Drivers -- how fast are you willing to risk?

[Jennasis]

Not moving out of the left lane because "I'm going the limit and that rude speeder can just sit back there or go around me on the other side.." is a recipe for disaster.

If you've never been on the receiving end of road rage consider yourself lucky. People are lunatics and it's not worth getting yourself hurt just to be right. Move over and let them pass. Wouldn't you prefer an erratic bad driver to be as far away from you as possible?

 

[torinsmom]

Why, if I already well above limit but still in no ticket zone, why should I move. I will not. And I will not move faster. I do not move slow, I am already almost 10 miles over limit, so if they want to fly, they can go around me.

In another post you said "if I am doing the speed limit or slightly above", so which is it? I don't see 10 miles over as the speed limit or slightly above. I know you said you would laughing when someone who passed you got a ticket, but would you be laughing if the person who passed you on the right then had an accident right in front of you and your family, because the traffic to the right was going slower(and in the lane they should be in?) What about that family who had moved over for the faster drivers that you just put at risk?

Here are some blurbs from Wikipedia about the far left lane and its purpose...

"Common practice and most law on United States Highways is that the left lane is reserved for passing and faster moving traffic, and that traffic using the left lane must yield to traffic wishing to overtake. The United States Uniform Vehicle Code states:

Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic ...

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's website on "Keep Right Laws" points out that:

This law refers to the "normal" speed of traffic, not the "legal" speed of traffic. The 60 MPH driver in a 55 MPH zone where everybody else is going 65 MPH must move right..."[3]

It is also illegal in many states in the U.S. to use the "far left" or passing lane on a major highway as a traveling lane (as opposed to passing), or to fail to yield to faster moving traffic that is attempting to overtake in that lane. For example, Colorado's "Left Lane Law" states:

A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed-limit is sixty-five miles per hour or more unless such person is passing other motor-vehicles that are in a non-passing lane...[4]"

 

[mattsdragon]

I go right at 10 over. I have to use cruise control, otherwise my lead foot would have me going 100 and I wouldn't even notice.

I can't stand people that don't use cruise on the highway, I find that they tend to be the ones that are more flaky and airheaded when they drive. Their speed yo-yo's up and down. They cling to your tailpipe, and when you get over to let them pass, they stay tied to your fender because they don't want to be the one going fastest.

I want cars like Will Smith had in I, Robot, or KITT. The more the cars do the driving, the less the morons have to.

 

[mattsdragon]

Why, if I already well above limit but still in no ticket zone, why should I move. I will not. And I will not move faster. I do not move slow, I am already almost 10 miles over limit, so if they want to fly, they can go around me.

Because if you are in the left lane and causing people to pass you on the right, you can get a ticket for that, regardless of what speed you are travelling. In many states that is a law. No cruising in the left lane, it is for passing ONLY. If you are not actively passing another vehicle, you will get pulled over.

 

[HappyGal]

I can't stand people that don't use cruise on the highway, I find that they tend to be the ones that are more flaky and airheaded when they drive. Their speed yo-yo's up and down. They cling to your tailpipe, and when you get over to let them pass, they stay tied to your fender because they don't want to be the one going fastest.

I agree!

 

[torinsmom]

Cruise makes me feel out of control, so I don't think it would be good for me to use it all the time. Only time I use it is on the highway when it is not busy AT ALL. I find I don't pay as much attention to traffic when I am using it. I do pretty good keeping a constant speed and since I don't sit in the "fast" lane, I don't impede anyone from going the speed they want to.

 

[Makayna]

In your own words have consideration for others on the road. It isn't up to you to decide how fast anyone but you drives. What you are doing is incredible rude and controlling. What a power trip and for your information a ticketable offense in some states. Ever see the signs saying slower traffic keep right? Who do you think they are referring to?

People going to slow cause more accidents than those speeding because people get impatient and try to pass and also passing on the right is much more dangerous and caused by inconsiderate drivers like your self.

Why do you need to be in the Passing lane if you aren't passing? That is what was taught to me by my Father gazillion years ago and what I taught mine. If you aren't passing get out of the passing lane!

Amen!!!

