I've to come clean with you gals and guys... for the last 5 years I've been driving a 11-seater Ford E350. A very large van with a very large engine.
There you got it........... I feel a weight off my shoulders.

Now that I've come out of the closet, let me elaborate briefly: This is a company-sponsored carpooling van, which I drive. So when all the occupants are tallied, we still get very respectable MPGPP (Miles per Gallon per Person).

So why did I need to make this confession? because I must admit that I was guilty of some of the aggresive behavior, that some forum members complain about large SUV and truck drivers.

When I got my HCH, I became EDUCATED and RESPECTFUL. It is amazing how much one's driving improves when one puts attention to the way one drives.
The HCH has been a great educational tool on both driving for mileage and driving for respect.

Forum members already know the reasons and tricks for driving for mileage.
But what about driving respectfully? Why it is that large SUV and truck drivers -not everyone, but certainly on average- tend to drive more aggressive?

My theory: because large trucks and SUVs are basically designed to isolate you as much as possible from the road and its surroundings. With ultra-powerful engines, silky smooth automatic transmissions, comfy suspension, large tires, soundproofing, leather interiors, multi-zone climate control, 10 speaker audio systems, etc., one does not drive a car as much as one only rides it. And with the high seating position, one truly is on top of the world.

Feedback is key to modify anyone's behavior. And when you become deprived from it...well, one misbehaves.
That is my two yen on the subject.
Comments

Sounds like a pretty good theory. One that also works in the reverse, that since we have such instant feedback, that we've become highly aware and sensitive.

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fernando_g, you should posted done a "I have sinned against you" Jimmy Swaggart-style comment

fernando_g,

I'm not going to toss stones at you from cyberspace. I'm a big believer of not holding the past against anyone that goes about things differently.

I have a few confessions myself. The first three years of my Insight I'd go 65-70mph - the pack speed. About 3-4 times a week somene would blast by me and I'd usually take up the challenge and let them know I was not left behind in the dust. Yes, that probably shortened the life of my recently changed IMA battery pack - no, I'm not going to race again.

Also, I was often in a middle lane on the freeway. Nothing wrong or annoying keeping up in the middle lane, but being on the rightmost lane means less aggressive drivers to get me hissed off. Even with that, occasionally a few drivers would pass on the right shoulder. A Dodge Ram went so far as pass me in the middle of a single-lane exit ramp. With gas over $2 a gallon and being on the road less during rush hour, there is less of this to put up with.

Dallas has more than it's share of Type-As and trucks. Aggressive road behavior is so prevalent it's very hard not to conclude the two go together. Granted, there are flying compacts and motorcycles that get under my skin from time to time. I've commented about the "High and Mighty" reclined posture and connected it with both the SUV/Truck commercials and the cultivation of proud and aggressive types in the Dallas business community. Lots of people around here have "trophy" homes and vehicles - common knowledge around here. I'm simply not into getting things way bigger than my needs to impress others or stroke my ego. I have problems understands those that feel this is a need and feign a utilitarian "need" for say - a Hummer.

I hope everyone has noted this post has been been civil and not in an "attack mode". I'm explaining where I'm coming from.


fernando_g, I thank you for starting this thread and point out how large trucks can desensitize drivers from the rest of the highway. It's also an ideal opportunity to ask the individual that has given me the third degree the past couple of days if he might consider a dialogue on this thread. This is the kind of response I'd prefered to make - for very obvious reasons his posts were not conducive to that. Just in case he elects to express himself differently...

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

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"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated

Give it a rest. Go back read my first post and tell me where I attacked you? I disagreed with you it was that simple.

I have been asked not "bicker" with you, but since you invited me into this conversation here is my opinion. I don't find I drive any differently when driving a truck then any of the other vehicles I have owned. But that's me. In fact I find I probably have a little bit of lighter foot in my truck because of the handling and traction differences. I will be the first to admit that I take advantage of the horsepower my vehicles provide. I accelerate to speeds quickly and I and tend to drive 5-10 pmh over the speed limit. What I don't do is tailgate, run red lights, or endanger other people because I may be in a hurry. I haven't had an accident or ticket in over 20 years, which I think speaks for itself.

By the way I still take serious issues with statement like this?

I don't quite understand where you believe you have the ability to determine what size home fits a persons needs? Why shouldn't people be allowed to enjoy the things in life they have worked hard for. If that mean I want to purchase a Hummer, or Dodge Viper, or Prius I should be able to do that. There is no ego involved in making these purchases. It is simple enjoying the fruits of you hard labors. I have busted my butt to get to where I am today and I should be able to enjoy that hard work as I see fit, without some self-righteous person passing judgement on me.

Chilly if the world was a perfect place with unlimited resources I'd be the first to be on your side. I'm not big on other people telling me what to do.

I think you will find that many of this site's members believe that we are running out of resources. I think it is safe to say most of us believe that we will see Peak Oil by within a couple generations. Many believe it will happen even sooner. How much oil a person believes the world has makes up a huge part of his or her paradigm.

