slow drivers

[CNF2002]

The only people who truely bother me are the people who go the same speed as the person right next to them in the passing lane. I call them pacers... in that they'll go 10 under at or 10 over if the person to their right is doing that speed. This makes it impossible to pass them, because one will change speed in order to match the others.

That is annoying, and its not the purpose of the left passing lane

Sometimes everyone will pile in the left lanes because they think those lanes automatically means they will be able to go faster

I generally hit the middle lane. Everyone's merging into the right lane, everyones trying to get into the left lane because they think its faster. Middle lane wins!

[ZooTech]

The only people who truely bother me are the people who go the same speed as the person right next to them in the passing lane. I call them pacers... in that they'll go 10 under at or 10 over if the person to their right is doing that speed. This makes it impossible to pass them, because one will change speed in order to match the others.

Yup! Those are the ones I call "leftists". They have no desire to overtake anyone, they just like pretending they're British or something. I usually pass them on the right if the car to the right of them exits. Most of the time they don't even take the hint, and I watch as fifty other cars follow suit right after me.

[flynrider]

I think a big problem on American roads is that the majority of drivers are blissfuly ignorant about the rules of the road, and the police don't really enforce lane discipline on the highways. It's kind of a four lane free-for-all.

I'd prefer it if we'd follow the example of the German Autobahn. They enforce strict lane discipline and speeds. On the open sections (no max speed limit) you will be ticketed for going too slow and impeding the smooth flow of traffic. You can also be ticketed for being in any lane other that the far right, unless you are passing. Conversely, any pass on the right will earn you the flashing lights.

By enforcing those simple rules, they ensure that slower traffic stays to the right and all passing is done on the left. It works. Even on sections with no speed limits, the Autobahn has a lower fatality rate (fatals per 100K miles driven) than U.S. interstates.

[ZooTech]

By enforcing those simple rules, they ensure that slower traffic stays to the right and all passing is done on the left. It works. Even on sections with no speed limits, the Autobahn has a lower fatality rate (fatals per 100K miles driven) than U.S. interstates.

Further proving my point that it's the introduction of slow-moving motorists into fast moving trafic that causes the most accidents. Unfortunately, here in the states, if you rearend someone you are assumed to be guilty by default, so the poor John Q. LawAbider cruising along at 65mph minding their own business suddenly meets with Joe MergeTooSlow, and John gets cited for unassured clear distance.

[CNF2002]

Unfortunately, here in the states, if you rearend someone you are assumed to be guilty by default, so the poor John Q. LawAbider cruising along at 65mph minding their own business suddenly meets with Joe MergeTooSlow, and John gets cited for unassured clear distance.

Darn these laws that expect us to pay attention while we're driving!

[niterider]

I have seen minimum speeds posted on some free-ways, one was 45 mph & the other was 55 mph. Any where between that speed is legal free way speed. My father-in-law was ticketed for going too slow and then he was ticketed for going too fast.

[Sev]

By enforcing those simple rules, they ensure that slower traffic stays to the right and all passing is done on the left. It works. Even on sections with no speed limits, the Autobahn has a lower fatality rate (fatals per 100K miles driven) than U.S. interstates.

Further proving my point that it's the introduction of slow-moving motorists into fast moving trafic that causes the most accidents. Unfortunately, here in the states, if you rearend someone you are assumed to be guilty by default, so the poor John Q. LawAbider cruising along at 65mph minding their own business suddenly meets with Joe MergeTooSlow, and John gets cited for unassured clear distance.

I should be able to safely do 20 under as long as I stay in the right land land. Espcially if I'm driving the car. Why? Because I'm big and I'm red and I'm easy to notice/tough to miss. All it takes is an easy lane change to the left to make sure that nothing bad happens. Especially if I'm just cruising down the highway.

As far as bad merges. Well it's the also responsibility of the guy on the highway to compensate for anyone who is coming up. Often all it takes is a slight increase, or decrease in speed to avoid anyone who is coming onto the highway, or you can always treat it like a normal passing manevour (which I usually do) and shift into the left hand lane (which should be clear).

They are called speed LIMITS for a reason. It is a speed that is not to be exceeded, but it is accepted, even encouraged to travel below the speed limit in certain situations. So to me as long as they are not impeding traffic with their antics it shouldn't be a problem.

[ZooTech]

Unfortunately, here in the states, if you rearend someone you are assumed to be guilty by default, so the poor John Q. LawAbider cruising along at 65mph minding their own business suddenly meets with Joe MergeTooSlow, and John gets cited for unassured clear distance.

Darn these laws that expect us to pay attention while we're driving!

If you follow any of my posts, especially in other threads, you'll know that I'm a huge proponent of personal accountability. So I'm not saying that rear-ending someone is justifiable, but there are certain expectations of a reasonable nature that we all have upon entering a freeway, and one of them is faster travel than typical hiways and biways. If you're not equipped physically, mentally, or mechanically to comply with the expectations of freeway travel, why the heck would you enter one then?

They are called speed LIMITS for a reason. It is a speed that is not to be exceeded, but it is accepted, even encouraged to travel below the speed limit in certain situations. So to me as long as they are not impeding traffic with their antics it shouldn't be a problem.

Oh, but they are impeding traffic, and that's my point. And, no, I'm not talking about speeders being inconvenienced, I'm saying even the 65mph crowd have to avoid these moving obstacles. I don't know what type of freeway most of you guys are used to, but for the most part I'm referring to a mere two lane (two in each direction) freeway, so there's no middle lane for the 65mph crowd to seek refuge in. So when someone enters the freeway with a 20mph disadvantage, you have everyone and their brother fighting to get into the left lane all at once, and it's usually packed with cars already. I think it's unacceptable for one car to effect the flow of so many others, especially when the on ramp is plenty adequate for reaching the median speed.

As for 45mph being acceptable, that's like saying "The cops won't pull you over unless you're going better than ten over the limit, so 75mph is legal". Going 45mph is technically legal, but it's moronic and should be reserved for inclement weather and other rare occasions. It should not become someone's modus operandi whenever they choose to disrupt the freeway with their presence.

[oldnslo]

I haven't checked lately, but driving 15 under constituted impeding traffic in my state at one time, applicable to 2-lane roads. A modern trend on freeways of 4 and 6 lanes seems to be the big trucks passing each other at speed differentials so slight it would take at least 100 miles for pass completion. Meanwhile they have all the lanes plugged up. OR, they are travelling 20 over and intimidating everyone in their path. I drove those things 30+ years ago, but the new crop of drivers don't have a clue. They are truly dangerous, to a great extent.

[blues2cruise]

Unfortunately, here in the states, if you rearend someone you are assumed to be guilty by default, so the poor John Q. LawAbider cruising along at 65mph minding their own business suddenly meets with Joe MergeTooSlow, and John gets cited for unassured clear distance.

Darn these laws that expect us to pay attention while we're driving!

funny.