Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)

imidazol97

I would like to see someone double the northbound I75 ramp to I70 W--the long loop to the upper right of the picture. It is marked at 40 mph.

First to go was a motorcyclist who went over the side for a 40 foot drop to the ground below. Then a few truck and auto accidents were followed by a beer truck losing cardboard boxes of the Budweiser in the trailer over the side when it hit. They fell onto the westbound I70 lanes below.

There is something wrong in the slope or the appearance of the beginning of the ramp as people approach it. The State doubled the size of the 40 mph warning signs on the ends of the ramp approach, but people still get into trouble on the ramp. They repaired one of the concrete damage areas a few months back and it's got several major tire marks already.

I'll get a photo of the ramp approach; I can't find one I took a year ago.

80 mph?

euphonium

If the object of your fire power is within range, so are you.

fintail

On some normal roads where a random corner is yellow signed at 20, going 40 is no problem (and it's often in a 35 zone, so barely outside the "law" to begin with). Like what imid mentions, many on and off ramps here too are yellow signed at 35-40...the two long curved ramps nearest me are yellow signed at 40, I've taken them at 60-65 and didn't feel like I was going to lose it.

I saw the asinine local "slow down" commercial again last night...I sure am glad public funds are being used so responsibly :sick:

andres3

They seem to be more reasonable (withn the ball park as the speeds go up - maybe over 35 they are more accurate). I find the low speed yellow signs (15, 25) to be almost always way lower than required.

In San Diego County usually they don't post a yellow sign unless it's 35 or less.

fintail

A lot of the lower speed ones here are on secondary or rural roads....maybe as a warning for log trucks etc? Although shouldn't a truck driver be able to tell how fast he should be driving without a nanny sign? Maybe not...as euphonium can likely attest to as well, log trucks losing loads due to their drivers hot-dogging it are not exactly uncommon.

andres3

that 100% of the police force and effort spent on speed enforcement (which has absolutely ZERO value to society; it does no good for the public at large in any way) and move that effort and enforcement time towards ticketing left lane hogs or campers.

The enforcement of the left lane rules of the road is dispicable. I've considered joining the CHP for the sole purpose of exacting revenge on all those LLC's (not to mention the good starting pay). If I was a CHP officer, I would buck the system and spend my time finding the driver's that actually cause traffic jams and accidents like LLC's, not the innocent harmless speeders that know the speed limit is too low to begin with and drive reasonably above it.

I wouldn't waste tax payer money hiding behind bushes waiting for the next unsuspecting vehicle to go by at 15 over the limit on a perfectly straight freeway on a perfectly sunny typical CA day.

fintail

You mean 85% of crashes aren't caused by drivers who think the speed limit "doesn't apply to them"? That speed alone doesn't kill? Has my TV lied to me? :shades:

The whole system needs to be overhauled, starting with driver training.

stever

I got onto one of those flying ramps similar to the one in your photo last Christmas down in Austin. I was going the advisory limit or a bit under, and it was still a "what the heck" moment in the rental car. Fortunately I had the entire thing to myself and didn't have to worry about traffic in addition to going airborne. I think it may be the highest point in Texas outside of Big Bend.

fintail

The limey nanny-state, well experienced in decades of self-destructive idiocy, will likely claim this will lower inconsiderate driving, when it is nothing but a revenue enhancement ploy...what a bunch of idiots. They need a revolution.

vcheng

Meanwhile, in a parallel universe over in the PhotoRadar forum, people are questioning whether this type of all-pervasive monitoring will harm any personal freedoms! They WANT this system apparently.

fintail

Some people like to submit to illegitimate authority...and looking at what has happened to the UK over the past 60 years, their authority is arguably the most illegitimate on the planet. It's amazing how the same people who will rail against big government will then act like they think "1984" was an instruction manual :shades: :sick:

vcheng

But remember, we can follow that descent into insanity very easily too. "All that is needed for evil to flourish is for good people to remain silent."

Our greatness as a nation is not guaranteed by any higher authority except for we the people. If we want to remain free, we will have to work for it.

fintail

I can only hope there would be some kind of organized resistance to a scheme like that here. However, I wouldn't be shocked if it made it to the UK...they just can't get enough of that kind of that kind of thing.

I also hope the Germans keep on kicking to the curb demands to repeal the unlimited autobahn as they have done so far.

jimbres

Often, the fast lane on CA freeways is the right lane (supposed slow lane).

