Sooo...driving is a BITCH. Rant here to alleviate stress.

[evilcougar]

On a more driving ranting note, i wanted to beat a ###### to death with his own shoes (after a good punch in the face of course) today for thinking it was cool to play effing pac man down the middle of a road to my office and then taking 8 years to turn a goddamn corner.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by evilcougar

I wonder this everytime i climb the steps in the saddledome to my seats...

Me too, espcially since they said no to smoking in the stairs. Back in the day, it was awesome. Having a bro with seasons tix in the nose bleeds, to date I have blazed more times than I can count in that stairwell and never once had a problem. In the last few seasons though, heck no (that and I figured out I like live hockey sober much better than blazed).

[WesternCanadaKing]

Originally Posted by rubecube

In Victoria we have people who slow down for advance greens and people who yield when making a right turn on a green light. Morons.

I'm learning how to drive right now (still have my learners ) and the only person I can drive with on a consistent basis is my dear mom, and its funny that you say this because she just SCREAMS at me if I don't do this. No matter how much I try to explain that if it turns yellow before I have enough time to stop that means I can make it through the light, or that yielding when making a right turn on a green light is pointless, she just loses her head.

All this info on the proper way to merge is pretty helpful. It still scares the hell out of me because I haven't got a clue how to time it correctly and I'm pretty clueless what to do in certain situations. Like it seems that slowing down in a merge lane or entering traffic before going the correct speed is a big faux pas. What about in situations like when merging from 14th St. onto Memorial when its busy, its tough to see the cars that are coming (theres a huge support for the bridge that blocks the view significantly) and the merge lane is very short? My mom makes me stop completely... I'm pretty sure this is not the right course of action (it never seems like I get into this stupid situations with anyone else but her). I'll be taking a drivers course later this summer, but still, it's good to get as much info as possible.

[evilcougar]

Originally Posted by Traditional_Ale

Me too, espcially since they said no to smoking in the stairs. Back in the day, it was awesome. Having a bro with seasons tix in the nose bleeds, to date I have blazed more times than I can count in that stairwell and never once had a problem. In the last few seasons though, heck no (that and I figured out I like live hockey sober much better than blazed).

LOL well, my seats aren't in the nose bleeds, but, row 21 in the 2nd tier sure feels like it when climbing. It's extra annoying now that they've banned some entrances to smoking. GAY.

[wooohooo]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

I'm learning how to drive right now (still have my learners ) and the only person I can drive with on a consistent basis is my dear mom, and its funny that you say this because she just SCREAMS at me if I don't do this. No matter how much I try to explain that if it turns yellow before I have enough time to stop that means I can make it through the light, or that yielding when making a right turn on a green light is pointless, she just loses her head.

All this info on the proper way to merge is pretty helpful. It still scares the hell out of me because I haven't got a clue how to time it correctly and I'm pretty clueless what to do in certain situations. Like it seems that slowing down in a merge lane or entering traffic before going the correct speed is a big faux pas. What about in situations like when merging from 14th St. onto Memorial when its busy, its tough to see the cars that are coming (theres a huge support for the bridge that blocks the view significantly) and the merge lane is very short? My mom makes me stop completely... I'm pretty sure this is not the right course of action (it never seems like I get into this stupid situations with anyone else but her). I'll be taking a drivers course later this summer, but still, it's good to get as much info as possible.

Keep going, whatever you do... DO NOT STOP! People that stop or go VERY slowly are the ones that cause accidents. Keep going, signal early and someone will let you in or force your way in. It's short, but not that short.

Once somebody comes to a complete halt, it causes everyone behind to do the exact same thing and so people can't gain the necessary speed to merge into the other lane in a safe manor thus causing the huge back ups.

[evilcougar]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

I'm learning how to drive right now (still have my learners ) and the only person I can drive with on a consistent basis is my dear mom, and its funny that you say this because she just SCREAMS at me if I don't do this. No matter how much I try to explain that if it turns yellow before I have enough time to stop that means I can make it through the light, or that yielding when making a right turn on a green light is pointless, she just loses her head.

