# I pit stupid drivers! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 7, 2014, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041 "2014-08-07T15:26:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/41 "2014-09-23T16:57:25Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > I’m driving in it because I wish to pass the car that’s ahead of me, and you’re not supposed to pass on the right. I have moved over to the left lane from the right to signal this intent. The driver ahead of me has no business being there, as he/she is not engaged in passing another vehicle, and the right lane is entirely clear. I’m hoping you can clarify this. You are driving in the right hand lane, and coming up on a car in the left hand lane going slower than you. So you change lanes into the left hand lane, and you want the car ahead of you to change lanes to the right hand lane so you can pass, and then you will subsequently move back into the right hand lane? ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/42 "2014-09-23T17:00:55Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Macca, I know someone who is at least as bad as that, a woman I’ll call Shirley. I dread riding in her car because of the chances she takes and the excuses she makes. Just one example: We were on Hawthorne Blvd. , a wide arterial street, and a fire engine appeared from behind, its red lights on and siren screaming. She tried to overtake and pass it! The captain, in the right front seat, gave her a warning hand signal, and I think she gave him the finger! I’m surprised she wasn’t arrested! Once saw a driver in Houston refuse to pull to the side for a fire truck, the fire truck finally gets behind him and he is the last guy on the road. Truck is blaring the siren and honking, the starts going slow and finally comes to a dead stop in the street looking afraid. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/43 "2014-09-23T17:07:04Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I’m hoping you can clarify this. You are driving in the right hand lane, and coming up on a car in the left hand lane going slower than you. So you change lanes into the left hand lane, and you want the car ahead of you to change lanes to the right hand lane so you can pass, and then you will subsequently move back into the right hand lane? Correct. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/44 "2014-09-23T17:19:03Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > Correct. Seems rather foolish if you asked me. Are you trying to create a problem or avoid one? ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/45 "2014-09-23T17:23:25Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > Correct. I think the real answer is hyper-correct. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/46 "2014-09-23T17:31:04Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Once saw a driver in Houston refuse to pull to the side for a fire truck, the fire truck finally gets behind him and he is the last guy on the road. Truck is blaring the siren and honking, the starts going slow and finally comes to a dead stop in the street looking afraid. You may be aware, based on my past posts, that drivers failing to yield to an emergency vehicle is an especial peeve of mine. Personally, I think that this should result in automatic suspension or revocation of driving privileges - if you can’t respond properly to an emergency vehicle, you don’t belong behind the damned steering wheel. I always hope that it’s the driver’s own house burning down! ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/47 "2014-09-23T17:39:56Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > Correct. And somehow that seems safer to you than just staying in your lane and passing calmly on the right? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/48 "2014-09-23T18:05:14Z")
> [@Sodalite](#): > > The thing that makes me mad as hell is when I’m in the right lane, driving a little slower for rain or fog or whatever, and some asshole comes charging up behind me. For some strange reason, truckers seem to be the least likely to slow down for conditions, maintaining the same speed whether it is clear and sunny, or a biblical monsoon with 50 foot visibility and 3 inches of standing water. During my recent trip whenever a sheer downpour would hit, I’d slow down to like 50 (in a 65 or 70), and all of the trucks which I had passed would go zooming on past me, only for me to pass them again when it cleared. Umm WTF? 😕:mad: ---
**Author:** ![tonyfop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/85f322/32.png) [@tonyfop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonyfop)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/49 "2014-09-23T18:17:30Z")
They recently installed a new traffic light on a local state highway (MD Rt. 2/4). The speed limit on said road is 55, although the normal speed is about 70. Prior to the installation of the light there were no traffic controls from about 5 miles in one direction and 3 miles in the other. They installed flashing yellow signals about a quarter mile up the road from the light in each direction. These lights flash to tell you that the light ahead is red. There is also much signage pertaining to the new light. This hasn’t stopped several fatal accidents from happening as people run the light. \ What!!! The!!! Fuck!!! There is a huge Fucking yellow flashing light to tell you that there is a Fucking red light up ahead!!! Fucking STOP!!! FUCK!!! ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/50 "2014-09-23T20:02:12Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Seems rather foolish if you asked me. Are you trying to create a problem or avoid one? The “problem” has already been created, and not by me. I’m trying to correct the problem. Let me make it clear that I’m not riding the miscreant’s bumper or blasting my horn (as opposed to tapping on it). I’m trying to get his/her attention with the hope that he/she will do the right thing and resolve the situation in the safest manner possible. See below. > [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > I think the real answer is hyper-correct. > [@Slash1972](#): > > And somehow that seems safer to you than just staying in your lane and passing calmly on the right? Wow! I’m wondering how old all these posters are. Please allow me to again assure each of you that the concept of slower traffic staying to the right on a divided highway and passing occurring on the left is a time-honored one. I’m getting tired of saying “decades,” so how about if I say “well over half a century” instead? I’m sorry that the disappearance of the concept of Drivers’ Education classes has caused such a gap in knowledge among so many. Listen carefully: the MAJORITY of drivers still honor the rule I articulated above. It’s the fact that a smaller number of assholes do not that makes their behavior stand out and cause such aggravation. The MAJORITY of drivers use the passing lane for what it’s intended for: passing. The MAJORITY of drivers don’t pass on the right — and there are many good reasons for not doing this beyond those I’ve already stated.