Posted on 05/29/2011 12:00:23 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
There are variations in driving styles on our roads and most motorists will fall into a distinct characteristic type depending on how they approach the task of driving. As you read through this list, you are likely to recognize yourself or someone you drive with.
Which driving character are you?
Nervous Nick: This driver lacks confidence in their driving abilities and is intimidated by traffic and highway speeds. The “Nervous Nick” will always drive at the speed limit or lower and will not accelerate enough to merge safely with highway traffic. They will display moments of indecision when it comes to driving options such as making left turns and when to proceed and how fast.
The Danger: They cause traffic to “rat pack” around them on highways. This leads to multiple lane changes and drivers becoming impatient and making dangerous choices or lane changes. Driving slower than the “flow” of traffic can cause traffic mayhem behind the slower driver as others must negotiate a way around the slow moving vehicle.
Middle Lane Mike: Will head from the on-ramp directly to the middle lane and plant them selves there no matter how slow they drive or who is sitting on their rear bumper. They are convinced this is the best lane to drive in and they are the safest drivers on the road.
The Danger: Traffic will pass on either the right of left sides of this driver causing traffic flow chaos. Large trucks will sit impatiently on their rear bumper trying to intimidate this driver into moving over. They are in danger of causing a crash or being rear-ended. Vehicles moving slowly in the middle lane are like a rock in a stream. They cause turbulence and in this case traffic turbulence.
Overconfident Owen or Arrogant Andy: These drivers are usually driving in an aggressive manner as they are very sure of their capabilities. They are usually speeding and changing lanes often. This aggressive driver feels they are more important than everyone else on the road. All other drivers are just in “their” way and should not be on “their” road.
The Danger: This driver has the confidence and sometimes even the driving talent that will allow them to handle their vehicle while speeding, but when things go wrong they lack the skills to recover or avoid an incident. This driver has confidence that far out strips their “driving smarts” and they make poor choices in their driving situations. They are usually driving too fast for weather and traffic conditions. They often drive an SUV or other large vehicle that adds to their sense of superiority. This driver will tailgate others and try different means of intimidation to get others out of their way. These drivers have been known to pass on the shoulder and lane hop. During the winter months, they are often found in the ditch.
Bored Bobby or Busy Betty: Usually found talking on a cell phone or chatting with passengers. Their mind will be focused on anything but driving safely. Even though they know the distraction of talking on the cell phone is dangerous, they feel their business is more important.
The Danger: This motorist is not paying attention to driving and invariably will end up crashing or cutting someone off. The “Bored Bobby” is just as dangerous as the other drivers on this list. They are not processing all their driving information that will help them make wise driving choices. They are driving distracted which is the leading cause of crashes. After being involved in a crash, they usually cannot figure out what happened.
Solo Sandy: This driver believes they are the only one on the road. They rarely check their mirrors and have no idea other vehicles are near or beside them. You may see this motorist heading down a highway with the only other vehicle in sight directly beside them or in front of them. Also known as “Blinder Billy” as they appear to have blinders on allowing them to only see directly in front of them.
The Danger: Not knowing what is around you in your driving environment is very dangerous. Each driver needs to know what vehicles are in their immediate vicinity to make intelligent lane or avoidance choices. This driver is often hoping others will yield to their lane changes. If they encounter a “Bored Bobby” or a “Busy Betty” the results are usually costly.
Immortal Ivan: Believes no matter what they do behind the wheel, nothing bad will happen to them. When people die in car crashes, it is always going to be someone else, not them. This driving symptom tends to come in the teenage years and can last into middle age if the driver makes it to that age. Too many car crashing video games can exacerbate the problem.
The Danger: Their fearlessness leads to very poor driving decisions and reckless driving. Many younger drivers and their passengers succumb to this syndrome. If “Immortal Ivan” survives, they often age to become an “Arrogant Andy”.
Dangerous Don or Silly Stevie: These drivers believe they know it all about driving. They have been on the road for a number of years and have survived. To them, their experience means they are the best drivers on the road. All those around them are morons or crazy. For drivers like “Dangerous Don”, their frustration with other motorists can lead to high risk driving and poor decisions.
The Danger: Their survival in many ways was a product of luck and not so much skill. One day that luck will run out and the resulting crash will be anyone else’s mistake and not theirs. They will blame the other driver, black ice or anything else since they could not possibly be at fault. Their closed minds mean they will never learn the skills that could keep them from that future crash.
Smart Susie: The rarest of drivers. Understands that driving is the most dangerous daily task they will face and prepares for it. This driver realizes they need to upgrade their driving skills to be prepared for the perils of driving. They focus on the task of driving and are always making driving easier for those sharing the road with them.
