Bad horsies

Are people who drive Mustangs more likely to be bad drivers? The folks over at lacantdrive.com believe so. (Escalade drivers aren't much better, they say.) The site, which chronicles bad driving habits around L.A., offers this incident as proof:

So I'm following up with my last post with an example of yet another horrible Mustang driver who is clueless as to proper car light operation. Again, I must say that there is something intrinsically wrong with most drivers of Mustangs and Escalades. Odd how that's the case, isn't it? Anyway, don't be fooled by the sky in the photo -- it is not as light as it seems (camera auto exposure effects). Rather, notice how every other car on the road in this photo has its headlights (not driving lights) on. At this point, I'm thinking here's another clueless idiot reinforcing the negative stereotype of bad L.A. driving. As I'm thinking this, ditzoid proceeds to slam on his/her brakes for seemingly no apparent reason. After I hit my brakes to avoid rear-ending this idiot, and about a second before I tap my horn to encourage this driver to keep moving (almost like dangling a carrot in front of a dumb donkey), he/she makes a right turn off of La Brea into a parking lot.

Comments

[John Steven]

I agree with the assessment that Mustang drivers seem to be among the worst. I posted an entry on my own blog called "Dick Magnet" about Mustang drivers. Around here (NM) BMW drivers don't seem to be as bad like they are in LA, for whatever reason. But SUV drivers and huge pickup drivers are also among the worst. Sure, it's the drivers, but I do think there is a connection between the personality and behavior of the driver and what kind of car he or she ends up buying & driving.

[Justin]

The worst driver I've seen recently was some asshole in a turquoise Mustang who was speeding down the left shoulder of the gridlocked 10 East during rush hour a couple week back, with a couple buddies of his. It was hilarious (must have been, because they were cracking up!) when they almost rear-ended a stalled car on the shoulder. Didn't stop them.

I don't think there's a correlation between cars and douchery, but I gotta say the BMW drivers stand out just a shade more on the asshole scale.

[Marcotico]

Between southern Orange County and northern San Diego county I find the most annoying and worst drivers to be people in monster pick-up trucks. They tailgate at 80 mph and their headlights are right at eye level with your rear view mirror. I'm no saint when it comes to tailgating but I'm not pointing 6,000 pounds of machinery at you like a gun. The worst is when they pass you and have "NOTW - Not of This World" stickers. Apparently that is a christian fringe cult that teaches that material wealth is good, because true believers are not of this world so as long as they believe then they can do anything they want. (I'm paraphrasing).

[Robert]

It seems like BMWs attract the worst drivers across all age groups.

From the yuppie suit with teeny rimless glasses in a 7 series, to the high school guy driving Mom's 3 series: Many are jerky drivers. Often you see a bimmer being chased by another car. The bimmer probably pissed off the wrong dude. You can only hope that it doesn't end in escalated violence. Relax dude! I can only hope the insurance companies will look for a pattern of accidents vs car model, and charge accordingly.

[North Coaster]

Well, the general consensus here in Northern California is that BMW drivers are the worst of the lot, although I think most SUV drivers are clueless idiots. I guess driving a car the size of a school bus makes them feel safer from the consequences of their absolute lack of driving skills, common sense or basic manners.

[Scott]

That's an excellent site. I'm so sick and tired of horns, erratic lane changing with no signaling and for no apparent reason, and poorly maintained cars I could scream.

There are plenty of good drivers, but also plenty who make a habit of driving like they're on crack 24/7, and idiots such as this deserve to be called out.

[jaki]

i don't think the habits of drivers belong to their make of car i think it belongs to the drivers

[jaki]

i don't think the habits of drivers belong to their make of car i think it belongs to the drivers

[steven]

dont worry this ignorant douche bag will beep his horn at the wrong person and find out about another side of LA that he really won't like either?

[Jane]

"Why are you even mentioning that punk's website?

Who really cares?" Radical Raul

Because the editor is friends with him. That's the only reason the LA Times mentions anyone sort of local...oh if you get killed they'll mention you in the homicide blog.

Jane

[jane]

From my experience walking and riding a bike Prius drivers are the worst drivers, at least in regards to almost hitting pedestrians. I think it's the self righteousness within them that makes them think they are above traffic laws.

Jane

[Radical Raul]

I've had several Mustangs, even a very clean and potent 84 SVO, but that has nothing to do with this punk's website and his arrogant condenscending rational. To imply one is a bad driver because their car is not immaculate is pure class driven bigotry. I've also owned Mopars, Chevy's, even a couple of Fiats; now I drive a 4 cylinder pick up.

[don Hosek]

To me, one of the biggest driving sins is honking your horn unless doing so will prevent an accident. Maybe Mr lacantdrive ought to move back to New York.

[greg kay]

this sort of stuff - gossipy heresay and generalization - belongs in the nether reaches of the web, not linked to the L.A. times.

[russell]

Everyone knows that Mercedes drivers are the worst drivers. Their sense of entitlement permeates their every move.

[Jason]

How do you know it was him that took the pictures while driving? Could he have had a passenger in the car to help?

Open up your mind to a more broad vision before you bash someone.

[WagonMonster]

Radical Raul must drive a Mustang

[colin]

i agree with raul. while i hate mustangs and LA has a lot of them for some reason...i looked around that guy's site and it was pretty bogus. not only is he breaking his own rules by taking pictures while driving (pot, meet the kettle) but it loses context when he rants and raves about something that we've all come to expect. It's like going to new york and complaining about how the subway is loud...and then making a blog about it.

[Jason]

Radical Rual,

Why? Cause some people do care, unlike you.

[Radical Raul]

Why are you even mentioning that punk's website?

Who really cares?