On my recent trip to Calif. for both grandsons graduation I noticed a lot of cars going way over the speed limit. I set my Ranger cruise control at 68 MPH & stayed in the right lane. Lots of cars & semi's passed me. California is facing a large deficit & several cars were stopped going South on I-5. CHP was having a field day writing tickets. Coming back to Oregon [Oregun] later the same thing happened. Only CHP & OHP were doing the writing. I hauled a load of Madrone firewood back & averaged 20 MPG for the entire trip. I did notice a lot of drivers using cell phones. Both states that is against the law.
Rant: Keep Right Except to Pass?
- Thread starter Noah Zark
- Start date
Just had a nice, leisurely trip of 150 miles and continue to be appalled by the "left lane knuckleheads" who have no idea of state laws and common courtesy.
I was in no hurry whatsover but continually encountered road dopes who have no idea how to maintain a speed (any speed, just be consistent), clog the PASSING lane (yes, it is a PASSING lane), and are usually driving Hyundai Tiburons, Mitsubishis, or hoopties. The common denominator is that about 90% of the morons have their head on the head RESTRAINT whilst doing the gangster lean.
Oh, dear!!!
Be safe.
I was in no hurry whatsover but continually encountered road dopes who have no idea how to maintain a speed (any speed, just be consistent), clog the PASSING lane (yes, it is a PASSING lane), and are usually driving Hyundai Tiburons, Mitsubishis, or hoopties. The common denominator is that about 90% of the morons have their head on the head RESTRAINT whilst doing the gangster lean.
Oh, dear!!!
Be safe.
setxn
Member
You can be fined up to $200 for impeding traffic in the left lane in Texas. I don't know if this has ever been enforced. I have been the victim of oblivious side by side drivers on I-10 many times.As far as the "flash to pass" it is not common in Texas.
jeepjeepwhat
US Veteran
I just drove from left coast to right coast in May and passed through OH. After about 10 minutes inside the state, OSP felt necessary I should pay an extra $125 for being there. So after that I didn't really pay attention to the flow of traffic for I was in the right hand lane doing exactly the speed limit. In OH they have a $200 same day fine. So if you get two speeding tickets in the same day the second one carries and EXTRA 200 bones. I couldn't afford speeding twice. Only ticket I got the entire trip!
The Highlander
Member
I was taught the flash to pass years ago, and I still do it. I detest self-appointed little people that hang in the left lane at or just below the speed limit to assert their right to it...sorry Caj, you are one of them apparently.
Around Knoxville, TN if you are doing the speed limit in the left lane, you will be run down. Possibly by the the KPD actually.
We got pulled over and yelled at for impeding traffic one time after a ball game because we were only doing the speed limit!
At the same time, I despise those that weave through all the lanes at will, those that pass in the right lane, and many others.
The Highlander
Around Knoxville, TN if you are doing the speed limit in the left lane, you will be run down. Possibly by the the KPD actually.
We got pulled over and yelled at for impeding traffic one time after a ball game because we were only doing the speed limit!
At the same time, I despise those that weave through all the lanes at will, those that pass in the right lane, and many others.
The Highlander
I'm with Cajunlawyer on this subject. I try to stay in the right lane and run 5-10 over. However you will run up on someone driving under the limit and you have to get into that "special" left lane to pass. If I'm out there in "your" left lane passing at 8-10 miles over the speed limit, running up on my butt isn't going to speed me up. I'm sorry if I'm inconviencing you. I also seem to upset the tailgaters if I wait till I fully see the car I'm passing in my mirrors before I resume my spot in the grandpa lane.
It's amazing also how many new cars don't appear to have turn signals.
It's amazing also how many new cars don't appear to have turn signals.
This has worked VERY well for me. The only ticket I've had to pay in the last ten or fifteen years I got when I wasn't doing it. I also got one ticket I didn't have to pay, also when I wasn't following the above prescription.
venomballistics
Member
this is honestly a great system that I'd like to see implemented here. but then, we do not have the lane discipline used on the autobahn either.
without the whole system, it just racks up a body count.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Someday this wont be a issue when the goverment has a system where they control your car by radio beam or electric rails or whatever. If we arent wiped out by war and the lord delays comeing you will see it in about 15 to 20 years.
