Chacham's Journal: Chronicle: Beginning to cut nighttime driving. (2)

Well, i haven't been driving at nighttime, and even walked *gasp* somewhere the other day because it would be nighttime on the way back. I'm more comfortable with that decision, but i'm not sure i'm not sure it can last, because i'll need to get to and fro the office, which is a half-hour drive away.

I have noticed now that people really do use their headlights during the day time. In most cases, it is not blinding (because it is light outside) but it still hurts. So, i'm still holding my hand up to oncoming traffic, and my right-side mirror is tilted down (it becomes unuseful) a lot to save me. I've been toying with the idea of putting reflective-tape on my bumper, or just a straight-out mirror. You know, let them see what i'm seeing.

When it gets darker, and is harder to see other cars, many people turn on their headlights. Why? It is not hard to see, it is harder to be seen. So, don't turn on the lamps (two switches i've seen), just those smaller yellow lights (one switch). They make the automobile easily noticeable.

I've also been trying to drive the speed limit. I say "trying" because it is hard. Some roads are twenty-five mph that should be forty, and slow-downs because of twists aren't really going to happen. But on the freeway or forty mph roads, i've been doing my best to follow the posted limits. So, i get over to the right lane when i can.

Apparently, i'm ticking off a lot of people. I'm being tailgated *a lot* even in the right lane. So, i just do it. I slow down. Eventually they pass me, or honk, or give dirty looks. I really don't care. I'm in the right-lane. I'm going the speed limit. I'm trying to be a safe driver. If the car behind me can't handle that and wants to tailgate, so be it, but i'm taking my foot off the accelerator until we are at a safe speed for that distance. I happy with this, because many times those people seem to have their headlights on anyway, and making them angry enough to pass me only helps.

Granted, at first i only slow down little. Many get the hint at give me room to breathe, and which point i speed back up. but many don't. Do i need a bumper sticker asking them nicely not to trail within just a couple car-lengths of me?

I've been watching the road, and noticed how many people tailgate other people. The cut-offs as well. It's just all so aggressive. I'm beginning to despise driving in general as cars seem to bring out the worst in people who would otherwise be extremely polite.

In the meanwhile, i'm looking into getting a bike. I hope to ride instead of driving for the shorter distances.

Good for you

[benhocking]

As for your comment that roads that should be 40 mph are marked as 25 mph, I'll point out that often that's because there are children nearby, etc. So, the roads might be safe at 40 mph if there weren't darting children and/or animals (domesticated or wild), they can become unsafe when those obstacles are there.

In Charlottesville, there's a move to make *all* roads 25 mph (or less). The logic is that the total road coverage in Charlottesville really isn't all that much, and if driving 25 mph for 5 miles i

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[Chacham]

As for your comment that roads that should be 40 mph are marked as 25 mph, I'll point out that often that's because there are children nearby, etc. So, the roads might be safe at 40 mph if there weren't darting children and/or animals (domesticated or wild), they can become unsafe when those obstacles are there.

True. But the amount of time kids are out on these streets is minimal. They aren't really residential streets. So, toddlers aren't there, and kids are generally knowledgeable to "look both ways". For

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[Bill Dog]

In Charlottesville, there's a move to make *all* roads 25 mph (or less).

Seems to be happening in my area as well, and it's really ticking me off. The state vehicle code is 25 mph in a school zone, and 35 mph in a residential area. I have no problem with that whatsoever. But to make to every street 25 mph is I guess what all the uptight soccer moms around here want, and that's what they're getting. Only I won't do it. I do 35 mph. Period. I can understand not wanting someone zooming down your street at 60, r

Not a bad idea

[benhocking]

"Speed kills", ya know, therefore a little slower is better, but even slower is even beter, ya see. I'm sure they'd like to completely close down the streets they live on to cars.

There are a few roads that were completely closed off here in Charlottesville. Made the city nicer, IMO. Those roads are now pedestrian walkways, and the shops that complained that it would hurt their business when it happened are now profiting quite nicely. People actually like to spend time on these pedestrian walkways.

