Open Thread - Thurs 1 Dec 2022 - Road Rage!?
A Couple of Road Stories:
I don't know if it's from the lock-down, masking, and Covid stuff, but people seem ruder, meaner, and less patient lately.
Maybe I'm just noticing it because as I get out more, I'm seeing it all again but it seems new to me. Some things are getting really weird lately. My husband and I were coming home from a rural town about an hour's drive away last week. It was a very stressful trip; after we'd done what we needed to do in town, it seemed our car's battery died. After every light and beeper in the dashboard turned on, blinked and beeped insanely, the car wouldn't start at all. Then everything on the dashboard went completely dead, including any emergency warnings. After about 10 minutes (after we'd called AAA and some nice people from a local business brought out some jumper cables to help us) everything came back without any need for cables or AAA, and nothing seemed wrong except... the dashboard clock and radio/cd player are completely bricked. We immediately jumped in the car, canceled the AAA call, thanked the people for bringing the cable, and drove straight home with no stops. The car is going into the shop asap!
Anyway, as we were driving home, someone in a Mustang, with the windows open in the cold and rain as they vaped, came way too fast from a little street on the right side of us. They cut off the SUV which was following us and nearly caused an accident. The Mustang took off into the left hand lane, passed us, and blew out some vape smoke. Then we all hit a red stop light. So the Mustang stopped, and the SUV they nearly crashed into pulled up a bit too close behind them, obviously pissed off. So the passenger in the Mustang, a very tough looking young woman (shaved head, tattoos, tight tank top, exercise shorts, army boots and vape smoke) got out and stalked back and slammed her fists on the SUV's hood while shouting about how they were too close! Luckily, it didn't escalate beyond that.
Then a bit later we are all on the open road outside of the town. The road is a two lane country highway with no center divider, just yellow lines. Three cars in front of us was a black jeep. There were about 6 cars behind us, including the Mustang, all toodling along and unable to pass us or the jeep. The jeep was going about 15 mph below the speed limit, so the two cars behind it (not us) were pretty darn close to it. Suddenly the jeep violently swerved to the side of the road, as if there were something in the road in front of it. The two cars behind swerved as well, and nearly crashed. The jeep lost control for a bit, spun in a partial circle and also nearly crashed, but eventually regained control. And... there was nothing in the road, not one thing, not an animal, not a rock, not a piece of paper, no ice or snow, no water, nothing! Nearly had a three car accident for nothing! All three cars drove on, we reached a section where there is a passing lane, and all ten cars behind the jeep, including us, flew on by at the speed limit. The people in the jeep looked fine as we passed, so I've no idea why they swerved like that. They dropped a cell phone? Dropped a coffee cup? Wanted to scare the bejeesus out of the people following them?
I watch dashcam compilation videos once in a while. I always thought the weird stuff happening in those videos went on in other places because I'd never experienced it here. Now, I know better!
Here's some links to dashcam videos, in case you've got a load of free time and are bored...
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7XLYRbBtMo]
Idiots in Cars
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSRkZ3kDmZ8]
DashCam Lessons
Do you have any road rage stories to share? Or weird driving stories? Would love to read them, if so. And post whatever is on your mind or what you are reading lately, I love those comments too!
So, thanks for reading and here's the open thread - and remember, everything is interesting if you dive deep enough, so tell us about where you're diving!
Comments
Thanks for stopping by!
Sorry for the rather scattered Open Thread, here's why:
Tuesday and Wednesday were crazy for me; full of fear and stress. Our beloved dog, Jaska, the one who fought off the eagle, woke up Tuesday afternoon unable to walk. She was suddenly unable to use her left front leg. Luckily our vet had some time to see her later that afternoon. X-rays showed the problem was arthritis (she's an old dog, so that's not surprising), not a break or bone cancer (pheww), and pain and anti-inflammatory meds were dispensed. Jaska couldn't walk at all, so when we came home from the vet's my husband started to carry her up and down the stairs. That's so she can be with us in the computer room, the hub of the home, as she loves to be. Her left front leg was completely useless for a day or so. But the meds are taking effect, and she is hopping now for short distances, like going outside to 'do her business'. She still needs to be carried up and down the stairs. She's also sleeping a lot, hopefully healing!
Jaska when she was 10 years younger, doing all her farm chores with ease!
