In times past while driving in the "fast" lane, if I noticed a car gaining on me, I'd simply move to the right and let the driver pass. What with today's mentality of "go faster" (the need for speed!?), I stopped doing that! I drive at the "posted" speed limit in the fast lane, and if someone thinks that I'm going to slow, they go around - no problem. Well, coming home today from visiting my daughter, I was doing the speed limit and all was well until a woman driver came bearing down on me flashing, waving her arms, moving her mouth (cussing me out?!), what have you. She passed me up on the right, pulled in short right in front of me and was signaling to me to move over to the right after passing a sign that read: "Slower traffic KEEP TO THE RIGHT."
Shortly after, a CHP cruiser came up on me and I gave him the courtesy of passing me by moving to the right. He thanked me, then sped up. Soon his lights came on and he pulled over a car. Guess which one. You see the woman was trying to educate me about traffic laws, but her reasoning was a bit OFF!! Traffic signs don't conflict each other. One said: MAX SPEED 70 MPH; the other - Slower traffic KEEP TO THE RIGHT.
My ears are burning - LOL

whats a speed limit, is that the limit that my car will go to  ;)

only speed limit is where its posted in germany other than that its foot down and go for it.

wife organised a 1 hour drive in a farrari wich i will be doing in august, ill post the pics before and the crash scene after lol.

Mark (peddle to the metal)

It's a definitely drive faster culture Ted. The one thing you can be guaranteed off though is you will meet them all anyway at the junction up ahead.

Mark + Ferrari + Autobahn = Mark it was nice knowing you.... :)



Lefty..!

Now that's what I call Driver's revenge! :) You were vindicated!

In Chicago on the expressways someone doing 55 is called a speed bump.

Jerry

So even if the right lane is clear, you drive in the fast lane because you are going the speed limit.  Is that accurate?

I've logged over 600,000 miles without a ticket or accident. I'm a very polite, but fast driver. Notice I didn't say aggressive - just fast - there is a very big difference.

When doing 8-10 hour trips, averaging a higher speed makes a very meaningful difference in time. Do the math.

My pet peeve are folks who insist on driving in the left lane at the speed limit regardless of what the traffic around them is doing. I can't count the number of times this has created dangerous situations. I pay attention, so when I see this coming, I get out of the way until it clears up but I have seen at least two fatalities caused by exactly this.

In many areas, folks doing this will be ticketed for creating a traffic hazard because it is a dangerous driving habit. There is a reason for signs that say: Slower Traffic Keep Right.

In a lot of states, driving in the "fast lane" is illegal unless you're passing someone.  It's not often enforced, but it's the law most places I've lived.

Marc wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 10:40am:

In many areas, folks doing this will be ticketed for creating a traffic hazard because it is a dangerous driving habit.

In Wisconsin (up until very recently), you would most likely get a ticket for carrying a firearm in plain sight (not concealed). The ticket was for either disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct, not for carrying a firearm. Same type of thing you've described, Marc.

Legality aside, to many the root post of this thread translates into
'I was once a considerate driver, but lately have taken satisfaction in being a tool.'

Just sayin.  

In Kentucky, we have signs all along the parkway.....

Left lane for passing only.  Now that is only two lanes each way, I suppose if you had 4-6 lanes each way it might be a little different.

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In Illinois, they recently passed a law that you cannot drive for more than 2 miles in the left lane.  Left lanes are for passing and getting out of they way of merging traffic.  

Callico wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 9:35am:

In Chicago on the expressways someone doing 55 is called a speed bump. Jerry

Oh Puleeze - like anyone can get their car up to 55 MPH in Chicago at this time of year - those orange barrels and single lanes allow 25 MPH max!

Marc,
I'm like you (although I do have a few tickets, but not in a long time), I tend to drive fast(er) on long trips.  Even on interstate and major highways (4-lane), by law (at least in Louisiana), the left lane is for passing only.  Wrong officer sees you cruising in the left lane at the same speed as the right lane, and they can write you a ticket for impeding the flow of traffic.

On my last trip to Memphis, traveling I 55 North, I set my cruise on 75.  Damned if I didn't get blown off the highway with people passing me.  Even the police were doing a minimum of 80 mph.  Even running the I-20 corridor in LA, people tend to run a minimum of 75.

Me, I usually drive the speed limit, get very few tickets - don't remember the last time I got one and try to follow traffic laws. But I'm old - I don't have to get anywhere in a hurry ... people will wait for me.

I got tickled in Houston last weekend. People just busting their rears to rush from one red light to the next and me, I'm just going at a steady speed and when I got to the same light it was green. I didn't have all that startin' and stoppin' they did. Made more sense to me, but as I said, I'm OLD...

