Snow Squall!

[GeneW]

On the way to buy lunch I got caught in a snow squall. Big deal, you back off of the gas and slow down so that you can drive as far as you can see....

Good Lord, do people pay attention? Most the cars jammed on their brakes then dropped their speeds dramatically because of traction issues. What ever happened to taking a foot off of the gas?

A few intrepid SUV pilots decided it'd be a good time to pull out in the left lane. You narrator was cruising along happily when someone in a Nissan SUV decided that they HAD to pull ahead of the pack - very slowly.

At least he or she had the courtesy to apply their turn signals.

I rapidly came up on his six and then had to back down.

Repeated light flashes did not inspire this self centered twit to let the Fittest and Most Able continue on their way. In PA you're not allowed to hog the left lane but that law is not strictly enforced, as it is in Germany where "Drive Right!" is the rule on the Autobahns.

We continued in our dysfunctional dance while the snow swirled and the timid applied brakes and shuddered.

After another two miles or so, with plenty of opportunity to pull over and let me by but not quite enough to pass them on the right I got to an off ramp and passed him on my way off of the road.

The passenger gave me dirty looks, I returned the glare for an instant and then continued on my way. I usually focus where I am going but always like to ID clowns at the helm. You never know.


I've never owned an SUV so maybe someone could break it down for me. Do they give you a special driver license enhancement or Elevated Driver Status when you purchase an SUV? You acquire a right to be a road hog, cut off lesser cars and other non-sense?

Is it alternately a case of "I'm bigger than you!" at work here?

I'm growing sorely tempted to put my 1985 Caprice back on the road. A Yaris isn't much but the Caprice at 4,500 pounds or so is bigger, heavier and meaner than these SUVs. Probably not as much horsepower to weight and probably poor brakes but lower center of gravity. It's also pretty banged up too.

Gene

[nemelek]

I don’t think it is exclusively the SUV’s that are the inconsiderate drivers. Try pulling a 6,000 trailer with a 7,000 pound truck. There are a lot of small cars making quick lane changes before exits and illegal passing on the right among other things. Although some people can multi-task, the most inconsiderate are the ones who talk on cell phones while driving. Once while a person speed dropped from 65 to 50 in the left lane while fishing for her cell phone, I blasted her with my air horn from the truck. Bad idea. I dam near caused a pile up.

[SIPNGAS]

I think SUV drivers, or MANY of them, feel a bit bullet-proof when they are behind the wheel. That is, at least, how it seems to me.

[PreciousPups4U]

I drive an Excursion and a Yaris. I drive both the same. I don't think it's about the vehicle, it's about the driver.

[Doug007]

I drive a Yaris and Sequoia and notice an appreciable difference in attitude of other drivers. Modesty aside, I tend towards considerate and typically let other cars in when safe and let them pass. I don't recall ever being cut off by another SUV or truck when in the Sequoia but have lost count in the Yaris. I frequently drive I80 from the Central Valley to Truckee and continue to marvel at the self-centered, unsafe driving out there, particularly in snow and ice conditions. Forgive the rant.

[coheed]

My truck is almost 5000 lbs even, but that doesnt give me an ego bost. It just means that if I feel the need to pass someone I have to pay attention to EVERYONE around me. Cause with that extra weight comes less maneuverability (spl) And I find most little cars in my area like to zip around me at or near the light and then not drive the damn speed limit.