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I think its regional. I grew up and learnt to drive in South Florida. People there are total jerks behind the wheels. Now I live in Texas, they're a lot nicer, more courteous. So in my case, "nowadays" means better drivers. But your town may be experiencing a change in driving habits. From what I heard, Californians are polite drivers, especially when comparing to the east coast.
I have more to say about the topic, but a car parked in my driveway will result in a very quick call to a tow company. And that makes me a good guy for having them professionally towed to prevent harm to their drivetrain.
Frankly if they were in my driveway I would not care about their drivetrain.
Anyone notice drivers are super rude and self-centered these days?
There has always been a certain percentage of slob drivers.
Nowadays, roads are more crowded because as population has increased, highway construction hasn't kept pace. So, we're all more likely to encounter these fools more frequently.
Eastern PA, NY and NJ and MA, in my experience, harbor the most aggressive drivers I have come across. I'm an adaptable driver and have not had an issue driving through these areas but notice that so long as you are driving like THEM, i.e. moving quickly and decisively, they have no problem letting you merge, wont honk, wont cut you off, etc. The attitude is almost like "If you're out here in traffic, that's not a problem but you better know what you're doing!" While this is arguably not a step in the direction of better 'Human Connection', the aggressive rejection of the doddling, indecisive driver does provide a relatively higher level of traffic efficiency.
That being said, I have zero tolerance for dangerous driving in parking lots, around people walking around (residential areas, small towns, etc.). I find it unacceptable to steal parking spots people are waiting for or to block people or driveways because of blatantly rude parking. The list goes on.
I have more to say about the topic, but a car parked in my driveway will result in a very quick call to a tow company. And that makes me a good guy for having them professionally towed to prevent harm to their drivetrain.
If the tow company takes too long, just bring out the baseball bat.
Pet peeves of mine that I don't recall seeing in my early days of driving:
1. Drivers starting to turn left at you instead of waiting until you've cleared the way. e.g. I'm northbound and there's a southbound driver wanting to turn left - already moving to make the turn even though I've not cleared their path yet. I often turn my head and make eye contact with these drivers - I shouldn't be able to do that. If I suddenly had to stop or slow down unexpectedly they would t-bone me. Seriously, you can't wait an extra half-second?
2. Drivers who don't fully get into their turn lane - still partially over the line as they are slowing down even well after the full width of the turn lane is available. I shouldn't have to swerve or go 10 mph as you slow down waiting for you to get into your own lane.
3. Pedestrians who don't even bother to look before stepping out in front of me, where there is not a crosswalk (generally in parking lots/shopping areas).
That happened to my buddy. He hooked up his Chevy truck to the guys car and dragged it enough to get access to his driveway
I have a rental where people just park blocking the garage. I placed a tow away sign and I contracted a tow service that will tow any vehicle not on the safe list. The only cars on the safe list are mine my wife's and the tenants. So far we towed a H1 H2 Ferrari and recently a Maserati and a Prius.
One of our other rentals (HOA) if there is no parking sticker you get towed anywhere after 10pm and before 5 am. And automatic tow of parked ilegally weather it's a resident sticker or not.
I had a neighbor in an apartment that did the same. It was one particular Camaro that liked to park in other people's spots, sometimes for days at a time. One time I guess all the spots were taken so he parked in front of the the neighbor's garage which doubled as parking spots obviously for the people who had the garage so he dragged him over to the fire lane. Not having a truck to do it with, I let the air out of his tires once after he'd been parked in our spot for two days. The apartment was useless. Even with it blocking the fire lane it sat there for the better part of a day until I assume he came back and saw his car and moved it, probably into someone else's parking spot.
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Anyone notice drivers are super rude and self-centered these days?
