3 lane highway question

[dxkj]

Speed limit is 55

If you are going 70-75mph in the left lane (15-20 mph over) in order to pass traffic in the middle lane that is going 5-10mph slower, and almost the entire middle lane is going 5-10 slower than you, do you slow down and pull into the middle lane to let people behind you pass, or do you keep going until there is an opening that you can pull into without slowing down?

 

[BornStar]

I usually speed up and move in as soon as possible. It gets me to where I'm going faster and it shouldn't bother the person that's driving faster either.

 

[rival]

depends on how fast they got up behind me. if theres alot of room to move over then ill move, but i wont bother trying to sneak in somewhere to let someone pass if im already going over the speed limit

 

[chrisms]

My general rule is that if I'm going 10mph over the limit, screw you I have no obligation to go out of my way to let you pass. Now if its a wide open highway, sure I'll move over, but in the case you described where I have to slow down that much and change lines twice, now I don't think I'd do it.

 

[DeviousTrap]

Originally posted by: chrisms
My general rule is that if I'm going 10mph over the limit, screw you I have no obligation to go out of my way to let you pass. Now if its a wide open highway, sure I'll move over, but in the case you described where I have to slow down that much and change lines twice, now I don't think I'd do it.

I hate people like that. 65mph in the left lane and you won't move over? How much could you possibly have to slow down to get into the middle lane if you're going 10 over?

 

[dxkj]

Lets say for this scenario the person behind you is going 85, you are going 75 and the center lane is going 65... you would get slowed down 10mph, but you are slowing them down 10mph by waiting for an opening.

The speed up option was added, but I don't like this option because normally if I am in the left lane, i am going absolutely the fastest I feel like I can go without getting pulled over

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Umm sorry, speed limit is 65 here. 70 on cruise control in the middle lane runs into trouble sometimes, so I have to pass from the left, but I'll get back in asap. If I'm going 75, there's usually no way i can continue down the middle because I'm bound to hit someone, so I have to stick in the left lane. I feel that at 75, I have every RIGHT to go in the left lane. If traffic is flowing at a SMOOTH 70 and someone insists on going 80+, 85+ even I might consider merging in for a little bit and then going back into the left lane.

 

[bobsmith1492]

I drive the speed limit or ~65, whichever is lower; if someone wants to go around me, fine. I stick to the right side unless there's a slow truck to pass.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I was wondering what other people do today in this situation as well on my drive to school today. Since my latest speeding ticket I pretty much stick to 5-10 over cause no one really gets pulled over for that..heck they cant even legally pull u over for 5 over. I set cruise control to 10 over and just pass when i Need to. When i get next to someone who then matches my speed while someone comes up from behind I play it by ear. I'll stay next to the guy for a bit but if the guy shows no signs of slowing down or if I really am not going to pass the guy ever..i'll almost always speed up and get in front and then roll back over to the left lane.

If the guy gets RIGHT on my ass if i am in a good mood i'll stick next to the guy as long as possible because the guys being such a dick. If i dont feel like concentrating I will get over and let him pass.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
I drive the speed limit or ~65, whichever is lower; if someone wants to go around me, fine. I stick to the right side unless there's a slow truck to pass.

So if the speed limit is 70 you go 65? How did you come up with this speed?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice
I was wondering what other people do today in this situation as well on my drive to school today. Since my latest speeding ticket I pretty much stick to 5-10 over cause no one really gets pulled over for that..heck they cant even legally pull u over for 5 over. I set cruise control to 10 over and just pass when i Need to. When i get next to someone who then matches my speed while someone comes up from behind I play it by ear. I'll stay next to the guy for a bit but if the guy shows no signs of slowing down or if I really am not going to pass the guy ever..i'll almost always speed up and get in front and then roll back over to the left lane.

If the guy gets RIGHT on my ass if i am in a good mood i'll stick next to the guy as long as possible because the guys being such a dick. If i dont feel like concentrating I will get over and let him pass.

If someone is being a jerk I slow down and pull over a lane rather than speed up... no sense in going faster than I want to, and at least Im letting him by

Ive been stuck on this 87 mile commute to work for 1.5 years now... Speed is 55 but avg people go 65-70, and many go 90.

I started out going 65 or so, and then 70.... now i will go 70-75 because at most I see 1 person pulled over each time I drive it, and with the many going 90+ I figure 75 is mostly safe..... Ive had cops coast up to me and past me when Im going 70 many times.... so I figure they dont jump on that.

 

[mugs]

The situation you describe sounds like somewhat heavy traffic if you'd have to wait to find an opening in the middle lane large enough to not force you to slow down to let someone pass you at 10 mph faster. So if you just sit in the left lane, you're basically blocking the progress of people who want to get by, and I really hate it when people do that. Move over. It'll only take a few seconds, so it'll affect you a lot less than it would affect the other guy who has to wait for you to find a big opening.

