Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
Everyone should read post #4802, and lobby their state troopers and local police for such temporary signs.
Deanie
I always hated construction areas that tell trucks to keep left, because that just SCREWS ....EVERYTHING.... COMPLETELY.... UP. Forget about traffic flow. Forget about courteous driving.
In those scenarios, I wish they would include signs: Construction Zone: Slower traffic keep left.
I wonder if freeway enforcement keep it this way on purpose in order to slow down everyone in a construction zone. Never mind that this leads to tightly packed wads of hundreds of cars and trucks driving side by side on very narrow roads for dozens of miles at a time.
Probably the trucker was wondering why you were starting to pass him when you knew he was required to get over, and why you didn't just give him the space he needed and flash your lights to let him know he could come over.
Means the right lane is being routed onto what used to be a berm of the highway and it wasn't constructed to handle 80000 pounds an up traveling on it without breaking up quickly. So they have the trucks use what used to be the right lane of the original highway configuration which was (sortof) built to handle the truck's weight.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Here's the setup: 35 mph speed limits, making a left turn onto another road at a traffic light. Motorcycle just ahead of me and we have to slow down at the light as a pickup is coming through in the other direction, but we won't have to stop completely. We both make the left and start accelerating up the street. At about 30 mph, with the motorcycle maybe 3-4 car lengths in front of me and moving away from me, a bird swooping across the road decides to be a completely inconsiderate flier and smacks right into the unprotected head of the rider. Now I'll give the guy a LOT of credit for keeping the bike upright and on his half of the road, but he was clearly stunned by the collision and could just as easily have wound up on the pavement in front of me, veered over into oncoming traffic, or vaulted the curb. Once he got himself back in full control, he reached up to find blood, and pulled off into the next storefront to park.
Granted, hitting a flying bird with your head is one of those one-in-a-million shots, but there's also road gravel, small stones, and don't forget about the bugs, any one of which could surprise you with a shot aorund the eyes and cause you to lose it.
Again, it's within your rights to ride helmetless and if you want to change it to a "donor-cycle" that's your business. But the surprises are going to affect others as well. It kind of would have ruined my Monday if I had been forced to run over the guy because I had no option but to try and stop given the situation and while I think I may have been able to, I can't say for sure that it would have worked out that way.
This was on local "commercial" streets. Helmetless at highway speeds is asking for even more trouble if you ask me.
(page 56, but the foot notes indicate an interesting anomoly)
NHTSA yearly statistics indicate the fatality RATE for motorcycle deaths(page is VERY HIGH, even in comparison to the normal suspects for the worst of breed, such as: . V8 muscle cars, Camaro and Mustang to name a few. The good and bad news is that the "relative number comparison " makes it seem like there is low number of deaths (3,592 fatalities ) compared to the overall fatality figures.(43,220) Truly however the RATES are almost hideous. (page 54)
starting on pg 51, Motorcycle Riders,
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pdf/nrd-30/NCSA/PPT/2003EARelease.pdf
In Jan '04 I had this experience:
pf_flyer, "Inconsiderate Drivers (share your stories, etc.)" #2261, 20 Jan 2004 8:58 am
In Oregon, typically on 2-lane (secondary) highways, I have often seen signs that read: "Passing Lane 1 Mile Ahead". These are generally on uphill stretches of road running through the coast and/or Cascade mountain ranges. So faster traffic can get by the motorhomes, boat trailers, and log trucks don't-cha know.
So, yes, designated passing lanes do exist. As for multi-lane interstates, I think that the concept of the far left lane as a passing lane is common (and logical), but neither universal nor "official".
james
On my daily commute to day-care and then to work with the kids, I have to get in a left turn lane for a long wait to make a left turn from a five lane road (two lanes each way plus a middle turn lane) to a four lane road.
On more than one occassion, someone has been coming along in the lane to the right of the turn lane, and when that person gets to the traffic signal, he (it's always been a he) goes ahead and makes a left turn from a lane that is supposed to go straight through the intersection. Because we're turning into two lanes, there is room for this person to do that illegal left turn provided the person turning legally in tandem with him doesn't decide to immediately get into the right hand lane while turning.
