This is a list of things which everyone can do while driving to have a dramatic impact on traffic. Mostly they’re the same things people are taught in driver’s ed class. They can have a very real and demonstrable impact on traffic conditions, particularly on the massive expressways, parkways, and turnpikes of large cities.
You know you’re the best driver on the road; just like me and everyone else. In a way driving defensively means you assume everyone else is a little slower to react, a little more distracted (like the young lady above), perhaps even a little stupider. Since you can’t control how smart or quick someone else is, all you can do is be as responsible as you can for your own piece of road. It’s more of a philosophy than a single skill. The goal is to keep the flow of traffic smooth by not giving the other drivers anything to react to, and giving yourself ample time to react to anything else.
Cruise control is one of those things that works best when everyone uses it. If the person in front of you is having a hard time maintaining a steady speed then it’s going to be impossible for you to keep a reasonable distance and a constant speed if you can’t go around him. Same for the guy behind you and the guy behind him.
Because you’re not having to use your foot to maintain speed you’re better prepared to react by braking should the need arise. Just don’t let not having to work as hard cause your mind to wander.
So you’re going down the highway and there’s construction ahead—two lanes go down to one. Two things cause the congestion at the merge; drivers in the through lane fighting to not let anyone in, and driver in the blocked lane trying to race to the front of the line. It’s a vicious cycle; drivers cheat often times because they can’t find a gap in the through lane cars. Drivers in the through lane often close the gap to keep cheaters from getting in.
There’s no way to really prevent some measure of congestion when the same number of cars try to fit onto less road, but drivers can minimize congestion by moving over into the through lane early then leaving enough space ahead of them for other drivers to merge as well.
This is one instance where the way you’re driving can have an effect on traffic far ahead of you.
A reasonable distance between you and car ahead depends a lot on how fast you’re going. Some drivers are taught to keep a car length for every 10 miles per hour. More common these days is the ‘two second rule’ which states you should keep two seconds between you and the car in front of you. Pick a spot on the road, a signpost or other marker. Two seconds should elapse between the time the leading car passes the mark and the time you do. As your speed increases so does the distance which can be covered in two seconds. At 60 MPH (96.5 KPH) this is 176 feet (53.6 m).
Reaction time isn’t worth a damn if you aren’t capable of reacting. Aside from intoxication or distraction, a major driving impairment is fatigue or boredom. Even if you aren’t sleepy or tired your mind can still drift away from the act of driving. Try not to look at any one thing for more than two seconds. Alternate between focusing on the road ahead and other things important to driving such as the speedometer, the gauges or the rear view mirrors. When you look away from the road don’t look at anything for any longer than it takes to actually get the information before looking back up the road… two seconds at the most.
If all you focus on is the car in front of you then you will only have however long it takes to drive the distance between you if something happens. By paying attention to what’s going on as far down the road as you can see you give yourself a better chance of seeing and reacting to whatever the car in front of you will be having to react to. Try to predict what the cars in front you will have to do… will the guy in the tricked out Nissan slow down or will he pass the old lady in LTD on the shoulder? Plan ahead what you would do if something goes wrong based on what you see down the road.
Remember we’re trying to keep the flow moving slowly. If you do have to change lanes you want to do it without causing other drivers to have to react quickly to your lane change. If you’ve ever wondered what those mirrors on the sides of your car are for, they’re for looking to see if there’s anything in the way. Mirrors are great, but I’ve never seen a car that didn’t have massive blind spots on both sides behind the driver that the mirror can’t see. Giving a quick glance over the shoulder will let you know if you can change lanes without running someone else off the road.
If you’re the type of driver that does the posted speed limit, no matter what the ‘real’ speed limit is then the thing you can do stay in the right lane. And by ‘right’ lane I mean correct. In America it’s to the right, and this time by ‘right’ I mean ‘not the left’. By doing this you minimize the disruption to the flow caused by faster cars having to merge into other lanes to go around you. This helps keep the over-all flow of traffic smooth.
If some asshat comes up behind you flashing his lights and following so close that you can see the clenched white knuckles on the steering wheel just merge to the right if you can and let him go. He’s a disruption to the flow of traffic as well as a jerk. He likely will leave waves of congestion in his wake, but the further he is from you, the less dramatic his effect will be.