This reminds me of another thread someone posted about walking across streets/parking lots. I was criticized for having a submissive personality because I said I make an effort to cross at a time when it won't impede the progress of cars. I think those same people who criticized me in that thread would insist I am required to move over if someone wants to pass me in the left lane, even if I'm going substantially above the speed limit.

Anandtech really is full of assholes, and I hate every one of you. (not directed at you, OP )

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: KarmaPolice
heck they cant even legally pull u over for 5 over.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: mugs
The situation you describe sounds like somewhat heavy traffic if you'd have to wait to find an opening in the middle lane large enough to not force you to slow down to let someone pass you at 10 mph faster. So if you just sit in the left lane, you're basically blocking the progress of people who want to get by, and I really hate it when people do that. Move over. It'll only take a few seconds, so it'll affect you a lot less than it would affect the other guy who has to wait for you to find a big opening.

This reminds me of another thread someone posted about walking across streets/parking lots. I was criticized for having a submissive personality because I said I make an effort to cross at a time when it won't impede the progress of cars. I think those same people who criticized me in that thread would insist I am required to move over if someone wants to pass me in the left lane, even if I'm going substantially above the speed limit.

Anandtech really is full of assholes, and I hate every one of you. (not directed at you, OP )

Yeah, I get your point .

In reality I usually speed up, or if it is a long ways I pull over. It is kind of like peer pressure, I feel like a jerk if I impede other people, but then the other half of the time I get pissed that Im stuck in the middle lane while multiple cars pass spaced out just enough to stick me in the middle lane for a while.

I guess my real problem is being between the avg speed of 2 lanes.

 

[chrisms]

Originally posted by: mugs
The situation you describe sounds like somewhat heavy traffic if you'd have to wait to find an opening in the middle lane large enough to not force you to slow down to let someone pass you at 10 mph faster. So if you just sit in the left lane, you're basically blocking the progress of people who want to get by, and I really hate it when people do that. Move over. It'll only take a few seconds, so it'll affect you a lot less than it would affect the other guy who has to wait for you to find a big opening.

This reminds me of another thread someone posted about walking across streets/parking lots. I was criticized for having a submissive personality because I said I make an effort to cross at a time when it won't impede the progress of cars. I think those same people who criticized me in that thread would insist I am required to move over if someone wants to pass me in the left lane, even if I'm going substantially above the speed limit.

Anandtech really is full of assholes, and I hate every one of you. (not directed at you, OP )

If you're in such a hurry that you need to be going a speed so much greater than 10 mph that I am a serious nuisance driving in the left lane (I'd say that would be at least 15 mph over) then you shouldn't be on the highway to begin with.

Now before you say "But chrisms I'm only going 75 LOL" remember that in this scenario, I am still passing people on my right who are going 5-10mph slower than me. So that means the flow of traffic is going at least 15 mph slower than what you want to go. That isn't safe, and while it isn't my job the enforce the law it also isn't my job to go out of my way to allow you to break it when I still have a perfectly valid reason for staying in the left lane (I am still passing).

 

[leftyman]

Originally posted by: dxkj
Speed limit is 55

If you are going 70-75mph in the left lane (15-20 mph over) in order to pass traffic in the middle lane that is going 5-10mph slower, and almost the entire middle lane is going 5-10 slower than you, do you slow down and pull into the middle lane to let people behind you pass, or do you keep going until there is an opening that you can pull into without slowing down?

:thumbsup:

 

[Pepsi90919]

kind of a compromise of both

 

[ggnl]

If I'm already going 10+ over the speed limit, the only time I'll move over to let someone by is if I don't have to slow down to do it.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: chrisms
My general rule is that if I'm going 10mph over the limit, screw you I have no obligation to go out of my way to let you pass. Now if its a wide open highway, sure I'll move over, but in the case you described where I have to slow down that much and change lines twice, now I don't think I'd do it.

I hope you don't complain about tailgaters, Mr. Passive Aggressive Rolling Roadblock.


The correct proper lane discipline answer is that your speed must be flexible to the conditions around you. That means turn off the cruise control. If you're in the left lane and faster traffic behind you wants to pass, then speed up appropriately until you find a safe spot to merge over and let them pass.
Not letting traffic pass creates congested conditions behind you that is extremely dangerous. Pull your head out of your asses and drive safe.

 

[Linflas]

Not sure where this fits in your poll but if I am in the center or right lane of a 3 lane highway I feel no obligation to move no matter what my speed is. If I am in the left most lane then I will move out of the way as quickly as it is safe to do so.

 

[preslove]

Originally posted by: ggnl
If I'm already going 10+ over the speed limit, the only time I'll move over to let someone by is if I don't have to slow down to do it.

Pretty much. As long as I'm passing the people on my right I'll stick to the left lane. When there is an opening I'll move over and let them pass. I'll increase my speed if I feel it is safe (I'm not driving 90 mph for some tailgaiter.

