When Someone Flashes Hi-Beams on Highway...

[dmw16]

I notice this pretty often...

My morning commute takes me from Columbia, MD to just north of the top of the Baltimore beltway. I take I95 north all the way. Typically traffic isn't bad and moves at a decent pace.

But, it seems like at least once a week there is someone going about 71mph in the left lane in a 65mph zone. I typically stay in one of the two left lanes (it's 4 lanes in each direction) since I tend to average a speed of around 80mph. So as I approach the car that is moving slowly (for the lane they are in), I will flash my hi-beams (asking them to move over), and they just sit there. I will do so a few more times. Normally people move over and it's no big deal. But about once a week someone will just sit there for no good reason. I understand if there are cars to their right and they can't move, but once they have a spot, they should move.

Now, I know someone is going to say "you shouldn't be speeding", let me just say that I am freely admitting I speed. I do so safely. I don't weave, I don't tailgate, I try to avoid passing on the right, I always signal, etc.

Secondly, on the speeding thing, the left lane is not for someone going 5mph over the speed limit. You are only supposed to use that lane to pass (which I do, as I try to stay in the middle left lane, but given the number of cars I am typically passing, so I end up in the left a lot). So the guy in front of me is obstructing a pass and guilty of a moving violation same as me. (Not that two wrongs make a right).

So I am just curious. If you are going a few miles over the limit in the left lane of a 3 or 4 lane highway (in each direction) and someone approaches you from behind and/or flashes their hi-beams, do you move? If not, why?

 

[Deeko]

People who create a "wall" of traffic, going the same speed as the lane to their right, are the bane of my existance.

 

[Spineshank]

Originally posted by: Deeko
People who create a "wall" of traffic, going the same speed as the lane to their right, are the bane of my existance.

I agree. And its quite common here in PA. I cant even doing 70 in a 65 in the left lane half the time cause cars are cruising along in it going 65. Usually the right lane is going like 55-60 which baffles my mind.

 

[Oxaqata]

Edit

 

[Q]

I've never had it happen to me, but if it did, yeah, I'd move over. You never know, hearing all those stories about road rage.

 

[Jumpem]

No. If I am going at least the speed limit I stay in the left lane. If people don't like it they can go go around me. No reason for me to move because they are the ones in a hurry.

And if someone flashes me, waves their hands, or tailgates I will slow down to exactly the speed limit.

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
No. If I am going at least the speed limit I stay in the left lane. If people don't like it they can go go around me. No reason for me to move because they are the ones in a hurry.

And if the slow lane is going the same speed? You stay in the left lane out of principle? You realize that as much as there are speeding laws, many states also have "keep right, pass left" laws to prevent that ridiculous mentality?

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: Deeko
And if the slow lane is going the same speed? You stay in the left lane out of principle? You realize that as much as there are speeding laws, many states also have "keep right, pass left" laws to prevent that ridiculous mentality?

I almost always get on th highway, move left, and stay there until I need to get off... it does not matter what is happening in the lanes to my right. I stay there to avoid the churn that happens at on and off ramps. No need to worry about traffic moving left and right to get on or off.

 

[Pliablemoose]

In Texas, you're required by law to move to the right lane to allow cars to pass, and they'll ticket you for not moving over.

I like to stay in the left lane, but if someone's going faster I move over, it's polite & I don't want to incite road rage, stuff happens pretty quickly at highway speeds when things fall apart, like a fool tailgating me & me needing to stop or swerve to avoid another car or road debris.

Also, I've seen reports of folks being shot for not moving over, you never know what the hell the person driving fast is thinking and there are some crazy ass people out there that act like they're 10X tougher when behind the wheel of a car.

 

[dmw16]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
No. If I am going at least the speed limit I stay in the left lane. If people don't like it they can go go around me. No reason for me to move because they are the ones in a hurry.

And if someone flashes me, waves their hands, or tailgates I will slow down to exactly the speed limit.

I agree w/ staying away from the far right lane or even 2 right lanes to avoid the on/off ramp mess.

But, you are causing people to pass you on the right, and you are not "keeping right except to pass". That is a moving violation.

You staying in the left lane because you think you have some right makes no sense and makes you a bit of a jerk. Don't make me go around you when you are the one blocking traffic. If you can safely move right and allow me to pass you should because it's polite and the law.

For the record, I don't road rage. I don't cut people off. I just dont see why you think you need to in the far left lane going the speed limit.

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
No. If I am going at least the speed limit I stay in the left lane. If people don't like it they can go go around me. No reason for me to move because they are the ones in a hurry.

And if someone flashes me, waves their hands, or tailgates I will slow down to exactly the speed limit.

<road rage>

Same here....except, i dont do the speed limit.. im usually going 75-80... so if you flash me... who appointed you god of the road to tell me to move ... F U!

