I'm not really a complainer by nature, but when I leave work on a sunny Wednesday afternoon and have to drive just 3km through the city and all I can think is "God please just get me home without one of these crazies ramming into me" I don't enjoy it.  
 
Earlier today I was driving on the highway towards Maple Leaf, a highway I see animals on probably 75-80% of the time I drive it. The lady behind me (who I believe was in a company vehicle) was tailgating me so strong that I was actually worried. The speed limit is 90 and that is what I was doing and when a truck turned in front of me and I had to slow right down and the car behind me took much longer to slow down I seriously thought I was in for it.  
 
Moments later the chick had the nerve to go by me on the right hand shoulder and then make a waving gesture trying to explain why what she did was just fine. (I'm not certain but she may have ended it with another, less confusing waving gesture...I only barely saw it since I was watching the road and shaking my head)  
 
On my way home, in about a 5 block stretch I was cut off twice, shocked by people not signalling (I guess because they assume I'm a mind reader) and witnessed a couple other close calls.  
 
Let me just say, I don't think texting was involved in any of these scenarios...this was just terrible, reckless driving!  
 
It's bitter...I know it's bitter, but these really poor driving habits mean you and I are in danger every time we take to the road. I find people with no driving common sense to be as dangerous as drunk drivers and texting drivers. My life is in these people's hands. I not only have to watch my driving but I have to assume now that every driver around me could give a crap whether I live or die (because they believe they're superior drivers who don't have to follow rules).  
 
Will this post sound less cranky if I throw in a smiley face at the end? I'm not bitter, just glad to be home!  
 
 
 
Edited by Mela, 2012-07-04 18:40:20

i agree. we can be the best driver we can be but all it takes is some idiot who doesnt know how to drive and for us to be in the wrong time at the wrong place. scary!!  
 
glad your home safe

#1 rule of driving..everyone else on the road is a moron. Remember this and their bad driving won't be as much of a surprise.  
You just can't trust the smegheads!!

That's why I love driving an older truck, when retards do something stupid I'm not afraid of damaging my vehicle. Plus the ones doing the cutting off, tailgating etc. usually have expensive vehicles and are deemed at fault in insurance claims so my truck gets repaired and they're the ones with the bill and their foot in their mouth.

My Dad always told me and I still tell my kids..."it's the other driver you have to watch..not your own driving" If you are a good driver and keep your eyes on other drivers you can usually avoid any problems--however, there are those times when no amount of attention seems to help. Stay safe and I hope you have better days driving ahead. P.S.--at least you didn't succumb to road rage.

retiredandloving it said "My Dad always told me and I still tell my kids..."it's the other driver you have to watch..not your own driving" If you are a good driver and keep your eyes on other drivers you can usually avoid any problems--however, there are those times when no amount of attention seems to help. Stay safe and I hope you have better days driving ahead. P.S.--at least you didn't succumb to road rage. "

Do we have the same father? lol I was told this too "It's the other driver you have to watch out for".  
 
Mela, it's an every day, multiple times a day ordeal. I like taking the back roads or side streets when at all possible.  
 
Edited by Hackeda, 2012-07-04 19:50:27

HowieSport said "That's why I love driving an older truck, when retards do something stupid I'm not afraid of damaging my vehicle. Plus the ones doing the cutting off, tailgating etc. usually have expensive vehicles and are deemed at fault in insurance claims so my truck gets repaired and they're the ones with the bill and their foot in their mouth. "

HowieSport,  
 
You are one very ignorant person.  
 
Please don't use the term retard. It makes you an uneducated redneck and is offensive.  
 
Aren't you just a big-man with your post?  
 
Glad you were safe, OP.

But Brandon has horrible drivers! And not only does Brandon know, but people from smaller and bigger cities know this as well.

This is why I think everybody who gets a license should have to drive a motorcycle for a few years (maybe as a teen) nothing teaches you to assume everyone on the road is looking to kill you like being completely vulnerable.  
 
I've lived in a few provinces, and Westman definitely takes the cake (though driving in rush hour traffic on the 400 series highways in ontario makes westman look tame ;)  
 
In any event, drive safe and drive as if you were invisible, it's probably the safest way you can drive.

Did anyone see the near head on miss with the black ford pickup on highway 10 south on Monday?

retiredandloving it said "My Dad always told me and I still tell my kids..."it's the other driver you have to watch..not your own driving" If you are a good driver and keep your eyes on other drivers you can usually avoid any problems--however, there are those times when no amount of attention seems to help. Stay safe and I hope you have better days driving ahead. P.S.--at least you didn't succumb to road rage. "

I received this advise from my dad as well. Its served me well  
 
Edited by some...body...., 2012-07-04 22:11:03

How am I being ignorant? First I'm not talking about actual handicapped people, I actually have respect for them and I wouldn't call them retarded. There is a huge difference between retards and people with actual mental disabilities, and clearly you didn't make that connection so I'm sorry for that. Also I'm far from an uneducated redneck considering my level of education and my job, and I don't assume things about people like you yourself have done. I also wouldn't consider myself a "big man" I just find it funny when the aforementioned retarded drivers (which this area seems to be filled with) do something stupid and I'm able to capitalize on it by replacing a rusting bumper, or quarter panel. I figure It's better I have them hit me when I want them to than someone who's not expecting it, so really I'm doing a public service.  
So thanks.