To paraphrase the late great George Carlin, “ever notice how everyone driving faster than you is a maniac and everyone driving slower is an idiot?” The real speed limit is defined by the car in front of you. The best way to keep traffic flowing is to flow with it. If everyone on the road is doing a nice smooth 70 mph the one guy doing 55 is going to disrupt that flow in at least two lanes; the lane he’s in and the lane(s) the drivers behind him have to merge into to go around him.
By the same token the Cannonball Run wannabe doing 20 mph faster than everyone else will have to weave in and out of traffic to maintain that speed. Not only is he not likely to make up much time but he’s going to cause drivers all around him to react as he changes lanes. I realize that I am endorsing going faster than the posted speed limit just because everyone else is driving that fast, but it really can contribute to safety.
It’s been proven that tailgating is the main cause of the ‘phantom’ traffic jam. You know the kind where all five lanes of road choke to a crawl for miles, and then about the time you expect to be passing a bloody 18 car pile-up all the cars ahead of you just evaporate without cause. Chances are really good it was caused by tailgating ahead of you. The concept is so simple it can be demonstrated with as few as three cars, all following close to each other. If the car in front taps on its brakes just for an instant, the second car has to brake harder to avoid a collision. The third car has to over-brake even more, practically coming to a stop. A few seconds later the tailing cars return to their previous speed like nothing happened. Now imagine that same scene multiplied 10,000 times.
Phantom traffic jams travel against the flow of traffic in massive waves which can be observed from the air, or if the road conditions are right they can be seen moving toward you. Distance equals reaction time. If everyone kept enough distance to give them enough reaction time the cars in the back wouldn’t have to jam the brake pedal to the floor. Space between the cars breaks up the wave, essentially robbing it of its energy.
Keeping some distance also gives you a better view of what’s going on ahead of the car in front of you. You have a better chance of seeing what it is the car in front of you will have to react to if your windshield isn’t filled by the tail end of the car ahead.
You are = you’re, as in, you’re an idiot.
Your, as in your ass is dumb. As in you used it wrong again in your previous post.
@bucslim (61): You(‘re) being to hard on yur’eself dude.
Too, to, two?
bucslim:
You have eloquently covered everything I feel about the road, to the nth degree. We are 100% in agreement.
I just got my copy of “Duel” from eBay. I trust you remember “Duel.” If you, like I, haven’t seen it since childhood, I suggest you get it. It’s still every bit as good as it was then.
I just got my driver’s license, and it’s true that most of this stuff is in the drivers class they teach here.
I live in Argentina, and it is known that we drive like *****s here. I was really scared when I first drove on the street.
I think the going with the traffic speed is really important. The first time I was out, I was going really slow, (never over 40 kph). It was actually more dangerous and scarier. When I finally started going faster, the driving got easier.
To everyone who finds this list boring – not all lists can be “Top 10 penis tattoos” or “Yet another 10 ways medieval people tortured each other”.
This is a great list.
Everyone who drives has a driving pet peeve. If the majority of people followed even some of these tips (at least tips #10, 7, 6, 5, & 1), there would be fewer driving pet peeves in the world.
I only ask, my fellow drivers, a few simple things. Be aware of your surrounding, pay attention at all times, and don’t be a selfish driver.
Drive safe.
@Randall (64): Better. Stephen Spielberg before he thought he was all of that and then some. And Dennis Weaver to boot!
@Randall (64): Wow, I haven’t seen that in a very long time. McCloud FTW!
As for the agreement, well you’d better hop on over to the album cover list for another little gem. I think you’ll find yourself shaking your head in disgust.
I thought it was a good list. Useful, if not the most entertaining.
I have a rather long commute and am on the highway for 20 miles. If I go 60 mph it takes 20 minutes. If I go 80 mph it takes me 15 minutes. I love to drive and when I can I love to drive fast. However that being said, I am not going to go 80 mph to save me 5 minutes. That’s ridiculous.
This is a great list. If more people would not only drive defensively but understand how using shared goals can lead to success for everybody, we wouldn’t have such problems with driving.
Two things: 1) Technically, that jerk who races up the lane that’s about to close and then merges at the front leads to more efficient merging. It sucks, and you know that guy’s just being selfish, but studies have shown (look them up yourself – I can’t be bothered) that it’s better than everybody merging early. 2) Looking as far ahead as possible isn’t really the best thing to do. The distance you want to look ahead varies depending on conditions and speed.
Great list!