Happily, Jaska is sleeping very calmly at my feet, no more crying in pain and fear. I think the meds are working and she's relaxing some while the arthritis pain is slowly receding! Yay! We know her time is coming soon enough. However, our previous farm dog, Jaska's aunt Reyna, lived for one month shy of 15 years. We hope Jaska can get that far; if so, she's got another couple years!
Hope everyone else is having much better days that I have recently! Share what's up with you below!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
@Sima what a beauty
what a beauty
Thank you!
She's a very good dog, looked much like a fox when she was young and small. Once again, thank you, and glad you stopped by!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
The Denver area
is a hotbed of road-rage. Shots have been fired from car to car a few times here recently, and roadside fistfights are fairly common. I keep a 4-D-cell Maglite in the drivers door pocket of each of our cars, primarily for its utility as a club. Things have definitely gotten worse as times have become harder. But the best of it still has to be the snow. There are lots of folks who have moved here from warmer climates, so it is always fun after a snow seeing which states' license plates have slid off the road into our many scenic ditches.
One of the many misfortunes I face is having to drive past the Denver Broncos training center every day when driving to my office (that is, on the days I actually go in post-Covid). In addition to not being able to play football, those guys can't drive worth a *damn*. On the other hand, they have more money than Gawd, and lots of 'roid-rage. So it is always fun to watch them playing slicey-dicey in traffic in their very expensive cars: getting the chop put on you by a massively jacked Hummer or a bulletproofed Mercedes is pretty much a daily occurrence. But oh, the joy when it snows for the first time in a season. That's when the ballers learn that ABS brakes and automatic traction control simply let you hit things under complete control.
The best of those was the season prior to Covid. The Broncos had traded for some yahoo from Florida, if the plates were to be believed, and he was presumably late for practice- and it had unexpectedly snowed 6 inches the night before. So he came flying up to the intersection of Potomac and Broncos Parkway at about 75 in his bright-yellow Lamborghini Toomuchmoneyo, slid past me right through the red light miraculously missing the many cars tiptoeing across the snow-packed intersection, launching over the curbs, and sliding off at least 100 yards into the empty pasture across Potomac from the training center. He then proceeded to get out of the car and throw a *classic* tantrum, when he saw the big trail of oil where he'd ripped the oil pan (and probably a lot of other Expensive Things) out from under the car during his brief flight.
Then the cops showed up: regrettably for the 'roid-ragers, the Arapahoe county courthouse and cop-shop is right next door. They probably heard the crunch, if not the subsequent shouting. I didn't have the wherewithal to pull over to watch the rest of the show, but I'm sure that it was worth the price of admission. The car stayed there for a couple of days before they brought in the skyhook to get it out...
Good times. Arapahoe County could probably erase their budget deficit entirely if they'd just focus on ticketing the ballers for overly-aggressive driving.
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
I think Seattle's becoming a hotbed too
Or the news is just emphasizing it more. Here's a recent (as in the last couple days) road rage shooting because no one teaches kids how to merge anymore: An 11 year old passenger in the victim's car was shot!.
I've noticed that merging is a real issue. It really does seem that people either don't know how to merge, or how merging is supposed to happen, or I guess, don't care. The merging vehicle insists on coming in and stopping traffic on the main road even though they do not have the right of way. It's weird.
The story about the football players and their cars is priceless! I can believe, unfortunately, that they don't know how to drive very well, and also that they are so 'special' they think their Lamborghini toomuchmoneyo should fly when they demand. I think the county should focus on the roid-ragers and ball players. Save some money for the locals who are paying for the stadium!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your stories!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
I can't remember what state we were in.
I think Texas.
Hubby was driving behind a slow 1 ton dually. Two lane, country road. When he got a chance to pass, he really had to hurry due to upcoming hill and double yellow stripes. As he got right beside the truck, the truck floor boarded it, and we were in a damn race! Hubby got us around that truck, and it suddenly slowed down, and turned off only a side road. I remember when we passed, the man glared at me.
wtf was that all about?
Road rage is a thing, eh?
Lots of family violence in my current slate of family law cases. I mean, shootings, beatings, chokings...It is becoming the norm.
Be nice, even when you don't want to be, and walk away, even if you want to stay and fight. Distance is the best defense.
Everybody, stay safe!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I've encountered a few drivers like that out here in WA too...
Usually in big pick-up trucks. They go slow and hold back traffic, but speed up and won't let you pass if you try to do so. I got to the point that I don't even try usually. My little wee Honda next to their big huge long cab truck? Of course, as soon as we hit a hill with a passing zone, I can race by. My little Honda can speed up very quickly!
