tonyla Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 Coming home on my evening commute on Rte 2 (highway in ct) I must have been day dreaming and stayed in the left lane too long because a Harley dude in full colors roared past me cutting into my lane while flipping me off. I was doing 75 and thought "what a jerk". Then about two minutes later a guy driving a tiny hybrid did the same exact Gesture and I thought "I guess I must be the jerk" while pulling into the travel lane.
Marek Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 why stay in the left lane? that's my biggest pet peeve the way people drive here and in Europe. In Europe you change lane to pass and get back in the right lane, here people think they are the speed authority so if they go 5 over they think they own the left lane. Mark
rob1100r Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 I hate left lane hogs!!! But I'm sure you're a nice guy Sometimes I am the slower one, I always try and keep an eye in the rearview because I know what it's like being stuck behind, and will get out of their way in plenty of time....Even if they are going 'too fast', just let em pass..Better that the more agressive driver/rider is in front of you than behind!
Marty Hill Posted July 7, 2008 Posted July 7, 2008 why stay in the left lane? that's my biggest pet peeve the way people drive here and in Europe. In Europe you change lane to pass and get back in the right lane, here people think they are the speed authority so if they go 5 over they think they own the left lane. Mark That is one reason I love riding and driving in europe.
CT_Rider Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 It reads like you were riding in the left lane and, while not passing, got flipped off. Then, two minutes later, having still not moved over, got flipped off again. Anyway, I annoy my wife when I drive because I'm constantly moving over to the right after I pass. Probably too much. I hate to wait and I hate the idea of someone waiting on me.
bakerzdosen Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 It's like the signs say: "Slower traffic keep middle." Or something like that. Agreed that you don't want to pull that in Europe. Supposedly they're going to start ticketing for that in Utah, but I have yet to see it. Another engineer and I were in Germany at roughly the same time, and no one told him a thing about driving there. He got stuck in a little A-class box and upon getting on the Autobahn, promptly pulled into the left hand lane. He kept waving for people to just pass him on the right, but surprisingly (to him) none did. He learned several new hand gestures that day. Daydreaming and driving don't mix IMHO.
Marek Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 It reads like you were riding in the left lane and, while not passing, got flipped off. Then, two minutes later, having still not moved over, got flipped off again. Anyway, I annoy my wife when I drive because I'm constantly moving over to the right after I pass. Probably too much. I hate to wait and I hate the idea of someone waiting on me. That's what I see - regardless how many time I read it. Mark
Jerry_75_Guy Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Wait a minute guys; hang too long in the left lane with someone hugging your bumper, and sure that will earn you a 'salute', but show up on someone's bumper for a second or two, then get pi$$ed 'cause you weren't noticed soon enough (because you are JUST that important!: aren't we all??), and then pass them on the right plus 'salute'?! Bullsh&t. How hard is it to be a smidge patient?: driver dosen't move, so you move to the right and continue on your way. I mean geez!, deal with it and get on with your day! S'matter?; not Enough goin' on in your daily lives to give you licence to be 'ticked' over? As Buddha would say: "share the way", left lane or right lane, move on and be happy, unless you just want to feel crappy about the world at every turn.
DaveTheAffable Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 ...and stayed in the left lane too long... I think this implies that the OP doesn't normally STAY in left lane. Glad you're ok and they didn't do anything too goofy.
Rotor Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 I agree in part. I sometimes ride with a friend that will sit on their tail for miles just to make a point. Drives me nuts. Not only is it dangerous, it's a waste of time and energy. Just go right, go around and go on your uneventful way.
MotorinLA Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 [slight hijack] In most European countries it is illegal to pass in the right lane (at least it used to be, please correct me if my information is outdated), so if the guy in the left lane doesn't move over you're kind of stuck. Of course, here we pass wherever we please, right lane, left lane, the shoulder, wrong side of the double yellow lines, etc. :smirk: [/hijack] Tony, maybe you need to check the back of your riding jacket. Perhaps one of your co-workers affixed a "Flip me off!" sign on the back of it :smile:.
MAT2CHI Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 I ride in the fast lane, but I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. If someone comes up on me I move to the right and then pull back left when the coast is clear. Just because you are going fast enough for you doesn't mean it's fast enough for other people. Having drivers quickly come up behind you and then pass you on the right is dangerous.
