General Discussion

maxsolomon

(39,459 posts)

49. My #1 rule as a Pedestrian: they're trying to kill you.

Mon Jun 22, 2026, 12:14 PM

Jun 22

Last edited Mon Jun 22, 2026, 01:18 PM - Edit history (2)

About 1 in 10 (I'm exaggerating) drivers nowadays are unpredictable, angry, distracted idiots. Un-signaled crosswalks are treacherous. Make sure they're stopping and they are looking at you.

My #1 rule when I drive: they're trying to get killed.

I drive in downtown Seattle; the homeless Schizophrenics and Fentanyl addicts deliberately jaywalk on green lights or mid-block. Lime scooters can come from anywhere. I can kill people with my Mini as easily as with my Land Cruiser.

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Highlight:

The Deadly Rise of Giant Trucks and S.U.V.s [View all] dalton99a Jun 22 OP

And they travel 10-20mph over the speed limit, weigh 3,000 lbs more, bucolic_frolic Jun 22 #1

One silver lining for the Felon's gas prices Jerry2144 Jun 22 #2

Must Read malaise Jun 22 #3

And they block visibility for other motorists Johnny2X2X Jun 22 #4

When you're making a left hand turn across from one these trucks, you cannot see what's coming. Swede Jun 22 #9

I can understand people wanting them for families Johnny2X2X Jun 22 #19

Toyota Prius: 49-57 mpg VMA131Marine Jun 22 #18

Yes and they are built aerodynamic and low TexasBushwhacker Jun 22 #25

I think the 18-Wheelers are going to go electric sooner than later VMA131Marine Tuesday #58

Nevertheless TexasBushwhacker Tuesday #60

Headlights so high they've blinding. Sequoia Jun 22 #36

Hyundai hybrids also get there JT45242 Jun 22 #56

A couple of days ago I stood in front of one of these behemoths in the Publix parking lot. sop Jun 22 #5

Sounds like a RAM truck Ferryboat Jun 22 #20

I live in suburbia where there is no reason for Scrivener7 Jun 22 #6

Every accident and incident I've had seems to have been involved with a Ford F-series truck Tommy Carcetti Jun 22 #7

me sweetapogee Jun 22 #57

Large pickups and S.U.V.s look small from Emile Jun 22 #8

Semis are mostly on freeways and industrial areas, not many pedestrians crossing streets in front of them. Swede Jun 22 #11

I drove one 3,000 miles every week, on Emile Jun 22 #14

18 wheelers are super-sizing too orthoclad Jun 22 #23

Their popularity is based on size. MineralMan Jun 22 #10

With the huge tires and '"peaked chariot" hubcaps bedazzled Jun 22 #27

That's about it. MineralMan Jun 22 #29

I always give them every opportunity to pass me bedazzled Jun 22 #47

Women like driving them too. BannonsLiver Jun 22 #53

I think many people think they're safer to drive. MineralMan Jun 22 #54

Mister Macho Jockstrap... GiqueCee Jun 22 #12

I know a landscaper. He needed a new working truck Scrivener7 Jun 22 #17

All those electronic gimmicks... GiqueCee Jun 22 #34

When I contact a contractor for an estimate, MineralMan Jun 22 #35

I hope you let the contractor whose time you are wasting realizes questionseverything Jun 22 #45

Nope. I won't hire such a contractor. MineralMan Jun 22 #50

LOL - "11 months of snow and 1 month of bad sledding" GenThePerservering Tuesday #61

You're obviously familiar... GiqueCee Tuesday #67

They are freakin' everywhere. Happy Hoosier Jun 22 #13

Add the Carolina squat to the mix ornotna Jun 22 #15

and don't get me started on how trying to back out of a parking space when they're right next to you!!! a kennedy Jun 22 #16

The headlights! Ferryboat Jun 22 #21

And a majority of them also have their fog lamps on too. Emile Jun 22 #43

Another thing about this is the insurance companies. Blue Full Moon Jun 22 #22

It's mostly bad drivers driving vehicles they can't handle. GoCubsGo Jun 22 #24

The old saying "the bigger the pickup the smaller the wang" Clouds Passing Jun 22 #26

I don't have any stats at my fingertips, but I'm willing to bet that the majority of people... 3catwoman3 Jun 22 #28

+1. Their purpose is to impress and intimidate. dalton99a Jun 22 #31

It's the "alpha" display orthoclad Jun 22 #33

And boy are they annoying! ananda Jun 22 #30

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. orthoclad Jun 22 #32

I thought those were bags containing their brains... The Madcap Jun 22 #41

I'm not convinced this explains the worldwide trend. cab67 Jun 22 #37

It's not a global 'worldwide' trend unweird Jun 22 #44

Agree with everyone here Chi67 Jun 22 #38

Smaller SUV's work pretty well for families (even better than most minivans). The Madcap Jun 22 #40

I can understand a pickup if... The Madcap Jun 22 #39

+1. The margin for error is reduced dalton99a Jun 22 #46

From my observation, since the pandemic many careless drivers, of all sizes. question everything Jun 22 #42

Overall behavior has worsened fujiyamasan Tuesday #64

I hate driving in this country now RockCreek Jun 22 #48

My #1 rule as a Pedestrian: they're trying to kill you. maxsolomon Jun 22 #49

That's one place where I will not drive GenThePerservering Tuesday #63

Since the Pandemic, it's much less crowded downtown. maxsolomon Tuesday #65

It *is* better than it was, but still makes me crazy GenThePerservering Tuesday #66

and people refuse to take public transit because it is too "dangerous" DBoon Jun 22 #51

The problem is more than just blind spot and size LogDog75 Jun 22 #52

This is news to these folks? Miguelito Loveless Jun 22 #55

Sometimes when I park in a lot I'll walk by one of the giant pickup trucks and the tailgate will by as high Vinca Tuesday #59

Many, many Americans are over-vehicled...nt Wounded Bear Tuesday #62

Referred to as "Grow-Dozers" in Humboldt County. PufPuf23 Tuesday #68