The Idiots Will Not Slow Down!

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: grampi
So what type of mental issue is it with people who think that speeding and tailgating are acceptable?

It's the difference between theory and reality. Everyone tailgates and speeds around here. It's probably how 85% of the people drive. The left lane hogs make it worse for everyone else and leads to dead people.

So bad behavior justifies other bad behavior? Everyone else does it so it's okay for me to do it? It isn't the left lane campers who are killing people, it's the idiot speeders and tailgaters who think they have to drive faster than everyone else on the road...That's like saying if a driver stops at a stop sign, and a driver behind him rear ends him because he normally doesn't stop for stop signs, it's the drivers fault who stopped...

 

[Dave Sherman]

Originally Posted By: grampi
There seems to be a lot of hypocrisy in this thread. People want other drivers to obey the keep right except to pass law, but they believe it's okay to speed and/or tailgate...


Yup. They feel there is nothing wrong with failing to maintain assured clear distance ahead, attempting to exceed the posted speed limit, and promoting road rage by tailgating, but boy, if someone is in the left lane going at the speed limit then OBVIOUSLY they are 100% in the wrong and that person is CLEARLY at fault if there's an accident because somebody was tailgating.

Don't you know if that person in the left lane was just passing somebody slower than them, they won't even be able to get over to the right lane and let the speed demons get by, because if they wait until they can see the lights of the car they just passed (at least, that's the guideline I was taught in driver's ed), then the speed demons will be in such a hurry they'll be zipping through that barely-enough gap.

 

[grampi]

Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman
Originally Posted By: grampi
There seems to be a lot of hypocrisy in this thread. People want other drivers to obey the keep right except to pass law, but they believe it's okay to speed and/or tailgate...

Yup. They feel there is nothing wrong with failing to maintain assured clear distance ahead, attempting to exceed the posted speed limit, and promoting road rage by tailgating, but boy, if someone is in the left lane going at the speed limit then OBVIOUSLY they are 100% in the wrong and that person is CLEARLY at fault if there's an accident because somebody was tailgating.

Don't you know if that person in the left lane was just passing somebody slower than them, they won't even be able to get over to the right lane and let the speed demons get by, because if they wait until they can see the lights of the car they just passed (at least, that's the guideline I was taught in driver's ed), then the speed demons will be in such a hurry they'll be zipping through that barely-enough gap.

This thread is the perfect example of the clear lack of common sense in today's society. Drivers have become so conditioned to driving like everyone else does, speeding, tailgating, driving with no lights on after dark, not using turn signals, messing around with their cell phones, etc, that when people drive the way they're supposed to, THEY are seen by the crazies as the one in the wrong...

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: grampi
So what type of mental issue is it with people who think that speeding and tailgating are acceptable?

It's the difference between theory and reality. Everyone tailgates and speeds around here. It's probably how 85% of the people drive. The left lane hogs make it worse for everyone else and leads to dead people.

So bad behavior justifies other bad behavior? Everyone else does it so it's okay for me to do it? It isn't the left lane campers who are killing people, it's the idiot speeders and tailgaters who think they have to drive faster than everyone else on the road...That's like saying if a driver stops at a stop sign, and a driver behind him rear ends him because he normally doesn't stop for stop signs, it's the drivers fault who stopped...


I don't know if it's ok for you to do it. I'm just saying that everyone that drives around here does it. Sorta like local customs differ. Said nothing about whether it's justified or not. People who tailgate and rear end the car in front of them are still at fault. That causes a fair number of accidents too as you usually see some accident slowing down traffic all the time and it's usually two cars where one car rear ended the other. You're making several assumptions that aren't valid.

 

[PeterPolyol]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
As Car and Driver once stated a long time ago, it's not the speed that's the issue. It's the differences in speed.

QfT.

Wildly changing speeds and having to make repeated hard braking events is truly the risk.
Just drive smoothly and project predictability to your other motorists; that doesn't mean 'mentally check-out', lock onto the limit and go on cognitive autopilot. People that do that are being inconsiderate of their fellow motorists too, but are probably too self-righteous to realise it.

There is nothing I welcome and encourage more on the road than having an attitude of being entirely considerate of your fellow motorist.
To me it involves combining the seemingly opposed practices of "never impede" with "early braking readiness w/gradual deceleration rate". If there is a need to make a hard stop, I try to plan a couple of extra feet where I can release the brakes again if the guy behind me is likely to rear end.

Also, I have no fundamental issue with changing lanes in front of someone else, if I can guarantee that I will not impede them. That means NO CUTTING at a speed or SLAMMING ON BRAKES shortly thereafter. If I have to change a lane in front of someone, I'll be certain that my vehicle is travelling faster than theirs upon lane entry and if that cannot be safely achieved then the lane change is deemed inappropriate. Not complicated.