 

[KellyNY]

In another post you said "if I am doing the speed limit or slightly above", so which is it? I don't see 10 miles over as the speed limit or slightly above. I know you said you would laughing when someone who passed you got a ticket, but would you be laughing if the person who passed you on the right then had an accident right in front of you and your family, because the traffic to the right was going slower(and in the lane they should be in?) What about that family who had moved over for the faster drivers that you just put at risk?

Here are some blurbs from Wikipedia about the far left lane and its purpose...

"Common practice and most law on United States Highways is that the left lane is reserved for passing and faster moving traffic, and that traffic using the left lane must yield to traffic wishing to overtake. The United States Uniform Vehicle Code states:

Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic ...

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology's website on "Keep Right Laws" points out that:

This law refers to the "normal" speed of traffic, not the "legal" speed of traffic. The 60 MPH driver in a 55 MPH zone where everybody else is going 65 MPH must move right..."[3]

It is also illegal in many states in the U.S. to use the "far left" or passing lane on a major highway as a traveling lane (as opposed to passing), or to fail to yield to faster moving traffic that is attempting to overtake in that lane. For example, Colorado's "Left Lane Law" states:

A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed-limit is sixty-five miles per hour or more unless such person is passing other motor-vehicles that are in a non-passing lane...[4]"

Regarding bolded part, I think you mistake me with someone else.

From same site you quoted,

In some areas, such as the U.S. states of Colorado and Kentucky, vehicles in the left lane are required to yield to faster traffic only if the speed limit is above 65 miles per hour. And still in other areas like Alaska, North Carolina, and Ohio, there is no law requiring slower traffic to move over for faster traffic

Also, not on every highway left lane is passing one. I drive every day and there is a spot cops hide every single day. And they do pull cars from left lane.

 

[tyzzle]

You are still driving aggressively by purposely staying the path of someone trying to pass. You are no better than the speeding party. If there is an accident you may no be at fault but you could have helped prevent it by not being an aggressive drive no matter how much you justify your actions.

 

[DVC-Don]

5 over except in a residential area where I go the limit or under.

 

[larryz]

Anyone else noticed how symmetrical the responses to the poll are?

Nice bell curve! Well done.

 

[Day-Day]

Many times the right-hand lane is much rougher than the left-hand. In this case I will cruise in the left lane and move over when approached from the rear.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I can't stand people that don't use cruise on the highway, I find that they tend to be the ones that are more flaky and airheaded when they drive. Their speed yo-yo's up and down. They cling to your tailpipe, and when you get over to let them pass, they stay tied to your fender because they don't want to be the one going fastest.

I want cars like Will Smith had in I, Robot, or KITT. The more the cars do the driving, the less the morons have to.

Interesting. How negatively judgmental are you about drivers without cruise control? You understand the difference, right? It's not that we won't use it, but that our vehicles don't have this option.

Bluntly, your "flaky and airheaded" comment is offensive. We have to pay attention to all aspects of driving, including acceleration/deceleration - in addition to everything the CC drivers do (including those who do the unnamed 'other things' while driving), including but not limited to being alert for the occasional inattentive CC driver.

You might want to Google Google Car. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to see they're working on that car that fits your personal needs.

 

[Tink-aholic]

From these responses, it seems that I am one of the few who travels less than the speed limit. When on interstates or highways, I always travel in the right lane, but my trouble comes when I travel on two-lane roads. Every day, I have people tailgate me and flash their lights. If it is a clear day and road conditions are perfect, I'll speed up to the posted limit, but no more. After that, I usually move my mirrors so that I cannot see the people flipping out behind me (<---this is unsafe, because I can't see ANYTHING behind me after that).

I used to pull over to let the idiots pass, but there would just be more idiots behind them. Now I just try to ignore them as best I can.

It would make things so much safer if people would drive according to the posted limits and not as to whether or not they thought they would get a ticket. Gas consumption would be far less and I know that blood pressures would be down...at least on my daily commute!

