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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704688604575125510326010610.html?mod=yhoofront


"Left to their own devices, American drivers confronted with an open stretch of interstate highway tend to drive at about 70 miles per hour?whatever the legal speed limit happens to be.

Virginia is the 34th state to raise its rural interstate speed limit to 70. WSJ's Joseph B. White says improved car safety was one reason behind the move, but skeptics worry the increase will lead to more fatalities and greater energy use.
.That's the finding of an analysis of speed data gathered by TomTom Inc., a marketer of GPS navigation devices. This helps to explain why safety advocates and conservationists are losing the long-running debate over lowering freeway speed limits.

The Virginia legislature last week passed legislation raising the speed limit on rural interstate highways to 70 mph from 65 mph. The state's new Republican governor, Bob McDonnell, put boosting the legal speed limit high on his list of priorities, and got action less than three months after taking office.

Virginia will become the 34th state to boost interstate speed limits to 70 mph or higher. In big, empty states such as New Mexico, Idaho and Nevada, posted limits on rural interstates can be as high as 75 mph.

TomTom collected speed data from 45 states and the District of Columbia, under agreements with customers who agreed to allow the company to collect the information anonymously to improve the quality of its route guidance by directing customers away from congested roads at peak travel times.
....."

55 is slow, and many cars still get pretty good economy at 70MPH.

Quote from: 2o6 on March 17, 2010, 04:39:59 PM
55 is slow, and many cars still get pretty good economy at 70MPH.

Well, usually, when cars drive at 55 on the freeway, especially the passing lane, there's typically a HUGE line of cars behind them trying to pass.  Of course, the cars next to them are going the same god awful speed too so creating a bigger traffic. 

And of course, these assholes don't realize they're making the road more dangerous for everyone because everyone is now driving so much closer with less room than they would have if the lane wasn't blocked.  Lane campers are the biggest hazard to the road.

I envy those lucky bastards in Germany and their Autobahns!

Quote from: cawimmer430 on March 17, 2010, 05:37:18 PM
I envy those lucky bastards in Germany and their Autobahns!

And their RIGHT-LANE drivers!

55mph is entirely too slow in most US areas. If you're not going 10mph over the speed limit on the east coast, you're generally holding up traffic. ESPECIALLY in VA, where they had far too many low-speed (for the traffic and road conditions) areas.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 17, 2010, 07:49:51 PM
And their RIGHT-LANE drivers!

55mph is entirely too slow in most US areas. If you're not going 10mph over the speed limit on the east coast, you're generally holding up traffic. ESPECIALLY in VA, where they had far too many low-speed (for the traffic and road conditions) areas.

I did 75 and 80 mph all the way from San Jose (after I got out of traffic) to Portland and I was not the one doing the passing in California.

Quote from: NomisR on March 17, 2010, 04:46:28 PM
Well, usually, when cars drive at 55 on the freeway, especially the passing lane, there's typically a HUGE line of cars behind them trying to pass.  Of course, the cars next to them are going the same god awful speed too so creating a bigger traffic. 

And of course, these assholes don't realize they're making the road more dangerous for everyone because everyone is now driving so much closer with less room than they would have if the lane wasn't blocked.  Lane campers are the biggest hazard to the road.

No, they just annoy you the most.

Quote from: SVT666 on March 17, 2010, 08:34:37 PM
I did 75 and 80 mph all the way from San Jose (after I got out of traffic) to Portland and I was not the one doing the passing in California.

Aye. 10 over in the western states will make you the person doing the passing, in just about every non-urban area. I can always pick out which cars are going to get pulled over, because they pass me while I'm doing 10 over (and still passing everyone else).

It's good to see science like this being used like this.

I pretty much drive 75-80 on the interstate regardless of what the speed limit is.

I had cruise at 80-85 the whole way to and from Florida over spring break. I was passing most people, but there were plenty who were passing me. No ticket, no nothing, really. It was a fine drive.

Not to get all accusatory or anything, but I think the speed people who post on car forums drive is like penis size-- always a little bit bigger than reality. :lol:

For instance, I probably average about 5-8 over on the freeway (but I have an excuse-- government plates for most miles I drive :lol: ).

Quote from: Minpin on March 18, 2010, 12:27:59 AM
I had cruise at 80-85 the whole way to and from Florida over spring break. I was passing most people, but there were plenty who were passing me. No ticket, no nothing, really. It was a fine drive.

I always let someone going faster than me get about 100 yards ahead then tail them.  They're my anti-radar deflector shield.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 17, 2010, 07:49:51 PM
And their RIGHT-LANE drivers!

55mph is entirely too slow in most US areas. If you're not going 10mph over the speed limit on the east coast, you're generally holding up traffic. ESPECIALLY in VA, where they had far too many low-speed (for the traffic and road conditions) areas.

I'm sure you guys need better driving schools to.

Do the cops in the US enforce these rules at all? I mean if someone in their Prius (because Prius drivers do this!) hogs the fast lane, are they pulled over and beaten...eh, punished by the cops?  :lol:

Quote from: cawimmer430 on March 18, 2010, 09:16:59 AM

I'm sure you guys need better driving schools to.

Do the cops in the US enforce these rules at all? I mean if someone in their Prius (because Prius drivers do this!) hogs the fast lane, are they pulled over and beaten...eh, punished by the cops?  :lol:

NO.
If US cops spent half the time enforcing traffic rules (running "pink lights" and lane-camping) as they do catching speeders, global warming would cease, world peace would become a reality.

I've NEVER seen someone pulled over for lane camping. Although it's law most places, for instance in Utah they made it illegal to "let yourself be passed on the right."
-Many states have signs that say "slower traffic drive right". That just makes the camping worse, because big-ego Americans AREN'T SLOW. :rolleyes:

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 18, 2010, 09:31:00 AM
NO.
If US cops spent half the time enforcing traffic rules (running "pink lights" and lane-camping) as they do catching speeders, global warming would cease, world peace would become a reality.

I've NEVER seen someone pulled over for lane camping. Although it's law most places, for instance in Utah they made it illegal to "let yourself be passed on the right."
-Many states have signs that say "slower traffic drive right". That just makes the camping worse, because big-ego Americans AREN'T SLOW. :rolleyes:

:lol:

(http://images.usatoday.com/news/_photos/2006/05/31/donut.jpg)

Quote from: Rupert on March 17, 2010, 10:29:11 PM
It's good to see science like this being used like this.

No science here, just adjustment to actual behavior.

Though my hunch the data are heavily biased toward fast drivers.

Safer roads = going after drunks, teens and habitual driving criminals.

After that then we can talk about rules of the road.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 09:54:12 AM
No science here, just adjustment to actual behavior.

Though my hunch the data are heavily biased toward fast drivers.

The science is using the GPS units to accumulate the data. Otherwise how else would they get the average speeds to PROVE to dumb lawmakers??

And I assume your hunch is correct, I GUESS the people using GPS are people in a hurry to get somewhere, are tards behind the wheel and need the guidance, are driving through unfamiliar territory (thus just "follow the flow") or any combination of the above.

Quote from: Rupert on March 17, 2010, 10:21:51 PM
No, they just annoy you the most.

How is creating a traffic jam not creating a danger for everyone else?  When traffic is stuck in a pack, there is significantly less room for maneuverability, it means greater chance of getting into an accident.  Also IMO though observation of traffic behavior, at that rate of  speed, people are also less likely to pay attention to the road than at a higher rate of speed which is more dangerous as well. 

If the said person has not lane camped and drove properly in the lane that does not impede traffic, than the traffic would be significantly more spread out which allows more room for incidents. 

And from what i've seen, those same type of drivers are typically  the ones that creates those skids marks on the concrete dividers in the middle of the freeway and the ones that are involved in single car roll overs iin traffic.  :huh: 

I still don't understand how crap like that can happen, but apparently, these people are talented enough to do so..

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 09:56:32 AM
Safer roads = going after drunks, teens and habitual driving criminals.

After that then we can talk about rules of the road.

I love your arbitrary and selective way of selecting what is good and bad for the people.  In other words, from what I've seen, anything that you do, the government should not be involved in and anything you don't do, the government should limit it because it's bad.  How does that make you any different than the people that push for a lot of the ridiculous laws that we have in place today?  You are no better than the "liberals" you like to bash because you are one and the same, you have the same type of mentality, where the law should apply to everyone except me.  You sir, are a hypocrite. 

I support a special DL for people who take and pass high speed driving courses like the ones provided by schools like Bob Bondurant that would allow you to speed all you want, except within school zones, construction zones, and in residential areas.  You would get a special license plate so the police know not to pull you over unless you're being dangerous.  I would be first in line for a DL like this.

Quote from: NomisR on March 18, 2010, 10:21:42 AM
I love your arbitrary and selective way of selecting what is good and bad for the people.  In other words, from what I've seen, anything that you do, the government should not be involved in and anything you don't do, the government should limit it because it's bad.  How does that make you any different than the people that push for a lot of the ridiculous laws that we have in place today?  You are no better than the "liberals" you like to bash because you are one and the same, you have the same type of mentality, where the law should apply to everyone except me.  You sir, are a hypocrite. 

I couldn't have said it any better myself.

Quote from: cawimmer430 on March 18, 2010, 09:16:59 AM

I'm sure you guys need better driving schools to.

