Drivers Slowing Down

[exokomp]

I've definitely noticed more and more drivers going slower on the roads since the fuel prices have gone through the roof. Good for them but for God's sake, stay out of the left lanes! I'm admittedly a lead foot and should probably be slowing down too but the left lane needs to be kept clear for the occasional burst of speed.

I predict a lot of road rage this summer.

 

[techno]

I agree with you to a certain extent here, but it pisses me off even more when drivers think that the speed limit doesnt apply to the left lane. The roads are just that, roads, for access and commuting. If you want to drive like Fangio, then go to a race track...

 

[exokomp]

I agree with you. I'm not looking to speed like a maniac but when you have someone in the left lane going 35 or 40 in a 55 zone it drives me nuts. I'm seeing it more and more lately... presumably to save gas.

 

[techno]

I was watching COPS the other day and the officer pulled a car over for doing about 95 in a 55 zone. The drivers excuse was, he was running out of gas and needed to get to a station asap! The cop dutifully pointed out the error of his ways!

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Traffic Flow

I agree with you to a certain extent here, but it pisses me off even more when drivers think that the speed limit doesnt apply to the left lane. The roads are just that, roads, for access and commuting. If you want to drive like Fangio, then go to a race track...

I know the laws vary from state to state, but the left lane is not the "fast lane" - but rather is the overtaking lane or passing lane. This rule applies regardless of the speed limit......but unfortunately is largely unenforced.

In PA, the signs say "Keep Right - Pass Left" and here in VA, the signs are posted with "Slower Traffic Keep Right" on almost every major highway.

Traffic flows best when people exercise proper lane discipline. Sure, it is not good to be "speeding" and some people will never exceed the posted limit - even though most of our speed limits are deliberately set 15 to 20 mph below the maximum safe velocity.

If you are going 65 (the limit in most places) in the left-hand lane, the guy behind you will be pushing 63 or 64 mph, the guy behind him may be doing 61 or 62, etc., etc., etc. By the time you get back a bit, traffic is prime for road rage as everyone is crawling along at 45 or 50. Spend any amount of time on I-95 in VA, and you'll know what I mean! Two or three inattentive and inconsiderate drivers can cause a traffic jam in just a few minutes.


One negative effect of "left lane bandits" is the number of people who end up having to pass on the right - something that is extremely dangerous (especially to truckers) and used to be illegal in most states. Aside from that, there is the increased stress level and "road rage" and tailgating brought on by such behavior. Nothing is worse than some dolt holding up traffic and forcing everyone to bob and weave around him!
:bash:

It is hard to articulate what I mean, but I would rather have cars spread apart doing 70 or 75 than all "bunched up" together going 55 or 60. Fuel is getting more and more costly, but I still think most Americans are voting with their right feet and are not slowing down at all - at least on the highways. To most people, time still means more than a few miles per gallon; although that may change if unleaded crosses the $4 per gallon mark.

I drive large trucks for a living and diesel has been over four bucks for quite awhile now. Since most truckers are paid by the mile or by the load - rather than by the hour, slowing down amounts to a de facto pay cut. Fewer miles = fewer dollars. Also, the hours we can drive remain unchanged and losing "time" for us means losing money.

Okay, sorry for going off topic. In a nutshell, I have but two simple ideas for making your drive (and everyone else's drive) safer and more efficient:

1. Keep out of the left lane unless you are passing other vehicles.

2. Always, always, always use your directional signal - when turning or just changing lanes. We truckers are not clairvoyant and may not be able to read your mind if you are planning to move into the same lane we just might need.
:biggrin2:

~~ END OF RANT ~~

 

[techno]

Re: Traffic Flow

2. Always, always, always use your directional signal - when turning or just changing lanes. We truckers are not clairvoyant and may not be able to read your mind if you are planning to move into the same lane we just might need.
:biggrin2:

I could not agree more! It drives me crazy (pun intended!) when people are too lazy and inconsiderate to use a turn signal. In Australia virtually everyone uses their signals all the time, but I've noticed that an alarming number of Americans dont. It amazed me when I first moved here the differences in road behaviour between the two countries.

 

[broke down]

ya know... a "quick" flash of your 100 watt, bumper mounted fog lights usually gets them to move over! Or, you can put your driver's side tires to the left of the little white line, that works amazingly well...