As others have noted, it is no longer against the law to pass in the right lane like it used to be and it is no longer against the law to cruise in the left lane if you are not passing a vehicle. Both of these have been amended in the ORC.
Although I'm sure people aren't doing this because of what is or isn't in the ORC. Nothing else in there makes a gull durn bit of a difference when it comes to motor vehicle or driving laws and I doubt 90% of Ohioans even know the laws.
The Ohio Turnpike is a bigger joke. The right two lanes are for slower traffic but all the idiots, from every state, automatically go to the right to pass.
Although I'm sure people aren't doing this because of what is or isn't in the ORC. Nothing else in there makes a gull durn bit of a difference when it comes to motor vehicle or driving laws and I doubt 90% of Ohioans even know the laws.
The Ohio Turnpike is a bigger joke. The right two lanes are for slower traffic but all the idiots, from every state, automatically go to the right to pass.
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Capt Steve
US Veteran
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I too stay in the right lane unless passing, while wearing a seat belt and being fully insured. My system is to merely give the LEO's no reason to stop me. I love when someone goes flying by me 20+ over the limit. I turn to my bride and say there goes our ticket insurance. I set the cruise control at no more than 5 over the limit and wave at the LEO's (with all of my fingers), and appreciate they are just doing their job. In the unlikely event I get popped for 5 over so be it. If someone feels the need to tailgate I give the brakes a few quick light taps and if that doesn't work I just gradually..... s l o w down until the idiot figures it out and goes around.
Evil One
Member
And people wonder why I drive a truck capable of plowing over or nerfing most things on the road out of the way.
I was in LA, had a civic cut me off, flip me off, and stand on his brakes and wave some small throwaway looking gun.
He went into the retainer... I went on my way.
yes... mess with the rednecks.
Jim
I was in LA, had a civic cut me off, flip me off, and stand on his brakes and wave some small throwaway looking gun.
He went into the retainer... I went on my way.
yes... mess with the rednecks.
Jim
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Mule88
Member
Its not that we dont care......we're just all on drugs 
BarbC
Member
So many states, so many rules.
Where I learned to drive in NJ, on the turnpike and parkway, flashing one's headlights means get out of the left lane or your going to lose your front bumper when he cuts back in front of you.
Our multi-lane highways are set up so that the far right is slow traffic, the middle lane is the speed limit, the left lane is for over the speed limit, and the far left lane, if there is one, is for people you'd better get out of the way for.
I once ran down the turnpike on the far left lane doing about 90+ and I was just keeping up in close formation with everyone, like a flock of birds. We flew by a covey of state police cars like a NASCAR race - voom, voom voom! - and they didn't even put down their coffee cups.
On the other hand, I have done so much interstate highway travel that I have been in states which deliberately pull over out-of-state plates to impose their road use fees, no matter how you've been driving.
Virginia now wacks in-state residents with exhorbitant speeding fines as a revenue-raiser.
Where I learned to drive in NJ, on the turnpike and parkway, flashing one's headlights means get out of the left lane or your going to lose your front bumper when he cuts back in front of you.
Our multi-lane highways are set up so that the far right is slow traffic, the middle lane is the speed limit, the left lane is for over the speed limit, and the far left lane, if there is one, is for people you'd better get out of the way for.
I once ran down the turnpike on the far left lane doing about 90+ and I was just keeping up in close formation with everyone, like a flock of birds. We flew by a covey of state police cars like a NASCAR race - voom, voom voom! - and they didn't even put down their coffee cups.
On the other hand, I have done so much interstate highway travel that I have been in states which deliberately pull over out-of-state plates to impose their road use fees, no matter how you've been driving.
Virginia now wacks in-state residents with exhorbitant speeding fines as a revenue-raiser.
