INTENSITY²
Start here => What's your crime? Basic Discussion => Topic started by: bodie on January 10, 2012, 05:49:53 AM
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Ever been stuck behind someone doing 25mph in a 40 zone? It's frustrating. I have learned some level of tolerance, but this goes out the window when i am in a rush.
This morning i was in that scenario again. I was six or seven cars behind. A car that was a few in front of me very nearly had a nasty crash trying to overtake. It was really close. :pow:
It got me wondering how many crashes happen a year by people moving too slow! Yes they do, indirectly cause accidents because they cause tailbacks of angry agitated people trying to meet deadlines or get to appointments/ meetings etc.
I distinctly recall when i took my own driving test that obviously going over the speed limit would fail you, but also, you could fail for not keeping up with the flow of traffic. Is that not the case any more?
So who are these people clogging up the roads? obliviously leaving trails of mayhem and crashed cars, smoke etc not to mention all the beep beeping! If they ever chose to look in the rear view they would likely see trails of destruction and still not realise they had something to do with it. Most likely they would slow down oven more, saying to themselves these roads must be hazardous, look at all the accidents :facepalm2: :facepalm2:
Thing is they don't look in the rear view mirror, well not that I've seen! Whenever i get chance to actually pass them safely (and they don't move over do they?) i can't help but notice they are usually so close to the windscreen and wearing an imaginary neck brace (they never glance over as you pass them either). I hate to say it but 9/10 of them are either really old, or its a school run mum.
That is gonna make me sound nasty, but it is true! Why? I don't know?
Just think of all the motoring campaigns, clunk - click the seatbelt one, then drinking and driving, drug testing, using mobile phones etc, but i never seen one about 'keeping up with the flow of traffic' - yet it must make some contribution to the figures of accidents/ road deaths. They fall under the radar because they are unlikely to have accidents themselves and completely unaware how many they are causing.
How can they be completely unaware they are causing tailbacks? Wouldn't be so bad if they were at least aware and pulled over every now and then.
No i am not trying to be a Nazi and take their licence away, but the next motoring campaign should be to educate these drivers. It's got to be their turn!
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I don't know about danger, but the very slow drivers can be extremely annoying and come off as inconsiderate of others on the road. Of course, if it turns out to be an old man or woman, one can understand ... but then, why drive if you're too old to drive effectively on the road?
I definitely think there should be some max age limit for driving.
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It's a hazard and very frustrating. Here there is a set minimum speed on the highways but it's rather low and anyone going that speed is asking for trouble. Keeping up with traffic is the best way to stay out of an accident. Here at least if your driving way too slow you are likely to be pulled over
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They call it loitering here, but I am not sure if you can be fined for doing it. I think it is hazardous.
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I don't know about danger, but the very slow drivers can be extremely annoying and come off as inconsiderate of others on the road. Of course, if it turns out to be an old man or woman, one can understand ... but then, why drive if you're too old to drive effectively on the road?
I definitely think there should be some max age limit for driving.
There's a bumper sticker I saw once that sums it up:
Barely Alive? Too Old To Drive!
In the interest of fairness I will add that at 45 I am too ditzy to drive and always have been. :blonde:
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Old people are the worst.
Church is a huge thing here, and attempting to drive anywhere on a Sunday is annoying.
You are certain to get stuck behind some oldie driving at 20 on a main road.
Im sure most of these peoplr only drive once a week.
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Yes this pisses me off no end. 90KM sign they pass and they ar doing 70-80KM. It is inconsiderate and yes iut is normally oldies.
"I have been driving for 50 years and have never had an accident" (but how many have you caused). :I feel comfortable with the speed I am driving here." (Great then do it where the speed limit is the speed you are driving at). "People are so impatient and in such a rush these days" (yes because old farts like you can not drive to the speed limit and are making us late) "90KM is too fast. It was never 90KM years ago" (Time change road conditions, change population changes, and speed limits change, keep up or get off the fucking road!)
