Cactus wrote on Mar 3, 2008 6:11 AM:Great article More time should be taken to be patient and (dare I say) courteous to other drivers especially nowadays when violence occurs at the drop of a hat. Keep spreading the good word, AND THANK YOU... -

kitten wrote on Mar 3, 2008 6:42 AM:I hate agressive drivers. You just want to strangle them sometimes-

It already is wrote on Mar 3, 2008 7:17 AM:against the law for most forms of "agressive driving." If a cop sees someone tailgating or racing around someone else on an onramp or most any of those other acts she described, they can get a ticket. (And some of the more dangerous forms of aggressive driving could even get someone arrested for assault or reckless endangerment.) The problem, as the old cliche goes, is there's never a cop around when you need one.-

Will wrote on Mar 3, 2008 8:58 AM:Having driven well over a million miles in my life, I think I have some pretty good experience on the road. I wonder if teacher Brenda teaches her students that the left lane on a highway is the PASSING lane...not the fast lane? The fast lane would make it so anyone who thought they were going fast, could go out there and camp for however many miles they needed to...thus blocking drivers who choose to drive faster than they are. Is his why you see people cutting in and out of lanes?

How many of you have ever heard of cause and effect? Road rage is an effect of drivers who not only should not be allowed to drive...they should have never been taught what a road is!!

You want to cut down on a lot of things that happen on our roadways...teach people how to drive and that doesn't mean how to get a vehicle from point A to point B!

As far as cops go...it seems that it's only against the law if they actually do something about it! How long has it been legal to park on a corner?

Remember the old saying, give an inch, take a mile? The more they let people walk on the laws, the more laws they'll walk on! Maybe it should be against the law to be at a donut shop while on duty!

I wonder, when July comes around, will the illegals be getting tickets for not using a handsfree cell, or is that just for the gringos who'll actually have to pay for the ticket?

I could go on for days, but I won't.

Have a great day!

Jack A. wrote on Mar 3, 2008 9:05 AM:If you understand what "VOODOO" is, you will understand how I combat road rage. I have a small "Beany Baby" horse on my dashboard. When offended by an aggressive driver, I stick a hat pin, you know where, in the horse. Yes, the horse's name is VOODOO !

Herb: wrote on Mar 3, 2008 9:23 AM: If law enforcement were to enforce the speed limits it would go to solving a great many of our problems. How can you teach a child in the family, or a teenager in school, the value of obeying laws that are to the benefit of us all, when adults are consently disobeying and getting away with it. You call them "agressive," I call them ... law-breakers.

anotherview wrote on Mar 3, 2008 9:58 AM:Aggressive drivers express their aggressiveness also via aggressive headlamps that shine too brightly into traffic, causing unsafe glare in the eyes of other drivers. For example, some aggressive vehicles sit too high, and their offset headlamps shine directly into the passenger compartment of other vehicles, causing discomfort to the other driver and the vehicle passengers. These offset headlamps also shine directly into the side view and rearview mirrors of the other vehicle, causing a blinding light to the other driver. Further, many smaller passenger vehicles have aggressive headlamps that produce an over-bright forward lighting that causes a glare in the eyes of drivers of oncoming vehicles. Some drivers of these same smaller vehicles with their aggressive over-bright headlamps will tailgate other vehicles on surface streets and freeways, an unsafe practice any time, anywhere. Perhaps as a public service, the news editor could assign an investigative reporter to examine these unsafe driving conditions resulting from offset and over-bright headlamps, and to review the laws applying to vehicle headlamps. As well, this journalistic examination could include the topic of strict law enforcement of headlamp requirements. We veteran drivers recall a time when traffic officers issued citations to drivers whose vehicles had headlamps out of adjustment, or who drove with their high beams on in traffic, causing unsafe glare. This safe norm has included headlamps that illuminate the roadway without shining their lighting directly into automobile passenger compartments or into automobile mirrors. Certainly, traffic safety would benefit from returning to this sensible headlamp usage.

