Winter Brings Out The Worst Drivers?

[srg83]

I'm not sure why but winter seems to bring out the worst drivers. And I don't mean the ones that don't know how to control their car in the snow/slush and drive into ditches, I mean the ones who just don't drive properly.

Here's what I mean:

Last night, I was driving home; if anyone in the Ottawa area knows the Strandherd/Woodroffe intersection in Barrhaven, you know what I mean when I say I was in the left lane to go straight, then there was some guy in the right lane (who was missing one headlight). The right lane ends rather abruptly ahead, due to poor planning (in my opinion).

I already figured that the guy would try to go when the left turn arrow went for both sides, but I figured he would only go a few inches before realizing that he didn't have the green light (this is something that happens frequently at ANY intersection with an advance green).

But what actually happened was he sped ahead into the intersection. I honked my horn at him and he stopped in time to avoid the car turning left, but what kind of idiot does that? And there was a stop sign ahead further down the road, and he was turning right - instead of stopping at the stop sign, he stopped after he had already turned right (so I mean, what's the point?).

I see more of this kind of stupid driving in the winter time than at any other time. There are always stupid drivers who don't realize that stopping time is reduced in the snow and drive crazy, but it seems the ones who don't know how the traffic systems work are more noticeable in the winter.

[Stock R]

I'm not sure why but winter seems to bring out the worst drivers. And I don't mean the ones that don't know how to control their car in the snow/slush and drive into ditches, I mean the ones who just don't drive properly.


My theory: It takes longer to commute during the winter due to the weather conditions. (Many) people get impatient and do things they normally wouldn't do. This becomes a cascading effect as these actions lead to accidents which leads to further delays which result in even more people driving inexcusably.

For example: Making left turns as the light turns green, running red lights, driving in bus lanes, etc.

Last week I had to drop the GF off @ Portage area in Gatineau for work and with the Chaudiere bridge closed, traffic was chaotic and let me tell you, the driving behaviour on the QC side of things wasn't pretty.

Saturday I was driving to downtown Toronto. That wasn't pretty either.

[srg83]

God, Friday night I was going to a staff party downtown, and boy am I glad I left the car @ Baseline and took the bus. Apparently traffic was backed up everywhere because the bridge was out. Was very quick to take the bus though!

[Stock R]

God, Friday night I was going to a staff party downtown, and boy am I glad I left the car @ Baseline and took the bus. Apparently traffic was backed up everywhere because the bridge was out. Was very quick to take the bus though!

Ha ha. Funny you should mention that because Friday I headed out to pick up the GF from Portage area so we could drive down to Toronto. It was BRUTAL.

I got off at Bronson to use the Cartier Bridge. Traffic was backed up from Wellington straight through to Somerset. It took me about 25 minutes to get from Somerset to Laurier.

In the end the GF WALKED from Portage, across the bridge, and down Bay because it was the fastest way for us to meet up. I parked my car @ Laurier and just waited for her. She said the bridges were a complete disaster and she actually thought walking in the snow was the best choice.

Once we got out of Ottawa though traffic was perfectly fine.

[golden]

Or should I also say the slowest drivers? I was driving this morning and one Corolla (yes, everyone knows) was going like 20km/h on a one lane road. Ok, there was some snow on the ground, but going at 20km/h? And when I passed it, I saw it has only one passenger headlight functioning.... I guess if the driver is so scared, she should better replace the burnt bulb as it means that she must be driving like 10km/h at night.

[xansmommy]

Since this is turning into an ottawa traffic thread, I will add that I was in my car on the parkway for over 2 hours on Friday afternoon. I took the baby and went Christmas shopping and had to pick up my other guy at daycare. We were totally stuck in traffic, the baby cried for almost the whole time and we only got to the daycare seconds before closing time. I told my husband that I am not crossing the river to Ottawa again within +/- 2 hours of rush hours until the bridge is fixed!

Laura

[srg83]

Yeah, that's also true, I do find that people also tend to overcompensate for the snow (i.e. driving much slower than is necessary). I don't mind going 60 on an 80 road, as long as that's the traffic flow. If traffic is flowing faster then it's probably safe to go faster, silly people! ;)

[darkdrgn2k]

My rule of thumb during snow storms.

