A pretty solid rant on CNN...

[HardcoreRobot]

left lane for passing only. if you can't follow the rules of the road (where applicable), your license should be revoked. end of story.

 

[kranky]

And yeah, the people who try to merge over at the last second when a lane is ending really piss me off. I love it when tractor trailers block both lanes to prevent people from doing this.

I don't support people flying over to merge when it's unsafe and cutting someone off, but in fact the lane is open until it's closed. Around here they now put up signs "Use both lanes to merge point."

On my daily commute there's a two-lane bridge that has one lane closed. Leading to the bridge is a long stretch of two-lane road with numerous traffic lights. Cars are backed up two lights in the lane that will take them over the bridge, so they are sitting at red lights needlessly instead of using both lanes to the merge point.

 

[evident]

I enjoyed that rant, because it's true. 10/10

 

[NFS4]

"I. Won."

LMAO

 

[HumblePie]

San Antonio around 1604 sucks BADLY for this.

Houston is bad in some parts but at least in Houston it is illegal for any truck or commercial vehicle to be in the left hand lane on a highway regardless of what speed traffic is going. Wish that law was here in San Antonio. Loop 1604 is two lanes in both directions and 70 MPH. So when you get some big construction truck doing 45 in the left hand lane or some idiot driver doing it, that sucks. Really sucks when they are side by side with someone else in the right hand lane also going the same speed. I've had that happen and there isn't much I could do except exit the highway and use the access roads to get around them on the highway.

 

[dainthomas]

I think this mostly only applies on interstates where there wouldnt usually be a turn from the left lane.

And yeah, the people who try to merge over at the last second when a lane is ending really piss me off. I love it when tractor trailers block both lanes to prevent people from doing this.

Every computer model of traffic flow ever done says that this makes traffic much worse than just an orderly merge. Those truckers are stupid, I wonder if their fellow truckers stuck in traffic miles back appreciate it as much as you do?

 

[bignateyk]

Every computer model of traffic flow ever done says that this makes traffic much worse than just an orderly merge. Those truckers are stupid, I wonder if their fellow truckers stuck in traffic miles back appreciate it as much as you do?

Except for it doesn't make an orderly merge when someone switches from the lane staying open, over to the lane that is ending so they can fly up to the front, then cut everyone else off to get back over at the last second causing everyone to slam on their brakes.

 

[Aikouka]

I try to keep out of others way if I can, and I appreciate it when they do the same. Problem is... people in Alabama don't seem to give a damn about anyone else on the road, and I find that amusing as it wasn't anything like this in New York. People say we're the bad drivers!

They...

1. Don't move over (when possible) to allow people to merge from an on-ramp.
2. Don't accelerate enough on the on-ramp to get up to the speed of the road that they're merging onto.
3. Don't attempt to get in the lane that they need to be in until the last minute. Usually this means they will either slow down or stop until they can switch lanes.
4. Don't accept mistakes, but rather attempt to fix them by breaking traffic laws (right turn in straight-only lane, left turn in right turn lane, etc.)
5. Don't stay on their side of the aisle/lane in (bi-directional) parking lots. It's not uncommon to see them take up the entire lane.
6. Leave too much of a gap between cars at a stop light. The only reasoning I've gotten for this is to avoid a possible rear-end collision becoming worse if you don't have the buffer. Would these people also avoid going surfing because there could possibly be a shark out there?
7. Take forever to accelerate from a stop. In heavy traffic, it's fairly necessary to get moving to keep the flow at an optimal level.
8. Don't adjust the accelerator pedal when there's a change in elevation (i.e. a hill). It's not uncommon to see someone slow down from 55 to 40/45 because they're going up a hill.

There's probably more things I could bitch about, but I'll spare you. Feels kind of good to let it out though. Driving is pretty much the one thing I can't stand about living in Alabama, and that's saying something!

IN THE EYES OF LAW if I'm doing 75-80mph on 65 on left lane. Do I have to switch lanes for this schmuck tailgating me coming fast at 90+ mph?

This depends on your state's laws. I found it's easiest just to look up "left lane laws" which usually brings up a compendium on all states. A lot of states seem to have a "yield to faster traffic" law, which means that you would have to move over regardless of the fact that he is driving at an excessive speed.

