i swear some folks are just flatout lazy (renting, school)

[Tallysmom]

Back when I lived in Pittsburgh, I'd start my car and let it warm up with the defrosters on both ends going full blast. I'd get my little brush/ice scraper and brush the roof off and made snowballs to wipe the headlights/rear lights clean, and do a little brushing where needed.

By the time I got back into my car the ice on the windows would be melted, and the windshield wipers would do the hard work. Didn't even take 5 minutes.

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by greg42

This part is true for me though. Every time I think "WTF, if they don't think they need to SEE to drive now, what does that say for their driving all the time?"

I say the same thing when I see.......

People not using turning signals. This should be THE ONE most automatic, natural part of driving. And should be one of the most automatic things we do in life.

How about those who don't turn their lights on when it's long past dark?

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Back when I lived in Pittsburgh, I'd start my car and let it warm up with the defrosters on both ends going full blast. I'd get my little brush/ice scraper and brush the roof off and made snowballs to wipe the headlights/rear lights clean, and do a little brushing where needed.

By the time I got back into my car the ice on the windows would be melted, and the windshield wipers would do the hard work. Didn't even take 5 minutes.

I do the same thing, in most cases, that does the trick. The only exception is the drastic cold we have had as of late. The defrosters, however, don't clear the snow off of your roof or hood.

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Back when I lived in Pittsburgh, I'd start my car and let it warm up with the defrosters on both ends going full blast. I'd get my little brush/ice scraper and brush the roof off and made snowballs to wipe the headlights/rear lights clean, and do a little brushing where needed.

By the time I got back into my car the ice on the windows would be melted, and the windshield wipers would do the hard work. Didn't even take 5 minutes.

That's basically how I do it. Making sure windows and lights were clear was one of my Dad's Rules of Winter Driving (along with "Don't push a cold engine" and "On an snowy street, safe and steady wins the race.")

[eschaton]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Back when I lived in Pittsburgh, I'd start my car and let it warm up with the defrosters on both ends going full blast. I'd get my little brush/ice scraper and brush the roof off and made snowballs to wipe the headlights/rear lights clean, and do a little brushing where needed.

My wife won't let me brush the snow off the roof of our new car. She's worried I'm going to scratch it.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by WPANative

I say the same thing when I see.......

People not using turning signals. This should be THE ONE most automatic, natural part of driving. And should be one of the most automatic things we do in life.

Very true. But are you sure you do it every single time you should, even when nobody else is around?

Originally Posted by WPANative

How about those who don't turn their lights on when it's long past dark?

I blame this on the spread of automatic headlight systems. Many people are now conditioned that they need do nothing in terms of working the headlights. Thus when they find themselves in situations where the car doesn't have the automatic system or the conditions (weather, etc.) are odd and do not trigger the lights to come on, these people have no instinct left that gives them the ability to turn them on manually.

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by greg42

Very true. But are you sure you do it every single time you should, even when nobody else is around?

I have no problem admitting I often drive over the speed limit, I often turn left on red, even if the signs say not to, I'll go around people when they are turning left, etc etc, but I guarantee you, GUARANTEE YOU, AND BET YOU...........AN ENOURMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY.............if you put one of those things on my vehicle like Progressive uses (I believe they call it the "Eye") or some kind of camera on me, I dont miss a beat when it comes to using turning signals. And please don't say it's people just forgetting to use them. Drivers not using signals is an epidemic.

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by greg42

I blame this on the spread of automatic headlight systems. Many people are now conditioned that they need do nothing in terms of working the headlights. Thus when they find themselves in situations where the car doesn't have the automatic system or the conditions (weather, etc.) are odd and do not trigger the lights to come on, these people have no instinct left that gives them the ability to turn them on manually.

I have a GTI whose Xenon driving lights come on the minute I start it up, but my dash won't illuminate unless I have the actual headlights on. That's hard to miss.

[Hopes]

Originally Posted by WPANative

Then I guess those people (maybe you are one of them) are just as the original poster said, flat out lazy.

I'm never late to work, never have to stress about people letting me in to traffic, don't have to rush when the roads are bad like they were this morning or on Tuesday, etc.

Common sense, practicallity, and self defense. They're radical things, but work well when you incorporate them in to daily life.

I can accomplish all of those things without waking up 4 hours before I have to be at work. I can be out the door in 30 minutes flat. When I had children to get out the door, I could be out the door in less than 60 minutes. If I started at 8am, I'd wake up at 6:30.

Originally Posted by sparrowmint

You say it's lacking self-discipline. I see it as leading a miserable life if at least 20 hours a week has to be dedicated just to preparing to go to work. That makes me shudder. Whatever works for you.

I totally agree!

Originally Posted by eschaton

My wife won't let me brush the snow off the roof of our new car. She's worried I'm going to scratch it.

It's the law to clear ALL snow from vehicles.

As for your daughter making you late, she'll just grow up with the same bad habits if you let that continue. My children only refused to get dressed once. I scooped them up and dropped them off at the sitters with their clothes in a bag. One ride in the car not dressed is all it took. Children can't run the show when you have adult responsibilities. Her little tantrum about clothing is not worth losing your job.

Your wife not waking up on time isn't your problem. Wake her up and leave. Making it your problem means you both risk losing your jobs. If you are carpooling together, it's time to admit that isn't working. You live on a bus line. Use it. It doesn't take two parents to get a child ready and delivered to daycare. Both of you being late isn't a smart financial decision. One of you needs to be designated as the stable breadwinning provider for the household. The other one handles the kid stuff in the AM.

[WPANative]

Originally Posted by Hopes

I can accomplish all of those things without waking up 4 hours before I have to be at work. I can be out the door in 30 minutes flat. When I had children to get out the door, I could be out the door in less than 60 minutes. If I started at 8am, I'd wake up at 6:30.

Either you're telling one of your TALL, overexaggerated tales, or you leave without eating, putting on make up, using the bathroom, getting dressed, or all of the above.