Olaf wrote on Mar 3, 2008 10:51 AM:I call the aggressive drivers many things. I drive fast and do agree with the one post that people should get out of the fast (sorry passing lane) when rear enders come up and tail you. Where do they go when there is massive traffic on the road though? The many people who rush through the traffic just to get stopped like the rest of us when traffic slows is causing more slow downs. Everybody use your brain and look ahead and if your not going anywhere just like the rest of us then slow down. I find the people in the BMW's and Mercedes to be the biggest offenders of this. Is it the money that affords you the vanity and tickets?

It wreaks my day wrote on Mar 3, 2008 11:23 AM:when I get hit by the no license, no insurance drivers, these are the ones to look out for if there was a way.

Rembrant wrote on Mar 3, 2008 11:26 AM:We don't need another law. Reckless driing is a capital offense already. What good is a new law when someone is willing to risk their lives to save a couple of minutes on their commute? Just give them all the room you can and don't retaliate. Let it go. I am also a million mile plus driver and I think Will has failed to learn the most important lesson of the road. Let it go. If someone is slow in the left lane go around them. If you can't get around them don't worry about it. Life is too short to let this stuff get to you. This isn't an easy thing to do and I fail at it too often but it is a goal worth working on.

Bill 1 wrote on Mar 3, 2008 11:43 AM:I am a salesman and spend many hours and miles on the road every week. I drive pretty much the speed limit and stay over to th right unless passing. I have seen many dangerous situations due do drivers in a hurry and driver holding everyone up in the left passing lane. I believe the problem is self centeredness. Rather than moving over and allowing faster drivers to pass, people think to themselves "it is my right to be in whatever lane I wish". And others believe it is their "right to drive how ever fast" they want. Even if it means chancing several lanes all at once to get past the car in front of them. I wish people would be more consisderate and tollerant. It's not worth getting injured or killed just in the name of me me me!!!

JP wrote on Mar 3, 2008 11:58 AM:The operative word here is "idiot". You can't teach an idiot anything, idiots are incapable of understanding basic concepts, and idiots can't comprehend this article and comments because some of the words are too big -which is why they're idiots. The key to avoiding idiots is recognizing the ever-present look of cluelessness in their faces.

Concerned-1 wrote on Mar 3, 2008 12:30 PM:Last year I got the first ticket I've had in 35 years, right turn on a yellow/red. It was a silly ticket that should not have been written, but then it was in Temecula. The upside was that I took an on-line traffic school course, and it was amazing. Of course, starting out I thought I knew everything. Wrong. I learned a lot and it really helped reduce my stress level while driving and made me a better driver. BTW, it does talk about using the right lanes and keeping the number one lane free of slow drivers. Excellent stuff. In fact, I think we should all have to take a course like that every four or so years. I bet it would make a big difference on the road.

Is this for real? wrote on Mar 3, 2008 1:56 PM:Staff write DAVE DOWNEY reports/writes: "Beyond that, McNellis said, it would help if our state legislators would pass some laws that make motorists think twice before putting their fellow commuters in danger."

LOL! Are you serious? Please pray tell how the government can pass 'a law forcing people to think twice'? Edit that 'idiot' statement out and your column is pretty good really. Big smiles!-

To Jack wrote on Mar 3, 2008 3:05 PM:I love your VOODOO. Sounds like a good idea. Also, to Concerned-1, there is a class that is out there for drivers over 55. It is called 55-Alive sponsered by AARP. It can be taken every few years and your insurance co will give you a discount for completing it. Amazing what new changes there are every year.-

room between cars wrote on Mar 3, 2008 4:26 PM:remember OUR driver's training classes taught about so and so "car lengths away per miles per hour" ? Seems today most drivers love to ride right up your butt!! BACK OFF:)

Cops? wrote on Mar 3, 2008 4:36 PM:Can someone please explain to me why it is ok for a motorcyle cop in Temecula to park his motorcyle on the corner sidewalk of Ynez and Rancho California Road just to watch for red light runners? Also, why is it ok for a motorcycle cop to park in the center median on the Winchester offramp? Anyone else caught doing this would be ticketed in a milisecond. How about it Chief Jerry Williams, why are your cops above the law?

