Attention Left Lane Campers!

[TBR]

I have a message to all left lane campers: if you are going to be a jackass and block up the fastlane while you go under the speed limit when the conditions are perfect then I'll be a jackass too and tailgate you!

I don't think there is any single group of people that annoys me so much as those 5 under self righteous drivers who think it is their job to slow everyone else down. I have discovered that the only way to get them to move over is to get right on their rear, which isn't too safe (much less safe than going 90+ in many 70s (as was my case this afternoon)).

[SargeMonkey]

The speedo on the truck is off by 5, so 30 = 35... I speed like a normal person on the highway.    

[Run Away]

The right lane is the new fast lane.

I think we should switch it quietly.

[so cal cookie]

I don't bother tailgating them.  They are so ignorant they usually don't even see you're there.
I just sit back, and usually I'll get a space to pass them within a few minutes.  

I used to be the type of driver that hurried around and got real pissed at these people, but I've relaxed a bit, and just slow down with the guy.  A passing opportunity comes up reasonably quick too.  It saves be irritation, and gas as well.  

[omicron]

The right lane is the new fast lane.

I think we should switch it quietly.

I agree

[so cal cookie]

The right lane is the new fast lane.

I think we should switch it quietly.

That's how I drive now.

There will be 10 cars on a three lane freeway in front of me.  6 in the fast lane, 4 in the middle lane, and no one in the slow lane except me.  

[saxonyron]

I'll use the German trick of hugging the left yellow line and running with the left blinker on.  It helps nudge them out of the way.  If they don't catch on after 10 seconds or so, I give up and wait it out.  So many clueless buttheads on the road.  Like today - rain and fog.  An amazing number of people driving with no lights on .  Pisses me off big time!  If I were a cop, I'd pull them over and charge them with driving to endanger or something!    

[JYODER240]

I tailgate them and when I get the chance to pass I do so with my mirror about 12" from theirs.

[sparkplug]

When my speedometer says 30 then I'm going 25. Stinks but it saves me on the tickets.  I try to drive repectable but if I'm on the highway and I'm making a left turn in a  quarter mile I don't want jepoardize it so I'll just stay in the left.

[Run Away]

I don't bother tailgating them.  They are so ignorant they usually don't even see you're there.
I just sit back, and usually I'll get a space to pass them within a few minutes.  

I used to be the type of driver that hurried around and got real pissed at these people, but I've relaxed a bit, and just slow down with the guy.  A passing opportunity comes up reasonably quick too.  It saves be irritation, and gas as well.

I'm the opposite of that, I've grown more pissed off lately.

Shitty thing is, in city traffic there really is no fast lane, people are all over the place, so I just ride their asses and scream myself hoarse.

[Raza]

After a while I started holding on the horn.  

[Raza]

I'll use the German trick of hugging the left yellow line and running with the left blinker on.  It helps nudge them out of the way.  If they don't catch on after 10 seconds or so, I give up and wait it out.  So many clueless buttheads on the road.  Like today - rain and fog.  An amazing number of people driving with no lights on .  Pisses me off big time!  If I were a cop, I'd pull them over and charge them with driving to endanger or something!  

I hate that!  In many states (NJ, SC, et al) there are laws that state that when it rains, lights must be on, but I bet it's rarely enforced.  

[MrEddy]

I hate tailgating a lot more than slowpokes in the fast lane. Just use a bit of patience. For those who aren't paying attention to the rest of the world or who are belligerent about going the speed limit, tailgating won't make any difference anyway. For the rest it wouldn't be necessary since they would move over when they see you. I don't think it solves anything other than endangering you, the guy in front and everyone else around you.

[IrishGuy]

I'll tailgate someone until they move over to the right lane on the NYS thruway [ yup, I'm a jackass ] if they are lane blocking and I need to pass. What amazes me however is that IF they do switch lanes to allow me to pass they just as soon move back into the passing lane. It's as of they don't realize the whole stay right, pass left.

[L. ed foote]

I'll use the German trick of hugging the left yellow line and running with the left blinker on.  It helps nudge them out of the way.  If they don't catch on after 10 seconds or so, I give up and wait it out.

You are much more patient than I am.

I pass them on the right.  If they haven't seen me approaching, and they haven't seen me behind them, they're not paying attention, and I want to get as far away from them as possible.

