# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/101 "2011-08-11T17:20:06Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > How much slack are you gonna cut this guy? He’s laid out a world of elbow to asshole traffic where everyone drives the same speed except for a handful of people who manage to drive 15mph over the speed limit and somehow slalom the bumper-to-bumper traffic, physics and logic be damned. _The exaggeration, it burns!_ > > It’s not that I don’t believe urban rush-hour traffic is a slightly different kettle of fish, I stipulated as much above, it’s that **Acsenray** combines a gift for hyperbole with those snotty comments about drivers he considers “selfish” and “entitled” - fuck me running, it’s driving not psycho analysis. It’s not about hurt feelings or egos, it’s about getting from point A to point B in a safe, timely fashion. > > If you want to drive below the speed limit, like a pussy, hang out in the right lanes so those of us who don’t want to fuck the dog all day can get where we’re going. What you fail to grasp is that no one wants to be going slow. The road is clogged with cars 99% of which would love to be going faster, but it’s just not possible because of the amount of traffic on the road. Every lane, left, right, middle, etc. is FULL. But there’s always a few dickwads who aren’t content to wait it out or just stick to a lane and who continually change lanes thinking the other one is going to get them to their destination 2 seconds faster. They WANT to go 15 mph faster (just like most everyone else) but it’s impossible and all they do is cause havoc. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/102 "2011-08-11T18:27:29Z")
California has a series of helpful [instructional videos.](http://californiakeepright.com/traffic3.html)The NMA has a series of articles about [Lane Courtesy](http://www.motorists.org/lane-courtesy/) Keep Right resources by [state.](http://www.americakeepright.com/) It would appear that I’m not alone in thinking that the congestion on America’s highways could be considerably mitigated by keeping slower traffic to the right. Edit: I forgot we’re in the Pit. Wankers. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/103 "2011-08-11T18:49:26Z")
I have the distinct feeling that you people are talking past each other and bitching about your own personal daily commute/area that is very different conditions from that of the person who you’re vigorously disagreeing with. I say that because I agree with both sides of the argument depending on the road/area/time/traffic-congestion. Rush-hour on I-95? Fuhgeddabowdit, there is no fast lane. The left lane is HOV-only anyway, and all lanes move roughly the same speed. FUCK YOU, there is no fast lane. Same road at night (or a different road that isn’t nearly as congested), when traffic is relatively sparse and there is no (time-scheduled) HOV lane, SLOW TRAFFIC KEEP FUCKING RIGHT, IDIOTS! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/104 "2011-08-11T19:03:15Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > People exceeding the speed limit don’t impede traffic. Except for their wrecked vehicles and smoking corpses blocking the highway, of course. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/105 "2011-08-11T19:43:11Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > California has a series of helpful [instructional videos.](http://californiakeepright.com/traffic3.html)The NMA has a series of articles about [Lane Courtesy](http://www.motorists.org/lane-courtesy/) Keep Right resources by [state.](http://www.americakeepright.com/) > > It would appear that I’m not alone in thinking that the congestion on America’s highways could be considerably mitigated by keeping slower traffic to the right. > > Edit: I forgot we’re in the Pit. Wankers. … And? :rolleyes: Anyone can find a supporting argument for their position on google. Finding random sources via google won’t change my mind about driving safely. Everyone should drive safe. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/106 "2011-08-11T19:52:40Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > What you fail to grasp is that no one wants to be going slow. The road is clogged with cars 99% of which would love to be going faster, but it’s just not possible because of the amount of traffic on the road. Every lane, left, right, middle, etc. is FULL. But there’s always a few dickwads who aren’t content to wait it out or just stick to a lane and who continually change lanes thinking the other one is going to get them to their destination 2 seconds faster. They WANT to go 15 mph faster (just like most everyone else) but it’s impossible and all they do is cause havoc. +1 Exactly! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/107 "2011-08-11T20:16:27Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > I have the distinct feeling that you people are talking past each other and bitching about your own personal daily commute/area that is very different conditions from that of the person who you’re vigorously disagreeing with. > > I say that because I agree with both sides of the argument depending on the road/area/time/traffic-congestion. > > Rush-hour on I-95? Fuhgeddabowdit, there is no fast lane. The left lane is HOV-only anyway, and all lanes move roughly the same speed. FUCK YOU, there is no fast lane. > > Same road at night (or a different road that isn’t nearly as congested), when traffic is relatively sparse and there is no (time-scheduled) HOV lane, SLOW TRAFFIC KEEP FUCKING RIGHT, IDIOTS! I was about to say this. I think you guys are arguing about different things and thus are both right. I routinely drive on the DC Beltway. It’s four lanes across in each direction. The far left lane is NOT a passing lane. Sometimes it’s HOV, but that’s different. People pass on the left, the right, whatever during rush hour. If you have to go extra slow because you’re a wuss or you have an armchair tied to the roof, stay to the far right, but the other lanes are all fair game for everybody. However…road trip up two-lane I-81 passing through Shitsville, PA? The left lane most certainly is a passing lane. There are signs to that effect. People do get pulled over for obstructing traffic picnicking over there, too, though not often enough. