earthdog
Cave Dweller
Don't eat yellow snow
Member since June 2006
Posts: 2,731
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Post by earthdog on Oct 17, 2008 21:58:47 GMT -5
Teenage drivers or the really old drivers? I would have to say the really old drivers. Here is why: Old farts don't normally look when they change lanes, they drive like 20mph under than the speed limit, they can't hear when you blow your horn and they sure don't have the reflexes to react if something was to happen, even 2 blocks a head of them! Here are some pictures to show what I mean... Truck vs. car, First, my right drive tires Now the car that bounced off my right side drive tires while I was going around St. Joseph Michigan last evening. The old fart was entering the interstate, going around the bend to get on, and going too fast for the curve, the car veered over his white line for his get on lane and hit my drives while I was going 65mph straight down the I. What made it worse was when I got out to look my truck over and take these pictures the old fart got cocky with me. He asked what we were waiting for.... I told him the cops as I had already dialed 911. I asked him if he even saw me coming down the I and he got smart with me by saying, "no I thought I'd get on here and run into a truck" I told the old guy, "thats just what you did" He said I hit him and that he didn't hit me... He also got cocky with the cop. The cop saw all the broken stuff about 3' on the left side of his white line though, where the point of impact happened. He then told Mr. old fart that he had to yeild to on coming traffic. All the old guy said was that he had driven tanks in WW2... The old guy and his old wife could have been killed if they hit the landing leggs on the trailer and maybe been sucked under the trailer, and run over by 4 huge trailer tires.. What pisses me off is now I have a "property damage accident" on my record for 5 years, even though I wasn't at fault...
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Post by sandsman1 on Oct 17, 2008 23:32:02 GMT -5
theres a time everybody comes too when they need to turn in there licence -- i know it has to hurt but ya gotta think about who you will kill its one thing to kill yourself but how about the kids in the car you wreck -- my dad came to me one day at the shore house and said i gotta a prob i cant see well enuff to drive any more what should i do -- i said you gotta decide whats right he said your right it wont only be me if i get in a wreck and he tour up his renewal for his licence and asked me will you drive me when i gotta go somewear i told him any place you need to go just holler -- i was proud of him cause i know it had to hurt giving up the licence after all those years
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Post by Tweetiepy on Oct 18, 2008 8:33:00 GMT -5
I agree the older folks are dangerous drivers, I'm scared to drive with my dad and my MIL is terrified of driving with her husband but won't say anything cuz she can't drive. AND there's this little one liner:
When I die, I want to go in my sleep like my grandfather, not screaming like the passengers in his car!
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Post by Bikerrandy on Oct 18, 2008 9:54:34 GMT -5
My dad won't drive anymore. His back makes his legs and feet have a mind of their own. The last time he drove, he went to stop at a stop sign and his foot floored the gas pedal. Fortunatey, there were no other cars around. That was the last time he drove.
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Slydog
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 555
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Post by Slydog on Oct 18, 2008 19:56:28 GMT -5
I'm just glad you're okay, Jim. Except for the being pissed part. Can't blame you there. Nona
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Post by frane on Oct 19, 2008 15:51:01 GMT -5
I am just glad that you and the old folks are OK. I saw an old lady driving very badly one day and hit a guy on a bicycle. She was only going 35 in a 55 and he was on the side of the road but he still went over the hood and his bike was ruined. She said he shouldn't have been there and she never saw him....The officer had to help her stand up out of her car. I think he said over the radio that she was 92...Time to turn the license in in. Fran
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Post by bobby1 on Oct 20, 2008 12:04:21 GMT -5
Typical driving for a tank driver, don't you think? I remember a few years back when I was following my mom when she was driving in Arizona. She came to a stop sign, slowly looked to her left (a loaded truck was roaring down the hill), slowly looked to her right, and floored it into the intersection. Fortunately the truck driver was used to all of the oldsters and their driving habits in Arizona and he started slowing down so he missed her. I'm still not sure she fully understood what she had done or how fast the truck was moving or how close she had come to being T-boned. My brother and I very soon convinced her that she shouldn't be driving. She didn't protest much when we took her driving licence and car away. She rather enjoyed having us drive her around for errands, though. Bob
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Oct 20, 2008 22:46:05 GMT -5
Glad everyone got off with a little rubber burns. And I want you to know, I have a healthy respect for all the trucks going down the interstate; they are larger than me and can eat my lunch. I have practiced driving safely with trucks in front, back and side with my boys; what to do if a tire blows etc. I call it survival driving skills. I do also have a lot of respect for most big rig drivers; every now and then, you get one who scares the beejeesus out of you, tho! And I can't even imagine driving one of those thru heavy city traffic; I thought I had nerves of steel letting 16-year-old drivers drive in Denver and Omaha, but you guys.... more like baXXs of steel. Take care! K
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Oct 20, 2008 22:50:02 GMT -5
PS. I have always wondered, never seen it happen. Ya know all those big pieces of tires you see on the interstate? 1. Can you feel it when they blow like that? 2. Where does the rubber go? Not in other driver's windshields too often, I guess, or you would surely hear about it more often.
