[Wichita-SCCA] Signs you may be an offensive driver

[Brian Meyer]

In an effort to promote a civil society we've come up with the following
list to help drivers identify characteristics they may be unaware and
most people would consider "offensive".  Since we don't live in New York
or LA, people here are generally too polite to inform their fellow
drivers that they're driving in an offensive way.  Unlike football, a
strong offensive driving style does not necessarily make a reasonable
substitute for a poor defensive one.

1. You regularly and habitually pass people... on the right... on
two-lane roads... and/or in the middle of on-ramps.
1a. Passing on the right in merge lanes is ok - if you can make it.
2. You consider speed limits to be set for really old people, driving at
night, in the rain, in 5000 lb. cars on bald tires with poor brakes.
3. Considering 2., you figure the safe speed limits in good conditions
with a car that has good brakes and tires and an alert driver should be
around twice the posted number.  This of course includes those yellow
recommended speed signs for turns and off-ramps.
4. You've done the math to prove out item #3.
5. You can financially rationalize getting the best radar/laser detector
made, and you have a traffic attorney on speed dial.
6. You think that getting 10K miles out of a set of tires is pretty
good, especially if they're the driven ones.
7. In traffic, you look at SUV's and "see" a series of big slalom cones.
8. You've actually raced a motorcycle because you thought you could win.
8a. If you actually did win, you're one of the rarest drivers in the
world and therefore exempt from all of this (we're not worthy).
9. You know the make and model of all current state trooper cars... for
all of your neighboring states... and can spot one before your radar
detector goes off... even if they're unmarked.
10.  You secretly can't wait for when they invent flying cars and the
highways are traffic free so you can enjoy them like they were designed
to be driven.

If any or all of the above apply to you then you should be aware that
most of society considers you an "offensive driver" and that you are
probably offending people with your aggressive driving style.  It this
bothers you, perhaps you should consider getting help.  Attend a SCCA
Performance Driving Experience (PDX) event where you get to drive as
fast as you want an there are no pesky troopers there to slow down for.
Best of all you can set your conscience at ease knowing you won't offend
anyone.  In fact the greatest comfort of all is knowing that most of the
other people there are just like you so you're not alone.

Next PDX event is August 5-6 at Hallett.

Brian Meyer
...driver therapist