Driving practices poll (with a stupid coworker addendum)

In My Humble Opinion
1

First the story that prompts the thread. The poll’s at the bottom, but to answer the last question, you need the story.)

Yesterday, I had to escort a training class from our office to an off-site location. I gave everybody directions and a map printed off MapQuest, but since I was the only person who knew his way around the facility we were visiting, and since the security guards at the gate would only let the trainees in onmy say-so, I made it clear to the other drivers that they needed to stay behind me. Arriving before I did would result only in sitting and stewing at the gate.

There were three cars in addition to mine making this trip. Several times during the trip, we hit red lights. It was mid-morning, so the traffic wasn’t especially heavy; nevertheless, as is my wont, I came to a complete stop each time, surveyed the intersection, and proceeded only after I was sure it was safe to do so. I also kept to the speed limit or a little below the entire time, as is also my wont. I don’t drive at moderate speeds because I’m a goody-two-shoes; I do it because I’m cheap and want to economize, and because I had two bad accidents in 2006 and consciously try to be as conservative a driver as possible.

Anyway, one of the trainees criticized my driving style once we were done. (A very stupid trainee, I might add, as I am the one who decides whether he gets an offer for permanent employment, but that’s not the point). He said my insistence on staying out of the left lane and on driving no more <55 rather than >80 on the expressway was stupid; it made the trip take 30 minutes instead of 15, he said. (His math skills are not impressive.) He also avers that it’s not only unnecessary but actually illegal to stop at a red light if you’re turning right, unless another car is in the way. He also arrived late (and caused the group to have to wait for him), as he got frustrated with my pace, sped ahead, and went to the wrong gate of the destination facility.

All of which brings me to the thread questions:

  1. As a function of the speed limit, how fast do you typically drive?

  2. If you generally keep at or below the speed limit, do you do so because you want to save on gas, because you want to drive defensively, because you’re afraid of getting ticketed, or some other reason?

  3. When turning right on red, do you come to a complete stop before proceeding into the intersection?

  4. Should I bitch-slap this trainee, and if so, how? :cool: (If he’s hired, his job will be B2B selling.)

2

In the city/suburbs, almost exactly at the posted limits depending on traffic. A few miles over if the roads are free and clear.

On the interstate, I normally go 5-10 mph over, traffic conditions and speed traps permitting.

A few things – cops are sneaky around here; I hate hard-braking/stopping short at red lights; I like saving gas.

Almost invariably. Perhaps a “rolling stop” if traffic is very light.

Not worth the time. Living with his own ignorance is punishment enough.

3
  1. Fast as conditions allow
  2. Only slow to avoid tickets
  3. Close enough
  4. Don’t hire him. He can’t follow directions and will be a pain in the ass.
4

What does you mean by “close enough”?

5

1. As a function of the speed limit, how fast do you typically drive?

Usually 10 over, but in areas I know are heavily patrolled/camera’ed, I stay at the speed limit.

2. If you generally keep at or below the speed limit, do you do so because you want to save on gas, because you want to drive defensively, because you’re afraid of getting ticketed, or some other reason?

The only limiting factors in my driving speed are safety (!=speed limit, IMHO) and whether or not the gestapo is going to get on my case.

3. When turning right on red, do you come to a complete stop before proceeding into the intersection?

Yes. That’s the law unless otherwise stated, AFAIK.

**4. Should I bitch-slap this trainee, and if so, how? (If he’s hired, his job will be B2B selling.) **

Yes; he’s clearly wrong, strike one, and he pissed off someone involved in the determination of his employment status for no good reason, strike 2 and 3.

I despise slowniks in the left lane, but I do recognize many folks have good reason to be extra-cautious, and if they’re doing that in the right lane, good on them. Also, since this was a work-related activity, I’d be driving the speed limit, as well.

6
  1. I drive the limit to 10 over.
  2. Tickets. I’ve had my share, and am avoiding more.
  3. My understanding is that right on red (in PA) is preceded by a full stop, so that is what I do.
  4. Why would you even consider hiring someone who is obnoxious?
7

If there is someone else in the car that is not my friend or my SO, I drive extra safe, no matter what. The rest of it does not matter. You were fine.

And you DO have to stop at red lights to make a right. Idiot.

I don’t like people who criticize correct driving skills. I don’t really like people who criticize even small mistakes…going 80 is one thing but don’t yell at me for going 5 mph, as has happened.

8

In my 20’s and 30’s I was a big speeder but now I’m in my 50’s and not in such a hurry. Also, I used to live in the burbs where everything was a 20 min drive regardless of destination. Now I live in the city, there’s a stop light or a stop sign on every corner, and low speed limits, and I’m content to mosey about my business.

nowfor the poll:

1.) I try to be aware of the speed limit and drive at or under it

2.) I don’t want to waste time and money getting a speeding ticket ( time at the curb with the officer, time paying ticket, inflated insurance rates etc etc), plus I’m safety conscious and fuel conscious

3.) red light always means stop, so yes I stop at red, then procede after checking for pedestrians and traffic

4.) at the very least the guy shows poor judgment and lack of self-control

9

Honestly, because he’s only irritated me once so far, and it’s a bad economy, and assuming his resume isn’t a ball of lies he’s been out of work for a while. So I’ll think about it.