Nancy K. wrote on Mar 3, 2008 5:48 PM:This young lady knows what she is talking about. She has the patients of a mother kitten when it comes to young people and teaching them how to drive. I would trust her with my life and my sons life as well. I wish I could, but she lives in Cal. and I live in Ohio. Keep up the good work Ms. McNellis. I see alot of agressive driving here in Ohio, and 90% of the time it is young people with a temper tantrom.

Stacey wrote on Mar 3, 2008 7:19 PM:I've seen plenty of aggressive drivers and I have to say that, while I've seen more than my share of young drivers make bad choices, the truly aggressive seem to be the older ones who should truly know and be able to handle themselves better. Ultimately, we could probably all use a refresher course in road courtesy. So many problems throughout the world today could be solved if people would just pull their heads from their behinds and stop being so self involved.

dave from oceanside wrote on Mar 4, 2008 5:29 AM:I can't count the number of times police have tailgated other drivers around me.
Not a very good example for the rest of us, especially the children watching it or the idiot's driving the same way. -

Ourpolicerock! wrote on Mar 4, 2008 9:10 AM: Thank you to the cops in Vista for ticketing all the idiots on S. Melrose Dr, who go 20+ over the speed limit, and ignore the "cross street ahead" signs, not just in this area, but everywhere. Our residential areas are not freeways. You all know who you are. Some of us are grateful.

No. County Reader wrote on Mar 4, 2008 12:43 PM:How about letting cars that are entering the freeway on the freeway?!! We do not have the right of way, but we don't have anywhere else to go either. If you aren't gonna take your foot off the accelerator then move over and stay out of the way of merging vehicles. My compact car has just as much right to be on the road as all the suv's,trucks, tourist buses and semi-trucks out there. I have to be able to see around you in order to drive safely. Why do you always have to be one car ahead of mine?!!

Concerned-1 wrote on Mar 4, 2008 2:31 PM:Although it hurt my pocketbook, I benefited from attending the traffic school (on-line). It's really amazing to me how many bad drivers there are out there. More noticable to me now that I'm one of the good ones!

Frame of reference wrote on Mar 4, 2008 3:57 PM:One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the vast differences in cars on the road. Someone made the comment that Benz and BMW drivers are more aggressive. I beg to differ. They just drive better cars! They are quicker, stop faster, ride better, are more responsive and are safer. From their perspective, they are not driving aggressively. They are driving within the risk tolerance afforded them by their car. That's why you don't see Yugos, Aveos, Yaris and Aspires in the fast lane. Some have also said that there are drivers that think they own the road and if they want to drive 70 in the passing lane, then so be it. Personally, I think these people are more clueless than malicious. They're just driving on auto pilot. Usually a little beep or flash of the lights by a BMW will get them to move over. I really do believe that when we as drivers are frustrated, we make all sorts of assumptions about the intent of other drivers on the road. My wife always reminds me that the drivers around me don't know who I am, don't care who I am, and are not on the road with the express purpose of getting in my way. Honestly, these drivers have better things to do with their time. But, I beg to differ........

temecula commuter wrote on Mar 5, 2008 7:59 AM:I drive 80 miles monday thru friday. It is my life. I do what I can to drive the speed limit and there are always someone else that has to pass me even as I am stopping because the TRAFFIC is stopping! HELLO wake up people. I am very surprised nobody has mentioned the fact the the semi drivers are going 80 mph. and that there are people driving that really don't know the laws at all. I drive enclosed trailers and as a women I know that if you are on a 4 lane freeway you are not to be in the 1st or 2nd lane driving a trailer of any kind. the #3 and #4 lane is for all vehicles towing ANYTHING. And it is so many different types of drivers that do this it is incredible. Even people with horse trailers (with horses) are driving 80 down the freeway and in the passing (fast) lane. AND yes, I must be the only one that sees this. There is never a cop around. My husband and I just found out that 2 years ago a law was passed if you tow over 10,000.00 max tow capacity you actually need to take another test and get a recreational sticker on your license. Even though the questions are just as stupid as the regular driving test, it makes you read the handbook. I think everyone towing anything needs to take an additional test just like somone wanting to drive a motorcycle. That is not counting that during rush hours semi's should not be allowed on the road. just wait until the new rock query opens up in temecula.