The Danger: There are not enough of these drivers on our roads!
>>Which one is the guy who charges through a red left turn arrow at the last moment even though oncoming traffic has already entered the intersection?
Probably the same one that pounces on a fresh green light without checking for oncoming traffic...<<
Nope. I am the former. The latter is suicide. I always check when I am the first car at a green. I’ve seen up to four cars follow each other through an intersection right in front of me while I have a green. All of the really bad examples were in Chicago. It’s a different world there compared to Seattle. They are better drivers in some ways and worse in others. They seem to pretty much ignore onramp traffic lights. I think I’m the only guy in Seattle that does.
Does it make me a bad driver if I shoot a Buddy One Rocket up the tailpipe of the driver/cell phone user in front of me, and completely blow them off the road?
>>I’ll cut them off in a heartbeat.<<
I seem to be intentionally doing more of that the last ten years or so. I’ve just sort of had it with slow, inattentive, scareed or “overly safe” drivers on the freeway. They need to get the F*** out of the way and let the adults get where they are going at a reasonable speed.
Ready on the brake is one thing; on the brake is another.
The other one is the idiot who goes into the Tolltag Only lane at the toll booth, without a toll tag.
Actually what you'll do in an emergency is jam both feet to the floor at the same time. Giving the car max power and trying to stop it at the same time. Not wise.
>>“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” - George Carlin<<
Although I found it funny when I first heard it, I never believed it. A person going slower than me is only an idiot if he is blocking me in the passing lane and not passing anyone. I only thought people going faster than me were idiots when I was a kid. Now I let them past and match their speed but follow a ways back and use them as a radar screen. So far, three of them have taken one for me. :)
bump
Yes I do call them Massholes, but I’ve a few other words I also use...
>>They left out “Defender of the speed limit” Dan. He drives exactly the speed limit in the Left Lane that everyone drive 10 over in. He always gets next to a Semi Truck going the speed limit so he can back up the lanes behind him. He will normally have an Obama sticker and thinks he is helping to save the planet.<<
That one is the one I hate the most. It is because they are the busybodies Rand Paul speaks of. And they are intentionally trying to control the behavior of others. On many occasions I have either passed on the right and came dangerously close to clipping their front right fender or passed them on the shoulder.
They are the absolute worst.
It’s American. They believe in equality.
Not to highjack the thread, but the same can be said for California Highway Engineers, although I have seen similar problems in Maryland, Virginia, New York, Wisconsin, Michigan, Detroit and several other states.
Offramps are often too short to delay braking until after exiting the highway. This is because invariably the offramp has a steep downgrade immediately which only tend to add to the exit speed. Rough on brakes. More modern interchanges have solved the problem by longer exit ramps, but most have not.
As for merging, I note the California "Suicide Exit," a combination exit/entrance merge area about 300 feet too short. This will reduce the bravest driver into a cold sweat, even assuming total concentration and competent driving skills (there's no control over what the other drivers might do, or fail to do.) .
It causes me to have the urge to Ram. Then there is Headlight Harry who drives right behind you with his brights on at the same speed you are at. You have to speed to escape him.
One day I was on I-405. We were in the passing lane and my brother was driving while on a business call. I could see the cars piling up behind us. I said “[insert brother’s name here], you’re blocking the passing lane. He ignored me twice and on the third time he said, “Robroy, I’m busy here!” To which I replied, “Exactly! Get out of the passing lane!”
It's saved my life at least once, and it definitely prevented an accident last month.
Around here on Friday night it is safer to drive drunk so you can merge and mingle with the swerve Curvy drunks. The sober drivers in their lane and driving straight are the danger. They do not blend in to the traffic flow.
>>It’s American. They believe in equality.<<
It does seem to be going that way. Why else would they elect the president they did.
Besides, (as someone previously mentioned) the self-appointed guardian of the speed-limit, is the guy or gal who has no apparent interest in getting anywhere soon! You know, the people who make you wonder why they’re not using the surface streets! When I drive, my objective is to get from point A to point B as rapidly as the law allows. If I wish to see the sights, I’ll take a tour bus. “Sunday-Drivers” are a pain!
In theory, that is perfectly correct. Unfortunately, zippers don't have independent unpredictable brains on each half of the device.
I often marvel at how too many drivers actually passed their driving test (in California, assuming they ever took one.)
Because of a problem with my right leg due to nerve damage from cancer and the surgery to fix it, I now usually step on the brake with my left foot. I even do it in my truck which is a 5-speed.
I also find myself inadvertently “riding” the brake, especially in traffic situations and that is not a good habit.
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