Drivers - are you a lane changer?

[yoda313]

@hech54 - well I think part of the problem is that some people think we do have the authobahn here in the US. It's the rest of us that don't think that way that get in their way

[netmask56]

I change lane when it is safe to do so and yes I tend to drive on the fast side but rarely over the speed limit. In my 50 years of driving I've never been booked for speeding - yep I'm and old driver with a sports car, a 70 year old, but then I've only ever driven a manual sports. I did a reaction speed test recently and according to the result I'm 45. yeh! My pet hate is being stuck behind "lawn bowlers driving a Volvo" at funeral pace, then I turn crazy.....

[Xylob the Destroyer]

Just because I change lanes to get around slow-asses doesn't mean I'm constantly cutting through traffic and weaving... Don't get me started on these idiots on crotch rockets who split lanes, pass in medians/break-down lanes, and do wheelies in heavy traffic!
I generally stick to the middle lane if there are 3 or more lanes and the right lane if only 2 are available.
And just because I drive fast doesn't necessarily mean I'm always speeding. I reach the speed limit quickly which is NOT the same as exceeding it. As I said, my 1 rule applies to me as well.
It's those idiots in the Volvos who seem to love sitting at the green light waiting for it to get MORE green before they decide to go that more often than not cause me to drive faster.
So many drivers don't seem to understand that there are other people on the road beside them. Too many people seem to believe that 'what's behind me doesn't matter'. Again, there's a reason your car came with 3 ******* mirrors. When I pull up behind you and look at your rear-view mirror I should be able to see the part of your face that contains your eyes - that means that when you look in that same mirror you can see me, not your damned hair-do!
Traffic lights are designed to keep the traffic moving safely and in a somewhat coordinated manner. If you're the only ******* who got through the intersection before the light turned yellow (or red) it means you need to remove your head from your ass and step on the damned gas. Red lights are NOT the time to fix your hair/makeup, text your idiot friends, play with yourself, beat the kids, etc. Red lights are the time for you to continue paying attention to your surroundings. This includes (but is not limited to): checking your mirrors, watching the lights for your cross traffic (so you know when yours is going to turn green!), and paying attention to not only the traffic ahead and behind you, but the cross traffic so that you can be sure that when the cross traffic gets a red and you have a green it is actually safe to go and some idiot isn't going to plow you as they blow the red.

[Constant Gardener]

I'm a Bocce-playing Volvo driver - and I try to avoid lane changes and red lights. Low-energy driving. It's another game, perhaps not appreciated by the red BMW behind me, yep, he thinks he can pass me and make that light, now he's waiting for the light, time for me to change lanes and sail past his nearly stationary car since I anticipated the light and didn't lose any speed. Less gas, less brake, and much entertainment for my family.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

putt putt putt putt...
I will admit that over the last year or so my driving has slowed a bit -- keep the RPMs low and shift early, you'll save gas!
Also, even though it's totally illegal, I'll put it in neutral when I'm going down big hills.

[Seeker47]

Frequent, continual lane changes is pretty much what you'd have to call weaving.
The thing that is particularly irksome (and dangerous, and stupid) is that you often see this behavior in traffic conditions (like in and around a major metro area) where it gains that driver no meaningful advantage -- not even momentarily. It's like racing up to an already red light. Why ? Because you're an idiot.

The other thing I really love is when going 10 over the limit, but that's just not fast enough for some jerk crawling up your tailpipe. I'm always glad to let him pass, and hope that he draws the attention of any nearby heat away from me, and gets the ticket instead. This seems to work quite well. Haven't gotten a speeding ticket in at least 20 years.

[misterbill]

I am not an obsessive lane changer. I do notice people who are, and a lot of them pass me more than once on my 8 mile daily trip to and from work on US1.

Here in south Florida there is always going to be somebody faster and there is always going to be somebody slower. Usually trying to occupy the same lane at the same time.