 

[Marshel]

According to studies backed by the department of energy, the average car will be at its advertised MPG at 55 mph. But as the speed increases:

- 3% less efficient at 60 mph
- 8% less efficient at 65 mph
- 17% less efficient at 70 mph
- 23% less efficient at 75 mph
- 28% less efficient at 80 mph

This is from http://www.mpgforspeed.com/

If you drive 80 you're costing yourself 11% vs going 70, a whopping 20% vs going 65. That's a significant amount of money at today's gas prices. I generally set my cruise right at to 1-2 mph over the speed limit. I always go the speed limit through construction zones, the tickets in GA can run $350 and up. I do stay out of the left lane except to pass, however if I am in the process of passing someone who is close to my speed while I will speed up some, I'm not too concerned if I momentarily slow down someone who is driving 10-15 miles over, it is not your God given right to do so. Once I hit FL, I75 is 3 lanes, I keep my cruise at 72 and stay in the middle lane as there are generally lots of slow moving trucks and RVs in the right lane; in 20 some trips I have never have anyone become enraged over my doing so, they have 2 options to get around me. As to the people who say driving under the speed limit is unsafe, people in RVs or towing one generally have tires that need to be inflated to high pressures in order to handle the weight, they are rated at 65mph top speed. Not to get political here, but there are a lot of people driving not so fuel efficient vehicles in very unefficient manners while blindly hoping that politicians and oil companies will continue to feed our addiction to do so. One thing I have noted, that even if I make very short stop for gas or restroom, the guy who I passed miles and miles ago who was driving very slowly has already caught up and gone around me.

 

[chartle]

According to studies backed by the department of energy, the average car will be at its advertised MPG at 55 mph. But as the speed increases:

- 3% less efficient at 60 mph
- 8% less efficient at 65 mph
- 17% less efficient at 70 mph
- 23% less efficient at 75 mph
- 28% less efficient at 80 mph

This is from http://www.mpgforspeed.com/

If you drive 80 you're costing yourself 11% vs going 70, a whopping 20% vs going 65. That's a significant amount of money at today's gas prices. I generally set my cruise right at to 1-2 mph over the speed limit. I always go the speed limit through construction zones, the tickets in GA can run $350 and up. I do stay out of the left lane except to pass, however if I am in the process of passing someone who is close to my speed while I will speed up some, I'm not too concerned if I momentarily slow down someone who is driving 10-15 miles over, it is not your God given right to do so. Not to get political here, but there are a lot of people driving not so fuel efficient vehicles in very unefficient manners while blindly hoping that politicians and oil companies will continue to feed our addiction to do so. One thing I have noted, that even if I make very short stop for gas or restroom, the guy who I passed miles and miles ago who was driving very slowly has already caught up and gone around me.

My ECO light turns off at around 76.5 that where I set my cruise control.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

YES! ME TOO! The speed up slow down, speed up slow down of the non cruise using people on the interstate DRIVES ME INSANE!

This x one billion!

 

[Makayna]

Not everyone has cruise control.

 

[mattsdragon]

Interesting. How negatively judgmental are you about drivers without cruise control? You understand the difference, right? It's not that we won't use it, but that our vehicles don't have this option.

Bluntly, your "flaky and airheaded" comment is offensive. We have to pay attention to all aspects of driving, including acceleration/deceleration - in addition to everything the CC drivers do (including those who do the unnamed 'other things' while driving), including but not limited to being alert for the occasional inattentive CC driver.

You might want to Google Google Car. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to see they're working on that car that fits your personal needs.

way to make assumptions. . .how delightfully ironic of you.

Here's the thing, people that don't use cruise, either because they opt not, or don't have the option in their car, are still doing the exact same things that distract drivers while their mind should be on the road. They are talking to their passengers or on their phone, or possibly texting, fiddling with the radio, drinking or eating, and doing any number of multi-tasking things that distract them from putting 100% of thier mental capacities on the job at hand, which is controlling the 2000+ pound pile of steel that is hurtling down the highway. At least people with cruise control set have one less thing to worry about.

Now, I'm sure that you will respond by denying that you do anything other than keep your hands at 10 and 2, and devote 100% of your mind to driving the car. Congratulations, you're the 1 person in the WORLD that does this. However, for the other 300+ million people in the United States and the several billion in the rest of the world, NOBODY else does that, if you say they do, they are lying.

The next time you see someone driving down the road with their speed varying anywhere within a 15 mile per hour range while they are talking on their phone and you call them a lunatic as you put as much distance between them and yourself, think for a moment, if they had cruise control, at least one of the multiple things they are doing dangerously could be easily alleviated.

 

[tony609]

About 5 over on interstate, city right on or a bit under. There was a thread on here about someone driving 15 plus miles over...that scares me especially if there are children in the car.