Ping: Left Lane Hogs

[olds]

Stop it!

 

[cbrunny]

This would matter less if speed limits were enforced.

 

[IronWing]

ALM!

 

[BarkingGhostar]

Last summer the Today show featured this LEO technology in which the patrol car fired a gooey lump of adhesive that carrier along with it a GPS tracking device. I would think a modified unit that shot a gooey lump of cadaverine chemical might get them to correct their behavior, but then you would be down wind of them. Need to work on that time release version.

 

[NaughtyGeek]

This would matter less if speed limits were enforced.

No!

In Germany, where 50 percent of its roads are without speed limits, traffic flows well in large part thanks to the ingrained notion of a passing lane. For drivers who don’t comply with left lane discipline, punishments include $200 to $800 fines, or even license suspensions.

These driving standards lend themselves to far fewer traffic fatalities than the U.S. According to the World Health Organization, in 2013, Germany had 6.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 motor vehicles on the road. By comparison, the U.S. had 12.9 deaths – almost double.

It's douchenozzels espousing their civic duty to "police" the speeders in the left hand lane causing issues, not the speeders.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Wow....so Yahoo's still a thing?

 

[DrPizza]

It'd be great if they figured out a way to use dash cam footage to issue traffic violations. They wouldn't even need to be attached to fines. Simply, "we were given a 1 minute video of you impeding traffic in the left lane. You weren't passing. 2 points have been added to your license. At 10 points, you lose your license for being a shitty driver."

 

[zinfamous]

No!



It's douchenozzels espousing their civic duty to "police" the speeders in the left hand lane causing issues, not the speeders.

It's hard to compare what works in Germany with how things work elsewhere: Germans are quite a different lot.

Heavily rule-bound as a mass hive when it comes to public interactions and policy. Extremely efficient and protocol driven-people to a level that borders on hysteria. To that end, Germany is an incredibly clean, functioning, and pleasant place.

You can't really say that this policy will work here because it works this way....in Germany. The X-factor is the German people. Shit, try to apply those same laws in Italy. lol

 

[Scarpozzi]

It'd be great if they figured out a way to use dash cam footage to issue traffic violations. They wouldn't even need to be attached to fines. Simply, "we were given a 1 minute video of you impeding traffic in the left lane. You weren't passing. 2 points have been added to your license. At 10 points, you lose your license for being a shitty driver."

It'd be much easier if cars required you to insert your driver's license into a slot before you can even turn the ignition key. The onboard computer could then read a license RFID and determine whether or not the driver is from NY or FL and keep the car from starting.

 

[NaughtyGeek]

It's hard to compare what works in Germany with how things work elsewhere: Germans are quite a different lot.

Heavily rule-bound as a mass hive when it comes to public interactions and policy. Extremely efficient and protocol driven-people to a level that borders on hysteria. To that end, Germany is an incredibly clean, functioning, and pleasant place.

You can't really say that this policy will work here because it works this way....in Germany. The X-factor is the German people. Shit, try to apply those same laws in Italy. lol

Point taken as if I ever have to drive in Italy again it will be too soon but would gladly traverse Germany again at any given opportunity. However, that does not negate the fact that loitering in the left lane is rude, dangerous, unlawful and totally freaking annoying.

 

[NaughtyGeek]

It'd be much easier if cars required you to insert your driver's license into a slot before you can even turn the ignition key. The onboard computer could then read a license RFID and determine whether or not the driver is from NY or FL and keep the car from starting.

You forgot NJ.

 

[clamum]

They should re-test all drivers every 5 years and if they fail some sort of left-lane test, their license is torn up and burned in front of them.

That, or I should be allowed to take a rifle with me and shoot the dumb SOB in the back of the head.

I think the biggest issue, more than people playing cop ("you shouldn't be speeding in this lane") or not knowing it's for passing, is people that just are not paying attention to their surroundings. I see it constantly when I'm driving. People are more concerned with the radio, their stupid phone, or whatever grand deep thoughts are going through their head than the incredibly important task they should be focusing on.

 

[shortylickens]

 

[zinfamous]

Point taken as if I ever have to drive in Italy again it will be too soon but would gladly traverse Germany again at any given opportunity. However, that does not negate the fact that loitering in the left lane is rude, dangerous, unlawful and totally freaking annoying.

agreed. I just doubt any solution that works in Germany will work in most any other place, unfortunately.

Maybe a minimum $1k, no contest, fine enforced and monitored by drones?

 

[preslove]

No!



It's douchenozzels espousing their civic duty to "police" the speeders in the left hand lane causing issues, not the speeders.

