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(71 posts)

Cavacade of stupidity - or, I see stupid people

Started 3 years ago by JenV
Latest reply from swimcat

JenV
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Just popped out onto the porch for a look see. I can't believe how many people are driving in these conditions with the cell phones glued to their ears. Then, there was the gold Nissan Altima that just flipped a U-turn in the middle of California Ave- no signal, sliding all over. Then the stupid guy I just saw walking his puppy- with no leash, no collar - every time a car went by the dog looked to the street. I wonder how long before he darts out into the street and a car can't stop.

I can't tell if these people were idiots already, or if its weather related.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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and, of course, I am stupid for forgetting the "L" in CAVALCADE.

Posted 3 years ago #
angelescrest
Member Profile

I can't believe how fast people are driving either. My one venture out in the car on...Saturday?, stupid fools following me so closely down Admiral.
Is there a machismo/a thing going on w/driving in the snow? "I'm so cool, dude...I can pull a U-y in my chain-less, AWD-less vehicle" (or even one w/chains and AWD...) I hate behavior that endangers others.

Posted 3 years ago #
CMP
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I agree about people driving too fast. I was out at 6:30 this morning and was the one slowing everyone down on the bridge and 1st Avenue but could care less. What's the rush? At least I drive fast under all other weather conditions but snow and ice deserve a little extra caution. Please stop tailgating and being overly-confident, you're pissing off the rest of us that seem to know what we're doing.

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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State law allows safe U-turns:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.295

Posted 3 years ago #
JanS
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I figured out over the weekend that the cold and snow freezes the good brain cells, and the only ones left that are active are the stoopid cells...just keep that in mind as you're out there on the streets, since G-d doesn't put a big red "S" on their foreheads....

Posted 3 years ago #
villagegreen
Member Profile

Don't condone tailgating down Admiral, but slow drivers are extremely annoying on slight inclines like California up to Admiral. People don't seem to understand you need some speed (not excessive speed, just some momentum) to keep from spinning out. Nothing is more annoying than getting up to a comfortable speed where you know you can maintain your traction and then you come up behind some idiot who's driving 5 mph.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
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Scott B - yes, SAFE U-turns are legal. Pulling an abrupt U-turn, across a snowy barrier with no signals and in front of oncoming traffic...not so safe. But thanks.

Posted 3 years ago #
ellenater
Member Profile

Jefferson Square was weird today. It was sort of the square of negativity. Everywhere else has been really friendly and fun. I have noticed a lot of machismo. But where I grew up...that was the norm. So I have to chuckle a little at that.

Posted 3 years ago #
beachdrivegirl
Member Profile

Villagegreen you have read my mind! it literally kills me when i have to slow to less than five b/c i am sooo afraid i wont be able to make it up the hill b/c i am going to slow.

Posted 3 years ago #
ellenater
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Not West Seattle but definitely extreme stupidity in the snow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-6hBe2gqnE

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
Member Profile

CMP - I'm probably one of the people that tailgate you and will continue to do so because your slow speed in this deep powder will strand all of us! These slow/scared drivers have no business on the road - leave it to the experienced drivers.

Posted 3 years ago #
wingme
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would love to know if the cops got him (ellenater's link)

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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mellaw6565,

How is that working out for you? Are you able to drive faster (than the person you think is driving too slowly for the conditions) by tailgating?

Posted 3 years ago #
GenHillOne
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oh, ellenator, please tell me they tracked this numbnuts down

Posted 3 years ago #
Keith
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I agree, I've seen a lot of numbnutedness out there since the snow started falling. Today I saw a big truck zipping down a residential street with three guys standing up in the open bed, hooting and hollering. Genius Awards to all! Since when does snow = all rules and common sense go out the window?

Posted 3 years ago #
BG39
Member Profile

mellaw, so if someone is going slower than what you think is the best speed limit you are going to ride their tail? Yeah, that makes a lot of sense, as an "experienced" driver shouldn't you maybe know that you should slow the hell down? I'm not saying 5 mph, but if the speed limit is 35 and the roads are bad, such as snow, ice or anything, then maybe you should stop tailgating and drive appropriately. If you get into an accident YOU will be the one that gets the ticket for driving too fast for conditions...which could be whatever the cop decides was too fast.

