[Craigito]

Some people think it's their duty to be "keepers of the speed", when in reality they are supposed merge into the traffic flow and not impede the general flow of traffic. This is why the left lane is a passing lane. Some people will never, ever, ever understand that their own speed has nothing to do with anything. If someone has to brake and/or is forced to pass to your right then you are impeding the flow of traffic, regardless of how fast you are going. Get the F...over people.

[Mech_Man]

Dave Berry had the right idea for slow-left drivers:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/autom...ed-limits.html

[borisivan]

Originally Posted by Andy M

Just wondering, for everyone who keeps complaining about slow drivers, how fast are you going?

You realize there will always be someone complaining about "slow" drivers in the left lane unless you're going 200 mph.

...and then you'll be complaining about the speeding tickets.

NO, that's not true.

When I'm in the left lane doing a speed greater than the person in front of me, and he moves to the middle/right lane as soon as he possibly can, I don't complain.

The complaint is geared to the people that stay in the left lane and don't move over. If they're going 70 and I'm going 80, and they pull over, I'm not complaining. There's a difference.

[RBBMWE46M3]

in the state on Indiana the left lane is for PASSING ONLY.

[demosthenes]

I keep telling myself to not let the lane hogs annoy me, but after 45 years of driving, they still do.

The question is: "Are these people stupid or inconsiderate or both?" As others have said, woefully inadequate driver training, licensing and enforcement all contribute to the problem. But there's more to it...

A more interesting question is: "Why do people in most European countries drive so much better than Americans?" Should people need to be trained to get out of someone's way? I've spent a lot of time in Greece and they follow lane discipline much better than Americans. They also pull over on two lane roads so you can pass.

[NYBMW335]

I was raised in Europe, and they follow lane etiquette a lot better then here in the US. I have made numerous test to prove that a lot of NYC drivers have no respect to other drivers.

For example lets say you driving 10 mph over the speed limit and you approach a car on the left lane and you flash him your lights so he can move out the way, most common response to the light flash is a brake check. It drives me mad.

Now another simple example is if you driving on the highway, and you decide to put your blinker on, you can see the asshole that was just cruising at the same speed as you accelerate so you wont be able to get thru. But mean while if you just cut him off without a blinker, they will continue driving at the same speed.

I just don't understand. Perhaps we should start driving like the English on the opposite side. Right lane is faster in NYC.

[number335]

What annoys me is when drivers try to merge 2-4 lanes at once to try to get into the carpool lane as if it was their right to cut you off, while doing it at less than 50 mph.

[///Mandy]

Originally Posted by Mace

True. It's very common here in Florida and almost guaranteed if the car has New York or Ontario plates.

lol you said it! I cannot stand the majority of the drivers here.
Here I was thinking that it was only here that people were being so ignorant. Guess it's everywhere (except Germany).

Originally Posted by ArmyBimmerDude

So true. I wish the laws were like they are in Germany. Slow traffic on the right, fast on the left. You are only able to pass on the left. If someone faster than you is behind you, move to the right. So organized and efficient. I cannot wait to leave this country.

And to add, trucks actually stay on the far right lane.

[///Mandy]

heh

Sorry, I'm a nOOb and don't know how to post Youtube vids...

[DougLikesBMW]

Originally Posted by Mech_Man

Dave Berry had the right idea for slow-left drivers:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/autom...ed-limits.html

Haha, that's great! Hit the nail on the head!

[Andy M]

Originally Posted by NYBMW335

Now another simple example is if you driving on the highway, and you decide to put your blinker on, you can see the asshole that was just cruising at the same speed as you accelerate so you wont be able to get thru. But mean while if you just cut him off without a blinker, they will continue driving at the same speed.

Lol so true. When changing lanes, you have to signal quickly, then accelerate before he can close that gap and then accelerate again once you've changed lanes so that he won't tailgate you.

And my bad. I thought we were talking about slow drivers in the left lane in general. Yeah I don't mind if they move over or if they have a legit reason for not moving over sooner (e.g. an even slower semi next to them) but I don't expect them to drive into a semi just because I'm right behind them.

