Someone Please Explain Drivers' Thought Processes!

[George7941]

I just do not understand some drivers. There is a broken down car with its emergency flashers on and its hood up and drivers will not make any effort to change lanes and go around it but pull up behind the broken-down car and expect it to move. What do they expect - they have such forceful personalities that their sheer presence is going to make the car move?

The worst ones are the ones who will pull up so close behind the car they they cannot change lanes without backing away from the broken-down car. Why would someone not leave enough space to pull out into another lane?

I would not care if they only wasted their own time but sometimes you are behind a SUV and you cannot see around it and you don't get the opportunity to change lanes because you cannot see the broken down car. So you end up wasting time looking for an opportunity to move out into fast moving traffic from a stationary position.

I never did understand why people pile into one another when a bank of fog rolls around since I always slow down when I see any signs of fog. A friend explained to me that what happens is that since you did not slow down at the first sign of fog and are travelling quite fast when the fog envelops you, you are then afraid to slow down because some one might hit you from behind, with the end result of many cars running into each other.

 

[Johnny]

I gave up on trying to figure all this out many years ago.

 

[[email protected]]

My newest complaint:

You are driving down the road, giving a 3-4-5 second following distance. The person in front of you is going under the speed limits, and conditions are ideal and its lawful to go the posted speed limit.

You signal to get over, start to overtake the person. Then... THEY FLOOR IT and wont let you get past/ahead of them. But 30 seconds ago, they were going 10mph UNDER the speed limit (((Rolling eyes)))

Yes, I am a licensed and gainfully employed driver education instructor, btw. Sometimes I want to make flash cards to put up to the window when I encounter people like this. Cards that say things like "Please tell me I did NOT teach you to drive like THAT!" LOL

 

[John_K]

I don't think some drivers these days have a thought process. Start, stomp on gas, go.

John

 

[gomes512]

Almost got run over today crossing in a crosswalk downtown by a person only looking one way.

Guy threw up his arms giving me a look like I jumped in front of his car.

I'll never understand it.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I don't think many drivers have a general awareness about them. Many drivers don't respect others on the road. They vary their speeds, they don't use turn signals, they stay in the wrong lane until the last minute, then get in front of somebody just to stop and turn, etc. I've taken to driving exactly the speed limit. Most of the yahoos who will cut me off are going faster enough to get into my lane and turn before I'll get there. In my younger days, I'd try to keep them from getting over, you know, to "teach them a lesson". It took longer than I'd care to admit for me to figure out that wasn't working.

So now, I just kick back, relax, and drive the roads obeying the speed limit. My car is a stress-free zone because I don't care if there's a police cruiser radaring me or not, and I can play my own games guessing who's going to cut me off by how they approach from behind (usually in my lane until the last minute until they juke left to pass) and if they have only their fog lights on when it's dark out.

It's amazing how predictable drivers really are, given how diverse we are as people.

 

[BigCahuna]

If you don't like how I drive stay off the sidewalk.,,

 

[goodtimes]

Originally Posted By: gomes512
Almost got run over today crossing in a crosswalk downtown by a person only looking one way.

Guy threw up his arms giving me a look like I jumped in front of his car.

I'll never understand it.


This happens to me all the time when walking. I have stopped and stared and waved my hands, nope they just are fixed looking the other way with foot ready to hit gas.

Another thing I learned it is no longer required to look while backing up in parking lots. It seems in that case everything and everybody must get out of the way. After all, when backing up a car what are you supposed to do, wait?

 

[FloatingBrick]

Quote:
It's amazing how predictable drivers really are, given how diverse we are as people.


When I ride with my wife it annoys me when someone cuts her off and she starts screaming and complaining about rude drivers. I just look at her and ask "You really didn't see that coming?"

 

[eljefino]

I remember being told by my parents (not drivers ed) to see the bottom of the tires of the car in front of you when stopped in traffic. This would give you enough room to go around if they stalled.

 

[JimPghPA]

I will be happy when All moving vehicles on All public roads are computer controlled, and there is NO means for human control while the vehicle is on any public road.

The yearly vehicle death toll will drop from 33K to less than 3. Being in a vehicle will be safer than you are now while sitting in you home. As an example, if you now have a medical emergency, your chair will not drive you to the hospital, but an automated vehicle will.

Insurance will no longer be available or required.