Do the cops in the US enforce these rules at all? I mean if someone in their Prius (because Prius drivers do this!) hogs the fast lane, are they pulled over and beaten...eh, punished by the cops?  :lol:

In Colorado they are pretty good about it.  I've seen it happen twice, and I've heard other people complain about being ticketed for left lane camping as well.  They have some other term for it, like impeding the flow of traffic or something, but the state law is that you must keep to the right unless you are overtaking someone.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 18, 2010, 10:12:16 AM
The science is using the GPS units to accumulate the data. Otherwise how else would they get the average speeds to PROVE to dumb lawmakers??

And I assume your hunch is correct, I GUESS the people using GPS are people in a hurry to get somewhere, are tards behind the wheel and need the guidance, are driving through unfamiliar territory (thus just "follow the flow") or any combination of the above.

My two presumptions are; the small sliver of those using the Tom Tom and actually agreed to have their speeds monitored are not a statistical example and that the data are subject to manipulation given the political intent.

Quote from: NomisR on March 18, 2010, 10:21:42 AM
I love your arbitrary and selective way of selecting what is good and bad for the people.  In other words, from what I've seen, anything that you do, the government should not be involved in and anything you don't do, the government should limit it because it's bad.  How does that make you any different than the people that push for a lot of the ridiculous laws that we have in place today?  You are no better than the "liberals" you like to bash because you are one and the same, you have the same type of mentality, where the law should apply to everyone except me.  You sir, are a hypocrite. 

Wow is this a terrible post. JUST WOW.

Oh, Tave, where art though? NomisR needs your help in anti-straw manism.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 11:57:03 AM
Wow is this a terrible post. JUST WOW.

Oh, Tave, where art though? NomisR needs your help in anti-straw manism.

This is your classic response in an attempt to deflect the attention away from yourself by getting the poster to defend himself instead of calling you out.  Nice try.  It won't work anymore.

Quote from: SVT666 on March 18, 2010, 10:41:29 AM
I support a special DL for people who take and pass high speed driving courses like the ones provided by schools like Bob Bondurant that would allow you to speed all you want, except within school zones, construction zones, and in residential areas.  You would get a special license plate so the police know not to pull you over unless you're being dangerous.  I would be first in line for a DL like this.

Of the 34 legal and practical ways in which this is a disaster, the most prominent is that it would foster to a greater degree one of the major (and hardest to address) problems on the roadways - disparate vehicle speed.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 12:06:25 PM
Of the 34 legal and practical ways in which this is a disaster, the most prominent is that it would foster to a greater degree one of the major (and hardest to address) problems on the roadways - disparate vehicle speed.

So less freedom = better?  Strange coming from you.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 11:57:03 AM
Wow is this a terrible post. JUST WOW.

Oh, Tave, where art though? NomisR needs your help in anti-straw manism.

So you're the only one that can use the strawman argument while others can't?  Yet I have more people that agree with me than with you, so I'm not the only one that has problems with your arguments.    

Edit:  Also, how has that post been a strawman argument as those are the things you have said. 

Quote from: SVT666 on March 18, 2010, 12:00:57 PM
This is your classic response in an attempt to deflect the attention away from yourself by getting the poster to defend himself instead of calling you out.  Nice try.  It won't work anymore.

Are you not familiar with the concept of the straw man argument (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man)?

Tave in the past (IIRC it was him, maybe not) periodically parachutes in when a few you get all school girl hysterical, calming things by 'splaining how things really are.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 12:16:17 PM
Are you not familiar with the concept of the straw man argument (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man)?

Tave in the past (IIRC it was him, maybe not) periodically parachutes in when a few you get all school girl hysterical, calming things by 'splaining how things really are.

tea pot say hello to kettle.

LOL - look at this exchange - it's just plain awful on at least two levels; it does not address my post one iota, and it is predicated on one of the worst straw men I've ever seen deployed here on the SPIN. This is the last I'm going to go into it such as to save the forum the from the distraction, but I call it out again such that maybe it can be learned from:

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 09:56:32 AM
Safer roads = going after drunks, teens and habitual driving criminals.

After that then we can talk about rules of the road.

Quote from: NomisR on March 18, 2010, 10:21:42 AM
I love your arbitrary and selective way of selecting what is good and bad for the people.  In other words, from what I've seen, anything that you do, the government should not be involved in and anything you don't do, the government should limit it because it's bad.  How does that make you any different than the people that push for a lot of the ridiculous laws that we have in place today?  You are no better than the "liberals" you like to bash because you are one and the same, you have the same type of mentality, where the law should apply to everyone except me.  You sir, are a hypocrite.  

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 12:25:04 PM
LOL - look at this exchange - it's just plain awful on at least two levels; it does not address my post one iota, and it is predicated on one of the worst straw men I've ever seen deployed here on the SPIN. This is the last I'm going to go into in such as to save the forum the from the distraction, but I call it out again such that maybe it can be learned from:

It wasn't supposed to.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 12:25:04 PM
LOL - look at this exchange - it's just plain awful on at least two levels; it does not address my post one iota, and it is predicated on one of the worst straw men I've ever seen deployed here on the SPIN. This is the last I'm going to go into it such as to save the forum the from the distraction, but I call it out again such that maybe it can be learned from:

You obviously do not understand what I was talking about.

Back on topic. I agree: 70 is the "natural" speed for most people on most freeways.

Since GPS came on the scene I've found that speedometers on many cars read about 3mph fast. Given that you won't be pulled over if your margin of illegality is less than 10mph, I think you are pretty safe up to and including an indicated 82 in a 70 limit. Thoughts?

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 12:06:25 PM
Of the 34 legal and practical ways in which this is a disaster, the most prominent is that it would foster to a greater degree one of the major (and hardest to address) problems on the roadways - disparate vehicle speed.

Go drive in Germany.

Somehow truck traffic (which is limited to UNDER 55mph) and car traffic (yours truly= 120mph+ at times, average= 70-90mph) survives just fine.  On 2-lane highways.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 17, 2010, 07:49:51 PM
And their RIGHT-LANE drivers!

55mph is entirely too slow in most US areas. If you're not going 10mph over the speed limit on the east coast, you're generally holding up traffic. ESPECIALLY in VA, where they had far too many low-speed (for the traffic and road conditions) areas.

If you're doing 65 in the left lane, you're getting two bursts of high beam flashes from me, and if you don't comply, I'm passing on the right.  The left lane is for 70 or higher in a 55.  And even then, 70-75 is mostly middle lane in a three lane. 


Reminds me, some cockhole got pissy that I flashed him, so he followed me last night flashing his high beams.  I slowed down to 60, gave him a taste of his own medicine, and then gunned it.  Fuckface. 

Quote from: Raza  on March 18, 2010, 03:17:56 PM
If you're doing 65 in the left lane, you're getting two bursts of high beam flashes from me, and if you don't comply, I'm passing on the right.  The left lane is for 70 or higher in a 55.  And even then, 70-75 is mostly middle lane in a three lane. 


Reminds me, some cockhole got pissy that I flashed him, so he followed me last night flashing his high beams.  I slowed down to 60, gave him a taste of his own medicine, and then gunned it.  Fuckface. 

I'm thinking of putting a scrolling text bar in my back windows that says SLOW TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT, THAT MEANS YOU!!!! FUCKFACE!!!!

Quote from: Raza  on March 18, 2010, 03:17:56 PM
If you're doing 65 in the left lane, you're getting two bursts of high beam flashes from me, and if you don't comply, I'm passing on the right.  The left lane is for 70 or higher in a 55.  And even then, 70-75 is mostly middle lane in a three lane. 

Trust me, if people just stayed in the lane they're supposed to be in, we could get to where we're going MUCH MUCH faster, and the amount of accidents on the highway would drop 40-60%. GUARANTEED.

One (of the many) reasons I hate John Tesh's "super-factual you-will-get-smarter-just-listening" radio show is one time he said, "statistically, the middle lane is the safest. Also, drivers who switch lanes more often get in more wrecks."
Only in America. :rolleyes:

In Germany little 50hp cars somehow safely pass trucks while getting passed by people who drive 100mph+. Safely.

Quote from: NomisR on March 18, 2010, 03:21:19 PM
I'm thinking of putting a scrolling text bar in my back windows that says SLOW TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT, THAT MEANS YOU!!!! FUCKFACE!!!!

I have talked to the wife of getting one which has several buttons for preprogrammed messages (such as yours) but would also be able to type messages..

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 18, 2010, 03:22:54 PM
Trust me, if people just stayed in the lane they're supposed to be in, we could get to where we're going MUCH MUCH faster, and the amount of accidents on the highway would drop 40-60%. GUARANTEED.

One (of the many) reasons I hate John Tesh's "super-factual you-will-get-smarter-just-listening" radio show is one time he said, "statistically, the middle lane is the safest. Also, drivers who switch lanes more often get in more wrecks."
Only in America. :rolleyes:

In Germany little 50hp cars somehow safely pass trucks while getting passed by people who drive 100mph+. Safely.

Look at how wrong he is.. there are right ways and wrong ways of changing lanes, most people use the wrong way (not my way) which is why they're more likely to get into accidents.  I change lanes pretty often and almost always planned because I need to make sure I don't end up behind a slower car, so I can drive more efficiently.. and so far.. no accidents due to that. 

Every single accident I've been in so far is from sitting in traffic and someone running into me while stationary.. or someone running into me because they though the side of my car was where they should turn into... :huh:

Quote from: Morris Minor on March 18, 2010, 01:05:17 PM
Back on topic. I agree: 70 is the "natural" speed for most people on most freeways.

Since GPS came on the scene I've found that speedometers on many cars read about 3mph fast. Given that you won't be pulled over if your margin of illegality is less than 10mph, I think you are pretty safe up to and including an indicated 82 in a 70 limit. Thoughts?

