The Vent and Rant Thread

[SameOldStory]

ARE THEY EVER GOING TO GET A CLUE!

I am getting SO tired of this idiocy over, and over, and over, and over, and over again!

I saw this title and said, "Good. More info".

Google Poised To Launch E-Books Project

And then I get THIS:

"Amazon readers, by contrast, are tethered to their Kindle tablets (or devices running Kindle software) and can purchase books only from Amazon."

SCREAM!


The worst thing about e-news is that you can't tear it into a hundred pieces and throw it in the trash.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by kennyc

OH MAN!!!! I was going to rant about that a while back. It makes me crazy when people completely block the crossing!!! I've been known to get in front of them them and bang on their hoods!!!

Somehow I can picture you doing that Kenny!

That's my 2nd most pet peeve.

My #1 rant is drivers that intentionally drive into intersections when they clearly see that the line of traffic has stopped and they cannot clear the intersection before the light changes - thereby blocking all cross traffic -- what I call the "if I can't go nobody can go" syndrome! I fantasize about renting a cement truck for a day and pushing one of these SOB's onto the sidewalk - watching their face the whole time!

[Bilbo1967]

While we're on the topic of driving related rants, can I get this one off my chest?

Farking idiots who drive in the middle lane of the motorway regardless of the fact that there is nothing in sight in the inside lane - effectively turning a three lane road into a two lane one.

And these people are always sat way too close to the steering wheel, in their own little world, totally oblivious to the fact that they are screwing the entire road system for everybody else

Thanks....I feel a little better now

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Farking idiots who drive in the middle lane of the motorway regardless of the fact that there is nothing in sight in the inside lane - effectively turning a three lane road into a two lane one.

Perhaps this is my ugly american here but what is the difference between the "middle" lane and the "inside" lane? Are you talking about a 6 lane roadway with 3 lanes in each direction. Or are you talking about a 3 lane road with two single lanes for travel and 1 lane for left turns only?

BOb

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Perhaps this is my ugly american here but what is the difference between the "middle" lane and the "inside" lane? Are you talking about a 6 lane roadway with 3 lanes in each direction. Or are you talking about a 3 lane road with two single lanes for travel and 1 lane for left turns only?

BOb

6 lanes, 3 in each direction.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

6 lanes, 3 in each direction.

Ah.. ok.. that makes more sense then. I echo your rant but just reverse the lanes to Middle lane rather than Outside (right) lane.

BOb

[SameOldStory]

In the US we drive on the right. Those that drive on the left will have to make a mental adjustment to my descriptions.

Most states in the US require heavy truckers to drive on the right (outer most) side. The problem is that the road surface in that lane breaks down faster and has a more uneven surface causing a bumpy road at best, and a pothole damaging drive at worst.

The problem starts when some twit drives slowly in the next lane. Twits (see page 9 of the drivers manual) think that by driving 20 miles per hours under the speed limit is safer.

The contrary is true. People expect that those in the center lanes will be going at least the speed limit. In a very short time they have to decide which way to go around the "twitter". That or suddenly stomp on the break causing the car behind them to rear end them. The "twitter" looks in the rearview mirror and shakes their head at all the bad drivers.


Now I'm not condemning all the old slow drivers. I figure that they know that they're unable to drive above a certain speed. I just wish that they would stay out of the middle lane!

[dsvick]

My driving related rant....

All the other drivers!!!!


My other (more specific) driving related rant....

The selfish, idiotic, stupid, ignorant, got-their-license-in-a-cracker-jack-box, morons who, seeing that the lane they need to get into is backed up, continue on down the faster moving lane and then, at the last minute, slam on their brakes, and attempt to force their way into the lane that they should have gotten into 1/2 mile back. Not only is it dangerous, but it backs up the lane that they were in as well as causing additional back up for the lane that was backed up to begin with.

When people do that, I invariably do not let them in. I'll do everything I possibly can to ensure there is not the slightest gap between me and car in front of me.

[devilsadvocate]

Originally Posted by dsvick

My driving related rant....

All the other drivers!!!!


My other (more specific) driving related rant....

The selfish, idiotic, stupid, ignorant, got-their-license-in-a-cracker-jack-box, morons who, seeing that the lane they need to get into is backed up, continue on down the faster moving lane and then, at the last minute, slam on their brakes, and attempt to force their way into the lane that they should have gotten into 1/2 mile back. Not only is it dangerous, but it backs up the lane that they were in as well as causing additional back up for the lane that was backed up to begin with.

When people do that, I invariably do not let them in. I'll do everything I possibly can to ensure there is not the slightest gap between me and car in front of me.

YES! I'm not the only one!!! Also, the merge-idiots who, knowing damn good and well that their lane is about to end, wait until the very last second to get over, and then it's YOUR FAULT that they can't.

Because, y'know, that extra half-second makes ALL the difference </sarcasm>.

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by dsvick

The selfish, idiotic, stupid, ignorant, got-their-license-in-a-cracker-jack-box, morons who, seeing that the lane they need to get into is backed up, continue on down the faster moving lane and then, at the last minute, slam on their brakes, and attempt to force their way into the lane that they should have gotten into 1/2 mile back. Not only is it dangerous, but it backs up the lane that they were in as well as causing additional back up for the lane that was backed up to begin with.

When people do that, I invariably do not let them in. I'll do everything I possibly can to ensure there is not the slightest gap between me and car in front of me.

Agreed!

