Midnight420

Whenever I'm driving near/next to a big truck of any kind, I tend to be more aware and cautious. There have been a few times when one got somewhat close to me (me in front of them) and it's made me rather nervous, because I'm thinking, "Oh crap if I have to stop for any reason, then I'm so screwed!"

 

I don't care how much weight it comes out to per wheel (as if that matters when stopping), I just know that the more weight, the more power needed to stop it. Anyone who's seen "The Dark Knight" can see a realistic portrayal of trying to bring a big rig to a sudden stop. I'm not sure about that woman, but for me, I'd rather not be anywhere NEAR a truck with something bad about to happen.

 

you would be amazed on how many ppl I see zoom in front of a rig ( in high traffic scenarios ) only to lock up their breaks right after cutting them off.

 

IMO you have to be a real idiot to think your safe under those conditions.

If someone wants to smoke their lungs away in their own vehicle, then while that in itself may be dangerous, that's up to them. Seeing someone talking on the phone gets my attention and if I see them driving stupid in any way, then I believe that they shouldn't be talking on the phone (and I admit, I make the assumption that they are always on the phone while driving). If they pick up the phone, talk for a couple of minutes and then get off the phone and do a great job of driving at the same time, then they don't worry me because they are showing some level of common sense and restraint while driving.

 

I won't deny that I sometimes (SOME times) talk on the phone while driving, but for the most part, the calls or travels are short or important. Push come to shove, that person on the phone can just wait. The driving takes priority, I don't care WHO it is I'm talking to.

 

indeed..I do the same..someone calls me while driving..I answer..let them know I'm on the road..and will call back..they dont like that fact they can kiss my arse hehehe

Love the food....hate the service..

 

its rare to find a good store location that actually take pride in their work/store. Not that I go often (for obvious health reasons), but when I do, it would be nice to actually get what I ordered...7 outta 10 times the order is incorrect and I have to go back to get it resolved .. maybe if they payed the employees alittle better they could acquire/retain a quality staff.

Will this horrible trend never end?

 

Okay so I live close to a Target store. Today, I was heading there and at this stoplight, I was in the left lane behind one vehicle, with an oversized SVU like vehicle in the front of the right lane. I see the driver side window of that gas guzzler roll down a few inches and then out drops a cigarette onto the ground. Gee, nice way to litter the world! I tried looking inside (hard with the angle and tinted backseat windows) and what do I see? This lady is talking ON HER PHONE WHILE DRIVING! Let's review for a moment here... Talking on her phone (using her right hand), smoking with her left hand... WHAT HAND IS SHE USING TO DRIVE WITH?!?

 

Anyways, light turns green and in the span of under a mile, I had managed to get in front of her before the next stoplight, which was red. At that light, I needed to make a right turn so I had on my blinker. Oh gawd, she has on her right blinker as well. Okay I decide to WAIT before going. The other side of the road has the light to make left turns so I'm staying put so they can proceed safely. I didn't want to go and then risk having her going as well and colliding with someone coming from the other side. After those cars have all made the turn, I proceed. Another 'under a mile' travel later and I'm making a right into the shopping center where the Target is located. She turns into there as well. Still on the phone ALL this time, I should add.

 

Okay so traveling slowly in the shopping center, respecting the multiple stops. There are two stops to let people enter and exit the stores (PetSmart and Barnes & Noble), with traffic being required to stop for those walking across. Then after that, there's another stop to yield right of way to other traffic, then on the other side is the Target store. Low and behold, she's going to the Target store too. So I park and keep an eye on where she parks and then get out and walk slowly to let her catch up to me. When she does, I say, "Excuse me!" to which she turns to me and I proceed to tell her that in the future when she's driving, to actually drive instead of talking on the phone. She then goes "Pssssssh" and continues to walk on and I add in, "and quit the smoking too."

 

I so so SOOOO hope that the person on the phone heard me and will talk about it to her in the future, like, "Hey you're not driving now are you?"

 

Anyways, here's the Coup de grâce... As she's entering the store, she is ENDING THE CALL. Okay um. WTF? Talking on the phone is more important than being a safe driver, BUT shopping is more important than talking on the phone?!?

 

OMG THIS WOMAN IS SERIOUSLY F'd UP IN THE HEAD!

 

Let's review...

 

Smoking AND talking on the phone WHILE driving (which hand was she using to drive with again?).. Then gets off the phone when going into the store! Just how screwed up is that woman's judgment?

 

sounds quite typical to me LOL .. I often see this myself and I agree with your assessment...now I myself do smoke while I drive...though my eyes are always on the road and a hand on the wheel(I have a floor full of ashes to prove it LOL) ...but phone usage while driving..or even just talking to someone in the car with you..can be quite a driving hazard.

indeed .. some ppl just can't drive in harsh weather conditions ... I've lived arcoss this great country of ours and I've noticed no matter where you go .. be it in a state that has normal yearly snowfall ... or a state that isn't even equipped to handle it...you always find drivers that just can't handle their vehicles properly. I always find it funny when these idiots pass me..as I know I'll prolly see them in a ditch somewhere shortly up the road hehehe. I personally believe the DMV really need to redesign their testing methods to include such things as hazardous weather travel (since I used to be an OTR driver) and how to be on the road with tractor/trailers. I can't count how many accidents I've seen due to a driver cutting off a tractor trailer then slamming on their brakes for various reasons..or following a trailer too closely and have a blown tire go through their windshield ... just amazes me that alot of these drivers think that these trucks can stop on a dime...I even had a lady once tell me.."well you have 18 wheels..I only have 4..you should be to stop 4 times faster than I can" WRONG!!!!! I quickly responded "lady..your car maybe weighs 2 tons .. my rig weighs up to 80 tons ... that averages 4.5 tons per wheel to a half ton per wheel for your car .. so I think you need to rethink your concept on weight vs stopping distance" ... this woman was in shock..she hadn't a clue..as I believe most drivers dont...these are important issues and all ( hazard conditions and breaking distances vs weight) should be added to the DMV testing methods.