In a car with an unsafe driver.

ebykowsky

ebykowsky

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I'm in the back seat of a minivan going to a fishing tournament. I was going to drive myself and my partner, but his parents decided that they'd feel more comfortable coming along and driving. Long story short, the dad is driving while on the phone talking and texting the entire time, swerving over 2 lanes, driving between 10 under and 10 over, not paying attention to other traffic, etc. I am very anxious and fear somewhat for my safety. The mom drove the first leg and was not much better... I find myself constantly checking speed, traffic, obstructions, etc to make myself feel like I have control and to point things out to him if I feel necessary. As I was typing, we ran over a big truck tire tread in the road that he didn't see until too late.
My question: I do not want to endure another 13 hours of this (3 more there, 10 back) but I think it may be my only option--the car is a rental and I would feel weird telling them they're horrible drivers and I should drive. What would you guys do in this situation? ("I would've flown" is not a helpful answer.)
 
The big thing that concerns me is the rental car... I'm 17 by the way so that would be very bad should it happen to hit the fan with me as DIC.
 
You won't get a car rental at 17. Tell them you've got to go to the bathroom real bad. Fake food poisoning, and insist that they keep going. You can get a cab to the next town, and take a bus back, or have someone pick you up.

Use words like 'Chryptosporidium' or 'Salmonella'. Spend a while in a toilet to sell the deal. Don't stay with them. Your instincts are good.
 
I think I may talk to their son (my fishing partner) about taking over. He drives way too fast, but he won't with his parents here, and even driving fast, I feel relatively safe with him driving. (He's 21)--kinda a lesser of 2 evils. The one good thing of all this is that I know understand just who I share the road with on a daily basis.
Oh, and the bus thing is not an option. A TN-PA ticket is impossible and with all my gear it would be really hard to swing. I vow never to let them drive on a trip again.
 
Steal their wallets, hide their licenses, and then ask them "Hey - do you have the new license or the old one?" and wait for them to show you....ooops, its missing!

No worries, Mr. Bykowsky has his license on him, let him drive the rest of the way.

Then, when you get home, plant it somewhere in the car so they find it and go "Wow! We had it all along!"
 
:rolleyes2:

SkyHog said:
Steal their wallets, hide their licenses, and then ask them "Hey - do you have the new license or the old one?" and wait for them to show you....ooops, its missing!

No worries, Mr. Bykowsky has his license on him, let him drive the rest of the way.

Then, when you get home, plant it somewhere in the car so they find it and go "Wow! We had it all along!"
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It's a sticky situation, all right... but me, I'd be sitting back there yelling "Come ON!! You call this DRIVING?!?! And what- now you're TEXTING?!?! REEAALLLYYY?!?!?"

You might be able to find a cheap helmet and a neck brace at the local Goodwill store... and something to use as a blindfold. It's worse when you see it coming.:dunno:

Seriously, whatever potential risk you face taking the wheel, just weigh that against the danger you see in letting these folks drive. Sounds like a no-brainer, assuming you can do a better job than they can (I sure hope so!).
Should be easy enough to talk them into it- just play the whole "eager novice driver" thing to the hilt.
 
rottydaddy said:
It's a sticky situation, all right... but me, I'd be sitting back there yelling "Come ON!! You call this DRIVING?!?! And what- now you're TEXTING?!?! REEAALLLYYY?!?!?"

You might be able to find a cheap helmet and a neck brace at the local Goodwill store... and something to use as a blindfold. It's worse when you see it coming.:dunno:

Seriously, whatever potential risk you face taking the wheel, just weigh that against the danger you see in letting these folks drive. Sounds like a no-brainer, assuming you can do a better job than they can (I sure hope so!).
Should be easy enough to talk them into it- just play the whole "eager novice driver" thing to the hilt.
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I'd love to take over but they're the ones who have to pay should I crash. And we don't know each other from Adam---worst yet, they're both local politicians! :yikes: Maybe this will be like the bus full of lawyers crashing--a benefit to society.
I've also answered my which is easier, flying/ driving question: For some, both are harder. But the hardest for someone who finds both somewhat natural, is backseat driver
 
You still in the car? You should be in a Shell station screaming "RRRRAAAAAAAALLLLLPPHHHHHHHHHH" by now.
 
