Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

snakeweasel

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,211101,00.html

"Omeed A. Popal, 29, was taken into custody Tuesday following a rampage that terrorized pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. Authorities believe it began more than an hour earlier when his black Honda Pilot fatally struck a man in the East Bay area."

Apparently this guy was driving around trying to run people over.

ruking1

While he should get the death penalty (if found guilty), he'll probably get probation and a movie deal or a "run down" the pedestrian video game rights.

redmaxx

Now here is the question, what is the normal flow of traffic? The 5-10 cars bunched up behind me or me and the 5-10 cars spread out evenly over several miles?

Depends. Do the cars behind you keep piling up and piling up? If so, I'd say that the 20-30 cars behind you outweigh the 3-5 in front of you. This happens on the road I mentioned before. 3 or four self-righteous people in front going within 5 MPH of the SL think it is their duty to block in a mile's worth of two lanes of traffic. ADOT is not widening the road to keep up with all the new traffic and, time and again, when people are able to get up to that 75-80 speed, traffic loosens up. But when everyone is going 60-70 MPH it is packed in and everyone keeps speeding up slowing down trying to get around the road blocks in front. I'd say that traffic moving loosely at 80 MPH is much safer than packed in tightly at 65, wouldn't you?

redmaxx

But I do agree that if you get behind someone that is doing at least the speed limit you really have no complaint.

I do, because if I do get behind someone here doing the SL, they are often speeding up and down to keep you blocked in. I want to use my CC and go a consistent speed! Plus I don't want to be blocked in by a Chevy minivan whose 70 year old driver jams the brakes every time she sees brake lights ahead and then floors it when traffic picks up. Yo-yoing between 60 and 80 is not fun. I finally got around her yesterday, but I had to go 85. :mad:

I would agree with you if most drivers are reasonable, but it doesn't seem that way any more. If they don't have a phone glued to their ear, they are yapping at the passenger in the next seat, yelling at the kids or just plain clueless (20-something in a Grand Am that would speed up to 85, then back off to 75 then repeat over and over).

snakeweasel

I do,

Well some people are just not happy unless they have something to complain about.

I am not talking about people speeding up or slowing down or blocking the left lane or other idiotic stuff. Just someone simply doing the speed limit or better on a road that has one lane in each direction.

redmaxx

Then if you were talking about getting behind reasonable people going the SL you should have said so. But you said that someone getting behind a driver going the SL has no complaint and I just cannot agree with that absolute statement.

Next time, instead of blaming me for your lack of clarity, just be clear. I can be happy without complaining, but we are in the Inconsiderate Drivers section, so what did you expect?

snakeweasel

I was clear, I said getting behind someone doing speed limit or better. You inferred increasing and decreasing speed, you inferred blocking a left lane, you inferred erratic behavior.

Next time, instead of blaming me for your lack of understanding, just don't add to what was written.

xrunner2

But when everyone is going 60-70 MPH it is packed in and everyone keeps speeding up slowing down trying to get around the road blocks in front. I'd say that traffic moving loosely at 80 MPH is much safer than packed in tightly at 65, wouldn't you?

If this is referencing a 2-lane (1 each direction) rural road with few passing zones, can't imagine cars going 80 mph. If posted limit is 55, then those in a hurry to go faster and want to pass are the inconsiderates. They should adjust their schedules to allow more time for travel. Why should someone going exactly the speed limit on a rural 2-lane give a hoot about those who don't know how to manage their time (and lives).

Once in awhile I see some really stupid inconsiderates in my mirror (and then peripheral vision) when making a left turn off of a rural 2-lane onto a side road or crossroad. These are the types who usually follow too closely. Signalling my left turn well in advance, some of these are so dumb/inconsiderate that they can't wait a couple seconds for my opposing traffic (maybe only 1 car) to clear the intersection and me to make the turn. They have to drive on the shoulder to get around me and maybe save 2 seconds. Depending on the condition of the shoulder, they are bouncing around with the possiblity of going out of control and sideswiping me.

snakeweasel

What I hate is when someone make that left turn in front of you and you slow down and the idiot behind you goes off on the shoulder to pass both of you.

xwesx

Some states do have a law that states you should pull over if you are impeding the "normal" flow of traffic. But I do agree that if you get behind someone that is doing at least the speed limit you really have no complaint.

