Are you the slow driver or the fast driver?

[kingslug]

CT has some of the worst drivers I have ever seen. Like the asshat that pulls into the gas station in front of me..parks in front of both pumps..looks at me giving him the death stare and just points to the store..then walks over to it. Now you can't use either pump and hes inside waiting for a friggin donut.
asshats.....bet he's a joy on the road as well.

 

[BenedictGomez]

it is 65 but people drive 80. It is crazy but I am comfortable with it!

That is every road in New Jersey.

 

[andrec10]

Fast. GTFO if you are going slow! If you are not doing the speed limit, GTFO!

 

[kingslug]

Thats CT either going 5 mph or 500.........

 

[abc]

I don't know whether I'm "fast" or "slow". I just drive at speed *I* feel comfortable and safe.

Some cars pass me. Some I pass.

Occasionally, cars passed me so fast I felt they maybe pushing it. Once or twice, I see them on the side of the road a while later, with a police cruiser behind them.

I don't grumble about people driving "too slowly", at least not when there's weather situation to contend with. They have their reasons. I just go around them when I can.

 

[abc]

On a related note, why are most of the cars in the ditch SUVs?

I've been paying attentions to that on my day trips to the mountains. It's relatively rare to see a sedan in the ditch after a snow storm. It's more like 10/1 ratio of SUV/sedan in the ditch.

Some say it's because the drivers of SUV tend to be over-confident of their vehicle and exceeded its actual capability. But is that the only reason?

Could it be the higher center of gravity be partly responsible for them losing control in slippery surfaces?

 

[Edd]

On a related note, why are most of the cars in the ditch SUVs?

I've been paying attentions to that on my day trips to the mountains. It's relatively rare to see a sedan in the ditch after a snow storm. It's more like 10/1 ratio of SUV/sedan in the ditch.

Some say it's because the drivers of SUV tend to be over-confident of their vehicle and exceeded its actual capability. But is that the only reason?

Could it be the higher center of gravity be partly responsible for them losing control in slippery surfaces?

I’d speculate it’s because SUVs are what people are buying, and particularly what people are driving on day trips to the mountains for skiing.

 

[abc]

I’d speculate it’s because SUVs are what people are buying, and particularly what people are driving on day trips to the mountains for skiing.

Not everybody is driving "to the mountain". In the highway of the flatlands, here're still people who need to get to their work place. The ratio of vehicle on the road is maybe 50/50 SUV vs cars. But the ratio of those in the ditch are much more tilted towards SUVs.

Or, it's possible those who insist on owning cars instead of SUVs had figured out how to drive on snow. Whilst those who never bothered to learn how to drive on snow just bought SUV as a crutch?

 

[BenedictGomez]

I’d speculate it’s because SUVs are what people are buying, and particularly what people are driving on day trips to the mountains for skiing.

I disagree with the premise as I tend to see far more sedans in winter distress & off the road than other vehicles like pickups & SUVs, but if that isnt the case, your above is obviously the correct answer.

SUVs & pickups now make up almost 80% of all sales. It's been this way for a while. Ford isnt even making traditional "cars" anymore other than the Mustang.

 

[tumbler]

I think people push it in SUV's thinking that they won't slip. 99% of them have factory all season tires which is the ditch magnet. All terrains and snows make a huge difference.

 

[crank]

SUV's are better at going in the snow and that breeds confidence which is shattered when the driver hits the brakes and slides off the freaking road.

I am middling driver. In clear weather and on dry roads I usually have cruise control on set for about 8 - 10 mph above the posted speed limit. What gets my goat is the drivers that pass me and then immediately pull over to teh right lane and slow down. Then when I go to pass them back they pace me. Can't seem to regulate their own speed. Another pet peeve is those who freak out and slow down when passing a large truck. Wouldn't is be easier on you if you just got by it faster?

 

[mister moose]

I'd say it's

SUV buyers bringing the same set of southern driving skills to the mountains they had before buying the SUV
SUV buyers believing that All Seasons mean winter and are good enough.
SUV buyers thinking that all wheel drive somehow improves all wheel braking or all wheel cornering, which they've had since they were born.
SUV critical observers mentally noticing more SUVs in the ditch when the car in ditch number really reflects the general population of car types.

I was passed on 100 by a Porche Boxter in a light snowstorm. Passed him in the ditch a few miles later. I could see the super wide summer tread rear tires as I went by.