I've seen that frequently during rush hour on the dreaded Long Island Expressway. ("Pray for me - I drive the LIE" was a popular 70s bumper sticker.) So many drivers crowd into the center & left lanes - apparently in the belief that simply being in a fast lane will get them home sooner - that the right lane opens up for those who pay attention.

I've often taken advantage of this phenomenon. On more than one occasion, the driver of the car behind me has even flashed his high beams because I wasn't driving fast enough -- in the right lane! -- to suit him.

Does this make me an RLC?

andres3

Does this make me an RLC?

Sort of. :P

However, I'm much more forgiving and considerate of RLC's than I am LLC's

If the LLC's weren't blocking the fast lane, the people that have somewhere to go and get wouldn't need to use the right lane as the expressway.

fintail

The right or second to right lane here is often the defacto fast lane...if you don't mind working for it and weaving now and then. Evidence of our dysfunctional traffic system.

oregonboy

Hey, the law says "Keep right", so that's exactly what I do. And if that means a clear lane ahead, aside from a few trucks that don't camp in the center lane to avoid on-ramp merging issues, it's all good.

I can "fly under the radar" at a slightly higher average speed than the mindless herd and with less aggravation. Let's just keep this a secret between us friends. Don't let the masses know, or they will screw it up for those of us that "get it". :P

tjc78

I can "fly under the radar"

On some roads with a barrier on the left, the highway patrol will be on the woods on the right. If you are moving faster than traffic in the left lanes you are for sure getting snagged.

elias

Personally I avoid the left lane when it's all 'stacked up' due to left-lane-hogs & tail-gators.
And I can confirm that passing in the right lane is a cause for becoming detained by law enforcement.
Here's one time where it worked out without a citation, in a state where passing on the right is legal:
City cop: "You were passing people in the right lane, that's why I pulled you over, what is your explanation?"
me: "I understand that I am supposed to be driving in the rightmost available lane."
Cop: "You are fine. Have a nice evening."

hammerhead

Locally the left lane is the baited trap... motorcycle troopers stage on the left shoulder and laser oncoming traffic. Oftenrtimes all they have to do is point at a violator and motion them over to the shoulder rather than having to actually pursue.

Cheers!
Paul

xrunner2

Saw an apparent inconsiderate driver yesterday at I90 eastbound exit to go north on ILL 53. Upon approching the 3 automated tollbooths about 1 block away, saw an ILL Tollway truck parked in leftmost lane and workers in middle lane, only right lane was open. Left lane is stop and deposit cash, middle and right are drive-through I-PASS. Posted speed limit is 15 mph through 2 booths. About 4 cars ahead of me going very slowly through right lane. Then, it becomes apparent just before getting to booth that workers are picking up all kinds of debris. Then, looking beyond toll booths is an upside down car with left front wheel whacked off. And, toll workers were just pulling out a guy through driver's window. They then got him standing up as I was slowly driving by the scene.

There is an Illinois Tollway maintenance building very near those booths and obviously the workers heard the crash and came out immediately to help. Police/ambulance still were probably minutes away.

Thing about this 3-set toll booth is that like all others it has concrete barriers separating the lanes. Almost every time I go through this toll, I see drivers not slowing down and going maybe 60 mph, not the posted 15 in the I-Pass lanes. Yesterday, guy in the car might have been going too fast, maybe on cell phone and clipped the concrete and then flipped.

Seems like police could produce a lot of revenue by ticketing somehow/safely those gross speeders at these toll booths.

jensad

I used to do that with bumper 2 bumper traffic on a freeway in Ca. All of the cars were slowly traveling up over a hill to merge into the big freeway. But during commute, the violators would leave the right lane and speed up to get over the hill, i.e. about 1/2 mile, and then force their way back into the right lane and merge.

I would stand just over the hill, and flag them in and ticket them as they came over the hill. The violating drivers could not see me until they got to the top of the hill, and that was when I motioned them to stop and gave them a citation.

Many of the motorists in the lanes would go by and wave, smile and clap at me as I zapped the violating driver. And I felt good for being able to help someone rather than clean up after fatal accidents et al.

Good luck to all and stay safe. I wish the rain would stop in No. Cal but its nice not to have a drought alert anymore.

jensad

Never had radar then but then I only had to use my eyes and my pen.

snakeweasel

in a state where passing on the right is legal

In what states is passing on the right illegal? And I don't mean leaving the marked pavement.