Hugs BD :-*

I like the rule "Keep right except to pass"

Or at least like Dennis Miller put it years ago "If you are in the left lane and you see a fireball coming up in your rearview mirror, get the fuck out of my way!"


;D

Quote:

Left lane for passing only.

I know I'm in Kentucky now Ted, but in Calif. the left lane...at the speed limit or not...were/are reserved for passing slower vehicles only.  

I live outside Ocean City, MD. Our traffic is CRAZY in the summer. People get to the beach as fast as possible and cut in and out of traffic, weaving lanes. In the meantime we have plenty of people driving the speed or below, in either lane. We really need both lanes regardless of what speed you are going. I found this article I found pretty interesting. It also posts the left lane law for several states.

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Charlotte

It was my mother that was the terror on the Thurway. She loved to drive........fast.  The only time she got caught was when a NYS Cop gave her a ticket for doing 90.....on Mothers Day. The cop was lucky she didn't run him over.  She was a little steamed. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Charlie

Marc wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 10:40am:

I've logged over 600,000 miles without a ticket or accident. I'm a very polite, but fast driver. Notice I didn't say aggressive - just fast - there is a very big difference. When doing 8-10 hour trips, averaging a higher speed makes a very meaningful difference in time. Do the math. My pet peeve are folks who insist on driving in the left lane at the speed limit regardless of what the traffic around them is doing. I can't count the number of times this has created dangerous situations. I pay attention, so when I see this coming, I get out of the way until it clears up but I have seen at least two fatalities caused by exactly this. In many areas, folks doing this will be ticketed for creating a traffic hazard because it is a dangerous driving habit. There is a reason for signs that say: Slower Traffic Keep Right.

So,
Just because you choose to drive at warp speed, breaking laws. people are sposed to accomodate you? I, too, have a leadfoot-BUT, it is up to me to adjust my speed/lane if I choose to break the law-I never expect anyone to 'assist" me!  Now, give me one of those 'below speed limit drivers in MY fast lane'? TAKE THEIR HEADS OFF!  
Think of it this way, Marc, you rob a liquor store.should the clerk offer you a bottle of his best as you leave, guns blaring?
Hints of arrogance if you ask me...........THEY are following the law, are YOU? Why should they go anywhere?
PS- No tickets, no accidents.......err, except one seatbelt ticket ::)
Just a thought.......I'll be on the lookout for youirsorry, speeding backside.and I'll catch up, too!
LYM!
Cathi :D

Folks!
The MAX Speed Limit IS the MAX Speed Limit - period!! The problem is that were a bunch of law breakers (Yes, myself included!!!), and our actions are NOT justifiable - we just think that we're smarter than the average bear (no pun intended!).
It's NOT the people in the fast lane doing the speed limit that are a hazard, but the folks that just want to do what is right in their own eyes.
When laws are not enforced (whatever the reason may be) you can expect lawlessness to be the norm. That's what has happened!
I'm coming around, hope you will too.

Marc wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 10:40am:

I've logged over 600,000 miles without a ticket or accident. I'm a very polite, but fast driver. Notice I didn't say aggressive - just fast - there is a very big difference. When doing 8-10 hour trips, averaging a higher speed makes a very meaningful difference in time. Do the math. My pet peeve are folks who insist on driving in the left lane at the speed limit regardless of what the traffic around them is doing. I can't count the number of times this has created dangerous situations. I pay attention, so when I see this coming, I get out of the way until it clears up but I have seen at least two fatalities caused by exactly this. In many areas, folks doing this will be ticketed for creating a traffic hazard because it is a dangerous driving habit. There is a reason for signs that say: Slower Traffic Keep Right.

Somehow you seemed to have missed the point! The MAX Speed was 70 - anyone going slower than the MAX needs to be in the right lane. It's NOT anyone going slower than 75, 80, 90, 100 - shall I go on??

Statistically, when you don't go with the flow of the traffic around you (either too fast or too slow), you are more likely to cause injury or death to yourself or others.

Any cop will tell you that (if they're being honest with you).

Lobster wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 10:20am:

So even if the right lane is clear, you drive in the fast lane because you are going the speed limit.  Is that accurate?

A trick question??
If the right lane is clear for a good distance I MAY choose to drive in that lane, just as I MAY stay in the fast lane. It's my choice! Now, if an emergency vehicle is approaching, I'll move over to the right (this is yet another issue, but perhaps on another thread).