 

[HumblePie]

I try to keep out of others way if I can, and I appreciate it when they do the same. Problem is... people in Alabama don't seem to give a damn about anyone else on the road, and I find that amusing as it wasn't anything like this in New York. People say we're the bad drivers!

They...

1. Don't move over (when possible) to allow people to merge from an on-ramp.
2. Don't accelerate enough on the on-ramp to get up to the speed of the road that they're merging onto.
3. Don't stay on their side of the aisle/lane in (bi-directional) parking lots. It's not uncommon to see them take up the entire lane.

Just to let you know, those three items are illegal in Texas a a few other states. For some reason people don't realize that Traffic on the highway must YIELD to traffic entering the highway in Texas. And traffic not speeding up on a ramp to enter a highway is also breaking the law.

One other thing I must point out that I ran into several times this weekend is the idiots that forget about being able to do a left turn on red on a one way street. Serious why the eff to I have to wait 3 extra minutes per light because some dipshit doesn't know he can turn left on red there?

 

[Aikouka]

One other thing I must point out that I ran into several times this weekend is the idiots that forget about being able to do a left turn on red on a one way street. Serious why the eff to I have to wait 3 extra minutes per light because some dipshit doesn't know he can turn left on red there?

My guess there is that the people aren't accustomed to one-way streets. The town where the college that I went to had quite a few one-way streets, but I have barely seen them since then.

I'll admit that I probably would have done the same thing without realizing it.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Every computer model of traffic flow ever done says that this makes traffic much worse than just an orderly merge.

Orderly merge.... HAHAHAHA. So here I am last night approaching a traffic light that is not functioning since the power outage on Saturday. They rigged up a 4 way stop sign and traffic has backed up a good 1/4 mile in every direction. People are aware of this problem and they deal with it. This is a normal 2 lane road intersection with a left turn lane. 99% of the people wait until the turning lane opens before coming over to make their left... but not this guy. No he is in a hurry. He cuts out onto the oncoming lane early to buzz ahead into the turning lane... at this point he waits for our directions turn to go at the 4way and proceeds to go STRAIGHT with the other car who queued up a good 30 minutes ago. Yeah orderly, people are orderly!

 

[QuantumPion]

Eh, we will get there at the same speed then. Whatev.

Sometimes people need to pass dump trucks and such. Or emergency vehicles need to get through. Even though traffic in the middle lanes is going the speed limit we still need to overtake them. Your blocking of the passing lane prevents this and causes traffic jams and accidents up stream. What I'm trying to say is, you are a murderer and should be sent to the gas chamber.

 

[PingSpike]

In the DC metro area a signal to change lanes is a signal for the guy in the lane you want to get into to speed up to prevent you from getting in that lane. End result is people signal simultaneously with beginning to change lanes or don't bother signaling at all.

DC Area? This is how it works everywhere. Everyone knows that the signal is a sign of weakness. I signal on all lane changes, AFTER I'm halfway into the lane I'm changing into. Its just a courtesy to let you know that this just happened and there's nothing you can do about it now.

 

[Possessed Freak]

Sometimes people need to pass dump trucks and such. Or emergency vehicles need to get through. Even though traffic in the middle lanes is going the speed limit we still need to overtake them. Your blocking of the passing lane prevents this and causes traffic jams and accidents up stream. What I'm trying to say is, you are a murderer and should be sent to the gas chamber.

Those things go on the sidewalk?

 

[Wyndru]

LOL, CNN is the master of troll articles, I swear they write them just so they can watch the comments pour in.

 

[Linflas]

Sometimes people need to pass dump trucks and such. Or emergency vehicles need to get through. Even though traffic in the middle lanes is going the speed limit we still need to overtake them. Your blocking of the passing lane prevents this and causes traffic jams and accidents up stream. What I'm trying to say is, you are a murderer and should be sent to the gas chamber.

Speaking of trucks nothing makes me see red faster than 2 POS dump trucks or trucks dragging shit like trenchers side by side at a light when they are not making a turn. Nothing like being stuck in a snail race as they take a mile to get from 0-40 MPH.

 

[Aikouka]

Oh, I forgot another relatively annoying one:

People around here seem to be very afraid of driving in inclement weather. I can understand snow since it doesn't snow that often down here, and I'm at a serious advantage given I used to live in rural Pennsylvania where our township had... maybe two snowplows for all the roads? It wasn't uncommon to drive home with 4-6" of unplowed snow on the roads. Overall, I understand the idea of slowing down when conditions truly call for it.