Wheels Rollin' Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 ... I'm constantly moving over to the right after I pass. Probably too much. I hate to wait and I hate the idea of someone waiting on me. +1, Bill... I try to make sure I'm never in that much of a hurry -- my 'sweet spot' seems to be the posted speed limit up to 5 over... That's where I usually reside, and it seems to work... I always do what I can to make sure time is on my side (with apologies to The Stones <>)... ~ Another Bill
David Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 I ride in the fast lane, but I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. If someone comes up on me I move to the right and then pull back left when the coast is clear. Just because you are going fast enough for you doesn't mean it's fast enough for other people. Having drivers quickly come up behind you and then pass you on the right is dangerous. You'd get a ticket for that practice in quite a few states.
russell_bynum Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 I ride in the fast lane, but I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. If someone comes up on me I move to the right and then pull back left when the coast is clear. Just because you are going fast enough for you doesn't mean it's fast enough for other people. Having drivers quickly come up behind you and then pass you on the right is dangerous. WTF??? Why not just stay right unless you're passing?
gottabmw Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 I ride in the fast lane, but I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. If someone comes up on me I move to the right and then pull back left when the coast is clear. Just because you are going fast enough for you doesn't mean it's fast enough for other people. Having drivers quickly come up behind you and then pass you on the right is dangerous. WTF??? Why not just stay right unless you're passing? Passing (in this sense) is a relative term. If I see trucks or cars in the right lane (even far ahead) going slower than me, I'll stay in the left lane until I pass them unless someone is coming up on me from behind. It keeps me from getting boxed in during heavy traffic and the sight line is more clear. Even if someone comes up behind me wanting to go faster, if there is nowhere to go beyond me, I'll maintain my position in the left lane. It's kind of like golf. No sense letting a group play through if there's no room ahead because I'm keeping up with the group ahead of me. I get to the right when appropriate. I also pass on the right when some douche bag going the limit, or a couple miles over, thinking they are policing the highway, plants themselves in the left lane.
Marty Hill Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Perhaps because that's where all the oil and ruts reside. As David said, a few states have signs saying it's a no-no.
Marek Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 in my view a single improvement which would make our highway safer is "keep right except to pass and don't pass on the right" - should be enforced as much as speeding is. Slower drivers in the fast lane cause a ripple effect that is creating accidents way back and constant lane changing adds to the hazard for all around. Mark
Joe Frickin' Friday Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Stay right except to pass. For a couple of years now I've wanted to have that, in big white letters, on the outside face of my left sidecase. I generally keep right except to pass. In the left lane I'll wait behind a slower vehicle for a little bit after they clear a vehicle and are in a position to move right - I'll give them maybe an extra fifteen seconds to move over after they are clear - and then I'll go around on the right, with plenty of gusto. I'm sure many aren't fazed by it, but hopefully a WOT pass on their right with a swift lane change in front of them gets the attention of a few.
Marek Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Stay right except to pass. I wonder why the US doesn't pass that as a law? it would alleviate all the weaving in traffic. I think the slow rider in a fast lane is a big cause of accidents.
Gregori Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 For years, I had a banner across the top of my windshield (in the cage) that read (in reverse, so it was readable in a mirror): SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT It actually made a noticeable difference. Of course, having approx. 500W of aux lighting hooked up to my highbeam flasher might have helped some too...
Little Joe Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 I ride in the fast lane, but I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. If someone comes up on me I move to the right and then pull back left when the coast is clear. Just because you are going fast enough for you doesn't mean it's fast enough for other people. Having drivers quickly come up behind you and then pass you on the right is dangerous. You'd get a ticket for that practice in quite a few states. That's SOP in California for many drivers AND riders. Not sure of the legality. I normally ride with the flow of traffic in the left lane on a 2-lanes-each-direction road. There's generally a 10 mph or so speed difference, and I think I'm more conspicuous and at greater risk by constantly pulling over to pass and pulling back to the right. I DO pull over immediately when a faster vehicle pulls up behind me, whether I'm doing 5 mph or 20 mph over the posted speed. On Hwy 80 in the Sierras, EVERYONE except the semis uses the left lane because the right line is a washboard.