Brew wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 11:41pm:

Statistically, when you don't go with the flow of the traffic around you (either too fast or too slow), you are more likely to cause injury or death to yourself or others. Any cop will tell you that (if they're being honest with you).

Honestly, what is the flow of traffic?? People are doing whatever seems right in their own eyes - one person's doing 70, another 80, another 90, so what is the flow of traffic? How is this regulated??

You miss the point entirely. I'm talking about safety statistics.

But go ahead and make your point in the left lane.

Linda_Howell wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 4:50pm:

Quote: Left lane for passing only. I know I'm in Kentucky now Ted, but in Calif. the left lane...at the speed limit or not...were/are reserved for passing slower vehicles only.

Uh... did you get that out of the CA vehicle code??

Brew wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 11:56pm:

You miss the point entirely. I'm talking about safety statistics. But go ahead and make your point in the left lane.

Please forgive my ignorance and enlighten me on this. So, it's NOT speeding that kills, but slow drivers?? Just what are the stats (give supporting rationale) on this? I'd really like to know.

TedtheBear wrote on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 12:06am:

Brew wrote on Jul 8th, 2009 at 11:56pm: You miss the point entirely. I'm talking about safety statistics. But go ahead and make your point in the left lane. Please forgive my ignorance and enlighten me on this. So, it's NOT speeding that kills, but slow drivers?? Just what are the stats (give supporting rationale) on this? I'd really like to know.

BTW, I did make my point - in my OP!

i am doing 0-100 in 20 cd songs

singer turtle

Cathi_Pierce wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 11:08pm:

So, Just because you choose to drive at warp speed, breaking laws. people are sposed to accomodate you? I, too, have a leadfoot-BUT, it is up to me to adjust my speed/lane if I choose to break the law-I never expect anyone to 'assist" me!  Now, give me one of those 'below speed limit drivers in MY fast lane'? TAKE THEIR HEADS OFF!   Think of it this way, Marc, you rob a liquor store.should the clerk offer you a bottle of his best as you leave, guns blaring? Hints of arrogance if you ask me...........THEY are following the law, are YOU? Why should they go anywhere? PS- No tickets, no accidents.......err, except one seatbelt ticket ::) Just a thought.......I'll be on the lookout for youirsorry, speeding backside.and I'll catch up, too! LYM! Cathi :D

You paint a picture of an aggressive driver, which I am not. I do not tailgate, nor flash my lights to get them to move - I simply wait it out and go around.

Instead of an analogy with a liquor store robbery: Picture yourself driving 5 mph over the limit in the middle of the desert, then coming up on two drivers side by side doing exactly the maximum limit.

Eventually traffic stacks up behind, while there are miles of open road ahead. I see the guy in the fast lane as arrogant, not the folks in the parade behind him.

Difference in perception I suppose.

TedtheBear wrote on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 12:06am:

Brew wrote on Jul 8th, 2009 at 11:56pm: You miss the point entirely. I'm talking about safety statistics. But go ahead and make your point in the left lane. Please forgive my ignorance and enlighten me on this. So, it's NOT speeding that kills, but slow drivers?? Just what are the stats (give supporting rationale) on this? I'd really like to know.

You have Google.

the best i ve heard about driving is from a UK campaign if i remember well

defensive driving gives time to see and to be seen.

and this sums up everything for me.We are not driving alone but with others too and we all should do our best for everyone to arrive home safely and not elsewhere.speed should be adjusted according to traffic and circumstances.keep the necessary break distance from the car in front and whatever time you have estimate to arrive begin 20 minutes earlier.
the rest as i am fast,i am good driver,i haven't got a ticket till now..sorry but in my ears sounds like pride as the worst will only happen once.

there is nothing more sad than losing a life in the road :(

I drive in the left lane about 70% of the time.  Then again, I'm in central WI....Polish country! ;)

Well when you visit down here Mel............don't do it. If caught, you will get a citation. :P

Jimi wrote on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 10:10am:

Well when you visit down here Mel............don't do it. If caught, you will get a citation. :P

Thank you for the tip Jimi. :)


(btw, to clarify why I'm in the left lane so much, it's because a lot of people around here like to go anywhere from 5-30mph UNDER the speed limit...even more for combines, tractors, shit spreaders, dump trucks, etc. ;D)

[/quote]

You paint a picture of an aggressive driver, which I am not. I do not tailgate, nor flash my lights to get them to move - I simply wait it out and go around.

Instead of an analogy with a liquor store robbery: Picture yourself driving 5 mph over the limit in the middle of the desert, then coming up on two drivers side by side doing exactly the maximum limit.

