Driving in the Sunshine State

[don]

Been here two months and have adjusted, so to speak . . .


Florida is a do-what-you-please state. Driving on the phone, eating a sandwich, steering with your feet - go for it. Get the Cali car smog tested - fuhgeddaboudit, which is all to the good as everything here has scam potential. (for the 1st time ever I had to get a CC re-issued under another number - already!)


The ubiquitous horn blowing - from wtf to now faint white noise. Has markedly decreased with the release of the snow birds.


Have learned to be especially cautious with drivers that:


wear wraparound welding glasses

look through the steering wheel, not over it (more than packaging is shrinking here)

are in large vehicles with NY or NJ plates


A special note - expect anything from cars festooned with American flags. Why, I don't know - just an observation. Perhaps too much time spent at the VFW.


(A benign form of self-medication - applying horse racing terms to the above. Trifecta, long-shot, daily double . . . it helps)


And then there's the weather channel - we got a taste of offshore Debby in our 5 hour drive back from Tampa. When things are brewing, you tune in . . .

[shiny!]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

You really need to focus on your defensive driving when you live in a snowbird state- especially in the winter. Too many of them really shouldn't be driving anymore.

[don]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

You really need to focus on your defensive driving when you live in a snowbird state- especially in the winter. Too many of them really shouldn't be driving anymore.

I think there is a relationship between circulatory speed and driving speed.

I've been behind a Super Senior cruising at less than 10 MPH.

That's slower than parked . . .

[Thailandnotes]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

When I lived in the N.C. mountains, the most popular bumper sticker was, "Drive right. This ain't Florida!'

[shiny!]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

I think there is a relationship between circulatory speed and driving speed.

I've been behind a Super Senior cruising at less than 10 MPH.

That's slower than parked . . .

Yep. And they must run their errands during rush hour.

[c1ue]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

To be fair, while there are a large number of seniors driving who shouldn't - at the same time many of them don't really have much alternative.

It is easy for us who can still drive safely to complain, but these individuals are trying to retain their independence. Waiting hours for a bus and/or paying $10-$20/ride for 'Senior Transport' only seems fine if it is someone else doing it.

In a real sense, what you're seeing is yet another example of the consequences of low density/sprawl.

[jk]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

I think there is a relationship between circulatory speed and driving speed.

I've been behind a Super Senior cruising at less than 10 MPH.

That's slower than parked . . .

would you rather they were speeding?

[shiny!]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

would you rather they were speeding?

After one of them made a series of poor judgements that got my husband killed, I'd rather they turn in their licenses and take the shuttles. Admittedly I'm not exactly unbiased here.

[jk]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

After one of them made a series of poor judgements that got my husband killed, I'd rather they turn in their licenses and take the shuttles. Admittedly I'm not exactly unbiased here.

unfortunately they need good judgement to decide to turn in their licenses. you had mentioned that your husband had been killed, shiny!, but i didn't know it was this way, or i wouldn't have made my unfortunate attempt at a joke. apologies, and i'm sorry for your loss.

[don]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

would you rather they were speeding?

That's the alternative? How about those no longer capable of driving, don't.

A better choice since you asked.

[lektrode]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

That's the alternative? How about those no longer capable of driving, don't.

A better choice since you asked.

another HOT BUTTON mr D - altho methinks the texters are the bigger problem - but even 10mph aint doin all that bad - any day now, in the HNL metro area - it will be quicker to WALK across town than drive...

its already quicker, easier, less frustrating to ride a bicycle (which is my preferred/alternative transport)

but least traffic moves over there - the cops out here think nothing of closing 5 of the 10lanes of our 'interstate' for otherwise routine (all TOO routine) rear-enders - typically at about 330-400pm, on the outbound side - mostly so they can collect data for some insurance argument - that cause daily backups that stretch for 10-15miles x 5 lanes wide?

vs over there on the right coast where they have big yellow signs over the left lane along i-95 tween palm beach and metro dade that say:

" please move your wrecks to the side of the road "

but its a different world out here - thats fer shur - heres a bumpah sticker we have lots of:

SLOW DOWN
THIS AINT THE MAINLAND

[don]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

The speed limit here in town is actually too fast - 45 MPH. A nice in-town cruising speed but since there's lots of red lights, there's lots of stops . . . at 45 -50 MPH. Add in everyone expects you to get up to speed pronto and I'm anticipating accelerated brake and tranie wear. Being a 80,000 + brake man, ouch!

