driving distractions?
- Thread starter cr25096er
- Start date
stumblinpete
~SPONSOR~
- Nov 25, 2000
- 11
- 0
The people that ignore lane closure signs on the highways. They always continue down those lanes till they can't possibly go any further and then cause more of a mess when they have to finally get out of that lane. I see this every day and it never ceases to amaze me that these fools are always in such a hurry. When it is safe, I will block the lane with my trailer just to screw them up!
gwcrim
~SPONSOR~
- Oct 3, 2002
- 1,881
- 0
Lemmings who insist on moving into the 'merge' lane for construction ect. at the very first sign. 10 miles from the actual place to 'merge' these folks think everyone should immediately get out of the lane that's closing. Thus creating a line of traffic backed up for miles and miles. This leaves a perfectly open stretch of road unused.
And then there's the semi drivers who actually block both lanes miles from the point of merger just to be rude. I'm sorry... when did the DOT ask you to direct traffic?
Some states (PA?) now have laws that require people to use the "zipper" method. Both lanes are to be used right up to the point of merger. Makes sense to me. :thumb:
And then there's the semi drivers who actually block both lanes miles from the point of merger just to be rude. I'm sorry... when did the DOT ask you to direct traffic?
Some states (PA?) now have laws that require people to use the "zipper" method. Both lanes are to be used right up to the point of merger. Makes sense to me. :thumb:
I am that guy! The one that merges last.
I see this everyday. It only takes 10 minutes to get home when there is no construction. If people would learn to use both lanes and actuall merge instead of not letting people over it would not be so bad. The people that get all offended because you had the fore site to actually take advantage of that unsued road piss me off. I usually get stiffed buy the people that merge 10 miles early just because I happen to be in the wrong lane at the time they merged. If somebody is going to be pissed at me for merging into the line at the back would it make more since to piss somebody off at the front? :cool: How come everybody else in the world does not know how to drive? ;)
Distractions = The video screen in the dash. I get realy pissed off when I can't play the X-box while cruising 75 in a 65. :yeehaw:
gwcrim
~SPONSOR~
- Oct 3, 2002
- 1,881
- 0
It's not a matter of who's time is more important. It's a matter of using the system that is more idiot proof. If everyone merges immediately, then the traffic gets backed up twice as far as it would have to. Eventually, the line goes WAY back beyond the "Merge" sign and then no one has a clue why so they venture forward. It's human nature.
That's why some states are moving toward promoting the 'zipper' method of lane merging. It uses all the available road and has an orderly way of letting people merge. Kinda idiot proof.
That's why some states are moving toward promoting the 'zipper' method of lane merging. It uses all the available road and has an orderly way of letting people merge. Kinda idiot proof.
Its not that my time is any more inportant than anybody elses. I just don't see they point of letting all that space go to waste. The construction zone that I'm in is just set up horribly wrong. Its set up so there is an freeway entrance and a one lane merge within a couple hundered feet of each other. Then a couple hundred feet after that there is a is another entrance for people coming the other direction. They are re-doing the that whole area. I see at least three to four fender benders a week at that spot. Most of them are due to people not paying attention and bumping into one another Of course everybody has to look to and backs things up even farther. It just kills me. I think that if they pushed the merger back farther is would work much better IMO (I think that would bring up a whole new set of problems and maybe they just went with the lesser evil). The city did not hire me as a traffic engineer though :whiner: The extra time it takes just gives me an excuse to justify the new MP3 player I just put in the truck. If anyone honks I'll just dround them out ;)
"And then there's the semi drivers who actually block both lanes miles from the point of merger just to be rude. I'm sorry... when did the DOT ask you to direct traffic?"
the reason they do this is because if people would pay attention, and get over when they see the signs instead of waiting until the last minute, traffic would flow better and it wouldnt get backed up as much..
drivers on phones bug me the most, along with people who wait until the last minute and expect traffic to stop so they can get over into the open lane.
the reason they do this is because if people would pay attention, and get over when they see the signs instead of waiting until the last minute, traffic would flow better and it wouldnt get backed up as much..
drivers on phones bug me the most, along with people who wait until the last minute and expect traffic to stop so they can get over into the open lane.
I am a bit of a traffic engineer and I can tell you that the flow of traffic through a construction zone does not change whether folks use the zipper method or move over early and leave a lane open. The flow is regulated by the one lane opening. The people who move over early and get in a long backup will not get to the bottleneck as soon as the people who run to the zipper point. You snooze you loose.
I have a problem with the long tapers at the zipper point. This long taper encourages the "run up front" crowd to push their luck to go further. When this happens I ride halfway with my fullize truck to block them. The zipper point should be clear and the taper should be a 45 degree angle. The only fair way to do it is to have a zipper.
Standard taper rates are the speed limit (in feet) of length per foot of width change. Too long and gradual.
I am distracted to the point of wreckage by wild animals near the road. I get a big kick out of looking at deer and elk. Ladies, bikes, and sewage treatment plants are my other distractions.
