Old and still stupid

[Whaler27]

I always feel for folks with such fear in their daily lives.

I absolutely love traveling the highways of this great nation……sorry they worry you so much.
Good luck my friend.

Ignorance is bliss. Sometimes I wish I could recover that.

I enjoy traveling too. I’m looking forward to retirement and more recreational travel.

Unfortunately, after 40+ years of dealing with highway salad, the reality is part of me. It’s impossible to erase the highlight reel. I can’t speak for others, but these experiences don’t create fear. They do cause sadness, frustration, and a desire to see fewer innocent people maimed and killed.

 

[Winterized]

This thread makes a good case for large, burly vehicles despite some folks' ignorant and careless behavior when nearby. Interior room and comfort too along with the safety benefits.

 

[Whaler27]

This thread makes a good case for large, burly vehicles despite some folks' ignorant and careless behavior when nearby. Interior room and comfort too along with the safety benefits.

Absolutely. We say, “The one with the most lug nuts almost always wins.”

 

[texrun50]

My next door neighbor is a vehicle safety researcher. He testifies in a lot of court cases, etc. Once while we were both up after midnight on the porch smoking two briskets, I asked about the “safest” cars. Although I’m from an ag community and family, my dads always drove the ugly boxy Volvo DL on road trips when the truck wasn’t needed. He said even today Volvos are “the safest” as they start by building a safe car then try to style around it where others style a car then try to make it safe. Again, generally speaking. He did say that most major manufacturers have improved safety a great deal. Then he paused and said “but listen, at the end of day, it’s really just simple physics. The bigger, heavier one typically wins.”

I’m with most of you. I love, love, love traveling and love driving to see more small towns, eat at little restaurants/diners, meet more people, see more country, etc. (I’m a former navy pilot, but don’t like what airline travel has become so I drive when I can.). I do get…I guess somewhere between sad and frustrated…when I see SO MANY people on their phones looking down at highway speeds. With CarPlay/Android Auto etc now, yes, still distractions, but definitely ways to keep the eyes on the road and still enjoy the music/podcast/voice reply to a text and keep eyes up, drive defensively and still be able to relax.

 

[JTredway]

biggest problem is the infrastructure is so far behind traffic growth!!!!!

another is enforcement of "keep right except to pass" & left lane is for passing only" there are signs but i venture to say, bet there has never been a ticket written for failure to get out of the left lane.

next there's merging
some reason folks can't figure this out either???? i have a buddy, whines about how people never let him in & always cut him off. i give him hell
whether getting on a freeway or just changing lanes. always speed up to merge or change lanes. this puts you in control. you don't have to rely on someone letting you in. also, someone slowing down to let you in, slows down 2 lanes of traffic. a lot of the time 2 lanes of highway is all there is.

then, there’s the folks that are just plain lost. sure there are navigation systems but get an idea of where you're going. with that, if you can't get over or miss the exit, just go on to the next exit. adapt the route or back track.

Anyway
ranting again, sorry
be safe out there, lots of lost, distracted folks on the road. which is another point

sorry
I'm done

im shocked that more people are of this mindset, it's merging traffics duty to safely merge and get up to speed, people on the hwy have no obligation to let you in. Now it is against the law to purposefully block people but at the end of the day merging is the mergers responsibility. GA (atlanta) especially is real bad for riding the hammer lane and then in the last 500' trying to get over 4 lanes to exit bc they don't want to sit in the queue.

Also, zipper merge. stop getting over so damn early and zipper merge. it's a thing and just cause the sign was a mile back doesn't mean anything until you get to the zipper, then zipper merge. The only time I would block traffic as those long merge sections where the dash line ended but people keep going around people instead of single filing .

 

[Whaler27]

My next door neighbor is a vehicle safety researcher. He testifies in a lot of court cases, etc. Once while we were both up after midnight on the porch smoking two briskets, I asked about the “safest” cars. Although I’m from an ag community and family, my dads always drove the ugly boxy Volvo DL on road trips when the truck wasn’t needed. He said even today Volvos are “the safest” as they start by building a safe car then try to style around it where others style a car then try to make it safe. Again, generally speaking. He did say that most major manufacturers have improved safety a great deal. Then he paused and said “but listen, at the end of day, it’s really just simple physics. The bigger, heavier one typically wins.”