Often times, when you move over and slow down, if there were people in the left lane behind you matching your speed, you have to wait for a long time before getting back into the left lane. This makes slowing down a MAJOR inconvenience in high traffic situations.

 

[chrisms]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: chrisms
My general rule is that if I'm going 10mph over the limit, screw you I have no obligation to go out of my way to let you pass. Now if its a wide open highway, sure I'll move over, but in the case you described where I have to slow down that much and change lines twice, now I don't think I'd do it.

I hope you don't complain about tailgaters, Mr. Passive Aggressive Rolling Roadblock.


The correct proper lane discipline answer is that your speed must be flexible to the conditions around you. That means turn off the cruise control. If you're in the left lane and faster traffic behind you wants to pass, then speed up appropriately until you find a safe spot to merge over and let them pass.
Not letting traffic pass creates congested conditions behind you that is extremely dangerous. Pull your head out of your asses and drive safe.

Actually if I'm going 10 mph faster than traffic next to me and you decide to tailgate because you can't go any faster, that is extremely unsafe. It is also extremely unsafe to go much higher than 10mph faster than traffic in the next lane in a high traffic situation.

The left lane is for passing and I have no obligation to move out of your way while I am still in the process of passing.

The only congested condition created here is your not being able to go an unsafe speed on the highway. Obviously in this scenario we are all going fast enough to be able to do 10 over the limit.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: chrisms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: chrisms
My general rule is that if I'm going 10mph over the limit, screw you I have no obligation to go out of my way to let you pass. Now if its a wide open highway, sure I'll move over, but in the case you described where I have to slow down that much and change lines twice, now I don't think I'd do it.

I hope you don't complain about tailgaters, Mr. Passive Aggressive Rolling Roadblock.


The correct proper lane discipline answer is that your speed must be flexible to the conditions around you. That means turn off the cruise control. If you're in the left lane and faster traffic behind you wants to pass, then speed up appropriately until you find a safe spot to merge over and let them pass.
Not letting traffic pass creates congested conditions behind you that is extremely dangerous. Pull your head out of your asses and drive safe.

Actually if I'm going 10 mph faster than traffic next to me and you decide to tailgate because you can't go any faster, that is extremely unsafe. It is also extremely unsafe to go much higher than 10mph faster than traffic in the next lane in a high traffic situation.

The left lane is for passing and I have no obligation to move out of your way while I am still in the process of passing.

The only congested condition created here is your not being able to go an unsafe speed on the highway. Obviously in this scenario we are all going fast enough to be able to do 10 over the limit.

"Fast enough" is not for you to decide. You are not the police. In the meantime, you're blocking traffic and breaking the law. Slower Traffic Keep Right and Keep Right Except to Pass. The congested condition is not just me, but the 3 dozen cars behind me that would also like to pass you.

 

[chrisms]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: chrisms

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: chrisms
My general rule is that if I'm going 10mph over the limit, screw you I have no obligation to go out of my way to let you pass. Now if its a wide open highway, sure I'll move over, but in the case you described where I have to slow down that much and change lines twice, now I don't think I'd do it.

I hope you don't complain about tailgaters, Mr. Passive Aggressive Rolling Roadblock.


The correct proper lane discipline answer is that your speed must be flexible to the conditions around you. That means turn off the cruise control. If you're in the left lane and faster traffic behind you wants to pass, then speed up appropriately until you find a safe spot to merge over and let them pass.
Not letting traffic pass creates congested conditions behind you that is extremely dangerous. Pull your head out of your asses and drive safe.

Actually if I'm going 10 mph faster than traffic next to me and you decide to tailgate because you can't go any faster, that is extremely unsafe. It is also extremely unsafe to go much higher than 10mph faster than traffic in the next lane in a high traffic situation.

The left lane is for passing and I have no obligation to move out of your way while I am still in the process of passing.

The only congested condition created here is your not being able to go an unsafe speed on the highway. Obviously in this scenario we are all going fast enough to be able to do 10 over the limit.

"Fast enough" is not for you to decide. You are not the police. In the meantime, you're blocking traffic and breaking the law. Slower Traffic Keep Right and Keep Right Except to Pass. The congested condition is not just me, but the 3 dozen cars behind me that would also like to pass you.

You're right I'm not the law, never claimed to be. I am not breaking the law by using the left lane to pass. Notice this whole situation is about passing people in the right lane while people behind you want to pass quicker. Read the OP before responding.

And there wouldn't be 3 dozen cars trying to go 15 mph faster than the lane directly to the right of them. It would only be you tailgating me while I brake check you until you back off.

 

[jai6638]

For those you voted, "I stay in my lane the entire time, screw them, im going 15-20mph over already!", Screw you all! You are not law-enforcing agents! Let people behind you pass by! Who are you to decide what is a good speed to drive at?!