Declining driving etiquette (Pittsburgh, Penn: insurance, buy, price)

[Heit]

Originally Posted by nuwaver88

When someone gets on my tail I hit the brakes several times indicating to that person to back off. It usually works. They had better back off if they do not want to hit me from behind, or it will be THEIR fault, not mine. Like you, I am not a slow driver either. I usually drive 5-10 miles over the speed limit and you want me to go faster? I don't think so.

Here's an idea............IGNORE the person. Why?...... They are BEHIND you and have nothing to do with what's in FRONT of you. It's what is in front of you that is important when driving. Hitting your brakes is dangerous to you and the vehicle behind you. Have you ever thought that this could be just the kind of thing to REALLY push the person over the edge and SNAP??? Don't add fuel to the fire. You could find yourself getting hurt or killed by some whacko. It happens all over the country and nothing good comes of it. Look forward, not backward when driving.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by WILWRadio

Probably new people that have moved in from other areas of the country. Kansas City is really bad in that regard. I see more bad driving habits such as those you've described plus several others in the KC area than in any others that I've driven. I've driven in nearly 40 states and every Province in Canada except New Foundland! Your area still has a ways to go before it gets as bad as KC.

I generally agree with you, WILW, but I disagree on the above. It's common to blame bad driving on outsiders, but it's not usually true. That's especially the case in Pgh, which gets fewer than average newcomers moving there. If they have PA plates, PA college or sports decals on the back window, a license plate frame from a local dealer, they're local. BTW, my dad was a native western Pennsylvanian and a terrible driver. He was always following too closely, got some tickets for it.

************************************************** *******

I also agree with Heit about the tailgaters. My ex used to play games with them, putting on his brakes, supposedly "just until the brake lights come on", etc. His argument was always that if you're hit from behind it's always the other guy's fault. I finally figured out (before our divorce) what was wrong with that reasoning. I said one day, "Did you ever think that someone could get hurt?" It had never crossed his mind.

[ditchdigger]

Actually, I was doing some reading yesterday about aggressive driving and road rage, and sudden braking in front of somebody else is considered an act of aggressive driving.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by Katiana

I also agree with Heit about the tailgaters. My ex used to play games with them, putting on his brakes, supposedly "just until the brake lights come on", etc. His argument was always that if you're hit from behind it's always the other guy's fault. I finally figured out (before our divorce) what was wrong with that reasoning. I said one day, "Did you ever think that someone could get hurt?" It had never crossed his mind.

Another thing people often forget is that their break lights might not be working properly without their knoweldge. Furthermore, it's actually against the law in some states to decelerate or stop suddenly without warning. Pennsylvania's motor vehicle code 3702 pertains to improper breaking. People are misguided when they think the accident will be considered the other guys fault. If a police officer gives the driver who slowed or stopped a ticket for 'improper breaking,' the accident will be the fault of the driver to slowed down or stopped, not the person who hit the driver.

[Copanut]

Originally Posted by Heit

Here's an idea............IGNORE the person. Why?...... They are BEHIND you and have nothing to do with what's in FRONT of you. It's what is in front of you that is important when driving. .

Get real. When driving you should always be checking in front of you, behind you, and to the right or left of you. CHECK YOUR MIRRORS!

You remind me of my old uncle that was a railroad engineer. When he drove he only looked straight ahead, thought he was on the tracks.

[rugerjitsu]

lol @ this thread...i feel so educated after reading the entire thing, yet somewhat bitter that i spent the time to actually read it.

[Copanut]

I think things changed when they eliminated Driver's Ed in high school. It may have been taught by the dumb as rocks assistant football coach, but at least we got practical experience and the old Signal 30 death films.

[Heit]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Get real. When driving you should always be checking in front of you, behind you, and to the right or left of you. CHECK YOUR MIRRORS!

You remind me of my old uncle that was a railroad engineer. When he drove he only looked straight ahead, thought he was on the tracks.

Look nephew I'm not saying do not be aware of what is going on around you. I'm saying don't FOCUS on the vehicle behind you. Get it??? I drove a truck for 10 yrs and am always aware of my surrounding's when driving. The best thing drivers can do is look as FAR ahead as possible to see what is coming their way in order to react if in plenty of time if needed.

There are too many drivers that are SO worried about the person behind them that they lose focus on what's going on in front of them and that is how many accidents happen.

[Copanut]

Ah, the heck with this thread, if the tree huggers have their way we'll be taking public transportation.

[Urban_HillBilly]

am I the only person who gets ticked when they allow a person into a lane, slow down and allow somebody enter the road, or do some other nice gesture and not recieve a thank you wave for it. The arrogance.......If somebody does something nice to you, give them a thank you wave. It's simple Common Courtesy, and if somebody was raised right, or not on their cell phone while driving, then they would know to simply give somebody a simple thank you wave.

Ok, thats my rant. Carry on.