Bless you for dealing with the family violence cases. They are so sad, so frustrating. And violence just seems to be a default 'answer' for any problem now. Maybe it's another sign that our society (or societies) are failing.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story! Have a great weekend!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Most of the aggressive drivers around this little town
are the young construction worker types in their oversized pick-em-up trucks.
Always speeding, tailgating, braking hard, flipping-off us vintage safety types.
Funny thing is, the town is so small, why get into warp speed mode when the
next stop sign is just up the next bend? Oh well.
Growing up in the midwest, I seem to remember folks as being more considerate.
Playing the 'you go first' wave game indefinitely. Probably has changed as most
people seem to be short of both time and temper. What is lacking in manners is
sorta made up in terrible fuel consumption habits.
Sorry about your vehicular mis-adventures Sima. Have been supporting my local
garage mechanic heavily lately. Gas tank in one, transmission in another. Ouch!
Rather go the fix-it route than new auto with the bank routine.
Thanks for the OT! Good luck to Jaska.
Exactly, it's just not worth the rage...
When there's a stop sign in 200 yards, or whatever. I actually taught myself that with stats (sort of) a long time ago. I would think, 'Hey, this dude is going too slow, I'll pass him'. Then at the end of the bridge (where there is a stop light) or at the next stop sign the person I passed will pull up right behind me. So how much time did I save in risking life and limb passing? None. What's the point of the rage? I think it's better to just wait, let them pull over if they can when they can, and enjoy the drive and the scenery without risking anything or getting angry.
I hope that would work in a city too, but I just don't know.
I like the fix-it route too. My car is... gulp, over 20 years old now. And it drives like a champ most of the time, because I have it checked every 6 months and repaired when needed. The repair shop manager told me if I ever wanted to sell my car, to let her know, because she'd buy it in an instant!
Thanks for commenting and stopping by! Jaska is laying at my feet again, she is learned to hop efficiently on one front leg. She's in good spirits and is mentally sharp, so there's that!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Old cars...
At the time of the expensive-snow-launch story above, I was still driving my 175000-mile-old Toyota Rav4. When it was new, it might have made 75 horsepower- but is sure wasn't making that much anymore by then. And its clutch was packing it in. I had a sticker in the back window that said "Just go around, already"....
That car finally met its demise at the smog-check station. In CO, they do a highway-speed test on the dynamometer. I gave them the car, and went into the waiting room. And waited. And waited. And waited. They finally came to get me, and told me that the car had failed, because they couldn't get it to *go* 55. The clutch was slipping so badly in 4th, that they tried to get it to do it by downshifting to 3rd. And then second. And finally they just gave up. So I walked out to the car, which was sitting just outside the test lane where they had *pushed* it, with a cloud of brown smoke coming out of its now-thoroughly-trashed clutch.
I drove it to the local Toyota shop in first and second gear, to have them finally replace the clutch. They put it up on the lift, looked under it for a moment, put it back down again, and told me that they were refusing the work. The thing was rusted out enough that they were concerned that it would disintegrate if they took it apart, and would I please get the damned thing out of their shop before that happened.
So I drove it (in second gear) to the nearest detailing car wash, got it all shiny and spiffed up (as much as you can with a 175000-mile-old car in a road-salt state), and traded it in on my current car... I got $800 for it, which was more than the $500 I'd paid for it when I bought it used at 100k miles. So I thought that it was a pretty good deal, all things considered.
Having said all that, it certainly is nice to have a car that can actually *pass* something.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8hX2Ex58os width:400 height:300]
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
state inspections
one of the purposes of inspection laws is to prohibit older cars from the roads
safety and emissions I can understand, but idiot lights that can not be reset is a
different issue. I could not renew registration on my very efficient Honda hybrids
because the overly sensitive sensor cost $800 to replace - almost the value of
the car. Sold them to a guy in CT which did not have that restriction for cars over
10 years old. It's a darn racket, probably lobbied by the car dealerships. Oh well.
Glad you got your moneys worth back out of the deal.
Dang right about the purpose of inspections...
It sure seems like they are to get older cars off the road, even if the older cars are more efficient than the newer ones! I'm glad that, so far, I'm in a state that doesn't prohibit older cars that way.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
My Mazda did that
I had it replaced 3 times before I found a mechanic who would just reset the switch and I’d drive it long enough to get data for the computer to read. IMO safety tests for emissions is a scam. I see so many cars belching smoke that have nice new emission stickers on them. There’s no way they passed it.
