turning so move to it when you are turning across traffic. Do not sit in the traffic lane blocking traffic and then when there is no sign of an approaching vehicle for 100 miles deceide to turn across the turning lane and across the opposing lane.

[Youngbinks]

That is why drivers in Florida are REDICULOUS!!!!!! I have drove in over half the states, and Florida drivers are the most reckless!! :tounge:

It's because all of you northerners come down and bring your terrible driving along. I have to say that the drivers in Miami Dade are the absolute worst. I've seen my share of poor driving and Miami drivers take the cake.

[The Apple]

It's because all of you northerners come down and bring your terrible driving along. I have to say that the drivers in Miami Dade are the absolute worst. I've seen my share of poor driving and Miami drivers take the cake.
I think it is just an area around Miami. Not all of Florida, and not all Florida drivers. The worst driving I have ever witnessed was in the Miami area. Changing over 3 lanes while passing people over 100 MPH is never a good practice.

[acosmichippo]

Illinoisans are also particularly bad. I drive to Chicago a lot, and the Illinois cars are usually the ones driving as if they're the only ones on the road.

[Witness]

Yup, drivers in Miami are pretty bad. Especially around 8th street.

[TarekElsakka]

No one taught me anything about driving, yet I can drive as good as an experienced driver. I've been watching people drive ever since I was a little kid, and that in itself is the best experience you could ever get. Except if you're riding with a careless, crazy driver.

[acosmichippo]

dude, a lot of people watch others drive beginning in childhood.

[Youngbinks]

My parents always blindfolded me in the car. Refused to let me ever see where we were going.

[acosmichippo]

binks, those people were NOT your parents.

[glsda]

I drove bump cars as a kid, geese no one here knows what that is, and that prepared me to drive. :tounge: I guess if you go to the video arcades and do the driving games you are ready to drive.

Seriously Tarek wait till you hit black ice on a freeway over pass with heavy traffic all around you and it's night time. The pucker factor reaches 10 to the 10th and you are just hoping the people all around you have done more than watch others drive.

[glsda]

My parents always blindfolded me in the car. Refused to let me ever see where we were going.


They didn't want you to know how to find the bacon.:2cool:

[Ramesh]

They made it illegal and ticketable in Florida to ride in the left lane if not passing. Unfortunately they do not enforce it.

What? Since when?

[iCafe]

I drive fast and cut people off you don't like it get out my way

[iCafe]

Left lane is the fast lane every lane can be a passing lane old ladies

[monkeysrock0622]

Im not saying I am the best driver out there, but living in California, I see a LOT of bad drivers. Just yesterday I was behind someone on an off-ramp and the light was red but he still turned (left) just because there werent any cars coming immediately.

[aknightstale41]

Correct me if im wrong but isnt there now a left turn on red at certain intersections? I havent seen one yet but i remember reading about this awile ago.

[dcom]

Correct me if im wrong but isnt there now a left turn on red at certain intersections? I havent seen one yet but i remember reading about this awile ago.

I believe that if you are on a one-way street, turning left onto another one-way street, you can turn on red.

[Napoleon_PhoneApart]

I think in many places you can make a left turn on red if the cross-traffic is one way -- going left, of course. :smile:

[The Apple]

Im not saying I am the best driver out there, but living in California, I see a LOT of bad drivers. Just yesterday I was behind someone on an off-ramp and the light was red but he still turned (left) just because there werent any cars coming immediately.
It is hard for California drivers to get any good driving practice. I mean I had to drive to California to perfect my "start, stop, start", and my "70 to 0 in 2 seconds". Just thinking of driving any freeway in California gives me a headache! I love the northern coast though. The redwoods are something everyone should go see in person.

[Youngbinks]

What? Since when?

I think it went in to effect in January of 2007. If an officer sees you riding in the left lane without the intent to pass then you can be ticketed for a moving violation. We still have people going 60 in a 70 in the left lane though.

[Youngbinks]

According to this site (not sure of accuracy and whatnot) Governor Bush vetoed part of the "no left lane" bill. This has a layout for left lane driving in all the states though.

Left Lane Passing (http://www.driverightpassleft.com/laws/index.asp)
Statutes for Florida (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC081.HTM&Title=-%3E2001-%3ECh0316-%3ESection%20081)