yeah I can recall a couple of instances where someone else recklessly passed me. scariest one in recent memory was when a driver passed me on a two lane, two way road - he passed me on the left and there was a car coming down the other way and he just barely squeezed through in between us. I did not see a pregnant lady in the car, or any blood, or anything that might suggest an emergency.
― dayo, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:14 (twelve years ago) link
the way I break it down to an extent is that if I see a red light, I'm going to let go of the gas - no point in applying any gas at all at that point. if I'm on the highway, the most I'll do is +8 on the speed limit - the difference between driving, say, 63 miles an hour and 70 miles an hour is a gain of 7 minutes over an hour. considering that gas mileage decreases as you go above 50 mph, it makes more sense to budget more time into your trip than to squeeze time by driving fast.
that's basically it but apparently it's enough to earn the ire of dozens of red blooded americcuns
― dayo, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:16 (twelve years ago) link
yeah i try to stick to a +4mph in-town and +9mph freeway over the speed limits. but i'm kind of a leadfoot :/
― goole, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:21 (twelve years ago) link
I obey speed limits in neighborhoods and on local city streets
On highways, if you are not going 80+ then gtfo of the left lane
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:23 (twelve years ago) link
like, drive the speed limit all you want, just don't sit in my passing/high speed lane is all I ask
there's also the element of stress - if you're trying to go 80 mph and have to pass people / get caught behind people every 30 seconds, you're going to have, ultimately, a more stressful trip than if you learn 2 luv 63 mph.
― iatee, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:23 (twelve years ago) link
(xps)
― iatee, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:24 (twelve years ago) link
my fave is having people roar around me on a four lane, 45mph artery that leads directly onto the freeway out to the burbs (my commute) -- and then turn up maybe three cars ahead of me at the exit light 10 miles away. gj speed demon.
― goole, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:24 (twelve years ago) link
i go through phases, but when i decide to calm/slow down and just chill in a middle lane, especially on the freeway, i have a much better experience. there really is no point to going fast and no speed you 'have' to go. i think maybe my personality is just not suited to driving in the first place. i'm naturally competitive but i get really stressed about 'competing.' not a good combo behind the wheel.
pet peeve is what i call the "douche patrol" -- endless line of SUVs in the fast lane gently undulating from below the speed limit to 5 mph over. seems particularly bad in utah. people here don't get the "passing lane" or "fast lane" concept and so everyone just drives in that lane by default because they have a vague idea that they drive fast, or something.
x-post exactly, there is always pressure to drive more aggressively because x jerk cut you off or whatever, it's a constant test of your patience.
― runaway (Matt P), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:25 (twelve years ago) link
people here don't get the "passing lane" or "fast lane" concept and so everyone just drives in that lane by default because they have a vague idea that they drive fast, or something.
i think people view it as a good lane to be in to avoid merging people, too. the set-it-and-forget-it lane.
― A True White Kid that can Jump (Granny Dainger), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:29 (twelve years ago) link
THESE PEOPLE MUST DIE
This isn't actually true when you hit those stretches of a long trip where ppl actually know how to use the road; slowing down as you approach someone going 65 in the left lane only for them to move over and let you pass is a beautiful, beautiful thing. Also beautiful is when people signal before moving into the passing lane; it is a joy to allow someone into a lane who has let you know they're going to be moving over as opposed to the douchefaces who zip in and out of traffic like they're LARPing Pole Position.
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:30 (twelve years ago) link
Basically, when you get actual drivers on the road who aren't dicks, driving is amazing. When you get people who can't drive or people who think life is just like Gran Turismo, it fucking sucks.
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:31 (twelve years ago) link
I've got a little meter in front of me that tells exactly at that moment what miles per gallon I'm getting. I try to keep that thing right in the middle at 30, which means I don't rev my RPMs up as much as I used to do.
I was also taught to use the brake only if needed. So I start slowing down sooner before I stop, which doesn't waste the energy it would have taken to brake and slow down. I don't go overboard and coast 100 yards at 2 mph, but I also don't gun it anymore either. And besides, it pisses off the tailgater behind me because I'm slowing down even though my brake lights are off.
