Red Storm
Lifer
- Oct 2, 2005
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Ruptga
Lifer
- Aug 3, 2006
- 10,246
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Decades ago, when I was first learning to drive truck, it was ass-plained like this:
First of all, there is NO SUCH THING as a "fast lane." You're required by law to not exceed the posted speed limit...but, of course, nowadays, that's more of a suggestion than an actual law...
Modern highways in the US of A were designed to be used in this way:
On a two lane (each direction) roadway, the outside (#2) lane is for normal traffic...entering the roadway, exiting the roadway, normal driving. The INSIDE (#1) lane is for passing slower traffic, traffic that's exiting the roadway, traffic that's trying to merge onto the roadway, plus, it's used to have room to move over for vehicles that are turning, emergency vehicles on the shoulder, etc.
On a roadway that has 3 or more lanes in each direction, the farthest outside lane is for vehicles that are slower than the normal flow of traffic, (theoretically the posted limit...but...) over-sized vehicles, including large trucks, for vehicles that are about to exit the roadway or vehicles that are merging onto the roadway.
The center lane(s) are for through traffic. Folks who are NOT planning to exit anytime soon.
The far inside lane (#1) lane is strictly for passing folks who are driving slower than the normal flow of traffic, for whatever reason. Of course, even in that lane, you're restricted to driving the posted limit...
In MANY states, larger vehicles (usually 3 axles or more such as semi-trucks, very large motorhomes, (3 axles) even cars/pick-up trucks pulling trailers of any kind) are limited both in applicable speed limit as well as the lanes in which they're permitted to drive.
That's how I was taught too, and I'm not even thirty. It's not that times have changed, it's just that most humans suck at driving. Fortunately it looks like we'll begin phasing that out sooner than later.
Red Storm
Lifer
- Oct 2, 2005
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It really comes down to three types of people:
Aware drivers. They know what lane to be in and are aware of the cars around them. Example: At a stoplight they notice the driver behind them needs a few more inches of clearance so they can get into the left turn lane, so they move up slightly to allow that to happen. A simple, nice gesture made possible because they keep their eyes on the surrounding environment, as we all should be doing when driving.
Unaware drivers. They drive oblivious to the other cars around them. They park their ass in the left lane and maintain pace with the car on the right. In my example above, these are the idiots who are so oblivious to their surroundings that they don't see the person behind them trying to squeeze by. They aren't intentional douches, they are unintentional douches. Doesn't matter if they drive fast or slow, these are the problem people on the roads.
Assholes. These are the ones who try stupid shit like self-policing the speed limit by blocking drivers. They are few and far between in my experience, but they are there.
Aware drivers. They know what lane to be in and are aware of the cars around them. Example: At a stoplight they notice the driver behind them needs a few more inches of clearance so they can get into the left turn lane, so they move up slightly to allow that to happen. A simple, nice gesture made possible because they keep their eyes on the surrounding environment, as we all should be doing when driving.
Unaware drivers. They drive oblivious to the other cars around them. They park their ass in the left lane and maintain pace with the car on the right. In my example above, these are the idiots who are so oblivious to their surroundings that they don't see the person behind them trying to squeeze by. They aren't intentional douches, they are unintentional douches. Doesn't matter if they drive fast or slow, these are the problem people on the roads.
Assholes. These are the ones who try stupid shit like self-policing the speed limit by blocking drivers. They are few and far between in my experience, but they are there.
zerocool84
Lifer
- Nov 11, 2004
- 36,041
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- 126
MagnusTheBrewer
IN MEMORIAM
- Jun 19, 2004
- 24,122
- 1,594
- 126
Let's see, first we assume a twenty mile commute that is primarily highway. Then, we assume said road hog is driving 50 mph. You save an incredible 9 minutes. Which, should give you just enough time to rub one out in the drive thru. Yep, hanging's too good for him.
poofyhairguy
Lifer
- Nov 20, 2005
- 14,612
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I will not police you by hogging the left lane. I will police you by hogging both lanes on a merge
BoomerD
No Lifer
- Feb 26, 2006
- 66,303
- 14,715
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I drove the motorhome over Donner Pass last summer...holy fuck...that road is in SERIOUS need of repair. The primary culprit...trucks and tire chains. (although some folks keep pointing at cars and studded tires...
)
MongGrel
Lifer
- Dec 3, 2013
- 38,466
- 3,067
- 121
This. Just wrong. Even what you posted to begin with sounded a bit bizzare.
Not sure what you are even saying really, just tying up the left lane is BS to begin with, then again driving 10 mph over the speed limit in a place with construction when the speed limit is supposed to be half of the norm sounds pretty stupid to begin with, especially if there are cameras.
+1
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Pretty much. I don't hog the left lane. But if I am going the speed limit no one has reason to pass either.
What is with all of the people, and posters here, who think it is acceptable to exceed the speed limit?
- Mar 3, 2000
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Of course they are set to generate revenue. It still doesn't mean you are allowed to exceed them.
