I used to enjoy driving. Not so much anymore. I thought we all shared the roads. I guess I'm wrong. Increasingly, it seems that the road only belongs to the person driving. Everyone else is in the way. A symptom of our selfish society, I suppose. I apologize to all the Georgia drivers that I've inconvenienced in my attempts to follow state and federal traffic laws when I drive. They are laws, after all, not suggestions.
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Yes. I'm sure we of a certain age have noticed the change out there on the highway. When impatient people are behind the wheel of a modern vehicle which is generally more quick and nimble than cars of the past, inconsiderate and irresponsible actions often are the result. Couple that with crowded roads and it's a recipe for disaster. Although I still enjoy driving I find I must be ever diligent on the road. My dad taught me early to be constantly aware of what is going on around me and always leave myself an out. I still practice that sage advice. All we can do is pass this along to our children and grandchildren.
I hope you get the joy back someday Mark.Ed Sallia
Dundee, OR
Sol Lucet Omnibus -
A few weeks ago, as I followed my brother's pickup to a chapter meeting, I was appalled to see a car tailgating him with less than a 2 second count between cars. This was on a 4 lane road where the speed had dropped to 65 MPH. I gave both of them lots of room ahead of me and the big truck behind me gave my 52 some "living room". If I had been in front I would have slowed more and forced the tailgater to pass."In the heart of Arkansas."
Searcy, Arkansas
1952 Commander 2 door. Really fine 259.
1952 2R pickupComment
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There have always been idiot drivers out there (I got my drivers license in 1968), but over the years they have gotten more and more numerous. They are bad enough when you are driving your everyday car, but down right frightening when tooling around in your classic machine!Comment
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All of this is true from my standpoint. I've never been a slow driver, but now that I'm doing frequent trips from SoCal to Phoenix on I-10, I find myself having to follow a regular see-saw pattern between lanes, as my 80 MPH in the left lane is too slow for the Lexus drivers coming from behind at 95+, and the right lane is obstructed with caravans of tractor-trailers doing about 60 MPH every other mile or so. The maximum limit is not observed, and there is no minimum, which leaves that broad expanse of middle where sanity lives rather unoccupied.Comment
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There seems to be a heightened lack of impatience when some drivers are behind an old car. It's as thou some of them think that an old car is incapable of keeping up with the traffic flow regardless of the line of traffic that you are following. Some drivers just have to pass as soon as possible even though they are in the same situation after they get around you. In bygone days an old car used to be appreciated by other drivers, the new generation seems to see and old car as an impediment. In spite of what I just indicated, I just led a group of 45 Studebakers on a 160 mile tour on little traveled roads with no similar problems. I just try to do a better job of choosing how, when and where I use my old rides. It makes life with my old cars a great deal more relaxed and enjoyable.Comment
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Just find different driving venues... if you ever enjoyed it, don't stop for this reason. Of course, we "fogies" have said similar about the "current generation" since at least the days of Aristotle.Comment
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I wish I could find a different driving venue, but I live out in the sticks and the options are limited. I have to drive on 2 lane state highways to get anywhere. That is where the problem seems to be the worst. I usually drive 5-10 mph over the posted speed limit to keep from getting run over. That's not fast enough for some. I swear some drivers would being doing 80+ mph. I guess they don't think about cars pulling out from side roads, etc. Or as Ed pointed out, today's cars permit that type of driving so some drivers think their cars will save them from their foolishness. I'm just not talking about driving my old cars. I dislike feeling like I'm in a NASCAR race when I drive my '11 Hyundai. 52-fan, perhaps the tailgater was simply using your brother's wind break. After all, NASCAR drivers follow that closely on the race track all the time and experience few problems
. And it's not just the "younger generation" that's the problem, it seems (although they seem to be the biggest violators). I see my share of drivers my age (I'm 51) and even older who exhibit impatience and make foolish decisions behind the wheel. And, yes, the roads are more congested, thus all the more reason to be cautious. And, yes, we have always had bad drivers, like sochocki pointed out, they seem to be more numerous today. But, then again, when I started driving in the late 70s the US population was about 240 million. Now it's 317 million. And building new roads has all but stopped. I've always been a defensive driver. I just wish other drivers weren't so offensive (dual meaning here). It's not that I don't get joy from driving, especially my old cars--the Studebakers still get plenty of "thumbs up" from other drivers (usually passing me). It's just that it's not as relaxing as it used to be for me. And, yes, Hallabutt, I get a kick out of people who pass my '50 Land Cruiser simply because it's an old car. Sometimes I intentionally speed up to get behind them just to demonstrate that there's plenty of life in the old gal. A bit immature, I admit, but it's fun nonetheless.
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I have also found (at least here in California), that certain brands of cars seems to attract drivers with certain types of driving behaviors. If you know what I mean. I have a short list of marques that elicit a quick movement to the right whenever I see their grinning maws bearing down on me from behind.Comment
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Yeah, no kidding. Here I am, an old car enthusiast, but I find driving too hazardous, stressful, & expensive, to do very much of it. Traffic, Is Murder. I attribute some of this to these influences: 1) NASCAR Those tailgaters are the Dale Jr wannabees. 2)TV ads, showing how crashworthy all new cars are. People are not as afraid to take risks at the wheel, and many of todays' grocery-getters are faster than the musclecars of 40-50 years ago, that the insurors put the kibosh on. 3)The Video Game Generation. Driving, to them, is just another video game. You just need quick reflexes, right? 4)People overload their lives with too many commitments--and under pressure, they drive aggressively from one obligation to another. There are others, but I'll leave it at that, except to say my old age, and realizing how short life really is, makes me less willing to be careless.Last edited by Reggie; 05-29-2014, 12:01 PM.Comment
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I agree with everything written here. It's nice to know I'm not alone in this.Originally posted by Reggie View PostComment
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I believe that #4 is the single biggest contributor of what we are talking about. I see it in my own family. Cram as much into a day as possible then run around and try to get it all done.....Originally posted by southbend View Post1962 Champ
51 Commander 4 doorComment
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Yes I too share the concerns of others about today's "other" drivers. I enjoy driving the Studes (All 64's) which can easily keep up with most current models. Most folks show their appreciation with a thumbs up and respect the space. I always look for an alternate plan to avoid an accident. So far so good! I plan on taking the back roads to Dover ,DE. to enjoy the scenery as well as the drive. Be safe.
Rob in PA.Comment
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