Faster drivers seem to choose passing on the right, on 3+ lane highways, even when left lane is clear. Sometimes they even tailgate right lane traffic when "passing lane" is clear.Why?
I recall people claiming that you avoid speed traps on right when I was in HS, and people had CBs and Radar Detectors. That has got to be BS, but it seems like trend has grown.
This may be affecting my running and making me slower as I get older.
Shark Fighter wrote:
I recall people claiming that you avoid speed traps on right when I was in HS, and people had CBs and Radar Detectors.
Those who pass on the right lane might not have a Radar detector. Also, if you pass on the right doing 72 at 65, the cop will not bother and you might get caught if you do that in the left lane. Or at least a lot of people think that way.
On the right, are are more often behind other cars as you overtake them. This limits the time you are out in the open and exposed to radar guns. The gun will detect the speed of the car in front of you, not of you. It's only in that moment you pull out and pass that you are exposed. Thus, passing on the right allows you to minimize your chances for getting a speeding ticket by using other cars as "cover".
because people are dumb as a bag of dicks these days and won't get out of the left lane. The right lane driving is now done out of sheer habit.
And the faster drivers don't want to take the time to flash their lights at the slow person asleep in the left lane to wake them up and get them to move over. That takes too long and half the time the sleepy drivers still don't pay attention to the flashing headlights.
Sign seen on back of semi:
/_____ EL PASO
\
EL CRUNCHO ------>
Much of it has to do with cell phones, stupidity, and thinking that they are going to save some time. Funniest thing of all is that the guy weaving and braking and speeding eventually gets out of sight only to eventually find you waiting behind him a few exits up at a light.
spitoon haircut wrote:
Much of it has to do with cell phones, stupidity, and thinking that they are going to save some time. Funniest thing of all is that the guy weaving and braking and speeding eventually gets out of sight only to eventually find you waiting behind him a few exits up at a light.
Look, spitoon haircut, I'll accept all kinds of opinion as fact on this website, but you're all wet here. I drive slowly on the highway, mostly 60-70. People pass me all of the time and I never see them again. I'll leave somewhere (like work) with faster driving people, with us all meeting up again at a restaurant and they're at the table, eating their appetizers when I get there. You can tell me all kinds of things, but not that fast and slow even out over time. The further we go, the further behind the faster drivers I am. Sure, in a one mile stretch with a light at the end, you may catch up to the faster driver, but that is not typical driving. Fast is faster, and arrives sooner. I know. I arrive later.
joyride wrote:
because people are dumb as a bag of dicks these days and won't get out of the left lane. The right lane driving is now done out of sheer habit.
That's pretty much it. People cruise in the left lanes and refuse to pay any attention and get out of the way of faster drivers. This coupled with the natural inclination to avoid the stigma of being a granny driver if you drive in the right lane often leaves the right lanes comparatively emptier and much easier to pass on.
gotta agree wrote:
joyride wrote:because people are dumb as a bag of dicks these days and won't get out of the left lane. The right lane driving is now done out of sheer habit.
That's pretty much it. People cruise in the left lanes and refuse to pay any attention and get out of the way of faster drivers. This coupled with the natural inclination to avoid the stigma of being a granny driver if you drive in the right lane often leaves the right lanes comparatively emptier and much easier to pass on.
People who obstruct the left lane tend to have authoritarian personality disorder. For them it's about enforcing something or lashing out based on their own insecurities/inadequacies. In most states the law is that the left lane be used for passing, not parking your ass. Most states also have "flow of traffic" guidelines. Meaning if the flow of traffic is 75 (even in a 65 zone), those traveling below the flow rate are required to move right. If the flow of traffic exceeds an officers judgement it's their job to stop offenders, having passive aggressive busybodys blocking traffic flow is just foolish and dangerous. Nothing wrong with driving at the posted speed limit, just do it in right lanes, unless of course you are passing.
I would have thought this common sense, although "sense" of any kind seems to less common anymore.
Whats funny is that most of these idiots who try to enforce the law at their own discretion with a dangerous weapon (car), are the same dupes who oppose civilians carrying firearms for the exact same reason.
If you're on a controlled access hwy like interstates then yeah people need to be aware to stay right. But other than that what do you 80mph'ers expect? you wanna to lay back in your seat, mash the peddle, shut down your attention span and expect everyone to make way for you as if everyone is just zooming through the area like you?
Certainly some people who drive in the left lane do it on purpose to "get back" or whatever. But I think the bigger reason is that we have a lot of shitty drivers in this country. I would say fully 1/3 of the people on the road at any one time really aren't skilled enough (good driving IS a skill) or paying attention enough (cell phone, diddling miss thang, etc) to be driving.