After the storm.. wait 20 mins.. by then all the idiots are sitting in the diches :) then slowly make your way home.... (or wherever you are going)

[Mayoo]

my rule of thumb during snow storms.

After the storm.. Wait 20 mins.. By then all the idiots are sitting in the diches :) then slowly make your way home.... (or wherever you are going)


+1 ...

[Tomy]

Or should I also say the slowest drivers? I was driving this morning and one Corolla (yes, everyone knows) was going like 20km/h on a one lane road. Ok, there was some snow on the ground, but going at 20km/h? And when I passed it, I saw it has only one passenger headlight functioning.... I guess if the driver is so scared, she should better replace the burnt bulb as it means that she must be driving like 10km/h at night.

better than the lady i was following yesterday going 60 km/hr on the highway...

i guess if the driver is so scared to drive, the driver should stay at home..

[bahasad]

Seriously, people drive soooo slow in the winter. I can understand going slightly slower maybe by about 10-20km/hr depending on the road conditions and posted speed limit. But going at 20km/hr in a 60km/hr zone in the left lane...I feel like drive-by-ing them:mad::D.
People don't even check their rearview to see that someone is trying to go ahead..they just blindly drive. People should also be considerate, letting people in, not trying to block them off.
Most of the drivers who do this are driving some Japanese car that isn't luxury (i.e. Civics and Corollas) or an old dude in a Buick/Ford Taurus or some other POS car. Get out of the way seriously. Even people with BMWs and rear wheel drive cars are driving normally in these conditions. How can these idiots driving FWD cars go so slow? If they don't know how to handle snow conditions, GTF on the TTC, stay home, or w.e. There are people who have to get to work or university.
People please take some time, get out early, clean your car to stop the snow on the roof getting on people's windshield. Don't drive at a walking pace, and make way for other drivers.
Today I had a test and coming downtown by 9AM was the worst experience ever. I don't live that far (Scarborough) and I got out at 7:20.

[ShadowVlican]

many of those drivers haven't seen snow before in their country ;)

[GunnerX]

To make things even worse. The slowest people will ALWAYS drive on the leftmost lane for some reason. Plus they're afraid of anything and everything and will constantly brake for no reason.

[veryhuman]

I didn't feel like creating a new thread, so I thought this was the most appropriate one to share my story in.


After the past Friday's storm, some parts of the city were still not cleared. I went out today to grab a lunch at York Mills Garden plaza (around 2PM). I ended up being stuck in the parking lot blocking both lanes. A stranger came out of his car, and started assisting me in pushing my car. I waved thanks, and the next corner out the plaza I was stuck once again... Another stranger came out of his way, to push my car. Very grateful for the help, and was honestly surprised kind people still do exist in the city.

[DLFB]

Tail gaiters. Enough said.

I swear, when you know the road's pretty slippery, why would you do it? You want an accident or something?

[Code85]

^^ I guess some people are still stuck in summer mode.

[BartBandy]

Winter doesn't bring out the worst drivers - it illuminates the worst drivers.

Bad driving is easy to hide in good weather.

[scan]

I didn't feel like creating a new thread, so I thought this was the most appropriate one to share my story in.


After the past Friday's storm, some parts of the city were still not cleared. I went out today to grab a lunch at York Mills Garden plaza (around 2PM). I ended up being stuck in the parking lot blocking both lanes. A stranger came out of his car, and started assisting me in pushing my car. I waved thanks, and the next corner out the plaza I was stuck once again... Another stranger came out of his way, to push my car. Very grateful for the help, and was honestly surprised kind people still do exist in the city.

I do that for people I see stuck all the time. I don't mind helping people like you out, but seriously... it's called winter tires. It's not expensive.

[bembol]

Get out the way! LOL


Another reason why I want out, get away from Winter. It's not just about the weather/snow, one of the reasons why I hate it is because of Slow/Scared Drivers.

Yesterday, 410/403 was cleared and they are still driving 60km!?!?!

[GunnerX]

Get out the way! LOL


Another reason why I want out, get away from Winter. It's not just about the weather/snow, one of the reasons why I hate it is because of Slow/Scared Drivers.

Yesterday, 410/403 was cleared and they are still driving 60km!?!?!

Yup, perfectly clear roads with no snow at all but they still drive like it's whiteout conditions. Why are these people even allowed out.