Bucslim I agreee about the old people. I was in an accident when a man turned left directly in front of me. I was going 40 mph and couldn’t stop. I was reading his info to my insurance company over the phone. He was born May 20, 1916. Yes. 19-*****ing-16. That was World War 1. I can’t make up ***** like that if I tried.
great stuff
@bucslim (68):
Pick it up. Great little movie. It’s one of those where you think, “jeez, I liked this when I was a kid, but I wonder if it really is that good…” and then you’re pleasantly surprised when you see it… it IS that good.
I’ll check the thread… I was there earlier, though.
@mom424 (67):
Exactly. I hate Steven Spielberg, but back then he was on his game, and wasn’t, as you say, so full of himself. And Dennis Weaver did a great job.
I do have to add a warning about cruise control. Especially for all the new drivers on here. Do NOT use cruise control during rainy, icy, snowy weather. You could hit an ice patch or a very slick spot, what happens then is your car speeds up and once it hits dry pavement your car takes off like a slingshot and you can wreck. I had a friend that did just that. So only use your cruise control on dry days!
@Vera Lynn (72): Here after age 70 if you’re involved in more than one accident in a 12 month period you must re-test for your driver’s license. And after age 80, yearly.
That said, I fail to see how the little old lady that can’t see over the dash, or is peering between the dash and the top curve of the steering wheel, ever passes the test.
OooOOOOooOOOHHH… very helpful for learning drivers such as I? THANKS! =]
Nice topic to come to lite, where I live you have to renew your license every 5 years ( theory ) only.
Its a money making racket for the govement, most of the ‘inspectors’ that test you are corrupt if you have a couple of bucks in your back pocket you dont have a problem.
This goes for drivers – ID – and any other papers you need.
bucslim enjoyed your comments today thanks pal.
Pull to the right (left in the UK, New Zealand, Japan etc.) when an emergency vehicle is being you. Not slam on your brakes, swerve, panic, crap yourself.
Twenty years as an emergency worker and I still get annoyed at how stupid drivers are when there is a ambulance or cop car behind them.
This was not a dull list whatsoever. It’s good to see a very different list once in a while, as well as one that can be useful.
I have a phobia about driving. So as a compensation, I drive offensively. It gives me courage. I’m kinda like Iago on the road.
I’m from Houston, TX and we drive really, really fast all the time. (This includes the freeway and the collector streets.) If you are ever driving in this city, try and keep up, or a finger will definitely be shot in your direction. Also, you WILL get a ticket in Texas for driving in the left lane as is it is for passing (faster) traffic only.
Damien – I’ve spent hours driving through Midtown Manhattan traffic with a stick shift, and holy jeez am I a great driver for it.
mom424(77)Oh it was ridiculous!! When we got to court, he was wizened and so bent over. He couldnt even hear the judge. My car was totalled and he got away with a $75 fine. His insurance had to replace my car, but the cd in my radio was ruined, etc. It was more than my car that I had to throw away. 1916. Even I dont believe it and I was there.
HAHAHAHA, Oh man bucslim…every single one of those comment made me laugh. I’m surprised you didn’t touch on the dumb asses to think a yield sign means stop and cause traffic to build up for blocks because once one person stops EVERYONE has to *****ing stop behind them.
Tip to new drivers: DONT *****ING STOP ON YIELD SIGNS. YIELD ON YIELD SIGNS. If you don’t know what that means I suggest purchasing a dictionary >_>
I can’t believe SallySweet (51) has been the only one to mention turn signals. People forget that they need to use a signal to indicate that they are going into a turn lane and then finally turn on the signal a second before they actually turn.
That and not keeping right except to pass. My pet peeves.
So glad I work and drive at night. Mostly. I do have to contend with the five AM crowd on my way home but it’s pretty sparse.
Also, when the drive through at Tims reaches the road, just go without Tims today. Nobody likes the morning traffic jams in front of those places, do NOT be that guy.
@flamehorse (82): I’m the same way. People may think I’m crazy, but they can all suck it.
When my father was teaching me how to drive he would yell at me if I was going below the speed limit, and that includes one mile below the speed limit.
@36 Kennypo- I’m from Pittsburgh too….the Squirrel Hill tunnel IS THE WORST! The signs clearly state “MAINTAIN SPEED THROUGH TUNNEL”. WTF? I don’t get it, and it drives me completely insane, as soon as you’re out of the tunnel the traffic is totally gone. You would think living in a city like ours where there are soooo many tunnels, people would be used to driving the normal speed through them. It’s also horrible when there is a little fender bender IN the tunnel, but instead of driving out of the tunnel and pulling off to the side, the people involved in said fender bender decide to sit in the middle of the tunnel, backing traffic up for miles and miles until Mr. Policeman comes and clears it up…ugh so frustrating. Another thing…the whole driving slow in the left lane is my biggest pet peeve. Get the hell out of the way!! That’s what the right lane is for!! Ok I’m done
Good list, maughloque. These are common things everyone ought to be doing on a daily basis. But I think too many people think that they are better drivers than they are, and that these rules do not apply to them. Especially teenagers.