Think about it, if passing on the right is illegal then driving down a multilane raos where someone who is going the same way I am is making a left turn I would have to stop and wait for him to turn before I could continue pass him.

stever

Here's the Idaho blurb:

49-633. When passing on the right is permitted.
(1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
(b) Upon a highway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle.
(2) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. That movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway.

So, it's ok here to pass on the right on a 4 lane. Or on a one way, multilane street. Or on a 2 lane if someone is turning left. Otherwise it's prohibited.

snakeweasel

So in other words as long as you are not leaving the marked pavement (going off the road or on the shoulder) you are ok.

xwesx

The roadway includes a paved shoulder, so if a car is turning left on a two-lane road and the shoulder is sufficiently wide to pass on the right, another driver should be able to do so if conditions are otherwise safe. Passing that same vehicle in the same fashion if it were not turning left would be unlawful, as would leaving the shoulder (roadway) to pass.

andres3

If you are moving faster than traffic in the left lanes you are for sure getting snagged.

Not if the traffic on the left lane is moving 5 MPH while the traffic on the right allows you to go 65 or 70 MPH. No ticket possible.

andres3

The roadway includes a paved shoulder,

I'd agree with that interpretation. A shoulder by definition in my book cannot be paved. If it is paved is ceases to be a shoulder....

However, I'm stretching a bit. :P

hammerhead

Paved shouulders all over the place here. Anything to the right of the fog line, paved or otherwise, is shoulder.

andres3

what's to the right of the paved shoulder then? Unpaved shoulder?

The solid white line could have "exit lane(s)" to the right of it.....

hammerhead

Depends on the nature & quality of the road. Freeways have paved shoulders, then dirt/grass/whatever beyond that. Left-hand freeway shoulders usually lead to medians (or jersey barriers) At the exits, the fog line veers off to the right with the exit lane, but the roadway line picks up again (the intersection of those lines is commonly called the 'gore point').

County roads may or may not have the fog line, and may or may not have a paved shoulder before you hit the dirt.

The definition of 'shoulder' is a bit broader (no pun intended) than a single example.

Cheers!
Paul

snakeweasel

The solid white line could have "exit lane(s)" to the right of it.....

Not sure about where you live but around here that solid white line keeps to the right of the exit lane and then starts up next to the right lane once the exit lane separates from the main road. If anything there will be a broken white line marking the right of the right lane.

tjc78

Not if the traffic on the left lane is moving 5 MPH while the traffic on the right allows you to go 65 or 70 MPH. No ticket possible.

I think you missed the point.... if the left is moving along at the SL or slightly above and you are in the right lane passing everyone you are a sitting duck. .

xwesx

The definition of 'shoulder' is a bit broader (no pun intended) than a single example.

That is certainly true. However, for a paved two-lane road, if you leave the paved surface while passing on the right of a vehicle waiting to turn left, you are in violation of the law stated above.

hammerhead

Agreed. You can also get nailed for using a paved shoulder to do the same thing.
Anything to the right of the fog line, whether paved or not, is shoulder.

xwesx

That caveat sounds like it is location-dependent. About 30 miles of the Parks Highway around Wasilla is insane in terms of local turning traffic (and, it is primarily a two-lane 55-mph road without a center turn lane). I spoke with a trooper about ten years ago who patrolled that area and asked him about the right-side passing (since "everybody does it" and traffic would become a gnarled mess if drivers did not), and he said that as long as the passing driver does not leave the pavement and passes with apparent caution, it is a legal pass.

hammerhead

Roads are like real estate... location, location, location

xwesx

Yeah, that and completely at the discretion of the officer on duty! I thought it was funny when he mentioned the part about the caution, because that is completely discretionary (in the eye of the beholder) and essentially means that anyone who pulls this maneuver is subject to a potential stop.... :sick:

snakeweasel

Not if the traffic on the left lane is moving 5 MPH while the traffic on the right allows you to go 65 or 70 MPH.

