Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

[ShaneCarroll]

I have found myself asking this question for years, but lately much more than ever. I drive a company truck, with one of those "How's My Driving" stickers on the back, which means I have to be courteous to all of the idiots on the road. I have been here for two years, and thank the Lord I have never had anyone call in, which I find as a huge success, having driven close to 75,000 miles in that time. Anyways, back to my gripe:

On the interstate, here in America, isn't the left lane supposed to be for the faster cars? Case in point, this morning I was driving on the interstate, all 3 lanes blocked, right two lanes by semis going 55 in a 70. Now this happens a lot, and I usually don't care, but then some idiot is staying in the left lane, doing 55 also. After about 10 minutes of being stuck behind this, when I finally pass, guess what's in this moron's ear?! A CELL PHONE!! I cannot honk or anything, but I didn't have to, as the other 50 cars stuck with me took care of it.

Also, why do people think you have to come to a complete stop on a 65mph road when turning into, say, a business with no red light or stop sign!! It is just inconsiderate, and I was almost sideswiped due to someone doing this and a line of cars that had no time to brake flying over in my lane.

I can't say I never talk on the phone when I drive, having my personal cell and the company cell (with the boss and dispatch riding my @$$), but I stay in the right lane, at the speed of traffic, and cut every conversation short. It seems to me most people just have to call everyone stored in their cell phones, and NOT pay attention to the road!!

Sorry, just venting a little. This stuff is going to cause me to be arrested soon, for having a case of road rage on some idiot. I just wish the government would make all applicants pass a strenuous, all-day driving test in all traffic conditions before issuing a driver's license. It would not bother me to know that I would have all the roads in Florida to myself, with only about 25 other cars in the entire state.

 

[JB]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Feel better now?

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

A little, it always helps to get stuff off your chest. But I would feel much better if I was in charge of issuing driver's licenses. I would even go so far as to say many, and I mean MANY of my best friends and family members would be catching the bus. I do not discriminate. If you can't drive, you can't drive. .

 

[Don S]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Anybody that drives slower than me has no clue and shouldn't be allowed on the highway, anyone that drives faster than me is an idiot and should get a ticket.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

It sure can be frustrating. Don't get the road rage thing though, you will only regret it.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Alot of times I am on the interstate, just to go to the Dr's office, and it sure seems to me that some people "Don't have the brains they were born with!" On the average, I'm a left lane driver, and run into a lot of good Semi-truck drivers, and I give them a wide berth (they can really hurt me ) or flash them to pass if need be, or if it looks like they may get jammed up shortly, but every so often as I am in passing gear, (because of a hill, or a long straight run trying to gain momentum to get up to speed), in my small SUV, and I've had a Semi pull right out in front of me! When he knows darn well I'm right there, & accelerating!

Or, as you say, a car in the left lane gets alongside of a Semi, and just hangs there as I'm behind them Worse yet, a line of Semi's, and a car hanging between them, leaving me trapped with no place to go Or, the other day, I had a women next to me, I was cruising in the right lane, and her in the left passing lane, and she got in my blind spot, and stayed there pacing me for a couple miles!? I was coming up to a Semi that was moving a bit slower, and had to hit passing gear at 65, just to get over into the left lane! WHY!?

Anyway, on another day I stopped short for an ambulance coming at me, as did the car in front, when it passed I began to slowly follow him, when out of nowhere comes this lady, who was in my blind spot when we all stopped, zooming up to pass me on the right, as her lane was ending at a light, she wasn't gonna back off with her fairly new car, and neither was I with my old truck, well lucky for me she had to give it up to slow down because a car from the other side had to slow down as it was crossing traffic making a left turn right into her path! But come on, what was she thinking, after stopping for an ambulance? She figured it was a good excuse to zoom by everybody on the soft shoulder right afterward

 

[i386]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Yay, driving rant thread...

Near where I work there's a 4 lane that becomes a 2 lane. About 1/2 mile before the convergence, the sign says to merge right.