Posted 3 years ago #
celeste17
Member Profile

Mellaw is not a dumb driver. She is very safe and courteous. She doesn't drive recklessly but she needs to keep moving so if she is going a little fast for you then you need to move a little faster.

Posted 3 years ago #
BG39
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no, I'm sorry, I'm not going to go faster because mellaw is impatient and "needs to keep moving". Maybe she should remember that she isn't the only freaking driver on the road. Has she, or you, ever been in an accident that was caused by someone who thought that the roads were fine so they drove faster than they should have? Just because she is an "experience" driver doesn't make her a good driver. And celeste she doesn't sound "safe and courteous" if she is tailgating because she doesn't think the person in front of he is driving fast enough. Maybe you will think different if a loved one of yours is in an accident caused by someone like that.

Posted 3 years ago #
TammiWS
Member Profile

Go faster? What??? No....tailgating me will get you nowhere. If I cant see the lights of a car because they are up my A%% so far then I will simply slow down even more. Tailgaters need to back off and slow down.

And, what defines an 'experienced' driver - years driving, lack of accidents? I've been driving for almost 30 years and am not experienced AT ALL in this weather. Besides, your experience will get you nowhere when hit by one of the inexperienced ones on the road....

Posted 3 years ago #
ejones
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aww man! i got through a minute and a half of your video ellen, then ie crashed, i go back to youtube IMMEDIATLY, and it's no longer available...

Posted 3 years ago #
ejones
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huh, it's back now. maybe it was my computer...

i know, i wish i could afford a mac.

Posted 3 years ago #
wingme
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it's there...try again

Posted 3 years ago #
TammiWS
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re: Video - that guy is a moron! Poor girl, should run away very, very fast from this guy....

Posted 3 years ago #
datamuse
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Actually, looked like she wasn't any too sober either... :/

My favorite part is that the guy never seems to have noticed someone taking video of the whole thing, including his plate. Heh.

Posted 3 years ago #
HunterG
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I have to make a confession to clear my conscience and thank others - and I thought it would fit perfectly under JenV's post.

My husband's stubbornness, which to others may translate to stupidity. I didn't want to go out, but due to my husband's medical condition unfortunately we had to.

Trying to get up Morgan Street in a non 4WD vehicle. I told him not to, but he thought he could make it...(he's from the east coast and all - geesh!)

Thank you so much to the wonderful person, who was kind to me when I thanked her even though she was probably super ticked off, who gave me enough of a push with her vehicle to get off the street. AND!!! To all the others who ran to our aid to push - west seattle is full of wonderful people.

I paid it forward this evening and helped several others with my handy dandy snow shovel and strong legs get unstuck.

I apologize and thank everyone! And please don't yell at me, after what i went through and the ear-full my husband got, I don't think there will be ANY...ANY more driving until there are black roads again.

Posted 3 years ago #
MrJT
Member Profile

We just got back to Admiral from the Junction. The REAL numbnuts have hit their cabin fever limit and are now out on the roads. Must have seen 10 cars with either the back windows, taillights, or headlights completely covered in snow. Looks great with the Christmas lights on your bushes in your front yard, but not too hot with your turn signals. Idiots.

Posted 3 years ago #
GenHillOne
Member Profile

LOL, Hunter, I'm not sure that qualifies under this definition of stupidity. Truly, for every person that is nervous about driving in snow, I think there is another who is overconfident about it. A few tentative excursions to build experience for one, one well-timed ditch for another (though it will certainly be someone else's fault!) and things will even out. I'm glad all turned out well for you!

Posted 3 years ago #
HunterG
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Thanks GenHillOne - I got home with about an inch's worth of sanity!!

Posted 3 years ago #
ellenater
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Ya I noticed more craziness on the roads today, too.

That drunk guy video came from the Seattle Live Journal group. They have figured out his identity and are forwarding the video. Gloating sucks but that guy is the biggest jerk EVER. At least when drunk. There was some discussion of forwarding to the police but I guess video proof is not enough? I dunno.