[Tom]

Some things to do:

Tailgate
Stick you hand out the window and point right(but sometimes they don't look and it's not very aero dynamic to stick you hand out the window)
Honk
Pass on right(first choice, if available)

[MrEddy]

Some things to do:

Tailgate
Stick you hand out the window and point right(but sometimes they don't look and it's not very aero dynamic to stick you hand out the window)
Honk
Pass on right(first choice, if available)

I'm still getting used to the idea that passing on the right is a bad thing. It's no big deal in Melbourne. So I spent the first few months wondering why there was such a buildup of traffic behind a slow guy when the right lane was empty.  B)  

[Tom]

Some things to do:

Tailgate
Stick you hand out the window and point right(but sometimes they don't look and it's not very aero dynamic to stick you hand out the window)
Honk
Pass on right(first choice, if available)

I'm still getting used to the idea that passing on the right is a bad thing. It's no big deal in Melbourne. So I spent the first few months wondering why there was such a buildup of traffic behind a slow guy when the right lane was empty.  B)

I don't see it as a big deal either.  Just have to be careful someone doesn't merge into you.

[MX793]

I'm from the "stay right except to pass" camp, but if I'm in the left lane passing somebody and another driver starts tailgating me, I am very prone to slowing down to the speed limit (or maybe only 5 over as I usually run 10 over when in the left lane to help traffic flow) for the express purpose of pissing the other driver off.  You bully me, I cost you time.

[Run Away]

^ In my mind, that's just as bad as the people who drive slowly in the left lane.

[so cal cookie]

^ In my mind, that's just as bad as the people who drive slowly in the left lane.

Ditto.
It will just piss off that person that much faster.

[so cal cookie]

I'll use the German trick of hugging the left yellow line and running with the left blinker on.  It helps nudge them out of the way.  If they don't catch on after 10 seconds or so, I give up and wait it out.  So many clueless buttheads on the road.  Like today - rain and fog.  An amazing number of people driving with no lights on .  Pisses me off big time!  If I were a cop, I'd pull them over and charge them with driving to endanger or something! 

I hate that!  In many states (NJ, SC, et al) there are laws that state that when it rains, lights must be on, but I bet it's rarely enforced.

Even more amazing is the people who drive around with every window but the windshield fogged to the point of not being able to see. :blink:
I pass them as quickly as possible, and try to stay in front of them.

[footoflead]

I'm from the "stay right except to pass" camp, but if I'm in the left lane passing somebody and another driver starts tailgating me, I am very prone to slowing down to the speed limit (or maybe only 5 over as I usually run 10 over when in the left lane to help traffic flow) for the express purpose of pissing the other driver off.  You bully me, I cost you time.

I do the same..but it does suck balls when someone does it too you...

On several occasions i have seen someone weaving through traffic really crazy and if i happen to be in a bad mood i will find someone going about the speedlimit and wait for the guy to get up behind me and i will pace the guy next to me...if you want to take it a step further let the guy your pacing creep a little ahead so the guy quickly switches lanes to get around you and then speed up      

[Tom]

I'll use the German trick of hugging the left yellow line and running with the left blinker on.? It helps nudge them out of the way.? If they don't catch on after 10 seconds or so, I give up and wait it out.? So many clueless buttheads on the road.? Like today - rain and fog.? An amazing number of people driving with no lights on .? Pisses me off big time!? If I were a cop, I'd pull them over and charge them with driving to endanger or something!?

I hate that!  In many states (NJ, SC, et al) there are laws that state that when it rains, lights must be on, but I bet it's rarely enforced.

Even more amazing is the people who drive around with every window but the windshield fogged to the point of not being able to see. :blink:
I pass them as quickly as possible, and try to stay in front of them.

I hear you on that.  I've seen people not clear snow off their rear, and sometimes side, windows.

[hounddog]

Just to give you an idea of what you guys are talking about here(at least in Michigan)

Not letting someone pass you (for any reason)- Fail to yeild to overtaking vehicle-
4 point $100+ moving violation

Tailgating- Following too close- 3 point $120+  moving violation

Pulling alonside another driver to not allow someone to pass- Reckless driving- 6 point $250+ moving violation- misdemeanor and arrestable offense.

I assume it is like that in most states.
Just remember, if you do it near Detroit you might get shot by the guy you just pis*ed off.  We in the police business call that street justice.  

[MX793]

I'm from the "stay right except to pass" camp, but if I'm in the left lane passing somebody and another driver starts tailgating me, I am very prone to slowing down to the speed limit (or maybe only 5 over as I usually run 10 over when in the left lane to help traffic flow) for the express purpose of pissing the other driver off.  You bully me, I cost you time.

I do the same..but it does suck balls when someone does it too you...