If traffic in the right lane is doing 5 MPH then you really shouldn't be doing 65 or 70 MPH in the right lane.

fintail

Driving home this evening, behind grandpa and grandma in a late 90s Outback with whitewall tires (no joke). He was going about 5 under with a huge and growing following distance from the car in front of him...but as I would be turning soon I didn't care. He then got into the turn lane too, late of course...but the street we were turning onto gained a lane, so I knew I would be able to pass. And I did...but wouldn't you know it, he found the gas pedal just as I was going around, and I had to go 15 or so over the limit to finally get around...then he backed off a little once I was past. What's with that? I think my car challenges some people or something.

andres3

If traffic in the right lane is doing 5 MPH then you really shouldn't be doing 65 or 70 MPH in the right lane.

I know you meant traffic in the left lane moving 5....not right.

I would argue that if traffic in the right lane is moving at or near the Speed Limit, then the people in the left lane SHOULD NOT drive 5 MPH and start speeding up and stop blocking traffic!

Maybe one ought not to go much faster than those on the left, but for sure those on the left ought not to go much slower than those on the right. I opt for the latter.

People in the left lanes really have a duty to start paying attention and now allow the right lanes to outgun them.

snakeweasel

My point is that if one lane is blocked for whatever reason and is going slow and the other lane is clearer then you should not be doing a speed that is excessively faster than the other lane.

xwesx

Both of your points are well-taken. I suspect andres3's point was somewhat clouded by using such an extreme example, though.

andres3

My point is that if one lane is blocked for whatever reason and is going slow and the other lane is clearer then you should not be doing a speed that is excessively faster than the other lane.

I get the point, and it is adviseable.

However, it is also adviseable for the people in the left lane to correct their driving habits and speed up their slow moving pace so as to make it impossible for the right lane to be "excessively" faster. Unless there is a good reason the left lane needs to move slower (such as a wreck) there is no good excuse for everyone to be a LLC blocking the left lane at 5 MPH.

oregonboy

Hahahahhaha, what a kidder. Camping in the left lane at 5 mph without cause. :P

(It's a bit early to be hitting the bottle, there Sport.)

fintail

I've had the TV on for 30 mins and have already seen the lame "slow down or pay up" ad twice, brought to me by my own wasted tax money. I will wager a billion dollars it does not prevent one accident or act of inconsiderate driving. I want to buy a satellite so I can shoot it down and have it slam into whoever made and approved this ad.

euphonium

Your target is WSDOT.

the_big_al

I travel a road daily that every corner is yellow signed in some way. This makes for A LOT of yellow signs. The "unmarked" limit is 55 MPH. The yellow signs range from just an arrow indicating a curve ahead, 45 MPH, 40 and 35 MPH. There might be one or two 30 MPH signs, but I don't remember. Typical traffic drives this road at about 50 MPH. There is one section of road about 6 miles long that has a small passing zone about 3 miles in. On one side of the zone I can drive the road at 70 MPH WITHOUT touching the brakes. At 65 MPH, you wouldn't even have to worry about cutting the corners. On the other side of the zone I can drive it at 70 MPH without touching the brakes and not even have to worry about giving a passenger motion sickness while doing so. My entire commute is 35 miles one way and when conditions are right (meaning NO TRAFFIC), I can drive the entire 35 miles from start to finish with touching the brakes, all downhill... (it's all uphill the other way, but I can still maintain the same speeds) My vehicle is not the kind of vehicle that would do well in a slalom course either. It's probably in the bottom 3rd of vehicles that can take a corner well and those that I usually pass, I know can safely handle the road at a much higher speed.

I will frequently come upon someone who refuses to go faster than the yellow signs indicate. Meaning I am often behind someone going 45 MPH sometimes even 35 MPH. I have memorized this road and where the passing zones are (which are rare) and even a couple places that are not passing zones, but I am still able to see sight-wise whether it is safe to pass... It's not uncommon for me to pass several cars during my trip.

fintail

The ads say "Washington State Traffic Safety Commission"...I am sure it is a group of hardworking and credible public servants...

jensad

If the WSTS is anything like many of our paid "Boards" here in Disneyland/Ca, it is a real racket. An old crony of our then Gov, Ronnie R. from LAPD was placed on an oversear type board in the mid 1970s. (Could be earlier, since is been a long time)

This member retired from LAPD as a commander, or something. Anyways I believe at that time the pay was $ 10000 a year for one day per month attending the Board. Almost forgot, AND expenses were paid also.

So I guess nothing changes here and I don't know but I would wager that the Board in Washington State may also be very profitable if one is a member.

Good luck to all and stay safe. Its beginning to become spring in No. Ca. and its very lovely.

jensad