I’m with most of you. I love, love, love traveling and love driving to see more small towns, eat at little restaurants/diners, meet more people, see more country, etc. (I’m a former navy pilot, but don’t like what airline travel has become so I drive when I can.). I do get…I guess somewhere between sad and frustrated…when I see SO MANY people on their phones looking down at highway speeds. With CarPlay/Android Auto etc now, yes, still distractions, but definitely ways to keep the eyes on the road and still enjoy the music/podcast/voice reply to a text and keep eyes up, drive defensively and still be able to relax.

Toyota Camry’s have received “5 star” NHTSA safety ratings for years. Pound-for-pound, they’re very safe, but years ago I responded to a crash where a Ram 2500 lost control, left the highway, then returned to the highway and T-boned a Camry. The impact literally tore the Camry in half.

The forces involved in high speed crashes are extreme. At speeds below 60 we see lots of survivors. At speeds of 80 and above, not so much. Sometimes the little econocars look like a Coke can somebody stomped on.

 

[prioinv]

Not sure the applicability to this thread, but here goes. Yesterday on my way back from a camping weekend I’m cruising down US183 in Texas going 65 indicated (prolly 68 actual cause of the oversized tires). The speed limit is 75 and there are passing lanes every few miles. The truck, people, cargo, and trailer are north of 19k lbs. I’m happy with my 65.

One of the passing lanes opens. Of course I’m always straight to the right lane. One guy had been working on catching up to me used the passing lane to overtake me (poorly, but sorta correct). I see a guy coming up behind me as the passing lane is ending, but he’s never gonna catch me before the lane closes, so I guess he’s waiting for the next passing lane to overtake. Or so I thought.

Now back to one lane each way, within seconds that little shitbox tries to pass. No signal. Over the double yellow lines. Ok, if he’s in such a hurry and I’m going 68 he’s probably booking it, so the pass will be quick. Right? Nope. That thing was probably floored trying to pass me (uphill) for 20 seconds. Oncoming cars were headed straight for the guy, but he wasn’t going to back out of it. I eventually let off the throttle and the other lane went to the shoulder. He couldn’t wait the 3 miles to the next passing lane (signage indicated BTW). I was both amused at his urgency to pass with such a slow POS, but also pissed he almost caused an accident.

 

[DDD]

I concur with Whaler 27. Our state and area where I live experienced a population explosion, both during and post pandemic, that the local enforcement agencies basically informed the public that they won’t be patrolling for speeders because they simply don’t have the resources to patrol regularly. We also returned from a Thanksgiving trip and traveled the width of our state and didn’t see one highway patrol car the entire time. Thankfully we didn’t see any wrecks, accidents or crashes or whatever they call those today. But I’m thankful to be riding with my wife and dog in an F350 just in case. No guarantees but better odds, if the emergency folks get there in time! Great insights on this thread, even if there are no easy solutions.

 

[Tex_Hunter]

im shocked that more people are of this mindset, it's merging traffics duty to safely merge and get up to speed, people on the hwy have no obligation to let you in. Now it is against the law to purposefully block people but at the end of the day merging is the mergers responsibility. GA (atlanta) especially is real bad for riding the hammer lane and then in the last 500' trying to get over 4 lanes to exit bc they don't want to sit in the queue.

Also, zipper merge. stop getting over so damn early and zipper merge. it's a thing and just cause the sign was a mile back doesn't mean anything until you get to the zipper, then zipper merge. The only time I would block traffic as those long merge sections where the dash line ended but people keep going around people instead of single filing .

Man this one ranks up near the top of my "hate" list for traffic... ironically it's probably the one/only thing that CA drivers seem to be able to get right out here.

Most of the country seems to be reasonably good at it, but in some places it's downright dangerous as you get either the guy stopped diagonally in between lanes trying to butt in half a mile before the merge, or worse, some self appointed road rules cop who will try and put you into a wall as you roll past them even before the dashed lines end. Coming back through El Paso on my last trip back to TX I had some clown in a early 2000's Tahoe/Yukon go fully into my lane and part way onto the shoulder trying to block me, not unironically I literally almost crashed into the "Stay In Lane Until The Merge" sign that DOT had put up.

I love Texas, it will always be home for me, but damned if we dont have some of the worst most pointlessly aggressive/clueless drivers. Driving in the cities is the worst (lived in Austin for over 30 years), forget using your turn signals as that's just giving some dickhead 4 car lengths back a cue to mash the accelerator and try and slam the door on you as you merge.

 

[BLKBTY]

Man this one ranks up near the top of my "hate" list for traffic... ironically it's probably the one/only thing that CA drivers seem to be able to get right out here.

