When you're driving, are you aware of what's actually behind you?

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mobobuff

Lifer
Apr 5, 2004
11,099
1
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Originally posted by: sygyzy
I pay almost as much attention to what's behind me as what's in front of me. Why? Cops.

Precisely. But for safety I do always have a general idea of what's in my "bubble". It just becomes a subconcious habbit, you don't have to tell yourself to keep examing stuff, but if someone was to ask you what's behind you, you could tell them without having to look.
 

acemcmac

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
13,712
1
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always. hell, I even note how many occupants are in each car and esitmate the driver's reaction time based on stereotypes, passenger counts, cell phones, etc.... I like to think that I'm a hyper-alert driver. Doesen't stop me from doing dumb stuff though.... like 115 in a 55 zone.... lol....

also, when I'm passing someone at 30+ their speed, hard to be that observant.... :D :beer:
 

acemcmac

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
13,712
1
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Originally posted by: thomsbrain
yes, i'm always on the lookout for cops.

same

also, keeping track of hte positions of EVERY car on the road will keep you concious of weather or not there is someone in your blind spot, even before you look
 

OverVolt

Lifer
Aug 31, 2002
14,278
89
91
Yea, as im driving i memorize everyone's liscense plate, when i arrive at work if you asked i could recite the liscense plate of every car i passed on the highway. I also judge the number of passangers, and do a quick calc in my head of their reaction time, and then i plot this on a graph while driving. I also have the habit of driving 60+ over the limit while doing all of this. Generally, as i pass cars i look up their value in the kelly blue book, and i memorize and plot the average cost of the cars i pass on a chart.

I consider myself hyper-alert as i am always looking behind me, and driving with one eye closed, therefore my depth perception won't fool me in the mirrors, you can never bee too safe.

I made my own contraption/perascope so i have 15 mirrors and can see a 360field of view at all times, i don't know how you people drive with a measly three, im so much better than everyone!

I will admit, it is a bit tough on my e-wiener, doing all of that while driving, but what can i say?

EDIT: all of my expierence playing NFS underground and burnout3 has really made checking around an automatic task; zernmer <- must be a typo? *cough*
 

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
Originally posted by: mobobuff
Originally posted by: sygyzy
I pay almost as much attention to what's behind me as what's in front of me. Why? Cops.

Precisely. But for safety I do always have a general idea of what's in my "bubble". It just becomes a subconcious habbit, you don't have to tell yourself to keep examing stuff, but if someone was to ask you what's behind you, you could tell them without having to look.

To followup, I have been doing this for the last few years and I think it makes you alot more aware. I can change lanes with much more ease, know when to pass, etc. I realize this does not sound like a big deal but I always know what is around me exactly.

Tip: If you are driving, make a note of what's behind you. If none are cops, you can drive freely. Pay attention to the count, especially after you pass onramps. If there is suddenly an extra car, be careful to wait and see what it is. Also note CHP signs on the highways to tell you there is a station nearby. Many cops just pull out of the station, fill their quota, and go back in.
 

dman

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 1999
9,110
0
76
Yes, and I completely understand why rocketlaunchers and ammo are not standard equipment on cars, as there'd be no more cars on the road. :p


 

jdub1107

Golden Member
Feb 9, 2003
1,060
0
0
I always know what is going on around me. I hate people in the fast lane that drive so damn slow. It takes a lot of restraint not to honk/highbeam them.
 

rezinn

Platinum Member
Mar 30, 2004
2,418
0
0
Always. I think when you get that happening, it's just someone who A) doesn't care at all or B) doesn't even notice. Either case they are bad drivers and need to stick to the slow lane.
 

Linux23

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
11,371
741
126
Originally posted by: jdub1107
I always know what is going on around me. I hate people in the fast lane that drive so damn slow. It takes a lot of restraint not to honk/highbeam them.

I always honk/flash them, but they could care less. It's almost like they are in their own little universe. And I notice most of these cars have NY plates on them.
 

cavemanmoron

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,664
28
91
Originally posted by: Ikonomi
My car has a special package or something with three mirrors that let you see what's behind your car. It's really cool and really useful, especially when you're driving!

LOL
 

psiu

Golden Member
Oct 1, 2003
1,629
1
0
Originally posted by: Ronstang
I am always aware of what is all around me when driving.....constantly scanning is the mark of a good/safe driver. I don't know what they teach you kids these days but most of you can't drive for sh!t.



Originally posted by: Colt45
They are so old and stiff they cant turn around to look, and don't like mirrors because they are a generation ahead of mirrors



LOL :p
 

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
I'm always aware of what is behind me and to both sides.

hell, I can make an emergency maneuver without even looking
 

nageov3t

Lifer
Feb 18, 2004
42,808
83
91
sometimes, I wonder if other drivers are even aware of what's in front of them.

I was driving to work this afternoon on a 1-lane, local road. I'm approaching an intersection where I have to make a right turn, so I flick my blinker on and stop at the red light that just popped up. it's legal to make the right on red, but it wasn't safe to do so at the time. the car in back of me, however, decides to ignore the fact that I'm not making the right turn, and pulls into the empty parking lane to go around me. just then, the light turns green, and he almost hits me as we both try to make the tight right turn at the same time.
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
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Originally posted by: spidey07
I'm always aware of what is behind me and to both sides.

hell, I can make an emergency maneuver without even looking

Look? Based on my history, I avoid accidents bordering on the precognitive. Every time there's been a situation requiring it, I've been out of the jam before I even realize "Holy Fvcking Sh!t, there's a six-car pileup in front of me spanning three lanes!" :Q

- M4H