MPG will increase to over 100 on average, due to the computer controlled close following distances (drafting done safely), and lack of stopping for intersections.

Traffic jams will be a thing of the past.

You will be able to do computer work, or watch TV, or correspond, or sleep while in rout.

You will never have to take time out to take the vehicle to a shop to have something done, because the vehicle will go there and come back on its own.

You will never have to drive a family member anywhere, because the vehicle will do it for you.

Theft including car-jacking, will be Zero, because of intelligent ID of occupant.

Your life and the lives of family and friends will not be at risk from vehicle with bald tires in poor driving conditions, because vehicles with a bad tire will refuse to go on any trips.

No one will be at risk from speeders, because ALL vehicles will operate within a safe speed range for conditions.

When an elderly person is no longer able to drive, it will not matter, because the vehicle will be doing all of the driving.

The down side, we will have to find jobs for all of the laid off insurance agents, and ex-taxi drivers.

 

[LS2JSTS]

I'm glad I'll likely be dead by the time that happens.

 

[Steve S]

Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
I will be happy when All moving vehicles on All public roads are computer controlled, and there is NO means for human control while the vehicle is on any public road.

The yearly vehicle death toll will drop from 33K to less than 3. Being in a vehicle will be safer than you are now while sitting in you home. As an example, if you now have a medical emergency, your chair will not drive you to the hospital, but an automated vehicle will.

Insurance will no longer be available or required.

MPG will increase to over 100 on average, due to the computer controlled close following distances (drafting done safely), and lack of stopping for intersections.

Traffic jams will be a thing of the past.

You will be able to do computer work, or watch TV, or correspond, or sleep while in rout.

You will never have to take time out to take the vehicle to a shop to have something done, because the vehicle will go there and come back on its own.

You will never have to drive a family member anywhere, because the vehicle will do it for you.

Theft including car-jacking, will be Zero, because of intelligent ID of occupant.

Your life and the lives of family and friends will not be at risk from vehicle with bald tires in poor driving conditions, because vehicles with a bad tire will refuse to go on any trips.

No one will be at risk from speeders, because ALL vehicles will operate within a safe speed range for conditions.

When an elderly person is no longer able to drive, it will not matter, because the vehicle will be doing all of the driving.

The down side, we will have to find jobs for all of the laid off insurance agents, and ex-taxi drivers.
Prozac???

 

[nfs480]

Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
I will be happy when All moving vehicles on All public roads are computer controlled, and there is NO means for human control while the vehicle is on any public road.

The yearly vehicle death toll will drop from 33K to less than 3. Being in a vehicle will be safer than you are now while sitting in you home. As an example, if you now have a medical emergency, your chair will not drive you to the hospital, but an automated vehicle will.

Insurance will no longer be available or required.

MPG will increase to over 100 on average, due to the computer controlled close following distances (drafting done safely), and lack of stopping for intersections.

Traffic jams will be a thing of the past.

You will be able to do computer work, or watch TV, or correspond, or sleep while in rout.

You will never have to take time out to take the vehicle to a shop to have something done, because the vehicle will go there and come back on its own.

You will never have to drive a family member anywhere, because the vehicle will do it for you.

Theft including car-jacking, will be Zero, because of intelligent ID of occupant.

Your life and the lives of family and friends will not be at risk from vehicle with bald tires in poor driving conditions, because vehicles with a bad tire will refuse to go on any trips.

No one will be at risk from speeders, because ALL vehicles will operate within a safe speed range for conditions.

When an elderly person is no longer able to drive, it will not matter, because the vehicle will be doing all of the driving.

The down side, we will have to find jobs for all of the laid off insurance agents, and ex-taxi drivers.


Not to mention truck drivers, bus drivers, courier drivers, etc. Our unemployment would probably skyrocket at least temporarily. Frankly I'd refuse to ever own such a car, from being a computer science major I frankly do not trust computers enough for that, not to mention the fact that I love driving too much.

 

[RF Overlord]

Ever notice, when you're driving down the highway, that everyone going slower than you is a moron and everyone going faster than you is a maniac?

 

[JOD]

I don't have the luxury of not worrying about drivers' thought processes, since I spend nearly 10K miles a year on a bicycle in traffic. The cost of inattention is a lot higher than a dented quarter panel... Motorcyclists are in the same boat.

