April 13, 2009

DEE-SELL-HER-HATE-STUPID

That's going to be my custom made license plate. 

I am a professional driver.  I ride a motorcycle.  I watch Nascar.  This makes me qualified to post on the subject of stupid ephen drivers. 

I don't suffer from Road Rage; however I sometimes suffer from Road Frustration.

I'm a very safe driver while at work.  I represent the company while driving and understand the importance of "big rigs" driving in a safe and courteous manner.

I'm an extremely safe motorcycle rider.  I use many of my "big rig" habits while on my bike.  I make eye contact with those around me, I watch the on ramps for cars entering the freeway, plus I only ride my bike for recreation, not for commute.

I have learned quite a bit from Nascar.  I watch the likes of  Jimmy Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Mark Martin race with the classiest of them all.  I've learned the art of gracefully wrecking friends and foes alike from Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch.  I use the term "bump draft the mother epher into the wall" and "you're not going to pass me on my right asshole"....but I consider myself a safe driver.

Here is my problem.  The Highway Patrol spends too much time making sure people have their seat belts on (if someone wants to be thrown from their vehicle, it's the Darwin system of elimination).  They pull people over for talking on their cell phones and write them a 20 dollar ticket.

In my humble opinion, this is what they should be focusing on. 

1.  Tail gating.  Everyone thinks that "speed" kills.  It does not...Tail gating kills.  If someone is driving 100 miles an hour and leave themselves room to react to changing conditions, they'd be fine.  If that same someone is driving 50 miles an hour while riding the 3 feet from the car in front of them, and the car in front of them drives over debris, that person doesn't have time to react.  Highway Patrol should be targeting and ticketing tail gaters. 

2.  Taking away someone's safety zone.  This happens to me at least once a day.  While driving my "big rig" and leaving plenty of space between me and the car in front of me (the tail gate issue), a car will cut in front of me and take away that safety zone.  Often cars will do that just before and exit and almost hit the front of my vehicle as they cut across 2 lanes of traffic to make the exit instead of waiting the 12 seconds  to stay in back of me and exit.

3.  Lane selection;  if you want to drive 3 or more miles per hour below the speed limit, stay in the right hand lane.....you should be targeted and ticketed.

4.  Although my number 4 is probably the least dangerous, it's the one that pisses me off the most.  Drivers have lost the art of decelleration.  Cars will be travelling 10 to 20 miles and hour faster then the car in front of them and instead of letting their foot off the gas to adjust their speed, they keep up the faster pace until they have to slam on their brakes to avoid ramming the slower car in front of them.....Putting on your brakes on the interstate is dangerous....and should be targeted and ticketed. 

Thanks to all those who read this for the "vent" and stay the eph out of my way...........

14 comments:

katherine. said...

You are one of the best drivers I've ever ridden with...

Angel Bobbie said...

I agree with everything you said.

Schmoop said...

Damn straight. And...Does anyone know how to merge onto the highway? I don't think so. Cheers!!

Mel said...

<-- knows the art of decelleration!

*whew*

I must say my 'brake life' is longer than most folks I know.

DarlingDaughterDawn said...

Sure wish there was a way to send this over to CHP. I agree 100% with everything you said.

Sandee said...

I'm so with you on this rant. Love the new license plate too. Bwahahahaha.

Have a terrific day. Hey to K. :)

Linda said...

I'm with you on this one, too. It seems that common sense has gone the way of the horse and buggy and there's never a cop around when stupid motherfu... er ... jackass behind the steering wheel almost causes a ten-car pile-up because he/she doesn't think.

And Matt-Man brings up a very valid point - does ANYONE know how to properly merge??

Vinny "Bond" Marini said...

MAtt-Man hit on mine peeve...those who come to a stop on the entrance ramp when trying to merge!

arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrg

I totally agree with you on all of yours, but especially #4

SierraSnowSoaps said...

Wow! Since I am the eldest of your siblings, and I agree with all your points (and follow them) I guess you learned everything you know from ME! AND I am teaching your 15 1/2 year old neice to follow them. She is going to be the best driver on the planet!
Love Michelle

Hole in Fore (Four, Yo) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hole in Fore (Four, Yo) said...

I must say...you summed it up perfectly. You represent those of us who've driven truck and those of us who've riden motorcycles (and those who've done both) very well. It seems the car drivers agree too!! You could be our spokesranter...it's an unpaid position, though!

Keep up the good work...and rants...

The Teamster said...

katherine....thanks...that's a defenite compliment

thanks mom...

matt...on merging...most people are talking on their phone using their left ear...they are too busy to look...

mel....keep the foot OFF the brake...

dawn...show it to your daughter who knows people in the CHP...maybe my rant can become policy...

sandee...yeah..the plate would be fun...however, i'm too frugal to pay the extra money for a custom plate...


linda...bond...ditto...too many stupid people on the road...

sierra snow...have my niece read my post every day before she gets behind the wheel....

oh paul...you totally understand...and share my pain..

for those around the country...is it just the crowdedness of California, or do stupid people drive all over our great nation?

Travis Cody said...

My dad was a CHP in southern California. He has the same 4 issues. His other gripes are not understanding road and weather conditions and not adjusting to them, and not being aware of the capabilities and limitations of the vehicle you are driving.

And stooopid people drive everywhere. We've got some real idiots up here in Washington State. They haven't learned how to merge or how to properly and safely use on and off ramps.

They also don't seem to have learned how to prepare ahead of time for the exit they want that is fast approaching. Or that it's ok to miss the exit, take the next one, and cirle back.

Desert Songbird said...

Ugh. I so very much agree with your driver complaints. We get so many idiot drivers from other places here in Phoenix - it's crazy how many near-misses I've had on the roads and freeways around here. No one knows how to yield, give right of way, or stay safe distances. I would trust loved ones to ride motorcycles around here - it's too much of a danger.