Most of the country seems to be reasonably good at it, but in some places it's downright dangerous as you get either the guy stopped diagonally in between lanes trying to butt in half a mile before the merge, or worse, some self appointed road rules cop who will try and put you into a wall as you roll past them even before the dashed lines end. Coming back through El Paso on my last trip back to TX I had some clown in a early 2000's Tahoe/Yukon go fully into my lane and part way onto the shoulder trying to block me, not unironically I literally almost crashed into the "Stay In Lane Until The Merge" sign that DOT had put up.

I love Texas, it will always be home for me, but damned if we dont have some of the worst most pointlessly aggressive/clueless drivers. Driving in the cities is the worst (lived in Austin for over 30 years), forget using your turn signals as that's just giving some dickhead 4 car lengths back a cue to mash the accelerator and try and slam the door on you as you merge.

Nothing but facts in this post

 

[TX03RUBI]

My last 350 6.7 was tuned, and would move pretty well for a 9000 lb truck. Lots of idiots that like to speed up when you go to pass them. Not many willing or able to keep up though. Had one finally let go at 110. My 350 would climb pretty hard to 125ish or so I was told. Lol

 

[Whaler27]

Not sure the applicability to this thread, but here goes. Yesterday on my way back from a camping weekend I’m cruising down US183 in Texas going 65 indicated (prolly 68 actual cause of the oversized tires). The speed limit is 75 and there are passing lanes every few miles. The truck, people, cargo, and trailer are north of 19k lbs. I’m happy with my 65.

One of the passing lanes opens. Of course I’m always straight to the right lane. One guy had been working on catching up to me used the passing lane to overtake me (poorly, but sorta correct). I see a guy coming up behind me as the passing lane is ending, but he’s never gonna catch me before the lane closes, so I guess he’s waiting for the next passing lane to overtake. Or so I thought.

Now back to one lane each way, within seconds that little shitbox tries to pass. No signal. Over the double yellow lines. Ok, if he’s in such a hurry and I’m going 68 he’s probably booking it, so the pass will be quick. Right? Nope. That thing was probably floored trying to pass me (uphill) for 20 seconds. Oncoming cars were headed straight for the guy, but he wasn’t going to back out of it. I eventually let off the throttle and the other lane went to the shoulder. He couldn’t wait the 3 miles to the next passing lane (signage indicated BTW). I was both amused at his urgency to pass with such a slow POS, but also pissed he almost caused an accident.

…a candidate for the next Darwin award. The kind of guy who expects the whole world to adjust to his stupidity. He’ll eventually run out of runway…

 

[avocadofarmer]

Its pretty surprising how quick these trucks are 40-96. I love how the trans short shifts, usually right around 2750, and gets right back into the torque band. Pretty handy for getting past people with their heads up their ass.

Also noteworthy is how soon and gracefully the limiter comes on deck. As hard as it pulls right up to the limiter I'd guess it is good for 130-140 if Ford saw fit to allow it.

 

[Texrex11]

My gf, who is from the city, told me that her brother taught her to “always look for semi’s because they always leave a space for you to merge or cut around”. F$@“&in pissed me off. She don’t know any better, till I told her how heavy they are and they need that space at an absolute bare minimum. This is what’s taught though. Think about it.

 

[RS90]

My gf, who is from the city, told me that her brother taught her to “always look for semi’s because they always leave a space for you to merge or cut around”. F$@“&in pissed me off. She don’t know any better, till I told her how heavy they are and they need that space at an absolute bare minimum. This is what’s taught though. Think about it.

The problem is that people are all in such a rush to get 10 feet further ahead that even when semis do purposely leave them gaps they cut us off and cause wrecks. So many people see the safe following distance gap as their free window while complaining about trucks in front of them constantly slowing down as they get cut off and try to maintain the gap.

Had this happen on Saturday to me. She was adamant that I was at fault for not letting her over even though the merge lane went on for another 1/2 mile and I was actively dragging my brakes to leave a large merge gap. 10 more feet and she would've cleared my front bumper. Instead she ripped off the back corner of her car and left a small paint scuff on my bumper. If you look close just before she disappears under the hood the left tail has nothing flashing for a turn signal not that I would've been able to see the car anyways.

 

[Winterized]

My gf, who is from the city, told me that her brother taught her to “always look for semi’s because they always leave a space for you to merge or cut around”. F$@“&in pissed me off. She don’t know any better, till I told her how heavy they are and they need that space at an absolute bare minimum. This is what’s taught though. Think about it.