Eventually traffic stacks up behind, while there are miles of open road ahead. I see the guy in the fast lane as arrogant, not the folks in the parade behind him.

Difference in perception I suppose.

[/quote]
I CONCEDE! That's a no brainer! Deserted washboard roads crossing the desert are exempt from speeding laws, aren't they? Honestly, any kind of speeding, we all know, is against the law, but we know this and take each incident individually, as intelligent, considerate(I take back the arrogant part) drivers.
Last time I was on the 405Fwy(headed HOME from Orange County, CA), a car attempted to occupy the exact spot I was in, as he cranked his wheel to get wehre I was, he saw me and tried to correct........ he flipped his car-and everyone sped past me. Southern CA and Northern CA drivers make me crazy!

I'm not half as concerned about speed limits as I am about the agressiveness of some drivers-it can get really scary out there.... maybe the resson I speed is so I can get home safe!!
I dunno......
Cathi
Cathi

TedtheBear wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 11:48pm:

Lobster wrote on Jul 8th, 2009 at 10:20am: So even if the right lane is clear, you drive in the fast lane because you are going the speed limit.  Is that accurate? A trick question?? If the right lane is clear for a good distance I MAY choose to drive in that lane, just as I MAY stay in the fast lane. It's my choice!

No trick... you answered my question.

You may cruise in the left lane.

We may classify those who inconvenience others simply because they can as wankers.


TedtheBear wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 11:48pm:

It's my choice!

... to be a wanker.

Quote:

Uh... did you get that out of the CA vehicle code??

There are signs all over the freeways and highways, especially I-5 that say.  "keep right, except to pass."

IF speed is such a major factor in wrecks and fatalities, why isn't the fatality rate on the Autobahn in Germany much higher?

FYI, cell phones, eating/drinking are strictly prohibited on the autobahn and all traffic rules are heavily enforced.  Cruising in the left lane is also banned.

TedtheBear wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 11:33pm:

Folks! The MAX Speed Limit IS the MAX Speed Limit - period!! The problem is that were a bunch of law breakers (Yes, myself included!!!), and our actions are NOT justifiable - we just think that we're smarter than the average bear (no pun intended!). It's NOT the people in the fast lane doing the speed limit that are a hazard, but the folks that just want to do what is right in their own eyes. When laws are not enforced (whatever the reason may be) you can expect lawlessness to be the norm. That's what has happened! I'm coming around, hope you will too.

I am sorry but are you an officer of the law and do you block the left lane in that capacity? If not why is it your job to police that lane.

If you stay in a lane that is meant for passing just to prove a point and the person coming up on you, flipping you off and cussing at you does not care about your point. WHAT IS THE POINT? other then being dangers to other traffic around you.

Lets all simmer down here now.

   Traffic in Los Angeles/palmdale  is totally different than in WI.  or anywhere else for that matter except NY maybe.

I believe Ted is wrong in his assumptions but then again I've been where he lives and traffic is a road rage and a PITA of major proportions.

With everything going on in the world right now....lane possesion is NOT of the upmost importance.

Agreed. Plus.....there is always the breakdown lane if someone won't move over.  ;D

Folks!
One final post (from me!). My point -  which I did drive home (no pun intended) is the one I mentioned earlier - I.e. that we're all a bunch of law breakers (myself included). As such we defy what the MAX Speed Limit is! After all, aren't we autonomous? Don't we THINK for ourselves? So, at best, we take the Max Speed Limit as merely a suggestion; at worst, we ignore it altogether.
I asked earlier what is considered to be "the flow of traffic" when people are doing whatever speed that fits their scheme of things, but received NO answer. How is this "flow of traffic" regulated?
For the record, I'm not some arrogant A**HOLE!! who just wants to PROVE A POINT.
I know full well that what I've said does NOT sit well with a lot of people, and I understand why - the norm is to do that which is right in our own eyes. So, again, if the majority of folks are speeding does that mean it's right? NO!! Who says? The law!! Like I said, I'm coming around - hope you will too.
Above all I wish you all PFDAN
Ted  

Leave earlier. Enjoy the ride.

I often wonder, on the way home, how many people are in a furious hurry to get home and do absolutely nothing? I mean are they going home to finish up on their calculations for the Unification Theory?

Turn up the music real loud and live it up. Then again, I drive through a pine forest on the way home. Disturbing the peace is about all I'd get ticketed for.

Steve Paw Paw G

TedtheBear wrote on Jul 8^th, 2009 at 11:48pm:

If the right lane is clear for a good distance I MAY choose to drive in that lane, just as I MAY stay in the fast lane. It's my choice!

