I am an 'aggressive' driver, in general. Certainly not a hothead, however. Let there be no doubt; there are certainly different proficiency levels of drivers, ranging from god-awful to superb. Moreover, the handicap of driving impaired (in some way... be it a disability or monkeyshines) most certainly affects different people in different ways. Trying to grade the curb through legislation is nigh-on ridiculous. A fine example: in Illinois it's illegal to have 'overly tinted' windows (supposedly). Obviously it's just an excuse to pull over 'nefarious' types (and I doubt that it's the type of ticket that actually allows a cop to do much more than a plain-sight search, insurance check and write a citation, but that doesn't stop many of them) and as a revenue generator. As for any sort of logical justification.... i sure don't see one. I've heard 'rear window obstruction' mentioned; are the full-sized vans now illegal as well (ie the ones sans rear windows)?
The whacky speed limits on open highways (divided ones in particular) absolutely sicken me. What we need is a better licensing system, not more 'safety' laws. As we have ALL seen, I'm sure, people actually doing the limit are in the distinct minority. Capitalism extended to governmental 'revenue departments' isn't a very good solution.
Ultimately, my defensive driving can be summed up in a simple phrase - everybody else is an idiot driver. While obviously not true, that mindset of 'do not trust the other drivers' seems to me to be as safe as one can get.
Personally, I have trouble estimating the position of the passenger side of my car to closer than six inches so I avoid situations where that would be necessary; if traffic is tight I'll slow down to avoid driving between wide vehicles. I find that when when thinking about programming or other complex problems, I tend to take longer to notice the slowing of a car in front of me so I habitually leave much more than the average (as observed) distance between my own and the car in front of me. I'm not opposed to driving and texting or talking on the phone or discussing politics with a passenger or eating, but when in traffic I don't text, don't take calls, don't discuss politics and don't eat.
You sound like you drive like my sister. Do you ride the brakes, too?
Your friend in the Toyota sounds like he got stuck behind you (lemme guess, speed limit in the fast lane, umpteen car lengths maintained behind next car). He got on your ass for a few miles, got sick of waiting (or found a hole in traffic) and decided to pass you on the right.
That said, i have to agree that cell phone use while driving certainly doesn't work for me (hands-not-free). Mostly because II never set up speed dials. looking down at some -device- while in motion isn't the best move (period, though place, ambient light and traffic certainly make huge differences). eating ain't too bright, either.the fact that the Germans have to make cup holders for the American market (not 'more' cup holders.... cup holders, period) should be a clue; I know that increased traffic has severely limited the autobahn's 'limit-free' sections, but those are still some of the safer highways out there. A German license must be earned; here in the US your worst case scenario is having to find an overcrowded DMV and/or a crooked tester. as a last point, I still have issues with the whole 'studies show that hands-free devices don't impact cell phone related accidents significantly', or whatever that claim is. i can think of two reasons for this. 1st would be 'people can't drive and talk at the same time'. for some this is true. That's.... not a car I'd want to ride shotgun in.
The second option is more intriguing. I typically drive with a 12-arm dangling out the window approach. maybe elbow on the door frame and left forefinger on the wheel. works for me (and has never jeopardized my vehicle 'handling'). holding a phone up (short of driving a stick, which has certainly been known to happen!) seems no more dangerous than, say, a trucker on his cb. have they outlawed cb radios? Wait, we're talking hands free, so it's just down to the action of tapping the headset button (or steering wheel button, etc.) No, the issue here is quite simple: the assinine cellco companies insist on foisting 'voice dialing' charges on us all (and locking out 3rd party free apps). so, once again, people are putzing around dialing numbers or scrolling through a contact list. The worst, though, is dash-mounted entertainment systems (literal ones.... but also the stock ones that just have gps and all sorts of crap in them).well, ok, the gps is bad in that case.... but the fool watching some dvd while driving in rush hour traffic should be pulled from his car and beaten with a rubber hose.
also toss rubberneckers, drive-by beauticians, newspaper readers, slow-in-the-fast-lane idjits.... calvin peein' on something sticker putter-on-ers... my sister... prossibly the parent-author... probably you (the reader)... well, most people, 'ceptin' me, into the rubber hose squad's list. Like Harvey Keitel I drive real-fuckin'-fast. Oh, and people with a 3-banger POS with the cofee can mufflers and the ar spoiler off the '68 Lotus 49b http://www.flickr.com/photos/algreen/2492031185/ and maybe some go-fast stripes to boot. yah, them, too.
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No more refueling in f1 this year.
Well said.