I agree, but for me it all depends on the situation. If I am able to at least maintain the SL at ALL times while on the roadway (i.e., hills, etc), then I usually leave the other drivers to their own devices in terms of passing, etc. as never is it the case there the road is "clear" ahead. However, if I am forced to slow for hills or corners, then I will find a good place to excercise proper consideration.

I look at traveling in excess of the SL to be a luxury afforded only when prevailing traffic conditions allow such luxury. I have to remind myself of that "luxury" ideology during the winter months when I want to go at or near SL and the road is clogged with drivers going 15-20 under, using both lanes, making no passes, and exercising no lane consideration. :sick:

Come to think of it, that time is coming in perhaps no more than a month..... I had better start saving up patience.

andre1969

My attitude is that on a 2-lane road, if I come up on a car in front of me that's doing the speed limit more or less, I won't try to push them. I'll pass them if it's safe, but if, say, the speed limit is 45 and they're doing somewhere between 40-50, I won't feel slighted. Now if they're loafing along at 35 in a 45 then yeah, like Vicki Lawrence once said, either sing or get off the pot!

xrunner2

My attitude is that on a 2-lane road, if I come up on a car in front of me that's doing the speed limit more or less, I won't try to push them. I'll pass them if it's safe,.....like Vicki Lawrence once said, either sing or get off the pot!

That's a very considerate, mature and responsible practice.

Who is Vicki Lawrence?

snakeweasel

Who is Vicki Lawrence?

She was a regular on the Carol Burnett Show and has been on TV as a guest star on many shows.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0493069/

fintail

A couple of lesser-strength goodies today...

First, a 500 year old man in one of the last of those 88-96 Regal coupes. He was driving along fine enough, right around the limit. But when he would come upon ANY intersection, especially those where he had a green light, he would hit his brakes, then accelerate as normal. It was almost amusing to watch from a block or so behind. Reminded me of the old crone I got behind a couple years ago, who would get right to the limit on the nose, then tap her brakes to get 3-5 under. She'd rise, then fall. Over and over.

The second one today was a Kia Rio with a burnt out headlight. To compensate for this, she turned the other on high-beam. I had the misfortune of having this twit behind me for a couple miles.

210delray

in one of the last of those 88-96 Regal coupes

Off topic, but aren't those hideous-looking, especially today?

redmaxx

If this is referencing a 2-lane (1 each direction) rural road with few passing zones, can't imagine cars going 80 mph.

It's 2 lanes in each direction, with a large median.

andre1969

Off topic, but aren't those hideous-looking, especially today?

My great-aunt, who has kind of a Betty White helmet-hairdo (I dunno why I keep going back to the Mama's Family inferences :P ) had one of those Regal coupes. She'd had a nice white '85 or so Monte V-8 that got totaled in an accident, and replaced it with this light blue Regal. It got replaced by a first-gen Intrepid and then two second-gen Intrepids, but she ended up going back to GM and an '05 Impala, because the Intrepid's low-slung roofline kept messing with her Betty White hairdo!

She's also about 3 days older than God, with driving skills to match. VERY frightening! She visits her cousin, who lives next door to me, and I cringe every time I see her pull into their driveway, afraid she's going to hit something. And I'm just waiting for the day that she pulls out onto the road without looking and someone comes flying over the blind hill, and the resulting wreckage ends up in my front yard! :surprise:

snakeweasel

It's 2 lanes in each direction, with a large median.

No I was referencing one lane in each direction no median.

andre1969

that they'd make a law where if you're holding up more than ten cars that you have to pull over. I could see if you were driving a farm tractor, construction equipment, or an overloaded truck and were an impediment to traffic.

