Anti-Prius Motorists

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Mar 2 2007, 06:20 AM) [snapback]399028[/snapback]</div>

honestly, I do not have the time to make conversation with myself on the internet. You are just in denial at this point that there are others who share my opinion. You shared you story as if you got enjoyment out of the experience. listen to rockafellas advice he has some very good points.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Mar 2 2007, 09:31 AM) [snapback]399128[/snapback]</div>

never been there. not many left exits where I live. I understand where you are coming from but I have to say if you pull in front of that speeder at a slower rate of speed you are just as unsafe. Hypathetically lets say he rear ended you in that situation. Now call your insurance agent and ask who would be at fault. I am guessing it would be at least 75% your fault if not 100%. look into it for yourself. 2 wrongs never make a right.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ZenCruiser @ Mar 2 2007, 10:15 AM) [snapback]399148[/snapback]</div>

Sorry about the "you guys" cause it is not all hybrid drivers just the majority are overly concious of they're fuel consumption to the point that it is unsafe. I came here to vent about it. Can you tell me the proper place to let this out at then? If this is not. Is the freeway or streets a better place? I think I have a right to voice my opinion here. I am sorry if I have offended anyone in any way. I am not here to insult anyone if I have done so trying to make my point I appologize for that. I have tried to be respectful to everyone here. I guess I could have tried to make my point without the H8R part. Sorry. It was in frustration and anger that I sought this thread.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusH8R @ Mar 1 2007, 11:04 PM) [snapback]398947[/snapback]</div>

No prob; I appreciate how annoying it is to run into slow people in the fast lane. Even recently I had to race up 880 here in the Bay Area in order to make it to IKEA before it closed (stop laughing, you people ), and I ran into a few people I had to pass on the right. Just wanted to clarify that the "tenth of a second" thing wasn't brakes, just coasting.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tempus @ Mar 2 2007, 10:31 AM) [snapback]399128[/snapback]</div>

I agree with everything you say. It annoys me when drivers won't let someone into a lane where they have to turn. It is incredibly rude for the same drivers who want everyone to stay to the right to refuse to let someone in who has to make a left turn from their lane.

Civility has been disappearing from our society. I was taught, for example, that when two lanes merge into one you take turns. It amazes me how many drivers won't follow that simple maxim.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Mar 2 2007, 01:25 PM) [snapback]399238[/snapback]</div>

I'm assuming the dealer or handbook is where most hybrid drivers found out how to drive them for maximum life and fuel economy. I wish i could re-write it. hehe.
I would not have a reason to vent at those who yield to me. I also yield to others. I have learned to keep my cool and not get caught up in road rage. Road rage is very common here in Los angeles. It is unsafe and you could wind up in jail by participating. Thanks for yielding. Take care.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zqfmbg @ Mar 2 2007, 04:00 PM) [snapback]399330[/snapback]</div>

Thanks dude. I will wait the extra tenth of a second in your case. That is totally cool with me. Take care!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(steve in Arizona @ Mar 1 2007, 10:34 PM) [snapback]398857[/snapback]</div>

Steve ,
You've written some great and true stuff. I do always drive on the right side except when I have to make a left turn. We have six lane two way roads here right lane, passing lane, and left lane. I'm telling you it's hard, because here in town the speed limit is 40 and 30 on the less busy road and 25 in residential area. I'm not a slow driver but drive at or a little above the speed limit, and it's scary. So many of the drivers here think they're at the race track, and the speeders drive in the slow lane so we all have to be speeders.
On Gulf to Bay where the 40 miles per hour speed limit is, the lights were recently synchronized so it has become a highway. When you're sitting on the side streets waiting to get on the "Highway". you sit there and cool your heels for what seems like hou rs. I like the old days better when you didn't have to race to the grocery store.
Mary

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ian MacDonald @ Mar 2 2007, 03:32 AM) [snapback]398963[/snapback]</div>

You're so right Ian, good thinking and that is all great advice. I too wish people were courteous and stop acting like wild animals.
Mary

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusH8R @ Mar 2 2007, 06:17 PM) [snapback]399335[/snapback]</div>

Unfortunately, the Insight handbook said virtually nothing. Also, there are several schools of thought.

I make my morning commute before the rush hour. Everybody can easily pass me - unless they have a chip on their shoulder.

