NEWSGROUPS FOR DRIVERS: SOUND OFF!
by Angelica Gilmer
Instructions For Newsgroups File
MY 10 SELECTIONS
Selection
#1
Oh no...watch out!
Ê
Other types to watch out for. (I'm not joking or trying to be funny) Women
(and some men) applying makeup or preening themselves in the mirror.
Anybody on the phone.
Anyone reading/eating/smoking while driving.
People with hands out the window.
Old men wearing hats.
Blue hair (or cars that appear to have no driver)
Mothers with children in front seat. (mini van)
Fathers with children in front seat.
Taxis
Diplomats
Car poolers
Actually the worst I have found are men in suits driving expensive sports
sedans. Most of the group you listed can kill you due to not paying attention,
but other than running over you at a stop they tend to drift rather than make
abrupt moves. OTOH, these arrogant bastards, who obviously own the road, tend
to drive very aggressively and make abrupt lane changes. They also will
deliberately cut you off or force
you off the road.
Making the assumption that no one can see you will keep you safe from the
clueless, but won't save you from those who are deliberately aggressive. [
bj ]
My Comments:
This driver (bj) is trying to tell everyone what type of people to watch out
for while driving on the road. Some of the types that he has mentioned is
sort of ridiculous but many of it are true. The ones that I've hadproblems with
the most are old men wearing hats and people on the phone. For those on the
phone, I think that it's due to the lack of attention. Also it mat be due to
the inability coordinate both hands. As for the old men wearing hats, that is a
phenomenon that I can't explain. The only assumption I can come up with is old
age. But I swear, they are bad drivers (changing lanes without looking first)!
It's so funny because this is not the first time I have heard about these types
of people. The particular individual that wrote this commentary seems to
have come to these conclusions through self witnessing. BJ wants to warn others
of what he has come across on the road. It doesn't seem that he is angry or
upset but rather I get the feeling that he just wants to share his experience
with everyone.
Selection #2
Cyclist's Road Rage
How do you all deal with road rage? Since Labor Day, I have found traffic to be atrocious. Things that really 'irk' me are taxi drivers doing a U-turn right in front of me or cars that have a yellow blinking light at circles that pop out right in front of me even though I have the right of way. I wish I could slap a sticker right on their windshield that says "I am on the road too". After reading the thread on the cyclist who murdered the woman, it got me thinking. I don't condone at all what he did, but I can empathize with at least a fraction of the frustration he may have felt. Sometimes I want to get off my bike and confront the person who almost hit me by their inconsiderateness. Sometimes when I get to work, I am seething with frustration. I don't like it that these small things get to me so much... so how do you all deal with road rage?
I commute every day by bike and understand your feelings. But don't give into road rage. Concentrate on good cycling. I ride in DC and I am convinced that most of the Metrobus drivers, many of the taxi drivers and a good number of the car drivers would be happy to see cyclists crashed on the side of the road. Many of them see us as just one more traffic problem and many are frustrated at the many problems driving a car entails. I ride very defensively, wait until all the cars at an intersection have run a red light, expect to be cut off by buses and cabs, and generally expect most auto drivers not to see me or to force their way in front of me if they see the need to. Do I get pissed when they do those dumb things? Of course. But I have gradually learned that yelling at a bus that just cut me off is fruitless and explaining to drivers I have caught up with at an intersection that they just about killed me is a waste of time. I try to concentrate on cycling well and safely. In DC I can generally stay up with or ahead of most car traffic, which makes me feel good. And even given all the negatives, I still find cycling an exhilarating experience. I no longer have a car and there is no way I would ever go back to driving one.
[ Bill Kline ]
My Comments:
I am one who is guilty for thinking that only cars and trucks should be on the
road. These cyclists is trying to tell us that they also have the right to be
on the road. However they are at the disadvantage because they are much smaller
than cars and trucks. Therefore they are more prone to get pushed around and
ignored. The first commentary by Karen Downing has experienced frustration and
anger due to the lack of consideration people have on the road. She realizes
that she is a potential risk for road rage and so she is asking for help. I'm
glad the second commentary by Bill Kline was very rational. He has given Karen
good advice because he understands that road rage is not the key to
anything.
