Slow drivers, get out of our way
#16
Lexus Fanatic
It is annoying driving on 285 everyday and the people who are constantly just sitting in the passing lane holding up traffic. It is funny how these people don't realize, they are the reason that traffic jams up when it isn't rush hour because people aren't using the lanes like they are suppose too.
Drives me crazy. Today, one person was cruising in the passing lane on her phone and the other idiot behind her was jamming to some song and just rolling along not giving a damn about anyone else. It is so annoying. I have no problem with folks who want to do the speed limit but check your damn rearview mirror and get the hell out of the way.
Drives me crazy. Today, one person was cruising in the passing lane on her phone and the other idiot behind her was jamming to some song and just rolling along not giving a damn about anyone else. It is so annoying. I have no problem with folks who want to do the speed limit but check your damn rearview mirror and get the hell out of the way.
I'm afraid that, as long as both sides are not willing to change their views a little, that we are going to continue to be stuck with this ongoing problem.... and we'll still be talking about it for years to come.
#17
No wonder you got tickets. Why were you doing 90+ to start with?
Be glad you weren't in my state (VA), where that is a serious-offense. Anything 80 or above, or 20 MPH over the posted-limit, is considered reckless driving (in addition to the speed itself). And the use of radar-detectors is strictly outlawed, and detectors can be impounded (VA State-Troopers have devices in their cruisers that can tell them when detectors are in operation).
Technically, the right-lane is for those going slower than the limit, like, for example, big-rig trucks climbing hills, just as the left lane (legally) is for those going the limit. Of course, that is the ideal situation, but you and I both know that unless traffic is congested, average speeds in the left lane are usually faster than the posted-limits. It's not legal, but it is what many (if not most) left-lane drivers do anyway.
Be glad you weren't in my state (VA), where that is a serious-offense. Anything 80 or above, or 20 MPH over the posted-limit, is considered reckless driving (in addition to the speed itself). And the use of radar-detectors is strictly outlawed, and detectors can be impounded (VA State-Troopers have devices in their cruisers that can tell them when detectors are in operation).
Technically, the right-lane is for those going slower than the limit, like, for example, big-rig trucks climbing hills, just as the left lane (legally) is for those going the limit. Of course, that is the ideal situation, but you and I both know that unless traffic is congested, average speeds in the left lane are usually faster than the posted-limits. It's not legal, but it is what many (if not most) left-lane drivers do anyway.
Looking back, what frightened me the most was how I used to rationalize my criminal behavior. I used think "well, as long as I maintain an inter-car distance of 2 seconds between my car and the car in front of me and there aren't any adverse weather conditions (rain), it's perfectly reasonable to go 10-15 MPH over the speed limit on major interstate highways." I realized that many officers tend to allow a "grace range" of up to 10 MPH over the legal speed limit, and I selfishly exploited this. My conception of an acceptable speed limit shifted to (legal speed limit + 10), and I'd think to myself "if cops allow 10 MPH over the speed limit, what harm - morally speaking - is an extra 5 MPH?"
I'm not quite so sure why my view on traffic laws has changed so drastically over the last couple of years. I suppose I had somewhat of an epiphany when I forced myself to weigh the marginal benefits of speeding against the potential costs to other innocent bystanders, and I realized that my behavior could no longer be justified. I strictly drive at the speed limit these days. At most, I may find myself accidentally going anywhere from 1-3 MPH over the limit, usually as a result of terrain changes (going from a level surface to slightly downhill, for example).
I think some of the most recent responses are rather telling. This is clearly a polarizing issue and people have wildly different opinions on what is acceptable.
#18
Lexus Fanatic
Be careful. Depending on who it is you are flipping-off, you can only get away with that so many times. You don't know who you could possibly be dealing with.....anybody from a decrepit old grandma to a Navy SEAL. People in my part of the country have been killed by road-rage incidents. They thought they were tough, and suddenly they met somebody who was a whole lot tougher.
#19
I understand what you are saying (and I don't necessarily diagree with it), but that's a big part of what the problem is here in America. The states are determined to enforce posted limits (or at least, speeds that are reasonably-close to them), while a significant part of the driving-public is just as determined to break them. One side (with some justification) claims that slower speeds are necessary for safety, while the other side says (also with some justification) that higher speeds are safe if traffic maintains a constant-flow.
I'm afraid that, as long as both sides are not willing to change their views a little, that we are going to continue to be stuck with this ongoing problem.... and we'll still be talking about it for years to come.
