On Tue, 2005-01-11 at 09:20, Josef Lowder wrote:
> Definitely off topic, but I can't help but respond to this with a rant.
>
> On Tuesday 11 January 2005 00:13, Kevin Brown wrote:
> > > and of course driving with these people in the rain is funny. when we
> > > have normal weather they drive like maniacs, when the road gets wet
> > > suddenly it's dangerous.
>
> It's not just when it gets wet that it is dangerous, though.
>
> > Roads are dangerous because idiots can't be bothered to think farther than
> > 1 second ahead. Wet, dry, cold, hot, doesn't matter they still drive like
> > madmen. Diving across lanes, puttering at 45 when flow in 75, turning left
> > from the right hand lane, turning right from the left hand lane, etc.
>
> Arizona drivers are, hands down, the absolute worst, most inconsiderate,
> most careless, most reckless drivers I have ever experienced in 40+ years
> of driving in 30+ states in the US and in England. I lived here for three
> years before I saw the first Arizona Highway Patrol vehicle stop one
> of these lunatics. The evidence of just how bad it is can be seen in
> the dailiy refreshed black skid marks cris-crossing the freeways and
> the absurd number of residue of crashes into the concrete barriers that
> can be throughout the valley, especially on 60 where I drive most.
I also agree.
> Sorry for the rant. I've called 911 to report several of the most extreme
> offenders and I've written to the state highway patrol several times,
> but I get the impression that they really don't care. I've had Arizona
> highway patrol vehicles pass me going 10-20 mph faster than the
> speed limit when they were just crusing along with no lights or sirens.
Arizona law enforcement officers have an understanding amongst
themselves: flash your badge == no ticket.
If you think about that, cops rarely pull anyone over for reckless
driving. You have to be pretty bad to get their attention. Cop or no
cop, if a person is driving that bad they should be cited.
As for Mike comment about 55 being more dangerous that driving 70 to
keep up with traffic...
You have a valid point except for a couple issues.
1) Wouldn't it be safer if everyone was driving 55 instead of 70?
Just because you can't obey the law, doesn't mean everyone should.
2) How fast is the vehicle designed to go?
Most of those skid marks are from vehicles exceeding their "safe" speed.
Anyone care to guess at which speed a set of standard highway tires
begin to de-laminate in 110 degree heat? It's a lot lower than you might
think.
My observations show that some people just aren't comfortable unless
they are going 5mph (or so) faster than everyone else. If we are all
suddenly going 70, they are going 80. Next thing you know "normal" speed
is in the 85mph range. Call me old, but that's beyond my comfort level.
My $.02,
Bart
---------------------------------------------------
PLUG-discuss mailing list -
PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us
To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change you mail settings:
http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss
(text/plain)