Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The Road
Today I'm on the road to Macon, Georgia, to see my old colleague Bill Underwood and his family. It's a straight shot from Detroit to Macon on I-75, the big road that bisects the East from the Midwest.
Driving on an interstate, I have noticed something odd-- recently, there have been many more trucks conducting low-speed passes and letting traffic build up in the left lane behind them. I don't seem to remember this being such a problem in the past.
My brother (a truck driver) told me why this is. To save gas, some companies are place speed-limiting devices on trucks, so they cannot go over 62 (for example). Therefore, a truck limited in that way is going to take a loooong time to pass a truck going 60.
I suppose that is understandable. But what I don't get is the doofuses who get in the left lane and never leave, even though they aren't going very fast. What are they getting out of it, other than a perverse joy in screwing up traffic patterns? Urgh.
What driving habits drive you nuts?
Driving on an interstate, I have noticed something odd-- recently, there have been many more trucks conducting low-speed passes and letting traffic build up in the left lane behind them. I don't seem to remember this being such a problem in the past.
My brother (a truck driver) told me why this is. To save gas, some companies are place speed-limiting devices on trucks, so they cannot go over 62 (for example). Therefore, a truck limited in that way is going to take a loooong time to pass a truck going 60.
I suppose that is understandable. But what I don't get is the doofuses who get in the left lane and never leave, even though they aren't going very fast. What are they getting out of it, other than a perverse joy in screwing up traffic patterns? Urgh.
What driving habits drive you nuts?
Comments:
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I have a CDL. It is against the driving laws of the state of Texas for tractor-trailers to pass vehicles while travelling up a hill. This will now tick you off when you are stuck behind a "doofus" traveling 62 (or less) up a hill while "passing" another "doofus".
# posted by 
: 10:29 AM
: 10:29 AM
Cody and I call that truck-next-to-truck move the "Parcheesi Block". I hate it. I also hate it when people "Landshark" you--that is, follow you very slowly when you're walking through the parking lot in order to take your spot. It's exceptionally annoying when there are plenty of other spots available. In order to combat it, I will purposefully go down the wrong aisle and then cut through.
Ok I am SO CONFUSED..... Your brother is now a truck driver? I thought he was a drumming social worker? Or do you have more than one brother...
Jessica I think you are very funny and I LOVE that you named that FOLLOW ME IN THE PARKING LOT move the LAND SHARK that is hystertical. We get "land sharked" all the time at Costco.
Jessica I think you are very funny and I LOVE that you named that FOLLOW ME IN THE PARKING LOT move the LAND SHARK that is hystertical. We get "land sharked" all the time at Costco.
Definitely the slow car in the left, or "passing lane." Those people should have their driver's licenses revoked.
Slow trucks don't bother me as much -- they're professionals, and yes, many trucking companies are re-installing "governors," devices that were popular in the late 70's during the gas crunch of that era.
I also hate and am frightened by tailgaters.
Slow trucks don't bother me as much -- they're professionals, and yes, many trucking companies are re-installing "governors," devices that were popular in the late 70's during the gas crunch of that era.
I also hate and am frightened by tailgaters.
# posted by : 1:58 PM
: 1:58 PM
The thing that drives me nuts is when somebody is passing you in the left lane, but as they get next to you they slow down and just drive next to you. Then they eventually pass you and get in front of you and then slow down, so you try to pass them. But when you get next to them they speed up. I don't know what is wrong with these people, but I hate them.
Bottom line, just pick a speed and drive. If you're going faster than me fine with me. If you're going slower than me, fine with me. But speeding up/slowing down. I'm against it.
Also, I people with excessive bumper stickers.
Bottom line, just pick a speed and drive. If you're going faster than me fine with me. If you're going slower than me, fine with me. But speeding up/slowing down. I'm against it.
Also, I people with excessive bumper stickers.
# posted by : 3:03 PM
: 3:03 PM
I don't like it when people don't build up enough speed on an entrance ramp and enter the freeway driving far less than the speed limit, forcing me to either brake or make a lane change.
I also get irritated when people tailgate me when I'm in the right lane driving the speed limit and the other lanes are empty.
And I'm sorry, "landsharking" in a crowded parking lot is just a practical and perfectly acceptable way of finding a spot with less circling/gas wasting.
I also get irritated when people tailgate me when I'm in the right lane driving the speed limit and the other lanes are empty.
And I'm sorry, "landsharking" in a crowded parking lot is just a practical and perfectly acceptable way of finding a spot with less circling/gas wasting.
# posted by : 5:25 PM
: 5:25 PM
What is your opinion of the driver that does not merge on the high way when there is advertised lane reduction ahead? Part of me hates them because they can't act like lemings and line up with the rest of us on the road. And I hate letting them in to the line after doing so. On the other had, did I need to merge so early or would it be faster if I had waited?
Given the posted 'max' speed limit on most interstates is 65 I would find this annoying. I guess I did notice this on my recent drive to and from FL, but during the week there were mostly trucks on the road and there was a lack of rickety motor homes heading south for the winter. It was much easier to get around them in my speeding Passat!
Like Tyd - you're brother is driving a truck? huh - I too thought he was a social worker like your roller derby, impromptu dancing sister.
Like Tyd - you're brother is driving a truck? huh - I too thought he was a social worker like your roller derby, impromptu dancing sister.
Yes, he does drive a truck, and today when I passed him going the other way on I-75, he gave me a most excellent horn blast! (we were talking on the phone, and realized we were in the same area)
So where are the DRUMS, then? In the cab?
You know trucking is really really hard. I had a friend that went all the way through trucking school and then never became a trucker because it was too scary.
You know trucking is really really hard. I had a friend that went all the way through trucking school and then never became a trucker because it was too scary.
One thing that drives me nuts is the stupid driving age! Why cant they lower it to 14 and let me get a permit?
Slightly on topic Bill Underwood quote just after recovering from a detached retina: "The doctor told me I couldn't drive my corvette anymore because the suspension is too tight. So, I had to dust off the Jag..." Followed immediately by a discussion of comparative negligence. I miss that guy.
# posted by : 10:35 AM
: 10:35 AM
I am bothered by those speed up when I am attempting to safely and legally pass them. I also don't enjoy when said drivers (who were travelling under the posted speed limit) decide to flip me and my family "the bird" just for my careful pass. (Wow, my 3 year old neice needed to learn THAT sign language!) Hmm, and to complete the picture, the driver in this case was around 80 years old.
I am ready to get back to Texas where everyone speeds and we have multi-lane highways. New Mexico is not full of friendly drivers, I hope the Georgians are at least being nice to you, Professor!
I am ready to get back to Texas where everyone speeds and we have multi-lane highways. New Mexico is not full of friendly drivers, I hope the Georgians are at least being nice to you, Professor!
If my recent experience is any guide, the friendly Texas tradition of pulling over to the shoulder to let faster vehicles pass is no longer in fashion. At least not on 90 & 281.
And I10 was pure amateur hour the day after Xmas. For whatever reason, the vehicles least able to safely handle high speeds and tailgating (read: big pickups & SUV's) were the ones driving at least 15+ over the limit and latching on to my rear bumper.
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And I10 was pure amateur hour the day after Xmas. For whatever reason, the vehicles least able to safely handle high speeds and tailgating (read: big pickups & SUV's) were the ones driving at least 15+ over the limit and latching on to my rear bumper.
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