Idiots on the road

[JHZR2]

I have an idea for saving gas... don't hit the brake on low-traffic highways when you have two car lengths in front of you. Dont charge other cars and then have to jam on the brake.

People can drive for thousands of miles on low-traffic interstates without tapping the brake once. And what do they do? accelerate too hard, and then brake because they cant understand physics, momentum, or timing things right.

The only reason to touch the brake on most interstates is for traffic jams or exits. yet people are braking all the time.

And then they get off, and acelerate into stop signs and red lights.

The only reason why the EPA had to lower their numbers is because people drive like idiots. We beat EPA highway old numbers, in mixed driving, all the time, routinely. Its not hard.

I just cant get over how stupid people drive. And folks in prius and corollas can waste gas like the best of them.

Rant off.

JMH

 

[duaneb9729]

i drive around a metro area all day it just amazes me how folks drive and there is no difference even with gas as high priced as it is!

 

[oilboy123]

Yes the braking is the reason for the slinky effect in rush hour traffic.

I feel your pain. People race around you and get angry only to see them have to slam on the brakes at the next light.

What is up with a lot of the Duramax, Powerstroke and Cummings drivers full throttling around town? Even if they can afford the fuel price come on?

I go for walks and just about get run over at cross walks etc. People just need to slow down a little. It's a wonder that driving is the most dangerous thing we do.

Try riding a bike with angry drivers, that can really suck.

 

[JHZR2]

That's what we get when every car that is sold is massively overpowered.

Somehow civics got around with 95hp, mercedes with 120hp, etc.

All that more power does is let us go faster.

couple that with the fact that folks dont know how to, and are too lazy to drive MT, and all they know is to mash the go pedal... no real concept of physics.

JMH

 

[Gary Allan]

People just need to leave earlier and relax. Unless you've got some real ground to cover, you really don't save anything. You usually end up at the same light. My wife isn't a speed demon ..but she's so full of anxiety in her need to complete tasks that are on the other end of driving that it drives me nuts.

Maybe there's some mass neurosis out there.

 

[oilyriser]

People need to eat a snack before heading home from work, so they won't drive when cranky.

 

[TooManyWheels]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2

Somehow civics got around with 95hp, mercedes with 120hp, etc.
JMH


The first VWs were, what, 36 h.p., maybe less?

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

I see people braking while going up a grade, there's no need for that if the car in front of you hasn't made a sudden move.

 

[wcbcruzer]

I too can't take it. Mornings to work are the worst! People are crazy. I've noticed in LA they drive and accelerate slower. But here in Bakersfield, no matter if it's a Civic or an Excursion, seems like people floor it off the line. When I drive my truck I cruise a lot more than if I were driving a gasser, and I am amazed that I actually end up passing people who sped up to reach a red light. I just coast by because it turns green by the time I get to the light. I think they set up traffic lights according to the speed limit so they turn green in order if you follow the speed limit.

 

[brianl703]

In some places they do set the traffic lights according to the speed limit. This doesn't work when people drive 35MPH in a 45MPH zone (that used to be pretty common around here, not so much anymore. I have my theories as to why but it's political).

 

[wirelessF]

There are certain times where a honda civic or prius would pass me. Even though I drive 5mph over the speed limit.

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: wcbcruzer
I too can't take it. Mornings to work are the worst! People are crazy. I've noticed in LA they drive and accelerate slower. But here in Bakersfield, no matter if it's a Civic or an Excursion, seems like people floor it off the line. When I drive my truck I cruise a lot more than if I were driving a gasser, and I am amazed that I actually end up passing people who sped up to reach a red light. I just coast by because it turns green by the time I get to the light. I think they set up traffic lights according to the speed limit so they turn green in order if you follow the speed limit.


the lights would be set up to the limit, but the time lag would also include a very conservative acceleration from standstill to cruising.

 

[oilyriser]

I watched a low speed crash last week. One idiot had half pulled out from a parking lot, and was trying to cross two lanes of heavy traffic to get to the other side, and another idiot driving in the curb lane wasn't looking ahead while going 30 km/h...

 

[Al]

You figure..good driving habits can increase your mileage by 15 to 30 percent. Enough to raise the availability of gasoline and by making 1-2 million barrels of gasoline available every day. We as a nation are truly stupid to transport ourselves.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Al
You figure..good driving habits can increase your mileage by 15 to 30 percent. Enough to raise the availability of gasoline and by making 1-2 million barrels of gasoline available every day. We as a nation are truly stupid to transport ourselves.

exactly. on another forum I detailed how I adjusted my driving habits, went from low 25mpg to just over 31mpg, no other changes. of course, now EVERYONE passes me, but I'm more relaxed, and get an extra day of driving out of a tank of gas. I can go 400 miles on a tank now in my VUE.
I actually had a guy in an ECHO flash his lights at me (while I was in the RIGHT lane) and then he passed me. I also notice that diesel P/U drivers always fly, excursions and explorers and escalades too. maybe it's just 'E' named trucks?

 

[rjundi]

I just drive defensively usually slightly above speed limit(70MPH in 65) and not even think about people's fuel consumption. I can hardly speak about others when I only get 23MPG overall in a Subaru WRX.

 

[Warlord]

Just a few weeks ago I was on the highway (3 lanes) and I was in a big cluster of cars doing about 100kmh and taking up all the lanes. Well I see this dummy in an old taurus come flying up onto my bumper, swerve around and then shoot by me on the dirt shoulder! He showered my truck with rocks and I have never been so mad in my life. The guy couldn't wait a minute or two for an opening. I called the police so hopefully he gets what is coming to him.

 

[Benzadmiral]

This morning I took a different route to work (road surface isn't as good as my usual routes, though, so I doubt I'll use it again). As I rolled along past Lafayette Cemetery on a two-lane residential street, some moron in a Nissan SUV was riding awfully close to my bumper. Suddenly he pulled out and roared past me, then swerved back into my lane -- just in time to be caught by a red light. I cruised gently up behind him, ran down my window, and gave him a loud Nelson from "The Simpsons"-style "Haw-haw!"

I suspect he heard me, because when the light changed he roared away again, wasting even more gas.

Moronus americanus. They breed fast and often; no danger of their becoming extinct, I'm afraid.

 

[Cutehumor]

people are morons. Joe blow doesn't know that driving WOT will cause lower mpg. when they fill up at the pump is when they get mad about the cost of gasoline.

 

[Jett Rink]

Memo to Benzadmiral: Better install those bulletproof windows and windshield in that Buick if you are going to be taunting aggressive (and possibly inebriated) Cajun drivers. They are armed to the teeth down there.

Disclaimer: In case I offended the sensibilities of any Louisiana BITOGers, they are also armed as heavily as an Iraqi Shi'ite militia here in Tennessee, too. I give the obviously aggressive drivers a vey wide berth around here. No need to invite hostile incoming fire, even if I'm right.