Is it just me, or? OC drivers are jerks. (Irvine: luxury, prices)

[LaborLawCompliance]

I go to work in Ontario arriving at 6 a.m. and going the opposite way of LA-bound traffic, and yes, it's much less nerve-wracking. However, you still get idiots who prefer to push you off the side of the road (in their trucks and SUVs) rather than let you enter their lane from an on-ramp. You also get the tailgaters who want to run you over and get rid of you, but they're easier to escape with less traffic.

The best solution is to move to NYC (where you can get mugged nightly) or retire to Costa Rica and take taxis. Living and working in downtown San Diego is also a nice option. You can take the trolley.

[cabolissa]

I don't know why everyone's in such a hurry! I've noticed horrible driving around town, but I don't think it's limited to OC.
Two examples:
1- Just this morning while driving to work and was on the 133 west before heading North on the 405 - Travelling at 70 which is 15 mph OVER the speed limit, mind you - and the fastest I'll drive, I was going with the flow of traffic. Along comes a woman in her combat SUV behind me at a clip of 80-90 mph, flashing her lights, sipping her Starbucks, and motioning for me to get over to the right lane. I refused, since those who were in the right lane were preparing to exit to the 5 fwy, and frankly, I wasn't going to be bullied! I remained with the speed of about 70 and she was LIVID! Flashing, honking, flipping me the bird, what have you! I just ignored it and went on my way. When a spot opened up on my right, she flew past me with the dirtiest look ever. What a loon!

2- About a year ago, in RSM I was at a red left-hand turn lane while on my way with my family to eat at TGI Friday's. The cross traffic had a green light. A 11-13 year old boy entered into the crosswalk on his skateboard attempting to cross the street. A COP CAR who was coming from the same direction as the kid began to turn right on his same green light - he obviously did not see the pedestrian who was in the crosswalk! He actually HIT THE KID and knocked him off his skateboard, and proceeded to pull over. It was a sole cop in the patrol car, and he began YELLING at the boy, blaming him for the accident! I couldn't believe it! The boy was so scared that he just stood there. I immediately called the police and reported what I'd seen, afraid to approach the scene myself. I gave my name and phone number in case they needed it, but never heard from them. Surprise. These RSM cops are nothing more than harrassment for all skateboarding teens and minorities. Ridiculous!

[JustJulia]

Originally Posted by cabolissa

I don't know why everyone's in such a hurry! Just this morning while driving to work and was on the 133 west before heading North on the 405 - Travelling at 70 which is 15 mph OVER the speed limit, mind you - and the fastest I'll drive, I was going with the flow of traffic. Along comes a woman in her combat SUV behind me at a clip of 80-90 mph, flashing her lights, sipping her Starbucks, and motioning for me to get over to the right lane. I refused, since those who were in the right lane were preparing to exit to the 5 fwy, and frankly, I wasn't going to be bullied! I remained with the speed of about 70 and she was LIVID! Flashing, honking, flipping me the bird, what have you! I just ignored it and went on my way. When a spot opened up on my right, she flew past me with the dirtiest look ever. What a loon!

I forget--how many lanes is the 133? It's been a while since I've been on that stretch of the toll road. Isn't it three lanes? You weren't in the fast lane, were you? I totally agree that it's wrong to drive 90 miles an hour and generally be a psycho behind the wheel, but I also know better than to drive in the fast lane going anything less than 80. I really don't like driving that fast, so I stay out of the fast lane.

And is the speed limit there still 55? I didn't realize ... that's kind of odd. Some of the wider surface streets in South County have 50 mph speed limits.

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by JustJulia

I forget--how many lanes is the 133? It's been a while since I've been on that stretch of the toll road. Isn't it three lanes? You weren't in the fast lane, were you? I totally agree that it's wrong to drive 90 miles an hour and generally be a psycho behind the wheel, but I also know better than to drive in the fast lane going anything less than 80. I really don't like driving that fast, so I stay out of the fast lane.

And is the speed limit there still 55? I didn't realize ... that's kind of odd. Some of the wider surface streets in South County have 50 mph speed limits.

No, the stretch I was on was 2 lanes. It was closer to the Barranca exit, now that I think of it.

Whether the speed limit is 55 or 65, as I said before, I was moving faster than the speed limit, and with the flow of traffic at 70. The crazed driver was wrong, traffic was moderatly heavy, so much so that I would have had to speed up or slow down to get over to the slower lane. I was NOT one of those drivers who was driving too slow. We do have a minimum speed law too.