As far as the cruise control, be sure to NEVER use it when the roads are wet or icy. You will not be able to control your car if a problem arises.
@renegade01 (86):
A yield traffic sign indicates that a vehicle driver must slow down and prepare to STOP if necessary — usually while merging into traffic on another road — but needn’t stop if the way is clear.
Sorry man, call me an old lady driver if you must, but if I’m coming up to Rt. 80 up the ramp and there’s a line of traffic barreling down the slow lane that I’m going to attempt to merge into, yeah I’m going to *****ing STOP until the way is clear. I’ve seen too many people ignore the yield and the next thing they see/hear is a Peterbilt Semi about to administer an auto enema.
People are getting *****ed behind me? Screw you pal…
Parents of new drivers: Buy two running piece of ***** cars for about $100 a piece. Find an abandoned parking lot. Drive your car in reverse into their car at about 15 MPH. Have them do the same to yours. Then run your car into theirs at 25 MPH. Then have them do the same. (by all means wear your seatbelts). Keep doing it at 5MPH intervals until your kid understands what impact means.
A excellent list albeit somewhat dry! But a must read non the less!
Some additional tips :
AIM HIGH IN STEERING: lOOK12 seconds ahead to see what is going on up there. Leaves you better prepared to make choices.This will leave you able to choose the safest path.
Take in the big picture: Take in the full block ahead. From bumper to up a block and curb to curb. Even watch what the pedestrians are up to as the are very unpredictable.
Keep your eyes moving: Take it all in. Use the mirrors every 5 secs ALL MIRRORS. Your peripheral vision will develop and you will be more aware of whats going on around you!
Leave a out: Never get to close to the vehicle ahead of you.(I belive in the 4 second rule but hey) If your to close you cannot A)get out if the vehicle ahead of you stalls B) if your rear ended you will be plowed into the vehicle ahead of you creating a second collision and more damage to your vehicle. General rule in stop and go traffic is “can you see the rear wheels of the vehicle ahead of you
Make sure your seen: Make eye contact.Toot the horn (dont blast it)Use signals.And vehicle position. Let the cyclist know your there. Make the person getting out of the parkeed car know your coming. Toot the horn and give a little wave. The wave prevents some of the rage they may direct at you but even if they get mad who cares…..you may have prevented them from getting splattered!
Final tip for all you dodge and weavers speeding to get there: As you dodge and weave, make a note of a car ahead of you. As you dodge and weave keep a mark on them. When you get to the next set of lights where are they. Now at the next set of lights where are they now? Again next set where are they. Funny how they are always near you despite all your dodging and weaving isn’t it. You have actually gained nothing on them did you!
FACT: did you know that a 2 sec glance at you cell phone or any other in car distraction ant 30 kph you travel 80 feet! The distance of 2 north american buses?
So relaxe during rush hour, have a smoke a pop and crank up the tunes. use it to de-stress that way you dont bring you work home with you!
Lots of room for argument and rankings here. But I’d like to put in a big personal vote for #5. I learned it early and remember it often. Too many drivers don’t bother to look past the car or two ahead of them. I am very rarely surprised by lane closures, accidents, roadside workers, etc. because I acquired this habit long ago.
I am seeing that most people think that the aged in our communities should not drive. I totally concur, however I do have a theory about this, basically all old people are in hyperdrive, here let me explain.
If you’re five years old a year is a fifth of your whole life, which is why it seems to go on and on for an eternity, remember those days when a year actually felt like a year? But if you’re 45 a year is a 45th of your life, which is why it passes quickly and everyday is almost too small to count. When you’re 45; time passes quite literally nine times faster than when you’re five.
When you’re 75 time is hurtling by at such a rate that driving your small car is like plunging through a tear in the space-time continuum. The throttle pedal is a hyperspace button. This is why old people drive so slowly; because 12mph to a pensioner is like 2,000mph to a teenager.
