OT: The New Rules for Driving in Calgary.

[Bassic Lab]

Beyond the people who don't know how to merge, and even worse those that seem dead set against allowing others to merge/change lanes (like when you have to change lanes, slow to allow the car beside you to pass and (your signal on the entire time) the jack ass behind them speeds right up because allowing you in would some how hurt them.... ass holes), the drivers in this city that consistently piss me off are those that creep up right behind you. There is no reason why another car has to come as close as many drivers feel they should while stopped at an intersection. This doesn't particularly matter at most stops but on hills it is brutal. For some reason most people don't seem to comprehend that manual transmissions still exist. I've noticed it a fair bit on southbound 14th street SW south of 17th Ave, people stop inches behind me. Like I drive an older sports car, it should be common sense that it is a stick and you'd think people would leave a little room for roll back, but they don't.

Well that is a small part of my screw automatic drivers who do not know any thing rant.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Bassic Lab

Well that is a small part of my screw automatic drivers who do not know any thing rant.

The hills here are steep enough that even many automatics will roll back (mine does, I've gotten used to 2 pedal driving here as a result - which I wish more standard drives would grasp). This is just an example of people being stupid in general. Of course, the law's on your side anyway - if you roll back and hit someone, usually it's their fault - it's treated as a rear-end collision, and they shouldn't have stopped so close. Unless you're rolling back like 20 feet.

Contrast this to the morons who leave 2-3 car lengths between cars, on flat roads. With enough of these, and the short turn-off lanes at many major intersections, I've had the fun of waiting through many a light change when the turn-off is maybe 10 feet in front of me. Maddening.

[RAFS]

Originally Posted by guymez

This is so true.
I was in Germany about 2 years ago and had the pleasure of driving the Autobahn. I honestly couldn't wipe the grin off of face.
What a dream driving experience. We were given a free upgrade to a Volvo sedan by the rental company. At the time I didn't think much of it until I had it cranked up to about 240. At 245 the car started to shake a little but even at 240 there were still BMW's, Audi's and Mercedes passing me with ease. The road was as smooth as glass and the drivers were all very attentive. I saw nobody putting on makeup, shaving or (saw this on Hwy #2) reading a novel.
People are paying attention to driving....just as it should be. Vehicles wanting to pass, went into the left lane, passed with authority, and then got back into the right (or centre) lane ASAP....no screwing around.
They should drop ship every Alberta driver into Germany for a month to learn how to really drive.

245! I salute you! Although, at those speeds, I'm not so sure if one notices a difference between 205 and 245. Still, that's fast!!!!!

But how about those nuts that drive their motorbikes that fast there? I did 185 on mine (TCH in Banff - ya I know, I know), and that was plenty scary enough.

[Bigtime]

I love this thread! We are just getting it all out aren't we?

I have a new one I'd like to add to the list, Funeral Processions on Deerfoot. I just ran into this yesterday on northbound Deerfoot from Southland all the way up to north of Memorial before finally being clear of it.

Every motorist trying to squeeze into the two left lanes to get past, merging traffic trying to dart out into these lanes from the right one to get past the procession.

It was probably the most stressful deerfoot drive I've ever had, brakes constantly going, people swerving, tailgating and generally not handling the situation well. Couldn't the procession have picked a different route that wouldn't involve messing up kilometers of traffic? Or did they have to only drive 80km/h? Why couldn't they at least do the posted limit? Am I missing something here?

[guymez]

Originally Posted by RAFS

245! I salute you! Although, at those speeds, I'm not so sure if one notices a difference between 205 and 245. Still, that's fast!!!!!

But how about those nuts that drive their motorbikes that fast there? I did 185 on mine (TCH in Banff - ya I know, I know), and that was plenty scary enough.

No kidding...anything over 200 is fast in my books.
One thing that that completely amazed me was that while I was cruising along at 240 there was the occasional car that didn't just pass me but blew by me. I have no idea how fast they were going (300+) but every time it happened my girlfriend lost a little more colour in her face.

[Champion3]

Originally Posted by 0773|=\

Pretty sure every city has it's fair share of bad drivers, but I definitely think Edmonton has less aggressive, worse-merging drivers than Calgary.

When it comes to merging, the worst drivers I've ever seen were between Abbotsford and Vancouver along the Trans Canada. They even get collector lanes out there to manage tighter weave zones along their cloverleaf ramps and there's still traffic that doesn't comprehend the 300 m of pavement beyond the last exit designed for traffic SPEEDING UP. Even the Gateway Project won't save their freeways if they don't deal with their worst drivers...

