Discussion
I need some help with defensive driving. Some people here in Minnesota are complete cretins on the road (and they all drive big SUV's etc).
I think I've worked out the problem of people not seeing me when I'm on a freeway - get ahead of a clump of cars, then slow down. Everyone sees you and backs off a bit, and then its safe (other than the gawkers).
But here is the latest situation that almost took me out this afternoon (in a 40mph zone, BTW, me doing 40mph too) - the car is so low, and disappears from the front. When there is a column of cars on the other side waiting to turn across ahead of you, the first guy may safely go, and then everyone else follows like a bunch of sheep. And the cars that are turning block the view of the ones waiting to turn, so the idiot at the back just keeps on rolling and turns across in front and takes you out.
Obviously I'll be looking out for that situation in the future (and thank goodness I got the AP brakes).
Any other thoughts? Other situations to watch out for? I had my headlights on too.
Craig:
You might consider moving to the Isle of Mann........not sure on that spelling. After reading the recent EVO article on th GTR640 running on the Isle I seriously doubt you'd have the same problem over there. Of course you could always take the approach of mashing on the go pedal and letting them get out of your way!! Seriously......good luck. I have had three accidents in the last 9 years....all three I was hit behind by a moron or cretin on RT. 64 in St. Charles who was either on the phone, shaving or just picking their nose! No offense but the world is full of STUPID and IGNORANT people who's only goal in life is to destroy our cars. I'm seriosly considering adding an H1 to the fleet and passing out a little vigilante justice!
Brad Z
You might consider moving to the Isle of Mann........not sure on that spelling. After reading the recent EVO article on th GTR640 running on the Isle I seriously doubt you'd have the same problem over there. Of course you could always take the approach of mashing on the go pedal and letting them get out of your way!! Seriously......good luck. I have had three accidents in the last 9 years....all three I was hit behind by a moron or cretin on RT. 64 in St. Charles who was either on the phone, shaving or just picking their nose! No offense but the world is full of STUPID and IGNORANT people who's only goal in life is to destroy our cars. I'm seriosly considering adding an H1 to the fleet and passing out a little vigilante justice!
Brad Z
Riding a motorcycle for years before driving my ultima has taught me to drive like everyone on the road is out to get you. Driving the ultima is probably worse because you have to factor in the people who do see you and are just blindly glazing at the car. Just expect the worse and be prepared to avoid it.
Mark
Mark
Riding a motorcycle is probably the best practice for driving an Ultima on the street. And an Ultima may be even less visible than a bike considering it's height. The ever-present "turned left in front of me" accident for bikes must be a potential for the Ult at every uncontrolled intersection, too. I may also mount a whip-style antenna/flag (ala dune-buggie).
Two driving methods come to mind; offensive and defensive. Remember that a good offense is (sometimes) the best defense. Bike riding and Ultima driving must be a mixture of both techniques...
Offensive means following too close sometimes so the guy in front sees you, going fast to close gaps when required, putting your headlights in the rear-view mirrors of cars ahead or in the face of on-coming traffic, driving on the left or right edge of the lane so cars in front/behind can see your lights/fenders, making eye contact with as many drivers as possible, and sometimes positioning as to confuse other drivers...making them ask themselves, "What's he going to do?" and/or "Where did he go?".
Defensive would provide enough space between you and other traffic so everyone can see you (doing the package-pass and remaining at the front is a good strategy), increased stopping distances, staying out of trucks' "no zone", traveling at exactly the same speed as traffic around you, finding steady drivers to travel around, avoiding tail-gaters...
When I was young cycle rider, I didn't know how to mix the two techniques. I was all offensive, which resulted in a few tickets. With a six-page record and a few suspensions later, I figured it was time to chill out. At one point, the state of Colorado wanted to permanently revoke my license...called me "an habitual offender". I know...too much information. But, I made sure everyone saw me and I never had an accident.
Mixing the two techniques should result in a safe and happy Ultima driving experience. Driving the GTR in traffic will no doubt provide many thrilling and interesting opportunities to show tolerance and courtesy.
Two driving methods come to mind; offensive and defensive. Remember that a good offense is (sometimes) the best defense. Bike riding and Ultima driving must be a mixture of both techniques...
Offensive means following too close sometimes so the guy in front sees you, going fast to close gaps when required, putting your headlights in the rear-view mirrors of cars ahead or in the face of on-coming traffic, driving on the left or right edge of the lane so cars in front/behind can see your lights/fenders, making eye contact with as many drivers as possible, and sometimes positioning as to confuse other drivers...making them ask themselves, "What's he going to do?" and/or "Where did he go?".
Defensive would provide enough space between you and other traffic so everyone can see you (doing the package-pass and remaining at the front is a good strategy), increased stopping distances, staying out of trucks' "no zone", traveling at exactly the same speed as traffic around you, finding steady drivers to travel around, avoiding tail-gaters...
When I was young cycle rider, I didn't know how to mix the two techniques. I was all offensive, which resulted in a few tickets. With a six-page record and a few suspensions later, I figured it was time to chill out. At one point, the state of Colorado wanted to permanently revoke my license...called me "an habitual offender". I know...too much information. But, I made sure everyone saw me and I never had an accident.
Mixing the two techniques should result in a safe and happy Ultima driving experience. Driving the GTR in traffic will no doubt provide many thrilling and interesting opportunities to show tolerance and courtesy.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Hit behind three times. Wow. A friend of mine who had an MG had the same problem. I just don't understand how people can be so unaware. The car is so damned obvious when its in front of you. I thought I had to mainly worry about the side-swipes.
Well, I'll keep driving safely. I'm trying to avoid peak traffic also because I've noticed that is when a lot of people do quick lane changes because they have the "the other lane is going faster" syndrome.
Hit behind three times. Wow. A friend of mine who had an MG had the same problem. I just don't understand how people can be so unaware. The car is so damned obvious when its in front of you. I thought I had to mainly worry about the side-swipes.
Well, I'll keep driving safely. I'm trying to avoid peak traffic also because I've noticed that is when a lot of people do quick lane changes because they have the "the other lane is going faster" syndrome.
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