I'm afraid that, as long as both sides are not willing to change their views a little, that we are going to continue to be stuck with this ongoing problem.... and we'll still be talking about it for years to come.
I drive pretty fast here and I can count on my hands for the whole week that I see a state trooper or DPS officer on the highway here. Usually, you have to watch out for the county or local police departments but if you know the area, they can't catch you either.
Another thing in GA, points dont start until you are 15 mph over the limit hence they won't come after you on the interstates unless you are flying above 75 or 80. Plenty of times at my old job when I worked the overnight shift and I'm driving home, speed limit is 65 mph and I'm going 75 to 80 and I see the red dot hit me and they haven't pulled out on me .
#20
Here's a hypothetical scenario. Let's say we're on a 2 lane highway with a posted legal speed limit of 60 MPH. Let's say traffic in the fast lane is going at 75-79 MPH and traffic in the slow lane is going at 70 MPH.
If I were to find myself in this situation, I would stay in the slow lane and go 70 MPH, making sure that I maintain a sufficiently large distance between the cars in front of and behind my car.
Fortunately I've never found myself in this position. Traffic in the slow lane of every highway I have ever driven on tends to go at exactly the posted legal speed limit. Nevertheless, I've thought about this possibility.
Do the benefits of driving the speed limit (10 MPH slower than the flow of traffic) outweigh the costs of people behind you (in the slow lane) angrily changing lanes to get around you? Probably not.
If I were to find myself in this situation, I would stay in the slow lane and go 70 MPH, making sure that I maintain a sufficiently large distance between the cars in front of and behind my car.
Fortunately I've never found myself in this position. Traffic in the slow lane of every highway I have ever driven on tends to go at exactly the posted legal speed limit. Nevertheless, I've thought about this possibility.
Do the benefits of driving the speed limit (10 MPH slower than the flow of traffic) outweigh the costs of people behind you (in the slow lane) angrily changing lanes to get around you? Probably not.
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Yes, it's not a time of my life that I'm necessarily proud of. I was younger back then (18-22 roughly constituted the age range within which I received all of my speeding tickets) and relatively less mature.
Looking back, what frightened me the most was how I used to rationalize my criminal behavior. I used think "well, as long as I maintain an inter-car distance of 2 seconds between my car and the car in front of me and there aren't any adverse weather conditions (rain), it's perfectly reasonable to go 10-15 MPH over the speed limit on major interstate highways." I realized that many officers tend to allow a "grace range" of up to 10 MPH over the legal speed limit, and I selfishly exploited this. My conception of an acceptable speed limit shifted to (legal speed limit + 10), and I'd think to myself "if cops allow 10 MPH over the speed limit, what harm - morally speaking - is an extra 5 MPH?"
I'm not quite so sure why my view on traffic laws has changed so drastically over the last couple of years. I suppose I had somewhat of an epiphany when I forced myself to weigh the marginal benefits of speeding against the potential costs to other innocent bystanders, and I realized that my behavior could no longer be justified. I strictly drive at the speed limit these days. At most, I may find myself accidentally going anywhere from 1-3 MPH over the limit, usually as a result of terrain changes (going from a level surface to slightly downhill, for example).
I think some of the most recent responses are rather telling. This is clearly a polarizing issue and people have wildly different opinions on what is acceptable.
Looking back, what frightened me the most was how I used to rationalize my criminal behavior. I used think "well, as long as I maintain an inter-car distance of 2 seconds between my car and the car in front of me and there aren't any adverse weather conditions (rain), it's perfectly reasonable to go 10-15 MPH over the speed limit on major interstate highways." I realized that many officers tend to allow a "grace range" of up to 10 MPH over the legal speed limit, and I selfishly exploited this. My conception of an acceptable speed limit shifted to (legal speed limit + 10), and I'd think to myself "if cops allow 10 MPH over the speed limit, what harm - morally speaking - is an extra 5 MPH?"
I'm not quite so sure why my view on traffic laws has changed so drastically over the last couple of years. I suppose I had somewhat of an epiphany when I forced myself to weigh the marginal benefits of speeding against the potential costs to other innocent bystanders, and I realized that my behavior could no longer be justified. I strictly drive at the speed limit these days. At most, I may find myself accidentally going anywhere from 1-3 MPH over the limit, usually as a result of terrain changes (going from a level surface to slightly downhill, for example).
I think some of the most recent responses are rather telling. This is clearly a polarizing issue and people have wildly different opinions on what is acceptable.
A great post.....and I thank you for your candidness. You've learned some wise judgement.
