Buddy Visited Me During Thanksgiving. Here Is What He Said About Oregon.

[CLT65]

Slightly off topic but relevant: like most drivers, I used to get frustrated easily at all the jerks and idiots on the road.

My employer has driver training for the distribution teams, and some years back they offered it for everyone. It was good and I think it made me a better driver. One of the things that really stuck with me was not letting other drivers get to you emotionally. At first that sounded silly, but how often do we get wound up on the road, angry at some idiot who does something rude or stupid? All the time, of course.

I was riding with a friend one day, and he started railing and cussing at someone who pulled out going too slow or something, really angry. Did I do that sort of thing? Not as bad, but yeah sometimes I did, started realizing it more and more. Since then it's been something I've deliberately worked on; it has really improved my driving time, and probably blood pressure. I ignore the jerks and idiots, and started noticing the considerate drivers more. There are plenty of them out there too, and I try my best to be one.

I like to think logically. If you're stuck behind some slowpoke for a couple miles, going 10mph slower than you want to, if you do the math they're only slowing you down by a few seconds. Big deal. Is it worth getting upset and raising your blood pressure for a few seconds? Not to me it isn't. Driving has become a lot more enjoyable for me. It's amazing how many people will fly into a rage at being slightly inconvenienced.

 

[Nosferatu]

Everybody should have to spend 2 years on a motorcycle before being able to drive a car or truck.

They will learn self-preservation, driving lines, the importance of lane position, reading and anticipating the road and traffic, yielding (even when you have the right-of-way,) signaling, proper use of brakes and throttle and vehicle control in various weather conditions.

I've lived in 6 different states since I started driving. Drivers everywhere suck.

 

[solv3nt]

Everybody should have to spend 2 years on a motorcycle before being able to drive a car or truck.

They will learn self-preservation, driving lines, the importance of lane position, reading and anticipating the road and traffic, yielding (even when you have the right-of-way,) signaling, proper use of brakes and throttle and vehicle control in various weather conditions.

I've lived in 6 different states since I started driving. Drivers everywhere suck.

It's been a hot minute, but when I was in Potland, I drove an 03 tundra. Pretty much on a daily basis I'd have people try to pull into my lane adjacent to me. How do you not see a 1/2 ton pickup?

 

[Certaindeaf]

OK, I'm here.
I'll write our congresscritters and get this all sorted out.
You're welcome.

 

[Nosferatu]

It's been a hot minute, but when I was in Potland, I drove an 03 tundra. Pretty much on a daily basis I'd have people try to pull into my lane adjacent to me. How do you not see a 1/2 ton pickup?

They can't see my F350 crew cab, long bed either.

I'm completely invisible as soon as I hook a trailer up to it.

 

[orygun]

How 'bout the roundabouts?
People stop and see the person to their left, who is stopped, and waits to see if they are going to go, instead of just continuing thru...

 

[kmk1012]

What get me are the weak a$$ people who wait until the last minute to flash their brights at you when yours are on low beams. Sometimes I drive at the ready to let them know how good they had it before flashing me.

 

[Provincial]

About the left lane convoys:

In many areas, lack of maintenance leaves the right lane of a multi-lane road in much worse shape because of wear from heavy trucks. Automobile drivers choose the smoother pavement in the left lane.

Most drivers rarely check their rearview mirrors, and if they notice you back there, they ignore you. They are focused on the car ahead, since that is what is conflicting with their progress. Besides, if they got over to let you by, they would only be letting you take their place in the line, and end up one car further back!

 

[Xaevian]

About the left lane convoys:

In many areas, lack of maintenance leaves the right lane of a multi-lane road in much worse shape because of wear from heavy trucks. Automobile drivers choose the smoother pavement in the left lane.

Most drivers rarely check their rearview mirrors, and if they notice you back there, they ignore you. They are focused on the car ahead, since that is what is conflicting with their progress. Besides, if they got over to let you by, they would only be letting you take their place in the line, and end up one car further back!

Well, it all started with redefining the "passing lane" the "fast lane" and the "travel lane" the "slower traffic lane". They should change it to "racist lane" and "non-racist" to encourage those freeway racers to be where they belong.

 

[Jay Walk]

What get me are the weak a$$ people who wait until the last minute to flash their brights at you when yours are on low beams. Sometimes I drive at the ready to let them know how good they had it before flashing me.

Said the guy with the leveling kit

 

[Jay Walk]

About the left lane convoys:

In many areas, lack of maintenance leaves the right lane of a multi-lane road in much worse shape because of wear from heavy trucks. Automobile drivers choose the smoother pavement in the left lane.

Most drivers rarely check their rearview mirrors, and if they notice you back there, they ignore you. They are focused on the car ahead, since that is what is conflicting with their progress. Besides, if they got over to let you by, they would only be letting you take their place in the line, and end up one car further back!

Not moving over and slowing down for you if I am in the fast lane and following someone. If I am the fly in the ointment feel free to flash some headlights at me.

