This is a forum where we discuss the road the highway the street and the laws and unwritten rules that accompany using the public highway system. Got a beef about speeding or traffic enforcement? Want to rant about left lane hogs, lane rangers, drunks, cell phone users and bad drivers in general? This is the place to take your frank discussion about driving cars and riding motorcycles on public roads to. http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/list.php?9Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:50:22 -0500 Phorum 5.2.15a http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,73180,73180#msg-73180 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,73180,73180#msg-73180 Jeff in W.C. The Open RoadMon, 26 Jul 2010 14:12:23 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,73125,73125#msg-73125 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,73125,73125#msg-73125
When I see someone use their turn signals, it makes me feel a little warmer toward them. Even if used improperly, the very fact that someone uses them at all shows that they realize there are others on the road and that cooperation is a concept that they may be able to grasp.

When someone pulls in front of me without using his turn signal, I feel that he's just trying to take advantage of people and drives in an adversarial way. Maybe it's plain neglect and without malice, but I don't react to it that way and I don't really think it is. Everybody knows that they are supposed to signal.

I think that very few drivers actually have thought about why we have the rules of the road that we do have. That fits in with two things. First, the popular mindset that it's you against the world. Secondly, the thought that one doesn't have to follow the rules is less dangerous when driving a large vehicle. Airbags and other safety features exacerbate that and make it extend down to smaller vehicles.

Entering freeways without signaling is very common. I notice that those who are trying to enter the freeway without signaling are typically not looking out into the traffic they are trying to merge with. Evidently, their expectation is that everybody else will compensate for their incompetence.

Where I live, it has become much more common to see people just whip out a U-turn. They don't signal, look, or wait until it's safe. It poses a real threat to those of us on two wheels and also, to those who drive cars.

I'd like to hear ideas that any of you may have as to what can be done to improve drivers' attitudes. To think of driving as a responsibility to others would be an ideal worth striving toward. It would require some doing to turn the attitudes of many around. I will say that in the 1970s, during the Peace and Love hippy movement, it was much more popular to drive in a cooperative way. Maybe I just need to hope I make it through until the pendulum swings back that way.

I think TV and print ads would help.

Chuey]]> chuey The Open RoadMon, 26 Jul 2010 11:05:23 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,72542,72542#msg-72542 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,72542,72542#msg-72542
On one trip we took in the Vanagon, we took a pre paid phone. I had paid for 200 minutes. We used it for well under ten, and then it told us we had twenty minutes left but it wouldn't work. I felt as I expected to feel when dealing with a cell phone company.

Gretchen was hit from the rear on the freeway, and it became very clear in our dealings with the police that they expect you to travel with a cell phone. They expect you to call the cops from the accident site. The ding a ling* who hit her had no insurance. There were no injuries so the cops weren't called. This was due to the understanding on Gretchen's part that the cops won't come to the scene if there are no injuries. (Ding a Ling had a phone, so they could have been called if she had known that was protocol.) Because she left the scene without having called the police (CHP), it was deemed that we had "entered into an agreement" with Ding a Ling to pay us. In effect, it was all on us; and out of the hands of the authorities.

I bought another pre paid cell phone so we can call the cops if we get hit. The pre-pay is only good for three months. It's not a good deal in my book because we don't use the phone. I fully expect that it wouldn't work if we need it.

Chuey

*When he got out of his car, he told Gretchen that he was sorry, he'd been "on his laptop". Further, he would have to pay us privately since he had no insurance. Also he said, he had just gotten out of prison and was on parole. He had a cell phone, a nice truck, a laptop computer; after having just gotten out of prison. His mom bought them for him. I think they should have put her in jail.]]> chuey The Open RoadWed, 21 Jul 2010 18:07:25 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,71786,71786#msg-71786 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,71786,71786#msg-71786