But anyway, the people around here don't get that last part ("when conditions truly call for it"), as they seem to just slow down once it starts raining (light drizzle or heavy downpour). The other day, we had a light rainfall (no visibility issues and the road wasn't overly slick or anything), and I ended up in a bit of a traffic jam. We were only moving at about 20 MPH, so I assumed that someone had an accident (pretty common around here when it rains :|). I ended up in my rather long right turn lane, and as I passed all the cars, I noticed... there wasn't an accident at all. People were literally just driving 20 MPH. :|

 

[dainthomas]

Except for it doesn't make an orderly merge when someone switches from the lane staying open, over to the lane that is ending so they can fly up to the front, then cut everyone else off to get back over at the last second causing everyone to slam on their brakes.

Yes, that is douchey. But grandma putting along in the right lane is actually making traffic flow more smoothly by using the entire lane and getting over when it ends.

 

[Baked]

Move bitch!

 

[jpeyton]

Let me preface this by saying one thing: I speed because I enjoy driving fast, not because I'm in a hurry. Even if I was an hour ahead of schedule, I'd still go 80 in a 55.

I encounter, on a daily basis, drivers going 65-70 in a 55 holding up the left lane, and I pass them on the right without a fuss.

But on those rare occasions when I run into a real winner (55-60 in a 55 in the left lane), my favorite way to get them to move over: drive even slower. I pass them on the right (as I typically do with anyone impeding my progress), get in front of them, and take my foot off the accelerator until they decide the left lane isn't for them anymore. Then I punch it and take off, leaving the left lane a much better place.

 

[QuantumPion]

Let me preface this by saying one thing: I speed because I enjoy driving fast, not because I'm in a hurry. Even if I was an hour ahead of schedule, I'd still go 80 in a 55.

I encounter, on a daily basis, drivers going 65-70 in a 55 holding up the left lane, and I pass them on the right without a fuss.

But on those rare occasions when I run into a real winner (55-60 in a 55 in the left lane), my favorite way to get them to move over: drive even slower. I pass them on the right (as I typically do with anyone impeding my progress), get in front of them, and take my foot off the accelerator until they decide the left lane isn't for them anymore. Then I punch it and take off, leaving the left lane a much better place.

Why not just toss a handful of caltrops out the window. :awe:

 

[ShawnD1]

Every computer model of traffic flow ever done says that this makes traffic much worse than just an orderly merge. Those truckers are stupid, I wonder if their fellow truckers stuck in traffic miles back appreciate it as much as you do?

Doesn't matter. If you want in this lane, get your ass to the back of the line. People trying to skip to the front of the line should be killed. God bless those truckers for forcing people to wait their turn.

 

[microAmp]

Just to let you know, those three items are illegal in Texas a a few other states. For some reason people don't realize that Traffic on the highway must YIELD to traffic entering the highway in Texas. And traffic not speeding up on a ramp to enter a highway is also breaking the law.

Hate to break it to you but you're wrong about cars on highways having to yield to cars coming onto highway.

PDF of Drivers Manual
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/DL-7.pdf

Page 9-2

 

[zokudu]

Let me preface this by saying one thing: I speed because I enjoy driving fast, not because I'm in a hurry. Even if I was an hour ahead of schedule, I'd still go 80 in a 55.

I encounter, on a daily basis, drivers going 65-70 in a 55 holding up the left lane, and I pass them on the right without a fuss.

But on those rare occasions when I run into a real winner (55-60 in a 55 in the left lane), my favorite way to get them to move over: drive even slower. I pass them on the right (as I typically do with anyone impeding my progress), get in front of them, and take my foot off the accelerator until they decide the left lane isn't for them anymore. Then I punch it and take off, leaving the left lane a much better place.

You ever try obeying the law?

 

[HumblePie]

Hate to break it to you but you're wrong about cars on highways having to yield to cars coming onto highway.

PDF of Drivers Manual
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/documents/DL-7.pdf

Page 9-2

Huh??
Your links are blocked from my work.

But I'm talking about statute 545.154 where anyone entering or leaving an access or feeder road onto or off a highway has right of way in Texas. Look it up

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm

Unless there is a merge sign, then the right of way is left to the drivers to merge safely. Typically there is a merge sign when the on ramp to a highway does not come into it's own lane. So it is usually a moot point.