Pathetic Drivers

[VtwinVince]

I drove the GF's RSX up the Duffy to Cache Creek on Sunday, and never have I seen so many pathetic idiots in one trip. Countless slowpokes refusing to yield, people in fast cars driving like my grandmother, motorbikes refusing to get out of the way when I'm all over their asses. It was the most frustrating experience I've had in awhile. Etiquette? Forget that. When I'm out in the toolies dropping it and someone is faster, I yield. There's my rant for the day.

[Blakeoffire]

I share in your grief Vince...

That being said, its one of the main reasons I refuse to drive anywhere on Holiday weekends. Too much traffic clogging up the roads (even the few roads that are actually fun to drive), too many bubble-headed, lackadaisical drivers who haven't a hope in hell in terms of road-etiquette, as you noted. A large majority of drivers out here just feel content and comfortably numb behind the wheel...(my Dad being a prime example... :) ) dawdling along at a paltry 45 km/h, giving off the assumption that they believe everyone else is just as numb to the experience/task as they are.

One reason I tend to chalk it up to is the fact that this region has nearly zero history as far as anything Motorsport-related and the thrill of driving/riding is concerned. Without that appreciation, respect and knowledge regarding anything involving speed matters, you're left with a society that views driving and the ownership of cars as just another 'necessary evil' or chore. I know I keep going-off about it lately, but seriously, one day just plan a driving-trip throughout Wales, Northern England or Scotland... and notice how their endless, winding, dipping roads clearly force you to become an attentive, experienced, more focused driver. I drove over 1800 miles throughout the U.K. ... and time and time again, I was amazed at the proper, respectful discretion shown by other drivers. Sure, of course there was the odd nutter behind the wheel... the odd slower driver taking it easy... but, they always had the brains to pull over and let you pass.

Also, not helping matters any nowadays, is the fashionable 'green' issue that has permeated throughout many different sects of our culture out here. The amusingly hypocritical eco-hippies beaking-off their distorted, fictional climate-change propaganda have infiltrated their clearly uneducated messages to the population that sportscars and SUVs are deemed the sidemen of Beelzebub himself. Sorry eco-twits, hybrids aren't going to save the planet... in fact, they're doing more damage than good..!?! :rolleyes:

Having lived out here my entire life, one largely growing fact (that is difficult to dismiss and ignore) is the face of an ever-increasing population, hence the large percentage of new drivers on the roads that have only lived in this here country of Canada for a rather short period of time. I can't speak for everyone of course, but most of the time I feel as though I'm abiding by 2 or 3 different sets of rules for driving on our roads now. For example, apparently it is commonplace now for you to be hastily cut-off in your lane without so much as an illuminated signal-lamp or mirror-check from the other driver. Infuriating!! I could go on and on....

It appears any pathetic driving techniques and lack-of-etiquette have been directly transfered onto these roads (once they 'pass' the BC driver-test) and as a result, we're all just supposed to what, 'adapt' to the madness now...? I'm tired of 'adapting' in my own hometown thank you very much.

This is why I continuously raise the garage-door after midnight to challenge myself and the car along those empty routes I find even remotely exciting... basking in the intimacy involved between beautiful engineering, the cool evening breezes and how you choose to control it all. The grid-pattern we live amongst isn't exactly the most interesting to drive on (in fact, it's drool-inducingly boring) but every now and then you experience a drive that increases the blood pressure and makes you feel a little more alive than usual. Something Leonardo Dicapprio, Cameron Diaz, Madonna, Al Gore, eco-twits, British Transpost Ministers and all of Hollywood would never understand.

Great...rant turned into an essay once again... Sorry guys... :wave:

B.

