Karma Kruiser!

[ekpolk]

This afternoon, I was driving north on I-95, headed from Vero Beach up to Melbourne. It's about a 25 minute stretch. Traffic was moderate. I was able to pretty consistently maintain ~80 in the center (of three) lanes.

Except for a couple miles in the middle, where I/we (all the rest of us) encountered my very favorite species of highway miscreant -- the "I'm Entitled" stubborn, left-lane cruiser. This particular one occupied a white, late model Passat. He had planted himself in the left lane, was doing no more than 70 (yes, I know that's the limit...), and absolutely refused to move over.

I got caught in the pack of drivers trying to flow past as some stayed behind flashing him, then tried to move right as others zoomed past in the right or center lanes.

But this time, the story ended differently. Just about the time I thought, "wouldn't it be cool if..." -- there he was -- an Airedale (black & tan, fully marked, lights on top, bar on front, FHP CRUISER). Today, I was actually happy to see him closing fast from behind. Radar and laser were both OFF. Very quickly, the two or three cars then behind the offending Passat moved over. The officer quickly pulled to less than a car length behind. I thought, "surely this moron will move over now!"

Nope. He just continued as if he was asleep, on rails, with the cruise set.

After about a mile, I started thinking, "c'mon already -- do it!" And then he did! Boom -- all the blue and red lights exploded on. To his credit, Passat guy then promptly pulled over.

And it got better, I could actually see him making a "who, me" gesture, as I blew by and the accumulated pack of cars began to sort out and disperse.

I know, I know, it's wrong to take pleasure in other people's misfortune. But it is AWFULLY TEMPTING when the "other people" bring the misfortune upon themselves while needlessly and annoyingly inconveniencing a bunch of other folks. Yes, I admit it, having suffered through this scenario thousands of times with no cop anywhere to be seen -- I enjoyed seeing Karma up close! Mua-ha-ha...

 

[Skippy722]

God I wish they'd start cracking down on that here.

 

[charbaby]

Shame on you!

Just kidding. I would have taken in as much pleasure as you. I may not have been as kind(in my own mind) about that Passat driver's misfortune. We all have similar stories.

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted by Char Baby
Shame on you!

Just kidding. I would have taken in as much pleasure as you. I may not have been as kind(in my own mind) about that Passat driver's misfortune. We all have similar stories.

I find great pleasure in it too.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Was he driving the posted limit or just a hair over and how close to the posted limit were you driving?

 

[The_Jeff]

Great news. A dashcam would have allowed us to share in the justice.

 

[Snagglefoot]

In a similar note about guys getting what they deserve , had a guy blow by me towing one of those $100 G boats with a four wheel trailer. A couple miles down the road there was shredded rubber all over the road and a mile after that there was the Captain on the side of the road looking at what was left of his shredded tires. Luckily, no one was hurt.

 

[JHZR2]

To make revenue, they should have had a fleet of police right after that to capture all the folks who sped up, entitled to break the law in their own way.

Originally Posted by ekpolk

Except for a couple miles in the middle, where I/we (all the rest of us) encountered my very favorite species of highway miscreant -- the "I'm Entitled" stubborn, left-lane cruiser. This particular one occupied a white, late model Passat. He had planted himself in the left lane, was doing no more than 70 (yes, I know that's the limit...), and absolutely refused to move over.

I know, I know, it's wrong to take pleasure in other people's misfortune. But it is AWFULLY TEMPTING when the "other people" bring the misfortune upon themselves while needlessly and annoyingly inconveniencing a bunch of other folks. Yes, I admit it, having suffered through this scenario thousands of times with no cop anywhere to be seen -- I enjoyed seeing Karma up close! Mua-ha-ha...

So entitled to hog the lane is not ok, and it's Karma, but entitled to blatantly break the law is OK and should be applauded? Especially when it's a fairly high limit?

Wouldn't call it karma, would call it all parties behaving illegally. I too are glad and happy that the cop pulled this person over. To have such little regard for what's going on is a problem. However, I'd also argue that only one got their just desserts - I wouldn't be so smug.

 

[MrMoody]

It's not misfortune when you do something to bring it on yourself.

 

[spasm3]

I love it! Left lane blockers don't realize the danger they create.