Go to other developed countries (especially Germany) and you will never in a million years see people passing on the right, simply because there are no idiots driving in the left lane.
settle down wrote:
If you're on a controlled access hwy like interstates then yeah people need to be aware to stay right. But other than that what do you 80mph'ers expect?
Expect? As the law states, KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT WHEN PASSING.
To interpret that for you another way, keep your dumb ass out of the left lane unless you're passing another vehicle, as in yes, get out of the way.
Personally, my freeway experience in Oregon is always driving in a traffic flow of between 70 and 75. I frequently check my rear view mirror for faster traffic and move right accordingly. From what I can tell most traffic stops occur at 80+ mph, not that it's any of my business. My responsibility, like ALL other drivers, is to behave courteously and with regard to the law. Which any more means, to a large degree, keeping right unless passing.
Think whatever you want. I put 35,000 miles a year on my company car and I drive 5 miles over the SL max. Traffic conditions will vary and that will impact it. On many but not all occasions, I have seen the speeder and weaver ahead at an exit. Maybe not right in front of me but I do travel metro highways and have seen this happen.
I have also seen Karma at work on these dinks in the form of tickets and car accidents. Some douche in a Saab was tailgating me on a no passing zone so I pulled over to let him go by. He sped out of sight. Due to lights, I caught up to him and he was tailgating a van ahead of me. van slammed on his brakes and the front of the Saab was toast.
Karma, baby!!
spitoon haircut wrote:
I have also seen Karma at work on these dinks in the form of tickets and car accidents. Some douche in a Saab was tailgating me on a no passing zone so I pulled over to let him go by. He sped out of sight. Due to lights, I caught up to him and he was tailgating a van ahead of me. van slammed on his brakes and the front of the Saab was toast.
Karma, baby!!
One time I took karma into my own hands. A guy was tailgating me just like Saab douche was to you, so when we got to a red light I threw my cup full of chew spit all over his windshield and hood. He got out of his car ready to fight but unlike Plax I have a conceal and carry and I just held up my gun. He quickly got back in and I drove away happy and content.
I hate to tell you this but if you "defended" yourself you would have been brought up on murder charges. You can't incite a situation and then Claim defense. That being said I'd like to have an old truck with a huge wooden bumper sometimes......
southerner wrote:
In most states the law is that the left lane be used for passing, not parking your ass. Most states also have "flow of traffic" guidelines. Meaning if the flow of traffic is 75 (even in a 65 zone), those traveling below the flow rate are required to move right. If the flow of traffic exceeds an officers judgement it's their job to stop offenders, having passive aggressive busybodys blocking traffic flow is just foolish and dangerous. Nothing wrong with driving at the posted speed limit, just do it in right lanes, unless of course you are passing.
I would have thought this common sense, although "sense" of any kind seems to less common anymore.
Whats funny is that most of these idiots who try to enforce the law at their own discretion with a dangerous weapon (car), are the same dupes who oppose civilians carrying firearms for the exact same reason.
Above is the mentality of the bigger idiot who passes in the right hand lane. He looks at a guy already 10 mph over the limit in the left lane and thinks, "Hey, you aren't breaking the law ENOUGH for me!"
Then he pulls into the right try to pass and causes an accident. This is followed by lame attempts to blame the "dangerous" driving of the guy who was only doing 75 in the 65 zone.
They pass on the right because D2 people drive slower than they run. They are afraid of fast paces. I'm a state trooper and once I pulled over a d2 team bus and they were going 7miles an hour. And usually when I pull someone over they pull onto the shoulder.
not a speeder anymore wrote:
Above is the mentality of the bigger idiot who passes in the right hand lane. He looks at a guy already 10 mph over the limit in the left lane and thinks, "Hey, you aren't breaking the law ENOUGH for me!"
Then he pulls into the right try to pass and causes an accident. This is followed by lame attempts to blame the "dangerous" driving of the guy who was only doing 75 in the 65 zone.
That was a pretty incoherent response.
Perhaps it be helpful for you to read all of my posts. I virtually never drive above 75, as I already posted I drive between 70 and 75, which is the normal flow of traffic. I do not advocate passing on the right.
I know that slower Left lane drivers irritate, and often you need to go to plan B, but I just can't understand it as a preference. There is no way I am convinced that the right lane moves faster on average, since most normal slow drivers, including trucks, are there.
Why is Europe able to get this right and US cannot?