On several occasions i have seen someone weaving through traffic really crazy and if i happen to be in a bad mood i will find someone going about the speedlimit and wait for the guy to get up behind me and i will pace the guy next to me...if you want to take it a step further let the guy your pacing creep a little ahead so the guy quickly switches lanes to get around you and then speed up    

Oh, I don't pace people to block speeders or otherwise hinder traffic.  I like to keep traffic flowing.  I usually set my cruise at roughly 72 mph and keep right to let faster drivers by.  When I come on a car that's going slower than that, I move left and speed up to 75 or maybe even 80 if traffic is really moving and I see no cops on the horizon.  Now, if some jerk comes up on my bumper and starts tailgating me at that point, I slow back down to my usual 72.  So I'm still moving past the car I was intending to pass, just not at as quickly as I would have been at 75+.  That is in no way impeding the flow of traffic.  Whenever I'm in the left lane and come upon a person who is overtaking another vehicle but at a speed slower than my own, I slow down and follow at a proper distance, let them complete their pass, and then speed back up to my original speed when they are out of my way.  I expect the same respect from other drivers.  You don't show me that courtesy, and I'll take up a little more of your time than I otherwise would have.

[Rupert]

Highway vigilantism is really dumb.

[footoflead]

I'm from the "stay right except to pass" camp, but if I'm in the left lane passing somebody and another driver starts tailgating me, I am very prone to slowing down to the speed limit (or maybe only 5 over as I usually run 10 over when in the left lane to help traffic flow) for the express purpose of pissing the other driver off.  You bully me, I cost you time.

I do the same..but it does suck balls when someone does it too you...

On several occasions i have seen someone weaving through traffic really crazy and if i happen to be in a bad mood i will find someone going about the speedlimit and wait for the guy to get up behind me and i will pace the guy next to me...if you want to take it a step further let the guy your pacing creep a little ahead so the guy quickly switches lanes to get around you and then speed up    

Oh, I don't pace people to block speeders or otherwise hinder traffic.  I like to keep traffic flowing.  I usually set my cruise at roughly 72 mph and keep right to let faster drivers by.  When I come on a car that's going slower than that, I move left and speed up to 75 or maybe even 80 if traffic is really moving and I see no cops on the horizon.  Now, if some jerk comes up on my bumper and starts tailgating me at that point, I slow back down to my usual 72.  So I'm still moving past the car I was intending to pass, just not at as quickly as I would have been at 75+.  That is in no way impeding the flow of traffic.  Whenever I'm in the left lane and come upon a person who is overtaking another vehicle but at a speed slower than my own, I slow down and follow at a proper distance, let them complete their pass, and then speed back up to my original speed when they are out of my way.  I expect the same respect from other drivers.  You don't show me that courtesy, and I'll take up a little more of your time than I otherwise would have.

Do that in Houston traffic, and you will be traveling backwards not forwards  

[Champ]

Oh, I don't pace people to block speeders or otherwise hinder traffic.  I like to keep traffic flowing.  I usually set my cruise at roughly 72 mph and keep right to let faster drivers by.  When I come on a car that's going slower than that, I move left and speed up to 75 or maybe even 80 if traffic is really moving and I see no cops on the horizon.  Now, if some jerk comes up on my bumper and starts tailgating me at that point, I slow back down to my usual 72.  So I'm still moving past the car I was intending to pass, just not at as quickly as I would have been at 75+.  That is in no way impeding the flow of traffic.  Whenever I'm in the left lane and come upon a person who is overtaking another vehicle but at a speed slower than my own, I slow down and follow at a proper distance, let them complete their pass, and then speed back up to my original speed when they are out of my way.  I expect the same respect from other drivers.  You don't show me that courtesy, and I'll take up a little more of your time than I otherwise would have.

This is in response to both of your posts.

What you are doing is a really really really bad idea.  Why?

Let's just use for example a 4 lane divided highway, 2 lanes each way.

You are cruising at 72, coming up to pass someone doing less than you.  You go to pass, speed up if there is a car behind you, then move back over when you are done.  If a person behind you is getting close enough to you in the time it takes you to pass, then you should either keep speeding up, or NOT PASS IN THE FIRST PLACE.  I assume you are a responsible driver and check your mirrors often enough, especially when you go to pass.  If a car is coming up on you fast enough that you would cause them to slow down while passing... DON'T MAKE THE PASS!  Or if you decide to, speed up to get out of their way ASAP.  Trying to prove a point is pointless.  ironic huh.

[TBR]

Just for the record, I very rarely tailgate. If someone is in the left lane trying to pass someone and they aren't comfortable going as fast as I am then I just slow down and wait for them to pass (if someone doesn't feel comfortable at 90+ mph speeds then I sure as hell don't want them to go that fast). Many times people just stay in the left lane after making their pass and that isn't a big deal either, I just pass them on the right. It is when two cars stay side by side for considerable time with no sign of either party being willing to create a gap that I start acting like a jackass.