Originally Posted by
tonytiger55
Its interesting as when I drive I notice a lot of people don't really pay attention to minor hazards or traffic flow. I notice people don't actually maintain their distance. I guess this is a subconscious thing.
For example when I drive on a highway and I see the third car ahead brake, I either take my foot off the gas or shift down. The 1st and 2nd car in front will wait till they get right behind the 3rd vehicle and brake. Now the braking distance has been eliminated. So when the 3rd car ahead brakes again, the 1st car is usually rear ends or its the car in my position (0). Ive had multiple scenarios where I have nearly been rear ended, Ive avoided it because I have been the one maintaining a braking distance.
Im always looking three car lengths ahead and reading the road. Next time your on a highway, just observe the amount of people that will catch up to a car in front and THEN brake.
Another hazard is when driving on a highway and merging traffic from a slip road. I have noticed colleagues who are completely oblivious to another car merging onto the highway and do not adjust their gear, speed or even change lanes.
On other cars I do like to see how they are using them and why perhaps they have them? Do they drive a cheap Toyota Matrix and carry a bike/roof rack? Especially when im going hiking. What kind of person is it? I walked down China town yesterday, 99% of the vehicles were Japanese.
When I used to work at a bank, I looked at clients cars. I noticed a lot of 'proper' wealthy people had old cars. A lot of broke or financially vulnerable people had the BMW's, pimped out cars, big lifted trucks or jeeps or had big car payments on vehicles they should not be paying for. That was a interesting insight as I always wondered how people afford the stuff whilst I such a broke ass. Then I realised im not in a bad place financially after all. Whats what I find interesting is how people are managing their finances and the car. Another example being is that I work with people who have really nice SUV's and make monthly payments, but they rent a home with their family and are broke all the time. So i guess when I look at other drivers and vehicles, I do sometimes wonder what lifestyle they have compared to my peasant one.