I think in rush hour and otherwise keeping with traffic of the interstate one may be okay. I would like to think LE has better things to do; they're too (or should be) busy with targetting major offenders (20+ over), tailgaters/dangerous driving, and responding to fender benders. Outside of rush hour I think 10 mph over will get a person nailed; especially when not on the freeway or not going with the flow of traffic.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 18, 2010, 02:41:51 PM
Go drive in Germany.

Somehow truck traffic (which is limited to UNDER 55mph) and car traffic (yours truly= 120mph+ at times, average= 70-90mph) survives just fine.  On 2-lane highways.

I'm sorry but I think it's a recipe for disaster.

But as to a related point, truck traffic is a major problem on US roadways for all sorts of reasons.

Quote from: Raza  on March 18, 2010, 03:17:56 PM
If you're doing 65 in the left lane, you're getting two bursts of high beam flashes from me, and if you don't comply, I'm passing on the right.  The left lane is for 70 or higher in a 55.  And even then, 70-75 is mostly middle lane in a three lane. 


Reminds me, some cockhole got pissy that I flashed him, so he followed me last night flashing his high beams.  I slowed down to 60, gave him a taste of his own medicine, and then gunned it.  Fuckface. 

Flashing someone is asking for a confrontation, no matter how much they deserve it. I highly recommend not doing that.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 03:56:28 PM
I'm sorry but I think it's a recipe for disaster.

You have no fucking clue.  I've been on the Autobahns in Germany.  Accidents are rare compared to North America.  People actually know how to drive because they have to.  If North American drivers had to have the training Europeans do, and we put in the same kind of highway traffic laws they have, it would be brilliant.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 03:57:55 PM
Flashing someone is asking for a confrontation, no matter how much they deserve it. I highly recommend not doing that.

:wtf:

Ah yes, mythical worship of magical lands coupled with a good dose of grass-is-greenerism. C'mon guys, let's inject some logic here.

The roads are safer in most other Western countries simply because they are FAR more harsh when it comes to DUI, generally have higher minimum driving ages, and are generally much stricter with enforcement (whether proliferation of speed cameras in the UK or AUS and/or harsher penalties for traffic infractions).

I know you guys want to justify by any means possible AJ Foyting about on the public roads, but you've got to be sensible about it. Tougher licensing requirements, graduated performance-based licensing, ze Autobahn, or whatever, are not a factor.

IMO, I think you guys should turn your efforts to maintaining the status quo; black boxes, ever more speed cameras and general Big Brotherism is just around the corner, and we all know it. Just look to the catastrophic State of Things in Arizona for example.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 18, 2010, 02:41:51 PM
Go drive in Germany.

Somehow truck traffic (which is limited to UNDER 55mph) and car traffic (yours truly= 120mph+ at times, average= 70-90mph) survives just fine.  On 2-lane highways.

Germany knows that large speed disparities are one of the most dangerous situations on the highway, hence all the measures in place to deal with the inherent problems: tough licensing standards, strict lane enforcement, limited stretches of deregulated motorways, etc...



High speed Autobahn traffic doesn't "survive just fine" on its own; there are myriad safety systems in place to make it work.

Quote from: SVT666 on March 18, 2010, 04:35:18 PM
:wtf:

Are you familiar with the US phenomenon of road rage?

Flashing your lights at a person, tailgating them, or blocking them in are definitely some of the triggers.


When you encounter a poor driver, the best thing you can do is remain patient and not let it frustrate you. Then find a safe way around him (if he's obstructing your progress), and forget about the incident.

Quote from: Tave on March 18, 2010, 05:09:35 PM
Germany knows that large speed disparities are one of the most dangerous situations on the highway, hence all the measures in place to deal with the inherent problems: tough licensing standards, strict lane enforcement, limited stretches of deregulated motorways, etc...



High speed Autobahn traffic doesn't "survive just fine" on its own; there are myriad safety systems in place to make it work.

There are basically only 4 things they do differently in Germany:

1- Strict safety inspections, country-wide. Oh and don't get in a wreck with bald tires. You'll get some of the blame, even if the other guy 100% hit you. You should have known better than letting your car not be 'up to standard'.
2- 100% guardrails on both sides of the roadway. The guardrail one the left (center) is about a foot away from the pavement. There are guardrails on the entrance/exit. These guardrails are not about protecting the driver/passenger, but are there to protect anyone not on the road.

There are several things that they have that are actually NOT as safe.
A- no lighting, even at entrance/exit. (you don't realize what a difference that makes until you try it
B- shorter acceleration areas to merge.

But by far the biggest differences between Germany and here are
3- Very Strict Licensing and Driver's Ed. You must be 18 to drive. It costs $1000-2000 to get a license. Driver's ed includes 80(?) hours BEHIND THE WHEEL both in the dark and on the Autobahn. Usually in a tiny manual-shift car. 
-Get a DUI? forget driving for a long long time. Licenses get revoked for big infractions.
4- Driver discipline. Even if traffic is backing up in the left lane as people are waiting for a vehicle barely going faster than a truck to pass the truck, they (usually) won't pass on the right. When they do pass they get back into the right, even if it means they're just going to have to get in the left 15 seconds later. And the people behind usually will let them back in.
-People use their mirrors. They are a little bit more courteous on the highway than we are.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 03:56:28 PM
I'm sorry but I think it's a recipe for disaster.

But as to a related point, truck traffic is a major problem on US roadways for all sorts of reasons.

1- You're right. IF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE.
2- The amount of accidents involving trucks in the US is very low compared to the amount of traffic on the road. MOST of the time the problem is not the (professional) truck driver- it's someone who DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 18, 2010, 06:17:50 PM
1- You're right. IF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE.
2- The amount of accidents involving trucks in the US is very low compared to the amount of traffic on the road. MOST of the time the problem is not the (professional) truck driver- it's someone who DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DRIVE.

I wonder if the massive amounts of money required to implement a German-style autobahn system (driver training + upgraded roadways) across the entire United States would be worth it for the benefits of the higher speed travel. I'd suspect no - I support higher speed limits in rural areas (65mph is too slow) but much past 80mph, the benefit is relatively minimal.

The enthusiast in me likes the idea, the pragmatist says it's a waste of effort.

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 18, 2010, 06:28:22 PM
I wonder if the massive amounts of money required to implement a German-style autobahn system (driver training + upgraded roadways) across the entire United States would be worth it for the benefits of the higher speed travel. I'd suspect no - I support higher speed limits in rural areas (65mph is too slow) but much past 80mph, the benefit is relatively minimal.

The enthusiast in me likes the idea, the pragmatist says it's a waste of effort.

It's amazing what a little bit of education would do!
I remember reading a long while back (5yrs ago?) that Montana did some TV spots with their Governor. They demonstrated and explained (in < 60seconds) that you don't brake on the freeway, wait until you're in the deceleration lane. And when getting on the freeway, to quickly speed up as you're getting ON so you're the same speed as traffic and can merge (instead of people behind having to slow down or shift lanes for the merging vehicle).

Their highway accidents went down for several years.

Just from a few commercials about ONE aspect of driving.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 18, 2010, 03:22:54 PM
Trust me, if people just stayed in the lane they're supposed to be in, we could get to where we're going MUCH MUCH faster, and the amount of accidents on the highway would drop 40-60%. GUARANTEED.

One (of the many) reasons I hate John Tesh's "super-factual you-will-get-smarter-just-listening" radio show is one time he said, "statistically, the middle lane is the safest. Also, drivers who switch lanes more often get in more wrecks."
Only in America. :rolleyes:

In Germany little 50hp cars somehow safely pass trucks while getting passed by people who drive 100mph+. Safely.

I would like to see his statistics on that.  In my own experience over the last 7 months (~15,000 highway miles), the middle lane sees the most accidents and the most close calls.  I surmise that this due to people having to move right to pass slow cars in the left lane while people moving left to pass slow cars on the right properly; bad timing means they hit or it comes close. 

Quote from: Morris Minor on March 18, 2010, 01:05:17 PM
Back on topic. I agree: 70 is the "natural" speed for most people on most freeways.

Since GPS came on the scene I've found that speedometers on many cars read about 3mph fast. Given that you won't be pulled over if your margin of illegality is less than 10mph, I think you are pretty safe up to and including an indicated 82 in a 70 limit. Thoughts?

The times I have tried to go as fast as possible and not get caught, that is precisely what I have done. 77 indicated in 65 zone, 82 indicated in 70 zone, 87 indicated in 75 zone.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 18, 2010, 03:57:55 PM
Flashing someone is asking for a confrontation, no matter how much they deserve it. I highly recommend not doing that.

It's one of three forms of communication from car to car.  It is by far the least confrontational of them (the other two being honking and hand gestures).  Flashing your high beams is also the accepted way to tell someone that you intend to pass; and 80% of the time, the driver understands that and moves over to let me by without incident. 

Quote from: NomisR on March 18, 2010, 10:13:19 AM
How is creating a traffic jam not creating a danger for everyone else?  When traffic is stuck in a pack, there is significantly less room for maneuverability, it means greater chance of getting into an accident.  Also IMO though observation of traffic behavior, at that rate of  speed, people are also less likely to pay attention to the road than at a higher rate of speed which is more dangerous as well. 

If the said person has not lane camped and drove properly in the lane that does not impede traffic, than the traffic would be significantly more spread out which allows more room for incidents. 

And from what i've seen, those same type of drivers are typically  the ones that creates those skids marks on the concrete dividers in the middle of the freeway and the ones that are involved in single car roll overs iin traffic.  :huh: 

I still don't understand how crap like that can happen, but apparently, these people are talented enough to do so..