 

[MrMoody]

Originally Posted by JHZR2
To make revenue, they should have had a fleet of police right after that to capture all the folks who sped up, entitled to break the law in their own way.

Back in the real world, there's a difference between what's technically legal and the slightly greater amount that is courteous, accepted and expected by everyone including the police.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted by MrMoody
Originally Posted by JHZR2
To make revenue, they should have had a fleet of police right after that to capture all the folks who sped up, entitled to break the law in their own way.

Back in the real world, there's a difference between what's technically legal and the slightly greater amount that is courteous, accepted and expected by everyone including the police.



Which is better, taking 3 miles to pass a car moving 1mph slower than you? Or speeding up for a short period to complete the pass in order to keep the left lane open and then resuming proper speed?

I'd like to think law enforcement consider the spirit of the law and evaluate accordingly. Not all do, some do, some are pawns of the revenue generation racket.

There is a dfference in the guy running 85+ for miles and the guy who is running 70, hits 75 to pass and then resumes 70.

 

[OVERKILL]

Up here in the GWN:

Originally Posted by RCMP
"Drivers are required in Nova Scotia to drive in the right lane unless passing, but there are always exceptions," said Cpl. Jennifer Clarke, Nova Scotia RCMP spokeswoman, in an e-mail. "It's a best practice to move to the left if it's safe when you're approaching an on-ramp and there is a vehicle entering the highway - not a requirement but a best practice. If the right lane has some sort of hazard, it's reasonable to drive in the left lane until you've passed the hazard."

Section 111 of the Motor Vehicle Act states: "a vehicle shall normally be driven in the lane nearest the right-hand edge or curb of the highway when such lane is available for travel"

Not sticking to the right is a $237.50 fine. And, if there's a sign telling you to remain in the right lane except to pass, you could also get a $180 ticket for failing to obey a traffic sign.


Originally Posted by RCMP
"Charging someone for driving in the left lane would be unusual, however, there are always unique situations where that may be appropriate for the circumstances," Clarke said. "One that comes to mind is a scenario where you have someone attempting to pass and the slower vehicle refuses to leave the left lane."


Originally Posted by NSDH
"Driving at the speed limit doesn't entitle you to 'camp' in the left lane which means to stay in the lane indefinitely," says the Nova Scotia drivers' handbook. "If you remain in the left lane, other drivers may try to pass you on the right. Passing on the right is not as safe as on the left because it is much more difficult to predict what everyone is going to do."


Originally Posted by Globe
The rules vary across Canada. In Quebec, the law bans driving in the left-most lane on highways with limits over 80 km/h unless you're passing or turning left. You can't even be in it if you're the only vehicle on the highway.

In B.C., you have to get out of the left lane if another car is coming behind you.

But other provinces, including Alberta and Ontario, just require slower traffic to keep right.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted by JHZR2
To make revenue, they should have had a fleet of police right after that to capture all the folks who sped up, entitled to break the law in their own way.

. . .

So entitled to hog the lane is not ok, and it's Karma, but entitled to blatantly break the law is OK and should be applauded? Especially when it's a fairly high limit?

Wouldn't call it karma, would call it all parties behaving illegally. I too are glad and happy that the cop pulled this person over. To have such little regard for what's going on is a problem. However, I'd also argue that only one got their just desserts - I wouldn't be so smug.


Your points are generally valid, and well taken. From a purely legal perspective, they have no rebuttal. Had I been stopped, I would have had zero defense to a ten-over charge, since I was doing -- well -- about ten over. Unlawful? Yes. Safely flowing with the mass of traffic? Also yes. Something is very wrong with how we regulate the roads in this country.

I drive I-95, 75, 10 and the Florida 'pike very regularly. We all know what's going on out there nowadays. When the limit is 70, the main flow of traffic is 80-85. I usually do 78-82, congestion allowing, making me distinctly slower than at least half the others out there (no, that's neither an "excuse" nor a defense).

In my opinion, the greatest danger out there are those whose speeds -- high or low -- differ substantially from the general flow of traffic. Yet the law seems not to effectively address this, except in a peripheral way (like with requirements that slower traffic must keep to the right...). All unseemly emotions aside, I believe the trooper in this case made the best (least evil?) decision, because this left-lane obstructor posed bigger problem/danger than the rest of us at that moment.