Selection #3
Prescription: One Cigar per Commute
This week my ex-wife is outta town. I have to take my kids to two different
schools and then myself to work. I live 'out of town' so it's a two hour trek.
This morning while the people in cars next to me were showing signs of
severe stress from the traffic, I was puffin a Monte #2 listening to Gatemouth
Brown with a big band, "Gatemouth Swings". It's great swing music, I
hated it when the traffic cleared.
Leonard 'c'mon light get stuck on red :-)'
Leonard, you're exactly right. This is what made me become a serious cigar
smoker. My commute used to be an easy 20 minute ride that has now turned into a
50 minute commute from hell. One day I was full of road rage and saw a guy
in the car next to me just puffing along without a care in the world. Tried it
myself and it was like a transformation. So now I light up going to work and
coming home. It's made my life sane again.
Now if I could just find an excuse for all the rest of the cigars I smoke when
I'm not driving I'd be in good shape!
My Comments:
A lot of my friends don't wish to quite smoking because they say it relaxes
them. I always wondered if it was physically true or all psychological.
Commuting in heavy traffic is a real drag and it does bring my stress level up.
However I don't think that I want to start up smoking a cigar because I can't
stand the smell. This driver is trying to give us a solution that may help make
commuting more pleasurable. Good Luck to those who try it out.
Selection #4
Leave Your Car at Home
Steve Geller wrote:
Try replacing the "control freak" with a reasonable person or
committee. I think it's clear who uses a car for performing work and who
uses it just to commute. If you're hauling stuff to do with your work,
then you need the car. If you're driving an otherwise empty car to get to
work; you don't, unless your work is inaccessible by transit.
Search every vehicle?
Best bet is to let each individual decide. If the
going gets rough, they'll change, move or give-up. Fine with me. But
are you willing to put any squeeze on the drivers to cut down on
cars? When the going gets really tough, the weak will move away--or find
a solution. Hopefully, trucks, vans and other vehicles too.
After a very lengthy commute that lasted three and one-half years, I have
now decided to work only within a 6 mile radius of home. Life is better
because of it. Staggered work hours and telecommuting are other possible
solutions.
My Comments:
This person is pointing out that unless you need your car for hauling your work
around, you shouldn't be driving you car to work. I can see that this person is
trying to encourage carpool and mass transit to alleviate traffic. I think the
reason why people drive their own car to work is because of flexibility. When
you share a car with others or using the mass transit, you are in their time
not your own. This makes it difficult to do things that you want to do before
or after work. Apparently he doesn't have much errands or other duties besides
work. I know he was only trying to help.
Selection #5
Drivers: It's Snowing
Most of you are going to think these are pretty stupid questions, but I'm
really curious: What's it like to drive in snow?
It's more of an inconvenience than anything else. Speeds drop, at least
for the intelligent drivers.
I lived in Hawaii all my life, and I've never
*really* seen snow. I've been to the mainland in winter, but the closest
thing I've seen was a lot of slushy ice and cold water on the ground --
and that was in the 9th grade. Just how slippery is snow? I've
seen cars on TV sliding at less than 1 ft/sec. Does that happen often? I
just can't believe it's always that bad -- no one would drive. If it's not
usually that bad, what's
typical?
As others have said, it depends on the snow. Black ice is the absolute
worst, and if you hit it, you just hope you're going in a straight line.
Snow usually comes when the temperature is just a bit below freezing. We
often get a snowstorm, followed by much colder weather; the snow and water
freeze making things more treacherous. Studded tires are outlawed in most
places because of damage to roads. Most snowy roads are not difficult to
drive on, but speeds have to be reduced. I've driven in ice storms, with 2
wheels on the shoulder just to give me a bit of traction -- I made it, and
I've seen plenty of cars in the ditches. It's just common sense.