It is indeed a controversial issue. But I've found, over the years (and was generally the case even at age 16, over 40 years ago, when I first started driving), that there's just no substitute for common-sense.
You don't have to nail the limit right on the head, though, all the time...that may be carrying it to extremes. But if you stay within 5-10 MPH of them, in most cases (except for snow, ice, etc.... and extreme road-congestion), you'll not only pretty-much avoid tickets but probably also be reasonable for road-conditions.
#22
Lexus Test Driver
Lately i've been slowing it down a bit on the freeway, mainly in hopes of better mileage. Running on the open interstate, I used to do 85-90, with 75 being the limit in Utah(now it's 80 in some areas). Now if I'm out on the freeway, i stick to 70-75 in the slow lane. Doesn't seem to have changed my mileage much however.
I tried an experiment and did 55 the whole way home to see my parents over fall break. I was ready to shoot myself by the time I made it home.
I find it ironic that now that I have a car with double the horsepower of my previous one, I drive slower.
I tried an experiment and did 55 the whole way home to see my parents over fall break. I was ready to shoot myself by the time I made it home.
I find it ironic that now that I have a car with double the horsepower of my previous one, I drive slower.
#23
I generally drive 5-10 over in the hammer lane. It really grinds my gears when I'm passing a long line of cars, and some ***** is doing 55 in the left lane. What the hell are you doing? They can't get a hint for nothing. Even worse is when you're rolling along, passing a line of cars, and somebody pulls out in front of you, doing 55, forcing you to slow down. Usually they don't speed up either, except maybe to go 60.
When I do get an opportunity to pass these people, I generally do so at 5000 rpm, accompanied by sign language.
When I do get an opportunity to pass these people, I generally do so at 5000 rpm, accompanied by sign language.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
I know of the insurance studies say we are the fastest drivers in the US .
Another thing in GA, points dont start until you are 15 mph over the limit hence they won't come after you on the interstates unless you are flying above 75 or 80. Plenty of times at my old job when I worked the overnight shift and I'm driving home, speed limit is 65 mph and I'm going 75 to 80 and I see the red dot hit me and they haven't pulled out on me .
#25
Super Moderator
iTrader: (6)
The road theme aside, it is the rudeness and lack of consideration that many people feel they are entitled to do as they feel. They see the speed limit sign of XX so regardless of lane, that is what they do. People who are passing are law breakers and in that little moment of "justice" these drivers feel they are maintaining the "law" by hindering them.
#26
The road theme aside, it is the rudeness and lack of consideration that many people feel they are entitled to do as they feel. They see the speed limit sign of XX so regardless of lane, that is what they do. People who are passing are law breakers and in that little moment of "justice" these drivers feel they are maintaining the "law" by hindering them.
#27
I think my biggest pet peeve is when i'm in the fast lane minding my business when someones gets in my line to pass the slowpoke in front of them. Well, hammer down man just pass him. Hate that so much.
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Take a crap or get off the toilet, I always say(generally in not such nice terms).
When I pull out to pass, the pedal hits the floor, always. Passing is to be done quickly and smoothly.
When I pull out to pass, the pedal hits the floor, always. Passing is to be done quickly and smoothly.
#29
Lead Lap
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I understand what you are saying (and I don't necessarily diagree with it), but that's a big part of what the problem is here in America. The states are determined to enforce posted limits (or at least, speeds that are reasonably-close to them), while a significant part of the driving-public is just as determined to break them. One side (with some justification) claims that slower speeds are necessary for safety, while the other side says (also with some justification) that higher speeds are safe if traffic maintains a constant-flow.
I'm afraid that, as long as both sides are not willing to change their views a little, that we are going to continue to be stuck with this ongoing problem.... and we'll still be talking about it for years to come.
I'm afraid that, as long as both sides are not willing to change their views a little, that we are going to continue to be stuck with this ongoing problem.... and we'll still be talking about it for years to come.
You are forgetting the very important "revenue generation" factor. In today's economy tickets for mostly BS traffic ofenses are a godsend for cash strapped communities.
#30
Bravo to the author who wrote this article!! They are right on! Funny how cops are actually handing out tickets now for slow drivers or people going below the 65mph in the left lane!
If people who drive "slow" in the left lane get out of the way, you wouldn't see people speeding in the right lanes, cuz they we wouldn't have to pass them!
If people who drive "slow" in the left lane get out of the way, you wouldn't see people speeding in the right lanes, cuz they we wouldn't have to pass them!