hey you...the one toodling down the interstate in the LEFT lane...

[Ephany]

This happens all the time here. The other day DH and I were stuck behind someone doing 45 in a 60 because he had a cell phone up in front of his face so he could TEXT! He was also weaving from side to side crossing yellow and white lines, so we stayed back a good distance. I need to program that number for the state police into my cell, at least I could have called and reported him. He was really lucky he didn't get hit by oncoming traffic as that particular area is very hilly and you can't see who's approaching much of the time.

 

[wendy46001]

OK, I know I'm going to get creamed for this, but here's the opposite point of view.

I don't like to drive fast -- 5 miles an hour over the speed limit, I can handle that. Maybe even 10, but more than that freaks me out. So I drive on the right -- so far so good.

There's a place here where the on ramp is on the left. Invariably, I get off the ramp, and I'm still getting up to speed, maybe 50 in a 55 mile zone. Of course my attention is to keep speeding up until I'm at 60 or 65 and then get over. Trust me, I want to get over as badly as you want me to get over, but before I can even think about someone comes speeding up and they're right on my tail. So, instinctually, I slow down. I can't help myself, it just happens. Now I'm going 45 in the left lane, and so people start passing me, going 70 or 75 on my left. Even if I speed up to 70 (which I'm not willing to do because of the guy on my tail, he's too close for me to be comfortable at that speed), I'm not going to be able to merge right. So the guy starts blinking his headlight and honking his horn.

What's the right thing to do in this circumstance?

Don’t use that on ramp
drive out of your way for yours and others safety

 

[MineMail]

What's the right thing to do in this circumstance?

First, you shouldn't get in the left lane until you're within a few hundred feet of the exit. If you're sitting there for five miles because "the exit's coming up," you're one of the OP's offenders.

If you're still on the highway in the left lane, don't slow down until you're on the ramp. Put on your left turn signal to show that you're exiting.

ETA: If it's a two-lane exit, don't get in the leftmost lane. That'll put you on the ramp in the right lane where you belong. Tough on any mad drivers who wanted to use it as a passing lane and get stuck behind you. Just use your flashers if they get too close.

Once on the ramp, IMMEDIATELY put your turn signal on to show you want to move to the right and turn to see if it's safe. Most people will let you get in the lane in that situation, although there are some jerks who will act stupid and pass you.

If someone's following you closely at too high a speed, you can put on your flashers to get them to back off, then switch to the turn signal and show you want to move out of the lane.

Slowing down in a panic is a sure way to get rear-ended. Obviously, you're a nervous driver. You should find a less-stressful exit before you cause a pileup. You could also benefit from a defensive driving course. They usually pay for themselves by lowering your insurance rates once you complete the class.

 

[punkin]

ITA!!!! This happens on the Southern State in Long Island and although we don't have signs to stay right, you should know that if you aren't doing at least 65, stay the heck out of the left lane.

I thought the speed limit on the Southern State was 55?

 

[NYPDwife]

Can I please add something else? Pleeaaasseee?

Okay, brakes, they are not meant to be stepped on every minute. Learn to coast people. If you kept your eyes on the road, instead of putting on make-up or talking on your phone, you would actually be able to judge the distance between your car and the one in front of you. If you do that, then you can take your foot off the gas pedal and let the car slow down by itself. Constant braking causes TRAFFIC and I can't stand traffic.

Ooooh wait another one. RUBBERNECKERS!!!! If it didn't happen to you, mind your own daggone business and keep driving. I HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE, HATE when people brake to look at an accident. Keep moving before you cause another one.

Whew, I feel so much better now. Thanks for listening!!

 

[NYPDwife]

I thought the speed limit on the Southern State was 55?

It is, for people in the right lane. Unwritten rule

 

[MineMail]

Maybe my coffee didn't have enough caffeine for me today. But once you are off the off ramp, shouldn't you be in the right hand lane? I'm so caught up in that I can't sort out the rest.

I took it to mean that the exit is on the left lane of the highway, but the exit ramp has more than one lane. (Either after from the highway (2 lane exit) or a new right lane starts on the ramp itself.) If it's a two-lane exit, you're right: the poster should use the right lane all the way through.

 

[Jennasis]

I thought the speed limit on the Southern State was 55?

I always liked to think of the speed limit on the SS and the NS as more of a "suggestion" rather than a hard and fast rule.

 

[NYPDwife]

I always liked to think of the speed limit on the SS and the NS as more of a "suggestion" rather than a hard and fast rule.

 

[bluesaturn]

OK, I know I'm going to get creamed for this, but here's the opposite point of view.

I don't like to drive fast -- 5 miles an hour over the speed limit, I can handle that. Maybe even 10, but more than that freaks me out. So I drive on the right -- so far so good.

There's a place here where the on ramp is on the left. Invariably, I get off the ramp, and I'm still getting up to speed, maybe 50 in a 55 mile zone. Of course my attention is to keep speeding up until I'm at 60 or 65 and then get over. Trust me, I want to get over as badly as you want me to get over, but before I can even think about someone comes speeding up and they're right on my tail. So, instinctually, I slow down. I can't help myself, it just happens. Now I'm going 45 in the left lane, and so people start passing me, going 70 or 75 on my left. Even if I speed up to 70 (which I'm not willing to do because of the guy on my tail, he's too close for me to be comfortable at that speed), I'm not going to be able to merge right. So the guy starts blinking his headlight and honking his horn.

