The official idiot driver thread

[suicideking]

I worked for 10 yrs in the ER of a level II Trauma Center. Our territory was the Mojave Desert from the Nevada border with Vegas, the Colorado River to the Mexican border. You learn 2 things real quick. Seatbelts and quality helmets save lives. The most common car crashes were a tire blowout or falling asleep, swerve of the road, hit the soft sand and roll multiple times. Hell on Earth is waiting for help to arrive, which could take an hour or so, being placed on a backboard then an hour plus ride to the hospital. Even when you got to my ER you stayed on that backboard until I got done taking my X-rays and you went to CT for scans. That could take another hour. By the time patients were removed from the backboard every hole and recess on the board was imprinted on their backs.

Yup, remember that.

'I'm uncomfortable! Can you remove the tape from my forehead so I can sit up?'

NO! Keep it up, and I'm going to tape your wrists down too so you stop fucking with the tape on your forehead!

At least I was working in LA, so usually those rides were 10 min tops before they became the problem of the ER staff.

 

[97' 4 Popper]

There seems to be a lot of complaints about people driving too slow in the fast lane. I understand if someone is going 30 mph below the speed limit, but I don't understand why you're getting upset at someone driving 5 under.
Here's a little chart some of you may remember from driver's ed, assuming you took it in high school.

distance​	speed​	time (h)​	time (m)​
5​	60​	0.083333​	5​
5​	70​	0.071429​	4.285714​
5​	80​	0.0625​	3.75​
10​	60​	0.166667​	10​
10​	70​	0.142857​	8.571429​
10​	80​	0.125​	7.5​
20​	60​	0.333333​	20​
20​	70​	0.285714​	17.14286​
20​	80​	0.25​	15​

If you have 5 miles to go and drive 80, you get there 1.25 minutes sooner than someone driving 60.
If you have 10 miles to go and drive 80, you get there 2.5 minutes sooner than someone driving 60.
If you have 20 miles to go and drive 80, you get there 5 minutes sooner than someone driving 60.
The greater the distance, the greater the spread between time based on 60 mph vs 80 mph.
Most people drive between 5 and 20 miles at a time. My question is this: is saving 5 minutes worth the ticket or possibly the accident that takes a life?
I used to know a traffic court judge and he told me the words he heard most often were, "I didn't mean to kill anyone!"

On the other hand, when I'm driving a few hundred miles, the time is significant and if I want to drive 80 in the fast lane, I just go back to Texas where it's legal. Also:

And finally, the first mod you should make on your TJ is to go out and buy some decent horns. The stock horn in my TJ is useless. I've heard beer farts louder. I bought two horns that were advertised as the loudest and installed them. Then I went back and bought two more. Now, when I honk, people jump.

If you are driving from one part of a busy metro to another part of it no amount of speeding during traffic hours is gonna save you any time unless you're on a sports bike lane splitting everything. It's not about saving time it's about basic etiquette and spacing out of vehicles, something that is lost on a lot of people. Like that guy who merges onto to a busy highway at barely the speed limit and immediately stabs at the left lane like it owes him money, only to cause everyone to pass on the right.

When I'm on my Harley I don't care if I'm going 65, 75, or 85. I just go whatever speed is appropriate in that situation to get me as far away from other drivers as humanly possible in the circumstances. If I'm in a rural stretch of interstate I do not need some asshole cruising alongside me in my blind spot for 20 miles straight. That's where the ability to go 95, or 100 for a minute is nice. Be careful what you wish for with the speed limiting thing because it will probably happen sooner than 10 years.

 

[Zorba]

Like that guy who merges onto to a busy highway at barely the speed limit...

I'd settle for that - these Florididiots cruise onto I-95 at 45, despite having a beautiful onramp that is at least 1/2 mile long.

As for fools sitting in my blind spot for 20 miles - I've been known to, after checking to see there was nobody directly behind me, hit the brakes so the moron will shoot past me.

 

[KennethS]

. It's not about saving time it's about basic etiquette and spacing out of vehicles, something that is lost on a lot of people.

100% correct. My Dad was a career LEO, taught driver ed and defensive driving for the National Safety Council, and always said it is the speed difference between vehicles that causes problems, so don’t be that one vehicle not matching the flow.

 

[jeepguy03]

100% correct. My Dad was a career LEO, taught driver ed and defensive driving for the National Safety Council, and always said it is the speed difference between vehicles that causes problems, so don’t be that one vehicle not matching the flow.

Yup agreed.

I hate the left lane campers because they create a hazard around them when people who want to pass start endangering traffic by finding other ways to get ahead. If I'm in the left lane, even if I'm already going a good speed, I'll move over if there is someone behind me. Hey if they want to go even faster than me let them find the cops.