I am an 'aggressive' driver, in general. Certainly not a hothead, however. Let there be no doubt; there are certainly different proficiency levels of drivers, ranging from god-awful to superb. Moreover, the handicap of driving impaired (in some way... be it a disability or monkeyshines) most certainly affects different people in different ways. Trying to grade the curb through legislation is nigh-on ridiculous. A fine example: in Illinois it's illegal to have 'overly tinted' windows (supposedly). Obviously it's just an excuse to pull over 'nefarious' types (and I doubt that it's the type of ticket that actually allows a cop to do much more than a plain-sight search, insurance check and write a citation, but that doesn't stop many of them) and as a revenue generator. As for any sort of logical justification.... i sure don't see one. I've heard 'rear window obstruction' mentioned; are the full-sized vans now illegal as well (ie the ones sans rear windows)?
The whacky speed limits on open highways (divided ones in particular) absolutely sicken me. What we need is a better licensing system, not more 'safety' laws. As we have ALL seen, I'm sure, people actually doing the limit are in the distinct minority. Capitalism extended to governmental 'revenue departments' isn't a very good solution.
Again, i go back to the German system. While not perfect (I'm not sure how much 5 digit speeding tickets based on ability to pay is a great idea) them cats have to know how to drive to get that card. Hrm, seems like the EU killed that http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_driving_licence#European_driving_licence_as_from_1996
Ultimately, my defensive driving can be summed up in a simple phrase - everybody else is an idiot driver. While obviously not true, that mindset of 'do not trust the other drivers' seems to me to be as safe as one can get.
Personally, I have trouble estimating the position of the passenger side of my car to closer than six inches so I avoid situations where that would be necessary; if traffic is tight I'll slow down to avoid driving between wide vehicles. I find that when when thinking about programming or other complex problems, I tend to take longer to notice the slowing of a car in front of me so I habitually leave much more than the average (as observed) distance between my own and the car in front of me. I'm not opposed to driving and texting or talking on the phone or discussing politics with a passenger or eating, but when in traffic I don't text, don't take calls, don't discuss politics and don't eat.
You sound like you drive like my sister. Do you ride the brakes, too?
Your friend in the Toyota sounds like he got stuck behind you (lemme guess, speed limit in the fast lane, umpteen car lengths maintained behind next car). He got on your ass for a few miles, got sick of waiting (or found a hole in traffic) and decided to pass you on the right.
That said, i have to agree that cell phone use while driving certainly doesn't work for me (hands-not-free). Mostly because II never set up speed dials. looking down at some -device- while in motion isn't the best move (period, though place, ambient light and traffic certainly make huge differences). eating ain't too bright, either.the fact that the Germans have to make cup holders for the American market (not 'more' cup holders.... cup holders, period) should be a clue; I know that increased traffic has severely limited the autobahn's 'limit-free' sections, but those are still some of the safer highways out there. A German license must be earned; here in the US your worst case scenario is having to find an overcrowded DMV and/or a crooked tester.
as a last point, I still have issues with the whole 'studies show that hands-free devices don't impact cell phone related accidents significantly', or whatever that claim is. i can think of two reasons for this. 1st would be 'people can't drive and talk at the same time'. for some this is true. That's.... not a car I'd want to ride shotgun in.
The second option is more intriguing. I typically drive with a 12-arm dangling out the window approach. maybe elbow on the door frame and left forefinger on the wheel. works for me (and has never jeopardized my vehicle 'handling'). holding a phone up (short of driving a stick, which has certainly been known to happen!) seems no more dangerous than, say, a trucker on his cb. have they outlawed cb radios? Wait, we're talking hands free, so it's just down to the action of tapping the headset button (or steering wheel button, etc.) No, the issue here is quite simple: the assinine cellco companies insist on foisting 'voice dialing' charges on us all (and locking out 3rd party free apps). so, once again, people are putzing around dialing numbers or scrolling through a contact list.
The worst, though, is dash-mounted entertainment systems (literal ones.... but also the stock ones that just have gps and all sorts of crap in them).well, ok, the gps is bad in that case.... but the fool watching some dvd while driving in rush hour traffic should be pulled from his car and beaten with a rubber hose.
also toss rubberneckers, drive-by beauticians, newspaper readers, slow-in-the-fast-lane idjits.... calvin peein' on something sticker putter-on-ers... my sister... prossibly the parent-author... probably you (the reader)... well, most people, 'ceptin' me, into the rubber hose squad's list. Like Harvey Keitel I drive real-fuckin'-fast. Oh, and people with a 3-banger POS with the cofee can mufflers and the ar spoiler off the '68 Lotus 49b http://www.flickr.com/photos/algreen/2492031185/ and maybe some go-fast stripes to boot. yah, them, too.
I think I finally sussed where Megadodo Publications ended up sticking their H after losing that lease on Ursa Minor Beta.
Should now read: The MAFIAA *and Bob Zitter, HBO Executive,* will be the first against the wall when the revolution comes.
That photo in tfa screams Pink Floyd! And, as for flying pigs... http://www.batterseapowerstation.org.uk/floyd/floy d.html