But let's face it, if you're going along at the speed limit and cars are piling up behind you, isn't it dangerous to actually try to count how many cars are behind you, taking your eyes off the road for that long? You might not even be able to see more than 7 or 8 cars behind you unless the road is ruler straight with no curves or hills.

I got stuck behind a dump truck yesterday on a 2-lane road. I forget if the speed limit was 40 or 45, but he varied his speed between 40 and 50. I was 3-4 cars behind him. Traffic was backed up behind me as far as the eye could see, but this road had a lot of curves and hills, and forests on either side. And no shoulder. About 2-3 feet beyond the painted line is a small drop off, and then grass.

Only real annoyance was the goth chick who could barely see above the dashboard of her cute-ute, trying to run up my tailpipe. Yeah right, like that's going to make traffic go any faster. :confuse:

One thing I couldn't figure out though, is that she kept drifting off to the side of the road, over the painted line and close to the drop-off, as she tried to sniff my tailpipe. She was showing up real nice in my right-side mirror but totally invisible in the left-side. I've seen people do this before. Is it some attempt at an imtimidation tactic? Seems counter-intuitive to me. I could see someone tailgating you and getting over to the left, so they show up more in your rear-view and left-side mirror, but why tailgate to the right, where you're all but invisible?

Unless she was thinking that she'd be able to pass on the right? Only problem is, when she's that close to me, she can't possibly see what's coming up, because my vehicle is blocking her vision. And even if she got around me, she still had 3-4 other cars and the dumptruck to deal with.

snakeweasel

Here in Illinois the law states that you cannot "delay, hinder or obstruct any other person in lawfully driving or traveling along or upon any highway". My read on this is that if you are doing at least the speed limit you cannot be obstructing anyone from lawfully using the highway since it is unlawful to exceed the speed limit. Therefor in Illinois as long as I am doing the speed Limit you don't have to pull over to let cars pass.

ruking1

States have different takes on this issue, but CA has had the law on the books at 5 cars and you should look to move over. Part of the problem is covered by your take on it "being dangerous to look in the rear view mirror". Some folks take it to the extreme and don't even look. This is NOT confined to ONLY so called farm equipment but to the whole driving environment. One example would be that SAME dump truck at 5000 feet. 45-50 mph could easily drop to 35-40 mph. So in Illinois some could intrepret this to mean they do not have to move over. In CA this would NOT be a good thing.

snakeweasel

One example would be that SAME dump truck at 5000 feet. 45-50 mpg could easily drop to 35-40 mpg. So in Illinois some could intrepret this to mean they do not have to move over. In CA this would NOT be a good thing.

I am a little unclear on what you are trying to say (even presuming you mean mph instead of mpg). The law in IL states you cannot impede traffic from the lawful use of the highway. That can read to pull over for traffic if you are doing under the speed limit, because then you would be impeding the lawful use of the road.

Anyways most of Illinois is prairie type geography (relatively flat with low rolling hills) and there are plenty of passing zones on the two lane country roads. Only the extreme northwest corner of the state, Little Egypt (far southern Illinois) and along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers do you find very hilly areas. Other than that its very rare to go more than a few miles without a passing zone.

andre1969

my grandparents took me on a camping trip that took about 8 weeks, and we spent a lot of time in California. We did this trip in a 1976 GMC crew cab pickup with a 10-foot camper in the bed. I remember in Cali that Granddad would pull over whenever more than 3-4 cars got in behind him and let them pass. On some of the mountain grades we were on this happened quite often. I think the truck actually had the power to keep up, but Granddad just liked to be gentle with it and tended to do the speed limit or at most maybe 5 mph over, especially with that camper. Whenever Grandmom took over the driving though, we never had to worry about cars backing up behind us!

