What is it with all the distracted driver lately.

[BleedingOrange]

Isn,t the registered owner of the vehicle responsible for whatever happens with that vehicle ? I am pretty sure it is that way up here in Ontario, Canada. I could be wrong. What would you recommend for helping to get these dangerous drivers off the road ?

 

[JeepHead]

cell phones have made driving an extremely dangerous thing to do. I gave up riding motorcycles due to cell phones. Way too dangerous anymore....

 

[kmesr9]

This just happened in my area on Wednesday and left the interstate closed in one direction for over 24 hours

MSN

And that same day I had to dodge 3 drivers that about hit me head on because they were on the wrong side of the road. And I wan't even 10 miles from home at that point. And another 10 miles down the road had a car pass me and 2 other vehicles in a no passing zone.

In my opinion from observing drivers here in Washington state a few things have happened. Cell phones and gps were the start of it then COVID hit and then, almost no one was on the road. Once the restrictions lifted and more and more cars started back to the roads I noticed people were in a BIG hurry. Not just in cars too, in the parking lots, at the grocery stores, in fact all stores, gas stations etc. People driving 30mph in a parking lot! I had a guy pass me in a Costco drive lane I. The parking lot and flipped me off. When he stopped I opened my window and yelled he should slow down, he got out and said “you cut me off b_%ch”!! I said if you were observing parking lot speed and etiquette you would still be behind me. He just yelled b_%ch again, got in his car and sped off. Seems everyone is in a big hurry now and their business is WAY more important than yours or anyone else’s. Hwy dept around here has added a bunch of roundabouts and it seems drivers ed never trained most of the drivers around here how to navigate one. Lots of accidents all the time now. People are either too cautious or not cautious enough. Incredible selfishness and no respect for anyone these days…

 

[Eagle1]

Isn,t the registered owner of the vehicle responsible for whatever happens with that vehicle ? What would you recommend for helping to get these dangerous drivers off the road ?

If some steals your vehicle are you responsible for actions not resulting in damages? If they cause damage you are responsible, so you get carjacked and the thief plows into people and property you and your insurance are liable, you would like to be responsible for all criminal and/or traffic charges as well?

Should you be ticketed for your teenagers/family/friends actions if you allow them to use a vehicle registered to you?

 

[Rustyiron]

My talented son can drive a stick and text while driving.

Sheaat, try driving a 10 speed manual while eating a sub and talking on the 2 way radio.
It used to be pretty common.

 

[JeepHead]

I'll leave this here. Who is at fault if this goes to the authorities as an uploaded incident and who was driving?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1949506767748026583

I have noticed in my area that many drivers entering via on-ramps, or even merging down to one lane, act as if they don't have to yield to the drivers in the lain they're entering. They expect the people in those lanes to yield to them (just like in your video). That's not how it works! You are required to yield to all drivers in the lane you're entering.

 

[rontaki]

Sheaat, try driving a 10 speed manual while eating a sub and talking on the 2 way radio.
It used to be pretty common.

"MMph gzn scnnhh grrrr - vvrr"
"Please repeat that"
" Sorry, my mouth was full, I said 'Where is second gear?' Over"

 

[RandyT]

I have noticed in my area that many drivers entering via on-ramps, or even merging down to one lane, act as if they don't have to yield to the drivers in the lain they're entering. They expect the people in those lanes to yield to them (just like in your video). That's not how it works! You are required to yield to all drivers in the lane you're entering.

Not totally true in IL. IL law requires vehicles on the interstate to move over in the other lane if possible for vehicles merging onto the interstate from an on ramp. Also the zipper method is codified into law for merging laws in construction zones.

 

[LHF2019]

Not totally true in IL. IL law requires vehicles on the interstate to move over in the other lane if possible for vehicles merging onto the interstate from an on ramp. Also the zipper method is codified into law for merging laws in construction zones.

What if not possible. Of course you move over if possible.

 

[JeepHead]

Not totally true in IL. IL law requires vehicles on the interstate to move over in the other lane if possible for vehicles merging onto the interstate from an on ramp. Also the zipper method is codified into law for merging laws in construction zones.

I always try and be a sensible driver and allow people over. Driving is a dangerous thing and people should all work together to make it as safe as possible.

 

[RandyT]

What if not possible. Of course you move over if possible.

If the lane next to you is clear then you need to move over for vehicles entering the interstate. We like to joke about vehicles entering the interstate has the right of way, which in the quirky way the law is written basically gives them right of way.

