Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Originally posted by: Chiropteran
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
Most of I81 is two lanes.
He was going fast, sped up to get around the truck and also did not pay attention to his surroundings.
There are signs indicating how far an exit is (mandated by Federal law on interstates) at least 1/2 mile before the exit.
How could you possibly know he didn't pay attention to his surroundings?
1/2 mile is nothing. At 70 mph, which is the legal sped limit on some VA roadways, that gives you less than 30 seconds to get over and exit. The way people drive around here, tailgating so nobody can get in front of them, 30 seconds often isn't enough to change lanes. And slowing down in the left lane to *slower* than the right lane traffic is just plain stupid. You are supposed to pass in the left lane, by slowing down you force people to pass you on the right which creates a dangerous driving condition for everyone.
30 seconds is a long time. And that does no take into account the line of sight to the exit notification sign nor the 50-100 yards of exit lane.
And he stated that he sped up to pass a truck - therefore he was behind the truck.
It would not take 30 seconds to pass the truck, given that he was traveling at least 10mph faster.
His view was only blocked for a short period of time that he would not have seen the exit sign. In that time, he would have cleared the truck enough to see the exit coming up.
Either he was not aware of what he was doing before starting the pass or did not pay attention once he could see in front of the truck to see the exit coming up.
Or the exit story is an excuse a justification of speeding.