Ya know, I just don't have problems with lane campers on the freeway most of the time I'm in urban areas. ;)

I mean, when I do encounter them, they piss me off, like people on two-lane mountain highways that go 30 mph, etc. But just the fact that they're in the lane they're in or going to speed they're going, does not make them OMG the biggest danger on the road.

Quote from: Tave on March 18, 2010, 05:34:50 PM
Are you familiar with the US phenomenon of road rage?

Flashing your lights at a person, tailgating them, or blocking them in are definitely some of the triggers.


When you encounter a poor driver, the best thing you can do is remain patient and not let it frustrate you. Then find a safe way around him (if he's obstructing your progress), and forget about the incident.

:rolleyes:

Sure, just sit behind the guy doing 60 in the left lane and hope that the opportunity for a dangerous right hand pass arises.  That's better than communicating intent.  I suppose you also think that you shouldn't honk at anyone ever; just let them hit you if they don't see you...

Quote from: Raza  link=topic=21559.msg1290981#msg1290981 date=1268964978
It's one of three forms of communication from car to car.  It is by far the least confrontational of them (the other two being honking and hand gestures).  Flashing your high beams is also the accepted way to tell someone that you intend to pass; and 80% of the time, the driver understands that and moves over to let me by without incident.  

AFAIK, in many places, flashing your high beams is illegal.

Quote from: NomisR on March 18, 2010, 10:21:42 AM
I love your arbitrary and selective way of selecting what is good and bad for the people.  In other words, from what I've seen, anything that you do, the government should not be involved in and anything you don't do, the government should limit it because it's bad.  How does that make you any different than the people that push for a lot of the ridiculous laws that we have in place today?  You are no better than the "liberals" you like to bash because you are one and the same, you have the same type of mentality, where the law should apply to everyone except me.  You sir, are a hypocrite. 

Says the man who thinks left-lane campers are a hugo-ginormous problem for no reason. ;)

Quote from: Raza  link=topic=21559.msg1290981#msg1290981 date=1268964978
It's one of three forms of communication from car to car.  It is by far the least confrontational of them (the other two being honking and hand gestures).  Flashing your high beams is also the accepted way to tell someone that you intend to pass; and 80% of the time, the driver understands that and moves over to let me by without incident. 

Same here.  It's rare that someone sits there while I keep flashing.  I can't remember the last time I had to pull over and pass on the right because someone refused to move over when I flashed them.

Quote from: Rupert on March 18, 2010, 08:19:49 PM
AFAIK, in many places, flashing your high beams is illegal.

So is speeding.  I don't see your point.

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 18, 2010, 06:28:22 PM
I wonder if the massive amounts of money required to implement a German-style autobahn system (driver training + upgraded roadways) across the entire United States would be worth it for the benefits of the higher speed travel. I'd suspect no - I support higher speed limits in rural areas (65mph is too slow) but much past 80mph, the benefit is relatively minimal.

The enthusiast in me likes the idea, the pragmatist says it's a waste of effort.

Of for each of the 50 states to realign their driver testing to a graduated or more advanced testing system.

On the eve of at $1T nationalized health care vote, and some are suggesting that we spend even more tax money on yet another situation catering to a select few.

Not a chance.

Quote from: SVT666 on March 18, 2010, 08:24:50 PM
Same here.  It's rare that someone sits there while I keep flashing.  I can't remember the last time I had to pull over and pass on the right because someone refused to move over when I flashed them.

Don't drive in NC. I'm not sure people around here would even know what it means to have high beams flashed at them.

the problem I've come across is that other drivers seem to think you're arrogant/cocky/whatever if you flash them to move over. So naturally, they'll take whatever pathetic pleasure it is they get by blocking you in while camping in the left lane. But if they want cocky behavior, I'll be more than happy to oblige :evildude:

Though it rarely happens like any healthy red-blooded American I generally don't take well to being flashed no matter the reason.

You have no legal standing to make me move out of my lane even if I'm camping and especially if you're speeding. 

All in all I do not recommend it. It's asking for trouble.

the sign that says "slower traffic keep right" is my legal standing to make you move

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw429JGL5zo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw429JGL5zo)
(another good one for the driving song thread)

I remember one time a Prius driver flashed me after the fact that I whipped around him from the right while he was camping in the left lane. I LOL'd.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 19, 2010, 09:27:10 AM
Though it rarely happens like any healthy red-blooded American I generally don't take well to being flashed no matter the reason.

You have no legal standing to make me move out of my lane even if I'm camping and especially if you're speeding. 

All in all I do not recommend it. It's asking for trouble.

Ever think that you may be one of the reasons why people have road rage in the US? 

Quote from: Vinsanity on March 19, 2010, 09:35:05 AM
I remember one time a Prius driver flashed me after the fact that I whipped around him from the right while he was camping in the left lane. I LOL'd.

I'll admit sometimes I'll pass on the right then get in front of the camper and slow down deliberately.  I'm not proud of it, but sometimes I can't help it.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 19, 2010, 09:27:10 AM
You have no legal standing to make me move out of my lane even if I'm camping and especially if you're speeding. 

WRONG. Citizen's arrest for camping. 

Doesn't matter if Other people are speeding or not. Most states say you should stay in the most right lane as possible, except for when passing.

Quote from: Vinsanity on March 19, 2010, 09:35:05 AM
the sign that says "slower traffic keep right" is my legal standing to make you move

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw429JGL5zo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw429JGL5zo)
(another good one for the driving song thread)

I remember one time a Prius driver flashed me after the fact that I whipped around him from the right while he was camping in the left lane. I LOL'd.

Oh, please, don't be childish. You have zero standing to enforce traffic laws or otherwise "make" anyone do anything.

Quote from: SVT666 on March 19, 2010, 09:36:44 AM
Ever think that you may be one of the reasons why people have road rage in the US?  

LOL - because I don't flash my high beams to make people move out of my way???

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 19, 2010, 10:58:34 AM
WRONG. Citizen's arrest for camping. 

Doesn't matter if Other people are speeding or not. Most states say you should stay in the most right lane as possible, except for when passing.

Oh, please. This is ridiculous. Traffic infractions are not criminal thus you cannot be arrested by anyone.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 19, 2010, 11:03:19 AM
LOL - because I don't flash my high beams to make people move out of my way???

Because you're camping in the left lane.

A lot of tuff guy Internet bravado going on here, but I have to admit that I've done most everything that has been mentioned here but I'm under no delusion that it's asking for trouble and otherwise something I shouldn't be doing.

I have to admit I did something REALLY bad way back when - anonymously called 911 from a payphone and made a false claim on a guy who was being a real PITA that he pulled a chrome piece on me (he actually waved a hammer at me).  

The one thing I will admit is that most of the time people ignore flashing headlights behind them because they have the same attitude as Cougs: that they have the right to camp in the passing lane in spite of apparent signage indicating otherwise. That said, it's ridiculous to consider it an offensive course of action. It's no more offensive than using your turn signal to let  other drivers know you want to change lanes.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 19, 2010, 11:03:19 AM
Oh, please, don't be childish. You have zero standing to enforce traffic laws or otherwise "make" anyone do anything.

I agree with that, but the same principle has to apply to people who camp in the left lane, forcing drivers behind them to drive at or below the speed limit.

Yeah, I'm going to check out of this; Straw Man Cometh = GoCougs Goeth. It gets too tiring after a while.

Quote from: Vinsanity on March 19, 2010, 11:57:34 AM
The one thing I will admit is that most of the time people ignore flashing headlights behind them because they have the same attitude as Cougs: that they have the right to camp in the passing lane in spite of apparent signage indicating otherwise. That said, it's ridiculous to consider it an offensive course of action. It's no more offensive than using your turn signal to let  other drivers know you want to change lanes.

That's how I view it.  I'm going to pass you, whether or not you want to do the right thing.  I might as well give them the option to move over, for the sake of both our safety. 

Quote from: GoCougs on March 19, 2010, 12:19:38 PM
Yeah, I'm going to check out of this; Straw Man Cometh = GoCougs Goeth. It gets too tiring after a while.

Why be the strawman if you get tired of it?

Quote from: Vinsanity on March 19, 2010, 11:57:34 AM
The one thing I will admit is that most of the time people ignore flashing headlights behind them because they have the same attitude as Cougs: that they have the right to camp in the passing lane in spite of apparent signage indicating otherwise. That said, it's ridiculous to consider it an offensive course of action. It's no more offensive than using your turn signal to let  other drivers know you want to change lanes.

Exactly.

But no, this is America. We have big egos and won't move.

BTW Cougs, camping is against traffic laws, so I do have a right to flash my lights. I want to pass you and you aren't following traffic rules. I am 100% sure any cop will agree with that.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 19, 2010, 12:19:38 PM
Yeah, I'm going to check out of this; Straw Man Cometh = GoCougs Goeth. It gets too tiring after a while.

You seem to fail to gasp why people are attacking you.  Nobody is creating a false position for you as those are the same positions you have repeatedly stated for yourself through various posts on this forum.  This is no strawman.  If you really believes it is such, than clarify what your true position in the matter is, but like always, you never do. 

Quote from: GoCougs on March 19, 2010, 12:19:38 PM
Yeah, I'm going to check out of this; Straw Man Cometh = GoCougs Goeth. It gets too tiring after a while.

bye goof

Quote from: R-inge on March 18, 2010, 11:09:16 AM
In Colorado they are pretty good about it.  I've seen it happen twice, and I've heard other people complain about being ticketed for left lane camping as well.  They have some other term for it, like impeding the flow of traffic or something, but the state law is that you must keep to the right unless you are overtaking someone.