Oh, and DSVICK -- Thank you for the cheesecake Christmas pic for us females! (and others who happen to float their boat that way)

[devilsadvocate]

Originally Posted by SameOldStory

In the US we drive on the right. Those that drive on the left will have to make a mental adjustment to my descriptions.

Most states in the US require heavy truckers to drive on the right (outer most) side. The problem is that the road surface in that lane breaks down faster and has a more uneven surface causing a bumpy road at best, and a pothole damaging drive at worst.

The problem starts when some twit drives slowly in the next lane. Twits (see page 9 of the drivers manual) think that by driving 20 miles per hours under the speed limit is safer.

The contrary is true. People expect that those in the center lanes will be going at least the speed limit. In a very short time they have to decide which way to go around the "twitter". That or suddenly stomp on the break causing the car behind them to rear end them. The "twitter" looks in the rearview mirror and shakes their head at all the bad drivers.


Now I'm not condemning all the old slow drivers. I figure that they know that they're unable to drive above a certain speed. I just wish that they would stay out of the middle lane!

YMMV but in our state we actually have signs saying "Slower Traffic Keep Right". You wouldn't think much more would be necessary, but...

Most states have something like a Basic Speed Law wherein the speed limit for that road is whatever is reasonable for the prevailing conditions. If the flow of traffic is doing 70, the speed limit is then 70 regardless of what the sign says. If you're doing 55, you're the problem; even if the posted speed limit is 55. In our state you can actually be cited for this though it tends to be discretionary. [Expletive] in the pricey sedan threading traffic bumper-to-bumper at 15-over is dangerous, no doubt; but so is the person(s) driving slow enough to obstruct traffic.

Moral of the story: When it comes to traffic, Go With The Flow. If you're not in a hurry, take the scenic route. If 65/70/75/whatever is too fast for you, take surface-streets or learn to stay on the right. I shouldn't have to cut an extra 2 hours out of my day to accommodate your selfishness.

[pholy]

Ok... and it's right turn on red AFTER stop!!!

AND check that traffic is clear! No cutting off the through traffic!

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by devilsadvocate

YES! I'm not the only one!!! Also, the merge-idiots who, knowing damn good and well that their lane is about to end, wait until the very last second to get over, and then it's YOUR FAULT that they can't.

Because, y'know, that extra half-second makes ALL the difference </sarcasm>.

when I lived in Germany there were signs that explicitly intended for drivers to "zipper" in. (that's the best way I can describe it) it was the intention that each lane of traffic was to, one at a time from the left and right merge in. ever so much faster than the long single lanes with people whipping in at the last moment

Originally Posted by devilsadvocate

YMMV but in our state we actually have signs saying "Slower Traffic Keep Right". You wouldn't think much more would be necessary, but...

Most states have something like a Basic Speed Law wherein the speed limit for that road is whatever is reasonable for the prevailing conditions. If the flow of traffic is doing 70, the speed limit is then 70 regardless of what the sign says. If you're doing 55, you're the problem; even if the posted speed limit is 55. In our state you can actually be cited for this though it tends to be discretionary. [Expletive] in the pricey sedan threading traffic bumper-to-bumper at 15-over is dangerous, no doubt; but so is the person(s) driving slow enough to obstruct traffic.

Moral of the story: When it comes to traffic, Go With The Flow. If you're not in a hurry, take the scenic route. If 65/70/75/whatever is too fast for you, take surface-streets or learn to stay on the right. I shouldn't have to cut an extra 2 hours out of my day to accommodate your selfishness.

I was in a van driving class (I was in a ride share for awhile) and the instructor actually advocated for keeping 5 to 10 mph under the limit. I about lost it. got up and called him all sorts of unthinking idiotic names. left the class, and filed a complaint. I went back when there was a new teacher

[desertblues]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

Agreed!

Oh, and DSVICK -- Thank you for the cheesecake Christmas pic for us females! (and others who happen to float their boat that way)

I agree.

ooooooooooooooo

[Bilbo1967]

Originally Posted by devilsadvocate

YMMV but in our state we actually have signs saying "Slower Traffic Keep Right". You wouldn't think much more would be necessary, but...

Most states have something like a Basic Speed Law wherein the speed limit for that road is whatever is reasonable for the prevailing conditions. If the flow of traffic is doing 70, the speed limit is then 70 regardless of what the sign says. If you're doing 55, you're the problem; even if the posted speed limit is 55. In our state you can actually be cited for this though it tends to be discretionary. [Expletive] in the pricey sedan threading traffic bumper-to-bumper at 15-over is dangerous, no doubt; but so is the person(s) driving slow enough to obstruct traffic.

Moral of the story: When it comes to traffic, Go With The Flow. If you're not in a hurry, take the scenic route. If 65/70/75/whatever is too fast for you, take surface-streets or learn to stay on the right. I shouldn't have to cut an extra 2 hours out of my day to accommodate your selfishness.

Speed is a tricky one. We have all kinds of propoganda over here telling us nonsense such as speeding is a factor in 90% of all accidents and similar. Of course, this is designed to promote the use of speed cameras to screw motorists again on top of punitive petrol taxes.

The truth is that it is inappropriate speed that is dangerous. I can drive past a primary school when all the children are streaming out at 30mph and I can drive down an empty motorway at 3:00 in the morning at 80mph. Only one of those is illegal, but only the other one is actually dangerous. Similarly, if the speed limit is 70mph, but it is snowing a blizzard and -20 centigrade, driving at that speed would be suicidal.

In my opinion, it's just common sense - unfortunately, that's a rare commodity it seems.