All this info on the proper way to merge is pretty helpful. It still scares the hell out of me because I haven't got a clue how to time it correctly and I'm pretty clueless what to do in certain situations. Like it seems that slowing down in a merge lane or entering traffic before going the correct speed is a big faux pas. What about in situations like when merging from 14th St. onto Memorial when its busy, its tough to see the cars that are coming (theres a huge support for the bridge that blocks the view significantly) and the merge lane is very short? My mom makes me stop completely... I'm pretty sure this is not the right course of action (it never seems like I get into this stupid situations with anyone else but her). I'll be taking a drivers course later this summer, but still, it's good to get as much info as possible.

Just don't be afraid to use your gas pedal. If you are afraid of the gas pedal, people will likely want to punch you in the face. There are a few places around the city where it's better to just stop and look, but, mostly, you can adjust your side mirrors enough to be able to see and merge at a safe speed. Just don't be that ###### that slowly merges and continues to go slowly.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

At the risk of sounding like some complete sycophant/ass-kisser/brown-noser, I have the following anecdote to report:

I used to be 'merge before the end/shake head at waits till the end guy' ... then I read what seemed to be some well-informed arguments against that on here and decided to throw caution to the wind. Like George Costanza, I decided to do the opposite, and I'm not going back.

A further admission: I am also now 'lets guy who waited until the end in' guy. Take that 'stop-and-wait' brigade!

It's weird, eh? When someone says something that is absolutely against the way you do things, but they somehow manage to explain it in such a way that not only do you see their point of view, you adopt it... It's a sign of manhood, good friend. Live and learn. Live and let live.

Originally Posted by Suzles

I would still prefer to drive here than in England. They are the ANGRIEST drivers, I think. No one there will never ever never let you get in front of them. If you aren't in the correct lane six miles early you will never be let in. Really, drivers here in Calgary are the MOST courteous I have ever experienced. 4 way stops would never work in England as everyone would go at once!

If I never drive the M25 again I will be very happy!

I think the problem with truck drivers (my husband being one) is that they just THINK they are superior - but they aren't! (I was always told the bigger/faster the vehicle the smaller the ........)

I say nay. Suzles, I'll take driving in England, or any other Euro country (that I've been to) over Calgary any day of the week. Over there, if you stick your nose in, you're in. That's it. You just have to have the balls to stick your nose in.
Around here, these f'ing strugglers stop in the middle of traffic and are paralyzed like deer in headlights at the sheer thought of changing lanes.
I fail to understand what is so tragic about missing a turn. OMFG!! I have to circle the block because I'm too timid to pull in when the guy is giving me room! I need more room!!1!
That's the mentality of the majority of drivers in this city. In England, if you're too stupid to seize the opportunity, goan F yourself. I offered, you failed to partake. Too bad, so sad.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherGuy

This reminds me of the people who drive 80 kms an hour on the highway in the mountains. Then we finally get to the section that has a passing lane and they speed up to 110 kms an hour. It makes me go insane if I don't get past them because they again slow down to 80 kms.

Murder. This makes me want to commit it. Hence my love for my recently acquired 6 speed. Try that on me, f'r. Eat my dust.

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

When I read this, my mind delivered it in the "I am Canadian" Joe Canadian fashion.

Now that I've come home again and re read what I wrote, it sounded the same way. Which pisses me off. I basically just blurted it out and got madder as I wrote. Damn you Joe Canadian!! I inadvertantly emulated you!

[Pagal4321]

Hey, lady driving in Hamptons at 1:30 am on a Friday morning. How about you
a) don't go 30 km/h
b) don't pull your car all the way to the right of the road, then indicate you are turning left and block the entire road!!

When you slow down and move to the right side of the road, I'm under the impression this is your way of letting me pass. But noooooooo, instead you almost cause an accident.

