And the No. 1 thing that drives motorists mad ...

The Daily Bulletin ^ | 7/17/2006 | Michelle Groh-Gordy, DriveTime

[dirtboy]

Another child like whiner....

Ah, so an insult is all you have to justify breaking traffic laws? You want to have it both ways - be treated like an auto but act like something less when it suits you. But don't worry, my wife is a former biker, and she saw plenty of folks do what you are promoting, and those folks were much mor prone to get killed off.

[MineralMan]

"I try to stay off the interstate when I've got the boat behind me.
"

I'd like to be able to do that, but there are interstates everywhere around the Twin Cities, and the lakes all seem to be near them. Still, when I can, I use surface roads. It takes me longer to get where I'm going, but it's sure a lot easier. I hate to get to the lake and be in a bad mood. I'd rather get there slower and have a good day of fishing.

Now, don't get me started on the yahoos at the launch ramp. I could go on for days...[grin]

[dirtboy]

What a weird mentality you have. Just because I choose a more maneuverable and efficient mode of transportation.

Does not allow you to ignore traffic laws. If you want to ride on the road, act like a car.

[r9etb]

What a weird mentality you have. Just because I choose a more maneuverable and efficient mode of transportation. It's all about choice. you want to listen to the radio and sit in AC comfort. I need to get to work, it's that simple. Why take it so personally?

Because you're apparently one of those types who think lanes don't apply to them. You're a hazard, and what you do affects me.

[Cecily]

My pet peeve is when drivers behind me want me to do the same even on surface streets. The speed limit is 45, I'm usually going 50, and some fool is always on my tail pushing me to go 60-70. Hey idiots, if you want to drive 70 mph, get off the surface streets which have red lights, pedestrians, and turning traffic in both lanes every few yards, and get on the highways where you belong. That is what they are there for. If you are always running late, leave earlier.

[drungus]

Grrr.. number 2.

If you find yourself in situation number 3, you are probably engaged in the problem described in number 2.

:D

[gogeo]

If it's legal, it's legal, but it should not be. It's very dangerous for all involved.

[MineralMan]

"Does not allow you to ignore traffic laws. If you want to ride on the road, act like a car."

Well, in some states lane-splitting is legal. I think it's stupid, and never did it when I was on two wheels. There may always be some cretin like some who have posted here who think it's amusing to edge into the gap or open a door.

I couldn't see the benefit of it, compared to the risk. What I often did, though, was to use surface streets on the bike during rush hours. That seemed to solve most of the problem.

[spinestein]

[I absolutely detest tailgaters. The only thing worst than tailgaters on the interstate are tailgaters on twisty back roads at night, where you can't see well enough to pull off because he's got his blasted lights crammed up your butt, blinding you. UNGH!]



Some years ago, as I was heading home from my night job at about 2:30 AM, I was overtaken by a tailgater at the beginning of the 10 mile long country drive. He was following about 1/2 second behind me so I slowed down from 60 mph to about 50 mph so he could pass. He stayed behind me. After about 30 seconds of this I slowed down to about 40 mph but he still didn't pass, even though there was no one else on the road and he had all the space he needed. I then slowed down to about 30 mph but he STILL wouldn't pass.

After about 20 more seconds of this I got a little worried, thinking that maybe some loon or drunk was after me for some unknown reason so I decided to get away from him. I sped up to 60 mph again and he accelerated with me (which convinced me that I should be worried) so I pushed the gas pedal of my V-8 Camaro to the floor until I outdistanced him doing about 120 mph. In a few minutes I was nearing my home town, so I slowed down to the speed limit and the same car caught up with me and started tailgating me again. I was starting to get more than a little nervous and wondering what the wisest thing to do was when this car turned on his blue and red lights and pulled me over.

I realized he was a genuine cop and he came up to my window, ran my license, and then he stuck his nose in my car and asked if I'd been drinking or using drugs. Since I hadn't, I said "no" and then he asked if I knew how fast I was going. I told him "Oh, about 120" and I was really pissed because I thought I had gotten suckered into a really expensive ticket and I told him (as politely as I could make it sound despite my anger) that it was his behavior that caused me to drive that way because I feared for my safety. He just said "Don't drive so fast and have a good night" and he went back to his car and drove away. In hindsight, I should have taken the opportunity to get his name and complain about his conduct but I was only 19 at the time and didn't know better.

[dirtboy]

California is the only state where it is legal.

[talleyman]

"If you attempt to leave a safe distance between you and the car ahead, someone else will instantly fill the space..."

[MineralMan]

I did not know that. I haven't owned a bike for a few years, so I don't keep up with the laws. I still never did it in California. I thought it was a good way to eat pavement, so I skipped the lane splitting.

[Mr. Blonde]

Mine is similar to #2. People who drive less than the speed limit on 2 lane highways. If you are going 65 I'm fine, if you are going 64.5 I'm behind you flipping out.

[dirtboy]

I thought it was a good way to eat pavement, so I skipped the lane splitting.

And, quite frankly, it's rude - it's basically cutting in line in front of others waiting their turn in traffic. But certain types only think of themselves.

[-YYZ-]

How about idiots who enter intersections with nowhere to go? Thus making it impossible for vehicles on the cross street to go anywhere when they get the green. I spent a half hour trying to get through one intersection in Vancouver, BC, because of idiots like that. Maybe that is where you need a no right turn on red rule, because otherwise people feel that all the spots on the other side of the intersection will get taken by people turning right from the cross street.

[mupcat]

Don't like drivers that obey the law? Then pass

and for those who drive UNDER the limit---pull over and let someone pass

[Lucky9teen]

I'm REALLY surprised that "rubber neckers" wasn't on that list. That is MY biggest pet peave when driving, among the others that were mentioned on the list, I absolutely hate it when traffic comes to a dead stop because of looky lou's who just HAVE to slow down and look at the car on the side of the road with the flat tire. Jeesh. SO annoying.

[mysterio]

The government always needs another enabler.

[miliantnutcase]

Thank you. I was going to say the same thing. Slow indecisive drivers scare me the worst.

[Cobra64]

Hey, when are you going to install a PC in your car so you can get your e-mail?

BTW, in my line of work, I communicate constantly with others in seminars, meetings, consultations, etc. in very large buildings with many offices. That is the only reason I ever want to use a cell phone. For WORK.

Do you yak in the movies, at the opera, and in Church?