Are other drivers killing your RV experience?

[covered_wagon]

I see frequent speeding, tailgating, a general lack of regard for other drivers.

What is it making people like that? I like to help other drivers so what gives :h

[rhagfo]

Mayor30 wrote:

camilllit wrote:
Yes! We actually cancelled our trip from PA to Myrtle Beach SC because at 65 years old driving around the Baltimore and Washington outer loops scares me stiff. I know what its like just driving my 8,000 dually, they play with me like I'm a toy. Don't they respect size and mass? Pulling a 41' fifth wheel with a dually 4x4 8' bed is Xanax time, I can't stop this train on a dime! I try to maintain safe following distance to give me some room to stop......forget it. Three cars cut in front of me. I guess if I leave at midnight is best, shouldn't be too crazy at 2-4 am?

I am 68 and we don't do the beltway anymore. 81 to 77 to 26 is much less stressful.

Wow, only 68 and stressed, time to change hobbies. There are areas I prefer not to drive through, not because of stress, but utterly congestion, take a back road at 45 to 55 mph than 0 to 15 on the interstate.
To those that know the area, I use to commute from Puyallup to Bellevue daily. Coming home many times on 405 I would take Lake Washington Blvd, rather than crawl over the Kennywood hill. Even with a 25 mph speed on the Blvd I likely made time, but it wasn't stop and go.

[ppine]

I have few problems in the West. Everyone is pissed off though so do not challenge anyone. Give them room and be polite.

Just returned from a 5 day trip. October is very quiet in the woods.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

2oldman wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Why even RV if it gives you that experience every time you hit the road?

I allow people to complain instead of trying to judge or 'fix' them. That just makes them feel worse.

You're confused. I'm not judging or trying to fix anybody at all.

My point is this:
I learned a long time ago if I don't enjoy something anymore, or it makes me miserable I give it up. Seriously. It's got to be bad for your health. Why do something that gives you anxiety and make you feel bad?

[Mayor30]

camilllit wrote:
Yes! We actually cancelled our trip from PA to Myrtle Beach SC because at 65 years old driving around the Baltimore and Washington outer loops scares me stiff. I know what its like just driving my 8,000 dually, they play with me like I'm a toy. Don't they respect size and mass? Pulling a 41' fifth wheel with a dually 4x4 8' bed is Xanax time, I can't stop this train on a dime! I try to maintain safe following distance to give me some room to stop......forget it. Three cars cut in front of me. I guess if I leave at midnight is best, shouldn't be too crazy at 2-4 am?

I am 68 and we don't do the beltway anymore. 81 to 77 to 26 is much less stressful.

[DrewE]

2oldman wrote:

DrewE wrote:
Newer cars often have the dashboard lights on anytime the engine is running, and that can make it unfortunately hard to tell that your headlights are not on-

I would think technology would be smart enough to turn your headlights on.

Automatic headlight technology has existed for many decades, of course, but it's still not at all universal. After all, omitting the ambient light sensor needed for such systems probably saves several cents per car....

[dedmiston]

2oldman wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Why even RV if it gives you that experience every time you hit the road?

I allow people to complain instead of trying to judge or 'fix' them. That just makes them feel worse.

:B I've seen you judge quite a bit. It happens. :B

[covered_wagon]

2oldman wrote:

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Why even RV if it gives you that experience every time you hit the road?

I allow people to complain instead of trying to judge or 'fix' them. That just makes them feel worse.

Thank you for that.... It doesn't really bug me that much. I do think people should think of others a bit more. I try anyway.

[2oldman]

Turtle n Peeps wrote:
Why even RV if it gives you that experience every time you hit the road?

I allow people to complain instead of trying to judge or 'fix' them. That just makes them feel worse.

[Turtle_n_Peeps]

I was taught to never let anybody control your own life.

We also told our kids, you can't control anybody's actions in life, you can only control your reaction to them. Stop reacting to every single thing in life.

Why even RV if it gives you that experience every time you hit the road?
IMHO it's more than likely time to hang up your RV license if other drivers make you so nervous that it give you anxiety attacks on the road.