Speaking of new cars have you heard the new scam? You can buy a fully loaded car with all kinds of upgrades but you now have to pay a monthly fee if you want to use it. Heated seats? $12 a month. Heated steering wheel? Same. Drivers assist? Automatic seat adjustment? Welp that’s what happens in a rentier economy and most of everything people need to live have already had most of the wealth extracted. The parasite class is getting even more greedy.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
Which makes and models are doing that?
My newest vehicle is a 2022. The nearest thing to a scam is that it came with a gps tracker for theft protection and there was no way to buy the car without that extra $500 cost. Supposedly, it reduces your auto insurance premiums.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I’ll send you the link next time I see it
I might have read it on naked capitalism last week.
Found one
https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/23/23474969/mercedes-car-subscription-f...
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
WOW!
I bought a Mercedes 300C from some elderly folks I knew. The whole point was it ran like a bat out of hell! I dread shopping for a car or truck ever again.
I am a huge fan of acceleration. Not interested in 160 mph, but very interested in 0 to 100 mph quickly.
What a scam!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I'm lucky because I don't live...
in a road salt area. Although right now, with the very cold and snowy weather we are having, some salt has gone done around the parking lots and entrances of stores. Not on the roads though, yet.
Anyway, without the salt the car has kept up very well. I bought it new, back in 2001, so all of it's 200k+ miles are my fault!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
re: Road rage
We've had similar experiences with driving especially in the last several weeks during hurricane season. The added level of frustration of people is evident in their driving. I thought I noticed this earlier during the covid epidemic if I drove a long distance across the state. But after hurricane Ian, many more drivers acted as if they were out of their minds, and I could see this right in the neighborhood on local roads.
When two drivers were racing or chasing each other in anger at unbelievably high speeds on congested roads, they were unnecessarily endangering the lives of others. I've seen people just ignore stop signs and red lights like never before. If they do stop at the intersection, they scream and threaten each other, and present a hazard again to passing cars, when the light changes. There were a lot of pedestrians on these roads as well, at intersections, in crosswalks, and sometimes just in the middle of the road where they shouldn't be. Just the other morning I saw a driver in a camry, driving through the seldom used chicane near our storage area roaring through at speeds approaching 50 in a 20 zone. He took the turns like a one sees in the movies, losing traction, tires squealing and burning rubber through the turns.
In front of my apartment complex on the main drag there, cars go through at 60-70 mph in a 45 zone. There is a motorcyclist I've seen go through there at speeds that appear to approach 100 mph. Having lost our cars and home to Ian, we fear the consequences of any other mishaps or accidents. We only have one new replacement car now, and in a sense, have no back up materially or emotionally if we were to suffer another accident. I worried about the young people I saw on their self propelled skate boards, bicycles etc., who appeared oblivious to the added risk of these maniacal drivers. I mentioned this to my wife at one of the temporary abodes we had moved to. I was hyper alert driving and worried sick when she drove the new car alone. As I anticipated a bicyclist, 17 years of age, was killed soon after, the week of October 21st, not a half mile from our "new" refugee apartment. It happened in the morning. I saw the police cars, fire and rescue, and the ambulance soon after it happened. The entire street was closed (for the vehicular homicide investigation). I read in the local news later that day, it was a hit and run. There are colored balloons, small US flags, plastic flowers and crucifix on the side of the road in front of the church where he was killed. As far as I know, the criminal is still at large.
I'm hyperalert when I drive, no radio, no distractions, etc. It's hard with the new car that has all the electronic gizmos, the bells and whistles, display screen and all the other digital nonsense to distract the driver. When the car is first turned on, the display says pay attention to your driving, don't look at this while driving you could be killed or injured in an accident.
I was a professional driver OTR for ten years, so I don't think I'm imagining all this. Thanks for the topic @mimi.
語必忠信 行必正直
sounds like the computerization of vehicles
is designed to wean humans away from having control?
I agree, it is very distracting. People seem to be on the
couch playing video games instead of paying attention
to the passing obstacles.
Good luck!
Driver "assist"
tries to override control of the steering wheel if it senses you're drifting over the lane markers or stripes. I don't like it. I haven't read the part of the manual that says how to shut it off yet. You can manually override by what I call the brute force method. The only feature I like are the rear sensors which warn of approaching traffic when backing out of a blind parking spot.