When you sit behind old people at a roundabout or intersection wondering why on earth they won’t pull out, it’s because the approaching lorry that, to you, is moving at 14mph is coming at them like the Starship Enterprise on combat power.
Other than that GET OUT OF MY WAY, the fast lane is mine all mine, I reserve the right to launch weapons at you if you sit in that lane and dont let me past.
I hate how people drive here in L.A I wish they would read this and do what it says. People are stupid. They should make cars that don’t allow you to drive past a certain speed and force you to go 65mph.
Agree with all except #9. Cruise control lulls people into a false sense of well-being… next thing you know, they’re rummaging thru their purse or glancing at the paper or nodding off. Nothing keeps you alert and focused like a constant need to be aware of your speed and the speed of those around you. Take your foot off the pedal, and you’ve taken your mind off the road. Guaranteed, cruise control drivers will react much more slowly when there’s an immediate need to brake. Hell, it’s like arm-chair driving. They have to put down the chips ‘n dip first.
@Blue (96): Other than that GET OUT OF MY WAY, the fast lane is mine all mine, I reserve the right to launch weapons at you if you sit in that lane and dont let me past.
I agree! I would like to get my hands on some photon torpedos for those going slow in the fast lane. You don’t belong there so move over. Especially when you see someone right behind your slow a$$!
“Duel” is a great movie… I wonder why it never got the MST3K treatment, however…
The two second rule has actually been changed to three seconds, i took a test on it today(:
@crispin (100):
Why *would* it? Did you not get the premise behind MST3K? They mock BAD movies.
“Duel” is so bad that its good. One of those movies. I was being a bit facetious.
And I have personally watched over half of all MST3K episodes, so yes, I “get” MST3K.
@crispin (103):
Well, ‘scuze me. I think general consensus is and has been for a long time that “Duel” is NOT bad, not even “so bad it’s good.”
I’m no fan of Spielberg, but one has to admit he knew his way with a camera. I hate his smug ass, actually, but he’s by no means freakin’ Ed Wood.
And “Duel” was written by the top-notch Richard Matheson.
So I’m curious as to what you found “bad” about it. No, it ain’t “Hiroshima Mon Amour” but it’s not “Plan Nine from Outer Space” either.
I hit a cat on my way to work yesterday. *sigh. Its safe he didn’t read rule #8 very carefully.
@crispin (104):
“And I have personally watched over half of all MST3K episodes, so yes, I “get” MST3K.”
I don’t think you do.
Um, yes I do get MST3K. I don’t really feel like arguing that point. How the hell would you know? I think “Duel’s” pacing and the fact that he’s being chased by a deranged truck driver is good fodder for MST3K, despite the fact that I enjoy the movie (mostly because I like campy movies.) If you don’t find “Duel” funny, then we don’t really see eye to eye.
@crispin (108):
Uh, no, I don’t think we do see eye to eye. I think you’re clueless as to what “campy” really is, and I don’t see how the “pacing” would make for “good fodder” for humor. Nor does the subject matter itself.
I didn’t find “Duel” funny—except in spots where it was intentionally so. Tense, yes, suspensful, yes, scary, yes. A tad over the top, of course. But to the point that it’s “funny?” I think your sense of humor is kinda bent, Crispin.
You must be a riot at parties—laughing at all the wrong points in someone’s jokes.
Pinhead.
I guess we’ll agree to disagree. Although I won’t accuse you of being a “pinhead” for not seeing my opinion, oh infallible Randall. Yeah, my sense of humor is a bit wacky, what is so wrong with that?
I find “Duel” campy, and I do understand what that means. That’s my opinion. I don’t really care if you agree or not.
@Randall (105): I think general consensus is and has been for a long time that “Duel” is NOT bad, not even “so bad it’s good.”
One can appreciate it even more so when you consider it was a very low-budget production and in fact was “just” lowly TV-movie.
Like you, I recently watched it for the first time since having seen it when it first aired. A month or so ago it was on some late-night cable channel so I DVR’d it. Brought back great memories of me and my school chums back in the day talking about how cool it was after we’d all watched it. Enjoyed it just as much this time around, although I found myself yelling at the Weaver character to “do this” or “do that”…that dumbass just exacerbated the problem IMO. lol
Well written list. Growing up in Alaska, i can proudly say i can handle just about any driving condition except for when tourists get on the road and seem to just be rendered brain dead by the fact that they’re driving in Alaska. Its like they think that Alaskan roads require you to drive slower and for some reason don’t require turn signals. Just typing this is making my blood boil. I will stop now. Good list.