This is the only merge right convergence in the county that I know of. The rest are merge left.

There are a large percentage of drivers that think if you're in the "outside lane" you're burdened with getting over before the lanes converge. When it's merge left they are absolutely correct, but on this road they are not.

I have been ran off the road and flipped off more times than I can count, even on my motorcycle.

 

[jpmurphy]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Yay, driving rant thread...

Near where I work there's a 4 lane that becomes a 2 lane. About 1/2 mile before the convergence, the sign says to merge right.

This is the only merge right convergence in the county that I know of. The rest are merge left.

There are a large percentage of drivers that think if you're in the "outside lane" you're burdened with getting over before the lanes converge. When it's merge left they are absolutely correct, but on this road they are not.

I have been ran off the road and flipped off more times than I can count, even on my motorcycle.

Oh,,,,that was you on the bike..............................

 

[i386]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Oh,,,,that was you on the bike..............................

Yup, and I don't know anything about what happened to your truck while you were in Home Depot.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

To vent is healing,,, besides my wife don't wanna hear it!

Also, I'm lucky, she's a better (safer) driver then I am, so I let her do most of it
But, don't ever think you're gonna cut her off, you'll be in a ditch!
Funny thing is, she has a control issue, whenever it's raining, snowy, or icey, she says, "I'll Drive!" I say, "Okay dear" (if she wants the stress, so be it )
If only I could get her to drive the boat

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Shane you live in an area where a good portion of the population does not read or speak english, or are walking dead. i understand your plite.

when i was a kid, i was riding my cousins motorcycle, a St.Pete very senior woman hit me, really just bumped me, got out of the car, " what are you doing there, you don't belong there." i was in the left turn lane, she was in the go straight lane, and just turn into me.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Well, we have plenty of different ethnicities here, but lots of people that don't speak English as well. Lately I have been driving to and fro Orlando every day, about 65 interstate miles and 40 "rural" miles one way, and out here, people in stores and restaurants look at me funny for speaking English!! It's almost like we are the minorities in this country, but that is a whole different thread.

Anyways, lately every night (by the time I leave) it is storming on the way home. Now, I FULLY understand being more cautious in the rain. I do not knock anyone for it, actually, I condone it. If you want to go 10mph on the interstate with your flashers on in a storm, fine, BUT DO IT IN THE RIGHT LANE!!! I adjust my driving in proportion to visibility, but I do not go 10mph, maybe more like 45, and when visibility is bad and there is someone going 10 in the left lane, WTF?!

Oh, and MikDee, you are a brave soul. I would rather walk than let anyone else drive. I'm glad your wife is a good driver, that is a seldom seen, but excellent trait. When I am riding in a car, I get very nervous, and tend to scold whoever might be driving. This includes my parents (for going too slow, except in the Corvette), my friends (for weaving in and out of traffic and not using turn signals, my fiancee (playing "bumper cars" and not paying attention), like I said, ANYONE.

By no means am I a perfect driver, however, I can say I am courteous, allow people to merge in front of me, whenever there is a motorcycle and I have to merge in front of them, I use the blinker and hand signals and wait for a nod, and the most important one (at least to me): If someone is flying up behind me and I am blocking them in the fast lane, I get out of the way!!

Genie, I wish to revoke the driving privileges of anyone I deem necessary with the point of a finger, instantly removing them from the road. . Oh, the fun I would have. .