/rant.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

All this info on the proper way to merge is pretty helpful. It still scares the hell out of me because I haven't got a clue how to time it correctly and I'm pretty clueless what to do in certain situations. Like it seems that slowing down in a merge lane or entering traffic before going the correct speed is a big faux pas. What about in situations like when merging from 14th St. onto Memorial when its busy, its tough to see the cars that are coming (theres a huge support for the bridge that blocks the view significantly) and the merge lane is very short? My mom makes me stop completely... I'm pretty sure this is not the right course of action (it never seems like I get into this stupid situations with anyone else but her). I'll be taking a drivers course later this summer, but still, it's good to get as much info as possible.

In addition to what I said, notice, learn and pick where you are going to merge early. Usually for me, I identify a good 500m where I am going to merge and I do it there. No 2nd guessing myself. Consider the speed of the cars in front of you, observe what the right lane you are merging into is doing (who is going fast? slow? if they are speeding up, they are probably looking to exit and will create a hole for you) then pick your spot you are going to merge, speed up accordingly to merge into that hole and just do it. Don't 2nd guess yourself (or as 4x4 says, don't be deer in the headlights when you merge). I'm not even a old driver (I'm 24, but since I had no car in university, I probably have the equiv of 3 years driving experience) and I have no problem driving highways, I merge/exit highways probably 10x's a day.

Also note, pick your spot to get out of the right lane early if you can too. Down here, there is a merge/exit every 200m and traffic just gets really choppy in the right lane, so I usually try and get a middle lane ASAP. If I don't have to exit for 5km, I pick the 2nd farthest left lane so I don't have to deal with with mergers and right hand lane drivers trying to change into my lane at 80% of the speed.

I'll take driving anywhere in Europe over Alberta as well. I'll take higher speeds with drivers that know how to handle it and handle driving highways, over Alberta any day.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by rubecube

In Victoria we have people who slow down for advance greens and people who yield when making a right turn on a green light. Morons.

Really depends where. I know in Alberta, you arn't supposed to do that, but if you didn't yield down here to leftie turners, you'd get smoked. The 1 mile drive from where I live to get onto one of the highways, there are 2 of these right turns at a traffic light, and at both, when the other side has a turning arrow, they all make wide turns and capture all 3 lanes. Everybody here yields to left turning arrows. I always yield, watch the pitch of how the left turn cars are turning to see if they are going into their lane (left lane), middle lane or if they are turning into the right lane.

Also, at some left turns, there are as many as 4 left turning lanes. If you just assumed there is only 1 and didn't yield, you'd get smoked.

[3 Justin 3]

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

I'm learning how to drive right now (still have my learners ) and the only person I can drive with on a consistent basis is my dear mom, and its funny that you say this because she just SCREAMS at me if I don't do this. No matter how much I try to explain that if it turns yellow before I have enough time to stop that means I can make it through the light, or that yielding when making a right turn on a green light is pointless, she just loses her head.

All this info on the proper way to merge is pretty helpful. It still scares the hell out of me because I haven't got a clue how to time it correctly and I'm pretty clueless what to do in certain situations. Like it seems that slowing down in a merge lane or entering traffic before going the correct speed is a big faux pas. What about in situations like when merging from 14th St. onto Memorial when its busy, its tough to see the cars that are coming (theres a huge support for the bridge that blocks the view significantly) and the merge lane is very short? My mom makes me stop completely... I'm pretty sure this is not the right course of action (it never seems like I get into this stupid situations with anyone else but her). I'll be taking a drivers course later this summer, but still, it's good to get as much info as possible.

The next time you mom tells you to stop on a yellow who you KNOW you can go through slap her. When she yells at you to yield on a green turning, slap her again.

As for merging, grow a pair and use the gas pedal. I can't explain how frustrating it is when I see someone STOP IN THE BLOODY MERGE LANE!?!!

For me getting onto Country Hills from Harvest Hills, there is a lane about 600m long to merge and people always stop at the freaking corner to merge. LIKE WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?!


My tip for driving is grow a pair. Stop braking when you don't need to, stop going 50 ######ing kilometers an hour in the left lane when the speed limit is 60.