Is there a better way? I fear not.

 

[double vanos]

My wife refers to them as "road czars".

 

[Skippy722]

Originally Posted by ekpolk
Originally Posted by JHZR2
To make revenue, they should have had a fleet of police right after that to capture all the folks who sped up, entitled to break the law in their own way.

. . .

So entitled to hog the lane is not ok, and it's Karma, but entitled to blatantly break the law is OK and should be applauded? Especially when it's a fairly high limit?

Wouldn't call it karma, would call it all parties behaving illegally. I too are glad and happy that the cop pulled this person over. To have such little regard for what's going on is a problem. However, I'd also argue that only one got their just desserts - I wouldn't be so smug.


Your points are generally valid, and well taken. From a purely legal perspective, they have no rebuttal. Had I been stopped, I would have had zero defense to a ten-over charge, since I was doing -- well -- about ten over. Unlawful? Yes. Safely flowing with the mass of traffic? Also yes. Something is very wrong with how we regulate the roads in this country.

I drive I-95, 75, 10 and the Florida 'pike very regularly. We all know what's going on out there nowadays. When the limit is 70, the main flow of traffic is 80-85. I usually do 78-82, congestion allowing, making me distinctly slower than at least half the others out there (no, that's neither an "excuse" nor a defense).

In my opinion, the greatest danger out there are those whose speeds -- high or low -- differ substantially from the general flow of traffic. Yet the law seems not to effectively address this, except in a peripheral way (like with requirements that slower traffic must keep to the right...). All unseemly emotions aside, I believe the trooper in this case made the best (least evil?) decision, because this left-lane obstructor posed bigger problem/danger than the rest of us at that moment.

Is there a better way? I fear not.


Exactly. On 80/94 up here, the speed limit is 55. Even the semi's are running 65-70, cars are going 70+, and the cops don't care. They pick out the knuckle heads weaving through traffic or going much faster than 80mph.

 

[DoubleWasp]

Left lane campers cause as many accidents as anyone else being inconsiderate. Probably more accidents than people doing 10 over.

The most dangerous thing here is getting caught in a "pack", which is always cauaed by a left lane campers. Not uncommon at all to see 3-4 cars on the side of the road with damage caused by riding in a pack. It's like formation flying. One mistake and multiple pay the price.

Left lane riding is 100% illegal in Florida and it is FHP's popular peeve right now.

I don't blame them. Too many times, the left lane is jammed up, and the right side of the flow becomes the faster side. This is ridiculously hazardous for those trying to merge onto the highway. Whole system is working backwards.

Most FHP are not sticklers. They are regulators. They like to keep everything working smoothly, even if it does mean using discretion to allow people going 10 over to go about their business.

 

[PimTac]

It's definitely the extreme one way or the other that causes problems. I tend to drive with the traffic or at 5mph over the limit. If I am in the left lane and I see someone coming up I move over. That's common sense and consideration.

What irks me are the DYKWIA drivers that run way over the limit and come up quickly with lights flashing etc. How dare I impede their driving. Many times I move over but their impatience has them moving over at the same time so they swerve back into the left lane. Usually doing 20-30mph or more over the limit. Karma is when I see the flashing lights later on down the road with the miscreants pulled over.

 

[ekpolk]

Back in my drilling reserve days, I had a Master Sergeant working for me who was a state trooper in "civilian" life. We chatted about these things a few times over the years we were in the same unit. My take-away was that he was most "interested" in noticeable deviations, in whatever parameter, speed, abrupt lane changes, erratic conduct, etc. Seemed reasonable to me. I vividly remember him saying once, "triple digits and I don't care what you have to say, yer goin' to jail!" I got the sense that this was not idle theory. . . I liked this guy!

 

[fdcg27]

There is no reason that I can see for people to camp in the left lane.
If other drivers, often most of them, wish to drive faster than you, then move over and let them by.
These people are either passive-aggressive or are merely unused to the norms of limited access highway driving.
The guy cited by the OP got a lesson he'll always remember in expected driving habits on these roads.
This is a lesson so many others need to learn.
I could relate so many stories of being caught behind left lane sluggards holding everyone else up, but so could most of us here.