I know making your own left turn lane is illegal, but there are never cops around when you need them. And it's dangerous. And most of all, it's inconsiderate. The rest of us have been waiting 5 minutes or so for our turn to make the legal left turn and this bozo comes along and makes his own lane to turn left.
I've been half tempted to get a license plate number and call it in to the cops. I actually did do that once to a kid who was tailgating us. Sucker followed us all the way to our neighborhood on two lane residential streets (lots of kiddies around playing, etc.). We kept to the speed limit and he was on our tail the whole way. There was nowhere for him to pass us, and every time I turned, he turned too. I wasn't driving below the speed limit, but he was obviously in a hurry.
Anyway, when we got to the entrance to our neighborhood, I turned in, and he stopped and rolled down his window. He proceeded to give me the "Hawaiian good luck sign" and yell several choice obscenities. I calmly put the car in park and got out. He drove off but not before I got his tag number. I called the Smyrna police to file a report. The cops came and talked to me and then tracked the kid down.
Because he lived in Smyrna, they were able to have a chat with his parents. Cop had said if the kid didn't live in Smyrna, he couldn't do anything. He lost his car for a month. I believe no "formal" report was ever filed by the cops, so he's got nothing on his record, but I hope his parents and a cop talking to him will convince him that residential tailgating is not a good thing to do.
Mind you, getting out of my car is not something I would do in a lot of places, but Smyrna is a pretty tame city.
I would just ignore him.
Bronson, I'm impressed you got that kind of response out of the cops! Around here, unless the cops actually see it happen, they couldn't care less! :mad:
The illegal turner also impedes the flow of traffic in the left travel lane, which may not directly impact bronsonb but does impact straight through traffic.
Kid probably cuts through gas stations to avoid red lights too.
Another good example of a statistic that seems to support a certain conclusion (helmets don't really matter for motorcyclists) whereas the truth is far different.
Some states have helmet laws for all riders, some only for those over 21 and a few have none at all. That 52/48 figure lumps them all together, disallowing any reasonable conclusion without considering the details.
A more rigorous analysis shows that helmets decrease motorcycle fatalities by about 40%.
Besides the immediate effects of any mishap on others, it leads to inconsiderate medical costs to be borne by others. It's ain't too good for the motorcylist, either!
Cleveland hoped to make $2 million in their share of camera fines from cameras to be installed. Dayton, Cincinnati and Akron are planning or have cameras.
"State Rep. Bill Seitz, a Republican from Cincinnati, who favors requiring officers at intersections, doesn't believe the cameras are meant to ensure safety.
"It is only a fig leaf for generating revenue," he said." quoted from he Dayton Daily News.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Yeah, there are some like that in the Catskills, as well.
So, yes, designated passing lanes do exist.
No, "designated" means "put aside for that purpose". Those lanes are not "just for passing". If everyone is going 55 and there is heavy traffic, that lane is perfectly legitimate for non-passers.
...I think that the concept of the far left lane as a passing lane is common (and logical), but neither universal nor "official".
Actually, as some here have pointed out, LLCing is a ticketable offense in some jurisdictions. I think it's not much more often than it is and I think it's not enforced much even where it is ticketable. But I certainly agree that staying to the left when one can move right is inconsiderate.
No, "designated" also means "to give a name or title to; characterize." The State of Oregon has designated this as a passing lane. I accept the State's authority over yours. Sorry :P
james
That might be YOUR conclusion but it certainly is not mine.
Your "rigorous analysis" 's corollary might sound like: Gee motorcycle deaths are already sky high, but it could have been sky (er) higher!!?? Should folks find that MORE THRILLING?? I think you are missing entirely the spirit and intent of my post. But then again while you agree not keep left is "inconsiderate", you also fail to acknowledge that the left is the passing lane by saying it can be used by anybody. So that is a good reason when the situation presents itself to pass on the right.