Speed limits, laws and indignation aside, the safest speed for the road traveled is the real-time average speed of the actual road goers, not theory and legislative 'ideal'. The one or two stragglers on autopilot locked onto or under the speed limit in any chosen lane, impeding the traffic around them are the real hazards in that case. You're entitled to lock onto the speed limit all you want, just like anyone else is entitled to 'risk a spanking from big daddy quota' by statistically exceeding the posted limit. Neither driver is entitled to be inconsiderate of the others, however.

 

[bbhero]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Great post. Sums it up pretty well.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Originally Posted By: PeterPolyol

People that do that are being inconsiderate of their fellow motorists too, but are probably too self-righteous to realise it.

There is nothing I welcome and encourage more on the road than having an attitude of being entirely considerate of your fellow motorist.


Neither driver is entitled to be inconsiderate of the others, however.

Obliviousness of how one's actions affect others around them is growing in every aspect of society, almost to the point where it is considered a character attribute instead of a character flaw.

Most never even consider anything but their own immediate desires

 

[DBMaster]

There is a factor that I often forget to consider - ignorance. There are plenty out there who just aren't aware of some courtesies, or laws, because they haven't been taught. I realize that law enforcement does not consider ignorance license to disobey.

I've know quite a few people in my life who are the nicest, most considerate citizens but are awful drivers. All the more reason to take the driver out of the equation. What's worked for the last 100 years won't necessarily work moving forward.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Law enforcement should have a large special team of officers (all in unmarked cars) that do nothing but cite bad drivers. With enough tickets given out (and resulting insurance cost increases) it might get some of the idiots on the roads to start thinking more about how they drive, and it would be a good source of revenue for the city/county. While commuting 50 miles round trip a day, I bet I could have pulled someone over every 5 minutes.

No wonder self driving cars are on the horizon ... humans are losing the ability to drive a simple machine as time goes on.

 

[DBMaster]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Law enforcement should have a large special team of officers (all in unmarked cars) that do nothing but cite bad drivers. With enough tickets given out (and resulting insurance cost increases) it might get some of the idiots on the roads to start thinking more about how they drive

humans are losing the ability to drive a simple machine as time goes on.


I agree with the first part, but not the second part. I don't think most humans were ever good at driving.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Law enforcement should have a large special team of officers (all in unmarked cars) that do nothing but cite bad drivers. With enough tickets given out (and resulting insurance cost increases) it might get some of the idiots on the roads to start thinking more about how they drive

humans are losing the ability to drive a simple machine as time goes on.


I agree with the first part, but not the second part. I don't think most humans were ever good at driving.


Yup, and now we take those not-so-good drivers and make them distracted...

 

[dave1251]

Around here all lanes travel about the same speed. I'm other words stand still. Drivers try to stay in the far left lane until 200 ft from their exit and try to cut 3+ lanes of traffic. Even the HOV lanes are parking lots.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: grampi
So what type of mental issue is it with people who think that speeding and tailgating are acceptable?

It's the difference between theory and reality. Everyone tailgates and speeds around here. It's probably how 85% of the people drive. The left lane hogs make it worse for everyone else and leads to dead people.


Your post exemplifies the poor driving skills your state is known for.
This is why MA is a leader in collision rates.
You people need to be taught how to drive.

 

[andrewp1998]

is the speed limit is such then drive it . all lanes are the same limit , left lane should also not go over the limit!!

its common sense, high speed and tailgating cause accidents!

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: grampi
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Originally Posted By: Wolf359
What I don't really understand is why the left lane hogs continue to do it. It's their action that leads to dead people on the roads. All they have to is move over to let traffic pass.

It's a mental issue. It gives them a sense of power and especially control. Makes up for control issues in other parts of their life.

So what type of mental issue is it with people who think that speeding and tailgating are acceptable?


The speeding is just that, in a hurry. The tailgating is another control freak trying to force another control freak in the left lane to move over. Now 2 control freaks battling for position.

The best way to get around a left lane control freak is to lay back and not give the impression you are eager to pass, as soon as the car beside you takes an exit , or the left lane control freak leaves enough space, you accelerate hard and hit the right lane.



If you tailgate a left lane control freak, it makes him happy, he now feels in control. If no one tailgates him , he will get little satisfaction. I have seen some actually get mad when passed.

I don't like to pass on the right, but sometimes it gets you out of the control freaks induced traffic jam.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: Dave Sherman


Don't you know if that person in the left lane was just passing somebody slower than them, they won't even be able to get over to the right lane and let the speed demons get by, because if they wait until they can see the lights of the car they just passed (at least, that's the guideline I was taught in driver's ed), then the speed demons will be in such a hurry they'll be zipping through that barely-enough gap.


If someone passing in the left lane signals that they will move over before his follower having the opportunity to pass on the right I guarantee the driver behind them will be relieved at seeing the often-unusual courtesy of lane discipline. And he'll let him finish the pass.