Yep. That's the law here. If they catch you being a Linksfahrer with empty lanes ahead of you then you're in trouble. And the cops here always patrol the Autobahns with unmarked cars, even in old pieces of crap like a mid-1990s Opel Vectra.  :tounge:

Quote from: Minpin on March 18, 2010, 12:27:59 AM
I had cruise at 80-85 the whole way to and from Florida over spring break. I was passing most people, but there were plenty who were passing me. No ticket, no nothing, really. It was a fine drive.

Same here, the last time I drove to Florida from New Jersey. I generally cruised around 80 in NJ, DE and MD, slowed it down in Virginia, then did 85-90 in NC, SC and GA and back down to just around 80 in Florida.

No tickets. Spotted just one single police vehicle the whole trip, right near the NC-SC border.

Quote from: cawimmer430 on March 19, 2010, 04:50:22 PM
Yep. That's the law here. If they catch you being a Linksfahrer with empty lanes ahead of you then you're in trouble. And the cops here always patrol the Autobahns with unmarked cars, even in old pieces of crap like a mid-1990s Opel Vectra.  :tounge:

We can only dream of that over here.

Quote from: Rupert on March 18, 2010, 08:19:49 PM
AFAIK, in many places, flashing your high beams is illegal.

In New Jersey, the state police will give you a high-beam flash if you're left-lane camping - both the marked and unmarked cars.

Quote from: cawimmer430 on March 19, 2010, 04:50:22 PM
Yep. That's the law here. If they catch you being a Linksfahrer with empty lanes ahead of you then you're in trouble. And the cops here always patrol the Autobahns with unmarked cars, even in old pieces of crap like a mid-1990s Opel Vectra.  :tounge:

I don't know why American unmarked cars are the same models as the marked cars. Wouldn't it be more effective to have your unmarked cars be from a different brand than what everyone expects is "a police car?"

I never quite understood that. I know the Cali Highway Patrol did use some Volvos for a while, but they were marked anyway.

Quote from: TurboDan on March 19, 2010, 05:47:24 PM
I never quite understood that. I know the Cali Highway Patrol did use some Volvos for a while, but they were marked anyway.

LOL, I never saw those. But somewhat notoriously, we did have Z28 Camaro's for a short while in the early 2000's, and 5.0 Fox-body Mustangs in the late 80's-early 90's

They used S70 T5's.  Those haul ass.

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/2930313847_0d737be75e.jpg)

lol, looks pretty sharp as a cop car

Quote from: TurboDan on March 19, 2010, 05:30:04 PM
No tickets. Spotted just one single police vehicle the whole trip, right near the NC-SC border.

Last time I went up I-95  I saw NO LIE 35 state highway patrol in a 15mile stretch in NC. It was the first weekend of October last year.

Sometimes they stake out I-20 west to Atlanta, 4-5 troopers in a 2hr trip.

Quote from: Vinsanity on March 19, 2010, 11:57:34 AM
The one thing I will admit is that most of the time people ignore flashing headlights behind them because they have the same attitude as Cougs: that they have the right to camp in the passing lane in spite of apparent signage indicating otherwise. That said, it's ridiculous to consider it an offensive course of action. It's no more offensive than using your turn signal to let  other drivers know you want to change lanes.

Quote from: NomisR on March 19, 2010, 02:41:03 PM
You seem to fail to gasp why people are attacking you.  Nobody is creating a false position for you as those are the same positions you have repeatedly stated for yourself through various posts on this forum.  This is no strawman.  If you really believes it is such, than clarify what your true position in the matter is, but like always, you never do.  

LOL

C'mon guys, at least give his posts a cursory run-through before flying off the handle.

His position is relatively easy to understand.

For starters, NOT ONCE did he endorse left-lane campers or otherwise sanction the behavior.

He simply questioned the wisdom of "enforcing" lane discipline on your own through devices like flashing lights, tailgating, cutting people off, etc...


For Pete's sake, he even acknowledged that he, from time to time, participates in the very behavior y'all support! All he said was it isn't the safest idea.

Tave yet proves again to the be the smartest fellow on these here boards.

In all seriousness guys, yes, I know I engender angst at times, but really, let's read first before deciding to launch Voltran-like into these straw man efforts.

Quote from: GoCougs on March 19, 2010, 10:53:58 PM
Tave yet proves again to the be the smartest fellow on these here boards.

In all seriousness guys, yes, I know I engender angst at times, but really, let's read first before deciding to launch Voltran-like into these straw man efforts.

I thought you left this thread.

Quote from: Tave on March 19, 2010, 09:50:48 PM

LOL

C'mon guys, at least give his posts a cursory run-through before flying off the handle.

His position is relatively easy to understand.

For starters, NOT ONCE did he endorse left-lane campers or otherwise sanction the behavior.

He simply questioned the wisdom of "enforcing" lane discipline on your own through devices like flashing lights, tailgating, cutting people off, etc...


For Pete's sake, he even acknowledged that he, from time to time, participates in the very behavior y'all support! All he said was it isn't the safest idea.

I realize that Cougs is just playing devil's advocate or whatever, but what I'm saying is that people shouldn't feel offended/threatened/whatever if someone flashes their high beams at them. It's just a simple signal of an intent to pass.

Quote from: Vinsanity on March 20, 2010, 01:13:17 AM
I realize that Cougs is just playing devil's advocate or whatever, but what I'm saying is that people shouldn't feel offended/threatened/whatever if someone flashes their high beams at them. It's just a simple signal of an intent to pass.

I agree with you.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 19, 2010, 09:02:02 PM
Last time I went up I-95  I saw NO LIE 35 state highway patrol in a 15mile stretch in NC. It was the first weekend of October last year.

Sometimes they stake out I-20 west to Atlanta, 4-5 troopers in a 2hr trip.

That makes it even more fun, if you can manage to speed most of the time through a situation like that and emerge without a ticket.  VICTORY!!!
:lol:

I agree with the general premise expressed in the original post.

The handling of cars has improved so much in the past 30 years that I've been driving.  With the cars I used to drive, 70 mph was pretty fast, and 80 mph was almost inconceivable.  Even at 65, the steering wheel used to shake.  If you applied the brakes hard, the car would skid.  Today's cars are much better and can handle a higher speed.

What do you say we start leading the way in making 90 the new 70?  Feels pretty comfortable to me. :lol:

Quote from: R-inge on March 20, 2010, 07:35:35 AM
What do you say we start leading the way in making 90 the new 70?  Feels pretty comfortable to me. :lol:

Well, if you want to get led off in cuffs, give it a shot.... :lockedup:
:lol:

I'm actually not very comfortable driving at 90 mph unless the road is mostly empty.  When there's a lot of traffic, anything can happen, and you're trusting the other drivers not to do something stupid.  No matter how well built a car is and how well it handles, the laws of physics still apply if you hit something.

You know, I don't think I've driven on the Interstate here for at least a couple of months.  I think my top speed has been all of 70mph lately.

Quote from: R-inge on March 20, 2010, 07:45:50 AM
You know, I don't think I've driven on the Interstate here for at least a couple of months.  I think my top speed has been all of 70mph lately.

wuss..... :lol:

110km/h (68mph) is the open-road limit in South Australia, but not until you're a reasonable distance out of the metropolitan area. The main freeway from Melbourne is one long downhill gradient for the last few kilometres, so you have to really try not to ride the brakes, especially when they slip an 80km/h zone on you right near the end.

Quote from: omicron on March 20, 2010, 08:38:53 AM
110km/h (68mph) is the open-road limit in South Australia, but not until you're a reasonable distance out of the metropolitan area. The main freeway from Melbourne is one long downhill gradient for the last few kilometres, so you have to really try not to ride the brakes, especially when they slip an 80km/h zone on you right near the end.

That's way too slow for the open road.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 20, 2010, 08:40:21 AM
That's way too slow for the open road.

The best I can do these days is 130km/h (81mph) in the Northern Territory, now that they've slapped limits out north. Sad face.

Quote from: omicron on March 20, 2010, 08:42:07 AM
The best I can do these days is 130km/h (81mph) in the Northern Territory, now that they've slapped limits out north. Sad face.

You can always speed, brother.  :ohyeah:

Quote from: dazzleman on March 20, 2010, 08:44:30 AM
You can always speed, brother.  :ohyeah:

AND BE THROWN IN JAIL FOR 5467734698 YEARS.

Quote from: omicron on March 20, 2010, 08:46:06 AM
AND BE THROWN IN JAIL FOR 5467734698 YEARS.

Jail?  You might like that.... :evildude:

The risk is what makes it more fun. :pullover:

Quote from: SVT666 on March 20, 2010, 12:05:45 AM
I thought you left this thread.

Tave rescued you guys.

thank God someone rescued us from the big nasty GoCougs. I don't know what would have become of us...

Quote from: omicron on March 20, 2010, 08:38:53 AM
110km/h (68mph) is the open-road limit in South Australia, but not until you're a reasonable distance out of the metropolitan area. The main freeway from Melbourne is one long downhill gradient for the last few kilometres, so you have to really try not to ride the brakes, especially when they slip an 80km/h zone on you right near the end.

Are speed cameras big in Australia? I know in the UK it's a huge industry. Speeding isn't much fun if you don't get the thrill of dodging the law - getting tickets mailed to you weeks after the offense by some automated bureaucracy would take all the thrill out of it.