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According to Top Gear, all the roads in England are clogged with caravans.
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According to Top Gear, all the roads in England are clogged with caravans.
Caravans are only really a big problem at holiday times, at least in Scotland.
I suppose England does have slightly longer, warmer summers, so maybe more caravans down there.
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It pisses me off to no end, but some of them don't have anyone.
Around here most of them have lived in a house all their lives, they don't want to leave it or they can't afford to, it's not near a bus line, it's not near shit. They need groceries, and have to go to the dr. like everyone else. Kid's are in another state, and their friends are either in worse shape then they are or already gone.
Helped out a couple in their 70's before the holidays when I saw the wife struggling trying to load up the groceries, the husband couldn't help he had a walker and the lights were on, but no one was home. She was happy her kids were flying in for Thanksgiving.
Thought, fuck, this could be me in another 30 years. I have no "support network" of church friends or neighbors willing to drop in and check on my ass (scared them all away >:D), I sure as hell won't be able to afford assisted living or a old fart's home, and you can't always depend on family to be their. I'm just glad my health is okay and I was able to be here to take care of my mom so that she didn't have to try and do it alone.
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Yes i know what you mean IQ, and i am not suggesting taking their licence away. Maybe
a refresher course, which might give them a bit more confidence too. Or perhaps designating certain roads as 'fast moving' or in high demand and asking them to not use at rush hour.
The person in the car today really should not have been driving. They clipped the kerb several times, didn't see if it was an old person, but whoever it was couldn't control a car at 20mph so really is endangering lives by doing so.
I think a lot of old people get treated very badly. If they are not supported by their family then they should get support to stay in their homes for as long as possible. A lot of the 'Old Peoples Home's' in the UK are closing down and being replaced with more sheltered housing and home help services. Also lots of shops are willing to deliver, some will even collect your prescription off your doc and deliver your medication. I saw a tv documentary about some homeless veterans. It disgusted me. They put however many years in, to serve their country and end up on the street. :thumbdn:
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Its worst here in N.Ireland.
The driving test was introduced here later than the rest of the UK. Most of the real oldies here have never set a test.
Neither my great aunt or uncle set a test, and they were hopeless drivers. My great uncle still occasionally drives, and he rarely gets above second gear.
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I can't stand slow drivers and I am not talking about people who are going slow due to road conditions or due to being dark out or due to weather or just going under ten or five mph under for no reason or because of lot of traffic on the road.
But two wrongs don't make it right. People should pass safely, not try and break the law by passing in a no passing zone. They should wait until they can pass but make sure there are no cars coming towards them and that it's in a passing zone. There is never an excuse and people should try and leave early as possible so they have minutes to spare. Like instead of leaving a half hour to get there, leave an hour early so you have thirty minutes to spare. Also people should never tail gate. No excuse for that either and it doesn't get you there any faster. I have no sympathy for drivers who were breaking the laws because they got stuck behind some dumbass so they turned into bad drivers themselves. Besides did you know some people will drive even slower if you tail gate them just to piss you off and sometimes they slam on their breaks so you crash into them. Since we have that law here that the driver behind you is always at fault (unless you back into them) if they rear end you, people abuse it for revenge if you tailgate them. I see nothing wrong with that advantage because it serves them right for tailgating.
Oh I have no idea how slow you can go on roads but I certainly won't go too slow. I also understand people may go a little slow because of traffic or because they are trying to find the right turn to take. I can take that. I also think being too good of a driver can be a bad thing because then it turns you into a bad driver, know what I mean? I do hate driving if there is lot of cars on the road because then I drive too slow but that is why I go in the slow lane and that is only on highways or freeways. I will usually go ten under because that is what the slow lane is for. Slower traffic always keep to the right. People that want to go the speed go in the fast lanes. I have also driven 65 in 75 just to save on gas when the gas prices were so high and are again and this be on the way to Montana or Spokane. And no I didn't hold up traffic because there were hardly any cars on the freeway since it be in the middle of nowhere and cars that caught up to me always passed me. I think they have 75 in Washington on highways or freeways because there is hardly traffic on the road due to being out in the middle of nowhere. But in Oregon, they have it at 65, then when you get in Washington, the speed limit changes to 75. Then it goes down when you get closer to town or city and in the city. I think it's 50 through Spokane and then it goes up to 75 again after you leave the area.
