I'm always looking for new ways the social contract is breaking down. It's easy to get caught up in internet drama but every now and then I like to touch grass and see what the normies are doing. One thing I've noticed is how aggressively people drive now.
This past weekend I had my whole family in the car and a Dodge hatchback of all things shoots past us at over 100 miles per hour. This was in the middle of town, not a highway. We pull up next to the dude at the next red light (because that always seems to happen) and he guns it again, going into the opposing lane of traffic to pass everyone and shoot down the road again.
I feel like I see this kind of thing more and more now. People going 60+ in residential areas and blasting through school zones. Has anyone else experienced this? Do you think it's indicative of anything or am I just an autist?
I will admit I've done some stupid stuff while out on the highway. But being on plates and being required by law to slow down, I've seen some stupid stuff happen. Classic examples are Utes overtaking in turn off areas on a highway only for an over taking lane to appear 200 meters ahead. I've had an old couple do that exact same thing because they had to overtake me illegally right there instead of waiting the 200 meters for the over taking lane. I've had trucks go by me at 100 km/h while I'm doing 80 and this is on a single lane highway with no overtake. it's a scary thing because I always think they won't have enough space and they will cut in front of me to turn back.
The scariest thing was me going on a C class road, so really run down road and not 5 meters behind me was a red 4x4 matching me doing 80. Didn't over take, didn't pull back, just sat on my hind. So I indicated to get off onto the side to let him pass, hit a small gravel patch at 40 and skidded off the road on my bike. He sped right past. Luckily I only have scrapes on the bike but that could have easily turned out worse.
There's a reason why I stop at give way signs. Not because I can clearly see it's clear and there's no risk. But because I can't see if another car comes and if it does, I need to be ready for it. Call it paranoia but my instructors in riding school basically drilled situational awareness into you when riding a motorcycle.
Another thing one of my sage Instructors said. There are 3 things you can't prepare for while on the road. Weather, road condition and other drivers. Weather you can mitigate by going slower or even just waiting for it to pass. Condition likewise can be bypassed by taking an alternative route or going slower and being aware. Other drivers though, you can never account for and as such is the one you have to be prepared for.