NO, it is NOT your choice!  The LAW says to stay in the right lane, unless passing!

I am glad that you are on the left coast, and not here on the right coast!  People like you piss me off to no end!  PULL over to the right lane, unless you are actually passing another car!!!

And don't tell me to go ahead and pass you on the right!  THAT is dangerous and against the law in most states!

North Carolina drivers seem to not teach the stay right rule when teaching drivers!

Me?  I set my cruise control to 8 or 9 miles over the limit (Yes, OVER the limit) and ALWAYS stay right, except to pass.  I have not gotten a ticket in YEARS!

I have heard cops say (about speeding): "9, you're fine, 10 you're mine ..."

Chuck

Racer1_NC wrote on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 7:20pm:

Agreed. Plus.....there is always the breakdown lane if someone won't move over.  ;D

Thank goodness for that - I sometimes force slower drivers over to the shoulder or center median when they won't yield for me to pass. If that lane wasn't there, they would be in trouble!  ;)

Seriously, the thing that pisses me off is not speed per se, but the refusal to vary speed according to conditions.  Just drove home through the monsoon, and some people wanted to drive 'normally' even though visibility was piss-poor and there were areas of standing water - hydroplaning while the guy in the next lane is laying a tsunami on my windshield is not so fun, but it is much better at 35 mph than 70... and the people that are still doing 70 are major assholes that endanger everyone.

TedtheBear wrote on Jul 9^th, 2009 at 7:38pm:

Folks! One final post (from me!). My point -  which I did drive home (no pun intended) is the one I mentioned earlier - I.e. that we're all a bunch of law breakers (myself included). As such we defy what the MAX Speed Limit is! After all, aren't we autonomous? Don't we THINK for ourselves? So, at best, we take the Max Speed Limit as merely a suggestion; at worst, we ignore it altogether. I asked earlier what is considered to be "the flow of traffic" when people are doing whatever speed that fits their scheme of things, but received NO answer. How is this "flow of traffic" regulated? For the record, I'm not some arrogant A**HOLE!! who just wants to PROVE A POINT. I know full well that what I've said does NOT sit well with a lot of people, and I understand why - the norm is to do that which is right in our own eyes. So, again, if the majority of folks are speeding does that mean it's right? NO!! Who says? The law!! Like I said, I'm coming around - hope you will too. Above all I wish you all PFDAN Ted

I think your point is that you enjoy messing with people for no apparent reason.

I'll fess up to being one of your fools on this thread.

No more.

  I can't keep my Trike past 58 mph for any length of time, and they won't let me on the freeways anyway, except in Oregon, so I always stay to the right. Except to pass, it surprises me how many people drive 35-45 on a 4 lane 55 mph secondary road. Doesn't stop me from having a good time.
  Ted you're probably a Wanker, but maybe its your place in life to serve as a bad example. Its your Karma. But if you see the top of my flag in your rear view mirror would you please, lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.
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Kirk wrote on Jul 16^th, 2009 at 9:59am:

... it surprises me how many people drive 35-45 on a 4 lane 55 mph secondary road.

Nice bike!

When I moved to the south, I was initially surprised when I was driving at 40-45 mph on a road posted as 30 mph max, and I get passed by a school bus!  

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monty wrote on Jul 16^th, 2009 at 10:31am:

[quote author=694B5049220 link=1247015916/49#49 date=1247752742] Nice bike!

  As always your powers of observation astound me Monty. I see a trike in the foreground of the picture. I can't spot the bike.

Kirk wrote on Jul 16^th, 2009 at 2:52pm:

As always your powers of observation astound me Monty. I see a trike in the foreground of the picture. I can't spot the bike.

Ok - I withdraw that compliment  ;)

You need to rally the grammar teachers and get them busy:  "INDUSTRIALBICYCLES.COM has the largest selection of Industrial bicycles, industrial tricycles, three wheel bicycles and adult tricycles found on the net."

  Very funny Monty, how long did it take to find them on Google? Even START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE or START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE have more models of bikes and trikes then those guys, and know the difference on top of it.
[smiley=smokin.gif]

Kirk,

I like your TRIKE, but I like your flag better!

Jerry

Callico wrote on Jul 16^th, 2009 at 8:58pm:

Kirk, I like your TRIKE, but I like your flag better! Jerry

  Thanks Jerry, its custom made by another guy from IL named Jerry. He made only two of them. The other one belongs to a former Marine who has the same frame as mine in GA. His trike is Black and is a very nice build. He bought it from Utah Trikes, and had them do the basic setup of wheels, brakes etc.
[smiley=smokin.gif]