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Telltale cars of bad drivers!

2.3K views 37 replies 23 participants last post by  ALStensby  
#1 ·
After reading some of the topics here, i got an idea (not sure if it's been done before, but I don't see it so here goes).

What are the cars that are notorious for being driven by bad drivers?

Here's a few of mine to get us started, and then you guys can list some:

1. Late model Buicks: Usually driven by older folks, many of whom don't bother to turn their necks to check blind spots, among other things

2. Hummers: Usually driven by arrogant middle-aged people who constantly talk on their phones. Generally have trouble keeping it in their own lane.

3. Civics: Often driven by 18-30 year old men who think they're the fastest car in the world once you put a fart can on. They try to race you and think their cars sound badass.


So... there's many more I can think of, but I'll let you guys list some!
 
#2 ·
Just a disclaimer... if some of you happen to drive said vehicles.. of course there are good drivers out there with these vehicles.

These are generally vehicles that if I see driving I always be *extra* careful and try to make SURE they know I'm there. Basically these are cars that if you see alongside you, you keep a very close eye on them for when they do something stupid.
 
#3 ·
From past and experience, in the UK anyway. (Hope other UK riders commment.

BMW 3 series
Often driven by young executives on there way to the next power meeting.
Volvo Estates/station wagon
Built like a tank and driven by people who think the same. So drive how ever they want because THEY feel safe and that is all that matters.
Anyone too close to the wheel
A bit of a generalisation I know but if they can just see over the steering wheel, wear a hat and have loads of stickers in the back window and tissues on the back shelf watch out.
Any car driver who does not ride a bike
I think if everyone who drives a cage had a little experience on a bike they would become more aware of bikers and understand how vulnerable we are. they might actually look out for us more when they make a turn or stop.
Hope I have not offended anyone.
 
#4 ·
Oh forgot to say mention of the worst !!.
White van man
Any small sized van/truck driven usually by a young 20 something driving like he is in a Shelby GT 500 on his way to a race meeting while eating his lunch on the go. With total disregard for anyone and everyone on the road. He thinks he has the god given right to flout all the highway rules and make a whole new set up just for himself.
 
#7 ·
Any car driver who does not ride a bike
I think if everyone who drives a cage had a little experience on a bike they would become more aware of bikers and understand how vulnerable we are. they might actually look out for us more when they make a turn or stop.
Hope I have not offended anyone.
True statement - I am 38 and just started riding last summer. I am a much more aware driver now - I notice every move others around me make and watch my surroundings carefully.
 
#9 ·
1. Late model Buicks: Usually driven by older folks, many of whom don't bother to turn their necks to check blind spots, among other things[
Haha I used to drive a 95 buick back in high school....oh those were the days... I loved the seats becuase it was so comfy and it was surprisingly fast! Yes my friends made fun of me, but I could always say "where's your car?" and they would shut up.

Ok so onto bad drivers. Anyone with a SUV, convertible, rice can or "sportcar" is what I've seen as a bad driver.

SUV don't see you and for some reason they think just becuase they have a bigger vehicle then you they're faster...
Convertibles always are just looking straight ahead and never pay attention to the road because they're busy thinking they're cool and enjoying the bugs pass through their hair.
Rice cans...what more can I say about people who think their 90's I4 are fast becuase they just added 5 more hp...
and people who think they have a "sportcar" civics, mazdas, colbalts, etc...just try to race you and cut in front of you all the time.
 
#14 ·
In Australia:

Holden Commodore SS: Usually driven by 18/34 year old testosterone soaked guys who are young and dumb and full of c** :roll: Thinking that they OWN the road you have the audacity to ride on.

Ford Falcon XR8/XR6: See above :roll:

Rice Rocket Pilots: Any imported 4 cylinder jap car with a 4" cannon muffler who suffers from "little car" syndrome thinking that because they have a loud exhaust and a couple of 12" subs are faster than anybody else on the road and drive like they need to prove it, regardless of who they have to run off the road to prove it.

Subaru WRX: See above :roll:


the SS Comodore and the XR Series Falcons are performance enhanced version of the standard models
 
#16 ·
Just a disclaimer... if some of you happen to drive said vehicles.. of course there are good drivers out there with these vehicles.