Posted 3 years ago #
Jerald
Member Profile

I don't condone tailgating, but do agree that overcautious drivers are nearly as dangerous as the speeders. Maintaining momentum is essential going uphill, while steady speed on the flat or downhill is better than unnecessary braking and sliding.

Also, pedestrians need to pay attention to the vehicles! Cars just can't stop quickly. We drove around West Seattle and Burien yesterday with chains, and had the most difficulty with oblivious people walking in the road (some on cell phones). I could see the sidewalks were impassable, but if you're walking in the street you should at least be alert! Having the right-of-way doesn't help you if you're dead.

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
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That was my point as well Jerald. People assume that I was talking about speeding when in fact I was responding to the "scared" drivers who drive so slow they become a traffic hazard.

If you're in front of a line of cars and everyone behind you is tailgating or having to ride their brakes - then you are going too slow for conditions. I tailgated in the last couple of days not because I am angry or want to race around, but because I can't afford to get stuck in this powdery slush as a result of going too slow.

I have probably spent more time on the roads of W. Seattle and Burien than even cab drivers in the last few days. I've seen more people stuck because of driving too slow than I've seen wipe out because of driving too fast. I'm sure there are some high speed idiots out there, but as far as I can tell they are not the ones presenting the driving hazard on the main roads.

With that said, the changing conditions from snow to ice over the next few days will cause me to drive slower than I have been because that's what icy roads call for. But I'm still not going to hold up someone who wants to pass me - I'll move over or find a place to move over. My job would be a hell of a lot easier if others would extend the same courtesy.

Posted 3 years ago #
pigeonmom
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mellaw6565 I did not think you were talking about speeding. Lol! Have you seen the movie 'Idiocracy'? I fear we are half way there.

Posted 3 years ago #
pigeonmom
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*Cavalcade Of Stupidity* -- cue circus music -- :-D

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
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mellaw6565,

Are you able to drive faster than the car you are tailgating? If not, then why do you put yourself at risk of rear-ending the car you are tailgating?

Posted 3 years ago #
GenHillOne
Member Profile

I can't believe we're suggesting people drive faster than they are comfortable with. Gold star if you're better at it than others, but those people creeping are not out for a joy ride, they must need to get somewhere. I'm sure they'd rather not be in front of you either.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
Member Profile

anyone tailgates me - even in fine weather - gets my bumper when I slam on my brakes. I have great insurance. It's called following too closely in any situation and it's not safe. ESPECIALLY in this weather. There is nowhere for people to pull over right now to get out from in front of you. Everyone just needs to get along and realize we are all out here on the streets right now- not for sh*ts and giggles, but because we need to get somewhere.

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
Member Profile

Scott B - yes, I am able to drive faster than someone going too slow, and obviously so were the other people who were stuck behind CMP and were frustrated. The only reason we are tailgating is to maintain speed so we don't get stuck behind someone who doesn't know how to drive in this.

Nice JenV - there is also comp. negligence if you slam on the brakes in the middle of the street for no reason. And yes, there are places to move over, especially if you are holding up a line of traffic.

That's what we're talking about here - one person holding up many others and driving too slow for road conditions.

Posted 3 years ago #
JenV
Member Profile

sorry mellaw- I worked as an adjuster for years, it's pretty hard to prove comparable negligence in a rear end accident unless there is an independent witness. If someone is tailgating me, I will slam on my brakes- what if I had to stop for a dog/squirrel/whatever- all drivers have the duty to maintain a safe following distance. The insurance company would be hard pressed to find more than 5-10% negligence on the front vehicle, because the greater duty is on the vehicle behind.

No one should tailgate anyone anytime, especially in this weather. Right now, there is one lane each way on most roads with a huge snow drift on each side. You're saying it would be better for someone to pull over into that snow drift, possibly getting stuck- just so YOU don't get stuck? Sorry. Not gonna happen.

I definitely don't want to get into another pissing contest with you, so that will be the last I say on it. Drive safe, and keep doing the excellent work you're doing for people's pets- because that really is awesome. Just drive safe doin' it. Cheers! It's almost over.