We should all help each other get where we're going under conditions suitable for all. As an example, I have a busy yet well-mannered 4-way intersection where "two straights" will both go simultaneously even if the 2nd straight "just showed up" and would be "cutting" a side-car. But moving vehicles through that intersection benefits everyone by preventing a backup.

Speeding cars aren't any of my business-- they'll be on the road for less time! I've read of beltway highways reaching "supercritical" saturation during commutes. Engineers are shocked they can move that many cars per hour.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: DBMaster
Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Law enforcement should have a large special team of officers (all in unmarked cars) that do nothing but cite bad drivers. With enough tickets given out (and resulting insurance cost increases) it might get some of the idiots on the roads to start thinking more about how they drive

humans are losing the ability to drive a simple machine as time goes on.


I agree with the first part, but not the second part. I don't think most humans were ever good at driving.


I think more people knew how to drive better 20 or 30 years ago then they do these days. As others have pointed out, even the "me, me, me" mentality has infiltrated people behind the steering wheel. And as also pointed out, driving while being distracted is contributing to people losing the ability to driver properly. These kink of drivers have no consideration on how their actions impact other people, and that happens a lot on the roads today.

 

[ZeeOSix]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
The speeding is just that, in a hurry. The tailgating is another control freak trying to force another control freak in the left lane to move over. Now 2 control freaks battling for position.


Reminds me of a story a guy at work told me many years ago. He was driving to work in the left lane going over the speed limit. Another car come up on his rear and start tailgating. First guy couldn't get over right away as traffic was pretty heavy, and the guy tailgating started flashing headlights and got even closer to intimidate. First guy starts verging 1/2 way over into the shoulder to kick up all the loose rocks and debris on the shoulder to the car behind him. Seemed to get the guy to back-off and stay back. Was it the right to do ... probably not, but this is the kind of stuff that goes on when people are nuts behind the wheel.

 

[Wolf359]

Originally Posted By: ZeeOSix
Originally Posted By: spasm3
The speeding is just that, in a hurry. The tailgating is another control freak trying to force another control freak in the left lane to move over. Now 2 control freaks battling for position.


Reminds me of a story a guy at work told me many years ago. He was driving to work in the left lane going over the speed limit. Another car come up on his rear and start tailgating. First guy couldn't get over right away as traffic was pretty heavy, and the guy tailgating started flashing headlights and got even closer to intimidate. First guy starts verging 1/2 way over into the shoulder to kick up all the loose rocks and debris on the shoulder to the car behind him. Seemed to get the guy to back-off and stay back. Was it the right to do ... probably not, but this is the kind of stuff that goes on when people are nuts behind the wheel.


That's an extra dose of extra nuts. That's a good way to get a flat tire. Better to just move over.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Wolf359
Originally Posted By: JHZR2


Precisely. There is a definite entitlement that the folks advocating speed in excess of what the law allows hold, which is laughable.

I do feel that fair weather, clear condition limits are too slow on some roads. But I'm not going to play know better, entitled, "superior capability" driver with inadequate reading comprehension, and claim that I deserve to go faster. The law gives no such permit or exemption. Do it at your own peril.

That peril should be speed cameras and LEOs though, not some idiot who thinks they're entitled to set the speed. The hypocrisy on both sides is amazing.


What's somewhat laughable is the way the speed limits are set. I guess that might get into politics, but the federal highway system was designed for roads with 70 mph limits. It's not surprising that people drive faster because it feels fine driving that speed. AAA advocates for speed limits where 85% of the people drive at. Guess what, that speed is way higher than what the current limits are. Remember, it's not the speed that kills, it's the variation in speed. So the real nut jobs are the ones who hog the left lane. That lady would be alive now if someone didn't get road rage and brake check someone. There's theory and reality. If someone puts a gun to your head to rob you, that would not be a good time to point out to the robber that you're going to identify them to the police and that what they're doing is illegal. That would probably get you shot.


The setting of speed limits is different than the matter of idiots who think it is their job to set the speed by blocking the left lane(s), or the idiots who think they are entitled to break the law by going in excess of the legal limit for whatever logic they use to think they deserve to do so.

Originally Posted By: irv
Define speeding and exceeding the speed limit? Is going over 10km/h speeding?
Believe what you will, but it has been proven time and time again that those that choose to drive under the speed limit or in areas where the speed limit is too slow, are involved in accidents more often than those that choose to exceed the speed limit.


Speeding is from the 1st MPH over the limit. What legal basis do you have to identify it any other way???

The law does recognize that multiple levels of penalty are assigned for various levels of infraction.

Most people do drive over the limit. Ill be the first one to admit it. But to think that there is some entitlement to do so, or that people are well enough skilled or equipped to do so is folly. Its breaking the law, plain and simple. The sooner that people realize that BOTH sides are wrong, the sooner they might start working towards something useful.