Quote from: TurboDan on March 19, 2010, 05:47:24 PM
I don't know why American unmarked cars are the same models as the marked cars. Wouldn't it be more effective to have your unmarked cars be from a different brand than what everyone expects is "a police car?"

I never quite understood that. I know the Cali Highway Patrol did use some Volvos for a while, but they were marked anyway.

When you see a cheap-looking current BMW 3-Series in a bland dark gray with two suspect people sitting in front in Germany - it's an unmarked cop car.  :lol:

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 20, 2010, 12:59:39 PM
Are speed cameras big in Australia? I know in the UK it's a huge industry. Speeding isn't much fun if you don't get the thrill of dodging the law - getting tickets mailed to you weeks after the offense by some automated bureaucracy would take all the thrill out of it.

Dude, that's exactly the way I see it.  I guess that's the whole point, but it sucks.  I love the cat and mouse game of maximizing my speed while successfully dodging the law.

Quote from: cawimmer430 on March 20, 2010, 01:08:50 PM

When you see a cheap-looking current BMW 3-Series in a bland dark gray with two suspect people sitting in front in Germany - it's an unmarked cop car.  :lol:

I really want to drive on the Autobahn.  I'm going to Europe this summer, but I won't be driving at all, and I won't be in Germany.  Maybe next time, I can hit the autobahn.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 20, 2010, 04:32:40 PM
I really want to drive on the Autobahn.  I'm going to Europe this summer, but I won't be driving at all, and I won't be in Germany.  Maybe next time, I can hit the autobahn.

Where will you be in Europe? What car do you plan on renting? Even with a small economical diesel or gasoline engined car, you can still reach speeds of 170 km/h+.  :ohyeah:

I'll be in Europe in late July, but I'll be mainly in Scandinavia.  I'm spending some time in Copenhagen and Stockholm and taking a cruise to Finland, Russia, Latvia and Poland.  Not renting any car this time.

I'll have to come back so I can fly down the autobahn.  It's something I really want to do.

Dude- Germany is just an hour flght away.

YOU MUST GO DRIVING.
(Rent the same car you drive now, so there's no learning curve for the vehicle. The traffic is it's own bear. Get someone who has been there before to co-pilot. ;) )

Quote from: dazzleman on March 20, 2010, 06:24:31 PM
I'll be in Europe in late July, but I'll be mainly in Scandinavia.  I'm spending some time in Copenhagen and Stockholm and taking a cruise to Finland, Russia, Latvia and Poland.  Not renting any car this time.

I'll have to come back so I can fly down the autobahn.  It's something I really want to do.

Scandinavia is expensive as hell!  :mask:

At least you can go on a shopping spree in Russia, Latvia and Poland.  :lol:

Wimmer, I've been reading up on Scandinavia and the prices are eye-popping.  So are the taxes.  I don't plan to buy much, if anything, there.  Most of my time will be on the cruise.  I hate shopping anyway.

Will, I won't have time for Germany this time, but maybe next summer.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 19, 2010, 09:02:02 PM
Last time I went up I-95  I saw NO LIE 35 state highway patrol in a 15mile stretch in NC. It was the first weekend of October last year.

Sometimes they stake out I-20 west to Atlanta, 4-5 troopers in a 2hr trip.

That's worse than when I saw 11 cops sitting on my drive to work.  More than 1 every 5 miles. 

Quote from: Tave on March 19, 2010, 09:50:48 PM

LOL

C'mon guys, at least give his posts a cursory run-through before flying off the handle.

His position is relatively easy to understand.

For starters, NOT ONCE did he endorse left-lane campers or otherwise sanction the behavior.

He simply questioned the wisdom of "enforcing" lane discipline on your own through devices like flashing lights, tailgating, cutting people off, etc...


For Pete's sake, he even acknowledged that he, from time to time, participates in the very behavior y'all support! All he said was it isn't the safest idea.

It's nice that Cougs has a sidekick now. 

Quote from: Raza  on March 20, 2010, 08:11:30 PM
It's nice that Cougs has a sidekick now. 

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LGVEnAur8fQ/R6eMjNEW2mI/AAAAAAAAAC4/1I6aAiUlXDc/s320/My_Bodyguard.jpg)

If my car can do 100 and brake from 100 effectively, the speed limit should be about 80 with heavy penalties above that.

Quote from: sportyaccordy on March 20, 2010, 10:57:13 PM
If my car can do 100 and brake from 100 effectively, the speed limit should be about 80 with heavy penalties above that.

Then I get a limit of 100mph if I buy a better car?

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 21, 2010, 06:20:46 AM
Then I get a limit of 100mph if I buy a better car?

Will, I never knew you were such a speed demon..... :ohyeah:

Just don't let your kids know.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 21, 2010, 06:26:54 AM
Will, I never knew you were such a speed demon..... :ohyeah:

Just don't let your kids know.

LOL
My last speeding ticket was a radar camera flash the last day I drove a government vehicle in Germany. (Jan2005- I moved away a week later so never got in trouble. :lol: )  I don't do more than 5-10mph over anymore.

I did test the 143mph max of my SHO when I owned it. ;) (speedo stopped at 140mph, it was a lot of work to get it past 130mph...)

I rode my bike to work for the summer after my first year of college- my tickets jacked up my insurance so high it wasn't worth paying, plus I was leaving on a church mission that fall. ..

I'm going to encourage a little "spirited" driving while I'm in the car as my kids are learning. So they can test the limits a little as safe as they can. They will pay all tickets and insurance..

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 21, 2010, 08:46:45 AM
LOL
My last speeding ticket was a radar camera flash the last day I drove a government vehicle in Germany. (Jan2005- I moved away a week later so never got in trouble. :lol: )  I don't do more than 5-10mph over anymore.

I did test the 143mph max of my SHO when I owned it. ;) (speedo stopped at 140mph, it was a lot of work to get it past 130mph...)

I rode my bike to work for the summer after my first year of college- my tickets jacked up my insurance so high it wasn't worth paying, plus I was leaving on a church mission that fall. ..

I'm going to encourage a little "spirited" driving while I'm in the car as my kids are learning. So they can test the limits a little as safe as they can. They will pay all tickets and insurance..

Camera tickets don't count.  When was your last real ticket?

And what's with only going 5-10 mph over the speed limit now?  You're surrendering to the man.  The next step is a nursing home if you're driving that speed.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 21, 2010, 11:45:39 AM
Camera tickets don't count.  When was your last real ticket?

And what's with only going 5-10 mph over the speed limit now?  You're surrendering to the man.  The next step is a nursing home if you're driving that speed.

Not everyone can afford to laugh about a couple hundred dollars and insurance premiums. You're losing touch with the real world, old man.

Quote from: Minpin on March 21, 2010, 01:55:00 PM
Not everyone can afford to laugh about a couple hundred dollars and insurance premiums. You're losing touch with the real world, old man.

I know that.  Can't you tell that I'm kidding around?  Goading people to do things that are going to get them in trouble is high school behavior, and grown men emulate high school behavior sometimes as a joke.  Will can do whatever he wants.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 21, 2010, 11:45:39 AM
Camera tickets don't count.  When was your last real ticket?

And what's with only going 5-10 mph over the speed limit now?  You're surrendering to the man.  The next step is a nursing home if you're driving that speed.

My last "real" ticket was 1993?! 
I got SEVERAL radar tickets in Germany. Somehow mine were just fines. Most went to the Commander, who chewed your butt and/or gave you puni$hment.

Don't get me wrong, I've done 90mph on the DC beltway (55mphzone when I was there,) but normally I just set the cruise for 5mph over and roll. As much as I like going fast I am turning into a geezer.. (Except I totally smoked a ricer from the light in a 55mph zone, last night in my Sienna.)

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 21, 2010, 02:52:55 PM
My last "real" ticket was 1993?!  
I got SEVERAL radar tickets in Germany. Somehow mine were just fines. Most went to the Commander, who chewed your butt and/or gave you puni$hment.

Don't get me wrong, I've done 90mph on the DC beltway (55mphzone when I was there,) but normally I just set the cruise for 5mph over and roll. As much as I like going fast I am turning into a geezer.. (Except I totally smoked a ricer from the light in a 55mph zone, last night in my Sienna.)

My last ticket was in 1999, so I'm not that far behind you, man.

Was it the radar tickets that went to your commander?  How did that work?  Were you driving military vehicles when you got them?  Having to answer to your boss for a speeding ticket would definitely suck.

Nice work in the Sienna!  :ohyeah:

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 21, 2010, 02:52:55 PM
(Except I totally smoked a ricer from the light in a 55mph zone, last night in my Sienna.)

:praise:

I find it hard to resist the temptation to put a ricer in his place.

Quote from: R-inge on March 21, 2010, 03:14:55 PM
:praise:

I find it hard to resist the temptation to put a ricer in his place.

You're pretty badass, Roy..... :evildude:

Quote from: Raza  link=topic=21559.msg1292145#msg1292145 date=1269137457
That's worse than when I saw 11 cops sitting on my drive to work.  More than 1 every 5 miles. 

That's pretty close to saturation.  It was like that on a trip to Boston that a took a long time ago.  Luckily, my buddy was driving, and he ended up with the inevitable ticket that day.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 21, 2010, 03:53:08 PM
You're pretty badass, Roy..... :evildude:

Someone has to do it.

Quote from: R-inge on March 21, 2010, 03:59:01 PM
Someone has to do it.

When did you last get popped for speeding, Roy?

Quote from: dazzleman on March 21, 2010, 04:03:35 PM
When did you last get popped for speeding, Roy?