― Pleasant Plains, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:32 (twelve years ago) link
oh that's why it's all cayennes or whatever. still inexcusable when you have 3 or more middle lanes between you and the on-ramp you can zone out in, maybe pop down your above-dash dvd player. *sees red* xpost to GD
― runaway (Matt P), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:32 (twelve years ago) link
This isn't actually true when you hit those stretches of a long trip where ppl actually know how to use the road; slowing down as you approach someone going 65 in the left lane only for them to move over and let you pass is a beautiful, beautiful thing.
other person's pov:
'douchebag in bmw is on my tail, gonna switch lanes but I hope he crashes soon'
― iatee, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:35 (twelve years ago) link
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, September 12, 2011 3:23 PM (9 minutes ago) Bookmark
a lot of highways, major highways, are only two lanes though
― dayo, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:36 (twelve years ago) link
lol it was even worse in the Rav4
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:37 (twelve years ago) link
xp: and on those highways, people who want to drive the speed limit need to use the right lane so everyone else can use the fast lane.
― kkvgz, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:39 (twelve years ago) link
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, September 12, 2011 12:30 PM (4 minutes ago) Bookmark
I let out an audible sigh of gratitude when someone in front of me, in the fast lane, going slower than me, moves over to let me pass. i will ALWAYS do the same for someone who wants to pass me. the problem becomes knowing if they're actually going to pass me or not. if they're going to pass me then slow down. if they're going to act like they're going to pass me then stall out next to me. i have flipped these people off, like rolled down my window and flipped them off. true-blue passers, i salute you.
― runaway (Matt P), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:40 (twelve years ago) link
you're not even supposed to be in the passing lane - it's for passing only. after you pass, get back in the right lane! xp
― dayo, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:40 (twelve years ago) link
Miami is a city dominated by drivers merrily going 15 mphs in the leftmost lane.
― Anakin Ska Walker (AKA Skarth Vader) (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:43 (twelve years ago) link
omg Matt P you are my brother in driving *salute*
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:43 (twelve years ago) link
man I don't think I've ever signaled to somebody my intent to pass them by slowing down in preparation to tailgate them. usually I change lanes, pass them, then change back. this feels better, I'm not imposing anything upon you.
― dayo, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:44 (twelve years ago) link
lol dan is sounding like one of those dudes who gets wayyy too worked up over highway driving...
― comes correct with his gameboy (k3vin k.), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:45 (twelve years ago) link
perry i mean
― comes correct with his gameboy (k3vin k.), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:46 (twelve years ago) link
In fairness the scenario I was assuming here was that I was already passing a long line of traffic and someone near the front was just cruising in the left lane for no discernible reason. I DETEST tailgaters and refuse to do it myself, mostly because I don't want to die.
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:46 (twelve years ago) link
i mean, it starts to become apparent that all these little behaviors that are mostly people just being distracted from the task at hand or thinking about something else or setting it and forgetting it or suddenly wanting to get somewhere NOW are magnified 100x on the freeway, it can become this big drama and cause a lot of stress, but in the end it's also completely pointless.
xp like i said, the passing lane is not really a passing lane here!
― runaway (Matt P), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:47 (twelve years ago) link
I wouldn't get worked up over highway driving if people knew wtf they were doing!
Anyway my wife is about a bazillion times worse than I am.
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:48 (twelve years ago) link
in some ways I think driving or being a pedestrian in a developing world is somehow safer than in developed countries with long histories of driving - in places where everybody is just figuring out how to deal with cars for the first time, people are hyperaware of every aspect of driving. in america, people take so many things for granted, actions become ritualized and habituated, that it becomes easy to zone out and not pay attention to your surroundings.
― dayo, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:50 (twelve years ago) link
seriously though k3v, drive around Boston for a while and see if you don't just start wishing instantaneous death on people
the tailgating, blowing through red lights, randomly switching lanes without looking... it's outrageous
I watched someone at a stop sign making a left turn t-bone someone who had the right of way because they failed to look both ways before attempting to make their turn; they were staring to the right and then just gunned it when traffic on that side was clear, never once looking to the left to see if someone was coming from the opposite direction. This is not even unusual driving behavior around here!
