# It's a two-lane heavily winding road at night... SO STOP BEEPING ME TO GO FASTER! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 23, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372 "2003-07-23T14:02:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/101 "2003-07-26T21:41:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NurseCarmen \* > \*\*For those of you who mentioned being blinded by oncoming traffic: > > Don’t Stare at the fucking headlights! > > Pretty goddamn simple really. \*\* Feel better now that you’ve broken out the bigass font, sweetie? Thought so. I can’t help being blinded by the fucking headlights because my vision is shit. 20/100 without glasses and even with glasses it’s only about 20/30. The headlights _glare_ and that’s why I don’t drive much at night. Even if the car is on the other side of a four-lane highway, they _glare_ and that interferes with my vision until they pass. Halogens are even worse. I can’t see anything past my dashboard when they go by. Fuckin’ halogens. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2003, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/102 "2003-07-26T21:58:29Z")
I’m with you, Spaz. I have a lot of problems with glare at night; oncoming headlights can be torture, although not as bad as SUVs in my rear view mirror. And if it’s raining, forget it. I HAVE to drive a bit slower because I simply cannot see where I’m going otherwise. And I have (technically) 20/20 vision, corrected. And if you’ve ever driven around rural Georgia during deer rutting season and gone the speed limit, especially at twilight, you’re probably the only one. I’ve counted 50 deer in a 30-mile stretch, and have come within a few feet of hitting more than one. And when there’s one deer, there’s usually more! It;s common practice there to leave LOTS and LOTS of room between you and cars in front of you, and to go well below the speed limit. I honestly don’t even recall EVER being passed at that time or under those circumstances. And that’s on a clear, dry evening. Sometimes it’s just not smart to go the speed limit. No matter how wide open the road may appear to be. ---
**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:** [July 27, 2003, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/103 "2003-07-27T12:37:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by blowero \* > \*\*What exactly is your problem, anyway? \*\* I suggested to another poster who had noted your lack of reading comprehension, that he might want to avoid getting into a pissing match with you. You seized on that as an excuse to start flinging insults. If you insist on reminding everyone that you’re a belligerent idiot, don’t blame me. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/104 "2003-07-27T14:20:23Z")
Woohoo! Road-thread rage! Better here than on the streets, where someone could get hurt. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/105 "2003-07-27T17:16:55Z")
**NurseCarmen** , Gee, thanks for that advice. All of my problems are gone now! Where have you been all my life?? :rolleyes: Seriously, when you’re on a windy road and a car coming the opposite direction winds towards you _with their brights on_ it’s hard not to be blinded. In the two seconds it takes to look away, you’re already fucking blinded. And don’t get me _started_ on the assholes in trucks and SUV’s that don’t realize _their headlights shine directly in my motherfucking back windshield!!!_ And **blowero** , **windtalker** specifically said there _weren’t_ any of these shoulder patches in the _3 or 4 minutes_ this encounter lasted for. That is entirely believable. Right after she/he said that, you asked why they didn’t turn out in one of these _nonexistant_ shoulderpatches. Not that I’m trying to keep you from spitting over the top insults out and people merely trying to clarify a fairly obvious point that you’re missing, or anything. Rage on, my friend. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/106 "2003-07-28T05:31:45Z")
Lezlers: windtalker did not say that. He/she may have _meant_ that, but it wasn’t clear, which is why I asked for clarification, because I didn’t want to assume anything. You guys didn’t “merely try to clarify”, you did it in a snide way, and you weren’t even correct. That’s cool, because this is The Pit, and flaming is allowed. Just don’t be self-righteous about it if I flame you right back. Not sure what you were expecting, maybe “Gosh, Lezlers, thanks _ever_ so much for your facetious little remark.” And honey, you ain’t even _seen_ “over the top” yet. Why don’t you try me? And Jackmannii, you’re just childish. I spanked your butt in the other thread, and now you want to follow me around like a puppy dog from thread to thread and take shots at me me. That’s really fucking pathetic, dude. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/107 "2003-07-28T06:18:56Z")
“me me” - huh! ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/108 "2003-07-28T21:09:04Z")
Advice taken. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/109 "2003-07-28T22:21:51Z")
