Speed Limit

[warptman]

Ever notice after following someone for a long time you tend to drive where they drove? "Target fixation" is what I think its called. One time I was stuck behind a RV on my way back from Seward and he wouldn't pull out, I wound up driving where he drove on the road, he'd go over the white line and I'd do the same thing without noticing. If he drove off the the road, I'm sure I probably would've too.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by warptman

Ever notice after following someone for a long time you tend to drive where they drove? "Target fixation" is what I think its called. One time I was stuck behind a RV on my way back from Seward and he wouldn't pull out, I wound up driving where he drove on the road, he'd go over the white line and I'd do the same thing without noticing. If he drove off the the road, I'm sure I probably would've too.

I have heard of this phenomena, but have yet to experience it myself. Or if I did experience it, I was unaware it was happening at the time. I try to focus not just on the vehicle in front of me, but also the vehicle(s) in front of them. If I'm in a line of vehicles and someone in the front of the line brakes, then it is likely that everyone behind that braking vehicle will also have to brake. If I am paying attention to those other vehicles then I can increase the distance between me and the vehicle in front of me before they have to brake, and it won't come as a surprise when I have to brake. I hate surprises while I'm driving, so I try to anticipate the reactions of other drivers that may affect my driving.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by Rance

I for one tend to get drowsy at 55 mph or following someone for to long staring at their tailgate. I can't drive...55! Once I hit 65 I become more focused and attentive. The faster you go the faster things can go wrong, so I perk right up. At 45 to 55 I'm like yawning and bored and wanting to pass the %#$!@&*#~ sob right now!

Congratulations on your 4,000th post!

There have been more than a few times when I wish I had been driving James Bond's vehicle for a few minutes, with the headlights that fold down revealing two .30 cal machine guns.

These days, however, I'll settle for a vehicle with a LED message board on the roof that displays text in mirror-image so the driver of the vehicle in front of me can read it in their rear-view mirror.

[AlaskaApril]

Originally Posted by Rance

I for one tend to get drowsy at 55 mph or following someone for to long staring at their tailgate. I can't drive...55! Once I hit 65 I become more focused and attentive. The faster you go the faster things can go wrong, so I perk right up. At 45 to 55 I'm like yawning and bored and wanting to pass the %#$!@&*#~ sob right now!

LOL I am the same way. it is only on highways or faster roads, the smaller streets I can stay awake.. I guess it is the scenery.. houses and streetlights are a little more interesting i guess.

[ArkansasTraveler]

Originally Posted by Arcticthaw

The mud flap issues --- What really gripes me is when my tires pitch one forward and I hit it with my windshield! LOL.

put on the mud flaps.. front and back each tyre...

[rotorhead]

If driving a few MPH slower than the posted maximum speed limit is making you late, just leave a few minutes earlier. It's not worth giving yourself a coronary getting worked up because of something you can't control.

I'll admit that I'm one of those guys that doesn't always feel obligated to maintain the absolute maximum speed possible on every road, but then my perspective is somewhat different on that matter these days. My current job doesn't exactly require me to punch a timeclock (too bad, I'd be making a killing in overtime).

Of course, the other part of it is that my last two jobs consisted largely of scraping up the pitiful remains of an endless parade of speeding and reckless drivers off the blood-soaked roadways...literally.

Slow down and chill out, it's not gonna kill you. On the other hand, driving like a maniac just might.