People flashing their high beams to tell you to move is the height of road arrogance.... and i will NOT move... in fact, i'll slow down. If you want to go that fast.... go around me then.

ahole.

</road rage>

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: guyver01
<road rage>

Same here....except, i dont do the speed limit.. im usually going 75-80... so if you flash me... who appointed you god of the road to tell me to move ... F U!

People flashing their high beams to tell you to move is the height of road arrogance.... and i will NOT move... in fact, i'll slow down. If you want to go that fast.... go around me then.

ahole.

</road rage>

I agree. I usally go 70-72 on 65mph highways. If someone comes up behind me at a reasonable speed I will move over if it is convenient. However, I draw the line at people the flash high beams, gesture, or come up on me very fast.

 

[Deeko]

I agree that I hate when people flash or tailgate. I do none of these things, and I get annoyed when people do them to me. However, its common courtesy to move to the right if you can, if there's someone who wants to pass you. Remember, like I said, they are doing something illegal by speeding, but you are doing something illegal by not staying right except to pass.

 

[Alowishus]

It's annoying when people do it when your already moving at a reasonable speed in the left lane (like 80+). There isn't any reason to be doing 120 on the highway.

 

[Analog]

I will move over if someone is coming up on me and I'm in the left lane. If they're being a dick and flashing their lights or tailgating, I'll just sit there. Just because you're going faster doesn't mean you own the road, or are at a higher priority than me. Doing those things is plain stupid.

As far as those laws that say you must stay to the right, fine, but don't tell me that I need to follow the law when you're clearly violating the law by doing 15 miles over the limit, that's also just plain idiocracy.

 

[Colt45]

They need summary execution for offenders. Get the fuck out of the fast lane.

 

[Skacer]

When people form moving walls, I pass them in the breakdown lane. Out of spite really. Because I know the only reason they are doing it is because they think it gives them control over the situation and I like to break that illusion. You aren't the police, you aren't my parents, nobody appointed you hall monitor of the highway system, so move the hell over.

And no I don't move for highbeam flashers, because I move before anyone has ever needed to flash their highbeams at me. It is very easy, as an attentive driver, to tell if someone behind me is going faster than me and find a spot in another lane.

Case in point, traffic was backed up in the left lane, person in front was going 60, I wanted to go 80, they eventually moved, I sped up, guy behind me stayed on my tail, I could tell he wanted to go faster than 80 so I let him pass and then I went back into the lane. We all get our way, what is the problem.

 

[TheNewbie]

I'm not a 100% sure but I think its basically illegal to drive in the left lane unless you're passing someone.
When I get high-beamed I clear the way as soon as I can do it safely. I'm really annoyed with people who don't give a fvck and won't clear the way. If you want to go slow its fine, but don't be an ass and slow other people down, unless you're a state trooper...

 

[yllus]

People in the leftmost lane who don't move over for faster traffic are fucktards. Speed up or get out of the way.

 

[Jumpem]

Originally posted by: yllus
People in the leftmost lane who don't move over for faster traffic are fucktards. Speed up or get out of the way.

Slow down, or YOU pass me if YOU are in a hurry. I am content just driving to work.

 

[dmw16]

I should probably clarify what I wrote, I will only flash my hi-beams if they don't move as I approach. But when I get close the polite and correct thing to do is move over to the right (assuming it's safe, of course).

As for the god of the road comment, who appointed you the guy who gets to set the speed limit be obstructing a pass?

 

[Deeko]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: yllus
People in the leftmost lane who don't move over for faster traffic are fucktards. Speed up or get out of the way.

Slow down, or YOU pass me if YOU are in a hurry. I am content just driving to work.

If you're content just driving to work, do it in the right lane. Its not THAT hard to be aware of merging traffic. You do realize that, right? The right lane is not the passing lane. The left lane is. Your mentality works in 3 lane highways, where you can cruise in the middle lane...in a standard 2-laner, get to the right ya ass.

 

[Nikamichi]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: yllus
People in the leftmost lane who don't move over for faster traffic are fucktards. Speed up or get out of the way.

Slow down, or YOU pass me if YOU are in a hurry. I am content just driving to work.

This is the problem with drivers on the road. They think they're entitled to cockblock everyone else. If you want to drive like an old fart, get out of the speeding lane.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: yllus
People in the leftmost lane who don't move over for faster traffic are fucktards. Speed up or get out of the way.

Slow down, or YOU pass me if YOU are in a hurry. I am content just driving to work.

It's illegal to use the far left lane for anything but passing, just as it is illegal to pass on the right. Keep up the great work, jackass.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Flashing your beams at someone is akin to flipping them off. If someone does it to me I return the favor by slowing the hell down.

Look at it like this, the person you flashed who didn't move would probably not move for anyone regardless. You may think that the only reason people move out of your way is because you flashed the high beams but more than likely they would have moved regardless... because they are what we call 'GOOD' drivers. They didn't move because of the power of your high beams.