Wow.

Do you live in Bakersfield?

Obviously never driven anyplace else.  Do you have links to back up your numbers?  LIke "Brake pads and rotors in Bakersfield last about 65% of the life of pads and rotors in other cities."   Did a brake pad/rotor company do a study?

Sounds like it's all your opinion rather than any sort of fact if you think Bakersfield is exclusive in poor drivers or crazy laws.  Sigh...when WILL all the Bakersfield haters move away?  Just think how nice and uncrowded our streets would be.

Heinz57 is a bakersfield driver.

Apparently he's not a fan of church going people either.  I feel bad that he feels that when he describes how he (a Bakersfield driver) gets behind the wheel of a car, "A barbaric, uncivilized animal."

It would seem Heinz does have a lot of his/her own problems.  I mean, I understand venting but sheesh.

I could recommend a good therapist for anger management classes if you need one.  It's good for road rage.

Honestly, I didn't make it past point 5 before I stopped reading this post since the hyperbole was just getting too much for me.

The posted speed limits are not too high. They are based on how fast 80 percent of drivers do.

If I have a complaint about this town, it's that drivers go too slow. I switch lanes all the time to get around people who drive 10 miles under the speed limit. I always use my signal. Truxtun Avenue Extension is one of the worst places for slow pokes.

I also have perfected the fine art of being in the fastest lane. I'm not sharing.

I'm sorry, Steve.  55 mph on a city street sounds crazy to the rest of the US outside of CA.  The speed limit is too high.  I saw someone driving down South H at about 60mph.  That's just ridiculous.  People drive too fast here.

 switch lanes all the time to get around people who drive 10 miles under the speed limit.

There is no speed minimum only speed limits which are not strictly enforced in this town.  It's more of a guideline. 

It's funny to me that people would think 55 on a city street (which is what, Truxtun Ext?) is crazy to the rest of the U.S. when many parts in the rest of the U.S don't even have speed limits posted on their highways/freeways.

 It's funny to me that people would think 55 on a city street (which is what, Truxtun Ext?) is crazy to the rest of the U.S

res ipsa loquitor

Try driving 55 in front of police on a city street with or without speed limits posted and see what happens.  Most highways (not freeways) outside of CA are 55mph.

I notice in CA we really don't distinguish between a highway and the interstate.  It's either the freeway, road, or a street.

I'm with you Steve. Truxtun extension drives me batty sometimes. It's really bad when 2 cars decide to go 45 and stay right next to each other, totally blocking the flow of traffic and oblivious that they're doing so.

The problem is with CA drivers having no concept of a passing lane to let the faster drivers go by.  Slow drivers have the same privilege to drive on Truxtun Extension as you do.

Well sure they have the same privilege. They just need to get out of my way.  ; )

Yeah, if you don't like the way I drive then get off the sidewalk.

Jf, that's because Interstates cross state lines and freeway don't always do that.  Freeway just means free from cross traffic.

I know what you mean though, when I was in TN everything was a Pike or a Parkway if it had 4 lanes.  No one ever said "go to 65 Freeway they'd just say go to the Interstate."

If I remember right, a Parkway was a freeway that did not allow commercial trucks other than for delivery to places such as Opryland.

The other states are so far away from the majority of CA that we just don't think of our freeways as interstates, even when they are (I-5, I-80, etc). And we have very few toll roads (just some toll bridges), so the phrases associated with them, like turnpike, aren't going to be used much here. I suppose we could use the generic "highway", but so many of our highways are also freeways that it seems the phrase freeway has stuck around here.

As for the guy going too slow in the fast lane in town, a cop could ticket him for that, if there were a cop around and the cop were so inclined. It is illegal to not yield to faster traffic by going into the right hand lane, even if you're going the speed limit. It's rarely enforced unless you're causing a traffic hazard in the process, but it is a law on the books nonetheless.

 Freeway just means free from cross traffic.

Being from CA, I know what a freeway is but the word doesn't really exist when you go back east even when I would consider a highway a freeway.  It's the interstate, highway, road or street.

As for the guy going too slow in the fast lane in town, a cop could ticket him for that, if there were a cop around and the cop were so inclined.

No one is going to get a ticket for going 45mph on Truxtun extension.  I tried it several times yesterday and it didn't work.  Maybe I got a pass because of the out of state plates.  Slower traffic should yield though.  There are some roads/freeways with posted minimum limits.