[DereX888]

I actually am surprised with those posting here that they drive slow and are somewhat proud of it.
You people are missing entirely the point that the problem is exactly WITH YOU, not with those who drive fast.
If you would keep right lane when you drive slow there would never be a problem. If YOU wouldn't block those who drive faster than you, you wouldn't see any "obsessive lane changers" ever and wouldn't have to complain about them!
I don't mean to call anyone names, but really the most problems on the roads are with the idiots who drive slow on a fast lane, is it so hard to comprehend it?
No one is forcing anybody to drive faster or slower, just stick to the righ lane(s) if you are not the fastest on the road, and don't speed on the right lane(s) when you are not the slowest one, it's so simple!
And don't worry about someone else speeding or breaking the law, its NONE of your business why are they speeding (same as it's none of their business that you are a road snail - for as long as you stay in the right lane). It's not your job, it's cops job to worry about them (that's what you pay for with your taxes anyways).

Does it hurt some of you's pride or something that you just can't stay in the slow lane and must block the fast/passing/left lane(s)?
Just get the **** out of the way and there is no problem, and no discussion is needed, geez...

[gadgetguy]

And while we're talking about slow drivers...
YOU CAN'T MERGE WITH TRAFFIC GOING 70 WHEN YOU ARE ONLY GOING 50.
Sorry, didn't mean to yell. But that's how it usually comes out when I'm behind them.

[cal_tony]

In one of my cars or trucks I usually go less than the speed limit and just stay to the right and relax. On one of my bikes(motorcycles) the sky's the limit. But, thankfully in Calif. they have something called lane splitting for motorcycles. So, you can legally squeeze by a car without even bothering to change lanes. Now how easy is that?

Tony

[dadrab]

I'm not much when it comes to zigging and zagging. There's nothing to be gained. I usually glue my speedometer to about 10 mph above the posted limit and cruise.

Around where I live, there are streets that reduce in lane count as you go - i.e. three into two into one (per side of the yellow). What I love are the guys who pull into the RH lane at a light even though they know there's only 300 feet of that lane on the other side of the intersection. They've just got to get in front. Once there, they don't even drive at the speed limit, but they're first. Gotta be first.

Well, if they pull up beside an old, black 1987 Mitsubishi Montero and try that shit they're in for a surprise and (if I'm lucky) a little embarassment. What they don't know is that under the hood of that old SUV beats the heart of a sports car - about 260 HP worth with a custom built transmission, transfer case and limited slip differentials front AND rear. I know what I'm talking about because I built and installed every nut and bolt.

We'll leave from the light. They'll pull ahead a little because after all, it's a real SUV aptly suited to off-road driving and first and second gears are low. But about the time they're ready to pull back over in front of me (and running out of lane), I hit third gear, the turbo spins up and I laughingly blow past them and leave them with their bare faces hanging out.

And the looks on those faces are priceless. 8)

[fritzi93]

Just because I change lanes to get around slow-asses doesn't mean I'm constantly cutting through traffic and weaving... Don't get me started on these idiots on crotch rockets who split lanes, pass in medians/break-down lanes, and do wheelies in heavy traffic!

Speaking of weaving in traffic, constantly jumping lanes and cutting people off.....Reminds me of Dallas, Texas, the drivers there are nuts!

Sport bikes are a sore spot with me. Oftentimes I'll be cruising on my bike when a sportie approaches from behind. Normal protocol is to maintain at least a 2-second gap unless it's a group ride. Nah, the kid either doesn't know, or care. So I shift over so we can ride staggered, left side/right side of the lane, for safety's sake. But I keep my eye on him. Often as not, he sees this as the A-OK to blast past me in the open half of the lane. I should mention that "lane sharing" is legal in some states for motorcycles, but passing in that manner doesn't qualify.

I wish those prospective organ donors would get it over with, provided they don't take me with them.

EDIT: To clarify, lane splitting and lane-sharing are often confused. Only in California may you split lanes with cars and thereby pass them. Some states allow motorcycles to lane-share (to distinguish from lane staggering). Mind you, if there's traffic and the sportie motions me he wants to pass, I got no problem moving to the right and waving him by. But if he jumps past me unannounced on the RIGHT, I got a problem with it.

EDIT #2: Oh yeah, I voted "Sometimes".