Another thing I hate and seem to be noticing more is people who turn wide (weave left first to then turn right). 99% of the time it is someone in a Prius or other small car who somehow believes they are driving an 18-wheeler and need to turn wide to get to their destination. Just this morning I had to honk at someone who started coming halfway into my lane so they could make a turn into a gas station. Also people in pickup trucks who can't stay in their lane. If your truck is too large to keep in your lane you shouldn't be driving it, or at least learn how to drive it. I've driven big dually trucks with 5th wheel trailers down town back roads and managed to keep it in my lane, so I'm sure the soccer mom in an F150 can do the same.

 

[Apparition]

Hey if they want to go even faster then me let them find the cops.

I encourage people to pass me and lead. Lots of times people will pass me and realize there's nobody else in front of them for cover and they slow down.

 

[bucky]

Drivers here in California have no idea how to pass on a 2 lane highway. When I’m driving down the 2 lane desert highway going to our place in Az at 70mph, the speed limit is 55mph, I’ll see car coming up behind me going 80 or 90mph. They invariably catch up to me and sit on my bumper for miles. There is zero oncoming traffic and the road is straight as an arrow. They sit there until another car comes up to us and passes both of us. It’s then that they realize that they can pass me and pass. Often they honk or give me the finger. All they needed to do was turn the steering wheel to the left a few degrees to the left to pass me in the first place. I learned to drive in Wisconsin and passing is second nature to me. My Wife is from California and she says that she was not taught to pass in Driver Ed. She freaks out when I pass especially when I pass multiple cars.
Of course on the opposite side I see people passing on the double yellow line often.

 

[97' 4 Popper]

Drivers here in California have no idea how to pass on a 2 lane highway. When I’m driving down the 2 lane desert highway going to our place in Az at 70mph, the speed limit is 55mph, I’ll see car coming up behind me going 80 or 90mph. They invariably catch up to me and sit on my bumper for miles. There is zero oncoming traffic and the road is straight as an arrow. They sit there until another car comes up to us and passes both of us. It’s then that they realize that they can pass me and pass. Often they honk or give me the finger. All they needed to do was turn the steering wheel to the left a few degrees to the left to pass me in the first place. I learned to drive in Wisconsin and passing is second nature to me. My Wife is from California and she says that she was not taught to pass in Driver Ed. She freaks out when I pass especially when I pass multiple cars.
Of course on the opposite side I see people passing on the double yellow line often.

No one knows how to pass on two lane here in NY or they consider it offensive to another's sensibilities. In New York rural areas usually mean a lot of trees and hills, not many open stretches. On a 2 lane county/state route most people are going about 50mph in a 55, unaware of what the speed limit is (it's never posted) or what the dashed line is for. They also don't realize the curve speed recommendations are just that, and in a passenger sedan you can whip through those "45" ones with ease without slowing down significantly. There will be a sign that says "end 40 zone" after going through some little ass town...and they will continue to go 45 for miles because they are NPCs and try to block you out for passing.

I guess we have enough money to completely renumber all the exits for no reason (which they just did as part of the 81 project and literally no one asked for), but we can't afford 55 mph signs in rural areas.

 

[Zorba]

Drivers here in California have no idea how to pass on a 2 lane highway. When I’m driving down the 2 lane desert highway going to our place in Az at 70mph, the speed limit is 55mph, I’ll see car coming up behind me going 80 or 90mph. They invariably catch up to me and sit on my bumper for miles. There is zero oncoming traffic and the road is straight as an arrow. They sit there until another car comes up to us and passes both of us. It’s then that they realize that they can pass me and pass. Often they honk or give me the finger. All they needed to do was turn the steering wheel to the left a few degrees to the left to pass me in the first place. I learned to drive in Wisconsin and passing is second nature to me. My Wife is from California and she says that she was not taught to pass in Driver Ed. She freaks out when I pass especially when I pass multiple cars.
Of course on the opposite side I see people passing on the double yellow line often.

Ah yes, I remember that well. Pulling a fifth wheel on a 2 lane highway - straight as an arrow and no opposing traffic for miles. If I'm in the mountains, sure I'll pull off at just about every turnout to let people go. But if they can easily pass and don't, they can stay back there. Idiots and fools! Then, maybe 10 years before I left Commiefornia for good, they started "nanny stating" everything - double yellowing perfectly straight and lightly traveled roads. What complete bullshit.

 

[bbaldwin237]

@macleanflood mentioned it in his thread, but I feel it deserves to live here so more people see it.

Apparently this cyber truck (cybertruckco on Instagram) drug this dumpster through the Rubicon. They're getting destroyed in their own comments!

If you feel the need to take more than 5 spare tie rods and numerous CV shafts for the trip, then your vehicle is probably not well enough built and equipped for the trail in question. I could understand having a pair of tie rods and CVs, but to have that many means you know you shouldn't be there.