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
Member Profile

You may have worked as an adjuster, but I worked as an attorney and handled many cases. BTW, the WSP names slamming on brakes with tailgaters as an act of road rage and is also against the law.

Maybe if we get in a pissing contest it will melt the ice! LOL - I'm done with this topic. If anyone else wants to drive around town with me and see what I'm talking about, I'd be happy for the company:)

OK, I'm heading back out to the pets and the houses now. I shoveled out 4 houses yesterday and I'm still exhausted today. 16 pet visits today - from Des Moines, Beacon Hill, Downtown, Ballard and W. Seattle. It will be a long day:)

Posted 3 years ago #
TammiWS
Member Profile

How does tailgating help you maintain speed if the person in front of you is going slow anyway? The only purpose of tailgating is to bully the person in front of you to get out of your way.

As far as pulling over, again, yesterday on Calif. a person was trying to get out FROM the curb and there was so much snow they were stuck between the snow and curb. Another person tried to make a uturn - left - OVER the huge mound of snow in the middle of the road and got stuck. There isnt anywhere safe to pull aside until some of this melts.

Of all the people out on the roads in this weather my guess is there are more slow drivers than fast ones. Everyone should simply slow down and understand this will be over soon and then everyone can get back to their speeding ways!

Posted 3 years ago #
mellaw6565
Member Profile

I don't know why everyone assumes I'm "speeding". That's not what we're talking about - it's about the people going so slow they risk getting themselves and others stuck because they are too scared or inexperienced to know how to drive appropriately in these conditions.

I have not been speeding - I just don't want to get stuck in the slush because of someone going 5 mph instead of a more appropriate 20 mph. Geez...

Posted 3 years ago #
CMP
Member Profile

For the record, I'm not driving SLOW...I just keep my car in second or third gear when there's compact snow and ice on the road. I don't ride my brakes down a hill and I try to avoid going up them if it doesn't look well-traveled. I'm not one of those a$$holes driving 40 mph down 35th though. I at least have enough sense to pull over and let people pass me if I think they're in too much of a hurry. Once you've been in a few accidents as a passenger in icy conditions, you remember the feeling all too well of sliding around and hitting other vehicles or obstacles and try to avoid that fate by driving more sensibly.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

yesterday i drove to portland and back in less than nine hours with a total stop of about an hour and a half.... so in about 7 1/2 hours.

The pavement was mostly bare.. barring some real ice chunks in the road that had likely fallen from one of those cars that didn't bother to clear it's roof or wheel wells.

but...There were cars all over the side of the road... most of them facing the wrong direction. I saw a particularly spectacular jacknife with a pickup and a trailer twice it's size.. both on their roofs...

i did get the satisfaction of seeing one of those idiots who ran up against my taillights and nearly blinded me with the slush he threw as he passed me... in the ditch not 10 miles further on.

The portland metro area is so bad that they are requiring chains even on the freeway and the freeway from Vancouver in to city center looked worse than out secondary arterials (thistle). i would have chained up if i had been going further south as even the freeway was treacherous.

i was on the road because my daughter had an appointment with the guy who knows her knees in portland today and it was important that she at least had the opportunity to keep the appointment because she is having trouble with them again and the knee doc in Virginia is an idiot...

she won't get another opportunity to see him for at least a year.. with a stretch in norway in the middle. of course, her getting there depends upon her dad at least allowing her to use their car to get there.. but that is another story. i divorced him for a reason:)

i guarantee that some of those i saw whooping it up and partying by the side of the road while they waited for tow trucks had no business on the roads. they had no business on the side of the road... i just hope they were lucky an no one spun out watching them.

if you don't have to go out, you shouldn't. driving slowly isn't the answer if you don't know how to drive in this stuff...

nor is tailgating which is likely to completely unnerve the person in front of you. it's won't do you much good if you have to stop to dig them out of your way... and that's just what you will be doing if you unnerve them too much in the wrong place.

i nearly didn't leave West Seattle yesterday because of someone who pulled politely over to let vehicles pass because someone was tailgating but didn't leave enough room for more than traction on one side.. the guy in front of me almost didn't make it around him. that would have been one heck of a traffic snarl.. cars stuck two or three deep across 35th. i don't know how the guy who pulled over got out of the plowdrift he put himself in...

btw...i got stuck twice.. going out of my alley and trying to park in my alley when i got back...

and i don't think i will be getting out again till all this thaws since i don't think i can move enough now to put on chains:(

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
Member Profile

mellaw6565,

Either you did not understand my question, or you chose to pretend you did not understand my question. Either way, I am not surprised.