Now I think a 4-5 car rule makes sense, when you're going significantly slow, because you can easily look in your mirror and see if there's that many. But with 10 cars, at that point it's too late IMO and you should have pulled over already! And again, I'm still thinking of situations where you're driving significantly below the speed limit. If you're within about 5 mph of the posted speed limit, well that's close enough for goverment work! :P

xrunner2

Therefor in Illinois as long as I am doing the speed Limit you don't have to pull over to let cars pass.

I would add that conditions of course must be factored into whether or not to drive at the Speed Limit. Many parts of rural areas will be entering deer running months. Deer will especially be moving around a lot around sunrise and sunset as well in the darkened hours.

Driving on rural 2-lanes at night, with enough opposing traffic that you cannot use brights to look for deer, I will drive under the 55 limit (maybe 50) to have extra margin to watch and slow down for crossing deer. But, there are always some inconsiderates (and dopey people) not realizing the deer danger that line up behind me and want to go 55 and faster. I don't care if there are 5 or more sets of headlights behind me, I will not speed up to 55 nor try to find safe shoulder to pull off. The 55 limit is only OK when it is safe to do so and it is not when a lot of deer around.

It is hard enough to spot and slow down for deer during daytime let alone at night. A couple years ago, a neighbor banged up his Cadillac front end by hitting a deer in bright daylight in middle of day.

ruking1

Well the easy overall principle: keep right except to pass. If it is only one lane each way, with pull outs, no pull outs, places to pass, no places to pass, pull over (when safe and when you can) when 5 cars are obviously trailing you. Nothing magical about the so called "speed limit".

astegman

I could see someone tailgating you and getting over to the left, so they show up more in your rear-view and left-side mirror, but why tailgate to the right, where you're all but invisible?

This happens all the time. Part of my drive home consists of about 10 miles on the Merritt Parkway (Connecticut), which is 2 lanes each way, very twisty and curvy. Oftentimes, in the winter, when it's snowy/icy/dangerous, traffic crawls along at 5-10 mph, and invariably, someone creeps up from behind, in the right shoulder (if there is one; in some stretches, there's no shoulder, just forest). My guess is that the driver wants to be able to see further up the road. Not that that will make any difference, but that's one possibility. I see this a lot on the same road when there's an accident way up ahead, resulting in bumper-to-bumper crawling. I guess curiousity and/or frustration get the better of some drivers, and they want to be able to see what might be going on up ahead...especially if a police car or fire engine comes through - at that point, everyone wants to see the crash, and also gage how far up it is (since things will be clear from that point on). It is wildly annoying behavior and dangerous as well.

snakeweasel

Many parts of rural areas will be entering deer running months.

Rural areas? I live in the suburbs of Chicago and we have more than our share of deer problems.

snakeweasel

Nothing magical about the so called "speed limit".

Well it is the maximum speed of which you can legally go. So as I read the law as it is written here in IL as long as I am doing at least the speed limit I don't have to pull over regardless of the number of cars behind me.

ruking1

That might explain why I saw a car on a CA freeway with Ill plates going app 55-60 mph in the #1 or left lane or passing lane, when the normal speed is 80-85 mph.

andre1969

to really only mean limited-access roads with 2 or more lanes in either direction. So on something like an interstate iwth a 65 mph speed limit, if the prevailing traffic is going 80-85 and you want to do 60, just stay in the right lane, mind your business, don't try to play traffic cop, and let others worry about themselves. If someone comes up behind you and wants to do 80 mph, you have no obligation in the right lane to speed up and accommodate them, as they have lanes to the left to pass you when they feel its safe to do so. However, if you want to go slower than the flow of traffic, you really have no business being in the faster lanes.

As for non-limited access multi-lane roads with cross traffic, where usually the speed limit is around 45 and you have plenty of traffic lights and left turns, I won't get as fussy about left lane campers, as you never know if they have a left turn coming up. However, in light traffic situations I do believe you should only be in the left lanes if you intend on passing slower traffic in the right lane, or if you have a left turn coming up. Now in heavy traffic situations, all bets are off, because there's just too much traffic to keep it all in the right lane, so naturally it's going to spill over into the faster lanes.

murphydog

Why not? Why would you want to have a bunch of cars backed up behind you? Why do you need to control the behavior of the people who want to go around you? Supose there is a difference of 2-3 MPH between your speedo and the person behind you? Then who is right and wrong?

