Community Forums

krivanj · 03-17-2023, 09:51 AM

I had to laugh one day as I got behind a slower moving fifth wheel and thought at first he had left his precariously balanced on his rear bumper. I slowed right down and got out from behind him. As I passed him, my wife saw that it was welded to the bumper.

George Schweikle · 03-17-2023, 10:51 AM

Exactly. Several decades ago we slowly approached the area of a wreck at the end of an uphill passing lane as an ambulance slowly drove away - indicating a fatality. As we got to the top of the hill there was the burned wreckage of a car and 18 wheeler. Something or somebody went wrong to cause this, and ever since I concentrate on correctly merging before the end of a passing lane.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRM901

I try to react early to lane reductions, etc. If you see a sign stating that lane ends in 2 miles, I start planning now....

Bigceasar · 03-17-2023, 11:32 AM

In congested areas traveling at a speed less than the flow of that traffic is going to cause all that traffic to treat you like the road obstruction you are. Drivers are going to swerve out to pass you and cut back in . That’s the price you pay for marching to the beat of your own drum.

SteveJ. · 03-17-2023, 11:47 AM

I've noticed that the farther south you go in FLA the less people use turn signals.

In SoFlo it's a whole other world for driving. It would seem that most people do not use turn signals on lane changes as that simply lets the other drivers know what you intend to do and they will step on it to close the gap. It is not the place to be timid when changing lanes.

Our daughter usta live in Miami Springs. I would go visit on my motorcycle. Miami traffic was "fun". Cruise along at about 90(thinking northwestern fringe on I-75) and watch other folks driving over 100blowing by. Good fun, for a while. When arriving at her house I would have to come down from the adrenaline rush.

cyqk · 03-17-2023, 02:08 PM

One happened after exiting I75 near Fort Meyers
Turned left under the overpass Loves truck stop on the left

Lot of space and the moron kept speeding up as i was in the process of completing the lane change made it almost even with the tag axle before the moron ended up on the curb. Then the moron wizzed around on the right did a brake check just like you see on Youtube American Truckers and came to a stop wanting to fight

Was hoping some had thought of a technique to stop this

Perhaps when space is available to do a lane change i should yank on the wheel to get over quicker so no one could even try to get between?

Dennis C. · 03-17-2023, 02:32 PM

It’s not just Florida drivers who fail to signal. The Denver metro area is horrible. Traffic has become very congested with the influx of Californians. People are frustrated and road rage incidents are rising.

The average driver in Denver has very poor situational awareness, very poor driving skills, and very bad road manners. As mentioned above, drivers around here will aggressively accelerate to prevent another driver from changing lanes, backing out of a parking space, etc. Colorado is building more and more roundabouts in congested areas to help with traffic flow. The signs as you enter the roundabout may as well be written in Chinese because the average driver has no idea how to approach a roundabout and they don’t read the signs. It’s comical.

BillJinOR · 03-17-2023, 02:53 PM

I think it’s getting worse everywhere. However , Florida has the worst east coast driving I’ve seen. If I signal to move over and start to do so with plenty of room over 50% of the time the car in the lane I’m moving to will speed up to try to block me. Guaranteed ! You can watch them do it plainly Car or motorhome no difference There’s no blending in Florida you have to “take” the lane. Crazy! This is why people don’t signal I’m sure. Signal and your asking to be blocked ! I don’t know about “aggressive”driving being the answer but “decisive” driving is required. Be aware of your surroundings and when the space is open move ! don’t be dawdling.
Lack of proper driver training or a society that is just angry take your pick. I blame the internet .. you don’t have to be civil it seems on the anonymous internet so that spills over to reality. Be careful out there!

Dennis C. · 03-17-2023, 05:42 PM

I’ve done a performance car driving experience in Germany a couple of times with some nice Autobahn time. The first time, a German policeman addressed our group to explain some important differences between driving in the US and driving in Germany. One that I’ll never forget is the difference in the meaning of turn signals.

In Germany, turn signals are used much more consistently than in the US. However, the turn signal has a slightly different meaning between the two countries. In the US, a turn signal on the highway is almost perceived as asking permission to enter a lane. Drivers signal and then the check to ensure that they are being allowed to enter the lane. In Germany, a turn signal is a warning, not a request. When the signal comes on, that means the driver is coming into the lane, and not waiting for permission.

This becomes very important on the unlimited speed sections of the Autobahn. If you’re driving fast in the left lane and a car ahead in the middle lane signals to enter the left lane ahead of you, then be prepared to brake rather than hit the accelerator and try to pass before they enter the lane.

Maybe the German style of driving would work better in Florida.

chuckftboy · 03-17-2023, 07:47 PM

"Maybe the German style of driving would work better in Florida."

Sometimes this is exactly the best way to drive. Turn signal on and start lane changing, they'll let you in. Their 4,000 lb car is no match for your 40,000 lb RV.

Ray,IN · 03-17-2023, 08:02 PM

Drive defensively! I can only control my vehicle, so I do my best at that thinking. I too will get in the lane from which I must turn or continue on to follow an interstate number. If traffic is slower in the lane it's because people are also planning ahead, or so I like to think.

tuffr2 · 03-17-2023, 08:17 PM

There are areas of the county where people drive like jerks. Just be aware of that. Pittsburgh and Cleveland they will let you in to merge lanes if you use your blinker. Columbus Ohio - they will block you from merging.

Just different driving habits. Florida is a race track on I75 and I95.

DRM901 · 03-17-2023, 08:26 PM

Dallas drivers consider a turn signal a challenge to their masculinity. Turn on the turn signal and it is game on. Or maybe it is a red cape? (Let's be honest here, it is normally men. )

I never used the turn signal until we got the MH. I still don't always use it in the car, but I'm a good 80-90% in the MH.

dons2346 · 03-17-2023, 08:47 PM

Decades ago I had an uncle that hauled cars for GM. His method was to turn on the blinker, let it blink 3 times and then start to pull over.

I have to agree, drivers in Florida, Colorado and maybe Texas are the worst

osuallen · 03-17-2023, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dons2346

Decades ago I had an uncle that hauled cars for GM. His method was to turn on the blinker, let it blink 3 times and then start to pull over.

When i got my first coach I was talking to a truck driver about people cutting you off when you tried to give them ample notice with the blinker, He told me the same thing - 3 blinks then move.

Also, get a dash cam for when the other driver does something stupid and tries to blame you. ie aggressively pass to beat you to the exit, cut in front with inches to spare, and then they brake hard to not miss the exit.