Posted on 07/17/2006 8:41:13 AM PDT by Smogger
I know the feeling - try the Irish roads!
http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=14457200288064322170
I moved from Nova Scotia to Ontario in a U-Haul Ford F350 based box truck with my Nissan Multi (Stanza Wagon in the US) in tow. That little truck, with that stuff behind it, didn't want to do much more than 55, maybe 60 tops, on the highway. Anyway, big truck drivers, and others, really appreciated it whenever I noticed a line up forming behind me and pulled over onto the shoulder to let them all pass.
Too many people don't realize that our roads are a game of give and take - rules and regulations are fine and all, but courtesy, consideration and a brain that's in gear go a long way, too. For example, generally cars on a multi-lane highway have the right of way over cars merging on on-ramps (thus the yield signs on the ramp) and have no particular responsibility to allow them to squeeze in. But the reality is that our highways are crowded and a little consideration to the mergers helps things move along better, and more safely. At the same time, when I'm the one merging, I assume that everyone on the highway is going to keep going as they are, and I adjust my speed and position to find a gap. Too many people won't even use the ramp to get up to the highway's speed before they merge.
Typical Clinton thinking. YOU are breaking the law but your contempt is for the people who won't join you in breaking the law.
I don't always agree with the speed limit (particularly when interstates were 55 during the Jimmy Carter era) but the law is the law and bitching about the people who are obeying the law is like complaining about people who won't walk into oncoming traffic just because you think it's safe to run across.
If you get nailed by the cops, you deserve it.
You forgot Volvo drivers. Put an Asian in a Volvo, and then you need to take two valium.
It is for me.
"5. If you are a driver with a superiority complex, beware. If you speed up to keep other people from changing lanes or passing you, you were ranked as the fifth-biggest irritation on the road."
I am number 5. And if someone is REALLY trying to pass me, I enjoy pulling up next to a car going EXACTLY the speed limit and putting on cruise control. Just to see how big a line of speeders I can get trapped behind me on the highway. A lot of fun on I-85.
humina humina humina humina drool
ummmmm, lane splitting is legal in a few states. Chill.
One state. California. Do you live in California?
On a similar note, why do so many police/sheriff cars cruise the MAIN streets of any small or medium-sized town? When was the last time a crime, major or minor, occurred in front of a Kroger's, a McDonald's, the cinema, etc.? Have they not noticed that much of the crime occurs off the busy thoroughfares in neighborhoods (burglary, drug dealing), especially at night? Is this laziness, lack of imagination or is there some other reason cops are protecting what doesn't really need to be protected?
"And, quite frankly, it's rude - it's basically cutting in line in front of others waiting their turn in traffic. But certain types only think of themselves."
Think efficient instead of rude. Do you take lanesplitting as a personal affront to you?
You shouldn't, you'll live longer.
They are also the folks with the largest moral-superiority quotient, i.e., I'm a saint because I'm doing 55 in the hammer lane.
Seems like they left one off. That is the one that says left or right "lane closed ahead" and drivers continue to use the lane until the last minute and then try cutting in.
You make really good sense. We all have to make allowances for other vehicles on the road, even if they're doing something we don't like or even if they're doing something really stupid.
It's how it is out there. Insisting on your right of way could easily lead to an accident where you and others are hurt. I will always yield the right of way if there's any danger in insisting on it. It just makes sense.
If someone is merging onto a freeway I'm on and there is the potential for a conflict, I will slow to make space for them to merge or, if practical, will speed up to give them space behind me. That's just the polite thing to do.
I stay right, except to pass. However, if there are three lanes of traffic, I drive the speed limit in the center lane with no apologies. I avoid mergers and anyone may pass me on the left. If there are more than three lanes, I will take the lane next to the right lane if it is moving at the speed limit. Otherwise, I will take the lane to the right of the left lane.
Always, however, I will move over a lane if someone is overtaking me and it is safe to do so.
So far, I've been driving for 45 years, with no accidents and just one ticket that I got in 1971. I've driven everything from a 16-wheeler to a motorcycle.
"Coming back to the USA, it drove me nuts to constantly have the slowest drivers hogging the left lane."
so true. it reminds me of americans on escalators as well. why is it that in every other country in the world, there's an unspoken rule that you stand on one side and walk on the other side of the escalator. but not in america! every lazy butt standing on both sides so we all have to wait. makes me nuts.
Society functions because people respect that other people are in society as well. When you lane split, you're cutting in front of others. Like I said, if you want to be treated like a car, with the legal protections of such, then act like a car.
The speed limit is the lowest common denominator and is set for those who are too dense to drive to begin with.
I live in CT but ride there quite often as it pertains to my work.
Israel/Lebanon: Need one of THESE to outrun them bombs!
Oil Prices: In one of THESE you don't care about the price of gas!
Evolution: THIS is the ultimate in Car Evolution.
Creationism: THIS is why we were created -- to enjoy THIS.
ID: Design INtelligenced peaked when they made THIS.
And I don't blame you (LOL). That is a work of art.
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