I'll agree with what someone else said; drivers are very predictable. They do what is most convenient for them to do. If you remember this simple rule, and you're aware of your surroundings, you can avoid nearly all negative outcomes.

Here's what I mean: there are two lanes of traffic, and you're in the right lane. In the left lane you see a car pass you then turning left (but has to stop because of oncoming traffic)...and a car behind him without his turn signal on. What to do?? Some people will just keep going at the same speed, oblivious, and get hit, when the driver #2 decides "I don't wanna wait behind that guy" and doesn't look to his right before moving over. Then they're mad because they were "in the right".

Well, they were "in the right", but so what? You still just broke your collarbone. Hope that settlement was worth it... Me? I'm gonna feather the brakes and expect to get cut off and plan my escape route, because that's the most expedient choice for the guy stuck behind the guy making the left turn.

There are countless other examples, but it demonstrates that driving (or riding) defensively is a lot easier if you just follow that simple rule: expect drivers to do what is convenient.

My $.02.

 

[hardcore302]

Originally Posted By: RF Overlord
Ever notice, when you're driving down the highway, that everyone going slower than you is a moron and everyone going faster than you is a maniac?


George Carlin was brilliant.

 

[brianl703]

Quote:
dum de do de dum dum dum de de do de dum dum


That's their thought process.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
I will be happy when All moving vehicles on All public roads are computer controlled, and there is NO means for human control while the vehicle is on any public road.

The yearly vehicle death toll will drop from 33K to less than 3. Being in a vehicle will be safer than you are now while sitting in you home. As an example, if you now have a medical emergency, your chair will not drive you to the hospital, but an automated vehicle will.

Insurance will no longer be available or required.

MPG will increase to over 100 on average, due to the computer controlled close following distances (drafting done safely), and lack of stopping for intersections.

Traffic jams will be a thing of the past.

You will be able to do computer work, or watch TV, or correspond, or sleep while in rout.

You will never have to take time out to take the vehicle to a shop to have something done, because the vehicle will go there and come back on its own.

You will never have to drive a family member anywhere, because the vehicle will do it for you.

Theft including car-jacking, will be Zero, because of intelligent ID of occupant.

Your life and the lives of family and friends will not be at risk from vehicle with bald tires in poor driving conditions, because vehicles with a bad tire will refuse to go on any trips.

No one will be at risk from speeders, because ALL vehicles will operate within a safe speed range for conditions.

When an elderly person is no longer able to drive, it will not matter, because the vehicle will be doing all of the driving.

The down side, we will have to find jobs for all of the laid off insurance agents, and ex-taxi drivers.


No thanks.

 

[JimPghPA]

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
Originally Posted By: JimPghPA
I will be happy when All moving vehicles on All public roads are computer controlled, and there is NO means for human control while the vehicle is on any public road.

The yearly vehicle death toll will drop from 33K to less than 3. Being in a vehicle will be safer than you are now while sitting in you home. As an example, if you now have a medical emergency, your chair will not drive you to the hospital, but an automated vehicle will.

Insurance will no longer be available or required.

MPG will increase to over 100 on average, due to the computer controlled close following distances (drafting done safely), and lack of stopping for intersections.

Traffic jams will be a thing of the past.

You will be able to do computer work, or watch TV, or correspond, or sleep while in rout.

You will never have to take time out to take the vehicle to a shop to have something done, because the vehicle will go there and come back on its own.

You will never have to drive a family member anywhere, because the vehicle will do it for you.

Theft including car-jacking, will be Zero, because of intelligent ID of occupant.

Your life and the lives of family and friends will not be at risk from vehicle with bald tires in poor driving conditions, because vehicles with a bad tire will refuse to go on any trips.

No one will be at risk from speeders, because ALL vehicles will operate within a safe speed range for conditions.

When an elderly person is no longer able to drive, it will not matter, because the vehicle will be doing all of the driving.

The down side, we will have to find jobs for all of the laid off insurance agents, and ex-taxi drivers.


No thanks.


It is not like you will have a choice.

As for computers being reliable enough, if the computers of today can fly the space-shuttle, the computers of tomorrow will be capable of controlling a motorized vehicle.

Not having computers control ALL moving vehicles on ALL public roads in the future makes about as much sense as having three time DUI drivers who still have a set of keys in there pockets pilot the next space shuttle with a fresh keg taped beside them.