CA Drivers

[CamaroFred]

Originally Posted by IkoIko

California is my home. I lived in a few other states and driven through several. It wasn't until I was driving on the Dan Ryan in metropolitan Chicago last year that I saw a sea of cars that looked as though they'd been through a demolition derby. Cars were using the emergency lane as a regular driving lane and then dart into traffic. As for Nevada, I've dodged my fair share of drunk driver's there especially around the casinos in both Reno and Vegas. To sum it up, California is just the last place to motor west.

Yes, around here we have city cars and suburban cars.
You have to realize that to most drivers a car is a tool, not a treasured possession.

[sherob]

Bad drivers are everywhere. If you aren't doing at least 5 to 10 over the posted, you aren't keeping up with traffic.

The left lane hangers on the slab, against the law here in CO, are most noticeably out of state drivers w/ CA & TX tags (probably rentals), and those w/ NATIVE stickers.

[DvKillar]

mixed bag in OK. but I would say most drive under the speed limit everywhere. and we just adopted the left lane for passing rule. nobody cares. they just get in it and go 5 under.
Texan drivers, at least metro areas, are as bad as the ones I hear about in ca. I hate driving through Dallas\Ft. Worth area.
At least in my Silverado, I knew people saw me. not sure about this car!

Also, you think maybe people are getting more dangerous because of all the safety features in cars nowadays? practically have to flatten one to get an ambulance ride!
Friggin Soccer tanks are the worst!

[i2disturbedSS]

I disagree somewhat with it being everywhere. Never experienced this in WA, KS, or MT. Yeah that's only 3 states where I lived but driven through a few more then that. I could instantly tell the difference in driving behavior.

Yes bad drivers are everywhere but when it's this crazy everyday I'm looking at it as a whole state problem. In which someone said the whole state is like this.

Visit soon and you will be able to tell right away what I'm talking about.

[Swacer]

Originally Posted by Lndryguru

come to las vegas this place is an accident waiting to happen

I was just in Vegas, I didn't find it that bad at all.

[Spurshot]

California drivers are some of the best drivers in the country. Where else can you find drivers that can drive 80 mph 24" from each other? How about the double difficulty factor " thread-the-needle" swerving thru traffic, including crashing airplanes, without hitting any....most times? You just can't find this level of talent anywhere. The Blue Angels got nothin on the California driver.

I think with a little coaching, a California driver could keep up with a Beijing cab driver.

[Spurshot]

Originally Posted by sherob

...

The left lane hangers on the slab, against the law here in CO, ...
:

If the left lane wasn't used for anything but passing in socal, we'd be giving up 20% of the freeway capacity. Can you imagine the busiest freeways in the nation at rush hour with 20% less capacity? Besides, every dang driver in socal is trying to pass all the other drivers on the road, all the time.

Denver didn't look much different the dozen or so times I've been there. We've sent some of our most talented drivers there.

[CamaroFred]

What is really funny is some of slowest drivers enter the XPressway, fight to get into the left lane, then fight to get off at the next exit, 1/4 mile down the road.

[sherob]

Originally Posted by Spurshot

If the left lane wasn't used for anything but passing in socal, we'd be giving up 20% of the freeway capacity. Can you imagine the busiest freeways in the nation at rush hour with 20% less capacity? Besides, every dang driver in socal is trying to pass all the other drivers on the road, all the time.

Denver didn't look much different the dozen or so times I've been there. We've sent some of our most talented drivers there.

When you get out to the NE area where I live on I-76, and traffic opens up and speeds bump up to 75mph, it makes a difference.

I understand... I lived off of I-10 in Houston for years. It was pretty much a parking lot most the time, if not slow because of construction.

[Bansheemike]

toyota prius drivers (and toyota owners in general) think they are King of the Road.

[Royal Tiger]

Originally Posted by Bansheemike

toyota prius drivers (and toyota owners in general) think they are King of the Road.

Nothing wants me to mount a MG42 to the hood like a Prius doing maybe the speed limit in the left lane.

[crosbycool]

One would have to define what a Californian is first before one could comment on "their" driving.
good luck with that.

[Rusty35]

Originally Posted by Spurshot

California drivers are some of the best drivers in the country. Where else can you find drivers that can drive 80 mph 24" from each other? How about the double difficulty factor " thread-the-needle" swerving thru traffic, including crashing airplanes, without hitting any....most times? You just can't find this level of talent anywhere. The Blue Angels got nothin on the California driver.

I think with a little coaching, a California driver could keep up with a Beijing cab driver.

You forgot to mention their ability to fire a handgun out the window and hit a moving target while doing all the things you mentioned.

[Scalded Dog]

Originally Posted by 5thGenOwner

So true, some of the most beautiful and fun roads I've driven on.

Growing up in the mid-west, I learned to love driving. The open road and a car stereo was my sanctuary. I could do an 8 hour drive with no problem, and usually no a-hole drivers in my way.

Moving to Cali, I've grown to hate driving. There is no open road, and (almost) everyone is an a-hole driver who sees you as just an obstacle to pass.

It might be the technology, as well; this incessant need to be on your phone, whether it be talking or texting, has reinforced everyone's 'bubble'... "this is my world, you are just living in it!"

And don't even get me started on Motorcyclists... a group of people I highly respected, until I moved here.

Well said... reflects my own thoughts very well!

My wife and I enjoy road trips. On weekends, though, solely because of traffic, we won't even bother if we can't get out of the house before 3AM. We prefer earlier than that, but traffic is not AS bad at those early hours. If we want to hit Vegas, or San Diego, or Santa Barbara, our TOP priority is avoiding the ever- increasing traffic.

And, CA roads are filled with those who are verifiably incompetent. One- third carry no insurance; a large percentage have no driver's license, and we have police policies in some areas that "give special breaks" to illegals who are caught driving illegally... breaks that one will ONLY qualify for IF they are not legally here (the reason given is that life is already pretty tough for them, so cops will give them a break... so, misguided "compassion" for scofflaws then leads to disruption for EVERYBODY else...). It's a funny, backwards- thinking place. The greatest variety of physical terrain--- and roads--- anywhere on the planet, but mitigated by silly rules by made by silly politicians... and a welcome mat laid out, inviting and rewarding millions of illegals to clog our roads with untrained drivers and uninsured vehicles.

(I spent many years as a commercial driver... when I was in the biz, I don't believe that I knew of a single commercial driver--- including myself--- who had not had some sort of accident with an illegal at some point or another... and I never heard of one with a license or insurance).