36 replies to this topic

[Rudy]

Kelxin, on 04 May 2012 - 15:10, said:

Perfect example of what I just said. You're not weaving in and out of traffic at "crazy speeds" if everyone was obeying the law and staying to the right except to pass, and they are only "crazy speeds" because you feel they are. In the 1920's 60 mph was considered "crazy speeds" also.

To further explain also, since people are assuming I'm saying, "Hey lets do 200 mph on a 2 lane back country road", no, I'm talking about the 4 - 5 lane each direction interstate highways that are completely wide open but in the US you have old, slow people doing 45 in the far left lane saying everyone is doing "crazy speeds" while they're the ones causing accidents.

Read my post again, I was agreeing with you that highways in NA are too slow. I was just saying that the guy is an idiot for weaving in and out of traffic.

[Hum]

I think drivers tend to forget that kids on bikes, dogs, deer, etc. can suddenly run out in front of you, making for an unhappy ending.

[threetonesun]

Hopefully kids and dogs don't run out in front of you on the highway.

The biggest issue with going fast on highways around here is that no one gets out of the left lane after they pass, so then people start passing on the right, and then the whole system turns into a cluster-F.

[+Xenosion]

The typical stereotyping of drivers in the US doesn't nearly conclude the problem. The whole mentality behind our interstates is different than that of the autobahn. Interstates here are thought of simply as faster roads. Because of this, there isn't the respect that it deserves thus drivers don't stay in the right unless passing and they go too damn slow.

[Kelxin]

Rudy, on 04 May 2012 - 15:12, said:

Read my post again, I was agreeing with you that highways in NA are too slow. I was just saying that the guy is an idiot for weaving in and out of traffic.

Ah yes, if he was weaving, he's a moron. I get up to those speeds, but stick in the left lane. If someone is going 40 mph, I get on their ass and turn on both sets of my HID's and get up on their asses. I've had a couple think they could slam on the breaks and cause an accident, but with my duel caliper breaks I can slow down faster, and accelerate faster than 90% of the cars in my state (there's a Bugatti and a labmo that kick my ass every time I see them though...)

threetonesun, on 04 May 2012 - 15:18, said:

The biggest issue with going fast on highways around here is that no one gets out of the left lane after they pass, so then people start passing on the right, and then the whole system turns into a cluster-F.

Exactly.... There was a 10+ car accident in Denver last year that I narrowly avoided when I was just getting onto the highway. Almost turned out ugly though because I was in my wife's grocery getter which has absolutely zero handling or breaking compared to my car.

[threetonesun]

Braking. Also, brakes have very little to do with how well a car stops for a single stop, FYI. Also, driving on someone's ass really doesn't help the situation any.

[SirEvan]

Even though I'm an American, I agree with the comments about Europe, Germany specifically. I was stationed there for 3 years, and in the time I was out driving, I almost NEVER saw an accident. Take note govt. There is only a recommended speed on the Autobahn, although some turns or what not have speed limits, it's almost all limitless. In addition, it costs a lot more and is harder to get a license in Germany which I think adds to the increased awareness of drivers overall. Here in the US (at least California) it seems any retard can walk in the DMV and pass a drivers test. Every day I hear of "accidents", and I see people running red lights, doing dumb stuff.

Our driving system sucks and we could learn a thing or two from Germany, but we're not because we're too arrogant. The only accidents I ever saw in Germany were from Americans.

[Flae_qui]

170? that's really not that fast...

[andrewbares]

I've done 165 mph on my superspot on I-10 during the daytime with normal traffic. It was only for 30 seconds though, and no cops were around And 135 mph in my Mazda RX8.

Maintaining those speeds for a consistant time is even more stupid though!

Anyways, for all the people saying that other countries have better drivers than America, that's simply not true. People in Germany run red lights too I'm sure, etc. Unless you look at true statistics on the matter, saying "I've never seen an accident in Germany" doesn't mean anything.

I personally have never been cut off by a car while riding my motorcycle. That means cars never cut off motorcycles right? Wrong. Same principle.

[ChrisJ1968]

Xenosion, on 03 May 2012 - 13:28, said:

I came here because I thought it was a bicyclist.

a bicyclist? really?

[Davo]

Cheap thrills shouldn't put others in danger. Doing something like this in traffic is dangerous and then if this guy gets killed, you have people who parrot slogans like "Watch Out. Motorcycles are Everywhere!"

I agree on people driving poorly in America, mostly out of hubris, but tailgating someone at even 60mph is reckless. Just pass them, give them the finger or a dirty stare, and keep it moving.

[DocM]

I completely agree as regards the roads and vehicles needing to be of the correct quality and drivers having the correct skill sets. Sadly, most US drivers ed is more collision avoidance training vs. a true performance driving education like I received**, and after the completion of the Interstate Highway System most roads have been allowed to deteriorate badly.

** drivers ed teacher was a SCCA racer + racing school + competing in regional events

[Hum]

^ Roads have deteriorated, due to our leaders wasting so much money on wars, and Welfare for our overcrowded USA.

[Astra.Xtreme]

Hum, on 04 May 2012 - 20:20, said:

^ Roads have deteriorated, due to our leaders wasting so much money on wars, and Welfare for our overcrowded USA.

Overcrowded? We are probably one of the least crowded countries on the planet. Hell, you can even fit every single person on Earth in the state of Texas and each person would have a few thousand square feet of space between them and the next person.
The excuse of overcrowding is weak, especially in the US.

Back to the point, people in the US are generally crappy drivers. It's too easy to get a license, and they let people drive junk cars. At the very least, people should be required to retake a driving test if they are at fault for an accident or get caught speeding too many times. But no, people are too busy texting or yaking on the phone, all while speeding and weaving through traffic. Not much that can be done to fix stupidity.

[abecedarian paradoxious]

My 1982 Honda 500 is not too quick, but it's not slow either, and is stock... and has out run every stock Harley I've come across.
... I digress....

Anyhow, at that speed, on the ground, you had better know where your next exit is.
... and don't even try to compensate for those slick spots on the road- go a few more miles and double back.