V.C. Section 22400 - Minimum Speed Law

"22400. (a) No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic, unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law."
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc2...

[tew]

cabolissa

Irvine cops are the same type of a$$hole as RSM cops.

[twnxn]

This is only my own observation and generalization: In Irvine or Newport Beach, I've encountered arrogant jerks thinking they are "all that" driving their brand new Lexus, Mercedes, BMW, Landrover (I don't know why, but many times I see a blonde "Real Housewives of OC" type driving this or a C Class Mercedes) or exotic cars. They drive fast, cut lanes, etc.

In the Inland Empire, I've encountered jerks driving these huge 4x4 pick up trucks who tailgate you thinking they are tough and own the road.

Then in LA. it is a mix of both the Inland Empire and rich OC type, but on top of that you have those speed racer types who drive these lower modified cars.

The point is: there are jerk drivers all over Southern California.

[Reivax]

when someone rides up on your backside like that, just take your foot off the gas. Eventually you'll slow down enough that they'll give up and go around you. Or they'll pull up along side and shoot you, one of the two.
Either way, problem is resolved!

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by Reivax

when someone rides up on your backside like that, just take your foot off the gas. Eventually you'll slow down enough that they'll give up and go around you. Or they'll pull up along side and shoot you, one of the two.
Either way, problem is resolved!

Sad, but true!

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by finzup2

We just got back from visiting and looking at towns and neighborhoods, and I have to say, I found driving in the OC pleasant. Sure there is traffic, but drivers do know how to stay with the flow of traffic, merge, and exit. Bad driving is everywhere, but the OC drivers have practice...and I was much happier driving there than in Birmingham, Al where drivers are clueless about merging, making right hand turns without coming to a complete stop, and the worst**** yielding to Ambulance drivers and Police cars.

Same here, I have been living in Phoenix the last 18 months and I gotta tell you all, unless you are a slow-poke who hogs the left lane or lack the necessary skills and guts to drive, driving in OC is heaven comparing to driving in Phoenix. Driving in Phoenix is like playing the computer game Froggie at most difficult level with only one life left. I used to think commuting 30 miles (roundtrip) from Laguna Niguel to Irvine was dangerous...haha, I had no idea what dangerous really was till I moved to Phoenix. Riding 2 years in OC and nothing, 6 weeks after bringing the bike to Phoenix and I almost got T-boned by a speeding van that ran the red light., I am sure you got my point.
Once in a while, I drive to OC and back, I have to tell you, it is like driving on auto-pilot when I am in OC, there actually is a 'flow of the traffic', granted it is a faster moving traffic which I also enjoy.
There are so many left lane hogging Mrs. Daisys out here that it becomes beyond irritating.
I don't miss the ocean or the climate, I miss driving on city streets. Despite all the cars, traffic actually moves. I miss having no photo-radar all over which makes the already roller-coaster-like traffic even worse.

If you think I am full of it, come down to Phoenix and drive around for a day or two and see for yourself. If you do not get into a collision, that would be pretty amazing enough!

[cabolissa]

Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Man pleads not guilty in machete, road-rage incident

Phong Van Truong, 48, is set for trial next week after police said he hit cab driver with machete.

By CINDY CARCAMO
The Orange County Register
Comments 4| Recommend 1

HUNTINGTON BEACH – A man who police said attacked a cab driver with a machete during a road rage incident is scheduled for trial next week after pleading not guilty to charges of assault with a deadly weapon and robbery, according to court records.
Costa Mesa police arrested Phong Van Truong, 48, of West Covina on Nov. 23 after officials said he was involved in a road rage incident that started in Fountain Valley and ended in Huntington Beach.

Truong pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and robbery. He faces a pretrial hearing Dec. 8.
Police said Truong and a taxi driver began cutting each other off near Euclid Street and the I-405 in Fountain Valley.
The motorists continued their vehicle-to-vehicle conflict through Costa Mesa and onto the freeway, officials said. After the taxi driver exited at Bristol Street in Costa Mesa, police say, Truong blocked the taxi with his car and the two men began having a fistfight.
At some point, Truong got a machete out of his car and began whacking the cab driver on the leg with the flat side of the weapon, authorities said. The cab driver tried calling 911, but Truong grabbed his cell phone, ran to his vehicle and drove away; the cabbie chased in the taxi, police said.
A passerby saw what happened, called police and followed Truong into Huntington Beach where he was stopped and arrested. At some point police believe Truong threw the cab driver's cellular phone out of his car window. The taxi driver suffered minor injuries.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/truong-police-driver-2245057-cab-taxi