 

[jeepguy03]

That's hilarious but I don't get people destroying them in the comments. I'm not a fan of the cybertruck, but hey at least they are out wheeling it and testing the parts they build for it. Isn't that what wheeling is all about? I'd rather see that then the shitheads that purposely go off trail and destroy things, party and leave garbage, etc. Those are the ones getting trails closed not that. Wasn't there a guy who took a Crown Vic through Moab?

 

[OffroadTreks]

That's hilarious but I don't get people destroying them in the comments. I'm not a fan of the cybertruck, but hey at least they are out wheeling it and testing the parts they build for it. Isn't that what wheeling is all about? I'd rather see that then the shitheads that purposely go off trail and destroy things, party and leave garbage, etc. Those are the ones getting trails closed not that. Wasn't there a guy who took a Crown Vic through Moab?

He still drives it and his son drives an old F100 that I've seen him drive up Escalator with tools rolling around the back.

Yes/No in agreement with you.

This points to a bigger issue with social media. This guy is out there chasing clout, to be the first Cybertruck to tackle the Rubicon.

It's chasing the instafam or tiktok fame or youtube whatever that is part of the issue with places getting trashed. Maybe this guy respects leave no trace, but then he has 200k followers who may or may not but want to go be cool in front of their 100 followers and then copy him.

 

[bbaldwin237]

He still drives it and his son drives an old F100 that I've seen him drive up Escalator with tools rolling around the back.

Yes/No in agreement with you.

This points to a bigger issue with social media. This guy is out there chasing clout, to be the first Cybertruck to tackle the Rubicon.

It's chasing the instafam or tiktok fame or youtube whatever that is part of the issue with places getting trashed. Maybe this guy respects leave no trace, but then he has 200k followers who may or may not but want to go be cool in front of their 100 followers and then copy him.

Not to mention clogging up the trail with a vehicle that's not capable. To break is one thing, but to be irresponsible and break is another.

 

[jeepguy03]

He still drives it and his son drives an old F100 that I've seen him drive up Escalator with tools rolling around the back.

Yes/No in agreement with you.

This points to a bigger issue with social media. This guy is out there chasing clout, to be the first Cybertruck to tackle the Rubicon.

It's chasing the instafam or tiktok fame or youtube whatever that is part of the issue with places getting trashed. Maybe this guy respects leave no trace, but then he has 200k followers who may or may not but want to go be cool in front of their 100 followers and then copy him.

Not to mention clogging up the trail with a vehicle that's not capable. To break is one thing, but to be irresponsible and break is another.

Agree with both, but we can argue this same thing happens with all sorts of other vehicles (stock or poorly modded Jeeps, Subarus, Broncos). The last time I was out on a trail ATV riding it became very annoying because groups ahead of us kept getting out to take pictures of everything to post on instagram and their rigs were blocking the trail. It's just entitlement all the way around. I doubt we really have to worry about flocks of Cybertruck drivers clogging up the trails, most will never leave the pavement especially with the price tag they command.

 

[suicideking]

Wife was taking me to the dealer to pickup my DD. She was a few feet from being able to clear the left turn lane. A minivan behind us wasn't able to wait, so drove with have of the minivan on the median to get around my wife's Expedition. I was shocked and laughing at the same time, waiting for something to CRUNCH on the minivan. Lucky for her, no issues pulling off a Jeep move.

A few seconds later, the car in front of us pulled up a little. So we ended up in the left turn lane, right behind the minivan.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I was driving to my hometown to visit family early this year. I was on a well maintained but not heavily traveled two lane road I have driven 100's of times. I go fairly fast but know there are speed traps around. An elderly couple slowly passed me in a double yellow line zone. I slowed down because I felt it was inevitable that they met a tractor trailer on the next hill. Luckily it didnt happen. It still amazes me how slow they went around me while going up blind hills.

 

[Zorba]

Self explanatory. Home Depot parking lot.

 

[97' 4 Popper]

I was driving to my hometown to visit family early this year. I was on a well maintained but not heavily traveled two lane road I have driven 100's of times. I go fairly fast but know there are speed traps around. An elderly couple slowly passed me in a double yellow line zone. I slowed down because I felt it was inevitable that they met a tractor trailer on the next hill. Luckily it didnt happen. It still amazes me how slow they went around me while going up blind hills.

Next time don't slow down but don't speed up either. Let people suffer the consequences of their actions, don't enable them.

Self explanatory. Home Depot parking lot.

These people will never see a trail so they have to flex on their grocery run over a 4 inch curb.....speaking of 4 inches

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Next time don't slow down but don't speed up either. Let people suffer the consequences of their actions, don't enable them.

Believe me, I understand where you are coming from but under the right circumstances I could have been involved in that carnage also.

 

[lBasket]

View attachment 638162
Self explanatory. Home Depot parking lot.

Dang that's a sweet truck