[covered_wagon]

Walaby wrote:
I think there are less considerate drivers these days.

But killing your RV experience? Really? I guess if I got in a wreck, then yes. But like the guy who had his rig totaled, it would only kill it long enough to buy a new one.

I drive at the pace I feel comfortable with, and generally in the first lane. Usually not a huge deal that would ruin my experience.

Mike

What prompted me to bring this up is I just got in from a 1300 mile trip, 80% on byways and backroads. Most are very nice, even had a big rig stop to see if I was alright while I made a phone call, but on two occasions people came up behind at a high rate of speed tailgated and when I couldn't pull off they passed in a double yellow zone even though they could not see who was coming. Very alarming!

Another occasion on a double laned passing lane going up a grade they refused to go around even though no one else around....and tailgated me. I kept slowing down to make it better for them to pass, but refused until I got to the campground to turn . It was very weird having a driver refuse to do what was right and good to do. I don't understand what the problem was.

When I got to a very nice town with a Safeway on main street in a 25 zone I sat in amazement in the parking lot and watched trucks and cars go by just speeding like there's no tomorrow. They were all on my rear while I thought I should do the 25 MPH because of all the crosswalks, homes and businesses.

I'm sorry this stuff affects me the way it does.... I won't be giving up RVing anytime soon.

[2oldman]

DrewE wrote:
Newer cars often have the dashboard lights on anytime the engine is running, and that can make it unfortunately hard to tell that your headlights are not on-

I would think technology would be smart enough to turn your headlights on.

Now, if it could turn off your blinker after 4 miles.

ken56 wrote:
I try to do the secondary roads as much as possible..

I do too, but so do truckers, and get one of those behind you and it's merciless tailgating.

[ken56]

I try to do the secondary roads as much as possible. Slower yes, less nerve racking absolutely. I have the luxury of owning my own time though, I'm retired and can waste it as I see fit. On our big loop trip to Washington state and then to the Grand Canyon and then along the Gulf coast, 3 months and 9000 miles in all, I found most people to be very courteous actually. Not a single road rage incident or anything near it. Did I see people who are merge deficient? Yes. Cutting in in front of me a bit too close? Yep. Speeding by me at the speed of sound? Yep. My philosophy is I won't wreck you if you don't wreck me and I keep my distance and speed under control. I avoid grouping up. I work at avoiding a collision. That's called defensive driving. I don't care what others do really and what they do certainly doesn't ruin my travels. Travel on and be happy, don't sweat the small stuff.

[pbeverly]

Busdriver wrote:
What find amusing, in city & towns people pass you like there hair is on fire, next red light you pull up beside them , or on the interstate people pass you do 20 over the speed limit, about one hour later they pass you again, I have had the same car or truck pass me 2 or 3 times in a day of driving!

I see this a lot as well. My observation is they slow WAY down at times because they are messing with their phones.

[CavemanCharlie]

azdryheat wrote:
People are people. When I was a cop we were told a speeding ticket might change someone for a few weeks then they're back to normal. What sometimes bothers me is there is nothing I can now do about such driving. Wished I written more tickets when I had the chance. lol

When I was young all a speeding ticket did was piss me off . You would get that cop with the attitude that when he saw a young person, just starting out, and therefor driving a older car he would pull you over for little things just "To Teach That Kid A Lesson".. All they taught me was to not like cops.

But, In those days they would give you a ticket for a few miles over the limit and it was 55 ever where. Even on the interstate. Now MN has all there speeds for the roads set about right and there is no reason to speed. And, I'm a old man if they see me a going little over the limit by accident they don't care.

I have a few friends with kids though and it seems that the cops still like to pull the young people over and shake them down often. But, none of these kids have ever gotten a ticket so some things have obliviously changed. They used to write us up for any thing.

[JaxDad]

covered wagon wrote:
I see frequent speeding, tailgating, a general lack of regard for other drivers.

What is it making people like that? I like to help other drivers so what gives :h

I look at it sort of like a bar fight, 30 or 40 years ago I might have stepped in. Today, I just stand back and chuckle at them. If someone wants to drive like a fool, so be it.