For example: What is a glass of water worth to you? My water bill is a lousy $20 a month. If someone spilled a glass of water at my house I wouldn't give the water a second thought. I'm guessing a glass of water does not mean much to you either. But what if you were in a desert and need a glass of water to survive? What if you have not had a drink in 2 days and someone spilled out a glass of water right in front of you? What if you saw that glass of water as your last hope?

Some of our members believe our oil situation is getting to be more and more like the glass of water in the desert.

Very well said, "LakeDude"

04' # 5, W/leather & JBL omitted.
"Prius, Just ask the person that drives one"
04' Tundra, 18mpg city & 22mpg hwy.
04' Prius, 60mpg city & 53mpg hwy.

Kenstyle NHW20 AERO Kit

The funny thing about this is I agree with everything you said. I believe we need to reduce oil consuption in this country. I believe that the world, not just the US needs to really consider alternative. I am a HUGE supporter of bio-diesel and really would like to see that technology succeed.

the only thing I don't agree with is forcing my beliefs on other people or looking down upon them because the don't go out of their way to practice conservation. This doesn't make them ego maniacs, evil doers, or all around bad people. I think it is unfair to judge them in this manner. How many people do you work with and interact with in a single day? Do all of them drive gas saving vehicles or practice conservation? I would be willing to bet the answer is no, but yet I would also guess that you don't consider the majority of them to have huge ego's?

As usual some people try to look at a situation in black and white terms when 99% of all situations are far from it. If you're not living in a recycled cardboard box, completely solar with your own well and riding a bike everywhere, you're living in an 8000 sq ft home with three H2s and an oil-gusher in your backyard that drains into the fresh-water supply. Come on, give such extremes a rest.

It probably wouldn't take too much education in psych to find out that someone with the "trophy" house and "trophy" car shouldn't care what someone else thinks about them. Especially someone they don't even know. If they do care that much it probably smacks of a much greater insecurity, which in many cases was a likely cause for such *unnecessary* purchases in the first place. delta_flyer has made repeated delineations between owning/purchasing/using something because of need vs. owning/purchasing/using something for no good reason at all, which would probably be the definition of owning it to inflate ones' ego. Something I'm sure everyone does from time to time. One would hope such indulgences err on the less-destructive side, but such isn't always the case.

It would be nice if obese people would eat less fatty fast-food, since it ultimately raises my health insurance. The same can be said for cigarette-smokers. The H2 driver uses more of our oil supply, which ultimately drives up gas prices for *everyone.* So merely saying "I can spend it however I want," while true, ultimately impacts everyone. Nothing is without cost. My personal goal within that situation is to try to cost as little as I can.

By the way, "I should be able to enjoy that hard work as I see fit, without some self-righteous person passing judgement on me" doesn't sound very non-judgmental. Ironic considering the point you were trying to make. So if everyone is going to be judgmental no matter what side of an argument they fall on, hopefully I'll be on the less-selfish "waaaaahhh-I-want-my-toys-and-I-don't-care-what-it-costs-me-or-anyone-else" side. ;-)

I want to again thank fernando_g for starting this thread.

While trying to be tactful, it still seems like there is this desire to be offended no matter how I qualify my posts. I've said there are rude motorcycle and compact car drivers - not all SUV/truck drivers are just commuters or jerks. Expecting me to completely agree with you seems to be what you want out of me - is that realistic?

Earlier in this thread I tried to explain my freeway experiences with agressive power truck drivers. Once they do the deed, the more accurate word is observation - not judgement. While my remarks about the one-hand lean is ridicule - it's also a safety issue.

I was a bit overboard on the troll calling, but we actually had a bona fide troller last week with an established history of harassing hybrid sites in recent years. This is not the area you expected me to say I may have been judgemental, but I believe on that count I was in error.

The flip side of being "judgemental" is to have no values. No values - no convictions. Depending on your point of view, you can call the action on Iraq judgmental or principaled (I supported it, BTW). Many of the members here are concerned with the supply of energy and environment, and yes it shapes attitudes. No, I don't feel self-rightous or special in any way.

To reinterate my first post on this thread, Dallas has more than the usual driving professionals with the mind set - I work hard so....

• I am allowed to be pushy
• quick-tempered
• yes, judgemental
• have a my-way-or-the-highway attitude
• carry that attitude on the freeway and bounce people around in supersized vehicles

This is an experience - not something imagined with a rush to judgement.

What I'm perplexed is you don't drive an Escalade and your not one of the power truck drivers that blast in the right median or would pass me in a single exit lane, yet you fight their fight. It's easy enough to take offence at things actually directed at you - reacting to stuff directed at others is not likely to bring happiness. Yes - the past two days you say you are not fighting, attacxking, etc. - whatever you characterize those posts I'd not want to see what rises to your definition of such....

I'm not really optimistic, but over time hope you will realize you were not the target of those remarks I made....

I've little more to add.

61.5mpg lifetime - 82mpg in recent months

Best Run >
www.cleanmpg.com

"fanatic" is what the lazy call the dedicated