1. Yes, it's a whole new look! Have questions or need help? Please post your question in the New Forum Questions thread Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice
  2. Seeing tons of unread posts after the upgrade? See this thread for help. Click the X to the right to dismiss this notice
    Dismiss Notice

A proposal.. for the persistant problem

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by flynnibus, Feb 3, 2011.

  1. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    You know the people... the people that intentionally go around everyone at the crowded intersection.. knowing fully their plan is to just cut in at the last second. Or the ones who stand along the curb.. when there is ample parking just 20 ft away.

    When you sit at the light on waxpool, formed in two lines like everyone else, so we get the most efficent run through the intersection. And the pricks run up the other lane, all the way up front, trying to time their cut in so they cut in line. Most days.. it's enough to make you want to get out of your car.. and just inflict pain on the person for being such self-centered, selfish, aholes. But doing that, or smashing their car would likely end up with you being arrested, even if justified :) so I had a great idea.

    What if these people had to wear a scarlet letter? And everyone who saw them driving down the road knew their disposition and they would have to ride in shame?

    Unfortunately tagging people with paint ball guns (my favorite idea) would also be illegal... so I had another thought.

    What if I print up a few hundred bumper stickers.. they would be bright yellow and say "I'm a self centered, selfish prick". Everyone can grab some and keep them handy in their car. Then, next time one of these people pull one of these selfish, Im the center of the universe moves, you grab one of these stickers.. hop out, walk up to their car, and just slap it on their rear window. It won't damage their car, but it's 'permanent' enough they would be hassled to get it off.. and they'd likely have to drive around for a bit with it. After a few times, maybe they'll get the hint. Imagine the scene if just 2-3 people did this to the cutter each time.

    Who is in??? :)
     
  2. christinaandrob

    christinaandrob New Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2004
    Messages:
    862
    Likes Received:
    0
    i have a bright yellow bumper sticker that says "i park like an idiot." friends of ours bought a bunch of them and they are hilarious!
     
  3. shim

    shim shim

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2007
    Messages:
    293
    Likes Received:
    47
    Dude, why so angry? In the grand scheme of things this a fairly insignificant event. Holy Smokes, sure hope you don't carry.
     
  4. Ken

    Ken Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have no sympathy for the OP in regards to Waxpool.

    I drive Waxpool in my commute and I try to get around as many people as possible all the time. For some reason, many people around here like to do other things while driving, all the time -- yapping on the phone, texting, yelling at their kids, etc. I don't know how many times I see a light turn green and people just sit there doing who-knows-what, or they do the 45-second 0-30 MPH thing leaving a 150-car gap in front of them between them and the next car. What people don't realize is that THIS is what causes the gridlock. It's not the volume of cars, it's distracted and/or shitty drivers. It's people not keeping up with the flow of traffic.

    Green means go. Keep a 3-5 car gap between you and the car in front of you and hang up the damn phone*.

    * this includes hands-free devices. It sorta blows me away that people (and lawmakers) think that the distracting part of using a cell phone while driving is the actual physical requirement of holding the phone to you ear. It's not that at all. It's that the driver's mind is elsewhere and they're not paying attention to the driving. Hands-free devices do not solve this.
     
  5. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2003
    Messages:
    5,236
    Likes Received:
    249
    Which I would classify you as too.

    Just because some drive distracted, you feel it justifies your driving like an *** at that intersection?
     
  6. Ken

    Ken Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    First, I really don't care what you "classify" me as. It's irrelevant.

    Second, at no point did I share any details that would intimate we driving like an "***" -- whatever "***" is. Nice leap there. My not waiting in traffic and using legal methods to get around traffic does not an *** make.

    Third, I don't even know what intersection you're talking about. I was talking about Waxpool as a whole. I drive 28N from Frying Pan Road to the Waxpool exit. Then I drive Waxpool all the way through the three road name changes to the T at Belmont Ridge Road. There are several intersections that get messy for no reason other than 10% of people doing something other than driving holding everything up.
     
  7. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    Then the bumper sticker sounds perfect. Are you in that much of a rush every day that the extra 2 mins at the light is going to kill you? Is feeling good that you got around that slow person really worth the increased risk of an accident? Is your schedule more important than everyone else's?

