Unloaded Some Baggage

I HAVE to comment. I work with supervisors that don't want to have the hard uncomfortable conversation about people performances. They would rather give them a good evaluation and then complain when those same people get promoted. I enjoy the candid answers and I am sure when responses are read, some might be taken back, but if they want there ego stroked I imagine this is the wrong forum. Honest feedback is key even if it is hard to swallow.

A month or so ago. A car was trying to merge onto the highway. I was not able to slow down, or move to the next lane. The car was forced to slow down, and merge in behind me. It then pulled up beside me, a female rolled down her window, arms flailing, and she flipped me off, and threw a Big Gulp at the truck. I just waived, and laughed, since she wasted money on that drink. Several miles down the road, the car was pulled over, and you could see her yelling at her male friend....

I normally just drive, and could care less how people react to me. If they have a problem with me being as safe as possible, it's not my problem.

With 23 years driving experience, I feel a little obligated to comment on this.

I agree with G-Town, in a few ways, and I agree with a lot of other comments simply saying, ' take a chill '.

As for the video, you really should have slowed down a bit more coming up to it.... mmm, what do you call those? When you're coming up on a light and it's been, ah, I think it just came to me, a *stale* green light. Stale, right? I think that one had been yellow for a couple hundred feet though.... but, we all have done the same thing, or at least I have. And I learned to be a little more patient about getting to where I'm going. Slowing down more when coming up on 'stale' lights, etc..

I've had people scream at me at the top of their lungs. This wasn't only while driving a commercial vehicle, but 4 wheeler as well. And I think I did everything wrong, at least once, trying to convey my strong disapproval of their attitudes. Ah well, you live you learn, you grow and you move on.

I have learned one thing, people are like any other people in this world. No matter where you go, they all are not your friend, your pal or your buddy. Get over it and move on. The roads are full of 'wack jobs'.

Number one rule in driving, ' drive defensively '. This doesn't mean, cut someone off before they cut you off. But, do everything within your power to keep from having an accident. Slow down, get out of peoples way, don't flip them off in return, stay cool, stay calm and all is well for a safe trip home.

Greg thanks for offering additional input on this.

Part of your reply was this:

As for the video, you really should have slowed down a bit more coming up to it.... mmm, what do you call those? When you're coming up on a light and it's been, ah, I think it just came to me, a *stale* green light. Stale, right? I think that one had been yellow for a couple hundred feet though.... but, we all have done the same thing, or at least I have. And I learned to be a little more patient about getting to where I'm going. Slowing down more when coming up on 'stale' lights, etc.

Yup. "Stale" lights are tricky, especially depending on where you are and time of day. I also look to see if traffic is stacked up in the opposing lanes, a clue that a stale green will quickly change.

My rule of thumb in "local" roads with many closely spaced traffic light intersections is to really take my time, maintaining a speed a bit lower than the posted limit. Always be prepared to stop.

It takes time and experience to gauge the point of no return; when braking is futile and it requires full throttle to clear the intersection before yellow changes to red. The two rookie hard braking events I experienced were with stale lights on PA Route 61. The lights are all timed, not tripped. They can change at any time, night or day regardless of stopped traffic.

Not to beat a dead horse, but I still believe Kyle needs to come to terms with several demons haunting him, enabling distractions from driving. Greg, if you have the time, click on his profile page and scroll down to archived comments. He seems like a decent guy. Maybe I am being too hard on him, but there is a lot of history here, don't want to see anything bad happen to him.

G-Town wrote: I also look to see if traffic is stacked up in the opposing lanes, a clue that a stale green will quickly change.

That's genius man... I'm not sure if I've ever thought of that one. mmm maybe, still genius.

uh, yeah, lol, not much on snoopin' around in someone else's stuff, especially looking for dirt on them. Or at least, not with the intent of finding dirt but, finding dirt anyway.

I understand, and I was just trying to shoot for the shortest route of saying, ' watch yourself out there '.

Oh, just to kick this party off or pick it up a bit. I saw an accident this morning on my way home from work. It was located at a small curve in the road. Not really sure exactly what happened but, it looked almost like a head on. One of the vehicles front end was smashed in pretty good. Both vehicles were in the ditch, one further down in the ditch than the other. And both vehicles were facing the same direction. One must have spun around. It happened around 645 or 7. People getting in a hurry on their way to work. An old FM road, 2 lane, speed limit 55 but, people still buzz up and down it like no one's business. It had just happened. People stopped, one talking on his cell phone. A little further down the Farm to Market an ambulance flew by me.

Keep your heads people, and get home safe.

Don't worry about the idiots giving you the one-finger salute. Earlier this afternoon as I was traveling through Oklahoma on I-40, a motorcycle with a young "lady" on the back passed me. As they were beside my door, she flipped me off! I have no idea why, as I'd been in the far right lane for miles. Funniest part was when they had passed me by, her smart phone fell out of her back pocket onto the asphalt, breaking more than just the screen. Priceless memory for me and the funniest thing I've witnessed all day.

HAHA Karma