Also another thing I have heard is even going the speed limit can get you pulled over due to not going with the flow of traffic. So that means following the law can be illegal so you have to break the law to follow the law. So if all the traffic goes fast on the road, why not raise the fricken speed limit or would traffic go even faster if they did that? I don't get the point of speed limit signs if you are to break them all because of traffic going faster than the maximum speed. I think there are lot of gray areas in traffic laws and it's all based on common sense.
I used to want to honk at old people but my parents told me that can scare them and get them into an accident. I was a kid then and thank goodness I wasn't driving. now I wouldn't dream to honk at an old person. I did once hear a story in middle school by a teacher that someone in her family got stuck behind an old lady so she honked at her and she sped up. My parents and I have gotten stuck behind my great uncle at times when he be on the road going to town. Old people shouldn't drive if they can't go the speed limit or at least go ten miles under it depending on what road they are on. I wouldn't say not all old people shouldn't drive because my mom's parents drive like they are young. They go the speed limit. They will even drive across the USA to visit my parents than taking the plane or train. When my dad's father got too old and got in a car accident one day, my parents and my uncle started to limit his driving and then not letting him drive far and then they wouldn't let him drive anymore at all because he was too old and an unsafe driver.
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After reading IQ's and Bodaccea's I see their good point about elderlies on the road who shouldn't be. Not all of the have families or support so they are on their own and they need to get to appointments or get groceries somehow. That is sad. Everyone should have compassion for them and I am sure neighbors don't always know an elderly living next door to them isn't a good driver if they have never seen them on the road. If they are always driving over your plants or trash cans, then that is a hint they need help. But sometimes people have their own lives and are too busy to help out with their elderly neighbor. My parents were nice to move to Montana to help out caring for my dad's parents because they were getting older and needing more help and my uncle was doing all the work and it was too much for him. Then by the time I was an adult, they needed 24/7 care so my parents got caregivers because they couldn't all do it themselves around the clock. My grandparents money paid those caregivers and then when my grandfather died, my grandmother didn't get enough money anymore to pay for her caregivers so she was placed in a home for elderlies. Then when that place shut down, my family moved her out here and my aunt and uncle found a place for her. My grandparents were lucky they had support from their adult kids and not all of them have that. It was even sad to find out that lot of adult kids don't see their parents in retirement homes after putting them there. So I don't ever understand the logic "Who will take care of you when you're old?" when someone decides to not have kids. Duh, people get placed in nursing or retirement homes. I think it's selfish to expect your own children to give up their lives to care for you 24/7. I certainly won't expect mine to take of me when I am old. I would rather be in a retirement home and he can come visit me with the grand kids and they can take me out sometimes. It wouldn't be 24/7. My great grand mother put herself into a retirement community for elderlies where she get the help she needed and then when she broke her hip, she went to a nursing home, she never wanted any of her kids to take care of her 24/7. Instead they came and visit her but she never went out because she thought old people should never be in public and then there she was old herself and also thought she can't go out in public anymore. She was one of those people who was repulsed by the elderly and thought they should never be seen in public. I wonder how she got her own food? Delivery? I wonder how she went to her appointments? I wonder how old is too old for her to be out in public? But she is dead now so I can't ask and my grandmother has Alzherimer's so she wouldn't know a thing. Maybe my dad would know.
Anyone remember that South Park episode about old people driving and they always crashed or hit people and then when they all lost their licenses, they seeked revenge? Then at the end it was decided they should decide when they should stop driving and Stan's grandfather agreed.