The driver in the video above in IL could be found at fault for the accident for failing to yield to vehicles entering the interstate, and following too closing to avoid the accident.

 

[RayIN]

You can get up to speed as fast as you want. It's going over that speed that will get you a ticket.

Not in Indiana. "we" have a state law requiring a driver not to impede the flow of traffic, even if it means exceeding the posted limit.
Kinda leaves those of who recognize our driving limitations in limbo.

 

[Dftodd]

Not in Indiana. "we" have a state law requiring a driver not to impede the flow of traffic, even if it means exceeding the posted limit.
Kinda leaves those of who recognize our driving limitations in limbo.

In my case I was referring to an idiot that decided to show off horsepower in view of a cop.

Many states have laws for people impeding the flow of traffic.

It's usually targeting the left lane campers and idiots matching the speed of the vehicle next to them.

How can a cop prove your impeding the flow of traffic if the light turns green and you get up to speed within a reasonable time frame for the vehicle your driving???

 

[Eagle1]

If the lane next to you is clear then you need to move over for vehicles entering the interstate. We like to joke about vehicles entering the interstate has the right of way, which in the quirky way the law is written basically gives them right of way.

The driver in the video above in IL could be found at fault for the accident for failing to yield to vehicles entering the interstate, and following too closing to avoid the accident.

Question is how fast could the Big Rig driver slow down without causing other issues. Assume he was pulling a fully loaded double or maybe even a wind turbine blade.

 

[Merck]

Some people should not be given a drivers license or a cell phone.

 

[kenmbz]

Some of the things I used to see while commuting on 295 south through NJ from Princeton area down a little past Cherry hill, against traffic, so usually 60-80 mph to keep up.

One of the local food stops starting doing breakfast bowls, we would see lots of people with bowl of hot food on lap held by one hand while using a spoon or fork. That place stopped selling bowls of food a short time later, Many, many accidents later.

Reading books, many, many times.
Even a few writing on a notepad, diligently.
Watching videos or doing video calls with the phone held on top of steering wheel.
So many people shaving and/or applying makeup, many times with the sun shade mirror (sun shade down).

What I call swingers, they enter the highway and immediately get into the left hand lane (3 lane highway), while still coming up to speed, causing many brake tests.

but my 2 constant favorites.
1) people zoning out and almost missing their exit. Almost every day there was a car or truck on it's side on the exit ramp.

2) bumper following at 80mph.
Best one was someone following so close that when the person in front had to slow, the follower went into the grass median, spun 360 and ended up facing back into the direction of traffic.
At which point he got back on the road and started tailgating again!
And of course the next time he hit the brakes hard enough to smoke the tires, even with ABS (newer car).
At that point when traffic was fully up to speed, he started tailgating another car, at which point I lost site of him.

 

[RandyT]

Question is how fast could the Big Rig driver slow down without causing other issues. Assume he was pulling a fully loaded double or maybe even a wind turbine blade.

I understand your point but by IL law the car entering the interstate would have the right of way, and the truck would need to back off to allow the car to enter. Basically the zipper method. And a double in IL would be two 26' trailers that couldn't exceed a total truck length of 80'. and the wind turbine blade would require oversize escort.

 

[Eagle1]

I understand your point but by IL law the car entering the interstate would have the right of way, and the truck would need to back off to allow the car to enter. Basically the zipper method. And a double in IL would be two 26' trailers that couldn't exceed a total truck length of 80'. and the wind turbine blade would require oversize escort.

May all true in IL but not every state. many states require the merging driver to yield.
Now how would a front facing camera report this? Who do the cops go to ticket since it was definitely dangerous driving by one or more drivers.
Personally both wrong here morally despite legally.

 

[RandyT]

May all true in IL but not every state. many states require the merging driver to yield.
Now how would a front facing camera report this? Who do the cops go to ticket since it was definitely dangerous driving by one or more drivers.
Personally both wrong here morally despite legally.

It is my understanding that IL is the only state with this quirky law about merging onto the interstate. And I suspect the cops in the case of the video would just let the insurance companies sort it out. Could be a case were the insurance for the car and the insurance for the big truck have to share responsibility.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

They need to lockout the screen when the vehicle is moving. Funny thing is we didn't have as many accidents back when we had knobs on the dash to control everything from the radio to the heater.

I find voice commands trumps touch screens and knobs.