He's carrying more stuff than Airbear!]]> SteveD The Open RoadThu, 08 Jul 2010 11:01:30 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,71576,71576#msg-71576 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,71576,71576#msg-71576
The song of the sausage creature]]> SteveD The Open RoadThu, 22 Jul 2010 07:42:43 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,71331,71331#msg-71331 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,71331,71331#msg-71331
Nasty crash.]]> SteveD The Open RoadTue, 20 Jul 2010 23:18:44 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,71053,71053#msg-71053 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,71053,71053#msg-71053
Best biking roads.]]> SteveD The Open RoadSun, 11 Jul 2010 06:34:40 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,70597,70597#msg-70597 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,70597,70597#msg-70597

● I am preparing for a trip to NE Penn. to visit my daughter
● I am looking at maps, thinking about things I'll do. (geocaching soaking up nature)
● Somewhere along the line, I am looking at Timo's pictures on my pbase account
● I see his dad as a little boy fishing not too far from where I will be.
● [www.pbase.com]
● I click on the Pictures option on Google Maps to see photos of the lake.
● I think Timo should post his Dad's picture on there!
● Then I click on Videos!
● (too cool - it is a Morris Mini (BMW) club from Philly up for a rally at the lake!)
● [www.youtube.com]

No, I'm not ranting about anything. Raving, perhaps. ;)]]> rob valdez '79 r65 The Open RoadFri, 18 Jun 2010 06:49:04 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,70353,70353#msg-70353 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,70353,70353#msg-70353You drive what???

158 pages of some hillarius stuff from the same weirdo's who brought you People of Walmart
bless their hearts...]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadFri, 18 Jun 2010 14:37:55 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,70352,70352#msg-70352 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,70352,70352#msg-70352visual speed?

maybe next they can teach a cop to sniff a fart & judge my BAC?]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadWed, 16 Jun 2010 14:02:03 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69995,69995#msg-69995 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69995,69995#msg-69995
Turns out it was a 17 yr old from a very affluent suburb on his way to school, who was distracted by his tangled flip-flops-

[www.post-gazette.com]

What gets me is the constant use of the term "boy" and "teen". If we give grown-up privileges to them (and let them drive pickup trucks to school), then they face grown-up consequences. Am I right? Fucking flip-flops killed a father of three. I really, really hope this "kid" has his driving privileges revoked and at the very least he is forced to take the bus to school like everyone else.]]> Godot The Open RoadSun, 13 Jun 2010 21:15:29 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69915,69915#msg-69915 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69915,69915#msg-69915I see litter all over the south especially. Out west for some reason there isn't nearly the volume of litter on the ground. I wonder why?
Nothing disgusts me more than a litterbug. It has to be one of the most heinous crimes next to hogging the left lane on the road today. Out where I live at the rural intersections where people turn and or stop the trash seems to collect mostly. These people know its wrong, Thats why they always do it all sneaky like. I want to do something cruel to to these lazy good for nothing litterbugs... like send them to re education camps. Fix them in a most vulgar way.
Flicked cigarette butts drive me mad, but trash is trash. fast food trash is probably the biggest piece of trash on the road. & truckers....where do I begin. I respect truckers for the most part but the amount of liter AND body waste they toss out of their trucks makes me want to make put a bounty on their heads. Ever heard of a trucker bomb??? look it up. its disgusting and dangerous.
My big question.... WHY DO YOU PUT UP WITH IT?
There is NOTHING more UN-American than littering. Anyone care to chime in on this?
I have to admit I go out of my way to call people out on it. I honk at them mostly but Ive confronted people in parking lots & at gas stations too. Its always the same pissed off blushing reaction. A four letter word or 2 then they scurry away like the cockroaches they are. I've never had one person I called out for littering stand up to me. I wonder why?
Cops see it...& they don't do shit about it. People(most people) don't throw trash in their yards so WHY is it ok to trash the rest of the country?
and beer cans..the number of empty beer cans sugest to me that if cops want to lurk & hide why not do it near rural intersections & put a damper on drunk driving?
I suggest a bumper sticker campaign.
People are SO adamant about using the back window of their car to tell you about their political allegiance's or that they have a Harley parked in their garage at home so why not put that rear window to some good use & tell people how they feel about litterbugs?
KILL ALL LITTERBUGS DEAD

see you onthe roadX(]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadSun, 13 Jun 2010 21:47:31 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69681,69681#msg-69681 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69681,69681#msg-69681montana and reducing its speed limit results
spped limit articles]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadTue, 08 Jun 2010 17:53:42 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69629,69629#msg-69629 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69629,69629#msg-69629
If you are a serious motor enthusiast you probably know who Brock Yates is. he was a long time editor for Car & Driver and has written a handful of books. Ive read Outlaw Machine(about choppers & bikers), Against Death & time and Cannonball.
Yates was the guy who created the Canonball Baker Sea to Shining seat Memorial Trophy Dash better known as The Cannonball Run.
If you want to know the real story read the book Cannonball. You have probably seen the movie Canonball Run, Brock yates is still pissed about that one.


