................Until you get to CHP's buddy just waiting for you over the next rise with radar.

 

In Southern CA, I have grown to detest those who drive below the speed limit in the far right lane. I am not sure what the laws are in this respect, but I always viewed the speed limit as also a speed minimum. When I drive in the fast lane I expect of myself to be going over the speed limit, but less than 80. If I see somone coming up behind me I get the hell out of their way if at all possible. I think the main problem is drivers now are so unobservant and self absorbed their thought process while driving is out of whack.

I think research has shown that you are more likely to get in an accident in the right lane and less likely to in the far left/fast lane. However the severity of an accident is naturally much greater in the fast lane. So either way you are screwed.

And yes, it is completely wrong to make broad generalizations about the drivers of certain cars. That said in my own experiences the drivers of the following vehicles have an above average level of over aggresive driving behavior: Ford Focus, Ford Mustang, all BMWs, Mercedes coupes, Nissan Titans, raised GM/Ford/Dodge trucks, lowered Hondas, and VW Jettas. Of course not everyone that owns one of those vehicles is a bad driver, but quite a few of them are.

Surprisingly, Porsche drivers I have found to be highly curtious. Their cars can raise hell, but they choose not too.

 

At least out here, most highways have a posted speed limit AND a posted minimum speed. Often on freeways, the limit is 65 and minimum is 45. The speed limit is definitely NOT the speed minimum. A lot of times people going well below the speed limit are doing so for some good reason, ie they are old and don't have good reflexes, they have something fragile in the car, something is wrong with the car, they are very tired, etc.

I just took a defensive driving class, and they said that SLOW cars are a hazard to watch for as well as speeders. However, they also said that there are many legitimate reasons for going below the posted speed limit, including weather, traffic, pedestrians, fatigue, vehicle problems, road hazards, medical conditions, etc. That said, many of these do not apply to freeway driving, especially for you guys in California where weather is so rarely an issue.

Since this thread is all about reactions to other drivers' behavior, this might be a good place to post the link to the defensive driving class I took online. It's a great program, takes just a couple hours, can be done from any computer with an internet connection, only costs $42.50, and is saving me 10% on my insurance!
http://www.nscddconline.com/
(btw I am not affiliated with the site in any way, I just thought they did a good job and wanted to spread the word - and hopefully help more people be safer drivers and reduce their insurance costs!)

 

Here in Mexico City, the police and ambulance drivers put on the lights right when they encounter traffic...nobody moves out of the way.

I once spent some time in England with my godparents and I was amazed on their highways...in the middle of traffic...how politely they will open up the lanes to an ambulance or police vehicle.

 

Late Soccor Moms > All other fourms of driving.

To the middle aged rich white woman in a SUV, the only thing in life that matters is her agenda. I avoid them like the plauge.

What is in your avatar? It looks like a chocolate basketball with a lamb head.

 

This begs the question, though, of whether vehicles CAN move out of the way when they hear a siren or see lights. There has to be room to do so....which may not always be the case. Mexico City is one of the most crowded places on earth. Traffic there is like being in a sardine can.

 

Most of the time there is no room whatsoever...on streets there MIGHT be room, but on highways forget it.

I have seen a few newspaper stories that even talk about cops and ambulance drivers turning on sirens just to get through traffic. There is no doubt this exists.

A good example. When people talk about Mexico City...you will score bonus points with locals if you properly note that there is a Mexico City (Distrito Federal) and Mexico State (Estado de Mexico). I live in the Estado but work in DF.

Sometimes when I get stuck in traffic in the Estado. I will notice a police car from D.F. turns on its lights and start barking through its loudspeaker that there is an emergency and they need to get through. Normal white D.F. police cars (see the movie Man on Fire) have an indication showing what part of town they are from...Polanco...Tlalpan...etc. In many cases...the police car that is doing this is not only out of its legal jurisdiction (being in the Estado) but is often more than 15 miles away from its zone in D.F.

Many a time I have seen people curse the police doing this openly on the highway in traffic or in local areas.

 

Speaking of this thread, I had another Bimmer almost cause a big wreck today. Traffic was moderate and suddenly I see this dark blue or black 545i weave it's way to the lane besides me. Traffic was going about 45 and with me and another car beside him, he changes lanes to pass the car in front of him w/o warning. I had to swerve to the shoulder to avoid getting hit. I honked at him, as well as a small Saturn that was right behind me. He speeds off into the sunset, probably realizing what he just did.

Not to say all do this, but I do agree that BMW's in general are aggressive. Here's how I rate them

1a: Ford F trucks
1b: BMW's
1c: Mustangs/Camaro

 

I don't understand why people pay so much for a car when they dont drive it all and drive it slow on the road.

 

I find this very true.
When ever I see a Corvette, Porsche, or a Viper for example, they are crawling in the middle lane doing the speed limit. Then you see 4 cylinder econo cars flying by them in the left lane.
Horsepower is wasted on these people. Why do they buy them when their driving style should put them in a Prius?

 

1. Theyre more mature and wants to protect theyre asset
2. Everyone knows that their car is fast so they dont have to prove it.
3. They got more too lose

 

Personally, I drive fast because I don't have enough time in my life and because it drives me completely insane to drive the speed limit or less. Not to prove anything.

If you can afford an $80,000 car. Then you can afford to crash it. It's no different for an average consumer to crash their $20,000 car. It's all relative.

Note: Although I drive fast, I don't drive foolishly like an idiot.