# I Pit People Who Drive Like Maniacs **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 9, 2011, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102 "2011-08-09T17:19:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/21 "2011-08-09T19:18:12Z")
> [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](#): > > Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac? - George Carlin Hey, supplying that quote by Carlin is my job, dammit! :mad: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/22 "2011-08-09T19:19:57Z")
I live near the end of I-185 in Georgia. It cuts off from I-85 and terminates at Fort Benning. There’s not often a lot of traffic on this stretch of highway. The speed limit is 65. I LOVE it when I’m tooling along, doing the speed limit, and some bozo flies past me as though I’m doing 30. Speeding ticket in 3…2…1… Bingo! I just grin and drive on by… Oh yes… When you see the sign indicating that a lane is going to be closed ahead, please get into the correct lane as soon as safely possible. You get karma points for allowing others to merge if you are already in the correct lane. That said, if I am already in the correct lane and you blow past me in the soon-to-be closed lane, I will not let you merge when I get to you. Smartass. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/23 "2011-08-09T19:26:03Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > Yeah, I really hate it when people tailgate and everyone does it. It’s amazing how many people get their license that really don’t even deserve to have a license. I mean people should at least be taught not to tailgate or ride bumper to bumper during smooth-flowing traffic. \ I’ve wondered about how people got their licenses, too. I think it’s a combination of being taught to drive by your parents and doing everything that they do wrong, not being taught much at all and just passing the test (you don’t have to be a good driver to pass the licensing test - you just basically need to have a good day driving that day), being tested by someone who doesn’t care if you’re competent or not, and the obvious one, people driving without a license. I watch the show “Canada’s Worst Driver,” and every one of those incredibly bad drivers is a legally licensed driver (with Canadian driver’s licenses, which means that they can also drive in the US). Trying to get people to take driving seriously is my personal crusade - it’s the most dangerous thing most people do every day, and we don’t give it a second thought, and we make no effort to become good at it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/24 "2011-08-09T19:47:50Z")
> [@SnakesCatLady](#): > > When you see the sign indicating that a lane is going to be closed ahead, please get into the correct lane as soon as safely possible. Uh, no. That’s a formula for longer backups, longer delays, worse congestion, etc. The absolute worst thing is for everyone to cram into one lane and leave the next one empty for two miles. You should use all available lanes all the way to the point that they merge, and then you should zipper merge with the other lane. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/25 "2011-08-09T19:54:35Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Uh, no. That’s a formula for longer backups, longer delays, worse congestion, etc. The absolute worst thing is for everyone to cram into one lane and leave the next one empty for two miles. You should use all available lanes all the way to the point that they merge, and then you should zipper merge with the other lane. Yep, and usually when I do this people allow me into the lane. Not letting someone in the lane is possibly the worst thing you can do when they are at the point of the merge because a: they could hit your car when trying to merge b: it would cause more congestion c: it would cause both cars to act in an unpredictable manner I hate when cars do not let me in when I’m trying to merge especially when I tell them in advance that I need to merge. When a car is trying to merge, you do not go faster. Ugh! ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/26 "2011-08-09T20:00:21Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > Yep, and usually when I do this people allow me into the lane. Not letting someone in the lane is possibly the worst thing you can do when they are at the point of the merge because > > a: they could hit your car when trying to merge > b: it would cause more congestion > c: it would cause both cars to act in an unpredictable manner > > I hate when cars do not let me in when I’m trying to merge especially when I tell them in advance that I need to merge. When a car is trying to merge, you do not go faster. Ugh! _Point of merge means_ what, look out here I come, if you brake hard you can miss me? ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/27 "2011-08-09T20:03:27Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > _Point of merge means_ what, look out here I come, if you brake hard you can miss me? You should be going the speed required to drive safely. If you do not allow enough room for people to merge, it will be your fault if an accident occurs. It’s your responsibility to be ready for people to merge. YOU are responsible for adjusting your speed when needed. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/28 "2011-08-09T20:19:02Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > If you do not allow enough room for people to merge, it will be your fault if an accident occurs. It’s your responsibility to be ready for people to merge. YOU are responsible for adjusting your speed when needed. Nope. It might very well be courteous to do as you describe, but the driver changing lanes has no claim whatsoever to right-of-way over a driver in the through lane. Or do you also think it’s my responsibilty to get out of your way when you’re turning, and it’ll be MY fault if you hit me? That’s just stupid. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/29 "2011-08-09T20:28:37Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > Nope. > It might very well be courteous to do as you describe, but the driver changing lanes has no claim whatsoever to right-of-way over a driver in the through lane. Or do you also think it’s my responsibilty to get out of your way when you’re turning, and it’ll be MY fault if you hit me? That’s just stupid. No, it’s your responsibility to be alert. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/30 "2011-08-09T20:29:45Z")
Drove cars in Houston, TX. On hot days, when people tend to be a mite testy. And armed. Nowadays, drive mostly in Minneapolis. Soothing. Like going from Wagner to Satie. ---