I just don't get the need to try and control the behavior of others, especially in cars. If somebody wants to go 5 MPH faster than you I don't see what the problem is? :confuse:

210delray

I think you've nailed it. That's exactly my interpretation.

Regarding two-lane roads (one lane in each direction), I'm not certain what the law states in Virginia, but in practice I drive at or near the speed limit in rural areas. I won't make a special effort to pull over to let faster traffic pass, but if someone is really riding my bumper, I do whatever it takes to make them go around -- moving slightly to the right in passing zones, waving them around with my arm out the window, or if there isn't a convenient passing zone, TRYING to pull safely off the road.

Trouble is, when you're moving at speed and someone is right on top of you, it's not easy to safely spot a suitable turn off area and slow down to give the tailgater ample warning (signaling of course). This is especially true on a strange road at night. A lot of rural VA roads don't have shoulders.

snakeweasel

Remember we are talking single lanes each way not multi lane expressways.

smittynyc

Let me get this straight.

Rural road, one lane in each direction, hardly any intersections/lights. I'm traveling SL+ 5 or 10.

There are posters here who are seriously suggesting that I should pull off the road to accommodate whatever traffic is accumulating behind me?

That's simply insane. I guess I'm not surprised, though -- it's another "my time is more valuable than anyone else's" argument.

snakeweasel

Why would you want to have a bunch of cars backed up behind you?

I would rather not have a bunch of cars behind me, but then again I am not going to drastically alter my behavior because others might be inconsiderate.

Why do you need to control the behavior of the people who want to go around you?

1. I do not need nor want to control the behavior of the people who want to go around me.

2. The only behavior I want to control is my own. If I am at or above the speed limit why should I change what I am doing so someone else can speed?

3. If someone is riding my rear end who is trying to control whose behavior?

Supose there is a difference of 2-3 MPH between your speedo and the person behind you? Then who is right and wrong?

Again if I am at the speed limit and the person behind me is 2-3 MPH over I am in the right (by virtue of obeying the law) the person behind me is in the wrong (by virtue of breaking the law). That is in the strictest sense.

In a more realistic sense unless one of use is driving erratically then really neither one is in the wrong. It is a simple fact that I would be a head of him and he would be behind me. That in and of itself is neither right or wrong. Here in Illinois the law says that he will stay behind me until such time as he can pass safely in a passing zone (there are plenty of those around here).

I just don't get the need to try and control the behavior of others, especially in cars.

Again it is not a situation of trying to control someone. It is the fact that I just happened to be in front. If we both get into an elevator and you're going to the 10th floor and I press the button for the 6th floor simply because I am going to the 6th floor am I controlling you? No I am not, the same can be said for this senerio.

If somebody wants to go 5 MPH faster than you I don't see what the problem is?

There is no problem, as soon as he comes to a section of road that has a passing zone (again there are plenty of them In Illinois) where it is free of oncoming traffic they can pass.

Many times I come across traffic that is going slower than me. When that happens I follow at a safe distance until I come on a clear passing zone and pass. Thats no problem at all, I don't feel like I am being controlled. Its a simple fact, they were going slower than me so I caught up to them, I was patient and passed at the first safe opportunity. Everyone is happy except those who think they own the road and that everyone should get out of their way the instant they get behind you.

gasman1

My driving experience includes living and driving in Alaska, Germany, New England, Mid-West, South-East, and Southern states. I currently live in Iowa and routinely drive 35 to 50K company miles in all types of weather (day and night). Far to many of my driving miles have been during Spring/Fall deer rutting seasons or on ice covered or snow blizzard roads. To date (knock on wood) I've had no accidents which is a good thing especially when driving a propane bulk truck.