語必忠信 行必正直
I've got an idea
couple a blood-pressure sensor in the steering wheel,
interface it with the electronic fuel injection and,
after a baseline analysis, the car slows down when the
BP's rise. Sort of like conditioning the ragers. Hell,
they have cars now that will call the cops if it senses
DUI indicators.
crazy
My wife wants
a big boxing glove on the roof of the car, with a spring mechanism to allow her to punch other cars with it when they cut her off. I've never had the heart to show her the rest of the story, courtesy of Chuck Jones...
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MenKyfGvtvk width:400 height:300]
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
Hubby figured out how to cut that assist function off.
It makes our arms tired with the constant fight over the steering wheel and the function.
On occasion, when we are cruising on an open road, we listen to music.
All we get is little beeps when cars com up beside us. That is helpful when changing lanes.
I will say, our overall impression of drivers in this current environment are not the patient and courteous driver of 3 years ago.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Yes, the side warning feature
is useful too, I have to admit.
語必忠信 行必正直
I try to be hyperalert too..
I really don't want to hit anything or anyone.
I'm so sorry about that young bicyclist. I've noticed the skateboard types don't pay attention to the cars either. Around here, we have a lot of bike riders and an active bicycle club (I used to be a member) and many drivers seem to understand how to be around bikes. But, many don't
As for the drivers squealing and burning rubber... what is it with that? Why? Too many video games which show all that stuff? I just don't know.
I keep my old car because it's a very good car, a stick shift, one of the last generation before the huge computerization of cars started. I can't stand those computerized cars. My parents have hybrid Camrys. They start with the press of a button on the 'key'. I hate them.
Thanks for the insightful comment and for stopping by, and boy, I hope things go as smoothly as possible (unfortunately, it seems that they are not smooth yet) as everyone recovers from that hurricane. My thoughts are with you.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
I’m very sorry to hear about Jaska
I hope your remaining time with her is full of joy and love. It’s always so damned hard….
I hope these will bring a smile to you. Genuinely funny indeed.
I’m still cracking up.
What dawg wouldn’t enjoy this? Reminds me of when I got my new car washed and half way through I look in the side mirror and there’s Sam with her head out the window and biting the water spray. I now make sure that I lock the windows before I go through.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
That first video
is top shelf funny... Well played!
Twice bitten, permanently shy.
Isn’t it tho?
I love the look on the girl who was trying to park face at the end. I’m still chuckling about it 30 minutes later…it sure jolted my morning.
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
I guess
not every state driver's test requires parallel parking, eh?
I guess the blonde was more in teacher mode than actually helpful mode!
Snoopy, both videos were good. Nice way to start the day!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
She gets out and walks off the distance of the spot
and then her car to make sure it can fit…brilliant!
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
That's when I started...
laughing out loud.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
I sure didn't expect
that ending!
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Ohh my, I am laughing!
The parking video was awesome. I did not really expect that ending. It's making my laugh just at the thought. As for the dog, err car, wash, I could see Jaska doing that if we lived close to one! She would have her head out the window, like Sam did, as well! She loves driving with her head out, I've set up the car so she can do that easily and safely now that she's older.
Thank you for your good wishes. As you know and said, it's so damned hard and yet the time with our pets is so joyful and rewarding, it's worth the sorrow and stress.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so
Brand new car
and she let tons of soapy water pour into the back seat. Priceless! All I could do was crack up. And make sure that the windows are locked before we go through which she loves to do. Good thing she didn’t latch on to the brush. Dawgs I tell ya!
There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?
I mean couldn't Musk test his own brain - May be it offers some
surprises ...
Elon Musk Hopes to Test a Brain Implant in Humans Next Year
The tech multibillionaire said his company, Neuralink, was seeking government approval to test his device in people, and predicted it could happen in six months. Others have been conducting similar tests for years, but no device has been marketed commercially.
https://www.euronews.com/live
no real surprises for musket
insert chip, hook-up sensors and the screen just shows $$$
may be a bit embarrassing for him? Depends on the software.
When is Germany going to cut Uncle Sam loose?
He'd better test it on himself...
He's not testing it on me, or anyone I know... damn, how awful. It's sad when science-fiction (cyber humans ruled by brain implants) is just an accurate prediction of the future.
If you're poor now, my friend, then you'll stay poor.
These days, only the rich get given more. -- Martial book 5:81, c. AD 100 or so
Nothing ever changes -- Sima, c. AD 2020 or so