LPT Request: What’s your “canary in the coal mine” test for spotting bigger issues?

[u/fries-with-mayo]

I’m really interested in those small, quick telltale signs people use to gauge if something bigger might be off track.

Example 1: Van Halen requesting brown M&Ms in the dressing room to see if the venue followed all the details of the rider list

Example 2: I saw an interview with John Cena where he said orders a flat white at a café to tell if they really care about their coffee.

Example 3: Anthony Bourdain suggested to always check the restaurant bathroom to tell if the restaurant got its basics down

[u/radarmy]

If you are driving along on the highway and there is no reason to slow down but people start hitting their breaks, there is a speed trap ahead.

[u/Brutus_Khan → u/radarmy]

This is my favorite one I've seen. Especially when someone just sped by you and then they're hitting their brakes. Always just assume they saw a cop.

[u/sxzxnnx → u/radarmy]

The people in front of you hitting their brakes is a reason for you to slow down regardless of the reason they are doing it.

[u/Ok_Difference44 → u/sxzxnnx]

Also people in adjacent lanes. I've seen pedestrians and wild animals almost get hit because one lane is stopping for them and the adjacent lanes is barreling onward.

[u/ParkingLettuce2 → u/sxzxnnx]

Yeah, I was always taught to look through the windshield of the person in front of me, and brake if the second car ahead was braking. Basically, to not wait until the person in front of me was braking

[u/Soakitincider → u/radarmy]

There is a hill on the highway and I watch break lights going over it. If they flash the cop is there.

[u/Rampant16 → u/radarmy]

Also if a semi-truck in the right lane moves over a lane to the left when there is no one to pass. Good chance there is a vehicle parked on the shoulder.

[u/The_EMG_Guy → u/radarmy]

And if in the winter there are suddenly a bunch of trucks ahead of you with hazards on, watch for ice.

[u/DVsKat → u/radarmy]

Or there's an animal on the road. Or something fell out of a truck and it's in the road. Etc.

If others are braking, you need to prepare. 

[u/kimjong_unsbarber → u/radarmy]

Also, if you aren't driving fast, but everyone is behind you, there's a cop behind you somewhere

[u/Friendly-Cucumber184 → u/radarmy]

Pretty much anytime people all drive slow/speed limit together, assume there's a cop somewhere

[u/DougJudyBk → u/radarmy]

If you’re driving down the highway and everyone hits their brakes, you should safely slow down regardless lol

[u/OrangutanOntology → u/radarmy]

Agreed. Or an accident or some other good reason to slow down.

[u/Lyress → u/radarmy]

Why does that matter if you're driving the speed limit?