I Don’t Want to Die Because You Can’t Drive
Jens Meiert, October 23, 2007 / February 25, 2008.
This entry is filed under Uncategorized.
I am passionate about driving since I love to drive and since I’m driving a lot, but I’m also passionate about living. Driving in Germany regularly does not only mean severe doubts if there really is something like “collective intelligence”, it also features a special misbehavior that becomes more and more popular even though it’s not permitted at all: Not using the right side or trail when it’s free. (On German autobahns, overtaking on the right is not allowed.)
So I may express my anger – passion – about lousy, dangerous drivers again, this time including some pictures:
So for starters, this traffic misbehavior that the German police cannot and does not really go after can be considered three things:
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It is arrogant yet antisocial.
I would know when some people could acquire the right to block two or more trails. They cannot, and they don’t. Since most drivers in Germany do not use the right side for overtaking – it is forbidden just as using the middle or left trail without a reason –, these people effectively do just that, they unnecessarily, selfishly hinder other people.
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It is dangerous.
Wikipedia gets this right:
The lane designated for faster traffic is on the left.
On German motorways, this is usually just the case. But when certain drivers just drive on the left, this means that faster traffic unnecessarily needs to slow down, or, on motorways with three or more trails, probably needs to make room for yet faster traffic. This is dangerous, there is an unnecessary risk that a faster car might overlook another driver behind him, both trying to overtake a slow car that blocks two or more trails. I am pretty sure that this and similar scenarios already costed lives! -
It is dumb.
How do you call behavior that is arrogant, dangerous, and has no good reason at all.
So, (not only?) beloved fellow countrymen, please observe the law, be nice to other road users, avoid needless endangerments, and drive forward-looking. Take care.
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Enjoy the most popular posts, probably including:
Comments
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On October 23, 2007, 13:39 CEST, Markus said:
Finally, someone brings it out to an international audience! Let’s hope, this will help to improve the situation. My blog-post in German concerning the same topic didn’t change anything at all… so far…
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On October 23, 2007, 15:22 CEST, Steffen said:
Yes, you are right (or left, respectively)!
I have to take into consideration that the driver closer to you on the first picture has valid reasons for driving on the middle lane. He might want to overtake the dumb ass in front of him in the next 10 seconds. High frequent lane changing makes no sense!
However, I think you would agree if I say that taking photos to hunt dangerous drivers is both obsessive and dangerous - and I like this ironical touch very much, Jens! -
On October 23, 2007, 15:42 CEST, Jens Meiert said:
Markus, glad to hear
I guess this bothers quite a few people as well.Steffen:
the driver closer to you on the first picture has valid reasons for driving on the middle lane
Assuming that he’s faster than the car on the right. He was not. He just made it unnecessarily dangerous to overtake him.
High frequent lane changing makes no sense!
I agree, even though that depends – for example, when there is enough time to let a faster car overtake safely.
I say that taking photos to hunt dangerous drivers is both obsessive and dangerous
Not for co-drivers, presumably
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On October 23, 2007, 16:21 CEST, Duluoz said:
Ehhhhh…buy a monster truck you pansies…lol just kidding. Jens how can you be so right about traffic law violators - yet so wrong about web development and accessibility and design…no I’m still kidding, you’re right about both.
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On October 23, 2007, 16:55 CEST, Jens Meiert said:
David, thank you
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On October 25, 2007, 0:50 CEST, Stefan Nitzsche said:
I love the German traffic. Some days ago I was in Romania, driving a hired Dacia … but the problem was different … the traffic was horrible! There are no 15 seconds without leastwise one signal – and the louder your signal, the more you’re right. The Romanian drivers are ruthless, loud and vulgar – even the women! Police cars and officers are just belonging to the scenery … but they don’t really serve a purpose.
Conclusion: Love the German traffic and be happy to drive here …
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On October 25, 2007, 20:27 CEST, Jens Meiert said:
Haha, almost sounds like fun
Other countries certainly know their own traffic characteristics … I enjoyed driving in Italy and Poland, for example, because people over there drive indeed more freakish, but they don’t try to defend “their” trail like in Germany, and, most importantly, they keep an eye on other traffic participants, too. That is crucial, even when it requires some experience.
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On November 3, 2007, 0:15 CET, Eric said:
Ha, you should come drive on American roads. Talk about a free for all.. pick a lane, any lane, pass on the right or left.
I do miss driving on German roads
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On February 1, 2008, 13:17 CET, Jens Meiert said:
Just noticed missing reference to Meiert’s Law of Traffic Congestion …
