Common Courtesy/Rules of the Road

[BKK Jack]

I have been in VA for a few weeks now, and I am very disturbed. On two occasions, I came upon someone traveling at or below the posted speed limit in the far left lane on I-95. Both times, I gave the driver a little high-beam flash to let him know I was there. The first time, the asshole brake-tested me, and the second one gave me the finger as I was forced to pass him on the right. Whatever happened to slower traffic keeping right?

In Great Britain, these drivers would be cited for their behavior. Apparently in NoVA, if I pull around them in a furtive manner to make them aware how unpleased I am, I might get cited for "aggressive driving." I guess I was overseas too long. When did the inmates take over the asylum?

In order to launch my own Public Service Campaign, I am asking for your assistance. I need to find, or find someone who can make me a static cling windshield sunshade band with the words, "SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT" mirror printed just like they put on the front of ambulances. I am sure it won't do any good, because most of the offenders are probably illiterate as well as inconsiderate, but at least I will feel better.

 

[Evo Scooter]

(iagree) (iagree) (iagree)

 

[tsunami]

i don't drive highway but i have a huge gripe with what i call the "45'ER" you know the type they do 45mph regardless of the speed limit. you pass them when they are doing 10 under but when you slow down for a town at 25mph they come up on your ass and tail gate and get all pissed off flippin you off and what not??? i just don't f-in get it speed limits are there for a reason especially through towns and school zones so having the cruise set at 45mph isn't an end all to having to use the gas pedal!!!

and i deffinatly agree to the slower traffic keep right especially in maine where 95 only has 2 lanes over most of it...

 

[CTGrey02]

This is pretty much the reason I won't get a gun permit.

 

[ONRAILS]

haha... its been my biggest issue on highways. I come from Spain, and when someone flashes you because they are going faster, you move over. Pretty much everywhere in the world except the good ole USA.

Back when I was in my early twenties, I had a friend that installed a loud speaker (one of those loud horns that you can speak through). If he got into those situations, he would turn it on and ask the person to move over. lol. Of course, that is probably illegal.

 

[-pixy-]

ugh. i hate people who do that.

I was on 195 passing in the left lane, doing 70, I got flashed so i scooted over and let the guy pass, he got infront of me and set his cruise at 70. Why the hell would someone do that?

 

[-pixy-]

Back when I was in my early twenties, I had a friend that installed a loud speaker (one of those loud horns that you can speak through). If he got into those situations, he would turn it on and ask the person to move over. lol. Of course, that is probably illegal.

lol, i had a friend that installed one in an 98 Crown Vic. lol. everyone moved over for that car.

 

[CTGrey02]

With a crown vic that's not even necessary, you just get on someones ass and they move over. Having everyone instantly slow down the second you get on the highway is a pain in the ass though.

 

[Bakrauf]

People in NoVA just cant freaking drive its terrible. Thats a good one ---> I love that you move over to let someone by and they pass you then slow down.

Another thing i hate is jerkoffs that come off an on ramp and run you off the road beacue they think they have the right of way just to get on a highway.

 

[msp35]

I have been in VA for a few weeks now, and I am very disturbed. On two occasions, I came upon someone traveling at or below the posted speed limit in the far left lane on I-95. Both times, I gave the driver a little high-beam flash to let him know I was there. The first time, the asshole brake-tested me, and the second one gave me the finger as I was forced to pass him on the right. Whatever happened to slower traffic keeping right?

In Great Britain, these drivers would be cited for their behavior. Apparently in NoVA, if I pull around them in a furtive manner to make them aware how unpleased I am, I might get cited for "aggressive driving." I guess I was overseas too long. When did the inmates take over the asylum?

In order to launch my own Public Service Campaign, I am asking for your assistance. I need to find, or find someone who can make me a static cling windshield sunshade band with the words, "SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT" mirror printed just like they put on the front of ambulances. I am sure it won't do any good, because most of the offenders are probably illiterate as well as inconsiderate, but at least I will feel better.

I agree with your complaints fully and would like to add that by passing on the right you run the risk of being labelled an "aggressive driver" and can be cited for careless/wreckless driving despite however slow/fast you're going. It happened to me last year in New Jersey.

 

[CTGrey02]

People in NoVA just cant freaking drive its terrible. Thats a good one ---> I love that you move over to let someone by and they pass you then slow down.

Another thing i hate is jerkoffs that come off an on ramp and run you off the road beacue they think they have the right of way just to get on a highway.

