Someone Please Explain Drivers' Thought Processes!

[Spazdog]

Sadly, I know the thought process of the left lane clogger.

He or she is thinking, "I'm doing the speed limit...they don't need to go any faster..."

What I don't understand is how they see the speed limit signs but keep missing the "LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY" signs

I also don't understand why it would be so bad for them to just move over one lane. It's almost as if they are proud of hanging in the blind spot of that tractor trailer and creating a de-facto rolling roadblock.

I don't understand. If for some reason I am in the left lane and I see a car approaching at a higher rate of speed than I am travelling, I make every effort to move over and get out of his way. That faster moving car is a potential "rabbit" for me. I let my "rabbits" run. Let them get all the cop attention. Watch their taillights for signs of speed traps or road hazards.
It's not just being able to travel faster, it's also safer. When I see him braking hard several hundred feet ahead I know that there may be a road hazard before I can even see it. A collision, a large dead animal, a herd of deer crossing, a big car swallowing sinkhole....something made him brake and I'm already gently reducing speed.

 

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
I don't understand. If for some reason I am in the left lane and I see a car approaching at a higher rate of speed than I am traveling, I make every effort to move over and get out of his way. That faster moving car is a potential "rabbit" for me. I let my "rabbits" run. Let them get all the cop attention. Watch their taillights for signs of speed traps or road hazards.
It's not just being able to travel faster, it's also safer.


That's my strategy as well. Back in the days of the moronic 55 mph speed limit I never received a speeding ticket- even though I was usually going at least 75-80 mph. I always wanted to be the second fastest car on the road. And how fast do I drive now that interstate speed limits are now 70 mph or more?
75-80 mph; in the right lane, of course...

 

[brianl703]

I actually saw some idiot today who rolled through two stop signs and then stopped where there was no stop sign.


A little backwards there...

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: opus1
in fact are almost militant about *not* accelerating past 45 or so when the limit is 55.


And then when you come to a passing zone and go to pass, they suddenly find the "GO" pedal to keep you from getting in front of them.

It is really hard to resist the temptation (when you get in front of them) to quickly slow down to how fast they were going before you passed them.

 

[Ursae_Majoris]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog

What I don't understand is how they see the speed limit signs but keep missing the "LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY" signs

Unfortunately it is not true in all states. In AK left lane is just another lane. I agree with you on passing, but I've seen 10+ RV caravans block the left lane while moving under the speed limit. Up here if there are more than 5 cars behind on the highway, you are supposed to pull over and let them pass (law was aimed at gawking RV drivers), but it is blatantly disregarded.

 

[calvin1]

Originally Posted By: Ursae_Majoris
Originally Posted By: Spazdog

What I don't understand is how they see the speed limit signs but keep missing the "LEFT LANE FOR PASSING ONLY" signs

Unfortunately it is not true in all states. In AK left lane is just another lane. I agree with you on passing, but I've seen 10+ RV caravans block the left lane while moving under the speed limit. Up here if there are more than 5 cars behind on the highway, you are supposed to pull over and let them pass (law was aimed at gawking RV drivers), but it is blatantly disregarded.
Two years ago I noticed when crossing from PA into NY they had big signs "State Law - Keep Right Except to Pass". From my limited experience it seems to have made a noticeable difference on the Thruway. Of course, after you've spent five hours in Ohio anything would.

Here in Chicagoland we have a lot of expressway with 3 or more lanes and it drives me bonkers to look 2 or 3 miles ahead and see where it's almost like someone is calling out placement orders to make sure the lanes are being used as inefficiently as possible.