When Someone Flashes Hi-Beams on Highway...

[Drako]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: 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.

Seriously? Wow..

If anything, I consider those who signal to me to be more courteous than those who pass me on the right.

Who the fuck taught you how to drive?

Impeding the flow of traffic is illegal in most states. I was taught to "Drive Right, Pass Left", and I drive that way when traffic conditions permit it.

It's people like Jumpem - the self proclaimed speed enforcers - that end up causing a lot of traffiic problems out of arrogance.

 

[dman]

Over time you learn to wait patiently, while not tailgating, for the a-hole wanna-be enforcer of speed law in front to move over. Eventually either they'll move over or a spot will open up where you can pass. Trying to get the 'holier-than-though' people to move over by flashing your brights, honking, weaving, tailgating or whatever else isn't going to work. Just makes them happier that they are getting you angry while you wait.

On the flip side, if there's rush hour traffic and all lanes are full, and you think it's everyone in the left lane's obligation to move over so you can get to work or home faster... well... dream on. If I'm blocking traffic and it's open road ahead, I'll move over. If I'm following the pace of infinite cars in front and you want to pass, too bad.

Either way, calm down, listen to some good tunes, relax, there's plenty of other crap to get ticked off about.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: NaOH

Originally posted by: jefa

Originally posted by: dmw16

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

The lane is for LEGAL passing.. If you are passing a vehicle that is going at or above the speed limit then it is not a legal pass.

lol....so if someone was going the speed limit, you couldn't legally pass them then? Wow...just wow.

What's surprising about it? What you said is 100% true to the letter of the law. If a cop wanted to ticket you for speeding while you're trying to pass someone driving the speed limit, he can. A ton of us break numerous driving laws because we have the assumption that they are 'soft laws' that aren't enforced like speeding within 10mph over the speed limit but we should all realize that we're SOL if a cop has a hissy fit one day.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: Excelsior

Originally posted by: 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.

Seriously? Wow..

If anything, I consider those who signal to me to be more courteous than those who pass me on the right.

Who the fuck taught you how to drive?

<--- passes on the right because I don't want to bother with flashing my headlights or tailgating. Sorry for offending you.

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: 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.

Wow, you're a fuckhead.

 

[James Bond]

Wow some of you people really need to get off your high horses. If someone is trying to pass you so diligently that they flash their brights at you, then just fucking move. What affect does this have on you? None. You can go slow all day if you want, just don't waste other peoples time.

 

[FeuerFrei]

The more aggressive you are in approaching my car from behind the less likely I am to move aside.
If you gradually approach without flashing your lights, then I'm likely to either speed up or move aside on general principles. I realize unimpeded traffic flow is a plus.

Aggression just pisses me off and then I'll do whatever I can to keep you from passing me. So don't appear too eager to pass or it'll work against you.

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei
The more aggressive you are in approaching my car from behind the less likely I am to move aside.
If you gradually approach without flashing your lights, then I'm likely to either speed up or move aside on general principles. I realize unimpeded traffic flow is a plus.

Aggression just pisses me off and then I'll do whatever I can to keep you from passing me. So don't appear too eager to pass or it'll work against you.

Wow... Why would you do that? You've got the mentality of a child.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei
The more aggressive you are in approaching my car from behind the less likely I am to move aside.
If you gradually approach without flashing your lights, then I'm likely to either speed up or move aside on general principles. I realize unimpeded traffic flow is a plus.

Aggression just pisses me off and then I'll do whatever I can to keep you from passing me. So don't appear too eager to pass or it'll work against you.

Do you realize that you're acting no different than the guy behind you? By not moving over, you're trying to exhibit your dominance over him by controlling the lane. You are both being aggressive It doesn't matter who is right, or who "started" it. You're both trying to be alpha males. But in this case, the guy behind you IS right because you're supposed to move right, ya jerk!

Fact #1: Europeans are better trained drivers than Americans.
Fact #2: Europeans commonly flash their brights at people to get out of the left lane. You should feel ashamed that someone had to remind you to get out of the passing lane rather than doing it yourself.

 

[Jahee]

Originally posted by: Triumph

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei
The more aggressive you are in approaching my car from behind the less likely I am to move aside.
If you gradually approach without flashing your lights, then I'm likely to either speed up or move aside on general principles. I realize unimpeded traffic flow is a plus.

Aggression just pisses me off and then I'll do whatever I can to keep you from passing me. So don't appear too eager to pass or it'll work against you.

Do you realize that you're acting no different than the guy behind you? By not moving over, you're trying to exhibit your dominance over him by controlling the lane. You are both being aggressive It doesn't matter who is right, or who "started" it. You're both trying to be alpha males. But in this case, the guy behind you IS right because you're supposed to move right, ya jerk!