[usually_quiet]

As long as I am occupying the left lane to pass slower traffic or turn, I have the right to be there, and I won't move over until I can do it safely, and without slowing down. Otherwise, I travel in the right lane.

No I am not worried about what happens to the speeders. I am worried about what happens to me, my insurance rates, my drivers license, and my gas mileage if I drive to please them. As far as I am concerned they can all wind up without a drivers license, or like my former friend, flipped upside down in the median, dead. He was apparently driving too fast for the road conditions that night. I'm just glad he didn't take anybody else with him.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

As long as I am occupying the left lane to pass slower traffic or turn, I have the right to be there, and I won't move over until I can do it safely, and without slowing down. Otherwise, I travel in the right lane...

That's awesome , but here's the real question -- before you get into that left lane do you look to see if somebody is already trying to pass you?
Based on your post and the tone (or lack of) I'm assuming that you do.
Most people don't though - they just crank the wheel and to hell with what's behind 'em...

[lordsmurf]

Speaking of weaving in traffic, constantly jumping lanes and cutting people off.....Reminds me of Dallas, Texas, the drivers there are nuts!

Dallas also invented road rage.
If you can drive in Dallas, you can pretty much drive anywhere. 8)

I will say this, however: If the speed limit is 55, and I'm already going 65-70, and you want to go faster -- go **** yourself. Pass me on the shoulder, *******. I'm not moving into the slow lane behind a car going 55mph, just to appease your dumb butt. Piss off!

[usually_quiet]

That's awesome , but here's the real question -- before you get into that left lane do you look to see if somebody is already trying to pass you?
Based on your post and the tone (or lack of) I'm assuming that you do.
Most people don't though - they just crank the wheel and to hell with what's behind 'em...

Within reason. I do pay close attention to traffic already in the fast lane, but if I see there is sombody a mile down the road is flying low, and I want to pass, he'll have to wait his turn if he catches up to me before I return to the right lane.

[Seeker47]

I will say this, however: If the speed limit is 55, and I'm already going 65-70, and you want to go faster -- go **** yourself. Pass me on the shoulder, *******. I'm not moving into the slow lane behind a car going 55mph, just to appease your dumb butt. Piss off!

Elaborating on what I said earlier --
It's amazing how often all the lanes are doing pretty much the same, traffic flow wise (that is, not real good), AND YET rather stupid, impatient people insist on weaving around to gain some extremely brief or negligible "advantage." If there was some real, useful advantage to be had, I would already have considered taking it ! If there is NO advantage there to be had, it costs you NOTHING to be a responsible, considerate driver. And, purely in your own self-interest, maintaining a reasonable following distance can save your life and save you a lot of $$$.

On the 2.5 hour drive I took a few days ago, the max speed limit was either 65 or 70, over different stretches. As usual, I was probably doing 5 or 10 over that for most of the way . . . while remaining vigilant for the Highway Patrol and places where they are especially prone to doing their thing. (I did not make any abrupt lane changes, or maneuvers that are apt to get their attention.) Along the route, I saw two vehicles pulled over, which had previously zoomed past me, now gettin' the bizness from a trooper. Man, that is such a satisfying feeling ! Not quite like your horse won the Derby, but it's close.

[TheFamilyMan]

Being a courier taught me: understand the traffic flow, don't be in a hurry when there is no way to do so, and don't cause other drivers grief if possible. This means that if everyone is doing 70 in a 65 zone, I better be doing 70 too; in fact I been passed by CHPs without incident in this circumstance. If everyone followed this advise there would be no need to rant except for heavy traffic. Driving is ALWAYS serious business for you are controlling a lethal weapon. I wish everyone would remind themselves of this when they start up their car.

[lordsmurf]

Going with the flow also means that you're not allowed to go 45-55 in a 55, if everybody else wants the flow to be 60-65. You're a danger by going too slow.

[gadgetguy]

Going with the flow also means that you're not allowed to go 45-55 in a 55, if everybody else wants the flow to be 60-65. You're a danger by going too slow.