\*\* And of the smaller numbers of drivers who cruise along obliviously in the left lane when they have no reason whatsoever to be there, the MAJORITY of those at least have the sense to move over to the right when they notice a car getting closer to them in their rear-view mirrors (i.e., traveling at a higher rate of speed than they are). So we’re left with the still smaller numbers of drivers who remain clueless about the rules of the road and/or oblivious to their surroundings. It’s these drivers I have a beef with, just as others in this thread have beefs with other examples of poor driving. So make all the condescending remarks you care to. I’m not going to apologize for following those universal rules of the road that have applied for all these years. \*\* Want another one? OK…since these people have already demonstrated that they don’t know how to operate a motor vehicle, what assurance do I have if I pass them on the right that they won’t suddenly and arbitrarily decide they’ll change lanes at that very moment…without bothering to check their rear-view mirrors (or the blind spot, another concept that may well be lost on them)? The reason that piloting hundreds of two-ton hunks of metal at high speeds on asphalt works most of the time is that, most of the time, drivers’ actions are predictable. We’ve all signed off on that driving covenant long ago, or most of us have. When drivers do unpredictable things, accidents occur. So yes, I will continue to make every effort to pass on the left on a divided highway. If you want to tell me why I shouldn’t be doing this, take your best shot. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/51 "2014-09-23T20:32:32Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > The “problem” has already been created, and not by me. I’m trying to correct the problem. Let me make it clear that I’m not riding the miscreant’s bumper or blasting my horn (as opposed to tapping on it). I’m trying to get his/her attention with the hope that he/she will do the right thing and resolve the situation in the safest manner possible. See below. > > Wow! I’m wondering how old all these posters are. > > Please allow me to again assure each of you that the concept of slower traffic staying to the right on a divided highway and passing occurring on the left is a time-honored one. I’m getting tired of saying “decades,” so how about if I say “well over half a century” instead? > > I’m sorry that the disappearance of the concept of Drivers’ Education classes has caused such a gap in knowledge among so many. > > Listen carefully: the MAJORITY of drivers still honor the rule I articulated above. It’s the fact that a smaller number of assholes do not that makes their behavior stand out and cause such aggravation. > > The MAJORITY of drivers use the passing lane for what it’s intended for: passing. The MAJORITY of drivers don’t pass on the right — and there are many good reasons for not doing this beyond those I’ve already stated.\*\* > > And of the smaller numbers of drivers who cruise along obliviously in the left lane when they have no reason whatsoever to be there, the MAJORITY of those at least have the sense to move over to the right when they notice a car getting closer to them in their rear-view mirrors (i.e., traveling at a higher rate of speed than they are). > > So we’re left with the still smaller numbers of drivers who remain clueless about the rules of the road and/or oblivious to their surroundings. It’s these drivers I have a beef with, just as others in this thread have beefs with other examples of poor driving. > > So make all the condescending remarks you care to. I’m not going to apologize for following those universal rules of the road that have applied for all these years. > \*\* Want another one? OK…since these people have already demonstrated that they don’t know how to operate a motor vehicle, what assurance do I have if I pass them on the right that they won’t suddenly and arbitrarily decide they’ll change lanes at that very moment…without bothering to check their rear-view mirrors (or the blind spot, another concept that may well be lost on them)? > > The reason that piloting hundreds of two-ton hunks of metal at high speeds on asphalt works most of the time is that, most of the time, drivers’ actions are predictable. We’ve all signed off on that driving covenant long ago, or most of us have. When drivers do unpredictable things, accidents occur. > > So yes, I will continue to make every effort to pass on the left on a divided highway. If you want to tell me why I shouldn’t be doing this, take your best shot. I 100 percent agree that people in the left lane who don’t move over when someone behind them wants to pass are bad drivers. That said, I have never in my almost 30 years of driving seen someone, on an empty 4 line highway, actually move over from the right line to the left lane to get behind someone, just to get that car to move over to the right lane, so you can pass on the left. Never seen it, never heard of it, never heard any friends or family do it, never even laughed at someone FOR doing it. That’s why I asked you for clarification to make sure I understood what you were saying, because I have never heard of that before. I applaud your insistance on sticking to the PASS ONLY ON LEFT rule no matter what the situation! ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/52 "2014-09-23T20:46:09Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > The “problem” has already been created, and not by me. I’m trying to correct the problem. Let me make it clear that I’m not riding the miscreant’s bumper or blasting my horn (as opposed to tapping on it). I’m trying to get his/her attention with the hope that he/she will do the right thing and resolve the situation in the safest manner possible. See below. Here’s something that may come as a surprise to you. First, it’s not your highway. Second, it’s not your job to correct problems on the highway. Kind of like junior modding the fast lane. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/53 "2014-09-23T20:49:46Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > I 100 percent agree that people in the left lane who don’t move over when someone behind them wants to pass are bad drivers. > > That said, I have never in my almost 30 years of driving seen someone, on an empty 4 line highway, actually move over from the right line to the left lane to get behind someone, just to get that car to move over to the right lane, so you can pass on the left. Never seen it, never heard of it, never heard any friends or family do it, never even laughed at someone FOR doing it. That’s why I asked you for clarification to make sure I understood what you were saying, because I have never heard of that before. I applaud your insistance on sticking to the PASS ONLY ON LEFT rule no matter what the situation! Well, it’s not as if I’m making the move from the right to left lane abruptly, when I’m only a short distance from the car in the left lane. Again, assuming an open road with any traffic behind me being a considerable distance away, I make the move to the left lane well in advance, so that my intention to pass is perfectly clear. In this situation, the driver ahead who’s paying attention will say, “Oh, someone wants to pass me. Guess I better get over to the right.” The driver who’s not paying attention goes on his/her oblivious way. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/54 "2014-09-23T20:52:42Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Here’s something that may come as a surprise to you. > First, it’s not your highway. You’re right, it’s everyone’s highway, and everyone has a responsibility to drive safely on it. > [@](#): > > Second, it’s not your job to correct problems on the highway. > > Kind of like junior modding the fast lane. My job is to drive safely, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. If I pass on the right, I’m not driving safely. So now we have two unsafe drivers instead of one. I find it interesting that you reserve all of your scorn for the safe driver, and have none for the unsafe one. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/55 "2014-09-23T20:57:32Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > … > My job is to drive safely, and that’s exactly what I’m doing. If I pass on the right, I’m not driving safely. So now we have two unsafe drivers instead of one. I have a feeling that when you’re on the road, there’s never a shortage of unsafe drivers. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2014, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/56 "2014-09-23T21:48:58Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > Baker, I’m sorry for your Dad’s passing. Its just not fair how he’s gone while wheelie-dickless still draws breath. You are right, but you forgot to add the driver who hit my dad and caused his death. It’s not the vehicle, it’s the driver. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/57 "2014-09-24T00:01:51Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I have a feeling that when you’re on the road, there’s never a shortage of unsafe drivers. And you base this on what? Please be specific. Meanwhile, thanks for agreeing with my points (as you haven’t refuted any of them, I must assume this). ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/58 "2014-09-24T17:14:16Z")
Let me help by pointing out your “junior mod of the fast lane” mentality for you. > [@DChord568](#): > > I’m talking about a situation where there is no other traffic in the right lane, … > [@Slash1972](#): > > I’m hoping you can clarify this. You are driving in the right hand lane, and coming up on a car in the left hand lane going slower than you. So you change lanes into the left hand lane, and you want the car ahead of you to change lanes to the right hand lane so you can pass, and then you will subsequently move back into the right hand lane? > [@DChord568](#): > > Correct. Who the fuck do you think you are princess? You are deliberately going out of your way to be an asshole, and one of these days you’re going to find a bigger asshole like Zimmerman in the car in front of you. Grow the fuck up. > [@DChord568](#): > > I know that road rage is a horrible thing, but I have to work VERY hard to keep mine in check when I encounter assholes that mosey along in the left lane of the interstate, completely oblivious to the traffic around them… > … Yes, and let me ask you, are you doing anything to help prevent road rage or are you doing something that might actually cause road rage? Buy a bicycle. ---
**Author:** ![DChord568](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@DChord568](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DChord568)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/59 "2014-09-24T17:37:40Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Let me help by pointing out your “junior mod of the fast lane” mentality for you. > > Who the fuck do you think you are princess? You are deliberately going out of your way to be an asshole, and one of these days you’re going to find a bigger asshole like Zimmerman in the car in front of you. Grow the fuck up. > > Yes, and let me ask you, are you doing anything to help prevent road rage or are you doing something that might actually cause road rage? Buy a bicycle. Blah blah blah. Let me repeat two of my earlier statements: To your accusation that I am an “unsafe driver,” I replied: > [@](#): > > And you base this on what? Please be specific. You’ve yet to answer this question with anything other than, well, rage-filled invective. Shouting something louder and more threateningly won’t make it any more true, sorry. > [@](#): > > Meanwhile, thanks for agreeing with my points (as you haven’t refuted any of them, I must assume this). You’ve done absolutely nothing on this score, either. And finally, there’s this: > [@](#): > > I find it interesting that you reserve all of your scorn for the safe driver, and have none for the unsafe one. Again, the silence is deafening. Maybe after you calm down a little, we can have a rational exchange of ideas on this issue. (Hate to say it, but “ideas” have been notably missing from your posts.) Or…maybe this just isn’t possible with you. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041/60 "2014-09-24T18:12:25Z")
> [@DChord568](#): > > \*\* Want another one? OK…since these people have already demonstrated that they don’t know how to operate a motor vehicle, what assurance do I have if I pass them on the right that they won’t suddenly and arbitrarily decide they’ll change lanes at that very moment…without bothering to check their rear-view mirrors (or the blind spot, another concept that may well be lost on them)? What assurance do you have that they’re not in an unfamiliar area but know they want a left lane exit nearby and are in the left lane so they can exit without suddenly crossing from the right lane while you are in their blind spot? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-stupid-drivers/695041.md?page=4)