I have more than once employed strawberry jam as a visual aid to help illustrate what can happen to someone who badly miscalculates the situation when driving near large trucks.

 

[JTredway]

The problem is that people are all in such a rush to get 10 feet further ahead that even when semis do purposely leave them gaps they cut us off and cause wrecks. So many people see the safe following distance gap as their free window while complaining about trucks in front of them constantly slowing down as they get cut off and try to maintain the gap.

Had this happen on Saturday to me. She was adamant that I was at fault for not letting her over even though the merge lane went on for another 1/2 mile and I was actively dragging my brakes to leave a large merge gap. 10 more feet and she would've cleared my front bumper. Instead she ripped off the back corner of her car and left a small paint scuff on my bumper. If you look close just before she disappears under the hood the left tail has nothing flashing for a turn signal not that I would've been able to see the car anyways.

hell you almost probably couldnt even see her over there, i know when i encounter smaller tinier cars riding in that spot behind the mirror and everything they're almost invisible and I know you have those spotter mirrors but damn. She snatched it over as soon as the white line went dashed. Glad you had a dash cam dude. I need to get another one, i started letting people run into me in my excursion with the prerunner road armor bumper.

 

[JTredway]

Its pretty surprising how quick these trucks are 40-96. I love how the trans short shifts, usually right around 2750, and gets right back into the torque band. Pretty handy for getting past people with their heads up their ass.

Also noteworthy is how soon and gracefully the limiter comes on deck. As hard as it pulls right up to the limiter I'd guess it is good for 130-140 if Ford saw fit to allow it.

these trucks will absolutely go past 130 if you had the tire or freewill to try it and not care about a speed rating or driveshaft speed.

 

[Whaler27]

The problem is that people are all in such a rush to get 10 feet further ahead that even when semis do purposely leave them gaps they cut us off and cause wrecks. So many people see the safe following distance gap as their free window while complaining about trucks in front of them constantly slowing down as they get cut off and try to maintain the gap.

Had this happen on Saturday to me. She was adamant that I was at fault for not letting her over even though the merge lane went on for another 1/2 mile and I was actively dragging my brakes to leave a large merge gap. 10 more feet and she would've cleared my front bumper. Instead she ripped off the back corner of her car and left a small paint scuff on my bumper. If you look close just before she disappears under the hood the left tail has nothing flashing for a turn signal not that I would've been able to see the car anyways.

The root of the problem is that our new American entitlement culture has completely erased the concept of personal responsibility. We have taught people to believe the rest of humanity will accommodate them — and if anything bad happens as a result of their stupidity they should get paid for it.

In your video you clearly had the right of way, but that woman figured the sea would part for her. Now she’ll be suing to recover from your insurance carrier for “what you did to her”. It makes perfect sense to her.

The sense of entitlement and absence of personal responsibility are 75% of the problem. The other 25% is increasing stupidity… My work puts me in contact with thousands of people I would not otherwise experience. I’m talking about people who don’t work, don’t contribute, and don’t think. Many of them make the dumbest guy in boot camp seem like a rocket scientist by comparison. These folks are out in the mix as random-event generators, doing things people with a brain would never do.

This guy (below) decided to go for a walk on the interstate in the fast lane, with his back to traffic. He was racing for a Darwin Award when I arrived.

 

[JTredway]

The root of the problem is that our new American entitlement culture has completely erased the concept of personal responsibility. We have taught people to believe the rest of humanity will accommodate them — and if anything bad happens as a result of their stupidity they should get paid for it.

In your video you clearly had the right of way, but that woman figured the sea would part for her. Now she’ll be suing to recover from your insurance carrier for “what you did to her”. It makes perfect sense to her.

The sense of entitlement and absence of personal responsibility are 75% of the problem. The other 25% is increasing stupidity… My work puts me in contact with thousands of people I would not otherwise experience. I’m talking about people who don’t work, don’t contribute, and don’t think. Many of them make the dumbest guy in boot camp seem like a rocket scientist by comparison. These folks are out in the mix as random-event generators, doing things people with a brain would never do.

This guy (below) decided to go for a walk on the interstate in the fast lane, with his back to traffic. He was racing for a Darwin Award when I arrived.

had someone doing this the other day through one of our jobsites, with several breaks in the barrier wall they could've just walked in the area we had closed off for our access but instead decided to walk against the traffic barrier on a 1' offset where traffic is doing 80+. was mind-boggling