Hi, 0773|=\: Welcome to the forum -- I recognize you from canroads on Yahoo groups. There's a few of us on this forum who post on canroads as well.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I have a new one I'd like to add to the list, Funeral Processions on Deerfoot. I just ran into this yesterday on northbound Deerfoot from Southland all the way up to north of Memorial before finally being clear of it.

Every motorist trying to squeeze into the two left lanes to get past, merging traffic trying to dart out into these lanes from the right one to get past the procession.

It was probably the most stressful deerfoot drive I've ever had, brakes constantly going, people swerving, tailgating and generally not handling the situation well. Couldn't the procession have picked a different route that wouldn't involve messing up kilometers of traffic? Or did they have to only drive 80km/h? Why couldn't they at least do the posted limit? Am I missing something here?

Don't pick on that sacred cow. I've ranted about funeral processions in the past, and been universally attacked. I think they're a pointless waste of resources, and a huge hazard as well. But apparently I'm disrespecting the dead.

My will is going to have a clause in it that states: if a funeral procession happens for me, the people responsible are required to donate their cars to charity immediately afterwards, and take the bus everywhere for 5 years.

The law does side with the procession, though. They can drive 30 on the Deerfoot if they so choose. The world is supposed to stop because that dead person (or their relatives) was wealthy enough to show off with a big display.

[Bigtime]

Originally Posted by freeweed

Don't pick on that sacred cow. I've ranted about funeral processions in the past, and been universally attacked. I think they're a pointless waste of resources, and a huge hazard as well. But apparently I'm disrespecting the dead.

My will is going to have a clause in it that states: if a funeral procession happens for me, the people responsible are required to donate their cars to charity immediately afterwards, and take the bus everywhere for 5 years.

The law does side with the procession, though. They can drive 30 on the Deerfoot if they so choose. The world is supposed to stop because that dead person (or their relatives) was wealthy enough to show off with a big display.

Yeah I fully expected a response from people saying that I was "disrespecting the dead" and the such. The funny thing is that I was half expecting someone to end up dead on the deerfoot yesterday from an accident CAUSED by the funeral procession!

[Distill3d]

Originally Posted by guymez

No kidding...anything over 200 is fast in my books.
One thing that that completely amazed me was that while I was cruising along at 240 there was the occasional car that didn't just pass me but blew by me. I have no idea how fast they were going (300+) but every time it happened my girlfriend lost a little more colour in her face.

Having driven from Munich to Berlin twice, both times acheiving speeds close to 300KM/H (first in a BMW M3, second in a porsche boxster) I readily admit scaring the hell out of myself and having the time of my life all at once.

Mind you, I also boast that I can drive from Calgary to Vancouver in 6 - 7 hours with only two fuel stops along the way.



As for Calgary drivers, Calgary has the WORST drivers I have seen in my 10 years of driving. Especially coming into construction zones with one side of the road closed and plenty of warning. There's always some asshat in a big SUV or pick up truck that goes right upto where the lane ends and bullies his way into traffic. Personally, I think that should be made into a 7 point deduction and $600 fine.

Mind you I also think you should have to obtain a special licence to operate a full size pick up truck (Ford F150 or larger) in the city. Either that or pick ups should only be sold as fleet vehicles.

[0773|=\]

Originally Posted by Champion3

Hi, 0773|=\: Welcome to the forum -- I recognize you from canroads on Yahoo groups. There's a few of us on this forum who post on canroads as well.

I'm curious which canroader you happen to be... I usually keep my name the same wherever I post...

[0773|=\]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

I have a new one I'd like to add to the list, Funeral Processions on Deerfoot. I just ran into this yesterday on northbound Deerfoot from Southland all the way up to north of Memorial before finally being clear of it.

Doesn't Deerfoot Trail have signs on all the entrances to the freeway saying "No slow moving vehicles permitted on this roadway"?

[mersar]

There were/are a few on some of the exit ramps, but not on all of them from what I recall.

[401_King]

calgary is definitely a piece of cake drive whenever i go back to visit family. its totally different out there, NOBODY honks, everyone signals, ppl dont really speed as much as i've seen in other places, and ppl actually wave when you let them merge!??! I always found Calgary like driving in paradise cause everyone followed the "rules" which is pretty cool, there are definitely a lot of good drivers there. But its also tru that there are a lot of new ppl from small towns who are really fcking up the flow, ive noticed that too. especially near chinook mall on glenmore trail. but other than that, where are all the real freeways in calgary? Deerfoot and Crowchild right?

ok we need to have a competition. i dont call myself 401 KING for nothing!!! i challenge anyone to a worst driver contest (arriving in 1 piece and faster than the next person aka race in rushhour). we must pick a neutral setting aka LA freeway system and settle the score !

