Almost smashed up the SPF today

[Tongue Pirate]

After being rearend 2 times in 2 years on the 101 here in LA I have really changed my habits. Not that this is 100% true 100% of the time but it seems like the people in the biggest hurry & in a lot of cases, paying the least attention are in the left hand lane. I commute a lot of miles & spent a lot of time in that lane attempting to shorten the time of my commute. I am now purposely spending a good 95% of my time in one of the middle lanes & have noticed that people are definately a lot more attentive, less likely to drive dangerously & the duration of the commute really isn't much different.
When it comes down to it, we all make mistakes when driving. Avoiding as many of those as possible is key to safe driving.

[saps]

Originally Posted by svobud

...You'll be hard pressed to find an Atlanta area native now-a-days....

There's actually seven of us...we get together on Wednesday nights

[svobud]

Originally Posted by Speedysnake

SVOBUD,

What about 92? I'm not familar with it north of Douglasville, but it's a decent ride from PTC to I-20..

Yeah - but it seems to have a bit more traffic than the 27/16 to 61 route thru Carroll Co does. It'll run you thru downtown Hiram, Ga in Paulding Co. Heck, you could ride Hwy 92 all the way up to the North side of Cobb Co - into Cherokee Co .... and onto Stone Mtn (as it turns into 120. That's REALLY the long loop around the city.

Try the Hwy 61 route that takes you into downtown Villa Rica. Nice ride.

[saps]

Originally Posted by svobud

...Also - the BIGGEST factor today in accidents is use of a cell phone while driving...

SVOBUD,
Obviously you feel that cell phone's have an impact in accidents (pun intended). What are your thoughts on handsfree phones while driving? No, I'm not talking in the cobra.

Just being curious.

[ToyCollector]

I think the danger is in the talking part of phone use, not the fact that one hand is off the wheel. Have you ever been on the phone and missed a turn or exit?

[saps]

I guess I fail to see how that is any different than talking to the person in the passenger seat.

[ToyCollector]

Ever missed a turn while talking to someone in the passenger seat?

[Gud2gonow]

Originally Posted by marcocsx3121

My wife (9th generation Georgia peach) hates when I say this, but after living in 10 states and a couple of European countries, the drivers in the Atlanta area are by far the worst that I've encountered.

I second that. They drive as though they are the only ones on the road. Completely oblivious to what is going on around them. Okay, so my Cobra is small and can easily be lost in a blind spot...but how in the world can you not HEAR it.

When I moved here I purchased a bumper sticker that reads, "I see stupid people, they are all around me, and the sad thing is...they don't even know they are stupid"

[marcocsx3121]

The biggest single cause of accidents that I've observed in and around Atlanta is following too closely. It is routine to see cars spaced at 10 feet or less at 70+ mph. Combine this with speeds that are regularly 20 mph or more over the posted limit, and the fact that most buyers of vehicles in Georgia have purchased the "directional signal delete" option, and you have a lot of blood on the road.

[saps]

Originally Posted by ToyCollector

Ever missed a turn while talking to someone in the passenger seat?

I can't say I've ever missed a turn because I was talking on the phone OR because I was talking to someone in a passenger seat.

I'd still like to hear svobud's opinion (since he's one of the men in blue)

[Speedysnake]

The worst drivers are in South Florida! I lived there most of my life, and was pleased to find better drivers here in Atlanta, with the exception of the "left lane ladies", but that seems to be happening all over now.

There's no question that distractions and following too close are what cause most of the accidents around here, but to single out cell phones seems unfair. I've seen people distracted by everything from make up application to reading a bible (on 400 N bound, early morning) I guess if you want to read something while driving 80 mph, the bible is a good choice!

The issue, IMHO, is lack of responsibility. I might use my cell phone, drink coffe, or even eat a hamburger while driving, but NOT at high speed in heavy traffic. And not in the Cobra

[HI Cobra]

I have driven in most of the 48 states, and having lived in Hawaii for the
last 32 years have to say Hawaii wins for poor drivers. "Left lane ladies"
add to the aggravation factor, although here it is gender equal opportunity.
Cel phones produce what one used to consider drunk drivers action's by
wandering all over the place. I have been passed twice by people going
backwards while I was at speed on the freeway - exciting! Last Saturday
while I was in the middle lane, a van in the left lane decided they wanted
to cross to the right line while they were beside me - I'm sure they couldn't
see me (must have been deaf too) and had I not been driving as if I were
on a bike (as in paying attention) it would have been ugly. No matter what
I drive here I scan like I'm on a bicycle in Manhattan - it keeps me out of
trouble.

As someone else here mentioned - seems like way too many people
are on the road doing everything but driving their cars - and giving no
consideration for anyone else on the road.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Being in the auto insurance claims industry, I have to say cell phones rank right up there in the top three........they may not be the sole reason for an accident, but surely contribute to it, following too closely is the other major cause, not matter what state your in.......

I average about 50,000 miles a year in my company car and in the last 11 years have pretty much seen it all...........I've seen women driving at speeds of 70mph + using their knees to steer while applying make-up in the rear view mirror and talking on a cell phone at the same time.........I gave seen way too many people reading the news paper or other printed material while driving and still others just looking at and chatting with passengers.......seems everyone is in a big hurry and not paying much attention to the act of safe driving.................

David