MrHondamatic Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Around my area, the trucks have the right lanes beat to death. In that case I will drive in the left lane, unless I see someone catching up, then I move over and let my fillings shake loose. But it's those out of state (insert you least favorite neighboring state here) drivers that sit in the left for no reason, other than to clog up the roadways.
russell_bynum Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Around my area, the trucks have the right lanes beat to death. In that case I will drive in the left lane, unless I see someone catching up, then I move over and let my fillings shake loose. But it's those out of state (insert you least favorite neighboring state here) drivers that sit in the left for no reason, other than to clog up the roadways. It's OK when I clog up the fast lane, but I hate it when those other jerks do it! The road's too bumpy! Visibility is bad! Someone might see me not being a jerk! I might accidentally squash a lady bug! You guys crack me up.
tonyla Posted July 8, 2008 Author Posted July 8, 2008 [/hijack] Tony, maybe you need to check the back of your riding jacket. Perhaps one of your co-workers affixed a "Flip me off!" sign on the back of it :smile:. Never thought of that you did bring a smile to my face. I remember a co worker coming in one day proud of his Brand New car after showing it off I placed a for sale sign with a very very low price and his phone number at work (before cell phones) well it took him a couple calls to figure something was up. We then got a very shall I say strong willed woman to call him saying she was from Motor vehicle dept and if you offered you car for sale you must sell it. It went on for two days.
Quinn Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 I do prefer to be in the left lane; I'm more visible and there's not as much cross lane interference to deal with. However, I do think I have to earn the right to be there. Those people who stay in the left lane on the theory that they will eventually be going faster than someone else and be able to pass them; they're self-centered idiots. It's funny to watch a whole line of traffic flow around a slow guy in the left lane like water around a rock. The "rock" never gets the hint; no matter how much water goes by him.
gottabmw Posted July 8, 2008 Posted July 8, 2008 Around my area, the trucks have the right lanes beat to death. In that case I will drive in the left lane, unless I see someone catching up, then I move over and let my fillings shake loose. But it's those out of state (insert you least favorite neighboring state here) drivers that sit in the left for no reason, other than to clog up the roadways. It's OK when I clog up the fast lane, but I hate it when those other jerks do it! The road's too bumpy! Visibility is bad! Someone might see me not being a jerk! I might accidentally squash a lady bug! You guys crack me up. That's pretty cynical. He admitted he gets over if a faster vehicle is approaching from behind. So what's wrong with that? It's not being a jerk. I have no problem with people in the left lane as long as they move when appropriate. It does space the vehicles out and sight lines are better. Unless it's specifically against the law (and it isn't in most states) I see it as a legitimate survival technique. We're talking about those who abuse the left lane, right?
Dave McReynolds Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 When highways are congested, there are no fast lanes and slow lanes. There are just lanes, and your's might go a little faster or a little slower than the lanes on either side of you. There's no reason under those circumstances to keep switching lanes unless you want to exit; all it does is add to the congestion. Of course, in California, we have special motorcycle lanes that rarely get congested . But most other places, that's the way it is. When the congestion eases, you could go back to the rule everyone seems to like: that you only move left to pass. But congestion is not like flipping on a light switch; it's more like a switch with a dimmer. So when does the rule change? Perhaps a more realistic rule for modern, congested highways would be to move right unless you're keeping up with traffic in front of you, or if there is no traffic in front of you, move right unless you're moving faster than the traffic in those lanes. Then the rule doesn't need to change.
gottabmw Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 When highways are congested, there are no fast lanes and slow lanes. There are just lanes, and your's might go a little faster or a little slower than the lanes on either side of you. There's no reason under those circumstances to keep switching lanes unless you want to exit; all it does is add to the congestion. Of course, in California, we have special motorcycle lanes that rarely get congested . But most other places, that's the way it is. When the congestion eases, you could go back to the rule everyone seems to like: that you only move left to pass. But congestion is not like flipping on a light switch; it's more like a switch with a dimmer. So when does the rule change? Perhaps a more realistic rule for modern, congested highways would be to move right unless you're keeping up with traffic in front of you, or if there is no traffic in front of you, move right unless you're moving faster than the traffic in those lanes. Then the rule doesn't need to change. That is so reasonable, I'm embarrassed I wasn't able to put it so succinctly!
russell_bynum Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 move right unless you're keeping up with traffic in front of you, or if there is no traffic in front of you, move right unless you're moving faster than the traffic in those lanes. Then the rule doesn't need to change. I think that's pretty much the common-sense adaptation of "keep right except to pass". Basically, the only time you don't keep right is when you're going at least as fast as the vehicle ahead of you. My only complaint is basically a nit-pick...it assumes the default is to drive left "unless these conditions exist". It should be the other way around. It's OK to not be as far right as possible if: you are passing someone or you are keeping up with cars ahead of you. Of course...if they're following the rules, then they're only going to be left if they're passing people...so the whole "keep right except to pass" thing still works.