I have a problem with the long tapers at the zipper point. This long taper encourages the "run up front" crowd to push their luck to go further. When this happens I ride halfway with my fullize truck to block them. The zipper point should be clear and the taper should be a 45 degree angle. The only fair way to do it is to have a zipper.
Standard taper rates are the speed limit (in feet) of length per foot of width change. Too long and gradual.
I am distracted to the point of wreckage by wild animals near the road. I get a big kick out of looking at deer and elk. Ladies, bikes, and sewage treatment plants are my other distractions.
gwcrim
~SPONSOR~
- Oct 3, 2002
- 1,881
- 0
So the next time you feel the urge to direct traffic with your vehicle, just remember that what you're doing IS NOT in the best interest of other motorists.
I wonder what a State Trooper might have to say on this issue? I'd wager that intentionally blocking lanes is illegal as well as rude.
What bothers me most while driving is rain, especially at night... just makes driving a lot tougher (braking distance, visibility, general slipperiness).
Most distracting - other people in vehicle. Maybe it's because I'm a pretty new driver (19). I just don't think it's right to have a car load of 16 yr olds who are new drivers... I only have a truck and depending who it is, one person can be bad enough, especially girls...
Electronics don't distract me much, usually I have enough self control to mess with GPS/2-way radio/car radio when it's safe. Right now I'm working on a hand-on-wheel control system that should help more.
Most distracting - other people in vehicle. Maybe it's because I'm a pretty new driver (19). I just don't think it's right to have a car load of 16 yr olds who are new drivers... I only have a truck and depending who it is, one person can be bad enough, especially girls...
Electronics don't distract me much, usually I have enough self control to mess with GPS/2-way radio/car radio when it's safe. Right now I'm working on a hand-on-wheel control system that should help more.
- Apr 17, 2002
- 1,974
- 0
A State Trooper isn't going to care one way or the other as long as he/she doesn't have to sit there and direct the traffic. They have more important things to deal with... like people SPEEDING through construction zones. :debil:
My number one distraction in traffic... SPORTBIKES. :yeehaw: Here in Chicago, it's more specifically sportbike riders with NO HELMET on. :eek: I'm never going to get used to seeing that. :|
My number one distraction in traffic... SPORTBIKES. :yeehaw: Here in Chicago, it's more specifically sportbike riders with NO HELMET on. :eek: I'm never going to get used to seeing that. :|
- Thread starter
- #21
Thanks for all the input guies and gals! THis is for a Drivers Ed class so we need to make posters, videos all that "Fun" stuff. The best thing about this class all year so far was when my teacher asked what destracts us. THere was a "radio" Stupid drivers" etc etc...then "BOOBS!" I guess u had to be there though. Anyone ever do a project/presentation about this subject in school?
stumblinpete
~SPONSOR~
- Nov 25, 2000
- 11
- 0
"So the next time you feel the urge to direct traffic with your vehicle, just remember that what you're doing IS NOT in the best interest of other motorists.
I wonder what a State Trooper might have to say on this issue? I'd wager that intentionally blocking lanes is illegal as well as rude. "
Rude.... that's why I love Boston traffic. Courtesy is a sign of weakness in traffic around here and that's just how it is. It's funny because the Trooper that could have ticketed (or could have had me ticketed) me for doing that last week yelled out to me " There you go!" smiled and gave me a :thumb:
I wonder what a State Trooper might have to say on this issue? I'd wager that intentionally blocking lanes is illegal as well as rude. "
Rude.... that's why I love Boston traffic. Courtesy is a sign of weakness in traffic around here and that's just how it is. It's funny because the Trooper that could have ticketed (or could have had me ticketed) me for doing that last week yelled out to me " There you go!" smiled and gave me a :thumb:
- May 31, 2002
- 1,229
- 2
The ones that get me are the people who think the shoulder was put there as an express lane just for them when traffic is backed up. Thats when I get half way over so they can't pass.
gwcrim
~SPONSOR~
- Oct 3, 2002
- 1,881
- 0
Ya know.... after further consideration on this 'merge' issue.....
I recall the same discussion with a civil engineer. He put forth that in theory, the 'merge early' strategy is faster for traffic. Because there is a single file line that can proceed through the area w/out having to slow down even more to 'zipper'.
Now this works great in light traffic and in theory. But in the real world and moderate or heavier traffic, the line gets tooooo long and some people don't or can't merge in time. That's when the cluster f*^$ begins.
So, I'll concede that the 'merge early' strategy is great in theory. But when you throw 'people' at that theory, it tends to not work as well.
I recall the same discussion with a civil engineer. He put forth that in theory, the 'merge early' strategy is faster for traffic. Because there is a single file line that can proceed through the area w/out having to slow down even more to 'zipper'.
Now this works great in light traffic and in theory. But in the real world and moderate or heavier traffic, the line gets tooooo long and some people don't or can't merge in time. That's when the cluster f*^$ begins.
So, I'll concede that the 'merge early' strategy is great in theory. But when you throw 'people' at that theory, it tends to not work as well.