Bridges can be dangerous because they often tend to ice up, even
when there's no ice elsewhere on the roads.
How thick does the snow have to be before people don't drive? And when the
snow is that thick (or thicker), how do people get around? How often does
that happen? Most cities that are accustomed to snow have the equipment to
deal with it efficiently. Teams of trucks go out with plows. Main
streets and divided highways are cleared first, and neighborhood
streets last. Plows just push the snow to the sides, and usually a day or
2 after the storm, dump trucks and front-end loaders or other specialized equipment
clear it away.
Snow doesn't stop many people. For the winter, I keep a blanket,
wool jacket, small shovel, extra windshield washer fluid, candles,
bungee cords and an emergency kit in the trunk. I also have a folding
metal traction pad that you simply unfold and place under the drive
wheels if you're stuck; it works like a charm.
If there's a steep hill near where you live, how do you get to your house during the winter? It's usually not a problem, unless you get icy conditions.
How fast do people drive on the Interstate when
it's snowing? What's it like, driving on the Interstate during
winter? On the 400-series of roads, traffic just slows down. The limits
are 100 kph (60 mph), which is too low for good weather. Under poor conditions,
most people just slow down. I can feel where my traction starts to slip,
and I just lower the speed. It's the old rule, drive to conditions.
Another problem with wet snow is the dirty slush that keeps
getting sprayed onto your windshield. You need lots of windshield
washer fluid! Most people also have lock de-icer, just in case their
key won't turn in the door after it's been sitting outside for some
time.
In this city and further north, you'll find a lot of people with inline
(in the heating system tubing) or block heaters. If cars are left outside,
people often plug in their cars. Further north, you'll find parking lots
with posts in front of each space, for car plug-ins.
Do you have to use different tires during the winter than the
summer? Tires with some kind of metal on them? How effective are
"All-Season" tires in the snow? I use all-seasons, but I'd
prefer to have winter tires for winter driving (on all 4 tires is best).
Cost is a factor. Front-wheel drive cars are better in the snow, since the
weight of the engine is on the front drive axle, helping with
traction.
How effective are traction control, 4WD, and ABS in the snow? I know full
well how well these work in heavy rain, and I'm sure they help in the snow
-- but how much? 'Day and Night' or not much difference? Many people who
commute into the city will have those damn sport utility vehicles with
4WD. It's certainly a great help in heavy snowfall conditions.
From what I've seen on TV, it looks like winter driving is dangerous
for most people, but if you know what you're doing, it could be fun.
Is that about right? Or is it just scary for everyone? It can be fun
if you want to go into a car parking lot and pull a few doughnuts. Apart
from that, it's inconvenient since you have to slow down and travel time
increases. I never hesitate to drive in snow, but I'll hesitate if it's
icy out.
My Comments:
This person is asking a very logical question because there is no snow in
Hawaii, well except for Mauna Kea. The people who responded to her questions was
very civilized. They didn't make fun or made such a big deal about the person
not knowing about snow. It shows that there are people out there who wishes not
to remain ignorantly. As one can see there were many respondents who responded
to the question. This really shows that there are people out there who are
willing to share their experiences and knowledge. All you got to do is
ask.
Selection #6
Support through Newsgroups
I am so sick of aggressive drivers swerving around me and tailgating me!
I am a responsible, alert driver, and if I weren't so alert, I'd
probably have racked up thousands in med bills from the could-have-been
accidents. I live near Washington DC - people drive like NY here. I am NOT
a 20 mph
I also live down here- and I also went the UMCP and have probably been on the
same roads as you have and at about the same time so I probably have the
best idea of what you're talking about. driver in a 40mph zone - I am
NOT contributing to other driver's frustration except that I'm not speeding
and being reckless like them.
This isn't necessarily your fault- the 55 mph speed limit on the beltway
is obsolete. In light to moderate traffic, unless you are going 75+ I
suggest you keep as right as possible. Sure those other people are
"breaking the law"- but keeping the speed limit artificially low
around here has created contempt for the law- blame the state for this...
