Stop Honking at Me! and other Driving Woes

[firefly_ris]

People cruising/Not passing in the left lane and impeding traffic behind them. It's ok to drive slower but ya gots to move over, friend. I drive daily on a 55mph 4 lane road and it never fails I get stuck behind 2 people both going the exact same 5mph under the speed limit right next to each other and a huge line piles up behind. Move right!

It is posted on NYS highways slower traffic keep right. If it's a 5 lane highway, sure any other lane besides the most left one will do...

 

[RedAngie]

There is an intersection near me with two lanes for a left turn onto a major three lane road. Every day, without fail, someone in the left left turn lane immediate veers into the right lane of the three lane road to get into McDonald's or another business.

 

[low-key]

There is an intersection near me with two lanes for a left turn onto a major three lane road. Every day, without fail, someone in the left left turn lane immediate veers into the right lane of the three lane road to get into McDonald's or another business.

you trying to get the Egg McMuffin before breakfast is over

 

[Squirlz]

How is it unsafe to drive in the left lane? I can only imagine the traffic if we could only use ONE lane of the highway.

That is the passing lane. If there is not a slower car in front of you you should stay in the right lane. You are impeding traffic otherwise.

 

[disneychrista]

In regards to driving in the left lane. We actually have about a 5 mile stretch of the highway through town that says to KEEP LEFT unless exiting.

 

[disneychrista]

That is the passing lane. If there is not a slower car in front of you you should stay in the right lane. You are impeding traffic otherwise.

Technically only if there is traffic BEHIND YOU in the left lane wanting to go faster than you are going. Otherwise not so much.

I understand moving over for traffic, that is common sense.

 

[ronandannette]

Driving in any lane other than the right lane on a highway when you are not passing anyone. There is no excuse.

To keep traffic flowing freely and safely. You honestly don't understand this?

What I don't understand is what you are suggesting should be happening in the middle one or two lanes on a 6-or-8 lane road? Are you strictly talking about 4-lanes?

One of my issues is people driving on multi-lane city roadways (we have quite a few of them) where the speed limit is higher than residential but much less than highway. Many seem to believe the left lane is the "fast lane" on these streets like it would be on the highway. They drive way too aggressively and want to force cars to weave in and out of traffic to let them by. Trying to get out of their way isn't always practical, depending where you're trying to exit. These jerks are a menace and no matter how hard they try, they always end up stopped at the same traffic lights as everybody else anyway.

 

[AustinTink]

You will get a ticket here if you drive on the shoulder to make your right turn.

Not for the 2 seconds it takes to turn. I'm not saying drive 1/2 a mile on the shoulder.

 

[AustinTink]

That's weird. I was taught to do this by my driving instructor way back in the day. I wouldn't say you full on drive in the shoulder, but when you are under 100ft from the turn, you ARE supposed to move over as far as you can so that others can pass you while you make the turn. I've been doing this for all 25 years I've been driving and see the majority of people do the same. Never gotten a ticket in any state I've driven in.

That's how I was taught as well.

 

[Squirlz]

What I don't understand is what you are suggesting should be happening in the middle one or two lanes on a 6-or-8 lane road? Are you strictly talking about 4-lanes?

One of my issues is people driving on multi-lane city roadways (we have quite a few of them) where the speed limit is higher than residential but much less than highway. Many seem to believe the left lane is the "fast lane" on these streets like it would be on the highway. They drive way too aggressively and want to force cars to weave in and out of traffic to let them by. Trying to get out of their way isn't always practical, depending where you're trying to exit. These jerks are a menace and no matter how hard they try, they always end up stopped at the same traffic lights as everybody else anyway.

Too many words. I'm talking about limited access highways, not anything with lights. 5 or 6 lane highways are typical of an area with multiple interchanges. In which case you should still be in the rightmost lane for the upcoming split.

 

[DisneylandFreak2013]

.,

 

[AustinTink]

No kidding. The shoulder is for emergencies. You NEVER do this! If someone behind you can't slow down in time then they are not paying attention and should be prosecuted accordingly.

Not saying to drive endlessly on the shoulder. Texas transportation code states you are allowed to use the shoulder for right turns. See #3 below. Glad I won't be prosecuted accordingly.

(a) An operator may drive on an improved shoulder to the right of the main traveled portion of a roadway if that operation is necessary and may be done safely, but only:
(1) to stop, stand, or park;
(2) to accelerate before entering the main traveled lane of traffic;
(3) to decelerate before making a right turn;
(4) to pass another vehicle that is slowing or stopped on the main traveled portion of the highway, disabled, or preparing to make a left turn;
(5) to allow another vehicle traveling faster to pass;
(6) as permitted or required by an official traffic-control device;  or
(7) to avoid a collision.

 

[ronandannette]

Too many words. I'm talking about limited access highways, not anything with lights. 5 or 6 lane highways are typical of an area with multiple interchanges. In which case you should still be in the rightmost lane for the upcoming split.

Not enough words - I still can't imagine your scenario. Simply put, with 3 or 4 lanes going each way, what do you think should be happening in the middle ones if everybody should only be in the right lane except to pass. Our highways can have 50 miles of 3 lanes with very, very limited exits - places here are all pretty far apart.

 

[DLgal]

Too many words. I'm talking about limited access highways, not anything with lights. 5 or 6 lane highways are typical of an area with multiple interchanges. In which case you should still be in the rightmost lane for the upcoming split.

What is a limited access highway?

To me, "highway" is an artery roadway that runs through many locations, connecting them. There are no traffic signals on highways. There are no intersections. When you exit, you go over or under the highway on a different road. Here, ours are either 5 or 6 lanes in each direction. There are left hand exits and right hand exits, so staying "to the right" is not necessary or advised, depending on where you are going. Here, people generally DON'T drive in the right lane unless they are getting ready to exit.

