Why are so many people such terrible drivers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're all on their phones. All. the. time. Literally ppl are texting and driving constantly. I've seen ppl facetiming and driving (not looking @ the actual road of course).

And then there are just really bad drivers who lack any idea.

I was almost run into a few weeks ago by someone literally merging into traffic on Viers Mill Rd from the R without even looking!!! Then she did it again onto 355. I considered reporting her to the police but ppl are so crazy didn't want anyone to potentially target me.

Cellphones are a massive part of it, but a lot of people are just clueless. They leave absurd amounts of spaces between their cars, they park terribly, they make turns like a truck, they don't know how to stop for school buses (either don't stop, or stop when it's on the other side of the median), clog the left lane, take forever to switch lanes or get in the turn lane, and are utterly mindless about simple driving tasks.

I grew up learning to drive in this area, in the 90s. It's not hard. It just takes paying attention and watching your surroundings. Some are on their phones. A lot of people are just spaced out and stupid.

Space between cars (following distance) is extremely important and following too closely a major cause of collisions, especially when distracted.

Distractions are a huge problem. So is the “me first, everybody else is just a hologram” mindset that seems to have become the norm. But too many cars and not enough road is also a root cause.

PP here - I'm not necessarily talking about while driving, but stopped at a light. You do not (and should not) leave an entire car's length between the vehicle in front of you. You are wasting road space and creating needless traffic. It doesn't mean 6" from their bumper, but a couple of feet is plenty. Not 15 feet.

I was not taught this in driver’s ed 35 years ago, but now driving instructors teach drivers to come to a stop behind the car in front of them far enough back that they can see where that car’s tires meet the road. That’s somewhere between a couple feet and a car length.

I despise people who leave a HUGE gap in between their car and the one in front of them, blocking the beginning of a designated turn lane so no one behind them can get in the turn lane.

I was taught to see the tired of the car in front of you - but that was when I was 16. I've been driving for almost 30 years, and am able to figure things out for myself now, with decades of driving under my belt. If you still feel the need to abide by overly cautious rules that you were taught decades ago, then... I don't know what to say. Any competent driver should understand there is much more nuance in daily life and driving after many years.

[Anonymous]

People are just stupid and self absorbed IMO.

[Anonymous]

There is no punishment. Watch an episode of cops and watch how often someone gets pulled over with a license that has been suspended for five years and they get a little ticket.