[attrapereves]

I was driving along I-70 in Missouri today. The speed limit is 70mph and I was averaging around 75. I generally like to drive between the speed limit and 5 over. I do this because you don't really get to your destination any quicker by speeding, and you lose fuel economy by driving faster.

Anyways, I encountered several rude drivers. I was in the left lane going 75 in a 70. One guy was behind me and kept flashing his lights. I merged into the right lane to let him pass, and then got back in the left lane.

About 30 minutes later, I had another driver tailing me. This time I was driving about 77. I've generally heard that 7mph over the limit is when cops will start giving out tickets. This driver kept tailgating me. He was throwing his hands up, and acting like he was in a real rush. He finally passed me, and flipped me the bird when he was beside me.

Was I in the wrong? I was already going OVER the speed limit, but I guess I wasn't going fast enough for these drivers. Has anyone else encountered people like this? Do you get over to let them pass, or do you just stay put and let them get around you on their own?

[smokin762]

Why do you prefer to ride in the fast lane? The left lane is usually the passing lane and they were trying to pass you.

[attrapereves]

I've always been told to ride in the left lane if you are going to be on the highway for a long time. I wasn't going to be exiting the highway for another 80 miles, so I see no reason to be in the right lane.

Maybe it's just me...

[Chuck66]

Yes. It's just you. And whoever told you that is wrong.


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[rilkil23]

My opinion is you should be in the right lane, left lane is for passing. I understand what you're saying but people who float in the left lane have no business doing so. I stay in the right lane until someone needs to merge onto the road and switch to the left and as quickly as possible get back in the right lane.

[alwaysshootin]

Originally Posted by attrapereves

I've always been told to ride in the left lane if you are going to be on the highway for a long time. I wasn't going to be exiting the highway for another 80 miles, so I see no reason to be in the right lane.

Maybe it's just me...

You were told incorrectly, as mentioned, the left lane, on a two lane highway, is for passing. Be a considerate driver, and go to the left lane, only, to pass, or get out of the way of on coming traffic. That is the correct use. Now you know!

[smokin762]

Originally Posted by rilkil23

My opinion is you should be in the right lane, left lane is for passing. I understand what you're saying but people who float in the left lane have no business doing so. I stay in the right lane until someone needs to merge onto the road and switch to the left and as quickly as possible get back in the right lane.

Same here.

[AA#5]

Since I don't need a bunch of pissed-off, impatient 85-100mph drivers on my bumper, I'll only use the left lane when I'm speeding or there is no one close behind me. That way, I don't have to worry about a ticket or an idiot.

[jjslice]

You were rude for blocking the passing lane. It is state law in some states

[Alizard]

Originally Posted by attrapereves

Anyways, I encountered several rude drivers. I was in the left lane going 75 in a 70. One guy was behind me and kept flashing his lights. I merged into the right lane to let him pass, and then got back in the left lane.

I would think by now you would have gotten the message and stopped driving in the left lane when you are constantly being overtaken by faster traffic. You are imposing a traffic hazard even though you unilaterally think that driving "between the speed limit and 5 over" is what every car in the left lane should be driving.

I agree there was a rude driver in the picture, and it was you.

There is a common term for people who drive that way out here: road boulders.

[Alizard]

I forget where I heard it but somebody said that any survey on driving would conclude that everybody thinks they are a "better than average driver" and that everybody else is a nut.

Same thing about speed: everybody thinks the speed they are driving is optimal, and everybody else is wrong.

[jeanderson]

Originally Posted by Alizard

I forget where I heard it but somebody said that any survey on driving would conclude that everybody thinks they are a "better than average driver" and that everybody else is a nut.

Same thing about speed: everybody thinks the speed they are driving is optimal, and everybody else is wrong.

To me, the roads are full of idiots and maniacs. Anyone going slower than me is an idiot. Anyone going faster is a maniac. I, of course, drive the optimum speed.

[jay-bird]

Originally Posted by attrapereves

I've always been told to ride in the left lane if you are going to be on the highway for a long time. I wasn't going to be exiting the highway for another 80 miles, so I see no reason to be in the right lane.

Maybe it's just me...

WHAT?!?!? You LEARNED this behavior?

Yes. You are in the wrong. The left lane is for passing only. After you pass get back in the right lane.

Missouri. Lol.

[eracer]

OP, you can't win for losing.

If you are speeding in the left lane, people will insist that you give way to those who want to speed more than you.

If you speed in the right lane, you have to deal with people who understand the meaning of the phrase 'Speed Limit.'

Do what I do - drive the speed limit in the right lane, and keep at least ten car lengths between you and the car ahead of you. If you come up on a car going slow in the right lane, check your mirror and accelerate in the left lane to pass.

There are enough a-holes out there who think they're entitled to do whatever they feel like doing. Don't be one of them. Driving will become less stressful when you just relax.