No tickets on my record.  Last stop was three years ago when I got heckled by a Deputy for cruising at 5mph over despite the fact that he was following me the whole time.  He just gave me a tongue lashing and let me go.  Since his colleagues normally do the same speed I was doing that day on that same stretch I didn't figure it was anything other than a powertrip.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 18, 2010, 09:31:00 AM
NO.
If US cops spent half the time enforcing traffic rules (running "pink lights" and lane-camping) as they do catching speeders, global warming would cease, world peace would become a reality.

I've NEVER seen someone pulled over for lane camping. Although it's law most places, for instance in Utah they made it illegal to "let yourself be passed on the right."
-Many states have signs that say "slower traffic drive right". That just makes the camping worse, because big-ego Americans AREN'T SLOW. :rolleyes:

Yup.  Mostly on the left coast, the signs say "slower traffic keep right."  Go over to the east, they say "keep right except to pass."  Seems to work.  You can tell the east coaster living in California by the way he gets back to the right lane after he's done passing.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 21, 2010, 03:54:08 PM
That's pretty close to saturation.  It was like that on a trip to Boston that a took a long time ago.  Luckily, my buddy was driving, and he ended up with the inevitable ticket that day.

It's funny...all those cops sitting, yet I saw no one pulled over.  Traffic talks, you just have to listen.  It's telling that the only times I've been pulled over have been at off hours.  Night (no ticket), middle of the day (wolfpack ticket), late night (follow ticket). 

Quote from: Raza  link=topic=21559.msg1292426#msg1292426 date=1269210874
It's funny...all those cops sitting, yet I saw no one pulled over.  Traffic talks, you just have to listen.  It's telling that the only times I've been pulled over have been at off hours.  Night (no ticket), middle of the day (wolfpack ticket), late night (follow ticket). 

Same for me.  I've been pulled over mainly in the afternoon, and later at night.

The funny thing is, while people tend to worry about getting a ticket when they go on a long drive, my tickets have been close to home doing routine stuff.  One trip to the bank years ago netted me two tickets -- one on the way there, and one on the way back.  Red letter day that was.... :evildude:  Another time, I got busted going to buy some books.  I had gotten off work early and figured I'd take advantage by going to the book store.

On longer trips, I always emerge unscathed, despite usually being one of the fastest cars on the road and speeding pretty consistently on the whole trip.  On all the trips I've made to Boston in the past 3-4 years, I've never even had what you could call a close call.

Quote from: The Phantom on March 21, 2010, 04:11:11 PM
Yup.  Mostly on the left coast, the signs say "slower traffic keep right."  Go over to the east, they say "keep right except to pass."  Seems to work.  You can tell the east coaster living in California by the way he gets back to the right lane after he's done passing.

I HATED Californians when I was going to college in Wyoming.  School was 100miles away from home, I made the visits in a 15yr old Subaru wagon. So I wasn't able to do the 75mph speed limit. I did 60-65mph.

EVERY TIME I made the trip, I'd be puttering along, no other cars in sight 20miles in front or back. Someone would come up from behind and get totally on my bumper before they'd change lanes left. They'd pass and barely miss my front bumper getting back into the right lane. Still no other traffic in view.
And they ALWAYS had California plates when they did that.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 21, 2010, 03:08:41 PM
My last ticket was in 1999, so I'm not that far behind you, man.

Was it the radar tickets that went to your commander?  How did that work?  Were you driving military vehicles when you got them?  Having to answer to your boss for a speeding ticket would definitely suck.

Nice work in the Sienna!  :ohyeah:

The last one I got was in a purple government Caravan. I was yakking with other people in the van and didn't notice a speedlimit change (as we got into a city) and didn't notice everyone had slowed WAAAY down in the right lane. I switched lanes and didn't notice the white Mercedes station wagon with the back door open and two people standing in front of the hood until something FLASHED from the back of the car.

Both the others were in the SHO, one I didn't realize the speedlimit dropped into a construction zone. The other was coming off a 140mph high with a buddy, and it wasn't even in a "no speed limit" zone. We were doing almost twice the limit (120kph/76mph) then I let off the gas and there was a camera hidden in the bushes in the median when the limit changed to 100kph/62mph...

Usually the cameras are easy to spot, like Raza says, just pay attention to traffic.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 21, 2010, 06:30:01 PM
The last one I got was in a purple government Caravan. I was yakking with other people in the van and didn't notice a speedlimit change (as we got into a city) and didn't notice everyone had slowed WAAAY down in the right lane. I switched lanes and didn't notice the white Mercedes station wagon with the back door open and two people standing in front of the hood until something FLASHED from the back of the car.

Both the others were in the SHO, one I didn't realize the speedlimit dropped into a construction zone. The other was coming off a 140mph high with a buddy, and it wasn't even in a "no speed limit" zone. We were doing almost twice the limit (120kph/76mph) then I let off the gas and there was a camera hidden in the bushes in the median when the limit changed to 100kph/62mph...

Usually the cameras are easy to spot, like Raza says, just pay attention to traffic.

I've always found that paying attention to the other traffic is key.  You can almost always tell when there's some type of enforcement by the behavior of the drivers ahead of you.  I've gotten tickets mostly when I was pretty mucyh by myself on the road.  When I'm driving with other cars, I never get nailed, even if I've been speeding extensively.

Quote from: dazzleman on March 21, 2010, 06:33:44 PM
I've always found that paying attention to the other traffic is key.  You can almost always tell when there's some type of enforcement by the behavior of the drivers ahead of you.  I've gotten tickets mostly when I was pretty mucyh by myself on the road.  When I'm driving with other cars, I never get nailed, even if I've been speeding extensively.

Always watch the trucks if you are on the freeway.

Quote from: AutobahnSHO on March 21, 2010, 06:23:51 PM
I HATED Californians when I was going to college in Wyoming.  School was 100miles away from home, I made the visits in a 15yr old Subaru wagon. So I wasn't able to do the 75mph speed limit. I did 60-65mph.

EVERY TIME I made the trip, I'd be puttering along, no other cars in sight 20miles in front or back. Someone would come up from behind and get totally on my bumper before they'd change lanes left. They'd pass and barely miss my front bumper getting back into the right lane. Still no other traffic in view.
And they ALWAYS had California plates when they did that.

yikes, that's what I did to the aforementioned Prius that flashed his high beams at me :mask: but we were both in the carpool lane when that happened (I had to wait for a break in the double-yellow lane demarcations to pass, which is why I had to weave around him so closely)

I've averaged a ticket every 2 years.  8 tickets in 16 years of driving.  Though there was a stretch where I didn't get a ticket for 5 years.  Thankfully they don't count towards your insurance premiums in BC. 

Quote from: 2o6 on March 17, 2010, 04:39:59 PM
55 is slow, and many cars still get pretty good economy at 70MPH.

On vacation last week so I missed this topic.

We drove 960 miles one way to Disney World.  Interstate all the way.  Filled up at home and set the cruise at 72 (The GPS says that's 70 MPH) and pretty much didn't touch the brakes or gas for the first tank.  Averaged close to 37 MPG with probably 550# of people and 100# of luggage in thye 06 Mazda 3.  Filled up just outside Mobile, Alabama and averaged about 36 on that tank.  Next fillup was around Ocala, mileage began to drop.  On the return trip we did the same thing, set the cruise at 72 and noted that mileage was averaging about 32 on the gas we bought in Florida.  We filled up again in Louisiana and gas mileage went back up to around 37 for the remainder of the trip. 

Apparently there is a big difference in the gasoline formulations sold in Florida compared to Texas.  That's about the only thing I can think of for that significant of a difference in mileage. 

I did note that when I did a steady 60 in Louisiana (where that was the limit) mileage was in the low 40's.  I love that Mazda.   :ohyeah: 
 

Quote from: Vinsanity on March 19, 2010, 11:57:34 AM
The one thing I will admit is that most of the time people ignore flashing headlights behind them because they have the same attitude as Cougs: that they have the right to camp in the passing lane in spite of apparent signage indicating otherwise. That said, it's ridiculous to consider it an offensive course of action. It's no more offensive than using your turn signal to let  other drivers know you want to change lanes.

Maybe it's a geographic thing.  Flash your lights behind a slow left lane camper within 100 miles of Houston and you get a rude response.  Do it most anywhere else in the country (in my experience at least) and you get a courteous response.  There are exceptions of course, since one can find a**holes who believe it's their god given right to ignore common road courtesy with their "I'm-only-thinking-of-myself" attitude, just about anywhere.

Quote from: EtypeJohn on March 22, 2010, 09:08:27 AM
Maybe it's a geographic thing.  Flash your lights behind a slow left lane camper within 100 miles of Houston and you get a rude response.  Do it most anywhere else in the country (in my experience at least) and you get a courteous response.  There are exceptions of course, since one can find a**holes who believe it's their god given right to ignore common road courtesy with their "I'm-only-thinking-of-myself" attitude, just about anywhere.

That makes sense. I guess out here, we're so bogged down with traffic most of the time, people are too lazy to be bothered to make a simple lane change when the road opens up enough to actually exceed the speed limit.

Yaaaaay!
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/metro/2010-03-23/slowpokes-left-lane-face-fines-under-georgia-bill

Almost anyway. Dang it- I got so excited.

By Walter C. Jones
Morris News Service
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
ATLANTA --- Legislation to fine poky lane hogs is speeding along with a firm push from the House on Monday after a quick debate.