Worse than that are idiots driving 30 MPH on the on ramp expecting to successfully merge with 65-70 mph traffic. They clusterfuck everything.

 

[bazooka joe]

in MA you flash your lights at someone, to have them pull over, you'll get cited for "aggressive driving"!(glare)

 

[shane02pro5]

In many states the left hand lane is for passing only and you will be ticketed just for staying in it for more than what it is intended for. You are not supposed to flash high beams at someone, but flash your lights off and back on. That is just consideration for the old lady you just blinded and lost control.


In Texas most people intentionally slow down and block you in if they know you are trying to get around!!

 

[Hy8us]

LOL welcome to my world. Even better--> ever notice how people drive twice as fast in the rain as they normally do just because its raining. Also when your in bumper to bumper and someone behind you sees a car sized gap infront of you they risk causeing a 30 car pileup swerving around you just to fill the gap!

 

[Airmack]

People in this country like to do anything to piss you off and push your buttons while driving... its sad

 

[desperado-c]

People in NoVA just cant freaking drive its terrible. Thats a good one ---> I love that you move over to let someone by and they pass you then slow down.

Another thing i hate is jerkoffs that come off an on ramp and run you off the road beacue they think they have the right of way just to get on a highway.

Maybe it has always been this way, but I think society as a whole has just gotten to the point where people think being civil is for suckers. I think a lot of people don't even know that there is such a thing as the legal right-of-way. By and large, they seem think it's just a question of who wants to win the game of chicken more.

As far as the left lane, I know it's against the law and etiquette to drive there, but it's usually a lot smoother than the other lanes, easier on the suspension, quieter, etc., especially when you're on a long trip. So, if you want me out of the way, you will have to flash me to let me know you mean business. I'm not about to get over and potentially get stuck in slower traffic for awhile just b/c your cruise is set to 12 mph over and and mine is set to 10. Flame me for that if you want.

Also, I think you can flash your lights without being aggressive. But I guess it depends on the cop's perception. Tailgating and veering around in the lane might be perceived as aggressive by some.(shocked)

 

[Kansei]

LINK: http://www.driverightpassleft.com/

 

[exNeon]

LINK: http://www.driverightpassleft.com/

i have decided that Mass has no driving laws. flashing your lights will almost always get you the brake test, so dont even bother, just pass on the right, i have only seen one car ever pulled over for it, though it was probably for speeding too.
with all the traffic here, i think its asking too much for left only passing. its bad enough that you have to watch your ass for people bombing down the breakdown lane on certain highways and times of day.
good thing the big dig will save everyone the trouble by making the state go bankrupt and forcing everyone to move to canada.

 

[Hikaru9]

Welcome to NoVA! *^_^*

I feel your frustration 100% 'cause I've been living here for 14 years!

I hate the fast lane blocking tards as much as you do, but recently as I started commuting 3+ hours in rush hour traffic everyday to work, I've discovered other annoyances.

Rush hour in NoVA means that cars move at like 5~10mph.
When the road becomes narrower, (say two lanes to one) drivers on both lanes are responsible for merging smoothly. You know... left, right, left, right. Yet some people seem to think that the lane that has to merge have to yield and that the ones staying on the road have the right of way. I was driving my government vehicle back home last night, and this jackass driving a truck almost ran me off the road because he didn't feel like giving me any space even though I already let the guy in front of him go before me. I was so pissed off, and I had to be thankful that I didn't have a gun in the car.

--> this from the DMV manual:
Lane Reduction
The right lane ends soon. Drivers in the right lane must merge left when space opens up. Drivers in the left lane should allow other vehicles to merge smoothly.

What I fail to understand is... why can't people yield, especially in rush hour traffic? "I can't let someone go in front of me because... that adds .2 seconds to my commute." Is that it? I like yielding whenever I can because that makes me and the other driver happy, but when someone forces their way through risking an accident, I sometimes wish I could beat the crap out of that person. And sadly... it does happen. People do get shot on the road.

 

[TheDutchGun]

In many states the left hand lane is for passing only and you will be ticketed just for staying in it for more than what it is intended for. You are not supposed to flash high beams at someone, but flash your lights off and back on. That is just consideration for the old lady you just blinded and lost control.


In Texas most people intentionally slow down and block you in if they know you are trying to get around!!

In Texas they do that because they would consider you a traitor for buying Japanese. Joking of course.