Am I the only one who follows the rules of the road???

**Dutchie** · 05-20-2011, 11:57 AM

Warning this is a vent!!!!!

This is something that I have been noticing for a while now and some days - like today for example - I think that I just shouldn't go out on the road (well at least in Holland).

Firstly - when there is a 'forbidden for bikes' sign on the road - why are there bikes cycling along - three wide - blocking my (and everyone else's) way?

Secondly - why does a young mother who is smoking a cigarette in the car with her 2 young kids (another peeve of mine) thinks that it is OK to park in a parking space reserved for the handicapped (no she wasn't handicapped and didn't have a card for this space).

Thirdly - why do people think that they can park wherever they want - that is - blocking the thruway for the grocery carts so that the folks with grocery carts have to lift them up over a high sidewalk to continue?

Fourthly - why do cyclists/pedestrians think that the 'don't walk/cycle' does not apply to them. I cannot count the number of times that I have had to break when going through a crossing because these people go through the red light.

This stuff really gets my goat!!!! Vent over!!
Thanks for reading!!

**mauimagic** · 05-20-2011, 12:08 PM

Nope you are not alone. I'd like to add those who continue to use their cell phones while driving when the law against doing so has been in effect for over a year.

**max915** · 05-20-2011, 02:04 PM

I hate it when I see a parent driving while holding their child....even if it is just for a mile alot can happen in a mile..another one is if you are going to pull out in front of me then speed it up don't piddle along..

**zakity** · 05-20-2011, 02:59 PM

Yeah, laws aren't made for some people because they are "special".

The bicyclists here think that they are above all the laws. Red lights don't mean stop for them apparently. And, bicycling up steep, narrow, two-lane roads with huge drop offs is a good idea too.

Sorry that that there are idiots like that in your part of the world too.

**Ramona** · 05-20-2011, 03:12 PM

I've come to the conclusion that they do it because they want to!

Rules? For me? I don't think so. What a selfish mindset.

Remember "right of way" and "yield"? Heck no, not for them, they're special.

I try to not let it bother me and always expect the unexpected. Idiots.

**craftypam** · 05-20-2011, 05:09 PM

Running stop signs and turning left at lights before traffic clears and not using turn signal to let someone know you are turning.
I actually go out first thing in the morning and come home quickly so I don't have to deal with people who think they don't have to follow the rules. YOU ARE NOT ALONE duchie

**Ramona** · 05-20-2011, 09:58 PM

Speaking of bad drivers, I may have mentioned this before but here goes:

This is a tip from a friend who drove eighteen wheelers:
When someone is in a position to pull out in front of you,
watch their wheel covers.
Their wheel covers will turn and indicate that they're "rolling"
and they're about to cut you off.

**Debbie-cat** · 05-20-2011, 10:07 PM

You aren't alone Dutchie....there are bad drivers everywhere...even on bikes!!!

**mndtrp** · 05-20-2011, 10:12 PM

It's amusing how people's demeanor changes completely once they get behind the wheel. Either they break the law without remorse, or they get incredibly upset with the rest of the drivers on the road.

I occasionally speed, accidentally cut people off, other things I'm sure people get pissed off about, so I do my best not to get upset when others do it to me. It's not worth my energy to get worked up over something I can't change.

**Dutchie** · 05-21-2011, 03:41 AM

Originally Posted by mndtrp

It's amusing how people's demeanor changes completely once they get behind the wheel. Either they break the law without remorse, or they get incredibly upset with the rest of the drivers on the road.

I occasionally speed, accidentally cut people off, other things I'm sure people get pissed off about, so I do my best not to get upset when others do it to me. It's not worth my energy to get worked up over something I can't change.

I agree with you.
I also accidentally do things that I shouldn't but I have never knowingly broken the law.

There is nothing accidental about parking in a handicap parking space (in Holland there are HUGE white lines zigzagging all over the parking space and a large traffic sign saying it is a handicapped parking space - you can't miss it).