[demosthenes]

Originally Posted by NYBMW335

I was raised in Europe, and they follow lane etiquette a lot better then here in the US. I have made numerous test to prove that a lot of NYC drivers have no respect to other drivers.

So why do Europeans drive so much better? Are they better trained, smarter, more sophisticated and/or more courteous? Or do Americans have a certain bad attitude that is reflected in their bad driving?

[Tag]

Rebelling is an American trait. It's what this country was founded on so it's not surprising that people in the US don't follow the rules. Not saying it's right, just my perception...

[demosthenes]

Originally Posted by tag824

Rebelling is an American trait. It's what this country was founded on so it's not surprising that people in the US don't follow the rules. Not saying it's right, just my perception...

I think you might have the answer.

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by demosthenes

So why do Europeans drive so much better? Are they better trained, smarter, more sophisticated and/or more courteous? Or do Americans have a certain bad attitude that is reflected in their bad driving?

I know Germans have to take a lot of classes (2 years worth ?) to get their licenses. Also, it's illegal to pass on the right. Here, in CA at least, it's not.

[demosthenes]

Originally Posted by MadDog

I know Germans have to take a lot of classes (2 years worth ?) to get their licenses. Also, it's illegal to pass on the right. Here, in CA at least, it's not.

You make a very important point. If it was illegal to pass on the right, these idiots blocking the fast lane would be forced to move over.

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by NYBMW335

Perhaps we should start driving like the English on the opposite side.

Good idea! Do it in two stages; first two weeks is buses and trucks.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by Mech_Man

Dave Berry had the right idea for slow-left drivers:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/autom...ed-limits.html

Fantastic read, thanks for that great find!

[fdiprete]

Originally Posted by Andy M

Just wondering, for everyone who keeps complaining about slow drivers, how fast are you going?

You realize there will always be someone complaining about "slow" drivers in the left lane unless you're going 200 mph.

...and then you'll be complaining about the speeding tickets.

+1

Here's a flip slide example. While driving over the speed limit in the left lane and passing someone, the person being passed decides to speed up. That's right, speed up like a 12 year old to "win". Now you can't move over because some dick-head is playing a me first game. In the meantime some over caffinated douche wants to go 30 mph over the speed limit *right now* and tailgates you.

The smart response is to ignore the dick-head and the douche and not engage in illegal race games. The dick-head will go back to sleep and slow down again then move over. You'll meet up with the douche 5 minutes later at the next group of cars that is not going 30 mph over speed limit or you will pass him when he's having a chat with the state police in the breakdown lane.

Tailgating, light flashing, cutting people off, slamming on breaks in the left lane, and racing people who piss you off are all considered aggressive driving in my state. Instead of just a speeding ticket you win a free ride in a police car handcuffed.

Relax. You will get to work soon enough then wonder why you were in such a hurry to begin with.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by fdiprete

+1

Here's a flip slide example. While driving over the speed limit in the left lane and passing someone, the person being passed decides to speed up. That's right, speed up like a 12 year old to "win". Now you can't move over because some dick-head is playing a me first game. In the meantime some over caffinated douche wants to go 30 mph over the speed limit *right now* and tailgates you.

The smart response is to ignore the dick-head and the douche and not engage in illegal race games. The dick-head will go back to sleep and slow down again then move over. You'll meet up with the douche 5 minutes later at the next group of cars that is not going 30 mph over speed limit or you will pass him when he's having a chat with the state police in the breakdown lane.

Tailgating, light flashing, cutting people off, slamming on breaks in the left lane, and racing people who piss you off are all considered aggressive driving in my state. Instead of just a speeding ticket you win a free ride in a police car handcuffed.

Relax. You will get to work soon enough then wonder why you were in such a hurry to begin with.

WTF? Light flashing is aggressive driving in your state? It is a nice gesture to tell the person ahead of you that you want to pass and move out of the left lane. It is the safest way to tell the person ahead of you that you want to pass. Doesn't involve the dangerous stunt of tailgating, having to accelerate hard to get around you and then back back in the left lane to avoid slower traffic, etc. This country is screwed up.