[lagin]

People who never drive, never go anywhere, choose the holiday weekend to do it. Their driving proves as much. Their inexperience will be everyone's downfall. Every time I turn on the radio, accidents accidents and more accidents. Maybe I was numb to it all before, but I honestly think the number of incidents is on the increase. Makes sense considering there is more traffic, more inexperienced drivers both young and old. It's great to see how many are in their own little world - thought about buying a megaphone today.
/rant

[VtwinVince]

Very eloquently put, Blake, and I can't disagree with you. I thought, naiively, that it being the middle of a long weekend, I wouldn't encounter so many morons. I don't mind people driving like idiots in the Lower Mainland, as I've come to expect it. But when I go three hours out of my way to get to a good road that I know well, like the Duffy, I expect people not to match my pace, but to at least get out of the way promptly. One guy in a new Mustang was creeping along at the lake, and as soon as we got to a passing opportunity, he drops the hammer to keep me behind him. Then I'm all over him again in the next set of corners. Ridiculous. Or the Asian guy from Alberta on Hat Creek road who spent about half the time in the oncoming lane, whilst gesticulating at his passenger, all as I'm trying to pass him. And to top it off, the return route on the Duffy was a gong show of trying to get around two motorcycles going BELOW the limit in the corners, then accellerating on the straights. Not even aggressive tailgating could get these nitwits attention.

[Nitrox]

I hate to sound like a parent but... get used to it. Driver training, competence, and etiquette here is abysmal. When planning my '05 Europe trip I was told that I should take a CDN sticker for my rental car so that the locals cut me some slack since they were 'crazy' drivers. Hardly, they were very competent and very courteous; of course if you were driving like a nub they let you know about it. Unfortunately the downside to that great European driving experience was coming home to North American driving etiquette - or lack thereof. (serenity now!)

[redhatpat]

On sunday I had a fun drive from Pritchard (just east of Kamloops) back into town. It was fun and clear sailing until around Hope. Then some tool in a civic wouldnt yield the passing lane, and before long we hit Chilliwack. "Hit" being the correct term to use, it was like a wall of traffic. Bumper to bumper, and some other tool in a Ford pick up tailgating me. sigh...

[Mr. Red]

On sunday I had a fun drive from Pritchard (just east of Kamloops) back into town. It was fun and clear sailing until around Hope. Then some tool in a civic wouldnt yield the passing lane, and before long we hit Chilliwack. "Hit" being the correct term to use, it was like a wall of traffic. Bumper to bumper, and some other tool in a Ford pick up tailgating me. sigh...
I was driving my friend's civic loaded down with 5 people and luggage back from kelowna and experienced the same thing. Right after Hope, the traffic got horrible for no apparent reason at all.

[k-swiss]

I'm a regular Coq commuter and I can tell you the traffic changes completly from the tollbooth South. Vancouver drivers drive me nuts.. But since I've now moved to Kamloops I get to experience Kamloops drivers.. Just yesterday I had a great drive from Likely to Celista. The drivers on the #24 were courteous and stayed in the right lane and yeilded...

-Kirin

[Blakeoffire]

I'm a regular Coq commuter and I can tell you the traffic changes completly from the tollbooth South. Vancouver drivers drive me nuts.. But since I've now moved to Kamloops.....
-Kirin

What the...? When did you...? :confused:

Kamloops..?



B.

[redhatpat]

I'm a regular Coq commuter and I can tell you the traffic changes completly from the tollbooth South. Vancouver drivers drive me nuts.. But since I've now moved to Kamloops I get to experience Kamloops drivers.. Just yesterday I had a great drive from Likely to Celista. The drivers on the #24 were courteous and stayed in the right lane and yeilded...

-Kirin
Hey, I've been to Likely. Great place, the jokes just write themselves! :)

[k-swiss]

Hey, I've been to Likely. Great place, the jokes just write themselves! :)

Hey guys,
I "unofficially moved" last week. I move into my dorm the end of this month at Thompson Rivers. Meanwhile I'm staying out at my parents place in the North Shuswap. I've been loving the relatively empty roads, little to no traffic. However whenver I get stuck behind a 4x4 dually, Alberta truck I go a bit nuts!....

As for Pat, Yeah Likely is an interesting place for sure. Try staying with a local resident and cruising around Likely in a E30 on Coilovers. I'm pretty sure I'm local legend now.
-Kirin

[motoyen]

Vince you need a train horn to get the people to move!

http://www.hornblasters.com/audio