10
  1. I normally drive within 2-3 MPH of the speed limit. (When I drive, which isn’t often)
  2. Because it’s the law.
  3. Always.
  4. Yes. Full Hollywood style…hard slap across each cheek. Even better if he slaps you back and you do a back and forth a few times.
11

Once is once too often, IMO, especially early in a relationship.

Which means more applicants will apply.

Understandable, given his attitude.

:smiley:

12
  1. As a function of the speed limit, how fast do you typically drive?

On surface streets I ususally keep to the speed limit. On freeways, 5-10 over.

  1. If you generally keep at or below the speed limit, do you do so because you want to save on gas, because you want to drive defensively, because you’re afraid of getting ticketed, or some other reason?

I used to keep a fairly constant 75 on the freeway, but when gas prices went crazy I scaled back.

  1. When turning right on red, do you come to a complete stop before proceeding into the intersection?

Absolutely and always, unless I have a green arrow for the right turn.

  1. Should I bitch-slap this trainee, and if so, how? (If he’s hired, his job will be B2B selling.)

Yes. Use a brick.

13

I mean that the guy will have a hard time getting another job. He’s got kids. I’m not evil AT WORK. So I’m tempted to give him a bye if he behaves himself till Friday.

14

  1. Off highway, I drive at the speed limit, up to no more than 5 mph over. Except in school zones - there I scrupulously stay at or below the limit. On highway, depending on condtions, up to 75.

  2. Tickets & safety. Where I live, I rarely encounter a road where I think the speed limit is ridiculously low, so staying close to it is the safest thing to do.

  3. Complete stop, wait for an opening large enough that I don’t have to go tearing out to make it. If anyone behind me has the temerity to honk their horn at my cautious approach, I immediately give up on the right on red, and wait for a green.

  4. Take them to another location, but print out bad mapquest directions, so if he takes off ahead of you instead of following, he never makes it there.

15

1. As a function of the speed limit, how fast do you typically drive?
Generally about 5 to 10 mph above.
2. If you generally keep at or below the speed limit, do you do so because you want to save on gas, because you want to drive defensively, because you’re afraid of getting ticketed, or some other reason?
N/A
3. When turning right on red, do you come to a complete stop before proceeding into the intersection?
I generally come *almost *to a complete stop, but I’m careful to look and make sure no other cars are coming.
3. Should I bitch-slap this trainee, and if so, how? :cool: (If he’s hired, his job will be B2B selling.)
His remarks on your driving shouldn’t matter, but I’d certainly give him demerits for his attitude (and stupidity).

16

I tend to stop at a red light when turning right but here in New Hampshire, very few people do the same. I’ve noticed that even cops seem to treat it as a yield sign. Even slowing down seems to be somewhat optional.

A guy run into the back of me once when I stopped like this. His only comment “why the hell did you stop?”, so I said “because the light was red” and he said “but you were turning right!”. Luckily there was no real damage and we went on our way without further discussion.

It is actually hard to know what to do. In Boston I’ve had stretching tires and honking horns behind me when I stop. It’s not like I stop for more than an instant.

17

  1. surface streets maybe 5mph over, highway I usually max out at 65 or so

  2. tickets and safety, I’m also rarely in such a rush that I need to speed, and if I do need to, I’ll just be a little late

  3. sometimes a complete stop, sometimes not, I would take a rolling stop if traffic was light and I had good visibility
    Now, all of these rules change when I’m leading someone to a location. I’m going to drive at least 5mph slower than I would normally do on the highway. I would not be making rolling rights on red, I’m stopping to ensure that most of the cars will be able to make a right turn with me. When I’m leading, my primary goal is to make sure all the cars in the train stay together, so nobody gets lost.

18

  1. On surface streets, about the speed limit. Ish. On highways / freeways, as fast as conditions allow, but no more than 85mph (and that’s only when I’m going to be driving for hours)

  2. Don’t want to be ticketed, don’t want to cause an accident

  3. Always come to a complete stop. Not even a Californian (rolling) stop. It’s the law, dammit.

  4. Not yet. See what else he does.
    If you’re leading someone, you should drive more cautiously - slower, use turn signals, and generally make it easy for them to follow you (as it seems you did)

19

  1. On back/local roads, I drive the speed limit or 5 mph under. There are a lot of deer where I live and those suckers can dart out from the trees in the blink of an eye. Better safe than sorry. On the highway, I drive between 60-65, whether the limit is 55 or 65. <slight hijack> I used to drive the Garden State Parkway every day. The section I drove was 55 and people would routinely go 70-75. I tended to stay in the middle (of 3 or 5) or 2nd from the right (of 4) lanes to let the speeders have 1 or 2 faster lanes to the left. Invariably there would be someone having fits behind me, cursing me out because I wasn’t going fast enough. Fuck you- that’s what the lanes to the left are for! I’m already going 10 miles over the limit, whaddaya want, dickhead? </sh>

  2. To avoid collision with a deer, usually.

  3. Always stop at a red light, even if you then make a right turn.

  4. Yes. He’s obnoxious.

20

Being able to work with others, follow directions, and intelligence are all traits that I presume you want in an employee. This guy has managed to fail at all three of these.

Looking in from the outside, do you really want this guy as a salesman? He couldn’t keep his mouth shut long enough to sell himself, what makes you think he will be able to do the same in front of a customer, selling your product?