Let me try to pin you down again by explaining in more detail:
You see car X up ahead. Car X is driving more slowly than you think is warranted for the conditions. You are driving faster than car X is driving. You then zoom up behind car X, then tailgate car X while car X maintains the same speed it was travelling before you started tailgating car X.
Are you driving faster than car X is driving just because you are tailgating car X? Of course not. You are driving at the speed car X is driving. So why are you tailgating car X?

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

Scott B..

people tailgate in the hope that it will speed the person in front of them.

sometimes it does...

the rush from controlling your destiny is addictive...

just like winning at gambling...

you remember the success

and not how many more times tailgating actually slowed them... and you... down...

it's a gamble.. one you lose more than you win..

but sometimes you do win.

and this might be the time.

something about it works for you or you wouldn't do it...

When we hear the word tailgating, it immediately summons up images of the idiot who screams up behind us on the freeway flashing bright lights and blaring horns...

that guy.. or gal... is worthy of your ire...

i suspect Mellaw6565's brand is lot more mellow...

and i also suspect that she would be the first to push the idiot who got stuck in spite of crawling along at 5 mph out of the mess they got themselves into... while others would just look for a way to get around them.

we all have something that irritates us...

i tend to keep so much distance between me and the car in front of me in this kind of weather that it really annoys some people following me.. in fact, sometimes it annoys my passengers...

but that's another rant...

i am alive today because of my caution. they can get as pissed as they want :)))))

so Scott B, do you gamble somewhere in your life?

I risk all for love... it's turned out well for me so i don't gamble anywhere else in my life if i can avoid it... i believe i only have a limited amount of luck and i really want it to pay off where it counts:)

Posted 3 years ago #
Jerald
Member Profile

I'm picturing the non-aggressive "tailgating" we were forced into lately: trying to stay safely behind someone while still not getting stuck partway up a hill or skidding out into an intersection. It's tricky. Drivers need to be aware of the folks behind them.

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
Member Profile

Jerald,

Nonsense. Drivers need to be aware of the folks in front of them and leave enough space so they are able to stop in time. Drivers who rear-end others are liable.

Posted 3 years ago #
JoB
Member Profile

Scott B..

and what about the person behind you who has decided to follow you too closely? Wouldn't it be a good thing to be aware of them in case you end up sliding back into them?

some idiot kept pulling closer to me the other night as i struggled to continue up the hill on 35th just south of alaska.. because the idiot in front of me stopped... and i lost the necessary momentum to continue up the hill.

did the guy behind me think i would be able to stop from sliding into him? and who would have been at fault if i had slid into him?

he was lucky... i cautiously found purchase and continued up the hill.

i'm with jerald on this one... there is a fine line when you are trying to go up a hill behind someone who is clearly crawling. if you go too slowly, you are the one who ends up sliding backwards into the person behind you.

i think the real frustration here is with people who shouldn't be out on the road at all and are clearly apprehensive and are crawling along thinking that a lack of speed will save them from the kinds of sliding they see others doing.

They quickly find themselves stuck with the rest of us trying to maneuver around them...

i choose to maintain a huge distance between myself and the car in front of me but i never lose sight of those in my rear view mirror who decide that i am moving too slowly and that there is a car space in front of me that they could fill if they could just get around me...

Posted 3 years ago #
Anonymous
Member Profile

JoB,

Some people slow down in order to make up for the tailgating driver's lack of reaction time. Personally, I wouldn't care a whit if some tailgater got stuck on a hill.

Posted 3 years ago #

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