Slow Moving Hybrids Clogging Car Pool Lanes . . .
#16
Lead Lap
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Most hybrid owners around he drive fairly slow and tend to clog up the left lane at 60mph and when I make the move to pass on the right then they decide to get over. I don't give them the chance anymore. If I'm going 65 and you are going <65 in the left lane, I'm going to accelerate to 70 and pass. I'm tired of sitting behind people for a long time while they put put along.
#17
Thinking about it, I probably cruise slower when behind the wheel of a hybrid, but I do accelerate faster. The 400h is just so much fun to jam on the gas and do a brief 4 wheel burn out in.
#20
Lexus Test Driver
The hybrid drivers I see here on LA freeways are all speeders, not slow-pokes. Zip Zip with the small cars. It's usually the bigger cars lagging in the fast lanes.
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Mixed bag here. Many of the hybrid-owners with yellow stickers (allowing solo drivers to use car pool lane) bought the hybrid only to use the lane and they tend to drive fast.
#24
Cycle Savant
iTrader: (5)
In years to come, such privileges may be transferred from increasingly common hybrids to the newer class of plug-in vehicles, which run some of their miles using grid power rather than any gasoline at all. Examples are the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, and the 2012 Nissan Leaf.
Hope that electric cars don't run out of juice and stall in the middle of the carpool lanes.
#26
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
I guess it all depends on where you live. I would estimate that a little more than half the Prius Drivers here in my state that I encounter drive slower than the flow of traffic. Now, I'm not saying they are going below the speed limit or even just at the speed limit. Just slower than the actual flow of traffic. While technically against the traffic laws, it is my opinion that traffic should flow at the speed it naturally flows, and if you are traveling slower than that you should start in the right lane even if you are traveling the speed limit. Speed limits are too slow most of the time IMHO.
Also, Hybrid solo drivers should NOT be allowed in HOV lanes. I don't mind them getting the free metered parking in the city, but High Occupancy Vehicle lanes should be for people with more than 1 person in the car period. Only exception would be motorcycles. Of course, until the laws change you can't fault these owners for taking advantage. If I owned a qualifying hybrid I'd take advantage everywhere I could myself.
Also, Hybrid solo drivers should NOT be allowed in HOV lanes. I don't mind them getting the free metered parking in the city, but High Occupancy Vehicle lanes should be for people with more than 1 person in the car period. Only exception would be motorcycles. Of course, until the laws change you can't fault these owners for taking advantage. If I owned a qualifying hybrid I'd take advantage everywhere I could myself.
#27
I would be all for states adopting rebates such as PA as incentive. $500 if you purchase a new hybrid.
#29
If I could rant for a moment, because I was doing it to myself this morning. I was behind an old man, moving very slowly in his AMG. Thinking about it, I live in an afluent area and I frequently witness old people, driving slow in M cars, AMG, the DTS, and so on. My take on it is why waste the gas? Give these people a 3 cylinder Mercedes Benz and massaging seats, call it a day.
#30
commuting along the 10 fwy daily, there are plenty of speedsters, both hybrid and non. but to be driving so quickly in the carpool lane when the other lanes are practically standstill would freak me out. there are so many of those crazies who wanna get somewhere quickly, so they'll just dash out of their lane into the carpool lane, and in many cases cause near accidents. i see them more with SUV's because they do have a larger blind spot. from my experience, hybrid vehicles dont tend to go all that much faster than the speed limit, but i have encountered a few who cut in and out of lanes whenever they wish, including the carpool.