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 ...
Too bad for them they still feel like the bottom of my shoe.
Melas :”Your Honor, I was going 70, the posted, legal speed limit.
I saw no legal sign that said it was illegal to go 70 when there is 3 inches of ice on the road”
When I lived in Alabama (late 1970s) it was common to see State Troopers driving abreast, occupying all three interstate lanes, going 55 mph.
The traffic behind them was stacked up for miles .......
You said — “If you drive in Dallas or Houston, you are not driving with “Texans”, you are driving with escapees from other socialist states. Don’t pin their driving habits on us.”
Well..., here’s the funny thing about what you said..., as I’m also a “Texan” (as before I lived in Oregon, I lived in Texas, first) — the only places I’ve lived in Texas has been Houston and Dallas... LOL...
However, in Dallas (my last stay, while living in Texas), I did notice that a lot of traffic violations were perpetrated by the Mexicans. I mean, driving down the wrong way on a one-way street, turning left from the far right hand side of the street, driving with one hand on the wheel and the other hand chugging a beer, running red lights... and so on. Usually, if it was a traffic violation of some sort, it was a Mexican behind the wheel.
Sorry to say that for you good guys out there who are of that descent, but that’s what I’ve seen directly, from my driving around in Dallas.
—
And talking about moving over, I will do that myself, if someone comes up on me from behind. The only time I don’t move over is when all lanes are filled, traffic has slowed down and it’s sort of “stop and go” and then there’s no point to moving over because no one is going anywhere... LOL.. [but then again, they’ve already been behind me for 10 or 15 minutes... :-) ...]
>>I love it when some jackwipe passes me at 85mph, I call them “bait”
***************
I call them a ‘Pace car’<<
I call them a “radar sreen”. But pace car works just as well. Maybe better, actually.
>>It’s amazing how so called “conservatives” love the letter of the law until it comes to them speeding.<<
I’m most definitely a spirit of the law sort of guy. About everything. The “letter” is for those who cannot make, or fear making decisions.
I don’t wait for red left turn signals either. If it is safe to do so (and there are no cops around)...
>>People that pass me on the right make me the maddest!<<
That would be me, uness the right lane was occupied, in which case it would be me passing you on the shoulder.
If someone passes you on the right (and there are only two lanes), it is ALWAYS because you were blocking traffic.
You said — “My vehicle is about 5-10% more efficient at 70 than 55. It’s not at all unusual. “
I’ve noticed that about mine, too. That was surprising for me to find that out... Cool, though...
I’m not exactly sure what does that and/or what causes that, but I think it may have something to do with “locking” the transmission in such a way that the hydraulics of the automatic don’t put a drag on the system. I’ve felt something “kick off” when I change speeds..., not sure what it is, though... (and I’m not talking about kicking it down into another gear, but just something that gets “unhooked” or something like that...).
They wouldn't have to pass you on the right if you were a courteous driver.
Yup, if my husband and I are both in the car and see a faster car go past - on cue we both say gleefully “Pace-Car”
Sit back a few car lengths and follow - usually in the middle lane, while they cover the left lane - left lane has spotters [Cops]
End of NASCAR references ;)
"If someone passes you on the right (and there are only two lanes), it is ALWAYS because you were blocking traffic."
ALWAYS.
Yeah, I’ve been there before. Those troopers will ride your bumper, too... LOL..
>>I am constantly amazed how someone flashing their headlights on a vehicle just because the vehicle ahead is moving at a lesser rate than they are.<<
Worldwide that is considered the appropriate thing to do.
It is the equivalent of walking along a hiking trail and a guy in front of you is dillydallying and enjoying the view while you are trying to get to a particular site. You politely say “excuse me” and they shift over and you walk by.
Flashing headlights is saying “excuse me”.
Troopers don’t like idiots blocking the left lane anymore than we do.
Here here.
In a two lane road - the right should be for slowpokes, entry, and exit; the left for drivers going the max speed limit. If your in the left and not going the speed limit that is fine, for example because someone is entering/exiting on the right, provided you get over when someone going the speed limit comes up on you.
Those over the speed limit and complaining are kings without clothes and should keep their mouths shut.
>>People going slowly in front of me are “slow sob’s” and people passing me are crazy bastards.<<
I usually envy the latter, assuming they don’t get a ticket. Either that or I use them as a screen and follow about a quarter mile back.
Overdrive. It’s a different gear ratio than your car runs at 55.
I never go 70, though. In a 65 zone, i almost always run around 79 MPH. I never got a speeding ticket at 79 in a 65, but have gotten 1 at 80 in a 65. I’ve sailed through hundreds of speedtraps at 79, too.
I always consider them bait cars, and decoys. Cruising a few lengths behind and to the right. Sometimes they get pissed at the shadow and accelerate out of site. Usually seen a few miles up the road pulled over getting written up.
That's exactly the type of "sea lawyer" attitude that gets you in trouble in the real world, where there's often a yawning gap between what's "legal" and what's right or wrong.
The thing is, in most parts of the country, the people “in the way” are indeed passing cars going slower. It’s just that there’s nowhere for everyone to go, because we haven’t build out our highway system capacity to keep up with the number of vehicles on the roads.
It’s an impossible situation created by people who want to put everyone in a city, riding on light rail.
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