Random Rants

[Tago Mago]

There are some insane drivers in Germany as well, although it probably seems harmless to you, since for example passing on the right is not allowed here. Having said that, the craziest thing that ever happened to me was a guy pulling a gun from his glove compartment and brandishing it in his car while cruising alongside me at 100 mph. Apparently, I didn't get out of the way fast enough and he didn't appreciate me flipping him the bird in response to him flashing his lights at me. Fun times on the Autobahn

[mclaincausey]

@Tago-Mago that would be a felony charge probably with other charges like menacing added to the brandishing in many if not most jurisdictions here. Absolutely crazy behavior and something I’m surprised to hear about outside the USA. I hope you got their plates and held this maniac accountable.

[goosehd]

With the pistol laws in Germany being what they are, I don’t think that driver gives two shits about being compliant.

[Tago Mago]

@mclaincausey I took his tags but didn’t bother because it would end up as a he said he said situation. I do know that he is a frequent flyer with the police

[Giles]

@goosehd said in Random Rants:

With the pistol laws in Germany being what they are, I don’t think that driver gives two shits about being compliant.

QFT - not the top of his concerns......

And in his defence, he probably knew that Carsten has some English blood.....

[mclaincausey]

I would imagine a brandishing allegation would call his license to own a pistol into question in a country that actually has gun control laws, though I am surprised that someone with a rap sheet would be allowed one in the first place over there.

He very clearly doesn't have what it takes to safely and responsibly own and carry a firearm. Hopefully this won't be exposed in a more dramatic situation.

[Tago Mago]

@mclaincausey I'm going to assume that a, he doesn't have much in the way of impulse control, and b, he didn't bother with a license in the first place.

[WhiskeySandwich]

Just got off the phone with insurance. After giving my statement they told me the other driver admitted fault and they officially said I’m not liable. Never a doubt, but still a relief to know I won’t have to pay my deductible.

[Mizmazzle]

@WhiskeySandwich glad it worked out. Now the real fun starts…dealing with the auto body shop (Hope it buffs out easy for ya)

[Jett129]

On the Garden State Parkway in NJ the speed limit is 65MPH,so I’ll be in the middle lane doing 75-80,and,I’m not passing anybody,and someone will come flying by me,and I’ll be startled and then I’ll see someone who is seemingly chasing him,and they’re weaving in and out of lanes. Probably some sort of road rage situation. And of course no police to be found.

[Walery Smirnoff]

[WhiskeySandwich]

@Walery-Smirnoff Golly, sir. All I can say without context is: that car has seen better days. I hope its not yours....and you weren't in it when that damage happened...and whoever was, is alright.

[seawolf]

@WhiskeySandwich said in Random Rants:

@MisterEclectic No, I work between DC and Baltimore

Say no more. Having lived in that area for 7 years, I can fully attest to seeing some of the the worst driving of my life on some of those roads.

[WhiskeySandwich]

@seawolf i may have talked about this before here, but my theory is that its because this twin-city area is a melting pot of drivers from all over the country. There are huge contrasts in driving styles and a lot of the road infrastructure has not kept up with the demands of a growing population.

[seawolf]

@WhiskeySandwich 100%. Also, I'm not convinced that Maryland's driving education is much more than a short questionnaire about how drivers prefer their crab boils.

[WhiskeySandwich]

@seawolf well, i gotta disagree on that. I'm putting my son through it now. He had two weeks of classes, 3 hours per day. Tested with 100% and still failed his Learner's Permit exam the first go. Passed the second. Now he's gotta get 60 hours of logged hours in varying conditions - taught by me. So, It's true that skills may vary by teacher, but he won't be able to drive by himself for a minimum of 9 months practice, hours of classroom instruction, two exams, and a practical driving test to finish it off. I'm not sure what more should be done.

I could make similar comparisons to what it takes to legally take to carry a firearm in the US, as mentioned above, but I'll be cautious in debating the existence or absence, or what constitutes sufficient gun control laws out of respect to the political dichotomy.

I'm sure the requirements for both of these topics vary wildly from state to state though. I am very familiar with the requirements for both in Maryland though, and I would consider this state to be pretty sufficient.

[WhiskeySandwich]

@seawolf Oh and MD crab boils, must contain beer and Old Bay (spiced vinegar optional). 100% water leads to an unacceptably bland boil.

[popvulture]

I think it's good that it sounds like driving tests have gotten more stringent. When I was getting mine in Mississippi, I was the last year that could get a license at 15, and it was pretty f'n easy, probably too easy, in fact. I've had friends from the UK and Europe who've described how tough it is (and more costly) to get a license over there, and tbh I think that does a pretty good job of making the roads safer. I think one of the best examples is with motorcycles; seems like over here, it's not a matter of if you'll get in a crash, but when, which has been what's kept me from ever learning to ride. I have an Austrian buddy who splits his time between here and over there, and he was telling me one day that he has a bike over there that he rides quite a lot. I asked him if he'd ever rive over here. Never, he said without a blink. He said the level of safety on the road is incomparable. Anyway, I'm sure opinions widely vary on that, and I get it. Motorcycles seem like a shitload of fun, and the inherent risk just seems like something people are or aren't willing to live with.

I do have one (imo) not so hot take: punishment for using your cell phone while driving, especially looking down and texting / surfing, should be much more stronly punished. I'd be up for license suspension or something along those lines, not a measly ticket. I'd almost say that 75% of people I pass and look at while driving are looking down at their phones. Those f'n things are gonna be the death of us, for many reasons.

End rant, lol

[seawolf]

@WhiskeySandwich this is actually really comforting to know! For whatever reason however, 9 times out of 10 when I came across a lunatic driver in the DMV (DC Area, for those not familiar; DC, Maryland, and Virginia), they had MD tags. I’m sure people in MD said the same thing about VA drivers though. I’m really glad to hear that the training is so robust. There’s hope for the future!

[seawolf]

@WhiskeySandwich said in Random Rants:

@seawolf Oh and MD crab boils, must contain beer and Old Bay (spiced vinegar optional). 100% water leads to an unacceptably bland boil.

Is this the study guide for your driving exam? 🥰