[jayCT22]

Originally Posted by JViello

Let me be clear about my post. It's not about aggravation. It's not about agression. It's about the law and rule of driving. The left lane is NOT a travel lane. It's in your DMV handbook. You should not be pacing the car in the middle lane while you are in the left lane. Pass, or slow down - put on your right signal and move over and travel.

I travel a LOT on CT's highways, and at least 90% of the time I'm in the middle lane. If I have to pass, check the mirror, left signal - lane change, pass, right signal - lane change. It's that simple.

Why is that so hard?

I'm not talking about someone going 90mph pushing a car going 70mph...BUT even still if they are coming up on you and you can move to the right lane - you were supposed to be there anyway. If not, continue on at your speed IF you are overtaking the car in the right lane (If not speed up a little or slow down) and when the right lane opens up move over. A drivers license does not equal a badge no matter how much you may disagree with the other person.




Call the DMV. The rule of law still state that slower traffic keep right and the flow of traffic is designed the way I posted above.



On a two lane highway, both lanes are dual purpose. Left lane ='s passing/travel right lane equals slow traffic/travel.

It's very easy. If you can move over, do so.



I dont' need to check with the local police. State Police Sargent Paul Vance is a friend for over 20 years, as is Sgt Cunningham of the DMV and Inspector Demayo of the DMV. (Remember I've been in the automotive industry for over 21 years.)

We have two...two short stretches of federal highway that is two lanes in this state...antiquated? I seriously disagree. If you mean we dont' have speed trap cameras, helicopter speed traps, traffic cameras and electronic bulletin boards then yes and I say THANK GOD.



I'm going to stop your rant right there. Why do you have a flash to pass on your car? Why do they do so on every road in the world - specifically in Germany on the autobahn? It's to alert the person in front of you that quicker moving traffic is approaching and guess what...in the rest of the world people move over with no brake checks, flip offs or wannabe cop attitudes!

It's the blatant arrogance of the American driver who thinks it's his or her RIGHT to block traffic or dictate to someone how fast or slow THEY think they should go...it's just a typical American selfish narcissistic ego driven mindset.

Not everyone is paying attention to their mirrors. (Sad but true) That's why you have flash to pass. I suggest you do some research on the subject before going off on an ignorant tirade about me being a bully.

As for your grandmother and daughter...IT'S THE LAW so you should teach your 16 year old the law of passing and travel lanes and WHAT FLASH TO PASS MEANS...and your grandmother should be tested every year to be sure she is fit to be behind the wheel.

Blinding someone from a quick flash? Get real...You are clueless to the subject, sorry.

Edit: This is right from the CT DMV Handbook.

Page 47



And again on Page 38



http://www.ct.gov/dmv/lib/dmv/20/29/ctdriver.pdf

Wow, how about that. Too bad more people don't know the rules of the road or how to act in a proper manner.

You want to talk acting in a proper manner? Why are you so impatient with other people on the road? Flashing your lights is not proper manner, nor is tailing the car in front of you even if they are going 65mph. Practice what you preach, sir.

And if Mr. Vance is such a wonderful friend to you, don't you think he'd be a little embarrassed at the fact his friend is playing Mr. Police Officer by attempting to force people to drive faster, which I can guarantee is well above the speed limit. If you're such good friends with an important person, one would hope you'd be a little more courteous to other drivers on the road.

As for the blatant arrogance of the American driver, that would be you, my friend, who thinks their time is more important or more valuable than others on the road.

And just so you know, the speed limit is 65, so if you blind people going the speed limit, you're a reckless driver.