Ramse Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Tonyla I'm on Rt. 2 each day myself (Colchester to north of Hartford). Both the motorcyclist and hybrid passed illegally on the right. It is only legal to pass on the right (in Connecticut) when there are three or more travel lanes in the same direction and Rt. 2 only has two. However, I agree with your comment about staying in the left lane too long. I agree that even when I am in the left lane, I am looking for fast movers coming up behind me. It would be nice for the state to put up signs for left lane for passing only but unfortunately, it is not consistent with current statutes...again in Connecticut where it is techncially illegal to pass on the right but you could sit at 65 all day in the left lane! Pretty crazy!
Dave McReynolds Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Of course...if they're following the rules, then they're only going to be left if they're passing people...so the whole "keep right except to pass" thing still works. Not really. If you apply it literally on a congested highway, everyone in the congested left lane would be continually merging right, since they're not passing anyone anymore, and everyone in the congested right lane would be continually merging left to pass as soon as a space opens up. It would be a clusterf**k. Better to have everyone just hold their positions until things ease up.
Marek Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 I think some of you are over thinking this - if there is congestion no one is passing anyone. In that situation even in Europe when the right lane is moving faster then the left is not illegal to pass on the right. This applies only to situation when you are coming up on the slower traffic in the left lane who is either moving at the same speed as the right lane or just sits there even the right lane is unoccupied - ( read and ass who thinks I'm ahead of you and what are you going to do about that???) so go ahead and ride in the left lane all you want but when you spot traffic behind you move OVER before they have to slow down. Simple - works great as anyone who ever drove in Europe with the exception of Italy can attest to. Mark
MAT2CHI Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 I ride in the fast lane, but I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. If someone comes up on me I move to the right and then pull back left when the coast is clear. Just because you are going fast enough for you doesn't mean it's fast enough for other people. Having drivers quickly come up behind you and then pass you on the right is dangerous. You'd get a ticket for that practice in quite a few states. But not in California where I ride. What would make that illegal in TN or other states?
MAT2CHI Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 I ride in the fast lane, but I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. If someone comes up on me I move to the right and then pull back left when the coast is clear. Just because you are going fast enough for you doesn't mean it's fast enough for other people. Having drivers quickly come up behind you and then pass you on the right is dangerous. WTF??? Why not just stay right unless you're passing? I am passing Russell, I'm talking about when someone else comes up behind me faster than I'm going when I'm passing the slower cars, I pull over. I'm not the one in the fast lane holding up traffic here.
russell_bynum Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 I think some of you are over thinking this - if there is congestion no one is passing anyone. In that situation even in Europe when the right lane is moving faster then the left is not illegal to pass on the right. This applies only to situation when you are coming up on the slower traffic in the left lane who is either moving at the same speed as the right lane or just sits there even the right lane is unoccupied - ( read and ass who thinks I'm ahead of you and what are you going to do about that???) so go ahead and ride in the left lane all you want but when you spot traffic behind you move OVER before they have to slow down. Simple - works great as anyone who ever drove in Europe with the exception of Italy can attest to. Mark Right.
russell_bynum Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 I ride in the fast lane, but I also keep an eye on what's coming up behind me. If someone comes up on me I move to the right and then pull back left when the coast is clear. Just because you are going fast enough for you doesn't mean it's fast enough for other people. Having drivers quickly come up behind you and then pass you on the right is dangerous. WTF??? Why not just stay right unless you're passing? I am passing Russell, I'm talking about when someone else comes up behind me faster than I'm going when I'm passing the slower cars, I pull over. I'm not the one in the fast lane holding up traffic here. Ah, OK. I took "I ride in the fast lane" to mean that your default lane choice is the fast lane and you only move over if you notice faster vehicles approaching. My bad.