[401_King]

Originally Posted by furrycanuck

suffering years on the 401 in Toronto and GODDAMNED Allen Road "exrpressway," where every asshole in town thinks they can cut you off when you turn onto Eglinton, I find Calgary to be a walk in the park. I think it's one of the easiest cities to drive in, in fact

ROFL, i seriously do this every single day on my way home!! i stay in my right lane and pass all the idiots in the left lane then cut in at the last moment to turn left to eglington village! i do my specialty move on the hill before the light, i cut right behind some other guy's rear leaving maybe 1 inch of space. its an unstoppable maneuver.... i love it! 5 mins saved!

[entheosfog]

Originally Posted by 401_King

calgary is definitely a piece of cake drive whenever i go back to visit family. its totally different out there, NOBODY honks, everyone signals, ppl dont really speed as much as i've seen in other places, and ppl actually wave when you let them merge!??! I always found Calgary like driving in paradise cause everyone followed the "rules" which is pretty cool, there are definitely a lot of good drivers there. But its also tru that there are a lot of new ppl from small towns who are really fcking up the flow, ive noticed that too. especially near chinook mall on glenmore trail. but other than that, where are all the real freeways in calgary? Deerfoot and Crowchild right?

I'd definitely agree with you there. Honking is a sin in this city. The other day I honked at some guy going 30 in a 50 zone and he stops in the middle of the road just to give me the finger...sorry for using my horn that's there for a reason.

I think Calgary has WAY too many passive drivers, too. I was just in Vancouver and I love at how aggressive you have to drive in the downtown just to get around to where you want to go.

[401_King]

i'm sure as calgary gets bigger it will get a little more aggressive in a driving sense...commuters are gonna figure it out sometime. its inevitable when a city becomes big i guess...enjoy what i call the city of "paradise driving" while it lasts drivers!

[401_King]

Originally Posted by entheosfog

I'd definitely agree with you there. Honking is a sin in this city. The other day I honked at some guy going 30 in a 50 zone and he stops in the middle of the road just to give me the finger...sorry for using my horn that's there for a reason.

LOL yea dude, i am definitely hesitant to use my horn there. its considered pretty rude for sure... but then i've seen ppl waiting at a green light for a few seconds...and i cant help it, i filled them up with a nice juicy long one haha...! i am only so patient

[guymez]

Originally Posted by Distill3d

Having driven from Munich to Berlin twice, both times acheiving speeds close to 300KM/H (first in a BMW M3, second in a porsche boxster) I readily admit scaring the hell out of myself and having the time of my life all at once.

Mind you, I also boast that I can drive from Calgary to Vancouver in 6 - 7 hours with only two fuel stops along the way.

Calgary to Vancouver in 6 - 7 hours...details please (route, speed etc).

[freeweed]

Interesting about the horn thing. I've noticed not a lot of people use it here, but that's true for most of western Canada.

I'm a maniac on the horn when warranted. You want to put your makeup on and the light turns green? HOOOONK! You want to go 10-20 under the limit and sit in the passing lane? HOOOONK! You want to turn left in front of oncoming traffic doing 70, with so little room that my brakes actually squealed (less than an hour ago by Market Mall; idiot) HOOOOOOOONK! I don't just toot either, I let out a full blast for the entire time the car is capable of causing an accident. I've managed to avoid 4 or 5 high speed collisions since moving here, and every time the stupid ass gets one hell of a horn bleat from me.

I've never thought it could be considered rude... I wonder how long it'll be till I get the snot beaten out of me by someone who doesn't get it.

Summing up Calgary is easy - passive and inattentive drivers. Honestly though, drivers here are about the same as drivers in Winnipeg/Regina/Saskatoon. Which makes sense, half this city is from those 3 places. Very passive, slow moving cities to drive in. I've just spent far too much time on real freeways to handle it anymore.

I will say one thing though - I thought the cellphone drivers were bad here. They are, and they're almost always doing 10-20 under the limit, and not signalling, and weaving all over the place... but they're nothing compared to the US. EVERYONE down there has this incessant need to yap 24/7 on their friggin phone. I can't wait till the laws come in on this issue.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by guymez

Calgary to Vancouver in 6 - 7 hours...details please (route, speed etc).

Well, if you count city limit to city limit, you're looking about 900kms on the Trans-Canada. 7 hours is averaging about 130, not unreasonable before the construction by Golden (and now leading up to Lake Louise), and if you're willing to do 140-50 or so on the faster parts of the highway. 6 hours is averaging 150. That's dangerously fast for our highways, because you'd be doing 120-130 in the mountains and easily 180 on the prairies. Or faster.

If you could guarantee me no animals, other drivers, or landslides, I'd love to give it a shot.