Bad weather - bad drivers...

Greetings, all!

I am of the opinion that gardeners
(for the most part) are kind hearted, open minded
people, so think of my post more as a release of
pressure than a lecture.

WHAT is with people who drive right up on your butt
when the roads are icy, wet or snowy???

After crashing my car on a big bridge with a 65 mile per
hour speed limit, bouncing off each side, driving in the
wrong lane facing a head on not once but twice in the same
bridge distance, and finally skidding to a halt in the middle
of the right lane at the end of the bridge with my fender preventing
my tire from moving, I am, to say the least, a very paranoid driver.

Even though this happened a few years ago, when I am driving across
that same bridge (which I must cross twice a day) and it is bad weather,
I tense up and want to cry. It doesn't help when someone is riding close
to my bumper. These people apparently have no sense of safety.
Perhaps they are in a big vehicle that makes them feel safe. My vehicle
is safe and with good tires, but tailgaters blow that all out of the water.

They have no consideration for anyone else on the road but themselves.
They are all that matter, THEY have somewhere to go, everyone else is
just in their way.

Yes, I'll pull over and let them pass if I have the opportunity, but if
I cannot, kindly BACK OFF!

To those who cannot drive with respect for others, keep in mind as
you are driving home to your wife, your children, your mother, your
family. The car in front of you contains someone's wife, child, mother
and family.

Ah, I feel better now.

Here...Here! Well said. A little road courtesy every now and then would be much appreciated by everyone.

Oh yes, I can totally identify. I had to take my daughter back to school today....and it can never be a relaxing, enjoyable drive. It appears that not many drivers understand the meaning of the word "limit". I don't have to look in the Websters to know that it means "no more than" or "at most" or "equal to".

If the speed "limit" is 55, it means NO MORE THAN 55mph...not a minimum of. I am tired of people pushing me down the highway at 70-75mph in a 55 mph zone, riding right up my back bumper. Signs that post "Slower traffic keep right" is for those who want to do the minimum freeway speed of 45mph UP TO the "LIMIT" of 55 mph, and the left lane is SUPPOSE to be used to pass those folks in the right lane who are driving slower than the 55mph maximum speed limit (and is not a "free for all-drive how fast I want to" lane).

When I took drivers ed, we were taught 1 car length for every 10mph. How often do you see folks keeping 5 to 6 car lengths behind the car in front of them when the highway/freeway is busy? Even in perfect driving conditions, the usual 1 to 2 car lengths people keep is not enough distance to keep them from rear ending the person in front of them. Why do you think we hear of massive pile-ups? If some (most?) folks can't follow the rules of the road in good driving weather...how could they even comprehend how to drive in inclement weather? Sadly, its often the innocent party that pays the price of someone elses ignorance shall we say....

I often wonder why law enforcement isn't getting out of their cars and ticketing people big time on a regular basis? I very seldom see folks pulled over. And if they DO get pulled over, why aren't our cities/towns/counties etc zapping offenders with fines that will do some damage? Enough of these piddly little fines. If someone is tailgating, zap 'em with a $1000 fine. If they're going more than 5-7 mph over the speed LIMIT (which is being very generous in my opinion), heck, fine 'em a minimum of $1500 with $1000 increments for every 5mph more than that. Most drivers (from what I experience on my daily commutes and such) don't follow the rules of the road so we may as well start zapping them where it hurts...their pocketbooks.

In the meantime I'm trying to come up with some type of automatic tailgater device that will come out of the back of my car at the push of a button and push the tailgaters back to a safe driving distance. Hmm....maybe I'll patent it too!

Ah, I feel better now (too!)

...edited so it doesn't sound like I'm the only polite, courteous, law abiding driver out there :)

This message was edited Feb 18, 2007 9:15 PM

wuvie,
I too had a an accident on a bridge overpass a few years ago, I lost control of my car on ice and spun down the other side, until I finally hit a truck. Luckily, although I totaled the car, we were both okay. I'm very paranoid driving on bridges, and through our woods, as there are lots of deer crossing the roads. A few days ago, during a snow fall, I had to drive across another bridge with a very steep approach. It was snowing so hard, the plows couldn't keep up. I wouldn't have left the house, but it was a dire necessity. As I approached the bridge, I saw the SUV in front of me sliding in his/her lane, and I'm in a compact car. I was at least 3 car lengths behind. Cautiously I proceed, but despite my best efforts, I start to slide. At the same time, I catch a glimpse of someone in my peripheral vision, trying to pass me! As I'm sliding sideways. And they honk their horn at me! I wanted to say, hey Captain Obvious, I'm not in control of my car, it's snowing and I'm sliding on an icy bridge. By the grace of God, I regained control of the car, and safely make my way home. I feel your pain.

In my neck of the woods, (Atlanta) the population is over 4 million so heavy traffic on all roads is commonplace. It is impossible, especially during rush hour traffic to keep the safe 1 car length per 10 mph. There is just no room, and bumper to bumper is the norm. It is a good thing that we do not have snow and ice conditions because the result would be chaotic. Folks around here don't drive well under good conditions! We have 65 mph on the interstate but that usually means drivers will go 80+mph. Very scary! Imagine hugh tractor trailer trucks, cars zooming in and out of lanes and it isn't IF an accident is going to happen, but WHEN!

Wuvie, most of the vehicles tail-gating, speeding, and sliding off into the ditches around here are SUV's! While a lot of drivers are careful and courteous, there are some who seem to think they can ignore icy weather conditions because their vehicle is built for it. There comes a point when safety features are not going to stop a heavy, speeding vehicle that has suddenly become a projectile. My plea is: All you folks who rely on "anti-lock brakes" and "traction control", please take your foot off the gas and back off from the car in front. And if you have to be somewhere on time, try to leave home early!

Yay, if felt good to get that off my chest!

Oh, my gosh, June, I say that all the time!

When a person is riding my butt, I say to myself (but intended for them)
"If you are in THAT big of a hurry, you should have left earlier!"

Hmph!