Posted on 12/10/2008 8:53:48 AM PST by Smogger
In these days of longer commutes and simmering tempers, nothing seems to set off already-testy motorists like the left-lane camper -- the guy or gal who drives in the passing lane and bars faster drivers from easily passing. Web sites have cropped up to educate other drivers, or to vent. There's a (somewhat painful) YouTube song called "Keep Right."
Even bigwigs get frustrated. Pennsylvania Gov. Edward Rendell, weary of having his limo slowed down by such left-lane pokies, ordered an aide to have the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission install signs a few years ago reading "Keep Right, Pass Left. It's the Law."
And now some states are cracking down on left-lane campers, both to keep traffic moving and to tamp down the road rage that goes from zero-to-60 faster than ever before.
That's not just a pretext. Last year, a driver was arrested on Interstate 79 outside Pittsburgh after allegedly brandishing a semiautomatic pistol at a driver who was on his tail.
(Excerpt) Read more at articles.moneycentral.msn.com ...
That’s funny. I enjoy the same sport.
I’m afraid that I would have to become an armed driver if someone was going to “tap” my bumper to be a backseat driver.
My point in my first post was - what’s the point of tailgating someone who is 6 back in the line? When someone pulls that on me, my foot lifts off the accelerator and the tailgating driver can either ease off or really go slow.
You said — “They are far more dangerous whipping in and out of each lane almost hitting people.”
That’s exactly why they have this law in several states to get out of the fast/passing lane, if someone is coming up behind you.
You see..., these guys wouldn’t be weaving in and out of traffic if people got out of the passing/fast lane.... LOL... That’s what causes the accidents (that weaving in and out of traffic) and thus..., that’s why the law was passed.
I make it a point to put the hammer down and pass these special idiots by using the right lane. And I am not alone. They apparently seem to think that they have the right to dictate speed limits on those around them. My opinion differs.
>>my question is the following: are we speaking of drivers going under the posted speed limit in the left lane or are we talking drivers doing the speed limit in the left lane?<<
It is not about raw speed. It is about blocking traffic. If you are doing 70 in the passing lane and the limit is 60, if a guy wants to pass you, and you are not passing anyone, you are blocking traffic. It is the way the law reads in many states. It is the actual spirit of the law in those states. In some, you are breaking the “passing lane only” law even if nobody is behind you.
It has nothing whatsoever to do with the speed of the blocker other than the fact that he is moving slower than whoever wants to pass wants to move.
“In Kansas, people move left normally when they see you behind them”
Make that your other left
In most states, if you are going the speed limit, say 60, and everyone else is going 80, you can be ticketed for “unsafe for conditions”.
If the traffic cop determines that you are endangering yourself or others, you will get a ticket.
I saw a mentally retarded person this morning.
The 4-lane highway was fairly empty. This chick comes down the ramp onto the freeway and goes all the way over in one motion to the left lane. Then just cruises there. NOBODY AROUND!
I passed her on the right and looked over and made body language like: “Why did you do that?”
You asked — “my question is the following: are we speaking of drivers going under the posted speed limit in the left lane or are we talking drivers doing the speed limit in the left lane?”
In Oregon, that law about getting out of the left lane will apply even if you’re going the exact speed limit. In fact, I also believe that you’re allowed to briefly exceed the posted limit for the purpose of passing, if that’s necessary to get around some cars in the right lanes.
But, in any case, you can’t be “blocking traffic” from behind, even if you’re going the speed limit.
I’ve even had troopers come up on me, too, in the left lane, when I couldn’t get over right away (because of cars to my right) and so, I’ll speed up, past the speed limit, and immediately pull to the right, and they usually speed on past me.... usually going about 15-20 MPH over the speed limit... LOL...
well then if the limit is 60 and i am doing 70 and someone wants to pass me then they are also breaking said laws...so give us both a ticket...me for speeding at 70 and blocking the lane and the follower for speeding and following to close....in general people need to slow down and stop being idiots....
Exactly.
Remember the governor of New Jersey almost got killed because his driver was speeding and he wasn’t wearing a seat belt, and the resulting wreck almost cost him his life?
Poetic justice was that the governor of N.J. was hurrying to a seminar on the Don Imus “nappy headed hoes” controversy.
If you don’t like the speed limit (which is the same in both lanes), lobby to get them changed/raised.
“This chick comes down the ramp onto the freeway and goes all the way over in one motion to the left lane. Then just cruises there.”
I hate that with a passion.
Great point.
People do the same thing when there is a long line in the left lane due to an accident or getting over because of construction (I hate Oklahoma for that......they are terrible at traffic flow in construction zones on I-35...I noticed when I got to Texas, the wait was much less for construction zones on the same road......more like 10-15 minutes than the 45 minutes it takes in OK to a mile....LITERALLY).
In any event, people will run up on the right side of the road just behind the “move left” sign so they can sneak in and get ahead of half the line.
I always make a point to leave only a tiny gap between me and the car ahead of me so those people can’t move over.
Of course, they keep doing it because some idiots let them in despite the fact they are being rude by trying to sneak in, but they won’t do it with my car....
the problem here is that the laws differ from state to state on just what is allowed in the left lane...again states used to post min / max speeds for hwys...they used to post passing lane only etc etc....and of course the cops interpret alot also....i have seen where someone was in the left lane and ticketed for speeding but they sped up only for the purpose of passing the car in the right lane...the cop said the posted speed limit is the max allowed period.....to many interpretations....
That’s the way to encourage the slow guy to move. The way to move the lead is press those behind. They will move up or get out of the stack.
I did some quickie calculations.
Assuming a 215/45-17 tire and a average useful tread over the life of a tire of .25” (8/32”) with smaller tires seeing a greater variability and larger tires less.
Just from tire wear alone, a vehicle with this size tire would see a 2.5mph difference over its useful life.
I suspect there would also be variances due to inflation.
That doesn’t take into account the state of repair of the speedometer, or the inherent accuracy (which I suspect is +/- 2mph on many cars) - or operator error.
All of which means that many who “think” they’re going the maximum posted speed limit may be as much as 5mph above or below it.
All going 5mph.
I'd rather be almost anywhere else ...
If I am already doing 70, dont expect me to pull over when the speed limit is 65
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