**Booklover** · 05-21-2011, 09:34 AM

Nope, there are idiots here in the midwest, too. It seems like every road has become a race car speedway, with no one following the speed limits. I understand 5 mph over, but 20 or 30? Seriously? Even when you have to stop for a stop light in a short time? I really dread when my kids start driving lessons, because there is so much inattentive driving. Especially teens texting. It's frightening.

**Momto5RN** · 05-21-2011, 10:25 AM

IMO because their parents didnt always follow rules so the offspring feel like they have to follow them even less and it gets worse with time.

i am very anal about even the smallest driving rules when my kids are in the car - because even though i know i am just in a no parking spot for a sec to drop off kids near a building= they may see it as OK to park there etc .

my biggest pet peeve is when adults after some big sports competition for their kids - go to a local restaurant bar and drink and then get in their cars to drive the few blocks home - they may feel fine -many beause they are use to drinking heavier and not driving so have a good tolerance but i bet 1/2 of them would test higher then legal if they were pulled over for some reason and then when the kids get drivers licenses they are telling them not to drink and drive- the kids say well dad can drink 3 and be ok to drive i can too .

my kids get real annoyed with me for being such a extreme rule follower - but oh well- my older two havent been pulled over or ticketed for things alot of their friends have ( parking tickets red lights turns even when signs say no - and such because they think its OK because that is what they grew up seeing)

i figure any rule your kid sees you break just a little they will think they can push it further ,

same feeling wth white lies- parents i see tell " white " lies to protect peoples feelings ( one mom would say her dd was walking the dog when out with another friend when my dd called- she didnt want my dd feelings to get hurt -so good intentions but bad results ) well usually the lie is found out and now their kid lies about alot of stuff and the friends no longer trust them with anything they say and there goes the close friendship.

**cab54** · 05-21-2011, 10:32 AM

Yesterday, I could have sworn there must have been a bumper sticker on my car that read: 'Please follow as closely to my bumper as you can.'

That is a peeve of mine. Especially since I was in late Friday afternoon traffic, having to make quick stops at times for people turning or just riding their brakes.

I often want to get out at a red light and go to their window and say 'BACK OFF, will ya?'

I also had a cyclist yesterday who had traffic backed up through intersections, he was riding so slowly. And no way to get around him.

**melodys** · 05-21-2011, 10:32 AM

The most pleasant surprise when I moved to Seattle is that the vast majority of folks really follow the rules of the road. Pedestrians are so accustomed to getting the right-of-way that they will step right into the sidewalk and (correctly) assume that drivers will stop and politely wait for them. Of course, those pedestrians are usually getting rained on.

Four way stop signs can sometimes be amusing because everyone is trying to give others the chance to go first.

**Momto5RN** · 05-21-2011, 11:45 AM

its usually rather obvious when someone has accidentally done something or if they intentionally did something
most accidentals say sorry or do a hand motion that implies that or they have a look on their face that doesnt promote _ i am mad and get the hell out of my way no matter who you are - because i own the road lol

i usually smile and wave to people exhibiting road rage - if they are behind me waving their hands around because i am not pulling out on a no turn on red and they want me to - i wave my hands over my head too but i make it look like i am doing a dance - hula - disco - raising the roof - etc - makes me laugh- makes them feel silly and keeps my stress level low while doing all my work driving ,

i saw a person yesterday that somehow got in the wrong side of a median so was headed into opposite traffic at rush hour traffic but at a light where the median ended luckily was allowed by other drivers and she crossed over into the correct lane -
everything is marked very obviously- but she missed it- i felt badly for her thinking how embarrassed and scared she probably was until i had to pass by her to get into the left hand lane and saw she was smoking with one hand and taking on her cell with another- she could have killed someone- my friend or family or anyones because of her poor choices - .

as for tailgaters - a trick i was taught was that if you quick blink your emergency flashers on and off it will make your brake lights go on and off as if breaking/. slowing and they will slow and you can put more space between you , i use that alot in rainy icy weather when people are too close to me -