If they pick a reasonable number and then try to enforce it conditions
will improve.
This morning I almost got hit several times while inching along in
traffic and the woman behind me was hugging my rear. Whenever I had to
apply my brakes, I saw her curse and swear at me as her car bowed down
from slamming on the brakes.
There is two things that could be wrong in this picture:
1) the person behind you could have a serious physical/psychological ailment.
In my 10 years of driving I have had 1 person have an epileptic seizure
while driving in the car behind me, and another had what seems be a
nervous breakdown and just went insane driving up her car on the lawn and
start cursing at people who weren't even near her car or IN a car. This
kinda shit happens.
2) Your driving skills may not be compatible with traffic conditions on 495/95.
If you are driving in bumper to bumper traffic here and you are giving the
car in front of you 8 car lengths of space then I'd be cursing you too
because a million cars would be cutting in front of YOU while at the same
time tripling my commute time by you starting a wave of rubber
necking.
It was really obnoxious. I've noticed there's an attorney on the group -
does he or anyone know if a citizen can file an anonymous complaint in
these cases? I don't want some crazy knowing where I live and stalking me,
so anonymity is a real plus. This could be bad, but then again it could be
a blessing- someone could be reporting you right now for obstructing
traffic.
Thanks for listening to me vent. Let me know what you think. Maybe I
can rig up some sort of alarm or light system. I knew someone who set up a headlight
in their rear and would flick it on whenever someone had their high beams
on behind them.
This would not be good- from reading this and the rest of your message it
would appear that you have some built in resentment for the drivers behind
you and you feel they should accept you the way you are because you think
you are a safe driver.
I strongly suggest you get yourself a book on stress management and diffuse
this before you attempt to further agitate drivers behind you- this could
lead into a situation of confrontation and you can get yourself injured or
killed considering how much pressure is built up in the had of the driver
behind you.
FWIW: I've been driving down here for 6 years. Regarding people
tailgating me/flashing me/etc... I have very rarely been tailgated to the
point of being really pissed off I'd say... probably one or two dozen
times).
Your post is very similar to another one on DC.DRIVING a few months ago from
a driver who complained about how bad DC/Metro drivers are and how every
couple of weeks someone literally tries to run him off the road, but when
he posted details of his driving habits you can almost see why someone
would try to run him off the road.
My Comments:
Everyone needs to vent once in a while. Venting through newsgroups is an
alternative to venting to one's loved one. It's great. The respondents showed a
lot of compassion and support towards the person. The pros and cons regarding
the advice on filing a complaint on aggressive drivers really showed that people
are thinking about the subject. It also shows that they care and want to make
the person feel better. To me this is wonderful because they don't even know
each other face to face but are able to still give support.
Selection #7
We Need to Get Along
Christ, how hard is it? If people are tailgating you, you are going
to slow FOR THE LANE YOU ARE IN! Move over! If you want to drive at
the legal limit, you had better be to the right as far as possible. The
left lane is the fast lane. The right lane is the slow lane. Any lanes
in between are very loosely defined, but generally they travel faster
the farther left they are. If you are afraid you might get a ticket, and
want to go exactly the limit, fine. Just get over to the right! Going slow
in the left lane and not allowing faster drivers by because you're angry
at them for tailgating you is both dangerous and pompous. Go ahead and
drive
55. Just don't expect others to do the same. So get out of the way,
this is the '90s, gas is cheap and cars are fun again.
Christopher Scott
On Sun, 27 Sep 1998, asdf wrote:
Oh man, you hit the point right on the spot.
Sometimes I wish I drove a big American truck with a huge iron front
bumper covered in foam so I can actually push the slow punk in front of
me. Sometimes I wish I could mount a shotgun to my rear bumper so I could
put a 12 gauge slug into the tailgaters engine. The people who think
they have a right to drive 55 in the fast lane on a 65 mph freeway are not
only stupid but are also the causes of accidents.