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:52 (twelve years ago) link
d I can pretty much guarantee you that statistically that's not true overall. maybe a few places w/ harsh laws? but somewhere like India just has brutal statistics w/ cars. xp
― iatee, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:55 (twelve years ago) link
haha yeah that's verging on "I drive better drunk because I KNOW I'm impaired, so I pay more attention" logic
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 19:56 (twelve years ago) link
way to kill my dreams
― dayo, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:56 (twelve years ago) link
driving on the autoroutes in France is awesome: cameras set up everywhere to monitor speeding so p much no one speeds, but also nearly everyone drives the speed limit of 130kph which is just over 80mph. When a douchebag flies behind you wanting to pass, though, they flash their lights & honk...not the coolest but it's rare enough that driving is a delight.
― Euler, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:57 (twelve years ago) link
I think that it's slightly more true in cities where there are a lot of drivers, but also a shitload of pedestrians/bicyclists/etc. so you have to be aware of shit.
But then, yeah, other places people are just gunning it like crazy and dodging everything at 50
― mh, Monday, 12 September 2011 19:59 (twelve years ago) link
All this driving talk is stressing me out.
― Jeff, Monday, 12 September 2011 20:01 (twelve years ago) link
ha i go to school in new england and am a little familiar with the mass pike (but not boston traffic) - new england drivers are really, really bad, it's true. i usually go 71-72 mph (and remain on the right unless passing) on I84, which for the most part of my drive is a 65 zone, but one of the most rewarding things to do when 84 is two-lane is when i'm passing a line of cars (believe it or not at +6mph i'm in the upper speed quartile probably) and some tough guy is coming from behind me wanting to go 8o or something, i'll slowwwwwly take it down to 70...68...65 (he has nowhere to go because we're both passing cars on our right) until macho man gets the idea and backs off. after we both pass the line of cars and i get back into the right lane he'll usually be yelling, flipping me off, and i'll put the biggest smile on my face and wave to him as faux-politely as i can. somehow i never feel bad about costing that guy 20 seconds on his trip
― comes correct with his gameboy (k3vin k.), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:04 (twelve years ago) link
If someone is driving slower than me but passing traffic, I do not begrudge them at all; I mean, they're passing traffic! That's what you are supposed to do in the left lane!
I totally try to trap people who try to pass me on the right though because they are usually trying to go 90 or something ridiculous like that.
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:06 (twelve years ago) link
yeah it's one of life's small pleasures for sure
― comes correct with his gameboy (k3vin k.), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:06 (twelve years ago) link
i have indulged in braking wars but it always makes me feel dirty.
― runaway (Matt P), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:08 (twelve years ago) link
I love the ppl who get exasperated with you and accelerate around your car... to a red light.
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:09 (twelve years ago) link
i set my cruise religiously. if i pass you on the left, it's because i was going 64 (in a 55 heh) and you were going slower. if you pass me at any time after that, especially on the right, i know you've just noticed me and put your foot down, so go fuck yourself.
― goole, Monday, 12 September 2011 20:10 (twelve years ago) link
^^^every word of this post
― comes correct with his gameboy (k3vin k.), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:10 (twelve years ago) link
it's the ultimate passive aggressive behavior imo. i try not to let people who tailgait me get on my nerves. i'm way better about just moving over if they start to bother me. that shit is dangerous! xxpost
― runaway (Matt P), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:11 (twelve years ago) link
yeah goole otm
i'll go for an hour sometimes without hitting a pedal
― comes correct with his gameboy (k3vin k.), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:12 (twelve years ago) link
the vagaries of Boston traffic patterns make me really gunshy about cruise control; it's not at all uncommon for 65 mph traffic to suddenly jam on the brakes for no good reason and I've had one too many experiences in my old car where this would happen just as I was encountering a hill, so the cruise control would suddenly start accelerating at traffic going like 25 mph so I just don't use it now
of course now that I have a car that likes to cruise at 88, I think I need to start using it again
― Tal Berkowitz - Vaccine advocate (DJP), Monday, 12 September 2011 20:14 (twelve years ago) link
(that should really be "Boston/Mass Pike/128 traffic")
I can't wait for self-driving cars a la minority report
is boston traffic as bad as nj turnpike traffic?
― dayo, Monday, 12 September 2011 20:15 (twelve years ago) link
^^ this. it's gonna change american life as we know it and be awesome
― goole, Monday, 12 September 2011 20:16 (twelve years ago) link