I don't need to call the DMV, because I work for the state and know the book like the back of my hand. I understand that the left lane isn't for normal travel, but on CTs highways (many of which are only two lanes), 18 wheelers going 55-60 blocking the right (and middle) lane is the norm. Drive 84 between Waterbury and Danbury. The trucks are usually in the right lane and flowing traffic in the left. On 95 between New Haven and Stamford, trucks block the center lane going about 55mph. Where does traffic end up? You guessed it, the left lane. It's how it works. Also, what's in the DMV book was printed in the early 1980's for highways that contained less traffic, were less antiquated and there were less road rage incidents (which means less aggressive drivers such as yourself). The DMV book is rarely updated. And yes our highway system in all of the northeast is antiquated, which is why they're doing such large construction projects (particularly in western CT and up near Boston) to widen them. I'd think that someone being in the automotive industry for 21 years would have known this.

You're comparing interstate 95, 84, 91 and the Merritt Pkwy to the Autobahn? And you have the nerve to say I'M clueless on the subject? I think you're the one who needs to get real here, Mr Viello. This is America. We have rules and laws that we must follow that most countries don't have. We have among the least motor vehicle accidents (not involving alcohol) than any civilized country, and that is a direct result from the tough laws we have for drivers on our highways. I think you're the one who needs to do your research because you really make yourself sound idiotic.

Our debate doesn't come down to right lane, left lane rules, it comes down to common courtesy when you're on the road. Frankly, I think you lack it and I hope I never come across you on our highways. I'll be the guy doing 75 in the left lane and if you get close to me, well, lets just say I need a new car.

Have a nice day.

[markablue]

Create another thread for your driving debate or move it to email /PM, please and go back to the topic of this thread, please.

[J&A'sMOM]

Yes I agree - I moved here from Michigan and have been here over a year. I couldn't understand why everyone appeared to be so rude. Then I came to the conclusion that people here are used to a very large private personal space and they are uncomfortable with you getting to close to them. It's like that when they drive which is actually nice - no one will tailgate you. Just like a lot of the communities have large lots where people seem to close themselves off to the world. It's like PLEASE DO NOT TALK TO ME.

Most of the friends I've made are not from CT. It still gets under my skin that I can be at a park with only two Mom's and neither will look my way, they will totally ignore me like I am invisible. I really don't get it. They are teaching their children to be this way. I was taught to say HI to everyone and smile. It's just the culture here. My friend from San Fran hated it so much she and her family moved back in a year. You've got to have thick skin and don't take it personally.

After saying all of that I've also met some very nice people that were born and raised in CT.

[jjbradleynyc]

I live in Stamford and have met the coolest, nicest people ever. I've also met some not-so-nice people. I've been to Darien, Greenwich, and Westport and some people I've met there have been nice, but some people I've met there haven't been so nice. I think people can be *******s anywhere. But wealth can go to your head, and it has a bad effect on some people. It's a shame.

[zlongcommute]

Don't anyone get offended, but anyone considering a move to CT should take the general "cultural aloofness" into consideration. My wife and I moved here more than a decade ago from NY (not considered a model of politeness by any means!). We lived for seven years in a modest, though somewhat gentrified section of Fairfield, and now live in Monroe. When we attended a mixer at the "Fairfield Welcome Club" in 1995 we actually had people turn their backs on us when they learned we lived on the east side of Fairfield University. (which is historically more blue than white collar.)

We have actually found that the nicest people in CT live in places like West Haven where they aren't as hung up on the size of your wallet. The syndrome seems to be related to the creeping gentrification of CT towns: The neighbors we had in FFLD who remembered their Eastern European roots were, by and large, quite friendly and gracious. The younger people and the newcomers were quite crass. It's almost as if they had been raised without manners or ethics.

The same thing seems to be happening in Monroe, except there everyone lives in a very big house. We have also not been all that impressed with the schools in Monroe, either. Here's a real eye-opener: There is no talented and gifted program, somethting that's taken for granted in more down-to-earth states like, for instance, Pennsyvlania.