Of course, if you're in the right lane you will have to deal with the a-holes that think you should yield to them when they enter a highway from an on-ramp.

A-holes, a-holes everywhere. What to do, what to do....

[CitizenOfDreams]

Originally Posted by Alizard

Same thing about speed: everybody thinks the speed they are driving is optimal, and everybody else is wrong.

But not everybody tries to impose his understanding of optimal speed on other drivers.

[IGotIt]

DRIVE IN THE PROPER LANE
When driving on a highway with a total of two lanes (one lane in each direction), drive in the right hand lane. You may cross the center line for passing when there are no oncoming vehicles and no solid yellow line.
On highways with a total of four or more lanes (two or more lanes in each direction), always keep to the right unless you are passing slower traffic, letting another driver have room to enter safely, or getting ready to make a legal left turn. Once you have completed that pass Missouri Motor Vehicle Law requires you to return to the right lane. It is not legal or safe to continually drive in the left lane.

[edporch]

The left lane is for passing, NOT blocking traffic.

I find it ironic that you complain about one so-called "aggressive" driver, that you intentionally block the way for.

YET it's YOUR passive-aggressiveness that blocks the road so that MANY drivers are eventually backed up behind you.

Thus creating a TRULY dangerous situation of multiple cars congested together.

Being "right" is often times the wrong thing to do.
Move over and let people pass...

[The Fist Of Goodness]

I run into this every day. Actually, what I have been seeing more of are drivers on the passing lane either matching the speed of the car next to them (a rolling road block), or driving slower than the cars in the center or right lane (causing other drivers to pass on the right, which is dangerous too). I believe in many cases, it is a distracted driver (texting, eating), but there are plenty of drivers out there who are intentionally blocking the left lane.

I think having to deal with these scenarios is more hazardous than speeding.

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[Alizard]

Originally Posted by mb5417

I run into this every day. Actually, what I have been seeing more of are drivers on the passing lane either matching the speed of the car next to them (a rolling road block)

There are a lot of drivers out here who do that while driving in the commuter (car pool) lane..... when the traffic lanes next to them slow down and lock up, they slow down too because they are afraid to go faster even though their lane is clear. I swear there is nothing more infuriating because passing them is impossible, you are just locked behind them.

And then they see their exit and can't get over because they waited too long and the right lanes are stopped..... so they park in the commuter lane at a dead stop with their blinker on.

I like to hope there is a special hell for them.

[concretefuzzynuts]

Originally Posted by rilkil23

My opinion is you should be in the right lane, left lane is for passing. I understand what you're saying but people who float in the left lane have no business doing so. I stay in the right lane until someone needs to merge onto the road and switch to the left and as quickly as possible get back in the right lane.

This.

[Dexters]

Originally Posted by attrapereves

I've always been told to ride in the left lane if you are going to be on the highway for a long time. I wasn't going to be exiting the highway for another 80 miles, so I see no reason to be in the right lane.

Maybe it's just me...

Who told you that?

What is the thinking behind that?

[AZL]

Originally Posted by attrapereves

I've always been told to ride in the left lane if you are going to be on the highway for a long time. I wasn't going to be exiting the highway for another 80 miles, so I see no reason to be in the right lane.

Maybe it's just me...

Left lane...i.e. fast lane is for passing. The right lane is for driving. In AZ and many other places you can be ticketed for driving in the left lane. That's why there are signs all over the place that read: SLOWER TRAFFIC MOVE RIGHT.

That doesn't excuse rude behavior in other drivers...but in this case...according to their perception, you were the rude driver to them.

Rule of thumb...regardless of where you are...if someone is moving up on you rapidly...move over. Don't play dick dick and slow down on purpose, or hit your brakes...that is the kind of stuff that leads to accidents and people going into bags. Let the jerk around you and let Mr. Trooper up the road geive him a ticket.

I agree driving a million miles an hour gets you nowhere quicker...my personal rule when I worked patrol was "Nine you're fine, over that you're mine". Unless you were in a school zone or a residential neighborhood driving like a moron.

[jph02]

Originally Posted by Alizard

I would think by now you would have gotten the message and stopped driving in the left lane...There is a common term for people who drive that way out here: road boulders.

I call them left lane hogs. And I'll bet that not a one of them is named Bob, so the left lane is not theirs exclusively.

Originally Posted by edporch

...YET it's YOUR passive-aggressiveness that blocks the road so that MANY drivers are eventually backed up behind you...

and I call this the lemming effect. Why do people line up in the left lane behind some guy who obviously doesn't get he's in the wrong lane? It's not like that guy is going to go any faster when a half dozen or more cars are all following him at only about a single car length's distance. If, after enough time to allow him to move right, pass on the right so the rest of us won't all end up in your debris field because you don't know the 3 second rule.

[AZL]

Not only does this apply to life in general, but seems appropo to dirving:

LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET THE FRAK OUT OF THE WAY!