riding during the day

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ofblong · #1 Unread post by **ofblong** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:43 pm

Is it me or are people who drive during the day stupider than people driving at night???? I ride 98% of my time is at night since I work 3rd. I have yet to have someone pull out in front of me in the dark (well besides the occasional deer). Today I went out to lunch with a few friends and I swear about every other block someone attempted to pull out in front of me. Well at least until I got to the freeway. They would pull out half way into the lane and then stop realizing "hey there is someone on a bike right there." course by then I am almost stopped because I was paying attention. Hell one lady never even looked in my direction. She looked right and then took off never once looking left. She stoped 3/4 of the way out into the lane. Its ilke by time your that far into the first lane you might as well keep going. Bah im glad I ride mostly at night

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Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:51 pm

ofblong wrote:Is it me or are people who drive during the day stupider than people driving at night????

Absolutely!

Around here, it seems that rush hour traffic going to work in the mornings and heading home in the evenings is usually okay except for the occasional accident that ties up a road. Most of those people are generally used to the drive. Also, evenings are nice because there are less drivers on the road. It seems the worst (to me) are the other hours during the day...that's when all the people who don't know how to drive come out (like the gray haired seniors, the ones scared of the rush hour volumes, the learners, the stay at home errand runners, etc...) and that seems to be the worst time to be on the road...with them.

Loonette · #3 Unread post by **Loonette** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:42 am

KarateChick wrote:
ofblong wrote:Is it me or are people who drive during the day stupider than people driving at night????
Absolutely!

...the stay at home errand runners... and that seems to be the worst time to be on the road...with them.

Yay!!! More sweeping generalizations!! That would be me there, and I happen to be an excellent driver.

On a serious note though, it is a rough time to be driving. Those who don't have to be anywhere in a timely fashion often seem distracted from the task of driving, and those on a break from work seem to be in a huge rush, never minding anyone else on the road. But I don't really think you can blame any one type of person for poor driving during the daytime. People in general seem to be way too casual and lazy about their driving techniques.

I just wish people would quit yammering on their cell phones (anytime of the day) - especially people who keep the thing on their left ear - I can never tell if they even see out their side mirror or not. Sadly for us gals, the biggest offenders of that behavior seems to be women in SUVs. It is hard not to generalize when it's all you see out there.

Cheers,
Loonette

Ninja Geoff · Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:27 am

more morons in one place during the day. More morons = higher risk. Hell, i had someone try to pull out in front of me just this morning. I was in my truck! With my lights on too!

Gadjet · #5 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:46 am

Actually, people seem to be better drivers at night, thus making riding at that time safer for a couple of very simple reasons, that I am surprised no one else has mentioned.

1. After dark, there are fewer distractions - you can see what your headlights and the streetlights shine on, that's it.

2. Other motorists can see your headlight, plain and simple.

Because it's a lot harder to judge distance and speed at night for any vehicle, people tend to allow more time/space before they pull out in front of that light that is shining towards them.

Andrew · #6 Unread post by **Andrew** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:47 am

It could also have a lot to do with the fact tha during the day people are more confident with their driving simply because of better visibility. Having a better view of what is going on can make someone more likely to do something they wouldn't do at night.

roscowgo · #7 Unread post by **roscowgo** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:09 am

I just treat every other car on the road like its filled to the brim with angry squirells and a 12 year old behind the wheel.

Cappytan · #8 Unread post by **Cappytan** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:23 am

roscowgo wrote:I just treat every other car on the road like its filled to the brim with angry squirells and a 12 year old behind the wheel.

Angry Squirels, huh...

well... um

Yah know that just might work

Nibblet99 · #9 Unread post by **Nibblet99** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:37 am

Now if only people would drive in the rain, like they do at night.

I swear just one drip of water has to hit the ground and the other half of the drivers turn into "exceptional people"

roscowgo · #10 Unread post by **roscowgo** » Fri Sep 15, 2006 3:42 am

It works pretty well for me. I try to never assume that i know what anyone around me is going to do.

If you've ever encountered an angry squirell in a confined space...trust me. it will make you act unpredictably.

Little old granny woman might decide that today is the day to see if her caddy will do rolling burnouts and wheelies.

Or the girl in the celica might have decided its the time to fornicate with her new vibrating phone.

who knows. Treat em all as completely unpredictable. ie..filled to the brim with angry squirells