    Nice attempt at trying to justify your 'me me me' position. That's right.. it's not the volume of cars... the # of cars you see is all imaginary.. the intersection should be able to get them all through right away if everyone were paying attention. That backup all the way past ashburn village to the west... beyond beaumeade to the north.. to verizon to the south.. EVERY day.. it's all really just slow drivers. The idea the intersection has that many cars from 7am to 9am.. it's all just imaginary. If we all just drove better.. the backups would disappear....

    What a joke! The intersection serves massive volumes from both axis and even with the most attentive driving still.. is going to have that many cars.

    If attentive drivers were such a problem - people wouldn't have to force their way in (like they do every day) and I wouldn't be able to tell like clockwork how many cycles it will take to make it through the intersection based on where you are in line.

    You know damn well you drive to the front, cutting past everyone knowing you're looking to find any hole.. not just pass a 'inattentive driver'. Your justification requires you actually seeing the behavior to justify it.. which you've already made the decision to cut everyone off before you've seen it.. and doesn't account for all the Attentive drivers you are disrespecting with your selfish behavior.

    I bet you'd get pissed at the other drivers if they wouldn't let you in. Funny isn't it.. where the guy putting everyone else out gets pissed at others for not accommodating them??
     
  8. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    Lack of courtesy and lack of defensive driving would quantify that leap.

    It's as bad as the guy who must race around the 3 lane highway making all types of passes just to get 3 more cars ahead.

    And for 'not waiting in traffic' how do you feel the people that get stuck behind the idiot who tried to go up front, but can't find a spot so now he's blocking the straight lane feel?
     
  9. Ken

    Ken Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    Oh, don't even try to minimize it by saying an it's "extra 2 minutes." It's clearly not. With the number of stop lights and length of light cycles, it can easily add 20 minutes onto a 12 mile commute.

    And I'll counter you by saying that because you think it's your right to drive slow and it's your duty to make sure that everyone adheres to your "safe" driving style, that it makes you also an extremely selfish driver. Why am I the selfish because I don't want to wait for you, and I use legal means to get around you?


    Do you not see the compound effect it has on the entire length of road with just one person waiting an extra 5 seconds after a light turns green before proceeding? There are so many lights with long cycles that it makes a huge difference.

    You all are making a huge assumption that I'm an unsafe and reckless driver. My not getting any sort of moving violation or being even 1% at fault in any accident in 15 years says otherwise. I'm an extremely safe and defensive driver.
     
  10. Ken

    Ken Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    Do you actually think I'm justifying that sort of assholery?
     
  11. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,929
    Likes Received:
    69
    THIS thread is exactly why I drive an extra few miles and take rt 7 to Rt 28 and miss all the rude behavior. same amount of time but with no bad manners to drive up my blood pressure...

    TEAM FLYNNIBUS.:cheerleader:
     
  12. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2002
    Messages:
    5,281
    Likes Received:
    344
    I'm with Ken.
    Fro example, when coming on to Waxpool from Rte 28, I stay in the far right lane that ends just west of Waxpool, then cut back in.
    As I approach the LCP light, the right lane also tends to be the shortest, so I'll move to the right and then after passing through, I have to get all the way to the left lane to make the left at the Waxpool light.

    On eastbound Waxpool, I usually move to the far left lane as I approach LCP, because it is usually shorter, then have to cut back to the right to go south on Rte 28.

    I do it legally, safely, and I could care less about the sensibilities of the people sitting in the longer, slower lanes.

    Cell phones and handheld devices are, without a doubt, the single biggest hazard on the roads. I think I'd rather see a driver with a beer in his hand than texting.
     
  13. Forum Administrator

    Forum Administrator Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2001
    Messages:
    247
    Likes Received:
    6
    Use of inappropriate language on these forums will NOT be tolerated. Please tone it down or we'll have to take more serious actions.

    Thank you.
     