[bakeapples]

Yep:

Here's a video of me driving with my Nokian R's in -30 weather:

http://www.vimeo.com/2511350

Great tires... I really have nothing to compare to, as they are my first set. Still, Nokian tires are rated very high.

PS-later in the video you see me doing 100 km/h in 30 cm's of snow, that sound is snow hitting the undercarriage, the handling was still great...

[Tomy]

I do that for people I see stuck all the time. I don't mind helping people like you out, but seriously... it's called winter tires. It's not expensive.

he probably has it.. a lot of RWD have trouble driving in the winter since they're not used to having power from the rear...

[Tomy]

Get out the way! LOL


Another reason why I want out, get away from Winter. It's not just about the weather/snow, one of the reasons why I hate it is because of Slow/Scared Drivers.

Yesterday, 410/403 was cleared and they are still driving 60km!?!?!

Yup, perfectly clear roads with no snow at all but they still drive like it's whiteout conditions. Why are these people even allowed out.

i agree too.. if it's at night, sure since may b ur blind or something, but during a sunny day with cleared road.. why are u going 20-40 km/hr on a 70 km/hr street..

[veryhuman]

he probably has it.. a lot of RWD have trouble driving in the winter since they're not used to having power from the rear...

I have all seasons. :lol: I dont think I'm going out again for the duration of winter.

[TenzoR]

i agree too.. if it's at night, sure since may b ur blind or something, but during a sunny day with cleared road.. why are u going 20-40 km/hr on a 70 km/hr street..

It was pretty bad sun glare on the road when I went out on Saturday. I had to use my sun glasses to see properly.

[dgmorr]

he probably has it.. a lot of RWD have trouble driving in the winter since they're not used to having power from the rear...

...because it's not coming from the rear in the summer???

[Narci]

Yeah, Van got hit hard this weekend. I was just driving to work down the willingdon hill (south downhill)(for those in TO, think of going eastbound on finch between donmills and leslie hill but double and a half the length and double the steepness) and this ford escape was tailgating me. he was so close i could not see his license plate in the rearview. I was going probably 30km/hr with 2 cars infront of me and a bus beside me. There was about 2-3 cm of snow and it was slick.

[ShadowVlican]

Yeah, Van got hit hard this weekend. I was just driving to work down the willingdon hill (south downhill)(for those in TO, think of going eastbound on finch between donmills and leslie hill but double and a half the length and double the steepness) and this ford escape was tailgating me. he was so close i could not see his license plate in the rearview. I was going probably 30km/hr with 2 cars infront of me and a bus beside me. There was about 2-3 cm of snow and it was slick.
tap your brakes with the foot still on the accelerator... let those idiots know they're following too close

eventually they'll be annoyed at your flashing rear lights and tailgate someone else :lol:

[Narci]

tap your brakes with the foot still on the accelerator... let those idiots know they're following too close

eventually they'll be annoyed at your flashing rear lights and tailgate someone else :lol:

yeah i know..but that's kinda dangerouse too.

make me think if i should wire a switch so i can manually turn on all my brake lights without actually braking.

[untaka]

grr I could rant for days about the drivers in GTA, Saturday was the first time I actually had road rage, I'm still a little pissed about it.

[pierrefleur]

grr I could rant for days about the drivers in GTA, Saturday was the first time I actually had road rage, I'm still a little pissed about it.

tell us about it.

[White Comet]

To make things even worse. The slowest people will ALWAYS drive on the leftmost lane for some reason. Plus they're afraid of anything and everything and will constantly brake for no reason.

The leftmost lane is usually the cleanest lane, less snow. So then a lot of the time, the rightmost lane, no one would drive on it b/c its covered with "some" snow. Great for me:D

[Menthol]

Here is my story of idiotic driving. This guy driving in front of me, signals to turn right (it's one lane each way with no road markings) I move a bit to the middle to pass him as he turns right. Just as I'm about to reach his bumper guys switches his signal to left AND TURNS. I had to swing a hard left on a slush covered road and someone wait at a stop sign, so I had to cut between these two, I stopped just barely sliding and touching the curb. The guy at the stop sign rolls down and starts to reamed me out. He did not know the driver was signalling right, then changed his mind.