Just wondering. I've always been a little paranoid about following too closely. *smiling and alive*
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Post by docone31 on Oct 20, 2008 23:35:00 GMT -5
Karen, in the summer, when the heat is on, and the tires get hot, I have seen those Alligators fly off and go directly in a windshield. That is one reason why it is not a good idea to draft. It doesn't work anyway. I have seen front tire explosions in hot weather also. The front tire goes, and the rig goes in that direction in a real hurry. I had a front tire blow out once in a tri-axle. Immediate lane change and a little bit of off roading. No one hurt, I shook for a bit. One of my old bosses had the habit of using recaps for the steering tires. I was in one of those rigs. I never felt it in a trailer tire, but, I did feel it on a driving tire. It went and took out the other tire. I was heavy, it was hot, and the tread just plain seperated. I saw a split rim once, leave the hub and just go cruising. It finally landed on a Volkswagen Beetle. Tire won. When you hear the tire thumping, it is called a MayPop. Essentially, it may pop. MayPop. The tread starts seperating. It thumps for a bit, then pow! Sometimes a belt seperation happens. It sounds the same. Then the entire tire blows. Sometimes big time, sometimes it just catches on fire. Low air pressure can cause a tire fire on dual wheels. The sidewalls rub together. Reminds me of a day when I was just a tad heavy. No springs left, sidewalls a-rubbin. Luckily, I did not have far to go. It was a dumpster for a resteraunt that had not been picked up in a while. Got the front wheels off the ground picking it up. Truckers earn their keep. It ain't no picnic in there. Chains up, chains off, black ice, rush hour, flakey four wheelers. The list goes on. The sign says, if you cannot see me, I cannot see you. Stay there, you will have time to avoid an Alligator.
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Post by Woodyrock on Oct 21, 2008 0:51:59 GMT -5
Here in Washington state, there is a small town (Sequim) that has become a retirement community. The white hairs got so bad that the state built a bypass so through traffice did not have to run the gauntlet. Years back, before I changed to four wheels, one very cold day, I tucked up close behind a big rig to keep warm, and he lost a recap that went between the mud flap, and the front of my bike, up and over, then gone. That was the last time I got that close to the back of a big rig. Yes, I know the drivers were pissed at me being there because they knew I was there but could not see me. Woody
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,095
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Post by stefan on Oct 23, 2008 10:09:07 GMT -5
NEVER take trucks for granted- I learned this when Hauling my camper- (35 ft camper and 26 ft truck) I had a little compact JPOS) drafting me when one of my duallies (why does it always have to be the inside tire??) blew- Now I always tow with stabalizers and wieght distribution bars- and a good thing cause the rig got REAL squirrelly- and started to pull BAD- I got on the brakes real fast and got to the shoulder- NEVER even saw the car that ALMOST rear ended me- Guy pulled over to bitch- but saw the tire iron in my hand and decided to move along his merry way (good thing too as I was in a pretty foul mood by that time) NOPE- ALWAYS make sure you can see a truckers face in his side mirrors!
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RockyBlue
fully equipped rock polisher
Go U.K.
Member since June 2006
Posts: 1,719
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Post by RockyBlue on Oct 24, 2008 22:13:24 GMT -5
I guess i have to say something on behalf of us old timers,I`m 70 and i still keep up with traffic and my reaction time is the same as it`s been for years,and i too have ran across some older drivers that have no business driving on interstates, their dangerous.I do think that anybody over 65 should have a reaction test every year.When i ever get to where i start making mistakes on the road i hope i have the common sense to hang it up........Rocky
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Post by sitnwrap on Oct 24, 2008 23:05:21 GMT -5
Doesn't even sound like the he was rattled, just mad. I'm glad no one was hurt.
I'm with you rockyone, I really wish that after 65 a reaction test is mandatory every year. So many adult sons and daughters are put in the position of being the bad guy and having to take the license and car if mom or dad shouldn't be driving but wont give it up. It would be so much easier if states would just require a simple test and be the bad guy and take the license away if they failed.
My mom was driving until we forced her to the hospital where she was diagnosed with dimentia/alzheimers. Scary that she was driving in that state of mind with no intention of giving up the car.
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