 

[sharona]

Driving in any lane other than the right lane on a highway when you are not passing anyone. There is no excuse.

My pet peeve is people who drive in the right lane on the highway when they are not entering or exiting anytime soon. Of course if there is bumper to bumper traffic this does not apply but I am talking about during medium to light traffic times when everyone is able to drive the speed limit. We have a very busy 3 lane "highway" near us (50 mph) that has many on/off exits and strip mall entrances and exits. I see people driving along in the right lane for miles when the middle and left lane are not busy. This makes it so unnecessarily hard for people to merge on and dangerous for people to exit. Get out of the way of the people trying to merge on and stop tailgating the people who are slowing down to exit!

 

[Squirlz]

Not enough words - I still can't imagine your scenario. Simply put, with 3 or 4 lanes going each way, what do you think should be happening in the middle ones if everybody should only be in the right lane except to pass. Our highways can have 50 miles of 3 lanes with very, very limited exits - places here are all pretty far apart.

They should only be passing? You said it yourself. Nothing I can say will make everyone a good driver, but just move over for faster traffic. That's would be a start.

 

[ronandannette]

They should only be passing? You said it yourself. Nothing I can say will make everyone a good driver, but just move over for faster traffic. That's would be a start.

I sure didn't. All three lanes are for travel, at the posted speed limit. If for some reason one must travel slower then yes, stay to the right. At the posted speed, the middle and left lanes should be used to distribute the traffic volume rather than a miles-long string of cars in the right lane constantly darting out and then back in front of one another when one is slightly slower.

 

[Squirlz]

I sure didn't. All three lanes are for travel, at the posted speed limit. If for some reason one must travel slower then yes, stay to the right. At the posted speed, the middle and left lanes should be used to distribute the traffic volume rather than a miles-long string of cars in the right lane constantly darting out and then back in front of one another when one is slightly slower.

We're actually in agreement, you're just battling semantics. So let's call it a draw okay?

 

[ronandannette]

We're actually in agreement, you're just battling semantics. So let's call it a draw okay?

Agree to agree? Sure!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

This is how it is for my commute!

Driving in Boston​

Submitted by Mahk

The geographical center of Boston is in Roxbury. Due north of the center we find the South End. This is not to be confused with South Boston, which lies directly east from the South End. North of the South End is East Boston and southwest of East Boston is the North End. And, the Back Bay was filled in years ago. Basic Rules for Driving in Boston (subject to change at any time):

1. Always look right and left before proceeding through a green light.
2. When on a one way street, stay to the right to allow for oncoming traffic to pass.
3. Never, ever stop for a pedestrian unless he flings himself under the wheels of your car.
4. The first parking space you see will be the last parking space you see. Grab it.
5. Learn to swerve abruptly. Boston is the home of slalom driving, thanks to the Department of Transportation, which puts potholes in key locations to test drivers' reflexes and keep them on their toes.
6. Never get in the way of a car that needs extensive bodywork.
7. Double-park in the North End of Boston and South Boston, unless triple-parking is available.
8. Always look both ways when running a red light.
9. Honk your horn the instant the light changes.
10. Breakdown lanes are not for breaking down, but for speeding, especially during rush hour. Breakdown lanes may also end without warning causing traffic jams as people merge back in.
11. If you should break down, allow your vehicle to come to a stop in the center lane. If road conditions are hazardous, exit your vehicle, without looking, and stand next to it, with your back to oncoming traffic.
12. Never use directional signals when changing lanes. They only warn other drivers to speed up and not let you in. (AKA giving away your secrets to the enemy.)
13. To signal a lane change, look in the direction you're about to go, as you do so. Wearing a baseball cap is considered an extra safety measure.
14. Making eye contact revokes your right of way.
15. Never pass on the left when you can pass on the right.
16. Whenever possible, stop in the middle of a crosswalk to ensure inconveniencing as many pedestrians as possible. And if a pedestrian ahead of you steps into the road, speed up loudly and chase them up on the curb. Pedestrians have no rights.
17. On a multi-lane highway, always drive in the left lane, even if there are others wanting to pass. Stay in the left lane until the last possible instant before cutting across all lanes to the exit.
18. When making a left turn at an intersection with a red light, glare at the oncoming drivers, inch your way into the intersection, and floor it when the green light from the other direction turns yellow.
19. When merging, floor it, as you hit the "on ramp" and proceed immediately to the furthest left hand lane.
20. When road conditions are hazardous, swerve in and out of lanes, to pass slower moving vehicles.
21. Communicating with other drivers and pedestrians is important. Gesture often.
22. The furthest right lane is reserved for passing. The furthest left lane is reserved for slower moving vehicles.
23. Always bring your cell phone with you. Highway driving is a perfect time to chat with your friends and loved ones.
24. If you miss your exit, stop abruptly and back up.
25. When another car pulls up close behind you and "flashes their brights", slam on your breaks.
26. When entering a tunnel, always slow down and pause before entering, even if there is no traffic or reason for delay.
27. When faced with a lane detour, due to construction, always pass as many complying vehicles as possible, wait until the last possible second, then swerve into the specified lane.
28. Be prepared for abundant construction detours.
29. Taxi Cab drivers are highly trained professionals. Observe and learn from their masterful techniques and driving skills.
30. Only those pedestrians not looking where they're going, head and eyes fixed firmly forward, are allowed to cross in front of traffic. Be sure to "break" hard and stop as close to them as possible.
    • Tip: Only pedestrians crossing within "Cross Walks" have legal rights. Pedestrians outside of "Cross Walks" are "fair game".