By all means SLOW down when conditions dictate! However, don't become a road hazard yourself. Watching for deer during the rut season is stressful enough, having impatient people behind you can only add to your stress level. My best advise is to plan your driving so that you don't need to drive at night during the deer rut season or during an ice or snow storm. No accidents, but I've been lucky.

gasman1

My last post may have required some elaboration...

Not hitting deer at dusk (or dawn) during the rut season involves some skill and a lot of luck. I've had to slow down on a 4 lane highway many times due to deer. I actually had a driver while passing me hit a deer that I slowed dwon for. I gave the guy as much warning as I could (pumped the brakes).

I've also had to come to a complete stop to avoid hitting deer frozen in their tracks. I learned that tapping the horn and flashing the lights has brought some of them out of their "deer in the head lights" freeze. I had one deer that fell in my lane as I approached it (that was a close one). I've also had to drive less than 5MPH while a deer trotted along in the breakdown lane.

The worst deer road that I've ever encounted is I-80 between Iowa City and Des Moines. I call it BLOOD alley during the deer rut. One night a began to slow for deer I spotted on the right when I also noticed several deer in the median who were nervous and didn't know which way to bolt. I pumped my brakes and turned on my hazards, but to late for two drivers in the on-coming lanes as the deer took out for their side of the highway.

You just don't know what a wild animal will do...

snakeweasel

You got it. Now I can see moving over for other traffic if you, for whatever reason, are driving unusually slow. Or in very hilly or mountainous areas where passing zones are rare and then when reasonable.

But here in Illinois and other prairie and/or plains states passing zones are a dime a dozen. Be patient and you will pass them in a couple of minutes.

I guess I'm not surprised, though -- it's another "my time is more valuable than anyone else's" argument.

Yeah it does seem to be a "Hey its my road get out of the way" mentality.

snakeweasel

Oh you're preaching to the choir there. I live in the Chicago area and while you may not believe it we have a sizable deer population here in the suburbs (lots of undeveloped wooded tracts of land).

One time I was on I-80 about a half hour east of the Quad Cities and there were these elderly ladies trying to flag someone down. We stopped to see if we could help. What happened was that a deer hit them. The deer ran across the interstate and broad sided their car, hit them on the driver side rear door. Bashed in the door and broke the glass which injured another elderly lady sitting in the back. It was a hit and run, the deer was nowhere in sight.

One time I was driving down a dark back road and I saw someone over to the side with a police car with their lights on behind them on the oncoming side of the road. I though that the guy got nabbed speeding or something. Well I slowed down to pass them and then I saw it. A deer was laying dead on the road. I couldn't avoid it and went right over the poor thing.

My sister was driving through Nevada one time. She was on a road in a small canyon following a river. Well a small heard of elk ran into the canyon area jumping onto the road. Well a couple of the landed on top of my sisters car.

gasman1

Yep, I've heard and seen a lot of damage by deer that broad-sided cars. They're thick here in Iowa City as well. Some people have been knocked down by them while jogging, walking, riding their bike/motor cylce. The city atually pays to have professionals come in and shoot several (hundred) each year. Some say that's not right, but having them die of starvation isn't right either.

A quick deer story (funny) - A friend of mine who has hit more than his share of deer... He calls me one day and told me that he was in his Acura (older model) and hit the deer as the front of the car was on the rebound from very hard braking...the deer was thrown up in the air...over the car...and John said he watched the deer watching him through the sun roof...it fell to the highway behind the car...stumbled getting up...but got up and skamppered away into the woods. The car had very little damange.

ruking1

Sounds like you have the drill nailed !! I'd share the road with you!

redmaxx

Another reason for having these laws is that there may be an emergency vehicle stacked up back there 15 cars back. Every delay may increase the chance that a fire truck/ambulance/police car won't get there on time. Remember, it is legal for emergency vehicles to speed.

smittynyc

Why aren't the 15 cars before the "slow" lead car properly yielding to an emergency vehicle?