 

[kmk1012]

Said the guy with the leveling kit

Properly adjusted the headlights same day as installation of said kit, touche'. My truck has four low beam lights on and people ASSume I have the brights on incorrectly.

 

[TTSX]

Properly adjusted the headlights same day as installation of said kit, touche'. My truck has four low beam lights on and people ASSume I have the brights on incorrectly.

If people are flashing their lights at you that often, your lights are absolutely not properly adjusted

 

[kmk1012]

If people are flashing their lights at you that often, your lights are absolutely not properly adjusted

Happened just as frequently for the 14 months I owned it before the leveling kit. It's a new F350 and everyone I know with them get the same thing. The cause is uneducated drivers, I cannot turn the headlights off while driving, safety feature, still get brighter in the daytime. It is an assumption from other drivers because they see both the top and bottom lights on and think my brights are in. Simple as that, no more no less.

 

[TTSX]

Happened just as frequently for the 14 months I owned it before the leveling kit. It's a new F350 and everyone I know with them get the same thing. The cause is uneducated drivers, I cannot turn the headlights off while driving, safety feature, still get brighter in the daytime. It is an assumption from other drivers because they see both the top and bottom lights on and think my brights are in. Simple as that, no more no less.

Simpler explanation: your lights are too bright. Might be Ford's fault, might not. Nobody ever flashes someone with multiple bulbs that don't blind them

 

[Knobgoblin]

Simpler explanation: your lights are too bright. Might be Ford's fault, might not. Nobody ever flashes someone with multiple bulbs that don't blind them

Ford and Chevy full size are all obnoxiously bright ( newer trucks)
Just about everything Toyota makes is brighter than "normal " , especially the prious.

 

[arakboss]

Ford and Chevy full size are all obnoxiously bright ( newer trucks)
Just about everything Toyota makes is brighter than "normal " , especially the prious.

Most new cars have obnoxiously bright headlights. I am sure it is helpful for the driver but not for oncoming traffic.

 

[Hemlock]

Everybody should have to spend 2 years on a motorcycle before being able to drive a car or truck.

They will learn self-preservation, driving lines, the importance of lane position, reading and anticipating the road and traffic, yielding (even when you have the right-of-way,) signaling, proper use of brakes and throttle and vehicle control in various weather conditions.

I've lived in 6 different states since I started driving. Drivers everywhere suck.

I agree on spend some time on a motorcycle or better yet in an 18-wheeler semi.
On a motorcycle you learn self-preservation. EVERYONE out there is trying to kill you.
Driving a semi-truck you learn patience. Because if I don't control this rig...I can kill you!

 

[orygun]

If people are flashing their lights at you that often, your lights are absolutely not properly adjusted

Not true. I have a 2020 Mustang. It has very bright headlights. In low beam you can see where the light beam is "cut off", which on flat ground keeps the beam out of the oncoming driver's eyes. In high they aren't. So many new cars (2015ish and up) are just like this. All it takes is a slight rise in the road for the oncoming driver to see just how bright they are. I'll take being flashed a time or two without responding, because my headlights ARE very bright. But some people go off the charts and keep toggling the high beams back and forth. Those people get a short blast of the high beams. I'm sure they don't like it at all. Being the driver behind those headlights is wonderful. Especially on a road with no oncoming traffic where I can run high beam.
I knew exactly what @kmk1012 was driving. The new large F-series trucks do always have their 4 headlights on. Must be a "signature", like what Ford calls the daytime lights on the Mustang. My wife drives a 2011 F150 that I put a leveling kit on and adjusted the headlights. I even put brighter bulbs in it and the only time you'll get "flashed is if you actually do have your high beams on. Nothing at all compared to my car.

Just about everything Toyota makes is brighter than "normal " , especially the prious.

And especially not the Prius drivers!

 

[TTSX]

Not true. I have a 2020 Mustang. It has very bright headlights. In low beam you can see where the light beam is "cut off", which on flat ground keeps the beam out of the oncoming driver's eyes. In high they aren't. So many new cars (2015ish and up) are just like this. All it takes is a slight rise in the road for the oncoming driver to see just how bright they are. I'll take being flashed a time or two without responding, because my headlights ARE very bright. But some people go off the charts and keep toggling the high beams back and forth. Those people get a short blast of the high beams. I'm sure they don't like it at all. Being the driver behind those headlights is wonderful. Especially on a road with no oncoming traffic where I can run high beam.
I knew exactly what @kmk1012 was driving. The new large F-series trucks do always have their 4 headlights on. Must be a "signature", like what Ford calls the daytime lights on the Mustang. My wife drives a 2011 F150 that I put a leveling kit on and adjusted the headlights. I even put brighter bulbs in it and the only time you'll get "flashed is if you actually do have your high beams on. Nothing at all compared to my car.

And especially not the Prius drivers!

So then my "simpler explanation" of them being too bright is correct.