A CHP officer has A LEGAL RIGHT to ticket me if I go past the speed
limit. The fast lane on the freeway is a misnomer because LEGALLY
all lanes have the same limit. If I was doing 50 to 40 mph in a 65 MPH
then I EXPECT the CHP officer to ticket me for obstructing traffic. I
usually drive at the limit or 5 - 10 miles faster and 90 % of the time I
drive on the number 3 lane because CHP officers are trained to concentrate
on the #1 or the "fast lane" to catch the speeders. I guess that
is why I have not gotten a moving violation in the last 10 years. If I
happen to get behind someone that is obstructing traffic I calmly set my
blinker and pass him I don't try to force the 90 year old grandmother, who
can barely control her bowel movements to try to control a 5000 Lb Cadillac at
100 MPH. yes, I agree she probably should not be driving in the first
place, but that is another topic to rant about.
If you're on the fast lane and someone's
tailgating you, then you probably should yield because you're going too
slow. going too slow for who? not for the person driving and not for the
legal system that posted the limit people who tailgate cause
accidents if the guy in front needs to stop. and if YOUR impatience causes
YOU to weave in and out of traffic without signaling or checking over your
shoulder YOU are the greater danger.
Loren Harrington wrote:
The main principle of the matter is that speed limits are there to
create standardization. no speed limit and you've got people going
moderate speeds, slow speeds, fast speeds, all trying to pass each other.
That's pretty dangerous.. speed limits usually are set so a car, that
meets minimum safety standards, can drive on the road at the posted speed
limit on a wet road and not risk lossing control. minimum standards are
probably a YUGO with 115.70.R13 tires
All I gotta say is, if you're driving the speed limit or less, get on the right and let people like me pass. pleeeeease. If you are courteous and politely flash your lights at me I will. but if you are a A$#@$ and start riding my tail I will slow 1 MPH for every 3 feet closer you get :P
My Comments:
This is why we can't get along on the road. Everyone thinks that they have the
right of way and are never wrong. In this posting there are exchanges in
beliefs of how to drive, again the I am right attitude. No one really wants to
hear the other person out. It's ignorance and inconsiderate. People should
try to communicate effectively. It is not who had the loudest voice or the best
come back line, it's who can bring on a solution to the problem.
Selection #8
Distractions, Distractions
Well, like I said, I don't HAVE a cell phone anymore, so it's ceased
to even BE a distraction. Of course, more pedestrian distractions in
automobiles could be such things as changing the radio station,
disciplining the kids or even talking to a passenger. Like using a
cell phone in a car, they all require a modicum of common sense to
accomplish while driving. Of course, I'm sure you NEVER change the radio station
while you're driving ;)
Actually, I don't change the radio station. I found a station I like
and have had it there for years -- and I keep the sound low enough so that
I can still hear. But I agree that it is important to minimize all
distractions. I spend most of my driving time in high speed, bumper to
bumper freeway traffic -- and way too many crazy drivers -- and several
poorly designed intersections (it is not uncommon to see 2 or 3 accidents
a week at these intersections.) As a result, I force myself to keep all
my attention on the road -- something that has saved me from being an
innocent victim of an accident.
My Comments:
Indeed cellular phones, changing the radio station, disciplining kids are all
distractions. However, I don't think it is the object that increases the
risk of an accident but rather it's the persons actions. If one knows how to
use a cellular phone, for example memorizing the buttons, there will be no
problem. The same goes for the changing of the radio station. I got mine
memorized so I just keep my eye on the road and my hands automatically knows
what buttons to press. I don't know about the older car but what really was
helpful is the preprogrammed buttons, it's such a life saver. As for the
kids, well parents should condition their children by using different tones of
the voice.
