Bad Drivers!!

[jaxsue]

I drive defensively, and I know there are idiot drivers out there. Why did I have to run into so many today?

I went to the mall today. On the way there, a man behind me decided I was going too slow. So he got on my bumper - literally inches away. I was already going about 8 miles over the speed limit, and on a road where the police routinely nab speeders. I wasn't about to go faster! He then decided that MY stop at a stop sign counted for him, so he ran it and continued on my bumper. He then turned into a church parking lot, all the time never backing off. Nice representation of that church membership!

On the way home, there is a 4-way stop. I stopped, a car coming the other way went, then it was my turn. Oops - here comes another neanderthal running a stop sign without slowing down! Except he gives me a goofy "look what I got away with" grin.

I'm not a violent person, but after driving today I can understand how road rage happens. I was good, didn't cuss or flip them off, but dangerous drivers make me angry. Interestingly, both bad drivers were middle-aged men. Is that a fluke or are men more aggressive drivers?

[Chocolate Cake]

According to insurance industry, men are definitely more aggressive drivers which results in a higher percentage of them being in accidents and receiving traffic citations in comparison to female drivers, statistically speaking.

You could try what I do when I have a tailgater:  Maintain the speed limit or slightly under but make a point of tapping your brake multiple times to make the brake lights flash at them until they either back off or go around you. 

Worst case, put on your turn signal and pull to the side so they have to pass you.  I did this once and the guy behind me roared off.   About a mile later, I saw him on the side of the road getting a speeding ticket.

[lilaenne]

... He then turned into a church parking lot, all the time never backing off. Nice representation of that church membership!

I live a few blocks from a church where I've nearly been killed more than once (both in my car and on foot) by people driving in or out of the church's parking lot. I wonder if you can seperate out the folks who only show up to services out of a sense of guilt, or to keep up appearance, by their total disregard for their fellow humans when behind the wheel?

[Suze]

I live a few blocks from a church where I've nearly been killed more than once (both in my car and on foot) by people driving in or out of the church's parking lot. I wonder if you can seperate out the folks who only show up to services out of a sense of guilt, or to keep up appearance, by their total disregard for their fellow humans when behind the wheel?

And that is the same reason that I will not walk to work. The sidewalks are only about halfway to the plant, and I would have to walk the road for a ways.

The people I work with turn into "idiot drivers" the minuite they walk out the door.   They can't or won't stop for anybody or anything, because they have to get home NOW.

I have been almost run over more times than I can count over the years.  Good thing I have fast reflexes.

[spiffaroonie]

I drove a bus for about a year in college. It turned me into a crank with a bit of road rage. It has since calmed a lot, but I do not miss driving for a living. I was cut off, honked at, nearly side-swiped, flipped off, etc. by drivers of cars. I was required to put safety first, but sometimes I had to be a little aggressive to avoid an accident.

People need to remember that buses take longer to speed up and slow down. Give them a break... unless they are seriously being unsafe.

- Also, if you know a truck driver - remind them not to wail their horns in town when people walk in front of them while they are at a stop sign. I've lost a bit of my hearing in my right ear, because some guy was upset at giving me the right of way to cross the street (there was a stop sign). Wailed it right in my ear. Scared me so much I jumped 2 feet in the air.

[Rach]

I was amazed how many people cut me up/rode right on my bumper while I was taking driving lessons.

That's not just rude, how stupid do you have to be to drive dangerously around an inexperienced, nervy learner?