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/31 "2011-08-09T20:32:18Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > No, it’s your responsibility to be alert. No, it’s _your_ responsibility to follow the law and yield appropriately as well as signal lane changes. Bri2k ---
**Author:** ![otternell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecc23a/32.png) [@otternell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/otternell)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/32 "2011-08-09T20:38:09Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Drove cars in Houston, TX. On hot days, when people tend to be a mite testy. And armed. Nowadays, drive mostly in Minneapolis. Soothing. Like going from Wagner to Satie. Boy what is up with Mnpls drivers anyway? Just up there yesterday and I swear no one was speeding, except me! It was thoroughly aggravating! Plus, what with the car pool lane, the middle lane should become the de facto passing / fast lane, and all these slow pokes were dawdling in it. I was quite irritated with all the peaceful and placid Minnesotans. Come on - shit to do, places to be! Keep it moving! ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/33 "2011-08-09T21:10:01Z")
I pit people who drive like pussies. Go _at least_ the speed limit and if you’re in the left lane you better goddamned well be passing someone in a timely fashion. When me and 6 other cars pass you on the right, it’s time to pull the fuck over and clear the passing lane. You don’t have to slow down that much for a corner. Brake/slow down before the turn, accelerate through, and for fuck’s sake don’t make the widest turn possible. If you’re using brakes on the freeway, you’re a douchebag and you need to pay more attention to what you’re doing. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/34 "2011-08-09T21:27:18Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > I pit people who drive like pussies. Go _at least_ the speed limit and if you’re in the left lane you better goddamned well be passing someone in a timely fashion. > > When me and 6 other cars pass you on the right, it’s time to pull the fuck over and clear the passing lane. > > You don’t have to slow down that much for a corner. Brake/slow down before the turn, accelerate through, and for fuck’s sake don’t make the widest turn possible. > > If you’re using brakes on the freeway, you’re a douchebag and you need to pay more attention to what you’re doing. None of these rules are relevant to urban rushhour driving when cars are packed together with less than a car’s length in between. In the city, there’s no such thing as a passing lane, regardless of whether you’re on a surface street or on a controlled-access road. They’re all driving lanes and they’re all going at pretty much the same speed. In these conditions, the people who act like they just have to go faster than everyone else and can’t slow down for the car in front of them to make turns are not only jackholes, they’re also the ones causing daily accidents, which causes even more delays. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/35 "2011-08-09T21:33:47Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > \for fuck’s sake don’t make the widest turn possible.\ Do you mean the farmer turn - swing left, turn right? I hate that shit. Nobody except someone driving a semi trailer needs to do that - modern cars will turn perfectly fine from a driving lane into another driving lane. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/36 "2011-08-09T21:40:46Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > You should be going the speed required to drive safely. If you do not allow enough room for people to merge, it will be your fault if an accident occurs. It’s your responsibility to be ready for people to merge. YOU are responsible for adjusting your speed when needed. While I agree with most of your posts, you’re wrong on this one. It’s up to the person merging to get up to the speed of through traffic, not for through traffic to slow down to allow you to merge. This is one of my pet peeves - when people slow WAY down or stop to allow other timid drivers to merge in. Get up to speed, people! ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/37 "2011-08-09T21:46:56Z")
> [@EmAnJ](#): > > While I agree with most of your posts, you’re wrong on this one. It’s up to the person merging to get up to the speed of through traffic, not for through traffic to slow down to allow you to merge. > > This is one of my pet peeves - when people slow WAY down or stop to allow other timid drivers to merge in. Get up to speed, people! If someone is trying to merge, you better believe that I will let them in if I can. I’d rather let them in than speed up and play the “I’m not going to let you in game.” If there’s no possible way to let them in, then that’s another story. If you are going the speed limit and driving defensively, as you should, there is no reason why you can’t let someone in unless it is just impossible (for one reason or another) to let that person in. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/38 "2011-08-09T21:48:48Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > I pit people who drive like pussies. Go _at least_ the speed limit and if you’re in the left lane you better goddamned well be passing someone in a timely fashion. > > When me and 6 other cars pass you on the right, it’s time to pull the fuck over and clear the passing lane. > > You don’t have to slow down that much for a corner. Brake/slow down before the turn, accelerate through, and for fuck’s sake don’t make the widest turn possible. > > If you’re using brakes on the freeway, you’re a douchebag and you need to pay more attention to what you’re doing. So I’m a douchebag if I have to put on my breaks to avoid hitting someone? Yeah… that makes so much sense. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/39 "2011-08-09T22:05:47Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > If someone is trying to merge, you better believe that I will let them in if I can. I’d rather let them in than speed up and play the “I’m not going to let you in game.” Will I mildly adjust my speed one way or the other to make it easier for someone to merge? Yes, certainly. Move to the left lane if it’s open? Of course. Will I slow down 20 or 30 miles an hour to let someone in who doesn’t have the brains to use the on-ramp for acceleration while they’re eyeballing the highway for open spots? Ha. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2011, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/40 "2011-08-09T22:06:53Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > So I’m a douchebag if I have to put on my breaks to avoid hitting someone? You probably shouldn’t be dancing and driving anyway. You should be operating the gas and brake pedals. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102.md?page=3)