Left Lane Police

[AuthorEditor]

Here in upstate NY the police don't give you much over the limit (72 is about it), so the speeders try to stay in the right two lanes, weaving in and out of the cars proceeding closer to the limit. It really does seem to be true that the police have the radar gun pointed at the high speed lane, because I rarely see one of these slalom speeders pulled over.

I just try to stay far away from anyone driving erratically. It is never worth it to tailgate or cut someone off--how do you know what they will do? Why take that risk?

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: sky7
"slower traffic keep right" is the law in every state I've lived in.

It's not illegal in Michigan. But it is frowned upon by the police. My mother - who was not a very good driver - was stopped and talked to by the police for doing this.

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
I rarely see one of these slalom speeders pulled over.

This is what frosts me about traffic enforcement. They stop the speeders on the open road, who are less of a danger than the slalom speeders who take chances with my life. Why?... because it's easier to fish that way. They'd do the public more of a service by embedding themselves in traffic and see the dynamics and danger of what is really going on.

 

[DBMaster]

^But if driving a marked car all they seem to do is cause those around them to drive stupid slow. RADAR traps seem to just cause brake slamming and sudden lane changes. So much for promoting safety.

 

[KitaCam]

The other day at a stop light I see this guy behind me texting...while the driver on my right is on her phone...

To get this guy off my tail I pull away at the green light extra slowly in the left lane (where I was to make a left turn down the road) so texter can pass me on the right if he must, which he does after honking and giving me a real stare as he passed...

There are a lot of crazies out there and all you can do is keep them in front of you so you can keep an eye on them and adjust to them

...maybe I'm just gun shy as last month my car got rearended and totaled by a hit 'n runner...

 

[rjundi]

Folks like that aren't getting any, martial problems or possibiliy other mental instabilities.

Drive on. Don't be a loser too and flip someone.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Many years ago there was many shooting on CA highways, the ones got the bullets mostly were the left lane bandits. After the news about shooting the left lanes were almost emptied of slow cruisers.

Many drivers when they get on highway they change 3-4 lanes within few hundreds feet then cruise slightly below or at speed limit forever. Many of them wait until the last 300-400 feet then cross 3-4 lanes for exit.
+1 They're comatose.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
I rarely see one of these slalom speeders pulled over.

This is what frosts me about traffic enforcement. They stop the speeders on the open road, who are less of a danger than the slalom speeders who take chances with my life. Why?... because it's easier to fish that way. They'd do the public more of a service by embedding themselves in traffic and see the dynamics and danger of what is really going on.
Yup, they see a LOT of road rage hiding behind that bridge abutment.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: Boomer
And be careful of these types. They can be gunning to have you run into the rear of their car and then hit you with a big lawsuit for "loss of affection", "inability to work", etc. A guy tried this on my son by passing him, pulling in front and slamming on the brakes. After three tries, he drove off. This is one reason why I always carry a large liabilty cap policy that goes over the normal coverage for the house and car.
"Everytheeng free in America...Run into ME in America"

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
Here in upstate NY the police don't give you much over the limit (72 is about it), so the speeders try to stay in the right two lanes, weaving in and out of the cars proceeding closer to the limit. It really does seem to be true that the police have the radar gun pointed at the high speed lane, because I rarely see one of these slalom speeders pulled over.


Several years ago, I was driving in the left-center lane at a significant rate above the speed limit. My rearview mirror is suddenly filled with Mercedes Benz C-Class. Right on my bumper. A brake check would have been a guaranteed collision.

She was a middle aged woman with stereotypical big Texas hair and too much make-up....that's how close she was. I could make that out in the rearview.

The left lane is completely open. Plenty of room to pass. She just will not occupy it. As I passed a Semi, I lifted off the gas and matched his speed right alongside the cab to encourage her to change lanes to the left and pass. She did not. She hit the brakes, whipped hard right from left center to far right lane.

Her stupidity was contagious. I shifted the Integra GS-R down and put it on the short intake runners and big cam lobes. I'll show her that an Acura is not a car to scorn.... I'll still be in front of her and there is nothing her C230 or C240 can do about it.

I was wrong.

Not only did I see her stupidity and raise her 2 stupids, but I mis-guessed which C-Class it was.

She rocketed away from me like a SaturnV. Ripped back over to left center. Moments later she is on the brakes again for another car in left center and I make out the badges on the back. C55 AMG.