Fact #1: Europeans are better trained drivers than Americans.
Fact #2: Europeans commonly flash their brights at people to get out of the left lane. You should feel ashamed that someone had to remind you to get out of the passing lane rather than doing it yourself.

Precisely... Assholes :roll:

 

[dbot]

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.

So you're the guy who doesn't know how to drive!

Originally posted by: Jumpem
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.

You do realize that you are the churn don't you

 

[jandrews]

Originally posted by: Triumph

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei
The more aggressive you are in approaching my car from behind the less likely I am to move aside.
If you gradually approach without flashing your lights, then I'm likely to either speed up or move aside on general principles. I realize unimpeded traffic flow is a plus.

Aggression just pisses me off and then I'll do whatever I can to keep you from passing me. So don't appear too eager to pass or it'll work against you.

Do you realize that you're acting no different than the guy behind you? By not moving over, you're trying to exhibit your dominance over him by controlling the lane. You are both being aggressive It doesn't matter who is right, or who "started" it. You're both trying to be alpha males. But in this case, the guy behind you IS right because you're supposed to move right, ya jerk!

Fact #1: Europeans are better trained drivers than Americans.
Fact #2: Europeans commonly flash their brights at people to get out of the left lane. You should feel ashamed that someone had to remind you to get out of the passing lane rather than doing it yourself.

I would be interested in finding out where you learned the information regarding Europeans being better trained. Anyway, the united states has hundreds of thousands of miles of roadway more than the euros not to mention the average daily commute for each american is much larger than any European due to the expanse of our country and road system. This equates to much longer times on the road.

Also, just because euros do something doesnt mean americans do. I would find it extremely rude exteremely!!! rude if someone was flashing their brights behind me. I wouldnt even know what they wanted, I would assume there was an accident ahead or maybe they were trying to warn someone about something. In Minnesota, people rarely honk their horns and they never flash their lights and traffic is more or less polite but of course there are the standard amount of people who try to abuse traffic and cut in line. I moved to Florida several years ago and I was astonished by how rude the drivers were, people honked their horns at every little thing and I am sure light flashing was common practice. In my opinion there is a certain level of courtesy that should be given in the road and speeding on someones butt and flashing your brights on and off is not one of those courteous maneuvers.

 

[PepePeru]

I PAID FOR THIS ROAD W/ MY TAXES AND I CAN DRIVE IN ANY DAMN LANE I WANT!

don't you love that attitude?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: jandrews

Originally posted by: Triumph

Originally posted by: FeuerFrei
The more aggressive you are in approaching my car from behind the less likely I am to move aside.
If you gradually approach without flashing your lights, then I'm likely to either speed up or move aside on general principles. I realize unimpeded traffic flow is a plus.

Aggression just pisses me off and then I'll do whatever I can to keep you from passing me. So don't appear too eager to pass or it'll work against you.

Do you realize that you're acting no different than the guy behind you? By not moving over, you're trying to exhibit your dominance over him by controlling the lane. You are both being aggressive It doesn't matter who is right, or who "started" it. You're both trying to be alpha males. But in this case, the guy behind you IS right because you're supposed to move right, ya jerk!

Fact #1: Europeans are better trained drivers than Americans.
Fact #2: Europeans commonly flash their brights at people to get out of the left lane. You should feel ashamed that someone had to remind you to get out of the passing lane rather than doing it yourself.

I would be interested in finding out where you learned the information regarding Europeans being better trained. Anyway, the united states has hundreds of thousands of miles of roadway more than the euros not to mention the average daily commute for each american is much larger than any European due to the expanse of our country and road system. This equates to much longer times on the road.

Look into the requirements for getting a driver's license in Europe.

 

[jefa]

Originally posted by: TuxDave

Originally posted by: NaOH

Originally posted by: jefa

Originally posted by: dmw16

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

The lane is for LEGAL passing.. If you are passing a vehicle that is going at or above the speed limit then it is not a legal pass.

lol....so if someone was going the speed limit, you couldn't legally pass them then? Wow...just wow.

What's surprising about it? What you said is 100% true to the letter of the law. If a cop wanted to ticket you for speeding while you're trying to pass someone driving the speed limit, he can. A ton of us break numerous driving laws because we have the assumption that they are 'soft laws' that aren't enforced like speeding within 10mph over the speed limit but we should all realize that we're SOL if a cop has a hissy fit one day.

thanks TuxDave, you saved me a reply

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Number1

Originally posted by: hanoverphist

Originally posted by: Nikamichi

Originally posted by: Jumpem

Originally posted by: Nikamichi
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.

The problem is speeders or impatient drivers thinking that they can tell me to move.