(you can imagine how the 8 MPH guy stood out, in the far left lane, in 45 MPH free-flowing traffic. Like a surprise speed bump.)

[lakedaemonian]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

Been here two months and have adjusted, so to speak . . .


Florida is a do-what-you-please state. Driving on the phone, eating a sandwich, steering with your feet - go for it. Get the Cali car smog tested - fuhgeddaboudit, which is all to the good as everything here has scam potential. (for the 1st time ever I had to get a CC re-issued under another number - already!)


The ubiquitous horn blowing - from wtf to now faint white noise. Has markedly decreased with the release of the snow birds.


Have learned to be especially cautious with drivers that:


wear wraparound welding glasses

look through the steering wheel, not over it (more than packaging is shrinking here)

are in large vehicles with NY or NJ plates


A special note - expect anything from cars festooned with American flags. Why, I don't know - just an observation. Perhaps too much time spent at the VFW.


(A benign form of self-medication - applying horse racing terms to the above. Trifecta, long-shot, daily double . . . it helps)


And then there's the weather channel - we got a taste of offshore Debby in our 5 hour drive back from Tampa. When things are brewing, you tune in . . .

On a recent trip to Florida I thought it quite funny that when I stopped for petrol the point of purchase displays between me and the payment counter were chocker full of ice cold beer to encourage me to drink and drive.

[shiny!]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

unfortunately they need good judgement to decide to turn in their licenses. you had mentioned that your husband had been killed, shiny!, but i didn't know it was this way, or i wouldn't have made my unfortunate attempt at a joke. apologies, and i'm sorry for your loss.

Please don't worry about it jk- I didn't take offense at all! And thanks.

An 80 year-old man made a right turn on red as my husband was going through the intersection. Then he didn't stay in his own lane. He hit him and knocked him off his scooter. My husband had minor injuries but couldn't get up- broken leg, probably. While he and a good samaritan were waiting for an ambulance the old man moved his car off the street. We don't know why. They lost their protection from traffic. Another driver hit them both. My husband was killed, the young man helping him was injured. He could have jumped out of the way but he tried to save him. He was a hero; he now has PTSD.

The second driver admitted to being distracted- he was rubbernecking the accident and didn't slow down. It only took a second. Neither driver ever said they were sorry.

The speed limit around here is 45 as well on surface streets. Several of my neighbors ride scooters and bicycles because they can't afford a car. They've all had near-misses when they ride- especially in the winter when the snowbirds are here. A lot of car drivers don't pay attention to bikes; they look right through you like you aren't even there. And with cellphones, loud radios, GPS nav screens, tinted windows... there are a lot more distractions than there used to be.

FYI for Everyone:

Talking on a cellphone while driving makes your reaction times as slow as having a 0.08 blood alcohol level, which is legally drunk. Handheld or hands-free doesn't matter. The brain can't focus on what it sees and what it hears at the same time. Please don't do it.

[lektrode]

Re: Driving in the Sunshine State

....A lot of car drivers don't pay attention to bikes; they look right through you like you aren't even there. And with cellphones, loud radios, GPS nav screens, tinted windows... there are a lot more distractions than there used to be.

FYI for Everyone:

Talking on a cellphone while driving makes your reaction times as slow as having a 0.08 blood alcohol level, which is legally drunk. Handheld or hands-free doesn't matter. The brain can't focus on what it sees and what it hears at the same time. Please don't do it.

+1

eye hear you ms shiny! - your story is a gut wrencher (deepest condolences)