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It can be very dangerous to do it on the parkway. If you go under 65 someone WILL ride your ass, I see it everyday. It's safer to do 70 than 60 on the parkway. But going a little slower on old country roads at night in the rain is ok as long as you stay consistent with your speed.
and I also think anyone over 65 should be retested for driving every few years.
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No i wouldn't drive up someone's arse anyway. Certainly not an oldie. It's intimidating.
But that is why they cause accidents, it's the frustration of being stuck behind 'Noddy' :zoinks:
I have used my horn, usually if someone in front doesn't move when the lights change.
I always slow right down for people on horseback (a lot of country lanes round here and often get the odd horse) Also some of the lanes do not have any pavement for pedestrians so if i see someone walking i would ease off the gas a little.
I have stopped to help lone female drivers, or women with kids, if they have broken down. Done that once and she used my phone and i stayed with her till the AA arrived because she was really nervous about being there as it was late. Sorry guys, but a bloke got in my car at the traffic lights once and i am wary about men.
I also have stopped traffic to let women with pushchairs cross the road, and old people. I am a courteous driver but i do get vexed when i am stuck behind a noddy.
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It can be very dangerous to do it on the parkway. If you go under 65 someone WILL ride your ass, I see it everyday. It's safer to do 70 than 60 on the parkway. But going a little slower on old country roads at night in the rain is ok as long as you stay consistent with your speed.
and I also think anyone over 65 should be retested for driving every few years.
What is a parkway? Must be another term in your country.
Here in my area, the speed limit is either 50 or 55 and then it goes up when you leave the area.
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Don't you two live in the same country?
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I've had a dumbass honk behind me when I had a red light and he wanted me to turn left. Just him wanting me to break the law. If I were to turn right, then that be different because you can turn right on red but if you are turning left, you have to wait until the light is green.
I hope you wait a few seconds for the person in front of you to go. I drive a stick shift and I need an extra three second to switch to first gear so I can go and everyone does give me that extra few seconds as if they know what kind of transmission I have. I have even stalled out too and people still don't honk at me as if they knew I stalled out.
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Around here a parkway is a like a regular highway but for passenger cars only
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I only 'beep' people at lights if they don't appear to have noticed they are on green. You can usually see if someone is getting ready to drive off.
I have had people give me a thumbs up for beeping at them, probably in a world of their own and are glad i have got them moving again.
In summertime, i would not beep but probably shout with my window down
"Wake up!"
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It can be very dangerous to do it on the parkway. If you go under 65 someone WILL ride your ass, I see it everyday. It's safer to do 70 than 60 on the parkway. But going a little slower on old country roads at night in the rain is ok as long as you stay consistent with your speed.
and I also think anyone over 65 should be retested for driving every few years.
What is a parkway? Must be another term in your country.
Here in my area, the speed limit is either 50 or 55 and then it goes up when you leave the area.
I live in the Us, where you live :D
The parkway is a kind of like the highway in the inner city. lots of on and off ramps and 6 lanes. People drive really aggressive on there.
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It can be very dangerous to do it on the parkway. If you go under 65 someone WILL ride your ass, I see it everyday. It's safer to do 70 than 60 on the parkway. But going a little slower on old country roads at night in the rain is ok as long as you stay consistent with your speed.
and I also think anyone over 65 should be retested for driving every few years.
What is a parkway? Must be another term in your country.
Here in my area, the speed limit is either 50 or 55 and then it goes up when you leave the area.
I live in the Us, where you live :D
The parkway is a kind of like the highway in the inner city. lots of on and off ramps and 6 lanes. People drive really aggressive on there.
Out west. Must be an eastern term. I assume that is where you are since parts lives out there too. I don't ever hear it out here and never had.
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Yes i know what you mean IQ, and i am not suggesting taking their licence away. Maybe
a refresher course, which might give them a bit more confidence too. Or perhaps designating certain roads as 'fast moving' or in high demand and asking them to not use at rush hour.