Selection #9
Air Bags Saves Lives
Young, inexperienced, and possibly drunk, drivers are more likely to have
serious accidents, but airbags will not solve that problem. Some of those
problems are social, and require ongoing programs to educate the public
and catch persistent offenders. NZ now has high levels of compliance for
seat belt usage, and has greatly reduced drink driving - after a massive
mixed campaign involving random stopping and breath testing combined with
public education that people should not allow drunk drivers to get into
cars.
Initially, there was a huge outcry about random stopping ( previously the
police had to have a reason to stop a car - such as erratic driving or
some other offence - and complaints about establishing checkpoints outside
of pubs and clubs engendered public sympathy. Now most of the public
accept that police can install roadblocks and check all drivers traveling
along the highway, because they know they are safer if drunk drivers are
taken off the road.
There are no easy answers to reducing the tragedy of road carnage, but
airbags will evolve, just like seatbelts have, to protect occupants. I
criticize NHTSA for failing to listen to experts, preferring instead to
listen to vocal lobby groups - who have never apologized for their
erroneous advice, and for taking too long to respond to the data showing
that there was a problem that needed immediate attention.
Airbags still save many more lives than they take, and there will always
be some tradeoff of between social and financial cost and benefit, but
that has always been the case for safety devices. I would still prefer to
be in an airbag-equipped car, whether the airbag was first, second, or
third ( so-called "smart" airbags ), generation, and whether it
was a US or or European specification airbag. I would be wearing my
seatbelt, and I would be sitting well back in the seat, as experts have
shown that my chances of surviving my own, or somebody else's mistake, are
greatly improved. [ Bruce Hamilton ]
My Comments:
I have heard so many comments about air bags both positive and negative. I
don't think that it should be required like seat belts. Seat belts have been
proven to save lives, not add to the injury. However air bags have been known
to accidentally kill. I think that the need for air bags in the car should be
of personal choice. I know someone who is very adamant about not having an
airbag in her car. She refuses to get a car with one because she said that
since she is petite the air bag is going to smother her. Indeed their should be
an improvement of air bags. This will maybe help encourage drivers to get air
bags. But again, it should be up to the person to decide.
Selection #10
Driver's Education
Dear People:
I guess I don't understand the question. When I was a kid most
students were taught to drive by their fathers. Driver's education took up
valuable education time. Also, it takes a big investment in time to teach
a teenager to drive. In driver's ed, you can work out the math but each
kid spends little time behind the wheel. Much better is a parent letting
his kid take the wheel and then critique him often.
It doesn't take long to teach a student the basics of driving (it is easier than
riding a bicycle, for example.) The real problem is learning the little
things we take for granted. This takes time and explains why old people
who can barely see over the wheel can somehow get around with
fewer accidents than teenagers with all their facilities.
Steve Moore wrote in message ...
Texas has recently passed legislation that allows parents to teach
drivers education to their own children. Has anyone attempted this yet? I
have the materials and the requirements, but I would like to hear
from someone who has completed it.
[ Steve º ]
My Comments:
I do not agree with this person. At times parents are unable to teach their
children to drive due to nervousness. I remember when my mother thought me how
to drive we would get into big arguments. It was so hard for me to learn from
her because she was not a very good teacher. At times teens learn better from
someone besides their parents, someone who was trained for teaching. This
reduces the nervousness and of course the silent treatment home.
Suggestions For Future Generations
Hey future generations! Although starting on your reports EARLY will help you
tremendously, most of you will probably like me and wait until the last minute!
Let me warn you, it is a lot of work and you will be stressed! But you know
what? You can do it and you'll learn so much from it! Just DON'T GIVE UP it's
not worth getting a bad grade. One thing that I found to be very helpful...get to
know your CLASSMATES, my classmates helped me a whole lot!
My Report Compared To Others In My Class
I'm sure that everyone in the class will have done a great job on this
project. However, a lot of us procrastinated and so we couldn't look at
each others Newsgroups files to see what was done.. Oh the pressure! I think
that I did a pretty good job! This report was very long and time consuming so I
just want to say that I'm proud of everyone who stuck through and finished
it!
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