cannonball baker sea to shining sea memorial trophy dash
Cannonbal, the worlds greatest outlaw road race
Brock Yates Wikipedia]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadMon, 07 Jun 2010 16:51:18 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69627,69627#msg-69627 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69627,69627#msg-69627
the trailer is a bit cheezy BUT there is some interesting stuff in it.
32 hours 7 minutes movie trailer
32 hours 7 Minutes]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadMon, 07 Jun 2010 13:31:27 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69625,69625#msg-69625 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69625,69625#msg-69625The only reason I bring up Alex roy is he did his cross country trip & documented the hell out of it AND did it with the intention of doing it safely.
also,
If you have not read the book cannonball by Brock Yates that is the story about the Cannonball Run the REAL Cannonball Run....cannonball is an awesome read complete with pictures & details & stuff. one of my favorite books.
here are a few links to check out on Alex Roy.

Team polizei
alex Roy Wikipedia
Polizei 144
youtube polizei144 video]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadMon, 07 Jun 2010 13:27:42 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69406,69406#msg-69406 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69406,69406#msg-69406
I live near two schools. I do 25 mph in school zones. Lots of school moms drive faster when taking little Johnny to school. They do U-turns when it isn't safe. They don't use their turn signals when they should. It's their precious little brats that we have a school zone speed limit to protect! I want the man to fly his airfreakingplane over school zones and give out tickets to those mothers who endanger their own kids. I want the man to leave a few stretches of road alone. In particular, there are some stretches and times of day/night, that they should invite the Bonneville timers association to manage the road. It will leave more time for ticketing hot young moms who break traffic laws.

Who do you wish the would ticket? Who do you think they ticket, but shouldn't? Other pet peeves fit here.

Chuey]]> chuey The Open RoadSun, 13 Jun 2010 21:52:07 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69359,69359#msg-69359 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69359,69359#msg-69359Ive gotten a few speeding ticets over the yrs....or should i say "convictions"? Ive gotten A LOT of speeding tickets but I usually go to court and fight it!!!
Ive gotten out of more speeding tickets that way...gotten out of more than Ive been convicted of....why you ask?
Because the ticketing officer wasn't in court that day. they count on you paying your ticket through the mail....get it?
A cop cant ticket you if he didnt witness you do it(the exception is murder and DUI i think). If they want to convict you the ticketing officer has to be in court to get the conviction. Why wouldn't the cop be in court that day???? cause he is busy doing his job writing tickets and counting on you NOT coming to court. This isn't the cop doing it its his boss not scheduling him to be in court that day. they are counting on YOU to play your part and be a sheep. If EVERYONE who gets a speeding ticket would show up for court the system would grind to a halt over night. Get it?
take it from someone who has gotten WAY more tickets that I will ever recall i figured this out when I was much younger(and dumber:)...
I will say this...I feel that every ticket I ever was convicted of I deserved.....]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadTue, 08 Jun 2010 09:00:21 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69357,69357#msg-69357 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69357,69357#msg-69357[boortz.com][/url]

this one is particularly note worthy cause its total bullshit
[americancityandcounty.com][/url]

another particularly good article
a cops perspective

another lucid cops telling like it is]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadMon, 14 Jun 2010 04:26:09 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69335,69335#msg-69335 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69335,69335#msg-69335now I know that it sounds bad BUT I think all any some of us have done it, some more than others.

the first and BEST way I know of to avoid scrutiny by the law is.....to simply obey the rules of the road.
I dont drive recklessly or drunk or run red lights, I signal turns & lane changes, I don't speed.....all the time:o)
the one thing that bugs me is I cant safely drive the speed I want to go on the highway without fear of retaliation by a cop....& i know that they are just doing their jobs but...

speeding is simply a victemless crime AND a great way for state & local jurisdictions to collect revenue...I call it highway robbery.