This is exactly why we have road rage. :|

road rage exists because people cant hold their tempers when they should. weak minded people cause road rage, not staying in the left lane.

but you said in another post: "but if you come up behind me and presume that im going to just stop what im doing and move for your self appointed "more important than anyone else" ass youre mistaken. i just may slow down a bit. sure, not the best way to handle it or the safest, but it does get the message across."

Sounds like road rage to me.

The funny thing is is it's usually the person getting passed that gets the most pissed. I don't get it though...for one once they pass they are not holding you up (although the asshats that pass and then slow down in front of you are a whole different matter).

While I can be an asshole to people on the road, it's my last resort. I do try to avoid passing on the right. It's just not the right thing to do and with these crotchrockets and kids weaving through traffic you can't always see clear across the right lanes of traffic.

However what usually happens if the person is not going to let me pass is...I approach...if I don't see them getting ready to move over I will dip my lights twice. As I approach, again. From here two things happen usually, one the guy tries to be dangerous or the guy just is a pest and I eventually get around them. In both cases usually after once passes the asshole moves over. That's the part I don't get.

For those that try to be dangerous...after the second set of light flashes I am now having to slow down and what usually happens is they begin to speed up. I figure it's cool, they are going to go faster, but then they slow down again. They usually will try doing some stupid crap like a brake check or start jerking to the right or left as if there is something in the road...I am not tailgating so I can see what's going on. Once this happens they have now entered my domain though. If they want to try and endanger me I am not going to play cat and mouse. I can usually out brake most vehicles on the road. I can out handle them as well. If they want to be idiots I can show them that I can still get around them and be on my way.

Usually all it takes is for me to split the lane with them and come right in front of them and stop once hard then accelerate. I usually cannot even see their headlights. They will usually also then go into the right lane. I can dish out their medicine at a much higher quicker dose. I will not do this if I will be endangering others.

 

[skreet]

Originally posted by: 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?

You know, I'm a speeder myself (Ask my insurance company) and I have never taken anyone flashing their hi-beams at me to mean 'Move Over'. Maybe it's a local thing? Up here in the Greater Boston area flashing your hi-beams means speed traps, construction, traffic... and it's usually people on the other side of the road giving you a heads up.

When someone up here wants you to move they just stick their bumper into yours and ask politely...

 

[glutenberg]

Originally posted by: 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.

This doesn't quite make sense. They are only doing something illegal because you want to exceed the speed limit. If you think about it on the most technical level, the left lane should be used to pass vehicles that are going less than the speed limit at which point you can temporarily exceed the speed limit to pass. If everyone in the left lane is speeding to begin with, the move to right law doesn't seem as applicable. If anything, flow of traffic laws would be more applicable here.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: dbot

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.

So you're the guy who doesn't know how to drive!

Originally posted by: Jumpem
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.

You do realize that you are the churn don't you

I'm not familiar with the word "churn" in this context. Choad, perhaps.

 

[Zee]

I would get infront of them and then slow down to like 50 until they get out of the left lane

 

[jefa]

Originally posted by: glutenberg

Originally posted by: 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.

This doesn't quite make sense. They are only doing something illegal because you want to exceed the speed limit. If you think about it on the most technical level, the left lane should be used to pass vehicles that are going less than the speed limit at which point you can temporarily exceed the speed limit to pass. If everyone in the left lane is speeding to begin with, the move to right law doesn't seem as applicable. If anything, flow of traffic laws would be more applicable here.

We have a bingo.

 

[potato28]

If your in the left lane, speed up. I've seen people doing 160 in the left lane just to let more people in.

 

[kstu]

Debate the legality of speeding and the nuances of what impeding the flow of traffic really means, but if you are cruising in the left lane and not actively overtaking a vehicle, you are, as mugs so eloquently put it, a choad.

 

[Darwin333]

This is an amusing discussion.

A lot of people state they speed in the left lane but if someone is speeding slightly faster than them, screw em.

I drive as fast as road conditions allow. If someone is coming up behind me fast then, in my mind, they are driving recklessly and I want them the hell away from me as fast as possible. If someone is tailgating me then I get the hell out of the way. Principle be damned, I don't want the dumb bastards rear ending me if I have to make a sudden maneuver. I don't care whose "fault" it will be. I don't want to be in that position at all so I avoid it and at the same time I am courteous.

If the person driving behind you is tailgating you and pissed off at you then your safety has drastically decreased. Move the hell over.

 

[cdmccool]

I don't know if it was mentioned, but if someone is flashing their lights/honking at you to move over, you should consider that they may have an emergency, especially if it isn't easy for them to pass you on the right. For that reason, I always feel like it's best to move over. For all I know, his wife could be going into labor in the backseat, his father could be having a heart attack, etc.