 

Just wanted to add that if any of you were ever stranded on the side of the road, in a serious accident, being assaulted by a roadrager, or anything like that. I would stop and render assistance. And I don't mean by helping out the guy that is trying to kick your nice person either. Seriously though I am a human being. If any of you guys needed help I would lend a hand. I just wanted to drop in vent and give my opinion on the thread subject. Thanks for discussing it with me people. Did'nt wanna bash you guys, just vent. Still not sure if I understand this troll thing completely but if I got it right it has to do with me like bashing the thread members here. Is that it? Or does it have to do with the road, like I am the troll under the bridge or suntin because I think I own the road. Or both. Just not sure if I understand completely.

I don't smell anymore troll food cookin over here and I am hungry so I gotta go. Anyone know what trolls eat? I'm hungry. Hi my name is Frank and I'm a troll. I have a one of those things in my window and it say's "troll on board". You guys should come out with me to one of our troll parties, there are some pretty hot troll chicks. I got some pretty hot troll porn too. I also get Trollboy magazine. I think I am supposed to eat truffles or suntin. Sorry for coming into your guys little bubble and giving an outside opinion on the subject. I'm actually not sorry about that though. Only sorry if I offended anyone. Take care everyone! Peace!

PS: I will check back and see if anyone dropped any troll crumbs on the bb floor.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Mar 2 2007, 05:44 PM) [snapback]399355[/snapback]</div>

Interesting. Probably will take a while for the handbooks to catch up to the technology. The manufacturers probably have been using the same handbooks for the last hundred years or so and just editing them annually. So god forbid if they have to start from scatch and write a new book for a new type of vehicle. But I am assuming that somewhere along the line all hybrid owners were told to drive a certain way for maximum fuel economy and vehicle life. And that would be slow acceleration, lower top speeds and fewer stops, I assume. That vehicle operation style in the LEFT lane is bound to piss off the person behind you. I am not the chip on the shoulder guy though. I think the ones with the chip on there shoulder have a problem upstairs and need help. If you are in the right lane I would just drive by like anyone else. We are cool dude. You are not the guy I'm talking about. Take care.

 

well priush8r, you've never driven behind me. I am yet to find anyone in the rearview mirror.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(opus17 @ Mar 2 2007, 11:34 AM) [snapback]399173[/snapback]</div>

In that case you're doing nothing wrong and the other guy is being a d*ck. That's not the situation that causes a reasonable person to get upset. Unless you're driving at a speed dangerously below the flow of traffic and creating an unsafe situation, no one should get upset at what happens in the slow lane. I don't recall a post from anyone complaining about driving too slow in the slow lane, only reports that people have been tailgated there.

So you've never broken a speed limit in your life? Or are you a "criminal" too?

There are so many crappy drivers in the Bay Area (mostly due to being immigrants with little previous driving experience is my guess) that it's faster to drive in the slow lane or the lane immediately to the left. The number one and two lane are usually being impeded by a slow driver (usually not a Prius driver, but definitely a clueless one).

Fast and slow drivers can peacefully exist as long as they drive in the appropriate lane. The problems occur when these rules aren't followed. Some of you slower drivers are creating unsafe situations where they need not exist, by insisting on plodding along in the fast lane. I think most Prius drivers do drive safely, it's just that the idiots are especially vocal here and visible on the freeway.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(brick @ Feb 27 2007, 09:32 PM) [snapback]397585[/snapback]</div>

Some great quotes in this post! "...these people get frustrated and tailgate simply because other drivers exist." Isn't that the truth! My personal favorites are cutters and speeders bearing Christian bumper insignia. It's FAR more common than you would ever imagine.

And, regarding school buses, Prince George's County, MD school buses routinely whizzz past me while I'm driving at the posted speed limit.

I don't believe it's Pruis-related rage, per se. More likely it's because many of us are more careful drivers and we're noticing the recklessness of others. B)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Mar 3 2007, 07:03 PM) [snapback]399668[/snapback]</div>

The criminal is the tailgater, who is, by definition, a reckless driver.

I drive in the Bay Area -- the normal freeway speed is 0-40 MPH -- there isn't really a "fast lane" when everyone is standing still.