These are generally vehicles that if I see driving I always be *extra* careful and try to make SURE they know I'm there. Basically these are cars that if you see alongside you, you keep a very close eye on them for when they do something stupid.
I own a WRX...:mad:
what he said :wink:
i know 2 guys with a WRX who drive within the law...... a LOT of them that are seen on the highway around here don't unfortunately.
 
#18 ·
I see several hundred instances of stupidity every day, but as far as aggressiveness and chance-taking are concerned, I find that young women driving imported sport coupes seem to be over-represented.

By the way, have you heard of the program adopted by several states now of putting an officer in the passenger seat of a truck to call in aggressive drivers to a "lead vehicle" ahead of them?
 
#19 ·
Anybody, driving any type of car or truck! You never know about the driver of the vehicle you are near.

I usually avoid being in the impact zone of heavy (semi) trucks. If possible, I'll speed up or change lanes to be farther away as I pass (also lessens the effect of wind buffeting). These trucks have a larger area to be aware of and you have a smaller outline so the opportunity to miss you is greater.

Many sport bike riders (and some cruisers). They tend to want to share a lane without invitation. Sport bikes appear suddenly, sometimes, because they are often exceeding the speed limit by 20 - 30 mph. They are often lane splitting (white lining?) which is illegal in most states and dangerous in all states.

The bottom line is that you cannot be safe. You must expect any and all vehicle drivers of not seeing you and/or of not caring. There is even the few out there that will target bikes just to see you maneuvering to avoid them.
 
#20 ·
I'll add another one

Dodge Neon / Chevrolet Cavalier / Pontiac Sunfire
Often driven by teenage girls who constantly speed and talk on their cell phones. They never see you.
Hey my first new car was a Cavalier...of course that was in 93 and I was terrified of speeding or driving bad cause my insurance at 18 was already a killer even with no tickets. Funny thing is the next new car I bought was a Sunfire in 95 after the Cavy got totalled on the way over to Germany. Darn container ships :mad: . You think drivers are bad here? Try driving an American car with a speed govenor of 112 MPH on the Autobahn. Grandma's were passing me like I was barely moving.

Out here in Socal I think the main culprit is:
Large SUV owners (Suburbans, Armadas, Expeditions etc.

I agree on the Neons my Sister drives one and she is crazy! No coffee can exhaust but I think she thinks the 405 is the Indy 405 instead.
 
#22 ·
3. Civics: Often driven by 18-30 year old men who think they're the fastest car in the world once you put a fart can on. They try to race you and think their cars sound badass.
Agreed, but even more scary to me (after driving a large truck for 15+ years) are the young ladies in the same coffee-can mufflered car! They are empowered suddenly when behind the reigns of a 100+ hp 4-banger. They seem to let their attitude hang out all over.
Ever seen a Jack-Russell back up a tree and #1 so the other dogs in the area think there is a big-dog around....same concept!

Civic+Platinum Blonde Hair dye+big white sunglasses+three friends that look identical = STAY AWAY!
 
#25 ·
Hey my first new car was a Cavalier...of course that was in 93 and I was terrified of speeding or driving bad cause my insurance at 18 was already a killer even with no tickets. Funny thing is the next new car I bought was a Sunfire in 95 after the Cavy got totalled on the way over to Germany. Darn container ships :mad: . You think drivers are bad here? Try driving an American car with a speed govenor of 112 MPH on the Autobahn. Grandma's were passing me like I was barely moving.

Out here in Socal I think the main culprit is:
Large SUV owners (Suburbans, Armadas, Expeditions etc.

I agree on the Neons my Sister drives one and she is crazy! No coffee can exhaust but I think she thinks the 405 is the Indy 405 instead.
Just a little insight here. In Germany they go through a lot of classes and expense to get their drivers license. The older they are when they start the process the more it costs. They are CERTAIN they own that road. If your plates identify you as foreign. They are compelled to pass at all costs.
Here it's the chick cars neon, honda stratus driven by young girls on cell phones obsessing over their appearance and the old id10ts in Escalades. I didn't know $50K vehicles were so slow!