 

[MikDee]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Yeah, The Bride is a good driver, and courteous as well, but no slouch behind the wheel, just don't **** her off, she knows her space, and guards it well I've never known another woman that good at it. I'm not a bad driver either, but, of course, being a guy, I'm a more aggressive driver, if we're in a hurry, she lets me drive, but I'm getting mellow in my old age, I usually give way to the nut's, & speed demon's, figuring it's just not worth it, especially on the interstate, we both figure let them be the cop bait! It's a tough job driving a big rig for a living, we understand, and try to be extra courteous, & cautious, because of the sheer size of the trucks you drive, and the hours you have to put in, but occasionally I see a few that drive too fast for the conditions, or weave in & out of lanes, but they're usually the minority
I am amazed, & ticked off, when cruising along on the highway in the left lane doing maybe 65-75, and some cowboy comes up to my back bumper I usually get over as soon as I can, or just keep my pace till it's clear to get over. What ticks me off the most, are people making turns on these country roads using no turn signals, or putting them on too late! We're all traveling along on a one lane road at 35-45mph, and some Jerk, just comes to a complete stop, or almost, then s-l-o-w-l-y makes his turn! Why! I was taught to promptly get your azz off the road at all times, so you're not a hazard! My wifes favorite line when this happens, she says jokingly: "Oh, I guess that car was made without directionals!" and we both laugh, Even though it's not a laughing matter! We wonder how stupid must a person be, not to use directionals, or put them on in time! Sorry about the rant, but it makes me feel better,,, and you all are a captive audience :redface:

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Oh I don't drive a big rig, though at times I wish I did. They have my 6'3'' frame crammed in a tiny 08 Tacoma. It's kinda like Harry and the Hendersons, that's how I feel driving this thing. At the end of the day, my neck's stiff, my back's stiff, and it takes a half hour to straighten my legs out.

People, please, PLEASE, do not come to a complete stop turning into a store. Otherwise, I will have no choice but to get a huge chrome bumper, and lovingly nudge your non-driving rear ends outta the way!! Sorry, but I don't know how many close calls I've had with idiots doing that. I could rant about this all day, every day, and still not get over it. You're right about the turn signals, it's funny I have never seen a car that did not come with them straight from the factory. People need to get into the habit of using them more, or just begin using them.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

What really annoyed me is that a whole lotta peoples seem to not realize that there is a thing that called A FRIGGING CRUISE CONTROL in their vehicle.
If everyone uses it then all this speed up and slow down stuff on the highway won't be happening. Also, rubbernecking ought to be against the law. Everytime there's something going on in the break down lane, there's a traffic jam. Come on y'all, you all have seen wrecks or cops with their light flashing, or someone changing their flat tire hundred of times or more. It all the same craps, stop f..ing looking and concentrating on driving. It would make more sense to require total hand free use of cell phone in a vehicle then that retarded seatbelt law.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

And why is it that all BMW drivers are A-holes? My friend's wife just got a BMW..she is now an instant A-Hole driver too. What is it?

 

[MikDee]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Cruise control, I use it all the time! I wish I could set it going thru Milford town, where it is 25mph! or else! but it don't work at that speed.
My wife has no use for it, go figure? I said: "It keeps me under control, aren't you afraid of getting a ticket on the interstate?" from her, silence? She really wants to always be in control,,,lol

True, people in Beamers are infallible, don't you know that? It comes with the ownership.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Why Is It So Easy For Morons To Get A Driver's License?

Also, rubbernecking ought to be against the law. It would make more sense to require total hand free use of cell phone in a vehicle then that retarded seatbelt law.

I could not agree with you more. You make two very valid points. I've seen I don't know how many rear end collisions (not accidents) due to someone looking at an accident, or snickering about someone getting a speeding ticket.

And why is it that all BMW drivers are A-holes? My friend's wife just got a BMW..she is now an instant A-Hole driver too. What is it?

That is just downright hilarious! One of my best friends has a Camry, and the "weekend car" new BMW 5 series. He was alright to ride with before he got the beamer, now, his motto is "if you hit me in the rear, you pay for it." We argue about this all the time, my point being, I don't even want to get involved in the hassle of being rear-ended. He just thinks, no big deal, your insurance will pay for it. Now, if I get tired of having a car, I may test its durability against a tree and collect a payout. Not really, but I have done that before, only after pulling an all nighter (at work, splicing a phone cable) and hitting a tree. Nobody was injured, except for the knot on my forehead from the woodgrain steering wheel, and the car was totalled.