Why do people speed in school areas?
8We go walking in the morning and our short walk takes us by a school. This school is in a (wow, imagine this!) residential area. There are houses on either side of the street, leading up to the school.
And it amazes me how these cars fly up the street, cars with children in them being dropped off at school. Are these adults just clueless about what constitutes a residential area? Or just egocentric, the world revolves around them and nothing else exists?
There's a speed limit sign right as you drive onto the street. 25 MPH. What, do they think the "M" stands for minimum?
I blame @carl669 for this and I want him to get over here and stand by that sign and point at it when folks turn onto this street. That might help.
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Probably don't want to be late for work. Stinkin' kids probably took too long getting ready in the morning and threw off their morning schedule. "Jump out, Billy. Today is the day I get that big promotion!"
@medz You know, we've discussed this at home and driving 45 in 25 for a half of a mile, really doesn't save much time. We see this all the time on our street.
@lisaviolet I agree. I live in a school zone and I never speed through, BUT it's not just about the MPH you're traveling. Sure, 45mph vs 25mph won't save you much time going from point A to B, but what if you make it through a stop light just in time. The sucker behind you has to wait a couple minutes. multiply that by 5 or 6 stop lights and you've got a big chunk of time.
@medz I like it when the ass who passes us on the main drag because we're only going five miles over the limit gets to the stoplight before us. I always want to smile real big and wave at the other driver. But I don't.
And the traffic light gods don't much like me. I always hit the too late yellow or red. Speeding up for me wouldn't help.
@lisaviolet Oh yeah. I love that when getting off the high-way. Someone will just fly around me and cut me off to get on the exit ramp. Then we sit together at a red light. Was it worth it, buddy?
Because they're narcissistic assholes who care more about their "important" bullshit than they do about the lives and safety of other human beings.
This accounts for most of the way that Americans drive.
Answered that one for ya. You're welcome.
@joelmw I wouldn't place it only on Americans
@StrangerDanger Me neither. But we're the ones I know about. And we're always bragging about how "exceptional" we are.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_exceptionalism
Big pet peeve of mine!!
A few years back (more years than I care to admit), I had just picked up my son after school (elementary school). I was doing the school zone limit and a vehicle came up speeding behind me and impatiently passed me on the sidewalk. Thankfully there weren't any kids near this spot (yet), but it was right in front of the school, just before getting to the crosswalk where a crossing guard was posted.
the speed limit in our neighborhood is 25. often times, little wannabe 'fast and furious' cars speed through doing excess of 45. i really wish we could install spike strips that activate if they detect any non-emergency vehicle going faster than 40.
@carl669 I have this fantasy in which my car has a headsup radar display and an array of weapons which allow me to take out offending vehicles and neutralize their asshole drivers. Maybe "take out" just means to disable. Maybe it means something more sparkly and exciting.
@joelmw
@medz I saw that movie. I totally identified with this scene. Well, sort of identified. But as they did throughout the movie, the damned kids failed to demonstrate any restraint or foresight whatsofuckingever. So, really, the whole movie was a series dumbass actions with me saying in my head (we saw it in the theater and I do not speak or use my phone during the movie, unlike apparently everyone else in Dallas), "What? No. Really? You can't be serious. You fucking idiot." Goddamned kids. I'm reconsidering my position on speeding through school zones (not really). What I could do with those powers. It's like Jumper. I mean, what the fuck? I hated that dipshit kid. He did nothing useful with the gift he was given and basically just went on one long joy ride. I was tempted to root for Sam Jackson's character, but he was a reactionary asshole. Humans and power, man. As a species in general, we haven't a fucking clue.
@medz Which makes me realize, the automobile is essentially a super power. We use it for killing people. And to get cheap thrills. And as a rolling phone booth. When I think these things through, I feel more than a little misanthropic.
@joelmw Humans are fragile. Humans are also mentally limited and have a wide range of capabilities (like judgement, eyesight, reaction time). So, humans hurtling around in vehicles that can cause huge bodily damage is inherently dangerous. This is the tradeoff in our society for increased mobility. Are you willing to trade danger for mobility? If so then enjoy the full societal benefits, no need to stress on a trade you're willingly making. If you don't like that trade, move to the woods I guess. (although some of us like you here in these parts)
@denboy I think the problem is that I'm always thinking of the greatness of which we are capable, which inevitably leaves me disappointed with the typical reality of how we live. I'm willing to make some tradeoffs for mobility--and, indeed, for human contact, and for the culture, entertainment, knowledge, etc. that come with the mobility and contact. Yes, vehicles are inherently dangerous. But we needlessly multiply that danger.
Also, I'd be willing to give up my personal vehicle if I could get everywhere I need/want to in some form of mass transit. That's how I commute, and it makes me happy. And it's just better for everyone when I don't drive; I inevitably get angry and start yelling at and flipping off assholes. Plus, self-driving cars, please let's have the self-driving cars.
Oh, and I'd die if I were left alone in the woods. And I'd likely inadvertently kill everyone with me if I weren't alone.