SweetP Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Simple - works great as anyone who ever drove in Europe with the exception of Italy can attest to. Mark Love their food, love the scenery, but it's Russian roulette on their roads. Stay right except to pass and no passing on the right are strict rules in Europe.
Francois_Dumas Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Simple - works great as anyone who ever drove in Europe with the exception of Italy can attest to. Mark Love their food, love the scenery, but it's Russian roulette on their roads. Stay right except to pass and no passing on the right are strict rules in Europe. And not sticking to them can be VERY expensive in some countries...... Why not enforce it in the US? I guess it would touch on the famous 'sense of freedom' ......
bakerzdosen Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Why not enforce it in the US? Many of us wonder the same thing. The majority don't have a clue that it's an issue.
tallman Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Simple - works great as anyone who ever drove in Europe with the exception of Italy can attest to. Mark Love their food, love the scenery, but it's Russian roulette on their roads. Stay right except to pass and no passing on the right are strict rules in Europe. And not sticking to them can be VERY expensive in some countries...... Why not enforce it in the US? I guess it would touch on the famous 'sense of freedom' ...... And, deja vu, our "freedom" is being impinged upon again, most likely in the form of a National Speed limit to conserve gas.
MrHondamatic Posted July 9, 2008 Posted July 9, 2008 Around my area, the trucks have the right lanes beat to death. In that case I will drive in the left lane, unless I see someone catching up, then I move over and let my fillings shake loose. But it's those out of state (insert you least favorite neighboring state here) drivers that sit in the left for no reason, other than to clog up the roadways. It's OK when I clog up the fast lane, but I hate it when those other jerks do it! The road's too bumpy! Visibility is bad! Someone might see me not being a jerk! I might accidentally squash a lady bug! You guys crack me up. That's pretty cynical. He admitted he gets over if a faster vehicle is approaching from behind. So what's wrong with that? It's not being a jerk. I have no problem with people in the left lane as long as they move when appropriate. It does space the vehicles out and sight lines are better. Unless it's specifically against the law (and it isn't in most states) I see it as a legitimate survival technique. We're talking about those who abuse the left lane, right? Correct, when another vehicle appears in my mirrors, way back behind me, I pull back to the right. I don't wait for anyone to get near me. I only run in the left when traffic is non-existant to light and the right lane is terrible. Otherwise I keep to the right.
Dave39 Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I was driving (my cage) back from S. Calif on I-5 a couple of months ago and you had a choice: get in the left lane and drive 85-90 mph or get out of the way and drive with the long procession of 60-65 mph 18 wheelers. If you try to drive the within the legal speed limit, but faster than the trucks, you must constantly switch lanes and risk getting stuck in right lane with the trucks. It's insane. Where's the CHP?
russell_bynum Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 I was driving (my cage) back from S. Calif on I-5 a couple of months ago and you had a choice: get in the left lane and drive 85-90 mph or get out of the way and drive with the long procession of 60-65 mph 18 wheelers. If you try to drive the within the legal speed limit, but faster than the trucks, you must constantly switch lanes and risk getting stuck in right lane with the trucks. Yep. So?
russell_bynum Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 Why not enforce it in the US? Many of us wonder the same thing. The majority don't have a clue that it's an issue. I HAVE A RIGHT TO DRIVE IN WHATEVER LANE I WANT AND YOU GUYS CAN KISS MY BUTT!!!!!! :smirk: More often than not, I drive in the far right lane...because that's the fastest. Nobody would risk having their friends see them in the right lane...and besides...the right lane is the "slow" lane...I'm not slow!! So...the "fast" lane is clogged. And generally the carpool lane is being held up by some yahoo in a Prius. So that leaves the right lane mostly empty. I go over there and buzz along at whatever speed I want. Other than having to merge left every now and then to deal with people getting on/off, and the rare occasion when I come up on someone who's actually driving in the right lane, I'm pretty much on my own. Note: I'm talking about when I drive. On the bike, I'm all over the place.
Dave39 Posted July 10, 2008 Posted July 10, 2008 "More often than not, I drive in the far right lane...because that's the fastest." ------------------------------------------------------------- Wouldn't work on the I-5 I've driven. The right lane is a parade of big rigs and RVs....and the left is Nascar.
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