B said "Did anyone see the near head on miss with the black ford pickup on highway 10 south on Monday? "

on the road that day but do drive 10 south almost daily and it can get scary. So many people passing when they can't see what is coming at them. Or they just assume everyone else will move for them I guess..  
We need more police presence on the highways to catch the high speeders and people who pass when they shouldn't.

GC44 said "    HowieSport said "That's why I love driving an older truck, when retards do something stupid I'm not afraid of damaging my vehicle. Plus the ones doing the cutting off, tailgating etc. usually have expensive vehicles and are deemed at fault in insurance claims so my truck gets repaired and they're the ones with the bill and their foot in their mouth. " HowieSport,     You are one very ignorant person.     Please don't use the term retard. It makes you an uneducated redneck and is offensive.     Aren't you just a big-man with your post?     Glad you were safe, OP. "

 
retard  
 
— vb  
1. ( tr ) to delay or slow down (the progress, speed, or development) of (something)  
 
Im sure Howiesport was not trying to offend anyone with a developmental handicap on Ebrandon. As im sure you know, we as a society use words for different situations which may represent different meanings under different circumstances. Now, directly calling a specific person "ignorant" and an "uneducated redneck" and then try to cut him down with your last comment only shows that you are a bully and an abusive individual. Let's take a look in the mirror before we decide to attack others.

on driving threads,because I don't find Brandon drivers all that bad.  
That being said,yesterday,leaving Brandon,going west on the 1A,I had a truck and camper coming from the east,turn left in front of me.I had to brake hard and my groceries rearranged themselves on the backseat.Thank goodness the vehicle behind me was far enough back to stop without rearending me,and we all had an adrenaline rush.  
My dad always said to me to "drive like everyone else is a damn fool."  

in the summer i only ride my motorcycle. it is great to be on the open road with the wind blowing past you bugs in teeth and the like. however there is one driver i see routinely coming to shilo from brandon or back from brandon to shilo. i assume she lives on base and works in town. this person is always looking in her mirror doing her make up or texting, generally not paying attention to the road. she is always in the opposing lane and has nearly taken me out with her yellow vw bug about 5 times and never seems to notice. people like this are the only reason i dont like riding and are as dangerous as drunk drivers if not worse.

taught me to drive, and the very first thing he said to me was,  
"Pretend every other person on the road is crazy. It will make you a better driver. And sometimes you don't even have to pretend"

Krystle said "But Brandon has horrible drivers! And not only does Brandon know, but people from smaller and bigger cities know this as well. "

 
 
Edited by Silver3, 2012-07-05 09:55:25

My Mom always said keep your mind on the car behind the one in front of you.  
 

If you were headed west and they were coming from the east (therefore headed west like you) and you nearly ran them over, then you are the tailgater. What are you complaining about? Slow down and don't follow so closely. (and maybe don't tell everyone about it afterward).

It amazes me how many "bad drivers" there are in Westman yet everyone here thinks they are "perfect" drivers. It makes me wonder where all the bad drivers with Manitoba plates come from. ??????  
 
Pop quiz!!! How does a four-way stop work??? Do you really need to signal a lane change? Does green flashing arrow mean "make your left turn now" or "wait until the light turns amber before proceeding"?  
 
I know I am not a perfect driver but I am not a "bad" driver... although some of you who encounter me on the road may think differently.

Let 'em pass you if they want and tailgating behaviour will eventually lead to a collision where the offending driver is almost always found to be at fault. Defensive driving ftw and it saves on fuel and helps maintain a persons sanity at the same time. There is still no better feeling than catching up to a leadfooted/crazy lane-changing driver at lights

I didn`t get my licence until I was in my early 20s. I`ve held a license in 3 different provinces since. Brandon is not that bad and fairly easy to navigate. There are idiots about but not nearly as many as I`ve seen per capita than Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton or Thunder Bay. Not to be a jackass, mean or sarcastic but if driving in Brandon makes you white knuckled, quit. Move into the city and get a bus pass because retarded drivers are everywhere.

Who cares... said "    GC44 said "    HowieSport said "That's why I love driving an older truck, when retards do something stupid I'm not afraid of damaging my vehicle. Plus the ones doing the cutting off, tailgating etc. usually have expensive vehicles and are deemed at fault in insurance claims so my truck gets repaired and they're the ones with the bill and their foot in their mouth. " HowieSport,     You are one very ignorant person.     Please don't use the term retard. It makes you an uneducated redneck and is offensive.     Aren't you just a big-man with your post?     Glad you were safe, OP. "   retard     — vb   1. ( tr ) to delay or slow down (the progress, speed, or development) of (something)     Im sure Howiesport was not trying to offend anyone with a developmental handicap on Ebrandon. As im sure you know, we as a society use words for different situations which may represent different meanings under different circumstances. Now, directly calling a specific person "ignorant" and an "uneducated redneck" and then try to cut him down with your last comment only shows that you are a bully and an abusive individual. Let's take a look in the mirror before we decide to attack others. "

That was a great comment..!!

but you will never hear me say or see me type the word 'retard'. It offends queers.

is of-course another word I would never use.  
 
Lighten up.