Call YOUR parents and tell them your situation. You're still a minor and it is their right to know.

Ask their permission to take Greyhound, Amtrak, Southwest, or whatever you need to do to get home safely. Use a cab to get to the station/airport. Or ask your parents or a trusted friend to come get you. Whatever you can do to make it happen.

You've made the judgment that getting in the car with these people is not safe. Do not do it. Bring your parents into the discussion and find an alternative.

Them's some serious ADM.
 
Nah, I ducked and rolled out the sliding door onto the interstate a few miles back. Anyone driving in Western KY who sees me please pick me up. The chainsaw I'm carrying is for fishing; I promise not to use it on you. Anyway, just one more hour now.
 
MAKG1 said:
Call YOUR parents and tell them your situation. You're still a minor and it is their right to know.

Ask their permission to take Greyhound, Amtrak, Southwest, or whatever you need to do to get home safely. Use a cab to get to the station/airport. Or ask your parents or a trusted friend to come get you. Whatever you can do to make it happen.

You've made the judgment that getting in the car with these people is not safe. Do not do it. Bring your parents into the discussion and find an alternative.

Them's some serious ADM.
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The rest of this ride has to go on. The ride back, I will either have them change drivers (me or my friend) or arrange for a different mode of transportation. I'll talk to my parents and see what they say.

Also the dad said he was going to stop at the store to pick up breakfast for tomorrow. I have to get up at 6 and won't get in till 2 (4 hrs of sleep if we don't stop). I told him "No way in hell you can go tomorrow if you want." The level of incompetency and idiocy is unprecedented. You should listen to the local politics scream session this guy is giving to some poor guy on the phone.
 
Being 17, I doubt either "adults" would take kindly to you pointing out that playing with the phone while driving is as bad, if not worse, than them being DUI; or that it may be illegal; or that they are jeapordizing the life of everyone in the car; but that is what you should do. If that doesn't work, leave. Get out. Call 911 and turn them in.
You may lose a friend but it is a damned sight better than losing your life.
 
Can you mention something to your friend and have him talk to them? No need to be a drama queen about the whole situation. Otherwise I'd fake visiting an aunt as an excuse to stay behind and take a bus or something. Either way, I'd suggest you consult your parents for advice, you're their responsibility after all.
 
Granted, you flew instead, but the pilot in command texted, changed altitudes constantly, didn't scan for traffic, and even failed to file a flight plan......

Oops wrong thread. But that sounds like a jacked up situation. I would say that statistically, you're probably okay, as the probability that your friend's parents are going to get in to an accident at the same time you are on board are fairly low. I've been a passenger with crazy drivers before and it's not fun.
 
Attach a treble hook to a leader.

Set the hooks gently in the crotch of his trousers.

Pull the other end of the leader over the seat and loop it over your finger to maintain light pressure

Smile at him and ask politely "We're not going to hurt each other, now, are we?"
 
I say up the ante.

"Wow, this minivan is pretty fast and maneuverable.... Say.... what can it REALLY do?"
 
wabower said:
Attach a treble hook to a leader.

Set the hooks gently in the crotch of his trousers.

Pull the other end of the leader over the seat and loop it over your finger to maintain light pressure

Smile at him and ask politely "We're not going to hurt each other, now, are we?"
Click to expand...

So many good ideas! I'm just split between this one, the one involving stealing ID's and the one where I contract salmonella. :lol:
 
Man up. Tell them that they're driving is dangerous and to let you drive or let you out. Don't let this turn into an " if I had only said or done..."

I would not be concerned with wrecking and who would be on the hook for it. The goal is to survive. Don't wreck. I don't think you will.

Coming up with some excuse is silly. State the facts to them.
Good luck.
 
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Honestly, what would you guys say as adults if a kid you didn't know told you that he thought you were an unsafe driver and he wanted to drive?
 
ebykowsky said:
Honestly, what would you guys say as adults if a kid you didn't know told you that he thought you were an unsafe driver and he wanted to drive?
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Personally I would respect that and let him or her drive.
 
pbramlett said:
Personally I would respect that and let him or her drive.
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Not I, but I would find out what I was doing to make them uncomfortable.

Someone will learn something, be it the new driver or I would depend on the details.
 
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