Have your driving habits changed with time?

[AznAnarchy99]

I'm lazy and I drive pretty slow. Unless its the unwritten 80mph limit on the CA freeways. It annoys the hell out of me when people drive 60mph in the left lane.

 

[jlee]

I drive slower than I did 10 years ago.

 

[squarecut1]

People on phones in la la land have scared me a lot more than most things in recent years.

I've almost had more accidents with "I don't give a shit I'm talking here" soccer mom types not paying attention than speeders etc.

People talking on phones in general, but the ones with a couple kids in a minvan yacking away oblivious have been the ones that have almost hit me more than a few times.

Yes people on the phone are far more dangerous than speeders. And now it is not just talking, it is texting, or doing whatever on the smartphone (no doubt Facebook too) they feel like..... that darn phone. I see it all the time.

 

[squarecut1]

So you're the guy I got stuck behind doing 50 in an 80 zone last night.

I don't rage as much as I used to. People in Toronto drive like dicks though, so it's hard some days.

I've driven in Toronto. If you consider those drivers as dicks... you probably don't want to drive in America

 

[MtnMan]

There must not be a lot to do if you are getting ticketed for that.

Every city has officers that are assigned solely to traffic law enforcement, it's their assigned job. The city here has a population of about 85K, and there are 5 officers traffic enforcement.

 

[OVerLoRDI]

Yes they have. I used to drive very quickly, but not aggressively (lots of rural Highway stuff). Then I moved to SF and basically relaxed, you can't go fast even if you try. Then the motorcycle. I consider myself a cautious rider, but I have gotten used to the lane splitting and agility. Now when I drive, I pretty much yell constantly at everyone

 

[futurefields]

guess im the only one who will admit to getting more impatient with traffic

i think its technology, everything i do at home and work i can pull up almost instantly

driving in stop and go traffic is the one old-world thing left slowing down my life

i still drive slow though, no speeding tickets ever

i just get pissed off at all the time wasted

 

[inachu]

I am the opposite. I drove slow as a teen and as well into my 20's and 30's.
Now I speed a lot.

 

[maxi007]

my driving is still same , non -aggreshive, some times fast in free roads . i enjoy my drive with loud music

 

[nickbits]

When I was younger I used to speed all the time then I started driving the limit for about 10 years, now I'm back to speeding more than ever

 

[IGemini]

Not really. I push speed only to flow of traffic (highway) or just below what the state PD will pull one over for. Never had one ticket.

I've adapted to PA traffic. Opted to be more aggressive with yellow lights over doing a lot of waiting, but that's about it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have become less of a ticket magnet. I generally drive within 10mph of the speed limit, keep it under 80mph on the freeway for the most part. I'm sure my choice in cars helps me fly under the radar too.

 

[IronWing]

My fantasies for addressing people parked in the left lane have evolved and gained complexity over the years.

 

[BoomerD]

Not so much with age...but with geography.

Before we moved to California, I was a good, cautious driver. I've driven commercial vehicles nearly all my life, so I'm a good, safe driver by nature...but when we moved to CA, I found myself driving faster, just to avoid being run over on the freeway. Then, once I started commuting into the SF Bay area daily...I started driving faster and faster...and using the exit lanes as passing lanes to jump a few cars ahead of the crowd.

Now that we're no longer in CA...and I'm retired, I'm back to driving the speed limit (or within 5 of it) all the time. It's a MUCH slower pace here...and I LIKE it.

 

[thestrangebrew1]

I've pretty much changed everything about my driving when I became a volunteer firefighter about 7-8 years ago. I don't run calls anymore, but I remember MVAs being some of the worst calls I'd been to. Since then, and especially now that I have a family, I just cruise. I'll still go 5-10mph over limits, but I don't tailgate anyone, and I'm always making sure I have enough room to maneuver to either side if I need to. I'm never on my phone fiddling with shit and take into account the weather when on the road. In my eyes, it's not me I need to worry about, it's the other fucks on the road.

 

[rcpratt]

I drive aggressively, but defensively. That hasn't changed. I have started to accelerate a bit slower, drive slower overall, and coast into stops more to conserve gas. Woohoo.

 

[zokudu]

I never speed. I pretty much put cruise on the speed limit on highways and just do the limit on side roads. I'm 23 and I've always driven like this. I just don't see the need to rush.

 

[MtnMan]

My head is on a swivel, and I am constantly watching for vehicles that are driver-less (meaning someone is sitting in the drivers seat, but they are not driving, but yacking on the phone, texting, etc.).

I was a road warrior for years (driving in my work) and always practiced defensive driving, aware of everyone around me, and escape route if there was one. Now it is even more heightened for the simple reason too many people are merely sitting in the drivers seat playing with their phone. Yes, that state has passed laws against texting, but it is still a very common sight.

 

[MtnMan]

I also keep my speed at what ever traffic is flowing, usually 5 - 10 over when traffic is light to moderate. Speed differences (too slow or too fast) is often the cause of many FUBAR's on the road.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I see "defensive driving" mentioned a lot in direct opposition to "aggressive driving". What would people say the difference is? I would call myself a defensive driver because I'm cautious and watchful. When people attempt to merge I get out of the way. When people try to pass I slow down to let them get by more quickly. When I'm trying to turn onto a street I wait for a huge opening rather than trying to slot myself into a spot that requires other drivers to slow down or stop to let me in. I don't fight for a spot in traffic that is a few seconds ahead of where I am. I'm basically defending myself by making sure that all the responsibility for safe driving is on my shoulders. To the extent that I am able, I make sure that what other drivers do doesn't matter as far as my safety is concerned.

 

[squarecut1]

I see "defensive driving" mentioned a lot in direct opposition to "aggressive driving". What would people say the difference is? .

Back when I started driving way back when, an older person told me that you should just assume everyone else on the road is a lunatic. It still does not guarantee you anything, such being life, but still....

 

[Ns1]

I drive a Prius now so...I drive to maximize MPG, not fun =X

I also drive to minimize my risk of getting tickets.

 

[alkemyst]

Only when I have people in the car.

 

[KeithTalent]

Nah, I have always been a super mellow driver and I still am. I think I shake my head a little more these days at the other dipshits on the road (drivers/cyclists/walkers) but that's about it.

KT

 

[cabri]

Yes. As I get older, I find myself driving like my dad (slower and more cautious). I guess I'll be driving like my grandpa did by the time I get to his age.

Very seldom do my RPMs exceed 3K.
It may take an extra 5-10 seconds to get to the next RED light.
Brakes are used much less.