"Left Lane Drivers Unite!" - LEFT LANE DRIVERS of AMERICA

LeftLaneDrivers.org ^ | 2007 | LeftLaneDrivers.org

[DogByte6RER]

LEFT LANE DRIVERS of AMERICA

“If you’re not a Left Lane Driver then get out of the Left Lane!”

Traffic has become increasingly congested and tempers flare as slower drivers occupy what has been historically referred to as the “fast lane”. It’s time to get that Left Lane back! It is our considered opinion that not only will traffic move more smoothly and more quickly once the Left Lane is used in the way it has been designed but also headaches, frustration, bad tempers and road rage will all be greatly reduced when this pressure valve is released. It’s time to reduce this unnecessary stress. It’s time that… LEFT LANE DRIVERS UNITE!

We invite you to join Left Lane Drivers of America, a growing, grassroots effort to reclaim the Left Lanes on our freeways and multiple lane highways. To do this, those of us who are genuine “Left Lane drivers” are politely but firmly reminding others what the Left Lane is for.

[Spktyr]

No, we’re not talking about a carbureted brick from GM with the frontal area of a billboard. cD on the stock XJ6 is about .46; however it has minimal frontal area, and I’ve installed a TWR spoiler that actually drops it to .39 (somewhat counterintuitive, but it actually works).

There are other factors that influence a vehicle’s fuel economy, other than simple air resistance. Engine powerband, drivetrain gearing, and fuel mapping all play a part.

[GingisK]

You already posted this...

I presumed to a different person.

If the car’s fuelling is rich below a certain RPM point...

Sure. If car engines optimized fuel usage at all RPMs, this would not be the case. The issue concerning drag is very real and correct.

[Silly]

Those decals are hilarious.

[Spktyr]

My XJ6 has a 3 speed automatic with no overdrive, and a 2.88 rear end. It’s doing exactly what it was designed to do.

Thing is, you are using your vehicle’s performance as an example of how all other cars behave, and it’s not a valid measure. I bet you have a Dodge truck, don’t you?

[Charles Martel]

Here’s the rub though. Let’s say you are going 15 MPH over the speed limit in the left lane, there is no one ahead of you. In your rear view mirror you see someone rapidly approaching. Really, and honestly, do you move over and let the faster vehicle pass or do you think to yourself that you’re going fast enough and the lunatic behind you should either slow down, or find his own way around you?

I don't usually cruise in the left lane, even at speeds higher than the posted limit. But in answer to your question, yes... under those circumstances I'd move over and let the faster car pass on the left. Really and honestly.

If someone wants to "run blocker" for me, I'll happily let 'em - and continue at my comfortable "10 MPH over" cruise.

[Cobra64]

That argument was made by those who are in the long haul trucking industry, which continues to have the 55 speed limit imposed on them.

El Wrongo. Truckers here in the Carolinas drive 75-80 mph all the time.

And they flash their lights when I pass them.

[billbears]

Say what you will. At 55 mph, I can go about 14.3 miles on a gallon of gas. At 65-70 mph, I can go just over 15-15.2 miles on a gallon of gas. I’ve measured this based on the same course, same time of day, etc.

[Arrowhead1952]

I didn’t mention that I drive a van pool to and from work. After the first passenger gets on - usually in the shotgun seat, I hand my cell to them and tell them to answer if it rings.

[NMR Guy]

I see an inordinate number of Priuses going in th 55 mph range in the fast lane here in the Bay Area (on the occasions that there is any “fast” to be had). My theory is that the drivers discover that the only way to get the kind of gas mileage they want to brag about is to go really slow on the freeway.

On the other hand, if I’m already doing 80 - 85 mph on I280, and someone flashes their lights at me, they can just enjoy a nice view my middle finger, or go around me.

[listenhillary]

Pictures are probably needed.

[Spktyr]

However, car engines do *not* all optimize fuel usage at all RPMs.

[Mrs.Liberty]

...I have seen them before down on the I-5 in San Diego. Some of the South of the Border commuters with BC plates frequently drive this way. Maybe because they are from Mexico, they drive excessively slow to avoid tickets.

Welcome to my nightmare.

Every darn morning...doesn't matter if I am on the 805 or the 5, coming north into downtown San Diego.

Oh, and Friday afternoons, the big rush going South on the 5 into TJ.

[calex59]

In Germany they know how to solve this problem. The left lane of the autoban is for fast drivers. No matter how fast you are moving if a vehicle comes up behind you going faster you are to move over or suffer the consequences. They will take your license for impeding traffic. No speed limit what so ever on most of the Autoban and they have fewer deaths per 100,000 drivers than we do. The trick is to actually enforce the law and not use the law simply for gathering in revenue.

It cost about 2000 bucks to get a drivers license(this may have changed if anyone knows the price now please speak up)in Germany and people are very careful about breaking any traffic laws. If you are going 100 on the autoban and a car comes up behind you, you MUST get over and let them pass.

[Spktyr]

They’re playing the fuel efficiency “video game” in the in-car video display. 55mph is about as fast as the Prius will go on electric drive alone before kicking in the gas engine to start charging the batteries and boost the power to the drive motors.

[SoldierDad]

Oh, I see. I’m using my own vehicles performance to generalize to all other vehicles on the road, but you are not. Yes, I drive a Dodge, though it is not a “truck”. Most people on the road are not driving Jags. Perhaps you should pay attention to the majority of the vehicles that are on the road today. They are a whole lot more like mine then they are like yours. So, who is generalizing inappropriately?

[Sergio]

I don't usually cruise in the left lane, even at speeds higher than the posted limit. But in answer to your question, yes... under those circumstances I'd move over and let the faster car pass on the left. Really and honestly.

My experiences must be skewed as I drive in SoCal, the land of personal entitlement and hub of the "Me" universe.

I should have figured that FReepers would have a much higher than average level of common sense and courtesy.

Thanks for your reply.

[listenhillary]

Repealing the laws of physics again?

Excessive vehicle speed reduces a driver’s ability to negotiate curves or maneuver around obstacles in the roadway, extends the distance necessary for a vehicle to stop, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a hazard.

[billbears]

Stock-car racing legend Richard Petty, running for North Carolina secretary of state, paid a $65 fine in September of 1996 for improperly bumping a car that wouldn’t let him pass in the left lane on Interstate 85. According to a state trooper, Petty said if the driver got in front of him again, he was going to “knock his ass off the road.”

Pass him in the grass Richard!! Better yet (and I've done this in an '87 GT) pass 'em on the shoulder. You got to have fun out on the road.

$65? You know that may be worth it....Could we set up something like some sort of bank deposit for this? You know, put $100 a month in and you know you've got $100 to spend in traffic fines that month. Just let the state take it out of your check like they do SS but instead of putting it into SS put a portion of it into this fund.

[RockinRight]

But, if EVERYONE needs to be passed...

[Fawn]

That’s hardly what it is. Unless you’re talking about the selfish people who hold the rest of us while they sightsee or talk on their cell phones.