She did the same stupid manuever to him. Brakes, hard right, floor it, pass, and whip back over to left center.

I never did see her take the far left lane.

 

[HM12460]

Originally Posted By: Zako2
I pay absolutely no attention, beyond what's necessary to keep myself safe, to what some crazier people do on highways. Some are crazy, some are jerks, others are just talking on a cell phone. Life is too short to worry about them.





+1, i got better things to do.

 

[MinamiKotaro]

I stay in the right lane and do 55. If someone doesn't like it, he can go around -- in the passing lane.

 

[HTSS_TR]

I usually stay around speed limit of 65 MPH or 2-3 MPH faster on lane number 3 or 4 of 5 or 6 lanes highway in So Cal, and still got dirty looks from drivers passing on both left and right lanes. Only when I was on long trips that I drive faster than traffic.

 

[default]

I've adopted what I call the "Detroit method" by driving faster than everybody else, I stay ahead of any danger. YMMV in areas with a lot of traffic police.

I'm usually going 75-85 depending on traffic, average traffic speed, and how bad the cops are.

 

[KitaCam]

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
I usually stay around speed limit of 65 MPH or 2-3 MPH faster on lane number 3 or 4 of 5 or 6 lanes highway in So Cal, and still got dirty looks from drivers passing on both left and right lanes.


My policy too...in that lane you have more space from passing cars to the left...

I have a simple non-automotoring philosophy regarding high-speed driving...(and since non-auto, it is personal and non-argumentative)

...as long as we're fighting a war, driving at gas-saving slower speeds is my way of reminding myself that there are people somewhere sacrificing themselves on my behalf.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
Here in upstate NY the police don't give you much over the limit (72 is about it), so the speeders try to stay in the right two lanes, weaving in and out of the cars proceeding closer to the limit. It really does seem to be true that the police have the radar gun pointed at the high speed lane, because I rarely see one of these slalom speeders pulled over.


Several years ago, I was driving in the left-center lane at a significant rate above the speed limit. My rearview mirror is suddenly filled with Mercedes Benz C-Class. Right on my bumper. A brake check would have been a guaranteed collision.

She was a middle aged woman with stereotypical big Texas hair and too much make-up....that's how close she was. I could make that out in the rearview.

The left lane is completely open. Plenty of room to pass. She just will not occupy it. As I passed a Semi, I lifted off the gas and matched his speed right alongside the cab to encourage her to change lanes to the left and pass. She did not. She hit the brakes, whipped hard right from left center to far right lane.

Her stupidity was contagious. I shifted the Integra GS-R down and put it on the short intake runners and big cam lobes. I'll show her that an Acura is not a car to scorn.... I'll still be in front of her and there is nothing her C230 or C240 can do about it.

I was wrong.

Not only did I see her stupidity and raise her 2 stupids, but I mis-guessed which C-Class it was.

She rocketed away from me like a SaturnV. Ripped back over to left center. Moments later she is on the brakes again for another car in left center and I make out the badges on the back. C55 AMG.

She did the same stupid maneuver to him. Brakes, hard right, floor it, pass, and whip back over to left center.

I never did see her take the far left lane.


In my truck, when she was right on my bumper, I would probably have pinned the fuel pedal in overdrive...which results in a nice cloud of black smoke.

In my Caddy...I might have done the same as you...and with 542 cubic inches and 550HP it would likely have worked.

 

[Hootbro]

Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Sounds like an Ohio driver.. i swear everytime i go anywhere i see someone with Ohio plates that cannot drive a lick.. its always a chuckle


I imagine Indiana people say the same thing about Ohio plated drivers.

 

[mechtech2]

Tell me, what is worse?

A guy who does these thing intentionally, or a guy who is insulated in his cocoon/living room and is clueless and insensitive to others?

Our laws have different punishments for someone who is insane. I say who cares?
The crime is the crime!

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
I never did see her take the far left lane.


Of course not! That's where the real crazies drive.

 

[HTSS_TR]

On many highways a little far away from larger cities/towns with 4 or more lanes, there are more vehicles on the left 2 lanes than the right 2 lanes. On some sections the far left lane has most vehicles, the far right lane has the least and all of them travel at about the same speed.

Many drivers in CA love to cruise on the far left lane.