 

[cdskier]

What gets my goat is the drivers that pass me and then immediately pull over to teh right lane and slow down. Then when I go to pass them back they pace me. Can't seem to regulate their own speed. Another pet peeve is those who freak out and slow down when passing a large truck. Wouldn't is be easier on you if you just got by it faster?

Those two things drive me nuts as well. The first one often happens to me too while I'm using cruise control so I know I'm not the one unable to maintain a steady speed.

 

[mister moose]

What gets my goat is the drivers that pass me and then immediately pull over to the right lane and slow down. Then when I go to pass them back they pace me. Can't seem to regulate their own speed.

As long as we're venting...

There seems to be more drivers lately that combine several of these moves. First they briskly pass me (I'm on cruise control ). Then they get distracted, slow down, so I have to pull out, pass them. Fine. The next trick is they now need to speed up again and pass me again. Still fine, but odd. Then they don't completely pass, they hang on my rear quarter half out of sight in either mirror. This goes on until I come up behind a slower driver, I can't change lanes because Mr. Erratic is still on my quarter. I come off cruise control, slow down, Mr Erratic passes finally, and I go out into the left lane back on cruise control. In less than a mile I pass Mr Erratic going slower again. Repeat. The variation is Mr Erratic speeds up as I pass him. After 6 of these, I usually set the Cruise control for another 5mph to get far enough ahead, and then go back to the usual.

The cell phone version has no hangout on the rear quarter. They zoom past at an additional 20mph over my illegal speed, and then pull in the right lane, only to fixate on the driver ahead while texting as well, and end up going a head down 60.

And the driver that sits in the left lane with 7 cars close behind, pacing another car.

 

[kingslug]

Years ago going back to the airport in Utah in a storm I saw at least 10 trucks and SUV's in the guardrails. People think that having one of these means you can go fast in snow...um...not really. You can do better than non AWD and non 4WD vehicles at reasonable speeds and pull yourself out of deep snow..but once your going too fast your toast. I got out of a hotel parking lot across from Hunter in the storm of the century..it was up to the roof of the jeep had big AT tires..just dug out the door, got in and pulled out..with a lot of people watching me as they dug their cars out.
Every morning i wonder where they are going so fast...to work? yeah..can't wait to get there.

 

[abc]

SUV's are better at going in the snow

Actually, I think THAT is the answer.

SUV are better at GETTING GOING.

Cars have a more realistic feedback mechanism. If they can't get out of the parking lot, or their neighborhood street, they know they're on slippery condition and need to be extra careful. (Or they simply can't get going and no on the highway, period)

SUV can get out with less trouble. So they tend not to think about braking or cornering. They first "feed back" is when they end up in the ditch.

 

[Dickc]

Actually, I think THAT is the answer.

SUV are better at GETTING GOING.

Cars have a more realistic feedback mechanism. If they can't get out of the parking lot, or their neighborhood street, they know they're on slippery condition and need to be extra careful. (Or they simply can't get going and no on the highway, period)

SUV can get out with less trouble. So they tend not to think about braking or cornering. They first "feed back" is when they end up in the ditch.

This is why I swap it in and out of 4WD in the snow. Once I'm going, I want 2WD so I have that feedback. I tend to favor cruise at speed limits on clear roads, but find I drive a bit faster than many on snowy roads. ( not by much though) Only have needed to get out of a snowbank once. I stupidly tried to drive a 67 Mustang THOUGHT one in my teen years. We were having trouble getting it out when a local cop came by. I was expecting a lecture, but he just got out of the cruiser and helped push!!

 

[kingslug]

Just went past a big smashup on 15. 2 SUV's...1 is totally demolished front front to back..how the fuck do they do this..in traffic. They had to be going pretty fast. Big mess.

 

[x10003q]

I'd say it's

SUV buyers bringing the same set of southern driving skills to the mountains they had before buying the SUV
SUV buyers believing that All Seasons mean winter and are good enough.
SUV buyers thinking that all wheel drive somehow improves all wheel braking or all wheel cornering, which they've had since they were born.
SUV critical observers mentally noticing more SUVs in the ditch when the car in ditch number really reflects the general population of car types.

I was passed on 100 by a Porche Boxter in a light snowstorm. Passed him in the ditch a few miles later. I could see the super wide summer tread rear tires as I went by.

OK Colonel Austin.

 

[drjeff]

Just went past a big smashup on 15. 2 SUV's...1 is totally demolished front front to back..how the fuck do they do this..in traffic. They had to be going pretty fast. Big mess.

Must of been posting on AZ at the time!