The idiot state I live in (indiana) has a slower speed limit for trucks than cars in the highway, forcing a natural disparity in truck vs. car speed. Lots of time one truck will pass another slowing the flow considerably. Yet another reason to fly over.
Sheldon
a couple of general rules i always follow:
reduce speed by 5mph for every adverse road condition (snow, rain, dark, etc.) So if the limit is 65 and its dark and rainy – drive closer to 55.
at stop lights, i always make sure i can see the BOTTOM of the rear tires of the car ahead of me. it provides adequate cushion should i get rear-ended.
i also like the “zipper” method for merging
114 Copperdragon: reduce speed by 5mph for every adverse road condition (snow, rain, dark, etc.) So if the limit is 65 and its dark and rainy – drive closer to 55.
This is actually the main cause of accidents, speed really is not a factor per se, the major factor is difference in speeds. So if you are uncomfortable driving at 65mph (which for my day to day transport is about 1/3rd of its capability – R35 Nissan GTR) and I and my cars capability are very comfortable at 65mph in all weather conditions save for the very worst, then your immediate or even gradual slowing down will cause me to come up on you very quickly and it is only my reflexes that will save the day.
All factors must be taken in to consideration and really the only reliable indicator of what is the major accident cause is the cars and its drivers capability. That is, how well trained a person is to drive and how well teh car performs in various weather patterns. A large 4×4 is going to have less risk in adverse conditions so therefore the occupant feels safer in bad weather, hence the reason that 4×4′s cause the worst impacts, it is design and capability and a feeling of surefootedness leading to drivers who are hard of thinking.
Remember it is not the speed that kills it is the sudden deceleration that kills. If there is no cause to decelerate then speed wont be a factor. Most speed limits are in place for a reason, those reasons are, in 99% of cases, out of touch with modern machinery. British stopping distances were written in teh 1960′s and are still in use today, even though my car can safely stop in well under one third of those distances in adverse conditions. Driving regulations have barely changed in half a century, yet the machinery and the design has come on in leaps and bounds.
Most data is skewed by the fact that one car will be travelling faster than another car leading to silly equation that speed is the only factor. This is hyperbole and gets away from the real issues such as bad driving and lack of vehicle education. As an advanced driver (I used to rally) I have a keen sense of awareness around me, however that does not mean I can foresee every idiot on the road who is not as proficient as I am. indeed when i used to own and ride motorcycles every junction was a ptential deathtrap due to peoples situatiional awareness.
Driving is an art form and should be respected as such, unfortunately we allow too many people on the roads who have bad driving habits, including the worst such as being under the influence of drink and drugs. This is the main cause of accidents undue care and attention not speed per se.
@crispin (100): What in the world is MST3K??? WTF?
@copperdragon (114): “at stop lights, i always make sure i can see the BOTTOM of the rear tires of the car ahead of me.”
I do that too whenever I go to Venezuela. It provides enough room to be able to react if some thug decides to rob you while you´re waiting at the light.
Haha! I wish the woman who swerved in front of us yesterday had followed these rules… Anyway- listverse follows my life- today we get reminded how to drive properly (the day after our accident), and yesterday I hear one of my lists made the book (under a different user name I think…)Listverse cheering me up and teaching me, it’s lovely.
@GTT (116): MST3K is Mystery Science Theater 3000. A guy and his robot friends are trapped in a space ship and an evil scientist or fat chick sends them horrible movies – the guy and the robots riff while the movie is playing.
I got started on the DVD’s this year – I think they’re up to about 25 sets of 4 movies and short films (1950′s stuff they’d show you in school). In my opinion, the shorts are friggen brilliant. I think some of the movies are hit and miss.
There’s actually a list devoted to the best episodes on this very website.
I read somewhere way back that they’d done a survey asking people to rate their driving ability. Something like 85% of the respondents rated their ability as “above average”.
@bucslim: I agree with you that all of the shorts are amazing, but the movies are hit or miss. Sometimes its not even their fault, as the movie is just so boring and bad that it’s hard to find a way to make fun of it. My personal favorites are “Manos: The Hands of Fate,” “Eegah” and “Pod People,” which is by far the best out of those three.
I have most of mine on old video cassette tapes that I bought from Rhino way back in the day. There’s at least one brilliant comment in each movie, and that type of humor is simply nonexistent on TV today. I wish ol’ Mike Nelson would come back around and repopulate the Satellite of Love…