Small number of 'slowpokes' cited so far, but police say new law improves safety (Idaho)

Idaho Press ^ | 7/30/2018 | Emily Lowe

[Boomer]

Only two Idaho drivers have been cited for driving too slowly in the fast lane since the state’s new “slowpoke” law took effect July 1. Three other drivers got warnings that they better go the speed limit in the left lane or scoot over.

Those numbers, current as of July 27, are from the Idaho State Police, which patrols the state’s highways. Tickets for speeding during that time frame — numbering 2,495 — far surpass these five cases of impeding fast-lane traffic.

Even so, the new law gives troopers another tool to keep roads safer, said bill sponsor Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls.

[editor-surveyor]

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>> “ I’d also like to see anything with more than 3 axles have to stay in the slow lane on hills.” <<

Sensible, but those trucks pay a huge highway tax through their weight fees.
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[2CAVTrooper]

Oh yes the Autobahn is fun... But not so much when in a military convoy doing 35 though.

I’ve been saying for years that we need full adoption of German driving laws. That includes the cost of the drivers ed and licensing.

https://www.german-way.com/travel-and-tourism/driving-in-europe/driving/

[editor-surveyor]

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C’m on, don’t you think you’re doing a stretch?

Road boulders cost us heavily by reducing the capacity of our highways.
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[editor-surveyor]

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Sounds like I5 in California!
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[Malsua]

If there are no cars in front of you and cars behind you, you are the problem. Move over.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Only two Idaho drivers have been cited for driving too slowly in the fast lane since the state’s new “slowpoke” law took effect July 1.

Then it isn't being enforced enough. Say what you will about the Germans (I do), but they don't hog the left lane and then throw a tantrum when someone behind them wants to go faster. That's an American phenomenon, and it's the result of lousy driving practices.

[caseinpoint]

You may not be legally wrong but you are endangering yourself and others unnecessarily. Twice a week, I drive through the California Bay Area traffic where four to seven lanes are common. I drive on average about five miles over the speed limit and I am slow compared to a lot of drivers. But I have no problem getting out of the way of leadfooted drivers. I would much rather see them ahead of me than in my rear view mirror. And my motto is, leave your ego at home.

[LFOD]

I lived in Boise back in the early 80’s (still miss it). If I remember correctly a driver holding up more than a few vehicles on the 2 lane roads could be ticketed for impeding traffic.
Idaho had many ‘turn-out” areas for these slower drivers to pull over on and allow cars to pass.

Is ‘Don’t Be A GUBERIF’ still stenciled on the highways?????

For those who wouldn’t know, ‘GUBERIF’ is ‘FIREBUG’ spelled backwards.

[xrmusn]

I’ve done a lot of long runs on the highway and run into this a lot.
= = = = = = = = = = =
Likewise...
On Interstates I try to stay in far right doing about 5 under speed limit...You will spend a lot of time alone as you aren’t going slow enough to weewee people off but they will go by you...Notice...cars tend to run in packs.

A lot of the right lane problem is Laws and left hand exits.

Remember the day when the old folks (guess who is an old folk now <:) would stay to the right and people would go around them.

Along comes the Fed and starts banning trucks in the left lanes so they ‘naturally’ think they ‘own’ the right lanes so the normal slow lane people move over to get out of the way of those ‘monster trucks’ and while doing so, end up impeding the traffic in the left lanes so now you have the people that ‘belong’ in the left lanes having to manuever around the trucks to the right and the ‘slowpokes’ to the left.

Then again, the Interstates were NEVER meant to be a ‘shortcut’ home or a way to avoid lights while going from home to the market.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

I’m in the fast lane and going 2 miles faster than the speed limit.
I’m slowly gaining on the cars on the right, enough that I don’t want to change lines and get behind them.
But there are 4 cars that want to do 10 miles faster than the speed limit lining up behind me.

Am I wrong?

Respectfully, I'd say you are. Let the people wanting to go faster get by, and then resume your slower passing - all you're doing by bottling up faster drivers is inducing anger and frustration, and why would you want an angry and frustrated driver on your tail?

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Along comes the Fed and starts banning trucks in the left lanes so they ‘naturally’ think they ‘own’ the right lanes so the normal slow lane people move over to get out of the way of those ‘monster trucks’ and while doing so, end up impeding the traffic in the left lanes so now you have the people that ‘belong’ in the left lanes having to manuever around the trucks to the right and the ‘slowpokes’ to the left.

Another side effect of this is that the right lane in two-lane freeways (for instance the I-5 in California) is usually in much worse shape than the left lane - constant use by heavy trucks is hard on road surfaces. So more people who have no intention of hurrying for anyone move into the left lane and pace the semis right next to them for miles on end while traffic piles up behind them.

[rockrr]

You posted what I would have posted - almost word for word. Over the years I’ve fine tuned my awareness of traffic such that I rarely have issues (like I had all the time in my youth).

My philosophy is if they want to go fast, then fine - I’ll move over and allow them by - so that they can run point for me ;’}

[2CAVTrooper]

Yes!

A lot of the left lane hogs I have to deal with to and from work are those with personalized tags on their vehicles, and two of the worst are women drivers who get all pissy if you dare to pass them. One does 40 to 45 in a 55 and will not budge out of the left lane. Another (with a religious based tag personalization, the fish symbol, and a “faith radio” sticker) will do just a little below the limit, unless you try to pass her on the right. At that point she’ll speed up to prevent you from passing and then match speed with whatever slow vehicle is in the right lane.

[American in Israel]

Nothing is more irritating than trying to maneuver around a slow truck doing the speed limit for trucks and almost getting clipped by some self righteous idiot doing 15 above the speed limit threading lanes and ignoring turn signals cutting me off from the rear.

Speeders suck.

[American in Israel]

Rude jackasses who do the speed limit?

Project much?

[2CAVTrooper]

Around here they have big signs at the top and bottom of some ramps that say “KEEP MOVING”, and you’d be surprised as to how many drooling window lickers still stop.

[DannyTN]

ok FINE!

But here’s what happens...

I notice the 4 cars behind me. I can tell they have more urgency than brains by the way their all trying to intimidate each other by seeing how close they can get to the bumper in front of them. I was going to be nice and keep them from getting tickets at least for a minute, but who am I to deny them their just rewards.

And even though I’m gaining on the cars to the right, it’s going to take a minute to get around them, so I swoop over to the right and hit the brake to release the cruise control.

Then idiot #1 behind me suddenly realizes that he’s now the lead car in the fast lane. Instead of speeding up and going by, he’s now pacing me and the slower traffic in front. And he’s got me trapped. I’ve given up my rightful place and he’s not taking advantage of it.

This is why you carry right? At this point can I shoot him for entrapment or kidnapping? Would a jury convict me?

If I take out the first one, all 4 are going to die. And I’ll just tell the good Lord that I’m sorry but they were stupid and needed killin. It’s not like He didn’t see what happened.

[American in Israel]

That was a real chuckle.

[DannyTN]

LA Story - First Day of Spring

[caseinpoint]

LOL. Good luck with that strategy, and the Good Lord won’t be the only judge you should worry about.