Linflas
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2001
- 15,395
- 78
- 91
I've driven on the Autostradas in Italy and they have the same lane discipline that you see elsewhere in Europe, drive right and pass left. In the cities on the other hand it is a hilarious free for all.
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Red Storm
Lifer
- Oct 2, 2005
- 14,233
- 234
- 106
If my math is correct, that incredible 9 minutes a day totals over 54 hours a year. Start adding up the years and you're talking about days and days of time saved...
Linflas
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2001
- 15,395
- 78
- 91
How they are actually set or how they are supposed to be set? From what I see they are mostly set by politics and revenue as opposed to how traffic engineers would actually set them if they were in charge.
feralkid
Lifer
- Jan 28, 2002
- 16,866
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If you're in the left lane, move to the right to allow them to pass; it is not your job to be the regulator of other drivers' rate of speed.
IronWing
No Lifer
- Jul 20, 2001
- 72,906
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A couple years ago, the state dept of transportation raised the speed limits on many rural highways that used to be speed traps. The local barneys gave up and pouted for about a year before resuming their posts. It's okay though since the new speed limits are more reasonable for conditions.
Linflas
Lifer
- Jan 30, 2001
- 15,395
- 78
- 91
We have roads here that are 4 lane divided by a wide grass median with no houses facing the road that any reasonable person would drive 35 MPH on set to 25 MPH and there are always speed traps to catch those reasonable people.
Aikouka
Lifer
- Nov 27, 2001
- 30,383
- 912
- 126
Oh, a driving thread. I need to use all my willpower not to complain about southern drivers... again.
I've actually been trying to figure out why the hell people do certain things when driving around here. Yesterday, I asked my coworker why in the world he keeps moving up slightly when at a red light. His response was, "I don't know... I'm just anxious I guess." For me, I just stop where I intend to stop until I get to go. There's no leaving gaps or inching forward.
Another thing that has usually bewildered me came up in a discussion about cruise control. I tend to use cruise control often, which surprises my coworkers as they apparently rarely use it. When talking to one of my coworkers, he stated that he doesn't use it as he just keeps his foot in a single position on the accelerator. I've seen that sort of crap in the past, and I mentioned that it makes you go slower up hills. His response? "I drive a big truck! I gotta save gas somehow!"
Eh... yes and no.
Yes, I don't usually give as much leeway to someone who's driving like a loon.
No, I usually try to avoid passing people slowly (e.g. 56 overtaking 55). I'll actually speed up momentarily just to pass someone faster, and then slow down to my original (yet still faster than the other guy) speed. Although, doing that sometimes causes a problem, because I run into quite a few people that seem to get mad that I pass them. I'll easily catch up to them, but once I start passing, I notice it's really hard to pass, or they'll stay right on my ass after I pass.
That's actually how I do it. My rule is that if there are 3+ lanes in my direction, I try and avoid the right-most lane to allow people to merge, etc. Essentially, I pretend that lane doesn't exist while still following the "keep right" rule.
Eh, it isn't uncommon for me to see a truck outside in the left-most lane as I'm passing a sign that strictly forbids trucks from being in any lane but the right-most.
:'(
Reading this one gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
I've actually been trying to figure out why the hell people do certain things when driving around here. Yesterday, I asked my coworker why in the world he keeps moving up slightly when at a red light. His response was, "I don't know... I'm just anxious I guess." For me, I just stop where I intend to stop until I get to go. There's no leaving gaps or inching forward.
Another thing that has usually bewildered me came up in a discussion about cruise control. I tend to use cruise control often, which surprises my coworkers as they apparently rarely use it. When talking to one of my coworkers, he stated that he doesn't use it as he just keeps his foot in a single position on the accelerator. I've seen that sort of crap in the past, and I mentioned that it makes you go slower up hills. His response? "I drive a big truck! I gotta save gas somehow!"
Eh... yes and no.
Yes, I don't usually give as much leeway to someone who's driving like a loon.
No, I usually try to avoid passing people slowly (e.g. 56 overtaking 55). I'll actually speed up momentarily just to pass someone faster, and then slow down to my original (yet still faster than the other guy) speed. Although, doing that sometimes causes a problem, because I run into quite a few people that seem to get mad that I pass them. I'll easily catch up to them, but once I start passing, I notice it's really hard to pass, or they'll stay right on my ass after I pass.
That's actually how I do it. My rule is that if there are 3+ lanes in my direction, I try and avoid the right-most lane to allow people to merge, etc. Essentially, I pretend that lane doesn't exist while still following the "keep right" rule.
Eh, it isn't uncommon for me to see a truck outside in the left-most lane as I'm passing a sign that strictly forbids trucks from being in any lane but the right-most.
:'(
Reading this one gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
MagnusTheBrewer
IN MEMORIAM
- Jun 19, 2004
- 24,122
- 1,594
- 126
That's what Europeans do. That's part of the reason why everyone is so careful to follow the rules, many have been reported to the police by other citizens
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