SO the point of my post is I want to hear from others what they do to avoid the cops and unfair fines when speeding.
you carry a radar detector? use Trapster or some other seedtrap reporting service? use certain techniques to avoid detection? Inquiring minds want to know.]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadWed, 09 Jun 2010 14:58:34 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69155,69155#msg-69155 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69155,69155#msg-69155racetracks and off road in general make up for a very small percentage of total miles accumulated on motorcycles period so the road is our canvas, our arena, our happy place. the only person you are really competing against is yourself. and if we were keeping score then total miles accumulated, crashes(and injuries) and tickets are 3 of the major scoring criteria. I may be making it sound like a game, making light of a serious subject but I take riding very seriously.
I created this forum to learn a little about riding, about other road users and mostly about myself. I want to hear what you think...]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadWed, 02 Jun 2010 08:24:24 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69114,69114#msg-69114 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,69114,69114#msg-69114It appears that ,reading our local newspaper ,the answer to the above is quite simple .....dont pass your test ,dont insure , dont pass the vehicle roadworthy test ,just get in and drive . IF, and it is a big IF ,you are caught or have an accident and cause injury and damage .....dont worry because the fines , penalty etc. are punitively small compared to the costs of being legal . You can just go out and do it again and again !
Yes it makes my blood boil , I would cut their bloody hands off .
What is your solution to this ever growing problem ?

JIM ..... Ive calmed down now................honest .]]> jimbor65 The Open RoadThu, 10 Jun 2010 18:49:01 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,68767,68767#msg-68767 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,68767,68767#msg-68767www.passionperformance.ca]]]> Zombie Master The Open RoadTue, 01 Jun 2010 16:12:32 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,68616,68616#msg-68616 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,68616,68616#msg-68616
I'd like to open up to discussion the subject of how could things be made better for all drivers. What are some of your ideas about how to make the roads work better and safer?

I'll start with some of my ideas:

I think we need to have a much better driver test. It should not be easy to get a driver license. The test should cover some areas such as lane hierarchy, importance of turn signaling, importance of safe following distance, the place and proper riding of bicycles on the road; things like that.

I also think this should be studied, discussed and implemented: Leaving the ego behind when in a car. So often, when you go to pass people, they "wake up" and then speed up so as to not let you pass. If you flash people, they should move over. If you give a tap to your brake lights, they should get off your ass. (here, I'm talking of a lane full of cars, not a case where you should move over). Somehow, I think we need to change the expectation of the driving experience into one of taking delight in a cooperative system rather than a way to assert one's "individuality". (This wouldn't take away individuality, unless someone's individuality is being an asshole.) Indeed, it would make it possible for us all to move along more quickly and safely.

We could have a system where the fines for moving violations are pro-rated by vehicle weight. That would tie the risk to others posed by the offender, to the severity of that risk. In addition, it would make the fines lighter for motorcycles. Don't mention that to legislators. Evidently, they don't ride motorcycles. A big problem with this is that it is logical.

What are some of your ideas?

Chuey]]> chuey The Open RoadWed, 02 Jun 2010 09:17:28 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,68555,68555#msg-68555 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,68555,68555#msg-68555I use it. I only use it for highway speed traps and speed camera's. redlight camera's & the like dont affect me as much but I think they shouldn't be ignored either. if you dont know what I'm talking about go to trapster.com & check it out...]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadTue, 01 Jun 2010 12:45:29 -0500 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,68553,68553#msg-68553 http://boxerworks.com/phorum5/read.php?9,68553,68553#msg-68553Who are these unsafe automobile operators and why don't they get out of my way? Why do many of them speed up or slow down on purpose to impede your progress and not let faster traffic pass??? & why do they drive on the road without fear of retaliation?]]> phorumadmin The Open RoadSun, 06 Jun 2010 16:51:24 -0500