A few things: (note here we are talking about a “one lane in each direction, no passing lane road”) 1. Here in CA, if there are X number of cars lined up behind you on such a road, you are REQUIRED to use a turn-out to let them pass. Not doing so- NO MATTER THE REASON- is illegal. 2. On some roads, there is no place to pass, thus the driver going slower must needs use said turn-out. If you really feel YOU must go that slow- pull over & use said turn-out. Then everyone is happy. The accepted and polite signal for asking someone to “pull over and use the turn-out” is a BRIEF flash of th ehigh-beams. Treating said BRIEF flash as a signal to be an asshole & slow time is wrong. 3. Tailgating is NOT the accepted signal, unless it is for a very brief moment to signal them, then back off. If you tailgate, you are the asshole. 4. Once you signal, you need to let a few minutes go by, until the car in front of you sees a safe place to pull over. A one time hit on the right turn signal can tell the dude behind you you are looking for such a spot, and will do so as soon as safe. Thus, in the OP’s case, the guy behind him was being an asshole as he couldn’t wait for a few minutes. However, if our OP had so signaled, maybe the guy behind him would not have been so excited. 5. Although it is true that the speed limit is the “top end” and you can be ticketed for going that fast under certain conditions, you can also be ticketed for going the speed limit and “impeding traffic”. 6. If you feel you need to drive slower due to “road conditions”- by all means do so- but let others make up their judgement as to what is safe for THEM. Thus, in our OP’s case, HE was also being somewhat of an asshole as he was deciding what was safe for “the other guy” and his posts show clearly the circumstances included personal problems that others would not always share. 7. Do NOT, whatever you do- make the “road rage” worse by significantly slowing down if there is an asshole behind you. This can be the death of you- and I mean that literally. There- an Aussie 5 item list. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/110 "2003-07-28T22:28:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Little Plastic Ninja \* > **In fact, it’s allowed/legal/halfway encouraged in Texas to pass people on the right.** No. It isn’t allowed, it isn’t legal and it isn’t encouraged. I’m curious where you get the idea that passing on the right is okay. [Cite](http://home.att.net/~texhwyman/laws.htm) > [@](#): > > DRIVE RIGHT, PASS LEFT > > §545.051 > > (b) An operator of a vehicle on a roadway moving more slowly than the normal speed of other vehicles at the time and place under the existing conditions shall drive in the right-hand lane available for vehicles, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, unless the operator is: > > (1) passing another vehicle; or > > (2) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. I also like the explanation that is provided: > [@](#): > > Imagine this scenario: you’re in the left lane on the freeway going faster than other traffic you come up behind someone going a little slower than you. Instead of waiting a few seconds for them to move over, you whip around them on the right. At the same time, someone going much slower than you is trying to get on the freeway at the same location. Now, both of you are creating a big hazard for each other and someone is going to have to give. This is why (a) you shouldn’t pass on the right; and (b) you should move to the right if you’re traveling slower than other traffic. The second part applies no matter how fast you are going. Granted, this doesn’t really apply to the OP, but I don’t want **LPN** passing along bad information. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/111 "2003-07-28T22:28:43Z")
Just thought of 2 more items: 1. If there is a whole damn line of cars ahead of you “going too slow”- then don’t flash, taligate or do anything but cool out &wait for a chance to pass. The dude right in front of you is trapped also. 2. If you are going slightly above the speed limit in the left lane on a multi-lane freeway, and there is room on your right- you should signal & move over for the dude going faster. That being said, if you are they dude coming up faster- and the guy in the left lane doesn’t pull over to his right to let you pass- then YOU can just go ahead and do so- after signaling. No need to get all “road rage” about it. ---
**Author:** ![wakimika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f08c70/32.png) [@wakimika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wakimika)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/112 "2003-07-28T22:32:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DrDeth \* > **…you can also be ticketed for going the speed limit and “impeding traffic”.** You can be ticketed for going the speed limit? I find that hard to believe. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/113 "2003-07-28T22:54:19Z")
At least here in CA. “Impeding Traffic”. Although I must admit that I have only heard of one such ticket being issued- but a Cop buddy of mine issues a warning about this at least once a month- true usually to those going a bit below the limit. The only time he really issued a ticket for this is when some dude talked back to him, and said my Cop buddy was wrong, and dared him to write the ticket. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372/114 "2003-07-28T23:43:53Z")
Well I would have taken it to court and told that officer to shove that ticket up his ass. That’s about the single most stupid thing I’ve heard. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-two-lane-heavily-winding-road-at-night-so-stop-beeping-me-to-go-faster/190372.md?page=5)