The person in the car today really should not have been driving. They clipped the kerb several times, didn't see if it was an old person, but whoever it was couldn't control a car at 20mph so really is endangering lives by doing so.
I think a lot of old people get treated very badly. If they are not supported by their family then they should get support to stay in their homes for as long as possible. A lot of the 'Old Peoples Home's' in the UK are closing down and being replaced with more sheltered housing and home help services. Also lots of shops are willing to deliver, some will even collect your prescription off your doc and deliver your medication. I saw a tv documentary about some homeless veterans. It disgusted me. They put however many years in, to serve their country and end up on the street. :thumbdn:
here in canada after a certain age you must take a driving test every year and you have to pass or you dont get your license back [dont know if you can retake the test but if your that old and you dont pass you probably wont pass the second time round]
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Oh, how we talked and talked, to get the BF of my MIL to hand in his licence.
He said he drove safely, because he would keep to 40 km/h on the snelweg (120 km/h), and, if things got too tricky, he'd take the bicycle track.
We were so relieved that after years of talking, he finally gave in. Don't know how he managed to get through the system of getting his licence renewed every time.
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My mother drives like a slug. Where she lives in Florida the roads are set up almost like graph paper and she usually drives a couple roads over from the main routes on parallel secondary roads. Thus saving most people headaches
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My nan is 90 and she still drives :laugh:. In NSW, after you turn 75 you have to get medical tested annually, then after 85 you have to have a practical test on top of that.
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It's effectively unsafe because of how other drivers will react.
I started going the speed limit after getting a ticket this summer- 5ph over max, regardless of other traffic, about 90% of the time, anyway. Cruise control. I have become everything I hate. :laugh:
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I always use cruise control on the freeways. That way it keeps me going the speed so I won't go too fast or too slow. But where there are lot of turns or lot of traffic, it's impossible.
And officers do pull you over if you are from out of state and it doesn't matter if you were going with the flow of traffic, they just want to make their money and they have to hand out a certain amount of tickets each day. If everyone followed the law, then they be in big trouble. They need rule breakers and people not paying attention.
I heard in Chicago and in California, everyone drives like a maniac, they go fast but yet someone from out of state got pulled over on I 5 and was given a warning and he was going the fricken speed limit. Okay so now how are we going to know if we should go with the traffic or go the speed limit? Here everyone goes the speed thank god. But some go a little fast.
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Cruise control is no good around here too many cars and traffic
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Yeah i never bother with my cruise control either.
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my oldsmobile didnt have dashboard lights (it was a ghetto POS in a lot of ways) so I never knew how fast I was going at night. I always just tried to go as fast as the other traffic was going. Well, I thought I was doing that and got pulled over. Turns out I was doing like 75mph /120 km. hmm. Glad I dont have that car anymore. The thing literally fell apart.
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My dashboard lights barely work now but I don't do much driving at night anyway.
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Cruise control is no good around here too many cars and traffic
It is when you're on highways past about 10pm or so. :P Sometimes in the middle of the day on weekends, as well. Though it depends on how loosely you define "around here."
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Cruise control is no good around here too many cars and traffic
It is when you're on highways past about 10pm or so. :P Sometimes in the middle of the day on weekends, as well. Though it depends on how loosely you define "around here."
Around here it's not until after midnight and I don't drive that much that late any more like you young ones :P
Around here for me means the interstate 95 corridor just about an hour up the coast from NYC. It's traffic hell
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Cruise control is impossible to use in my area. It's when you get out of town you can use it because of less traffic and the roads have to be straight, not all curvy.
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Cruise control is no good around here too many cars and traffic
It is when you're on highways past about 10pm or so. :P Sometimes in the middle of the day on weekends, as well. Though it depends on how loosely you define "around here."
Around here it's not until after midnight and I don't drive that much that late any more like you young ones :P
Around here for me means the interstate 95 corridor just about an hour up the coast from NYC. It's traffic hell
Yikes. I95 gets less scary further north. Though near major cities on a friday night it's still fucking WRETCHED.