What's the right thing to do in this circumstance?

Don't slow down to 45.

 

[sbell111]

You realize that tire size can affect speedometer reading?
Depending on the size of the tire you could be going faster or slower than what your speedo says.

Also you realize that most speedo's are not accurate? Using gps units I have found that when my speedo reads 65 I am only going 61. I have been lasered while doing what my speedo reads as 72 and not pulled over.

I didn't post anything about speedometers, but as long as you bring it up, you realize that your speedometer being off doesn't excuse your breaking the law, right?

 

[sbell111]

OK, I know I'm going to get creamed for this, but here's the opposite point of view.

I don't like to drive fast -- 5 miles an hour over the speed limit, I can handle that. Maybe even 10, but more than that freaks me out. So I drive on the right -- so far so good.

There's a place here where the on ramp is on the left. Invariably, I get off the ramp, and I'm still getting up to speed, maybe 50 in a 55 mile zone. Of course my attention is to keep speeding up until I'm at 60 or 65 and then get over. Trust me, I want to get over as badly as you want me to get over, but before I can even think about someone comes speeding up and they're right on my tail. So, instinctually, I slow down. I can't help myself, it just happens. Now I'm going 45 in the left lane, and so people start passing me, going 70 or 75 on my left. Even if I speed up to 70 (which I'm not willing to do because of the guy on my tail, he's too close for me to be comfortable at that speed), I'm not going to be able to merge right. So the guy starts blinking his headlight and honking his horn.

What's the right thing to do in this circumstance?

Keep doing everything that you are doing, but fight your instinct to slow down when people get on your tail. Continue to come up to speed and merge safely to the right.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I took it to mean that the exit is on the left lane of the highway, but the exit ramp has more than one lane. (Either after from the highway (2 lane exit) or a new right lane starts on the ramp itself.) If it's a two-lane exit, you're right: the poster should use the right lane all the way through.

Oh, like a merged exit ramp?

 

[OceanAnnie]

Keep doing everything that you are doing, but fight your instinct to slow down when people get on your tail. Continue to come up to speed and merge safely to the right.

Yes. That is what I'd do.

 

[Shutterbug]

I didn't post anything about speedometers, but as long as you bring it up, you realize that your speedometer being off doesn't excuse your breaking the law, right?

No my point is that your speedometer might be reading too high so in fact you think you are going the speed limit, you may actually going alot slower than the speed limit.

Also how do you know you are breaking the speed limit if you car is reading 65mph?

To say you should play it safe and go UNDER the speed limit invites nothing but alot trouble and you become a hazard to everyone else on the highway.

 

[sbell111]

No my point is that your speedometer might be reading too high so in fact you think you are going the speed limit, you may actually going alot slower than the speed limit.

Also how do you know you are breaking the speed limit if you car is reading 65mph?

To say you should play it safe and go UNDER the speed limit invites nothing but alot trouble and you become a hazard to everyone else on the highway.

Gosh. You're really putting alot of words in my mouth. I never posted anything that you are attributing to me.

 

[stevenpensacola]

Are you my soul mate? I literally go through this same rant everyday to myself. To see someone else so passionate against the left lane riders, it's a beautiful thing.

Driving is an activity which does require you to participate...especially when driving on the interstate. You need to be constantly monitoring the traffic ahead of you, as well as the traffic behind you...so you don't get caught off-guard and have to make a sudden move....I must confess...my DW does this...she won't be paying attention, and will close on a slower car in the right lane and need to pass ON THE LEFT, but she ends up getting stuck behind the slower car because she wasn't monitoring the traffic behind her...have really tried to teach my kids the importance of being aware of your surroundings while driving.

Another peeve of mine: people who are merging onto the interstate...there is a merge lane 1/2 mile long...and they feel they MUST merge as soon as absolutely possible...not matter how fast they are going. USE THE WHOLE MERGE LANE TO GET UP TO SPEED...MATCH YOUR SPEED WITH THE TRAFFIC AND BLEND IN...IT REALLY DOES WORK!!!!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

Another peeve of mine: people who are merging onto the interstate...there is a merge lane 1/2 mile long...and they feel they MUST merge as soon as absolutely possible...not matter how fast they are going. USE THE WHOLE MERGE LANE TO GET UP TO SPEED...MATCH YOUR SPEED WITH THE TRAFFIC AND BLEND IN...IT REALLY DOES WORK!!!!

On that note it equally drives me crazy when I'm behind someone in the right or middle lane and someone pulls on to interstate in the acceleration lane and the person I'm behind immediately puts on their brakes. What? Why are YOU braking?! You don't even know how fast they're going to be accelerating to, you have the right of way, and they're in a completely different lane!

Thanks for this thread . I beat a "clump" of traffic today (a lady in the left lane with a car full of kids all singing and having the time of their lives....going 50 mph; speed limit's 65) and didn't come across another one which very rarely happens in my 20 mile drive on interstate every day. I usually work from one traffic clump to the next every day and every night (we only have a two lane interstate here in a highly congested area).

 

[locolala]

Wrong thread for the nom nom noms, lol sorry

I hate slow drivers too, btw. Get outta my way if you're going 10-15 under in the left lane.. course, you'd get the same thing if you're in the right lane too, at least in the DC area.

 

[locolala]

Oh, and around here the beltway is like Nascar.. unless it's rush hour, then you're going about 10mph the whole.freaking.trip.