1. Yes, I've driven elsewhere.  The only place in the United States where driving is worse is in Florida.

2. Yes I have numbers to back up my stats - a study published by the US DOT and posted on www.****.gov

3. I am not a Bakersfield hater.  I love this place and wish all the idiots who've moved here over the past decade and a half would have stayed in their  LA and Inland Empire ghettos.

4. Yes, of course I am a Bakersfield driver - until I get out of city limits - then I'm a Kern County driver - what's your point?

5. I don't hate church going people - I go to church myself  - I just don't wear my faith on a hat and selectively choose when to abide by it.  Anger and ego doesn't belong on the road - it's not about YOU, its about EVERYONE ELSE.   You know, Jesus first, yourself last, and others inbetween???

I am a courteous and safe driver.  I respect the laws and other peoples space and time.  Apparently, it's too much to expect the same.

6. "The posted speed limits are not too high. They are based on how fast 80 percent of drivers do."
No they are not.  Drivers drive as fast as the sign will let them - so if the sign is 55, then 80% of drivers are doing "at least" 55.
The idea is to be pro-active and set realistic speed limits.

Look at white lane, they are leaving the speed limit at 55, but increasing the number of stop-lights.  So instead of smooth driving, you wind up with the erratic driving I see day to day.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO HYPERBOLE IN MY FIRST POST. 

Sorry if the truth scares/ofdfends you.

Heh..you invited everyone to the party and then you were almost two months getting here yourself.

We've already discussed it and moved on.

I started a 'blog' on driving pet peeves, a couple weeks ago ~ I get road rage easily.

then my sailor 'genes' shine thru!

My biggest peeve is the lack of using turn signals. I think it's just rude.

goldilox:  I saw a guy the other day using arm signals.  Apparently his turn signals were broken.  I knew what the signal meant.  Are those acceptable today?  Can a person get a ticket for using them?

Actually, I think everybody should know the arm signals for emergencies, and should know what they mean when somebody else uses them.

yes, i would imagine hand signals are still "legal", and should be used when necessary (i also saw one 2 weeks ago) and was reminded of how old i am since i too recognized the meaning! LOL ~ kids these days would have no clue!  haha

Am i the worlds best driver? heck no - but i do commend myself with being a very considerate driver. it drives me nuts when others dont share the road with basic consideration for others.

now i must google the hand signal laws, so i dont get attacked for not knowing if they are still legal...

Hand signals are given by cyclists and some motorists to indicate their intentions to other traffic. Under the terms of the Vienna Convention on Traffic, bicycles are considered to be vehicles and cyclists are considered to be drivers. The traffic codes of most countries reflect this.

In some countries (such as in the Czech Republic ^[1], Canada, and the USA), hand signals are designated not only for cyclists, but for every vehicle that does not have signal lights or has damaged signal lights. For example, drivers of historical cars and mopeds may be required to make hand signals.

ANYWAYS people - use your little baby pinky finger on your left hand and nudge that 'stick' that is protruding from your steering wheel base, it's a simple task, and i will love you for it!

Wow! Mama said there'd be days like this, there'd be days like this Mama said......In all seriousness. I've always enjoyed driving. That is why after having raised my children, I became a professional driver. Seems there are lots of reasons for the issues you point out.#1 Not enough driver training. Not enough training about commercial vehicles by class c drivers. Even though all you want licensed for is a car, it would be helpful for you to know things such as stopping distances for trucks and buses, turning radius, blind spots for both buses, and trucks, etc. #2 To few are courteous. It's all about me mentality. #3 They don't leave early enough to just chill as they travel. Going with this, they shouldn't listen to music that gets you all fired up, they should listen to some cool jazz! LOL #4 Many on our roadways are not licensed here period. Makes me doubt they were ever even trained to drive by anyone. #5 Driving under the influence of either alcohol or drugs. #6 Still don't behave the no phone/texting laws, #7 uninsured drivers.  #8 Not enough police officers on our streets as well as officers that see offenders do something right in front of them and ignore it themselves.

Good luck! Leave alittle earlier, and by all means be a defensive driver. It can, and likely will, someday save your life.

Thanks, guys, for all that info.  (I was too lazy to look it up!)  It IS good information to have.