BTW, thank you: I appreciate the appreciation. :-) Back at ya.
@joelmw I often wish I were driving a Mario Kart car or something from GTA when out on the road. How cool would it be to shoot a red shell to go get that ass that just cut you off?! Heck, sometimes I'd even settle for a banana peel.
@pitamuffin That sounds kinda cool and I've had those thoughts, but my daughter always kicked my butt with the Mario Kart and it seemed artificially difficult (for me at least). I envision something similar but more effective--more effective for me at least. The kid would probably love it though.
@joelmw I just want a dashcam that can upload to the police the video + details, and the police mailing them a ticket (kinda like a mobile redlight camera)
@Odi There you go, being practical. ;-) I've had this dream since I was 12, which is about four decades ago. The full vision would turn the view out the front window (ideally, all of them, but at least the front) into a sort of video game. There'd have to be limits for the driver; at a certain point it would be something that should only be allowed when stopped or for the passenger, 'cause, yaknow, it could get busy and distracting. Distractable, that's what I am.
@Odi But, yes, to be clear, I agree: what you said would be good.
there's very good visibility at the schools near me, so I tend to go my regular speed during non-school hours if there isn't anybody actually there
if I'm a horrible person then I blame @carl669
@Lotsofgoats regular speed meaning? if you're flying through a neighborhood at 50, then yeah, you're a horrible person, regardless of visibility.
@Lotsofgoats People are almost always sure they're more aware and more in control of their vehicle than they actual are. Everyone thinks they're a better driver than everyone else.
@Lotsofgoats But what about loose dogs? Or kids? Or cats? Or raccoon? Or possum? You don't know what's about to run out from behind that bush, or that fence, or that parked car....there are too many variables to speed in residential areas.
I always felt they should make housing for speeders on the freeways and highways. Let the rest of us sane people live in peace from hearing cars flying down the road and revving their engines in the dead of night.
We're on a wonderful, wide street with most people parking in their driveways or garages; there is an area of road that isn't government maintained at one end, probably an eighth of a mile, if that - it wasn't bad when we moved here thirty years ago, but it's bad now and I love the potholes because they've cut way down on the people speeding down our street.
And I wouldn't call you a horrible person, but I would put you on my inconsiderate driver list.
@lisaviolet "But what about loose dogs? Or kids? Or cats? Or raccoon? Or possum?" only one of those things really, truly matter. but I agree that NO ONE should be speeding where there could be children. Even most emergency vehicle drivers are not trained well enough to handle kids
@RedHot They all matter to me. I wouldn't want to hit any one of them.
@carl669 nah I mean like 35 in a 25
@joelmw true
@lisaviolet I drive the road as it dictates. stopping distance < visbility distance, always. hedges and other potential hiding places require an adjustment.
ALSO just so we're clear I'm in the city without a car now so all the organisms are safe
@Lotsofgoats Our neighbor is an asshole, he drives like he's the king of the world. He speeds and then stays right on your tail (doesn't make me go any faster). Knowing that they have a wifi setup, a couple of weeks ago I renamed my wifi to "TailgatingSpeedersAreJackasses". Yeah, a little passive/aggressive, but I got a tiny bit of satisfaction doing that.
@lisaviolet yea that's ridiculous, I would never tailgate somebody, let alone on a residential street. I approve of your wifi activism because all of your neighbor's wifi-connected guests are gonna get to see that too and that's a victory in itself.
This crap makes me furious. If the sign says 20 during such and such hours, it sure as hell won't hurt a person to just chill out for a few seconds and do it. Entitled, selfish people who think every time they get behind the wheel it's a race put lives in danger. And the narrow mentality that you're only responsible for yourself is a crock.
We live next to a massive joint army/air force base. The collection of so many different driving styles from all over the country makes for an interesting time on the roads. Not always a good one.
We live half a block from an elementary school. During pick up/drop off, it would be extraordinarily difficult to get through any bordering street at more than 5-10mph.
But any other time of day? People are crazy! They'll blow through the stop signs at over 40 in this small, kid packed neighborhood. Makes me want to install Speed bumps that only activate if you're speeding.
@carl669 and @Thumperchick have a great idea. It's time to get ahold of the department of transportation. They need to install some gotcha sucka speed bump spike strips that pop out when you pass 45. We could go a step further and install a catapult that launches them into a pit of despair.
@kanzatonian
@medz
When people are used to driving upwards of 80 on the interstate, 25 seems like a snails pace. It is all perspective, when you started driving 25 probably felt like NASCAR pace but you got used to it. That and people are jerks overall.
@wisenekt When it feels like I'm actually getting somewhere when I'm in a neighborhood, I check my speed. 25 is snail's pace, for sure.
Out of all the stupid and dangerous stuff humans do, this is what surprises you?
@MrMark:
1) I'm pretty sure it's not just this.
2) The trouble is that we've learned to take stupid and dangerous stuff for granted. Which in itself is a stupid and dangerous frame of mind. For one thing, it inevitably leads to additional stupid and dangerous stuff and to stupider and more dangerous stuff.