"According to the World Health Organization, in 2013, Germany had 6.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 motor vehicles on the road. By comparison, the U.S. had 12.9 deaths – almost double. "

I mean, I hate left lane blockers as much as the next guy, but this is such a dumb statistic to use to bolster that point. In Europe, it is much much much harder to get a license, and more expensive to drive. This is because public transportation is actually worth a shit over there, and most people use it. The licensing test is actually hard. The gas is much more expensive. In America, any fucking idiot can get a license, and driving a car is required in most communities. Oh yeah, and they also don't have highways IN the city. The autobahn terminates in a regular street once you hit the city. So, there aren't 12 lane monster interstates you have to drive on to get to work (or the bar...). THAT is why they have half as many deaths, not because no one clogs the left lane.

 

[Ruptga]

agreed. I just doubt any solution that works in Germany will work in most any other place, unfortunately.

Maybe a minimum $1k, no contest, fine enforced and monitored by drones?

Yeah, and we can put some drones on poles that will issue tickets to speeders too. Nothing can go wrong.

 

[MongGrel]

It'd be much easier if cars required you to insert your driver's license into a slot before you can even turn the ignition key. The onboard computer could then read a license RFID and determine whether or not the driver is from NY or FL and keep the car from starting.

I take it that was meant as a FL ding, but I see more out of state snowbirds screwing up the roads down here about half the year more than anyone.

In Germany, on the other hand I've come to hear from people I've known over time, you'll probably almost be run over if you're messing around in the left lane when you should not be.

Was a reason it used to be called the passing lane, not sure the term is really used much these days.

 

[Leyawiin]

"According to the World Health Organization, in 2013, Germany had 6.8 traffic deaths per 100,000 motor vehicles on the road. By comparison, the U.S. had 12.9 deaths – almost double. "

I mean, I hate left lane blockers as much as the next guy, but this is such a dumb statistic to use to bolster that point. In Europe, it is much much much harder to get a license, and more expensive to drive. This is because public transportation is actually worth a shit over there, and most people use it. The licensing test is actually hard. The gas is much more expensive. In America, any fucking idiot can get a license, and driving a car is required in most communities. Oh yeah, and they also don't have highways IN the city. The autobahn terminates in a regular street once you hit the city. So, there aren't 12 lane monster interstates you have to drive on to get to work (or the bar...). THAT is why they have half as many deaths, not because no one clogs the left lane.

Miles driven instead of registered vehicles would probably explain that. I bet the average American is more exposed to potential dangers on the road than the average German.

 

[gururu2]

I refuse to move over if I am going exactly 10 mph over speed limit and especially if I am going through a construction zone with cameras.

 

[BoomerD]

Meh...if I'm passing the traffic in the right lane, I will continue driving in the left lane until I can move over without having to get behind another slow driver. Doesn't matter if I'm going 56 in a 55...or even 55 in a 55... (or 72 in a 70) As long as I'm actively passing the slower traffic, I will remain in the #1 lane.

Just because you want to drive 20 mph faster than me, doesn't mean I should (or will) move over for you if it means I'm stuck behind a slow driver and a line of cars in the #1 lane. (and that's 100% within the law)

I have no want, need, nor desire to be a "traffic regulator," I don't really give a shit how fast you drive as long as you don't endanger me...but neither will I inconvenience myself for you.

 

[zinfamous]

I refuse to move over if I am going exactly 10 mph over speed limit and especially if I am going through a construction zone with cameras.

If traffic is going faster than you and you are in the passing lane, then you are in the wrong lane. This is actually the law in most states.

 

[IronWing]

Meh...if I'm passing the traffic in the right lane, I will continue driving in the left lane until I can move over without having to get behind another slow driver. Doesn't matter if I'm going 56 in a 55...or even 55 in a 55... (or 72 in a 70) As long as I'm actively passing the slower traffic, I will remain in the #1 lane.

^^ This is what the passing lane is for. Slowpokes in the left lane don't bother me if they are passing the slowerpokes in the right lane. It's the asshats who aren't passing while in the passing lane that should be castrated (even the women).

 

[BUTCH1]

It'd be much easier if cars required you to insert your driver's license into a slot before you can even turn the ignition key. The onboard computer could then read a license RFID and determine whether or not the driver is from NY or FL and keep the car from starting.

I have a SHOCKING revelation for you, there are morons to be found on the road all across the US. FL is unlucky in where you have a LOT of people from out of state trying to find their way around mixed in with the locals, (most of whom migrated to FL from the north)trying to get to work/school on time.

 

[Jeff7]

But the right lane has poorly-leveled storm drains, potholes that dream of becoming sinkholes, and it ends abruptly after an intersection in a school zone.:awe: Then after making a right turn, the new right lane again ends after less than a mile.

(Both of the 2-lane roads I drive on each day are flipped by the regulars who drive through there: Stick to the left lane unless you want to risk getting stuck in a lane that's about to end.)

 

[BoomerD]

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.