Also,

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[Chacham]

and the shops that complained that it would hurt their business when it happened are now profiting quite nicely. People actually like to spend time on these pedestrian walkways.

Now if we can just get cops back to a feet beat...

Already done

[benhocking]

There are quite a few cops on the pedestrian area. Some are on foot, and others are on bike.

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[Chacham]

There are quite a few cops on the pedestrian area. Some are on foot, and others are on bike.

You serious? We so need that here in Detroit.

Well, this IS Charlottesville

[benhocking]

Population ~100,000. That might make a bit of a difference. That, and the fact that Charlottesville ROCKS!

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[Chacham]

Population ~100,000.

Detroit is getting there. Even as it denies it's under a million.

That, and the fact that Charlottesville ROCKS!

Heh.

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[Bill Dog]

I'm quite certain your city is not violating state laws when they choose to make those roads 25 mph.

I am too. Making them 15 or 5 mph would probably not be violating state law either, technically speaking. But I think it's an abuse, a violation of the spirit of the law, which is reasonable speed limits. How much longer it takes to get somewhere, at those speeds, is not a factor. It's the aggravation. Having to climb a hill in 2nd gear with my engine roaring like a big rig because I'm behind some uptight do-

Reason versus emotion

[benhocking]

You keep using the word reasonable, but then justify your actions because of the aggravation it causes you. That sounds more like an emotional response than a reasonable one. Perhaps you should seek to understand the true source of your aggravation. When other people make you mad, you are no longer the one in control.

And, yes, I'm one of those who goes the speed limit, although I drive a hybrid and not a minivan. :P (In all fairness, perhaps part of your problem is that your car needs repair?)

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[Chacham]

And, yes, I'm one of those who goes the speed limit, although I drive a hybrid and not a minivan. :P

Oh my. *Please* tell me it's not a Yugo. :)

That sounds more like an emotional response than a reasonable one.

Wow, nice pot shot. :P (You used "reasonable" in a way that could be translated two different ways.)

The appropriate terms (Jung-wise) are Thinking [slashdot.org] and Feeling [slashdot.org]. van der Hoop spends a good few pages showing the differences between feeling and emotion [slashdot.org]

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[benhocking]

And, yes, I'm one of those who goes the speed limit, although I drive a hybrid and not a minivan. :P

Oh my. *Please* tell me it's not a Yugo. :)

Yugo makes hybrids? (A Google search on "Yugo hybrid" turns up hybrid bees, but not hybrid cars.) Btw, the hybrid I drive is a Honda Civic 2005. My wife and I bought it to replace our 1995 Honda Civic (also bought new) that was destroyed [virginia.edu] by a tractor trailer while both of us (the truck driver and me, that is) were driving at approximately 70 mph - which was the p

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[Chacham]

Yugo makes hybrids? (A Google search on "Yugo hybrid" turns up hybrid bees, but not hybrid cars.)

Stop taking me so seriously. You're scaring me. :P

Ouch, sorry to hear about the smash.

I'm guessing the 3rd defintion of "moderate" is the one you're thinking he meant, and likely he did.

I was not deliberately manipulating his words, though.

I know. You know what you wrote, not how it is read. The manipulation is there, whether you realize it or not. And, i'm not so impressed that you *didn't* mean it. It would h

van der Hoop vs. Skinner

[benhocking]

Ugh. I'll only read that *after* you read mine. So there!

van der Hoop is working within Jung's stuff. And the differences he lists are quite nice.

Ah, but mine says yours is irrelevant. :P

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[Chacham]

heh.

But mines are explosive!

Wait. Hmm... i *really* best get back to work. Need to figure out this SOAP stuff.

here's what you need

[Bill Dog]

A white-haired granny wig and glasses. Wear that and hunch down so that you're looking through the steering wheel, and then everyone will go, oh, it's a little old lady, and pass you by without too much ill-will, and the gestures and looks that can follow. But no one likes to be stuck behind someone who should be able to maintain a decent pace.

However, as one of the kind of people who get mad when someone is poking along when they shouldn't be, I have absolutely no problem with someone who's going at least

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[Chacham]

Heh, lane thing is a neat idea. :)