The idiot driver now ends up at my back passenger side. Turns to me and says I should finish waiting until he turns right before I should pass him. :confused:

[TenzoR]

Here is my story of idiotic driving. This guy driving in front of me, signals to turn right (it's one lane each way with no road markings) I move a bit to the middle to pass him as he turns right. Just as I'm about to reach his bumper guys switches his signal to left AND TURNS. I had to swing a hard left on a slush covered road and someone wait at a stop sign, so I had to cut between these two, I stopped just barely sliding and touching the curb. The guy at the stop sign rolls down and starts to reamed me out. He did not know the driver was signalling right, then changed his mind.

The idiot driver now ends up at my back passenger side. Turns to me and says I should finish waiting until he turns right before I should pass him. :confused:

Sounds like you are the idiot. But that's just my opinion.

[Sepiraph]

Here is my story of idiotic driving. This guy driving in front of me, signals to turn right (it's one lane each way with no road markings) I move a bit to the middle to pass him as he turns right. Just as I'm about to reach his bumper guys switches his signal to left AND TURNS. I had to swing a hard left on a slush covered road and someone wait at a stop sign, so I had to cut between these two, I stopped just barely sliding and touching the curb. The guy at the stop sign rolls down and starts to reamed me out. He did not know the driver was signalling right, then changed his mind.

The idiot driver now ends up at my back passenger side. Turns to me and says I should finish waiting until he turns right before I should pass him. :confused:

You probably should've just slowed down behind him and none of that would've happened.

[untaka]

Here is my story of idiotic driving. This guy driving in front of me, signals to turn right (it's one lane each way with no road markings) I move a bit to the middle to pass him as he turns right. Just as I'm about to reach his bumper guys switches his signal to left AND TURNS. I had to swing a hard left on a slush covered road and someone wait at a stop sign, so I had to cut between these two, I stopped just barely sliding and touching the curb. The guy at the stop sign rolls down and starts to reamed me out. He did not know the driver was signalling right, then changed his mind.

The idiot driver now ends up at my back passenger side. Turns to me and says I should finish waiting until he turns right before I should pass him. :confused:

Yeah man you should always expect that everyone else is a complete moron and anything a moron would do they may do, so you are kinda at fault. At least you know do not trust other drivers!

[ipxxx]

Yeah man you should always expect that everyone else is a complete moron and anything a moron would do they may do, so you are kinda at fault. At least you know do not trust other drivers!

+1 generally i apply this rule to driving in general regardless of the season

[sleepyguy]

That happened to me this summer... damn idiot is making a right into an intersection (and signaling), okay so I go straight through... DAMN IDIOT decides to do a U-Turn (first turning right then strong left to U)... crazy... almost 'T's' me at the intersection! I acclerated and moved hard left just in time to avoid him. I stopped my car got out and then he took off... what a fool.

But yes, back on topic. Funny story actually... we were driving towards the QEW on ramp and prior to our drive we noticed a Civic SI driving extremely reckless in the bad weather. He got up around 4 blocks ahead of us then we couldn't see him. We we got on the onramp a few minutes later his SI was in the ditch! LOL serves him right... what a fool. -sg

[Menthol]

Sounds like you are the idiot. But that's just my opinion.

I know, I'm an idiot to think that if someone is signalling right and is close to the right curb that they will eventually slam on their left signal and turn left IMMEDIATELY. You must be one of those driver but that's just my opinion.

At least he switched the signal or I wouldn't have reacted fast enough!! others don't.

[Sylvestre]

Here is my story of idiotic driving. This guy driving in front of me, signals to turn right (it's one lane each way with no road markings) I move a bit to the middle to pass him as he turns right. Just as I'm about to reach his bumper guys switches his signal to left AND TURNS. I had to swing a hard left on a slush covered road and someone wait at a stop sign, so I had to cut between these two, I stopped just barely sliding and touching the curb. The guy at the stop sign rolls down and starts to reamed me out. He did not know the driver was signalling right, then changed his mind.

The idiot driver now ends up at my back passenger side. Turns to me and says I should finish waiting until he turns right before I should pass him. :confused:
He's right

[Menthol]

I know he is right, I would have been the one charged. He's right, but also a very inconsiderate driver that doesn't care about others behind him. He is not what I would call a driver but that's just my opinion.