Of course, he got stuck at the next light, and the Pup chugged up along side. By then we were stuck in the right lane, and needed to get over to the left. By the time he manuvered that monster to the left lane and into the restaurant parking lot the guys in the Pup had already been seated. "What took you guys so long? Geez, Kevin, you've got to get a faster truck! We were getting tired of waiting for you."
-Jason
I still don't have much faith in the idea of people calling the cops with a license and actually having something become of it. I am not doubting the person with the story, but it seems like such a potential for fraud and lies, that even the cops wouldn't even be able to do much. The evidence would not stand up.
You mean, you accept yours over Webster's:
1 : to indicate and set apart for a specific purpose
Sorry. :=)
No lane, anywhere (AFAIK) is designated for passing only. None.
Not mine, that's from NHTSA. Same place you got your stat.
I think you are missing entirely the spirit and intent of my post.
You may be right. What was it?
...you also fail to acknowledge that the left is the passing lane by saying it can be used by anybody.
"The passing lane" can be used when not passing as well, as in when the right lanes are full. If you don't realize this, I can't help.
You (and OregonBoy) seem to think that if traffic is moving at 20 mph in all lanes, that everyone in the leftmost lane should move over to the right and leave it empty. Amusing. Perhaps even inconsiderate :=)
All right, here's a new one, although it's actually a twist on the LLC thing.
Happens all the time, usually on my return trip from a weekend upstate NY on the NYS thruway...traffic not too heavy, but both SB lanes are fairly full at near speed limit (65). Prevailing (normal) speed is 75.
Left lane stops advancing, min distance between a long string of cars, waiting for the speed to pick up. Slightly fewer cars are in the right lane, leaving gaps.
Ok, so here's the inconsiderate thing...pinheads will decide to try to "right pass" in this case, although there's nobody to pass in the LL, everyone is maxed out. Now, if he/she manages to squeeze back in, everyone behind gets pushed back a bit. This is a RLVIP passer.
I find I have to keep my distance closer to prevent any cutting in. Stressful after an hour or so.
Oh, btw, this qualifies aas a pet peeve, too :=)
In Boston, the cops would be laughing so hard you would get sprayed with coffee-soaked donut bits! :surprise:
Total misread and mischaracterization! Leave that to you! You are good at that!
Interesting attempt to marginalize someone's stance, but oddly enough... I DO sort of agree with the above statement.
If everyone is traveling the exact same speed (never happens, I know...) then no one is passing anyone. All other things being equal (ie there aren't cars trying to merge), I'd prefer that everyone get into single file. It's easier to keep track of one car in front of you and one behind you, rather than one in front, one behind, one diagonally in front of you, and one in your blind spot.
No such attempt on my part. Simply re-stating what they are saying, which (IMO) makes no sense.
...I'd prefer that everyone get into single file.
And cut everyone's speed in half. Doesn't sound like a good idea, and if you think about it, that was the whole point.
"Hey Joe, I'm sitting here in heavy traffic, what a pain"
"Simple solution, Bill...shut down one lane. You'll be able to keep track of everyone and who says 2 mph is so bad?"
The main road near my house is a 4 lane with no center turn lane and the speed limit is 55. Typical traffic flow is 60-65. There is one spot on this road where the frost heaves are really bad and every year the road falls apart. It buckles, drops, bends, etc such that the ride is a bumpy one. It is "fixed" every summer in June, and by this time of year is tedious to navigate. All traffic usually slows to 55-60 and used the right lane through this short (1/10 mile?) section of road.
This morning a kid (somewhere between 16-20?) was driving an early-mid 80s F150 and was zipping along at about 70 behind a newer (2002?) F350 CC. The F350 pulled into the right lane just prior to this danger zone and slowed to 60 to match traffic flow. The F150 driver did not, and decided to barrel through the bumps,dips, waves, etc. I swear the truck actually left the road way at least 5 times in succession when it hit this section at 70-75. The driver nearly lost control of the vehicle, decided to pull into the right lane AFTER he'd already driven over the bad stuff, then pulled back into the left lane once the F350 driver had again passed him and continued on. So, he gained no ground on the F350 and just about caused what could have been a rather significant collision.