While I agree it's safer, it won't hold water in court. (As explained in my earlier posts). If a cop decides he doesn't like the color of your hair, he's within his rights to pull you over for speeding and if you try to fight it in court, you don't have a leg to stand on. At least that's how it is in Michigan.

[DereX888]

Going with the flow also means that you're not allowed to go 45-55 in a 55, if everybody else wants the flow to be 60-65. You're a danger by going too slow.

While I agree it's safer, it won't hold water in court. (As explained in my earlier posts). If a cop decides he doesn't like the color of your hair, he's within his rights to pull you over for speeding and if you try to fight it in court, you don't have a leg to stand on. At least that's how it is in Michigan.

That's how it is everywhere.
We got ticket in Germany for having DIRTY CAR, and wait for this: it was during rainy day (I am not kidding, I swear).
Copper obviously was right, car was dirty... there was speck of mud was on the plate... and obviously it didn't have anything to do with our schiesse yankee NY licence plate, of course

[MEL15]

If some people have a problem with lane changin or keeping right you don't belong on any road let alone the highway.That is exactly the driving skill I was referring to on my previous post.Am a fast driver and fast doesn't only mean speed.It means reading what ahead and behind me at all times.Road rage its having to stay behind a complete ass that shouldn't be behind a steering wheel.KEEP RIGHT AND LET ME PASS AND IF I FLASH MY BRIGHTS AT YOU, ITS NOT TO BRIGHTEN YOUR PATH.IT'S BECAUSE I WANT YOU OUT OF MY WAY.................One question,Can anybody compare the European driving test to the American.....it's a joke.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

I never drove until I was 25.
I got my state's drivers manual and studied it for a month. A MONTH! I memorized that bad boy.
I was so ******* pissed when I took the test....
The practical was a drive around the damned block, and the written was 10 ******* questions.
And the vision exam? My mother in law was legally blind and still passed the vision exam. LEGALLY BLIND!!!
They'll give a drivers license to any ******* who can pay the fee.

[Supreme2k]

I just noticed that the "lane changer" and "beer drinker" polls are right next to each other

Xylob, do you mean "pissed" as in drunk, or angry?

I remember studying and taking those lame tests. Completely worthless.

If you've ever been on the road, driving or driven, you already know that they give licenses to anyone.


I try to stay in one lane, but I often come up to those doing 45mph on the freeway (I usually do 65-75, depending on the highway).

[gadgetguy]

They'll give a drivers license to any ******* who can pay the fee.

Now you understand the true motivation for licensing.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

Yeah, but the state's always bitching that they're so broke...
Here's a solution:
-fix the damned tests so they actually test your knowledge, skills, and abilities as a driver
-make a full practical and written test mandatory EVERY YEAR for ALL drivers under age 18.
-make a full practical and written test mandatory EVERY YEAR for ALL drivers over age 60.
That'll make a fair amount of $$$ and get at least a few of the idiots off the road.

[Supreme2k]

I'll add to that:

-make a full practical and written test mandatory EVERY YEAR for ALL drivers who get a ticket (next renewal, moving violations only).

[gadgetguy]

Unfortunately, none of that will make more money for the state, but it will cost the taxpayer a lot more. You'll have to at least triple the staff, expand the hours of operation, and increase the insurance on every state employee that administers the practical test. You'll have ever increasing costs with formulating the written test every time there are changes in the law, and increased security costs, both to maintain the test secrecy, and for crowd control.

[dadrab]

-fix the damned tests so they actually test your knowledge, skills, and abilities as a driver
-make a full practical and written test mandatory EVERY YEAR for ALL drivers under age 18.
-make a full practical and written test mandatory EVERY YEAR for ALL drivers over age 60.

-make a full practical and written test mandatory EVERY YEAR for ALL drivers who get a ticket (next renewal, moving violations only).

Nice idea, but we all know it ain't gonna happen. Hell, if they did that around here, they'd reduce the number of drivers on the road by 30%.

Want to make it a full 50%?
Make it mandatory that vehicles be in good, safe operating condition.

[Xylob the Destroyer]

Supposedly that's already the law, but you wouldn't know it from all the junk zipping around the roads here...