If they would, the ambulance would get within hearing/seeing distance of the "slow" lead car, and he or she would presumably yield, too.

snakeweasel

Another reason for having these laws is that there may be an emergency vehicle stacked up back there 15 cars back.

Ah, thats why emergency vehicles have lights and sirens to alert drivers to pull over.

andre1969

we have them around here, too. I remember as a kid deer sightings were actually pretty rare because, well, they had plenty of habitat to graze in and bounce around through like Bambi and his mother, so they just didn't come into human contact that often. I'd see them dead along the road occasionally, but rarely alive.

Fast forward to today. Most of the farms now longer grow food. They grow subdivisions, strip malls, apartment complexes, etc. Even people with large yards have been selling and subdividing. And the natural predators have probably long since cleared out. It used to be quite common for people to let their dogs run loose around here, as it used to be the country. And I'm sure deer isn't going to exactly cozy up to a dog. While a little yappy dog would probably just scare a deer away, I'm sure a decent-sized dog could bring one down.

There have been times whe I'd have to work late, and coming outside after dark, sometimes there'd be 20-30 deer just standing around in the grass between the building and the parking lot. I end up scaring them (or rather, they scare me) when they suddenly start bounding real noisily through the woods when I accidentally startle them, and that seems to happen on a regular basis. Some of 'em are pretty tame, too. My roommate said he actually went up to one a couple years ago, and smacked in on the rump. He said he did that so it would associate humans = bad and try to stay away. I think he's just lucky he didn't get kicked!

My uncle hit a deer with his '03 Corolla a few years back. His car looked an awful lot like those NHTSA frontal offset collisions afterward, but it wasn't totaled. ~$4900 worth of damage, though. He said the deer just hopped off into the woods like nothing even happened. No blood, gore, or anything.

Last year somebody almost hit a deer that ran out, trying to cross the street between the lower part of my yard and the woods across the street. They slammed on their brakes, and the screeching sound was pretty loud. But they never learn. They still speed down my 30 mph street, sometimes doing 50-60 or more. Just the other day I heard somebody screeching to a halt because of a school bus that was stopped in front of the McMansion orchard up the street, picking up kids. And it's only a matter of time before a kid does get hit, because they built a park right on the other side of that community, and the kids cross back and forth all the time.

210delray

That's what I was thinking -- everyone in the line should be pulling over or otherwise making room for the emergency vehicle to pass.

xwesx

Now I think a 4-5 car rule makes sense, when you're going significantly slow, because you can easily look in your mirror and see if there's that many. But with 10 cars, at that point it's too late IMO and you should have pulled over already! And again, I'm still thinking of situations where you're driving significantly below the speed limit. If you're within about 5 mph of the posted speed limit, well that's close enough for goverment work!

Agreed. When I find it necessary to go sub-SL, my count gets to 1 and it is time to start looking for a way to assist that 1 in passing me.

ruking1

..."Remember we are talking single lanes each way not multi lane expressways."...

The CA law I was referring was TAILOR made for your quote!!

xwesx

I won't make a special effort to pull over to let faster traffic pass, but if someone is really riding my bumper, I do whatever it takes to make them go around -- moving slightly to the right in passing zones, waving them around with my arm out the window, or if there isn't a convenient passing zone, TRYING to pull safely off the road.

My method for accomplishing this is to dump the accelerator, it usually does not take more than a 10-15 mph drop before those drivers are around and gone. I only get annoyed by it when the person has had more than one prior opportunity to pass and opted not to take it, though is continuing to ride my bumper. I only need one lover, thanks. :P

xwesx

Have to agree with that. The only time I will make exception is if I am driving a rig in which I cannot maintain speed on hills, then I will help folks around even if I am maintaining speed on flats.

I have no problem with exceeding posted SLs on open roads, but I will not go out of my way to assist. Such behavior is a luxury and is dependent on conditions.

However, if I see speeding in an area in which it is not appropriate, especially in my subdivision, I will intentionally interfere with it and will give the person a good chewing (if able) in addition.