Stratford (a town that people seem to be in flight from, somewhat) DOES have a talented and gifted program, but does not have the social cachet of Monroe. Go figure.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by zlongcommute

Don't anyone get offended, but anyone considering a move to CT should take the general "cultural aloofness" into consideration. My wife and I moved here more than a decade ago from NY (not considered a model of politeness by any means!). We lived for seven years in a modest, though somewhat gentrified section of Fairfield, and now live in Monroe. When we attended a mixer at the "Fairfield Welcome Club" in 1995 we actually had people turn their backs on us when they learned we lived on the east side of Fairfield University. (which is historically more blue than white collar.)

We have actually found that the nicest people in CT live in places like West Haven where they aren't as hung up on the size of your wallet. The syndrome seems to be related to the creeping gentrification of CT towns: The neighbors we had in FFLD who remembered their Eastern European roots were, by and large, quite friendly and gracious. The younger people and the newcomers were quite crass. It's almost as if they had been raised without manners or ethics.

The same thing seems to be happening in Monroe, except there everyone lives in a very big house. We have also not been all that impressed with the schools in Monroe, either. Here's a real eye-opener: There is no talented and gifted program, somethting that's taken for granted in more down-to-earth states like, for instance, Pennsyvlania.

Stratford (a town that people seem to be in flight from, somewhat) DOES have a talented and gifted program, but does not have the social cachet of Monroe. Go figure.

Well with all that said (Which I don't totally disagree with BTW) please try and remember that CT BEGINS at FFC and doesn't END.

Lots of us in the Hartford Metro do NOT fit that stereotype by any means. (See your W Haven comment...)

[EMLady]

It's just the way people are in New England. I moved here from a small town in Washington State after I married a CT Yankee 33 years ago. I had a hard time learning that you don't make eye contact on the street, you don't wave at everybody driving by and that you were not expected to say hello to everyone you met when walking down the sidewalk. It's hard to get to know people; you have to make the first move. Life here is much more fast paced than in the south or the west coast. Our office had a fairly average, no great speed demon secretary move south--and within six months she was running the office in a much larger firm just because she moved so much faster than they did. I tell my husband it's all the fault of those Puritans that thought anything fun was bad and everybody in New England still believes it! I've adjusted over the years, but I still remember what a shock it was. And I've had friends from here who moved west or south comment on how much friendlier people are there. If you do make the effort, you will find lots of good people, it just takes time and lots of effort.

[J&A'sMOM]

Having lived in Michigan for 41 years before moving to CT - I must remind myself to be myself and teach my children to have manners. The behavior to me is unacceptable - I want my children to say HI and greet people. Sometimes I get down and start to behave like the people here in CT. Then I remember what my friend from San Fransico told me - just because we live in CT doesn't mean we have to act like it!! We need to be ourselves. That keeps me going and reminds me to say HI to people and who cares if they ignore me or look at me like I'm a ghost!! I am friendly, I was raised that not being friendly is rude, therefore my children will be raised not to be rude!! That's what keeps me sane. If we stay in CT I've decided to move to a more populated area where my children can play and make friends. The beach area in our town is almost all transplants and I have found the people to be extremely (in CT standards) friendly. BTW just visited Boston for a 4 day weekend w/o the children and everyone there was sooo friendly I felt like I was in the Midwest. It was totally awesome.
Cheers to all!!

[mtc]

It is a mystery to be sure, but you find you end up becoming like them. A little like an Invasion of the Body Snatchers phenomenom! The "'I don't see you" behavior seems to eminate some from the former NYC residents (not necessarily native NYorkers) who have retained the desire for anonymity that they cultivated in the city. But that is nothing to the disgrace of people giving the finger to other drivers in the neighborhood intersections. Twice, people of advanced age (not teens) have done so, and not just to me, but to my children who were riding beside me! There was absolutely no guilt in gestering that way in front of small kids. Stunning.
Overall, I agree though, Ct is peculiar in it's customs. They tend to be extremely wary of others. Go figure.

[maggiemay]

Perhaps I will feel differently when we move to CT this summer, but on all 3 of our scouting trips I've met very nice people, and, strangers on the street have returned smiles, eye contact, and "hello". I hope that continues because I don't want to become invisible.