Idot Drivers (I think he means Idiot)

[TurnedTheCorner]

But bikers on the road is a whole 'nother matter. Cyclists are our natural enemies, and as drivers we must eliminate them.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Dont come to TO then. To be 100% honest TO is MUCH worse then Calgary...come drive here for 6 months and go back to Calgary...everyone seems like your best friend!

I've driven in both.
When I first moved to Calgary I was shocked when I would let someone merge in in front of me and they would wave (!).
In the last couple of years Calgary has become worse than TO. There is still the occasional wave, but that is now the rare exception instead of the rule. The total amount of traffic in Calgary isn't quite as bad as TO, but Toronto drivers have come to expect traffic and just don't get their nose out of joint (as often).

[jolinar of malkshor]

OK....I have been in Quebec for the last two months and I have to say the drivers there have to be the worst in Canada. These drivers have no respect for any other person on the road...including pedestrians. I was sitting in a pub on St. Catherines watching out the window.....a police car drove through the intersection (with his lights on) but hit a taxi cab. (wasn't very serious but it pushed the cab over a few feet.) Any how, the police car just drove off like nothing happened. People don't stop at stop lights, don't signal, speed excessively. Also, the pedestrians just walk out on the road when ever and where ever. I have to say that Calgary drivers are ten times better than the ones out east.

On a more positive note. I have really enjoyed checking out Canada's history. Quebec is a beautiful province and for the most part the people are very friendly.

[llama64]

The thing that's been getting to me are the people who have no idea how to use a signal light. It's a matter of forethought, something the vast majority of other people seem to have no ability to do.

Whenever I want to change lanes/turn, I put the signal light on a good 10-15 seconds prior to completing the maneuver. I do this so that the people I'm going to be affecting know what is going on. They have been, you know, "signaled" .

Most other people seem to only signal at the exact instant they are completing their turn. In that case, what was the point in even putting on the flashy light?

If people would just think 2-3 cars ahead of them, most accidents wouldn't happen. But I think I'm asking too much of the average driver.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by llama64

The thing that's been getting to me are the people who have no idea how to use a signal light. It's a matter of forethought, something the vast majority of other people seem to have no ability to do.

Whenever I want to change lanes/turn, I put the signal light on a good 10-15 seconds prior to completing the maneuver. I do this so that the people I'm going to be affecting know what is going on. They have been, you know, "signaled" .

Most other people seem to only signal at the exact instant they are completing their turn. In that case, what was the point in even putting on the flashy light?

If people would just think 2-3 cars ahead of them, most accidents wouldn't happen. But I think I'm asking too much of the average driver.

OK, I believe in using my turn signals but for the last few years I was in Calgary using my signal for lane changing was only signaling those around to speed up or slow down so that the gap that was there was no longer. I'd be boxed in, manners and any semblance of the idea that we are in this together are gone and it's dog eat dog. Shame.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

OK, I believe in using my turn signals but for the last few years I was in Calgary using my signal for lane changing was only signaling those around to speed up or slow down so that the gap that was there was no longer. I'd be boxed in, manners and any semblance of the idea that we are in this together are gone and it's dog eat dog. Shame.

###

I had this problem this morning and have it all the time.
There was plenty of space, and when I signaled to change lanes 3 cars made sure they weren't gonna let me in. I ended up just cutting the last one off as they sped up, and got an evil glare from the old couple who I had to flip the bird.

As soon as I signal to chane lanes, that entire lane speeds up to fill the gaps and prevent me. Signaling late and catching them off guard seems to be the only way to change lanes these days.

I would love to signal earlier, but the sad reality is that drivers in the city have no courtesy and use your signals against you.

and then right before I get home, this bozo runs the 3-way stop without even slowing down a touch.

This arrogance of people in the city is rubbing off on the driving, and my middle finger is almost perminently outstretched.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

###

I had this problem this morning and have it all the time.
There was plenty of space, and when I signaled to change lanes 3 cars made sure they weren't gonna let me in. I ended up just cutting the last one off as they sped up, and got an evil glare from the old couple who I had to flip the bird.

As soon as I signal to chane lanes, that entire lane speeds up to fill the gaps and prevent me. Signaling late and catching them off guard seems to be the only way to change lanes these days.

I would love to signal earlier, but the sad reality is that drivers in the city have no courtesy and use your signals against you.

and then right before I get home, this bozo runs the 3-way stop without even slowing down a touch.

This arrogance of people in the city is rubbing off on the driving, and my middle finger is almost perminently outstretched.

I very rarely have this problem, to be honest. Thought I know exactly what you mean. Basically, I'll signal well ahead and begin moving into the lane. I have no problem cutting those people off, and their angry stares only enhance my happiness.

What urks me are the people who do the random traffic weaving, jerking from lane to lane with little warning and no signal. That is how accidents occur. If people are informed about what is going on, the chances of an accident are reduced greatly. And that makes me argue for people to stop being childish on the road and actually use their signal lights properly.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by llama64

What urks me are the people who do the random traffic weaving, jerking from lane to lane with little warning and no signal. That is how accidents occur. If people are informed about what is going on, the chances of an accident are reduced greatly. And that makes me argue for people to stop being childish on the road and actually use their signal lights properly.

There is little I love more (in a traffic sense) than seeing those people go by me, weaving in and out of traffic like they're so smart, and then pulling up beside or infront of them at the same red light. Sometimes if I'm feeling extra-cheeky, I'll even turn, smile, and wave at them.

[eazyduzzit]

I was on D.F trail the other day around 7:30am and traffic was slowing down in my lane and some idiot thought he needed to go a little faster and darted out into the right lane (right lane was moving a lot faster than the middle) and he spun out because he turned too quick to get over and he was lucky nobody from behind hit him because he was going a good 15km slower.

He basically almost caused a 5 car crash because he was too stupid to realize the road was slippy.

[Cliche]

What the hell is it with people edging up in intersections? When I'm on a right hand turn being able to see clearly into the intersection would be great without some idiot looking over and edging their vehicle past the stop line into the crosswalk. Do people think I have x-ray vision? Are they wanting to show off their crappy 1983 Chevy silverado? Are they wanting to go green light to green light when the only alternative is to turn?

[RougeUnderoos]

Crotchrockets and of the people that drive them.* Anyone buying a "sports bike" should also have to take a rudimentary physics course. A lot of the drivers of these things don't seem to know that 700 pounds of motorcycle is going to come out on the losing (dead) end of a collision with even a small car.

Some jackass was weaving his way down a busy Deerfoot today doing at least 170. At least he won't burden the health care system when he gets in a wreck, but it won't be nice for the people who have to witness his death.

*no, not all of them. But there does seem to be a disproportionate number of dummies driving them