My New Most Hated California Driver
I spend a crap load of time in traffic on the 405 Freeway in Southern California. I drive a LARGE Ford Diesel Excursion and have this re-ocurring dream of having the key to the city, and being allowed to switch the Diesel Truck into 4×4 mode, and just start plowing traffic. Like the dream many people have of fogetting their locker combination years later in life it is a haunting thing. (Automotive Anarchy???)
So, to the point, I often have long periods of time getting irritated by bad and unfriendly drivers. They end up being typically classified by the type of car they drive.
Living in LA you have every type of car made on the road still, but some stand out at being shit heads when behind the will. Might very well be nice people in general but screw their “me first” attitude.
The Toyota Prius drivers are now at the head of my screw you list. Their cars are a sham and do not much for the environment except make the people feel better about themselve for helping the environment (gag). So the main reason is that they seem to stand out like a sore thumb as the most uncourtious drivers on the road. Almost like “Hey, I’m helping the environment, I’m going to cut in front of you…I’m better then you”
Well get on back to Orange County and do some good there. This is So. Cal the home of the gas guzzler.
Toyota Prius Driver Tips -
1. Learn how to merge (if you don’t know think of a Zipper Dick head)
2. Stop talking on your cell phone, WTF, you have a blue tooth ear piece why aren’t you using that?
3. Use your Fucking turn signals, you car has plenty of electrical power, use them they work
4. Pretend that we all care about doing the right thing as much as you.
5. Get a car that isn’t stupid looking.
6. Give a shit about other drivers.
In general I’m all about stereotypes, so if you own a Toyota Prius you are likely a self centered tree hugging yuppie (remember that term). Buy a Honda next time, or keep your old VW Passat.
Last Hated California driver in my list was the Clean cut, narrow frameless glass wearing, clean shirt, well groomed VW Passat driver. Likely ‘Industry folks’. I’m guessing a lot of these folks have traded up to the Prius…
Remeber when it goes down, I’m driving an 8800lbs diesel truck…
Scott on 28 Dec 2007 at 11:25 pm #
I hear you on this one! I bought a gas-guzzling SUV for a multi-year trip through rough country… I needed it. While I was on that trip, I came to an epiphany about the state of the environment and developed a gutful of remorse for my contribution to the mounting crisis. The angst doubled once I found myself back in the asphalt jungle and using a 4×4 SUV for around-town driving – simply because it was my only car and only choice.
I’m fortunate now to be able to enter the market for a highly efficient, environmentally friendly car (all electric, solar powered anyone?) for around-town. Sadly, options are slim. But when I do find one, I plan to do the environment a further service by NOT selling my truck to some Soccer Mom who will use it for “emergency” trips to Starbuck’s or the mall. No sir, it’ll sit idle in my possession until I *need* to haul something.
Now all of that said, once I have my efficient, friendly, commuter car, I hope I have the wisdom to recall something that Prius owners clearly never knew: My goal is to get all of the big, gas-guzzling cars OFF THE ROAD. It’s really this simple:
SUV Engine Running: Polluting
SUV Engine Off: Not Polluting
So, Prius owners, if your actual goal is to clean up the environment then you’re defeating your own goals by cutting off the big trucks and making them sit idle in traffic behind you! Sure, you’ve cut your CO2 output but your behavior is increasing everyone else’s! Truth be told, the environment is much safer those of us with ULEVs-ZEVs clear the roads so the gas-guzzlers can get from A to B unfettered and then turned OFF. It’s this simple:
-Not everyone can afford to switch to a ULEV+ vehicle now
-Saving the environment means working as a team to reduce emissions
-ULEV+ owners should let HEVs pass through quickly
But if your Prius is really a fashion accessory, then by all means continue to take your chances. Dodge in and out of traffic, causing heavier vehicles to swerve wildly to avoid you. Use your cell phones without the built-in hands-free feature and brake often in intersections for no apparent reason (I suspect a lot of you are playing with that “recharge on brake” feature, jackasses). You might not be supporting the environment, but I’m sure your local Paramedics will appreciate the business.
And by dodging in front of heavy, inefficient vehicles. Just toss out a few Hail Marys when you do, because those bigger vehicles don’t stop on a dime and you might just find yourself [Dead]
Sandy on 31 Dec 2007 at 4:46 pm #
Thank you for that Scott, seems that I’m not alone in my observations of the Prius driver.
I also forgot about the other ‘type’ of Prius driver which is really the one that seems to be trying to be a good soul and help. This is the guy driving 55mph on the freeway in wide open traffic. A conservationist for sure, but man, if you got open road you better juice the gas (or is it a light switch in a Prius?). You are on the list too.
One other thing about the Prius entitlements, through advanced thinking all ULEV, PZEV drivers they want their car pool lane stickers. Now, I’m thinking that I drive a Large Truck (Some call a SUV, but really a Ford Excursion is a truck) and I should by all logic have the car pool pass. Why? Hell, If I am driving a gas guzzling and high polluting vehicle, you have better do your best to keep me moving and running at top efficiencies. A Hybrid can sit in traffic all day and be efficient. I can’t so how about this -
All polluting and fuel in-efficient vehicles get the pass and all the ‘Green’ cars sit in traffic?
Other then the bad behavior stimulus that may cause a mad rush to buy a gas guzzler I think it is a good idea. Besides all that, what about all the ‘EXTRA’ taxes I pay in my increased gasoline (Well Diesel) taxes. I should be rewarded as a frequent flyers are for the frequent visit to the pump. They don’t give out Blue Chip Stamps (or Green Stamps) any more but I should get something for all I give.
Sandy on 08 Feb 2008 at 5:34 am #
FLASH, STOP THE PRESS (Wordpress that is hehe)
I was on the freeway and a Prius wanted to move over, and he signaled, so I let him in. I went on my way with a smile thinking their is still some good left on our Los Angeles Highways.
Sandy on 19 Mar 2008 at 9:19 pm #
Well all you Pious Prius owners have to sell your cars. VW and others have well exceeded the effective MPG into the 60mpg area with efficient and good design (BMW, VW, etc). So back to the drawing board. Maybe you can rally behind Fluoridated water or the dangers of using regular cotton instead of organic cotton.
Be gone with you…
Sandy on 11 Jun 2008 at 9:26 pm #
It never ends with these B.S. Prius drivers. I saw one the other day with banners all over the car it was touting that “Hey I’m better then you as my car gets 52 MPG” And all sorts of hogwash like that. Really pissed me off. I should put a larger sign on my car (The Excursion 14MPG City, 18HIghway on a good day) that says “Hey, I’m not so good on the MPG front, but I’m not a F’n a$$”
Thanks for sharing Prius driver. I can’t wait until you have to buy batteries. And for the record I’m pretty sure that the 52MPG rating is in IDEAL conditions which would be placing Prius on a hill 52 Miles long.
If your going to do well for the environment do it, and be happy your helping, don’t be a prick.
Sandy on 23 Jun 2008 at 4:53 pm #
I caught an interesting news report, it was on TV so the facts might be only taken with a grain of salt…
What they said was that the EXTRA cost of the Prius would take over 5 years to recoup the extra cost of the vehicle. In addition if you were just to by an efficient USED econo box you would not only save the money but the waste in having to create another car, and again saving the environment. I think about the only benefit they could come up with was the total reduction in gross pollutants, which I will concede is a good thing.
Hey, it’s a great time to buy a large (used) SUV if you can afford the gas, wait that might not be such a good idea.