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/108 "2011-08-11T21:23:23Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > … And? :rolleyes: > > Anyone can find a supporting argument for their position on google. Finding random sources via google won’t change my mind about driving safely. Everyone should drive safe. Everyone should drive safely, _for the children._ If you’re going to be sanctimonious you should at least turn it up to eleven. ---
**Author:** ![Bri2k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/48db29/32.png) [@Bri2k](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bri2k)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/109 "2011-08-11T21:29:33Z")
I think we’d all be better off if everyone remembered courtesy and common sense. Maybe things have changed, but I always keep in mind drive right, pass left and I try not to stay in the passing lane any longer than necessary. Sometimes I get irked that I “have to yield” for someone merging into my lane or back off at the last minute for some inconsiderate jerk, but it helps if I can remember it’s not NASCAR and the goal is to reach my destination safely. Driving defensively is always best practice. Bri2k ---
**Author:** ![wisernow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@wisernow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wisernow)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/110 "2011-08-11T21:49:41Z")
> [@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. Sorry, came in too late into the thread, but I don’t understand this. Assuming that a lane is closed on a two lane road, then cars can move through only one lane at the narrowest point. Being a single lane at the narrowest point, only one car can go through the “neck” at one time regardlesss of how many open lanes you might have before the “neck”. That being the case, I would imagine a faster throughput thro the “neck” if there was only one lane feeding it smoothly at its mouth instead of two, because if there are two feeder lanes, then time is lost in making adjustments and executing the merging process right at the mouth of the “neck”. This time can be saved if done well before the “neck”. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/111 "2011-08-11T21:50:22Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > However…road trip up two-lane I-81 passing through Shitsville, PA? The left lane most certainly is a passing lane. There are signs to that effect. People do get pulled over for obstructing traffic picnicking over there, too, though not often enough. If “picnicking” is a reference to driving too slowly, I’m sure people occasionally get stopped for this (it’s a potential indicator of drunk driving for one thing), but I’d bet the frequency is insignificant compared to the number of people pulled over for driving like a bat out of hell and zigzagging between lanes to cut the maximal number of seconds off their trip. Last night I was headed home after a long day at work, and there was a guy in front of me dawdling on a two-lane road, maybe 5 mph below the speed limit. When we hit a stretch where the limit increased to 55 mph, he decided that 45 was plenty fast enough. I was tempted to tailgate, or to hit the accelerator and pass him (even though it was a no-passing zone). But I didn’t. A few miles ahead I turned off for home. Strangely, even though I was delayed close to half a minute by the inconsiderate fool in front of me, there were no lasting repercussions and I got over it. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/112 "2011-08-11T23:13:02Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > Everyone should drive safely, _for the children._ > > If you’re going to be sanctimonious you should at least turn it up to eleven. It’s nothing about being sanctimonious. I’m willing to follow the law, drive the speed limit, and allow people to merge. You’ve made it blatantly clear that you are on the other end of this debate. You would rather everyone be less of a burden to you. You would rather not let people merge and speed. I dislike drivers who do not do these things that I’ve mentioned; thus, I am ranting about it. You are responsible for the way you are coming across. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/113 "2011-08-12T00:13:55Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > It’s nothing about being sanctimonious. I’m willing to follow the law, drive the speed limit, and allow people to merge. You’ve made it blatantly clear that you are on the other end of this debate. You would rather everyone be less of a burden to you. You would rather not let people merge and speed. > > I dislike drivers who do not do these things that I’ve mentioned; thus, I am ranting about it. > > You are responsible for the way you are coming across. You’re going to bring up merging again? That’s brave of you considering the way you come across in this thread. You’re the driver who ignores ‘lane ending’ signs in favor of zipper merging, why you would opt for zipper merging over one lane traffic boggles the fucking mind. You’re the driver who slows down precipitously on the freeway to “help” people on a perfectly good on-ramp. You remember up-thread when you wondered why people honk so much? The people honking want to know what the hell you’re thinking. Yup, I’m on the other end of the debate, the end that prefers smooth, efficient, _safe_ traffic flow over over dipshits who don’t drive well and then rant about it. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/114 "2011-08-12T01:17:48Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > You’re going to bring up merging again? That’s brave of you considering the way you come across in this thread. > > You’re the driver who ignores ‘lane ending’ signs in favor of zipper merging, why you would opt for zipper merging over one lane traffic boggles the fucking mind. > > You’re the driver who slows down precipitously on the freeway to “help” people on a perfectly good on-ramp. > > You remember up-thread when you wondered why people honk so much? The people honking want to know what the hell you’re thinking. > > Yup, I’m on the other end of the debate, the end that prefers smooth, efficient, _safe_ traffic flow over over dipshits who don’t drive well and then rant about it. And what exactly is safe about your approach? Some people would argue that you are the one who can’t drive well. ---
**Author:** ![OneMissedPost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8e7dd6/32.png) [@OneMissedPost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneMissedPost)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/115 "2011-08-12T01:19:12Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > You’re going to bring up merging again? That’s brave of you considering the way you come across in this thread. > > You’re the driver who ignores ‘lane ending’ signs in favor of zipper merging, why you would opt for zipper merging over one lane traffic boggles the fucking mind. > > You’re the driver who slows down precipitously on the freeway to “help” people on a perfectly good on-ramp. > > You remember up-thread when you wondered why people honk so much? The people honking want to know what the hell you’re thinking. > > Yup, I’m on the other end of the debate, the end that prefers smooth, efficient, _safe_ traffic flow over over dipshits who don’t drive well and then rant about it. And what exactly is safe about your approach? Some people would argue that you are the one who can’t drive well. > [@Chopper9760](#): > > Everyone should drive safely, _for the children._ > > If you’re going to be sanctimonious you should at least turn it up to eleven. Point 1. > [@Chopper9760](#): > > If you want to drive below the speed limit, like a pussy, hang out in the right lanes so those of us who don’t want to fuck the dog all day can get where we’re going. Point 2. > [@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. Point 3. ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/116 "2011-08-12T04:24:30Z")
> [@OneMissedPost](#): > > Point 1. Your sanctimony has yet to affect my driving, good call, I definitely deserve a point for that. > [@OneMissedPost](#): > > Point 2. I drive at least the speed limit on the freeway and keep right - I think I deserve more than 2 points for that but I’ll take what I can get. > [@OneMissedPost](#): > > Point 3. I don’t drive like a pussy, fuckin’ a, you’re right, that’s definitely worth 3 points. And here I thought we were disagreeing. ---
**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 12, 2011, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/117 "2011-08-12T05:13:11Z")
> [@Chopper9760](#): > > Everyone should drive safely, _for the children._ > > If you’re going to be sanctimonious you should at least turn it up to eleven. I realize you weren’t being serious, but that sort of toasts my buns - we have all these playground zones and school zones that **never have any friggin’ KIDS in them!** Kids aren’t allowed to let feet touch the ground around here, yet all drivers must be inconvenienced multiple times on every drive we make every day _for the children._ ---
**Author:** ![Chopper9760](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cdc98d/32.png) [@Chopper9760](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chopper9760)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/118 "2011-08-12T14:30:02Z")
That is annoying. Our local school zones have flashing lights when the kids are likely to be outside. There’s also a second, increased speed limit that applies when school isn’t in session. That approach seems pretty reasonable but rarely encountered. Any reduced speed zone that’s excessively lengthy irritates me. We have a stretch of road on my way home, the speed is reduced from 50 to 40 to accommodate traffic in an out of a bar and a bike trail. Utterly stupid, the 40mph section is a mile long. 40 isn’t low enough anyway, I always slow down to 25 or 30, I don’t want to be flattening bikers or drunks. I only need to go that slow for about 100yds or so though, a whole mile is just revenue-gathering overkill. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/119 "2011-08-12T18:09:38Z")
We have a long section of I-4 through Orlando where the speed limit is 50mpg. I’ve never figured out why is so low. Even the school buses speed through there. ---
**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 12, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102/120 "2011-08-12T19:06:26Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > We have a long section of I-4 through Orlando where the speed limit is **50mpg**. Well, most cars can’t get as high as 50mpg anyway, so that shouldn’t be a problem. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-people-who-drive-like-maniacs/592102.md?page=7)