But, this is not the end. No sooner does he get the truck back up to 75 than we get to the next bit of dippy road.... this time going around a curve uphill. In my car ('96 OBW), this dip is fairly insignificant, but it is VERY jolting in my '69 C20 and is worse in the left lane than the right. So, this fella smacks the dip at 75 and again his truck loses contact with the road (around a curve, remember). His tires smoke a little as they recontact the road and he again comes very close to losing control of the vehicle.
That doesn't slow him down though. He crests the hill, uses the downhill to gain momentum, and finally passes (on the right) the F350 again just as a vehicle pulls out into the roadway in the right lane ahead of him. He had to slow down, the F350 passes him once more and I finally lose sight of him after he gets on the expressway behind the F350.
That's the problem with this topic EVERY time it comes up here. Neither side is going to back down or change their minds to see it "your way", so the personal comments start.
So we're done talking about it for now. If anyone feels the need to finish off the subject, please resist the urge, because "parting shots" on LLC's will be deleted.
Consider that you've now all agreed to disagree... move on
PF Flyer
Host
News & Views, Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles
The Mazda Mania Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
Now let's move on...
Thank you for your cooperation and participation.
(Is it a full moon or something?? It's been NUTS today)
PF Flyer
Host
News & Views, Wagons, & Hybrid Vehicles
The Mazda Mania Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
As I round a turn there is an intersection with a 2004/2005? TL sitting there. Not a car in sight in either lane except for us. He sees me hesitates and then decides to cut me off. I stomp on the brakes and slowed to around 20 and then decide to pass him, since there are no cars and there is a dotted yellow line.
I figured the guy realized he cut me off and would let me complete the passing maneuver. I was wrong. As I went by him I saw a plume of blue smoke in the exhaust. I figured I'd still complete the passing maneuver and then go over. Now we're doing 60 and we are side by side, with my meager acceleration he was gaining on me.
In a split second I decided to get away from this creep, I floored the car, he couldn't keep up and I left him in the dust. I eased into the right lane and slowed to the speed limit. For the next 6 miles he was on my bumper as I did exactly the speed limit and not one tenth above it.
Finally he turns off into a local street. Go figure some people. :confuse:
Other cars reach stop sign on cross street. I am slowing to stop. The wait at the stop sign until I'm stopped. Then they expect me (and others) to wait and watch them go across. They could have been across and out of the way as soon as they were sure I was rapidly slowing from 45 to 0. As soon as they could accelerate on across before I got there even if I failed to slow more to a stop, they could have gone. But no. They want to be sure I and sometimes two others all sit and watch them go.
Solution: As soon as I stop I accelerate and bluff them out. They are so timid and afraid someone might not stop for them, they flinch at the least indication someone is going to go before their turn.
Guess the gender of the most common offenders.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
You know, some posts back; you made the claim that rolling through intersections was safe!!?? At the time and still now I disagreed and gave you my reasoning.
So your "SAFE" rolling through the intersections on roads inhabited by no body and no traffic seemed to have come alive for you, eh?
The difference is someone did it to you instead of you doing it to them?? Now they are creeps? It is interesting that you called him a "creep" that did exactly what you said was "safe"? So I take it you might have seen this from a different perspective?
Rolling stops do not necessarily imply not yielding to oncoming traffic.
I do admit, I do plenty of rolling stops on back roads, when there are no other cars on the road. These stops are not like the old Tex Avery cartoons where the poor hapless soul looks right and left down an empty highway and as he starts to cross BLAM. If I can't see it I never assume.
I always do a full stop at red lights, major intersections and intersections where is not a clear view of the road - and then proceed with caution.
Besides, I don't have to justify how I drive, my insurance company thinks I'm a very low risk and I pay a pittance for car insurance.
Capish? :mad:
Regards,
Deanie
I know the rules, but people being people might not want to play by the same rules, therefore I'll give.
Me, I do not take it personally; while it is rude inconsiderate and dangerous here also. I would have just let him GO!
.."I do admit, I do plenty of rolling stops on back roads, when there are no other cars on the road."...
So yes, I CAPISH THAT... you DON'T Capish !
Regards,
Deanie