And what the hell is with these people who drive 50 in both lanes?? There is 2 lanes in the road, and people beside each other both do the exact same speed, like get the ###### out of my way you idiots, get in the right lane if your going to drive like a scared pu**y. Drives me nuts, then when I brake free I look at them and they are smiling, looking at me like I am crazy, or on their phone.

It baffles me how many people have their licenses in this city, because everyone sucks at driving.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Hey, lady driving in Hamptons at 1:30 am on a Friday morning. How about you
a) don't go 30 km/h
b) don't pull your car all the way to the right of the road, then indicate you are turning left and block the entire road!!

When you slow down and move to the right side of the road, I'm under the impression this is your way of letting me pass. But noooooooo, instead you almost cause an accident.

/rant.

God I hate driving in that area. I saw something similar to that last friday...I wonder if that is the situation you are talking about.

[Lucifer]

I still say the one thing that annoys me the most about drivers anywhere, are those that talk on their cell phones while driving. There's no way they can be paying attention 100% to their driving. Hell, I've had a few people cut me off while talking on their cell phones, damn near hit someone also. I was driving along 36th street, and coming off Peigan was some idiot talking away on his cell phone, not paying attention, and didn't bother checking to see if anyone was coming before going onto 36th street. I hit the brakes, honked my horn at him, and he goes over into the left lane and as I'm passing him, he just smiles at me, all the while I'm giving him this dirty look, making sure that he knows he cut me off and I didn't like it one bit.

Another thing that annoys me a little is tailgaters. On Peigan it's annoying when I'm going 70km/h, the posted speed limit, and I have this clown charging up behind me going 80-85km/h. See, I choose not to speed because I don't really feel like having to pay a speeding ticket. That should be understandable, but you still have the odd idiot who thinks everyone should be going 15km/h over the speed limit and if they aren't, they should get off the road. What's especially funny is if there's radar up ahead, and that same idiot gets stopped.

[Old Yeller]

This morning I was behind a guy going Northbound on Macleod (after Glenmore) in the right hand land.. he had Oregon plates.

We're driving along on Macleod and he all of a sudden starts gradually slowing down. I figured since he was an out of towner he was looking at the street signs as we passed and was going to turn at some point.

Well the guy flat out stopped on Macleod in the right hand land, and put on his hazards. He then proceeded to unfold a map and start staring at it....

Is that how it works in the US? You're lost so you just stop where ever you feel like?

Ahhh stampede time, how I hate you.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by bspec

Does anyone else hate people who seem to still go 30 km/h through school zones during the summer?

I'd rather be delayed by the 3 seconds the error would add to my commute by someone doing that every single day of the summer vacation than be behind someone ignoring school and playground zones even once when they are in effect.

[EDBTZ12]

To the guy that was driving 70 km/hr in the right lane yesterday on my way back from strathmore..SCREW YOUR MOTHER

[EDBTZ12]

Also not trying to be racist or anything but i live in Forest Lawn ( greatest part of the city) anyways over the last 3 years there has been a huge immigration of Sudanis and they cant drive at all.

Im almost positive they got their licenses through illegal means. I see them put their signal light in the middle of 17th ave se when they wanna turn left all the time totally ignoring the proper turning lane. I can go on and on for days on the numerous mistakes i have witnessed.

[starseed]

I just drove 7500 kms in 10 days. I dont want to ever see a steering wheel again.

I got lost in downtown Chicago, and they are not the nicest drivers in the world. At least Toronto and western Canadian drivers are courteous.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by starseed

I just drove 7500 kms in 10 days. I dont want to ever see a steering wheel again.

I got lost in downtown Chicago, and they are not the nicest drivers in the world. At least Toronto and western Canadian drivers are courteous.

Driving through Chicago is rediculous. Basically a no-road rules winner take-all derby.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by EDBTZ12

To the guy that was driving 70 km/hr in the right lane yesterday on my way back from strathmore..SCREW YOUR MOTHER

Which lane should he have been in?

No way he was going to try the left (fast) lane and risk getting punched in the face by 4x4 or Redvan.