3) The action called out is indeed stupid and dangerous. It should end. And I applaud @lisaviolet's decrying it.
@MrMark Surprised? I'm not surprised at all. I was just wondering about the mindset. Especially when they have their kids in the car, in car seats, safely strapped in.
Let me add that this school is a magnet school (elementary) on a short street in a very quiet neighborhood. They got a grant from UCSD for special courses and now they teach Mandarin and other languages to children. People from all over San Diego county bring their children to this school. Traffic gets so bad when they're doing drop offs and pick ups, that emergency crews can't get through (found this out talking to one of the residents on the street). At the time we're walking, it's before the heavy traffic hits.
I'm sixty-one years old and I've been shaking my imaginary cane at residential speeders since I was in my early twenties. On the freeway, I have no problem with safe speeding, hell, you have to go fast to keep up with the flow of traffic. But in residential areas? I just don't get it.
@joelmw Thank you.
@lisaviolet Just for the record, I completely agree it is never ok to speed in a school zone. Now this is based on very limited research/experience, however it seems to me the richer the school area, the more likely people are to speed. Perhaps we need to go to a wage based ticket system such as Findland, that may cause everyone to slow down.
@MrMark That makes sense. There are lots of articles like this one about the rich (http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/08/the-age-of-entitlement-how-wealth-breeds-narcissism). The thing is, our little town is a podunk town, known for it's cowboys (rodeo this weekend) and Indians.
I'd love to see a traffic cop start handing out tickets, but I guess they've got better things to do.
@lisaviolet Thank you for letting me butt in. I still act like a goat. ;-)
Because kids are worth almost as many points as old ladies in wheelchairs. You get extra credit if you knock them out of their shoes. I thought everyone knew this.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Driving-Game-how-many-points-is-that-guy-worth/238603461221
@MrsPavlov
@MrsPavlov Will you be sticking around once @Pavlov returns from his trip?
@dashcloud I suppose so, whenever he lets me up for air.
@nadroj that is excellent! we've resorted to putting (polite) notes on neighbors' cars after they drive 45 on the 25 MPH street next to us . . . On. The. Way. To. Church. But wouldn't it be great to have a stack of sickers like those on that Silverado handy for special occassions?!
@MrsPavlov Eeeeewwwww!
@nadroj What? Only 2 leprechauns? I get way more in my neighborhood.
I am a teacher. I could write a book about all the bad driving I see from parents. Reckless and dangerous with kids 5 feet away.
I'll admit to often pushing past the speed limit - on the highway or major 50 MPH roads. But never in residential areas.
But we live on a corner next to a very well marked School Zone (elementary) with a 25 MPH limit - and we have kids and pets. That street is also a very popular bike route. One of our dogs got run over (ironically) by a school bus.
Due to the stupidity we see in drivers on that street (texting, eating, holding the phone, yelling at the kids, etc...) we are especially sensitive about driving cautiously in every residential neighborhood, not only our own.
I drive a truck.
Everyone. must. get. around. me. at. any. cost.
School zones, construction zones, blind curves; doesn't matter.
Then they slow to less-than-or-exactly-the-same speed I was doing in the first place, but now less than a length or two in front of me. Or down a hill, before a subsequent incline. Then they probably feel vindicated when I climb the hill slowly once they've slowed me down.
Often they have to get around me to hit the brakes for their turn right in front of me. They must think a fully-loaded truck will never roll right over them.
That's the nature of the beast, though. If you (mostly) want to avoid a jail sentence then you learn to maintain a calm-ish resignation (repression =? professional driving). I occasionally get to witness instant karma, though. I relish those moments.
Then later I'm on the motorcycle... won't even get started on that subject.
Well, my first post in a while and it's a rant - going to bed again before another 13-14 hour shift.
Glad to see the meh still seems strong here.
Keep the shiny side up out there.
@mehjohnson 10-4 Good Buddy, 3s and 8s.
@JonT You realize you just called him a homosexual, right? "Good Buddy" doesn't at all mean what it did back in the 70's.
@MrsPavlov Language makes me laugh. Every day. :-D
@MrsPavlov @joelmw @mehjohnson I admit I haven't kept up on the current CB slang and went directly to wikipedia for it.
@mehjohnson After driving a truck for five months, then switching to a Soul, I can definitely relate. Everyone wanted to pass me in the truck. Everyone. Started driving the Soul, nobody passed me even when I was going slightly under speed limit.
@JonT I'm surprised no one has updated the Wikipedia entry. I figured he was straight, and that you didn't know the current connotation. But I must admit I've never met a heterosexual male that was meh about his Johnson (@mehjohnson), so I may be wrong and perhaps you complimented him.
In my little town there's a school zone that's left over from when there used to be a school. The lights still turn on every school day and occasionally the cops use it as a speed trap. It's a 15mph school zone that no one ever crosses, there's not even a crossing guard.
I see a lot of people not slowing at that one, It doesn't bother me. I slow because I don't want a ticket for the days the deputies are hiding behind that sign.