Opponents say pass to proposed 'Road Rage Reduction Act' (GET OUT OF THE LEFT LANE!)

http://www.news-journalonline.com ^ | Last update: April 08, 2005 | By JIM HAUG

[RedBloodedAmerican]

TALLAHASSEE -- Slowpokes could get a $60 fine for hogging the fast lane and ticking off motorists who want to pass.

The "Road Rage Reduction Act" is speeding through the Legislature following a 27-10 vote in the Senate on Thursday, two days after the House passed a similar bill by an even wider margin, 109-4. A spokesman for Gov. Jeb Bush said the governor must still evaluate the issue.

The bill requires drivers to stay in the right lane unless they're passing a vehicle or making a left turn. Supporters -- including the Florida Sheriffs Association and Florida Police Benevolent Association -- said the bill would ease traffic flow and make it unnecessary for motorists to dangerously maneuver around slower moving vehicles.

Opponents, including Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, said the bill's emphasis on slower drivers was misplaced.

"We should have our police catching all the offenders of speeding," Lynn pleaded on the Senate floor.

In addition to the proposed fine, the bill calls for a three-point penalty on a driver's record (motorists who accumulate 12 points can lose their license). Bill sponsor Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, had pitched a four-point penalty but critics said it should be less than the four points assessed to reckless drivers.

The proposed law would allow for many exceptions to the right lane rule, such as using the left lane to avoid hydro-planing in a rain storm or to dodge debris in the roadway. Plus, it doesn't apply when there's no one else on the road.

"You can drive from (Tallahassee) to Miami as long as there's no one behind you," Bennett said.

Still, Sen. Rod Smith, D-Gainesville, called it a "traffic ticket enhancement" act, and Rep. Irv Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, one of the few opponents in the House, said it would increase speeding.

Local motorists were mixed in their reaction to the proposal.

Terry Carter, 26, of Holly Hill liked the idea of separating lanes for faster and slower drivers: "Most older people go slow. I have problems when I get cut off by an older person," Carter said.

Donna Parks, 48, of Volusia County said the bill was necessary: "All truck drivers should be in the right lane. Once when I was merging onto the interstate a truck driver was going so slow he almost ran me off the road," she said.

Naamon Lewis of Holly Hill, though, had doubts.

"We got a lot of people that hog that left lane, but I don't know about making a law," Lewis said. "Good gracious. I don't necessarily agree with the fine and (three) points off your license. I think that's stepping a little too far."

-- Staff Writer Eileen Zaffiro contributed to this report.

jim.haug@news-jrnl.com

SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER

· Do you get angry at drivers who cut you off, tailgate or go slowly?

· Are you impatient at stoplights or when driving in the slow (right) lane?

· Do you compete with other drivers, drag racing from stoplights or moving ahead in traffic jams?

· Do you punish bad drivers by tailgating, cursing, flashing high-beam headlights or blocking drivers attempting to pass?

SOURCE: Adapted from AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety aggressive driving quiz at www.aaafoundation.org/quizzes

[beezdotcom]

Why, if someone is obviously coming up behind you and going faster than you, would you not move into the right lane and let them pass?

Easy. If I have to slow down and merge into slower traffic on my right to do so, I'm not inclined to do it. I'll wait until I've finished passing the line of cars to my right. This is often the scenario.

If I can move over without having to slow down, I do. Otherwise, why is MY inconvenience less important than THEIRS?

[pa mom]

I'm examining the whole scenario. If the folks in the middle aren't getting over, then it does cause an inconvenience for the not-as-fast-but-still-passing folks in the left.

I shouldn't be so un-pc, but it seems a lot of newer arrivals in the US drive very slowly in the left. That is a function of our drivers ed.

[beezdotcom]

How do you know that?

I guess I'm just as psychic as you.

[ko_kyi]

I am usually a typical slow lane driver. I propose the following rules, intended to bring about a truce on the highway.

1. Use the left lane only for passing. Let the fast drivers go by immediately.

2. Don't tailgate in the right lane to try to force a speed-limit driver to speed up.

People in wimpy cars shouldn't have to get their car up to 80 mph in less than a quarter mile in order to merge onto a freeway.

[pa mom]

I also think it depends on the person coming behind you. If it's someone going 80 and you're doing 75, I agree, especially if an opening is in view within a few cars.

But those real crazies that are whipping in and out and coming right up on you, I think you should try to let them over and just get them away from you. They are often young men (sorry guys) and often make sudden movements.

[headsonpikes]

I think you have a cousin who commutes into Vancouver, B.C. on the #401 from the Fraser Valley.

Big guy - red mullet, blue F250 with Playboy mud-flaps, sound familiar?

[beezdotcom]

Oh I have to let everyone walk all over me just because I'm Catholic?

Once in a while, it's good to turn the other cheek...er, lane...

[KurtAZ]

Okay, wait..."leftist" in the sense they are driving in the left lane or politically? Or Both? I just tend to call them "Rolling Speed Bumps". What I think is more funny is people that can't keep a constant speed. I mean, if you are going to do 70 on a highway quit oscillating between 70, 65, 60, back up to 70, 75, 70, etc...it gets annoying. Of course you won't move over so I can pass you while you do this little dance so I am forced to pass on the right. Then you speed up to 80 so I can't get in front of you and resume my course with the cruise control set. I mean...most cars have cruise control now right? Why on long Interstates doesn't anyone use it? Setting the cruise control is easier on the engine and consumes less gas as the computer is able to regulate everything.

[beezdotcom]

But those real crazies that are whipping in and out and coming right up on you, I think you should try to let them over and just get them away from you. They are often young men (sorry guys) and often make sudden movements.

No. If they're THAT reckless, then the LAST thing I should be trying to do is maneuvering to counter them - that IS asking for an accident. As sure as I begin to move, they will already have tried to whip by me in my blind spot.

No, barring presentation of a firearm, the best thing to do with those guys is: continue passing, begin signaling right PRIOR to reaching the end of the line of cars, and pray that the safe distance you try to leave in front of the last car on the right won't suddenly be occupied by the nutjob because you didn't whip to the right quickly enough.

[SweetCaroline]

....we all get angry at other drivers once in awhile, but to treat them in the manor this person does is cruel and evil.

I learned at a very early age, that God is testing us Christians all the time. Anyone with an attitude like this needs to look deeper into there soul and rid it of the me first attitude and the hate.

[pa mom]

No, I think you're wrong.

95 through south philly, 83 Chevy Malibu, three tone primer with a busted muffler. The playboy medallion is on the rearview. That may be what threw you off. ;)

[KurtAZ]

Okay, in that instance where you are passing other cars on the right...I understand. Pass the cars on the right..get over and let the knucklehead continue his 100MPH jaunt. No worries, no one getting mad unless the guy behind you is a complete (insert your favorite expletive).

And why won't people speed up to pass tractor/trailers? They have huge blind spots and people just toodle along right next to them. I mean, if you speed up to 85 to pass the truck...and then back to your traveling speed...most cops are not going to pull you over for making a safe pass.

Anyway...I know I have issues with how people drive...I just have to deal with it.