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Wow, with so many self-centered, self-righteous attitudes voiced from both sides of the spectrum, it's so easy to understand the job security I enjoy. And I'm just speaking of all the crash reports we do, not the tickets. When I see people driving in certain ways just because it's their "right", it makes me wonder if they realize that for every right they have they also have an equally important responsibility. Alot of the time that responsbility is to simply accept that you are not alone on this planet.
There's a big difference between being reasonable and driving a certain way just because you have the right to. That's like the people who don't look before crossing the road saying they have the right of way. I usually ask them if that's what they want it to say on their tombstone. If I'm in the left lane I'm already going well over the speed limit and I'm only in that lane because I'm passing slower traffic. As soon as there's an opening I'll get over. Just because someone doesn't have enough sense to leave in time to make it to work doesn't give them the right to drive 100MPH(illegal), endangering lives and blaming the rest of the world for their tardiness. These are the same people that blame the cops when they get a speeding ticket. I agree, slower traffic keep to the right but when someone is passing and you're already breaking the law, the least you can do is let them pass and get over without placing them in danger. Remember, if you're tailgating someone and they spike the brakes, it's you that is held liable and if someone dies you go to prison. One thing for sure, you won't reach your destination.
enfield
US Veteran
To all those who disagree with my driving:
I'll learn to struggle along without your approval.
I'll learn to struggle along without your approval.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
Some people, MAYBE EVEN HERE use a car like a weapon! Put melvin milktoast behind the wheel and they become a steven segal want-a-be!
Years ago my parents came to visit me in california from wisconsin. Dad was about in his 70s. Dad also was a double for clint walker or chuck conners, take your pick. Dad never ever "threw his weight around or tried to intiminate anyone and the type of guy who always came out last off the airplane or train. He looked and was tough and also was self concious and worked at putting people at ease. Thats the scene.
One night while I went to work dad and mom decided to go to prayer meeting at my dhurch. Sounds like dad screwed up in traffic although mom said they couldnt see what they did wrong. (Mom told me of the incident, pa never bothered to.)
This car pulled alongside the folks pickup camper. Everyone had the windows down as it was a hot night in the desert. This guy is screaming obsenities at the gray headed old fart in the truck. They come to a stoplight, the guy gets out and walks back to dad, swearing. Mom says dad got out of the truck litteraly picked this guy up one handed with his left, cocked his baseball glove mitt back and said, "Mister, one more word and I will break your nose! The guy ran back to his car muttering something and scratched out.
Years ago my parents came to visit me in california from wisconsin. Dad was about in his 70s. Dad also was a double for clint walker or chuck conners, take your pick. Dad never ever "threw his weight around or tried to intiminate anyone and the type of guy who always came out last off the airplane or train. He looked and was tough and also was self concious and worked at putting people at ease. Thats the scene.
One night while I went to work dad and mom decided to go to prayer meeting at my dhurch. Sounds like dad screwed up in traffic although mom said they couldnt see what they did wrong. (Mom told me of the incident, pa never bothered to.)
This car pulled alongside the folks pickup camper. Everyone had the windows down as it was a hot night in the desert. This guy is screaming obsenities at the gray headed old fart in the truck. They come to a stoplight, the guy gets out and walks back to dad, swearing. Mom says dad got out of the truck litteraly picked this guy up one handed with his left, cocked his baseball glove mitt back and said, "Mister, one more word and I will break your nose! The guy ran back to his car muttering something and scratched out.
Pasifikawv
Member
Part of what makes the Autoban (High speed freeway in Europe - esp Germany) work so well with higher rates of speed and fewer caualties is the strict adherance to "drive right." It is acutally a common expression in Germany. Folks cruise or "drive" on the right and pass on the left. To lolly-gag in the left lane(s) is strictly forbidden on open, unposted highway.
**sigh** I miss those "Keep right except to pass" signs.
**sigh** I miss those "Keep right except to pass" signs.
bk43
Member
Actually they are working on that. There is a group that developed a set of rules called the Uniform Vehicle Code. States have adopted some of the rules so although it is voluntary at least there's progress. The "keep right except to pass" is in the code and many states now use it(sadly it appears many drivers haven't gotten the message).
Bob