The House voted 129-29 in just seven minutes to pass and send to the Senate a bill that would set a minimum fine of $75 for any motorist driving less than the speed limit in the left lane who refuses to pull to the right when a faster vehicle approaches."

PA has had a left lane camper law for years now... no one pays attention to it though

Quote from: EtypeJohn on March 22, 2010, 08:59:37 AM
Apparently there is a big difference in the gasoline formulations sold in Florida compared to Texas.  That's about the only thing I can think of for that significant of a difference in mileage. 

One of the many, many ways in which Texas has an awful lot going for it compared to other states.

Quote from: Morris Minor on March 23, 2010, 11:17:33 AM
One of the many, many ways in which Texas has an awful lot going for it compared to other states.

Except that it isn't Texas' doing.  It's mandated by the Feds, EPA I believe.

The difference was so pronounced I briefly thought that maybe I filled up with E-85 by mistake.

Quote from: 3.0L V6 on March 20, 2010, 12:59:39 PM
Are speed cameras big in Australia? I know in the UK it's a huge industry. Speeding isn't much fun if you don't get the thrill of dodging the law - getting tickets mailed to you weeks after the offense by some automated bureaucracy would take all the thrill out of it.

Pretty much, although I think we're a few years behind in terms of camera prevalance and those registration plate-reading whatsits. As a general rule, in South Oz at least, you'd have to be very unlucky to be stopped for speeding by a uniformed police officer. All red-light cameras at intersections are now speed cameras, too, so as long as you don't blast through junctions (and, realistically speaking, you shouldn't be speeding through an intersection in the first place) and keep a bit of an eye out on main roads and near schools or roadworks, you can generally avoid them.

Usefully, the locations of portable cameras are posted by the police on the Internet (http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/road_safety/traffic_safety_camera_locations.jsp?) and subsequently broadcast on the radio and television each day, so you can make note of any in the area.

Quote from: omicron on March 24, 2010, 11:02:17 AM
Pretty much, although I think we're a few years behind in terms of camera prevalance and those registration plate-reading whatsits. As a general rule, in South Oz at least, you'd have to be very unlucky to be stopped for speeding by a uniformed police officer. All red-light cameras at intersections are now speed cameras, too, so as long as you don't blast through junctions (and, realistically speaking, you shouldn't be speeding through an intersection in the first place) and keep a bit of an eye out on main roads and near schools or roadworks, you can generally avoid them.

Usefully, the locations of portable cameras are posted by the police on the Internet (http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/road_safety/traffic_safety_camera_locations.jsp?) and subsequently broadcast on the radio and television each day, so you can make note of any in the area.

Did you ever get one of those camera tickets, Matt?

Kinda apropos to the previous dust up about flashing high beams...

Driving in the fast land in moderate traffic at about 60 mph on the freeway with about two car lengths' space in front of me, and in my rear view mirror I see an idiot shooting up the middle lane and sure enough, he makes a hole shot for the spot in front of my. Unable to control the desire not to, I flash my high beams at him (it was wet, and I got sprayed).

As could be predicted by this sort of driving, sure enough he hits the brakes and slows the entire land down to about 35 mph. I try to pass in the middle lane but he he swerves to prevent me. People of course start diving into the middle land to get around this calamity (he doesn't swerve on them) leaving me behind this piece of garbage. This continues for about a mile mile. The middle lane finally opens up, and I dart past him easily (he was in some POS compact). He was laughably working the gears trying to race me or some such. After I blew past and continued about my business he was doing all sorts of weaving and dodging and all sorts of other nonsense presumably trying to catch up to me. He finally gets up to me and is screaming and raising his phone (as if taking a picture).

As is typical nowadays, pretty much anytime anyone intentionally irks me on the open road I call 911. 911 connected me to the State Patrol, who already said they had another complaint on this guy (LOL - maybe even me too), so hopefully they got him. Not sure what they can do based on a complaint, but a piece of garbage like that hopefully has warrants earning him a ride to the poky.

Also, it's my experience, both personal and otherwise, that even outside Houston flashing high beams no matter the justification will 50% of the time bring an unpleasant response (though usually not nearly as drastic as aforementioned road rage incident). I don't recommend it. Forcing others to alter their driving to accommodate what is probably above/extra legal speeds is simply bullying (and why many Americans won't respond kindly to it) and using it as a means of reciprocating displeasure at bad driving is like throwing rocks at a chained-up rabid dog. In short, it's not a good idea, and it is also a traffic infraction in most any jurisdiction.

He probably just recognized you from your posts here and was pissed you like the Camry so much.

That said, road rage can be deadly.  Don't make a temporary issue a life-long regret.  I've seen it happen and it's bad news.

Quote from: Jon? on April 02, 2010, 09:38:17 AM
He probably just recognized you from your posts here and was pissed you like the Camry so much.

That said, road rage can be deadly.  Don't make a temporary issue a life-long regret.  I've seen it happen and it's bad news.

I'm not really a big fan of the Camry but given its maligned stature here and elsehwhere I do revel in its ability to embarrass (V6), at least in a straight line, many so-called performance cars of both the past and the present.

I can only imagine what would have escalated if I had responded in kind, chased him down or whatever. Some people just have nothing to lose, and otherwise live their daily lives like rabid animals looking for confrontation. But meh, this happens once every six months so it's not as big a deal as when I was younger.

Quote from: GoCougs on April 02, 2010, 09:10:13 AM
Kinda apropos to the previous dust up about flashing high beams...

Driving in the fast land in moderate traffic at about 60 mph on the freeway with about two car lengths' space in front of me, and in my rear view mirror I see an idiot shooting up the middle lane and sure enough, he makes a hole shot for the spot in front of my. Unable to control the desire not to, I flash my high beams at him (it was wet, and I got sprayed).

As could be predicted by this sort of driving, sure enough he hits the brakes and slows the entire land down to about 35 mph. I try to pass in the middle lane but he he swerves to prevent me. People of course start diving into the middle land to get around this calamity (he doesn't swerve on them) leaving me behind this piece of garbage. This continues for about a mile mile. The middle lane finally opens up, and I dart past him easily (he was in some POS compact). He was laughably working the gears trying to race me or some such. After I blew past and continued about my business he was doing all sorts of weaving and dodging and all sorts of other nonsense presumably trying to catch up to me. He finally gets up to me and is screaming and raising his phone (as if taking a picture).

As is typical nowadays, pretty much anytime anyone intentionally irks me on the open road I call 911. 911 connected me to the State Patrol, who already said they had another complaint on this guy (LOL - maybe even me too), so hopefully they got him. Not sure what they can do based on a complaint, but a piece of garbage like that hopefully has warrants earning him a ride to the poky.

Also, it's my experience, both personal and otherwise, that even outside Houston flashing high beams no matter the justification will 50% of the time bring an unpleasant response (though usually not nearly as drastic as aforementioned road rage incident). I don't recommend it. Forcing others to alter their driving to accommodate what is probably above/extra legal speeds is simply bullying (and why many Americans won't respond kindly to it) and using it as a means of reciprocating displeasure at bad driving is like throwing rocks at a chained-up rabid dog. In short, it's not a good idea, and it is also a traffic infraction in most any jurisdiction.

Had a guy in an Exploder doing something similar to me on the way down to Boulder on thursday night.  He was doing the whole weave and swerve thing and ended up on my ass.  He tried to do that this guy did to you but I blocked him out.  The highway has a few lights despite the rather high speed limit, so at one light I got a hole shot and he was behind me... and soon waaay behind me, but he managed to race up to me again and finally managed to cut me off.  From there I just sort of had to relax a bit because I realized I was driving a bit aggressively as well and probably contributing to the general disturbance this guy was causing, but it was still laughable.  Next time I'll just mind my own business and call *CSP to report the aggressive driver.

I'd be a little leery of calling the police on my cellphone while driving to report a traffic infraction, since using your cellphone while driving is (depending on the state you live in) a traffic infraction itself. :huh:

Quote from: Tave on April 03, 2010, 08:17:57 AM
I'd be a little leery of calling the police on my cellphone while driving to report a traffic infraction, since using your cellphone while driving is (depending on the state you live in) a traffic infraction itself. :huh:

I think it's possible to overdo that.  The police couldn't possibly respond to every call.  I would save that for the really dangerous/serious infractions.  Otherwise, I'd hate to be a snitch.  We all do plenty of things, and ultimately what goes around comes around.

Yeah, good points.  I guess if he were to nearly cause an accident that might be justification, but overall it's probably best to just let him be a douche.

Although I did report a guy a couple of years ago whose passengers were throwing unopened cans of soda at a couple of bikers on the interstate.  That was an ugly situation...

Quote from: R-inge on April 03, 2010, 08:47:17 AM
Although I did report a guy a couple of years ago whose passengers were throwing unopened cans of soda at a couple of bikers on the interstate.  That was an ugly situation...

In certain situations, it's the right thing to do, but you can't be a little stoolpidgeon snitching over every little thing, like the kid who tells the teacher that the kid setting next to him ate an M&M in class.

lol

Nah, I don't believe in karma - besides if I did do something that dangerous someone should sic LE on me. IMO Roy's and my situation was a perfect example of getting LE involved.

Was he endangering lives or just a few ego's?  :huh:

It seems this all started because you flashed your beams at him....

Quote from: Minpin on April 03, 2010, 10:55:43 AM
Was he endangering lives or just a few ego's?  :huh:

It seems this all started because you flashed your beams at him....

NEVER endanger Cougs' ego. He guards it more fiercely than his LIFE.

Fortunately for him, it's very large and overinflated, so all the other egos just cower.