  14. Ken

    Ken Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    Sorry about that. :)
     
  15. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,929
    Likes Received:
    69
    there is nothing wrong with this the way you describe it- i also follow the shortest patterns using the quickest lanes to get thru my commute. i use the merging lane in front of Wegmans when the line up in the right lane is long- that's what the merging lane is for. following traffic flow, changing lanes safely- that's normal cognizant driving.

    that is TOTALLY different than the jackholes on LCP turning right onto waxpool who zoom up the straight lane then force their way into the right turning lanes. or the same ones on Waxpool near the Icehouse turning right onto waxpool again and doing the same thing.

    apples/oranges.
     
  16. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    It's called 'traffic' - you are supposed to account for it. You can't compare your commute when no one is on the road to rush hour and expect to justify selfish behavior because over the repetitions it makes you less impacted by traffic.

    Who said I drive slow or its my right? What everyone should do is believe in defensive, yet courteous driving. It minimizes your risk of being in an accident, and reduces the risk of putting someone else into one.

    Not driving in one's blind spot... ensuring a merger has a shot... not needing to stop at the very last second... not needing to making unnecessary lane changes. These are not 'selfish' behaviors - they are courteous ones. Ones that recognize traffic is a culmination of EVERYONE's behaviors and we are all here together.

    The idea that you are above the rest - is the selfish behavior - not the guy who slows down (OMG.. causing traffic) to ensure the guy running out of merge can make it in.

    I've very well aware of the 'caterpillar' effect driver reaction time has on traffic. I'm also aware that it is physically impossible to have every driver/car start, and accelerate at the exact same pace that is required to ensure the entire mass of cars moves at the same time when the light turns green.

    It's why I wish everyone drove a manual transmission. I makes drivers more attentive. It minimizes everyone's urge to rush then slam on the brakes, repeat. Every time someone presses their brake.. it causes a ripple effect in traffic. Every driver behind them must react and make a decision. Just that minor brake tap can cause a choke point. In large part because poor drivers think of 'accelerate.. BRAKE' and nothing inbetween. With manual transmissions in heavy traffic, people would be more inclined to slow roll, rather then accelerate/stop in traffic. This 'everyone rolls' model reduces traffic because it reduces the reaction time between a car at stop, to a car starting to move... minimizing the catapiller effect. A large (even non-uniform) slow rolling mob of cars will progress faster then a similar size mob of stop and go traffic.

    It would also increase everyone's overall fuel efficency.

    But back on this thread... even though the catapiller effect, and driver reaction times are contributors to traffic - One must also be aware - that everyone else in the same boat. We are all trying to get somewhere.. we all are stuck in the traffic.. and 99% of people are doing their best to not be contributors to the problem too.

    So your notion that the flaws of a few, justify your behavior over everyone else.. is selfish and rude.

    The behavior you are promoting is not safe nor anywhere near defensive driving.
     
  17. Ken

    Ken Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'm not condoning this behavior at all (and it's not something I'd do), but that particular intersection is a mess. The light going in the direction of the LCP is not long enough and there's a seemingly nonstop flow of cars coming down Waxpool that prevents many right-on-reds. I feel for those who sit at LCP waiting to go right on Waxpool in the morning.
     
  18. Ken

    Ken Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2009
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    OK, I think there's a huge disconnect here with what I actually wrote I do and what you're perceiving that I wrote.

    vacliff's post sums up my driving habits nicely.
     
  19. redon1

    redon1 aka Aphioni

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5,929
    Likes Received:
    69
    TEAM KEN! :cheerleader:

    no one will will surprised to hear that i am wearing a packers shirt and carryng a terrible towel in my pocket.... bwaaahahahahahaaa...
     
  20. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2002
    Messages:
    5,358
    Likes Received:
    250
    apples and oranges... unless your move back across requires you to make aggressive lane changes or stop people to ensure you can make it back across. A courteous and defensive driver ensures they are in the right position ahead of time to ensure they can safely move to where is needed to make their next turn.

    Now where I'd call you out is if you say you ride in the lane that ends near smith switch to the very last second, ignoring opportunities to merge just so you can get to the very end, when you know up ahead is log jammed.

    When it comes to merging, you are supposed to use the roadway - but one should take the opportunities that minimize the need for you or others to come to a complete stop. Keeping the overall mass from stopping is way more effective then having one guy get 4 more cars ahead.. and requiring everyone behind him to come to a stop to survive his merge effort.
     

Share This Page