So, when traffic really get moving, and I'm going 30, and the guy in front of me is going 30, and so on, what makes the idiot behind me want to tailgate, other than the lack of a functioning brain stem?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusH8R @ Mar 1 2007, 09:29 PM) [snapback]398875[/snapback]</div>

Wreckless? Hopefully. Reckless? Not me, perhaps too broad a generalization. I'm well into the aggressive category and don't tolerate people who can't manage the speed limit, especially in the fast lane. Most of the cars in that category haven't been Priuses in my experience - probably varies by geographic location.

It serves nobody, even me, to milk another 5 mpg out of my vehicle if I'm enraging people behind me. The Prius has plenty of power to keep up with traffic, no reason not to use it.

Now if I could just get the SUVs and F150s to get out of my way :blink:

 

We had our first incident of 'Prius Rage' today. My wife and I were returning from the coast on I-40 and had been on the highway for about an hour. Traffic was light, and we had been in a 'bubble' with no cars nearby for a while.

We were doing 75 in the right lane on cruise control (posted speed was 70). We were overtaken by a white BMW with three teenagers in it. As they passed, I noticed the passenger in the back seat staring at us with a hostile expression.

As soon as they cleared my front bumper, they dove in front of us, much too close for safety. They then sprayed us with their windshield washers, while the back seat passenger watched for our response. When we didn't give one, other than slowing down, they shot off.

There is no way we had offended this guy - we'd been alone on the road for 30 min not passing anyone. We were in the right lane. We have no bumperstickers.

Apparently the simple sight of a Prius was more than this guy could stand. Which is really pathetic. I can't imagine having a dislike of a car so strong that I'd interrupt my trip to harass total strangers.

Then again, I can't imagine wasting the time to register 'PriusH8R' on a Prius chat board, just so I could hurl poorly-spelled invective against strangers either.

We have owned an Insight since 2001, but never seen that sort of response. I guess that it just looks so weird that most people don't even know what it is. :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(opus17 @ Mar 3 2007, 07:49 PM) [snapback]399736[/snapback]</div>

0-40? You must be driving only during rush hour. When I go to work (on 85 north), I still get passed by lots of cars while going 70-75. On the way to/from work I sometimes see people blow by me going at least 85-90.

What irks me is people morons who tailgate while I'm in a middle lane and there's plenty of room in the fast lane (and the carpool lane/fast lane isn't restricted). This even happens if I'm going 70+ mph. The tailgater is usually just a lone tailgater (no pack of cars piled up behind him). I don't think it's exclusive to me driving in my Prius. I think it's happened to me while driving my Z.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusH8R @ Mar 1 2007, 04:17 PM) [snapback]398765[/snapback]</div>

I've only been down to the LA area once w/my Prius (but lived in LA for 4.5 years) and I ALWAYS have to adjust my driving habits when in LA (regardless of what I'm driving). People drive a lot faster there and one has to drive a lot more aggressively. I can't speak for all the observations you're making about hybrid drivers but the generalization doesn't seem to be very true for the Bay Area.

BTW, you should try driving in the Seattle area (lived there for 7.5 years). You'd be EXTREMELY frustrated. People drive too slow there, go below the speed limit in the fast lane for no reason on a clear day (but you're blocked in on all the other lanes), people barely accelerate when merging onto the highway (like accelerating will break their car), don't pull to the right when cars are piled up behind them and slow down for no reason in the right lane even when not exiting.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusH8R @ Mar 2 2007, 12:54 PM) [snapback]399220[/snapback]</div>

I haven't read this thread in great detail, but I do agree w/one of your earlier posts, slower traffic should ALWAYS keep right as to not impede faster trffic.

As for your observation/generalization, I'm not sure it's totally valid (although I don't live in LA anymore). Is it only because 2 hybrids in particular (the Insight and Prius) really stand out because they look different? The remaining hybrids (such as the Camry Hybrid, Civic Hybrid, Accord Hybrid and Silverado "mild hybrid") don't look significantly different other than some badging. There are plenty of other slow drivers, people who don't accelerate, go below the speed limit for no reason and impede traffic driving non-hybrids. It's just that they're driving one of a # of random vehicles vs. the 2 cars that stick out.

 

"Hate the driver, not the car."

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(opus17 @ Mar 3 2007, 07:49 PM) [snapback]399736[/snapback]</div>

Tailgated while going 30mph in rush hour. Sounds to me more like you're a timid, nervous driver who panics when the driver behind you doesn't follow the two-second rule.

Maybe you should take the bus if the pressure of driving is getting to you.