Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I never said it was illegal to travel below the speed limit but on a clear dry road it is just plain obnoxious to hold other people up just because you (no you personally, but whomever) are in no hurry to get where you are going. In general, if the speed limit is 35 mph for example, it is acceptable to travel between 30-40 depending on road condtions. Most officers do not stop people for going a few mph over in safe conditions. So in effect driving overly slowly creates an unsafe situation by pissing other drivers off. Your example of that lady is an extreme case of aggressive driving, and it's good she got stopped, but in general people holding things up can be just as much of a hazard.
UT, NV and IA all have laws regarding this: you can go under the speed limit, but if you are a wreck waiting to happen, the cops call it "impeding the flow of traffic." I've known people who got such tickets - and they were driving perfectly legal otherwise. The cops issue such tickets because the idiot going 50 on the freeway in the middle lane is as much of a hazard as the guy weaving in and out of traffic. The people behind you have to slow down when you drive like that. NV and IA are pretty harsh with such tickets. I know people in both those states hammered with them. And my dad has known people in Utah who have gotten them.
I've lived in SoCal for a year now. I don't miss most of the habits of NV and UT drivers (I've lived in both places) but at least they care to get to someplace. CA drivers seem to perpetually drive well under the speed limit even when the freeway is clear, all the while humming "Sunshine Lollipops and Rainbows." And they seem to not care when they get to someplace. Last night I was on the 91 and some jerk was going 50 in a 65 MPH zone, with everyone swerving to avoid him. Legal my butt, I almost got into a wreck because of him. And what is with the turning the signal on and expecting me to be like your momma and let you in? Yeesh, these people are pathetic! Even worse is when someone decides to let some guy in on a street and holds up traffic for miles. I hate the intersection of Kraemer and La Palma in Anaheim for this reason: without fail there is some idiot who will take pity on someone stuck in the Chevron parking lot and waste a whole da** light letting the idiot in, so those of us behind him get to sit through yet another red light. I have sat waiting at that light for as long as ten minutes because someone HAS to let some guy who hasn't waited that long to turn right on the street in. I've taken to just cutting people off when they do this. It is very inconsiderate for the people behind you when you hold up traffic to let someone without right of way who will eventually make their turn anyways cut in like that.
And I do not understand the multiple car involved wrecks on the freeways here that occur in broad daylight, with no snow, dust storms, floods, rain or anything else, and where every person was sober. The 91 was shut down every day this week because of some massive car pileup. Ridiculous.
Like I said, I really don't care for many of the habits of Utah and Nevada drivers, but at least they care to get somewhere.
Saw something last night that brought a tear to my eye. I was on I-15, third lane from the left, doing 70, which matched traffic ahead of me. Lane to my left (passing lane) was open for the most part. Occasionally a vehicle would use it speed up and pass, then get out of the lane. Then a truck decided to get in that lane, but he didn't accelerate nor pass. He just drove in it at the same speed as us in the other lanes. Well a highway patrol was apparently a few cars behind me, and he pulled behind the truck after he had been driving in that lane for a few minutes without passing. He got up behind him, but nope the truck didn't move right. The hp flashed his brights at him..a nice little hint. Truck still didn't move. He flashed them once more, the driver still didn't get the hint (he actually slowed!), and then lit him up and pulled him over. It was glorious!
11thHour you have restored my faith in "some" of the Highway Patrol. He did exactly as he should have. The far left lanes are for passing NOT CRUISING and especially NOT trucks. If I made up the laws I'd have trucks locked into the far right lanes of a highway reserving all fast moving vehicles to autos. I for sure would KEEP Semi's OUT of the left lanes. That trooper did good. FINALLY someone got nailed for being brain dead. Plenty of that to go around, just wish more troopers would enforce it. My saying about the left lane is "MOVE It or get OUT of it". That is what "Left Lanes" are for, although you'd never know it to see how most people drive. I now have a Hybrid and have calmed down my driving habits considerably, making the average of 43mpg worth getting. I no longer travel in the left lanes (frankly I tend to stay OFF of I-15 altogether as I like my windshield uncracked and dinged thank you) but if I'm on Bangerter or I-80 to go over to Tooele as I do on the weekend, I'm in the right lane unless I'm passing. Keeps things saner all the way around. Things will only get worse sadly as winter approaches. It's bad enough trying to get these folks to drive in perfect dry weather. Get them on slick roads and you're in the creators hands ever moment for sure. No skill and NO brains when it comes to realizing they have even less control then they had when things were great on the road. They flat out scare me.
In Utah the law requires slower vehicles only to keep right or of there is a sign. Means if you go 55 at I15 you cannot cruise in the left lane. If you go the speed limit you are legally ok. If you are passing someone you are legally ok.
I personally hate the middle lane cruisers if the right lane is free.
All I'm really saying is that no matter WHERE in this country you drive (and I've driven in all but about 5 States) it is UNDERSTOOD that if there is a left lane it is for cars to pass or get around the flow of traffic (usually to their right). To cruise or pace in that left lane (and basically I'm saying NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING) move it over to the right if someone wants to pass. It's really a simple concept, and one that most people in MOST States observe. Just here it's like they are out to lunch on this subject. They need to update their memos.
In England, where my hubby is originally from here is the concept: Fast lane is for long distance/faster drivers. Slow lane is for slower drivers who want to chill. YOU DON'T PASS CARS. I repeat. PASSING FROM THE OUTSIDE LANE IS ILLEGAL. The middle lane is for drivers to move out of your way when they can see in their rearview mirror that you are going to be going faster than them. It is ILLEGAL to whip around someone and cut in front of them. A drivers license is a luxury in the U.K, and VERY difficult to pass the road test to obtain one. People check their mirrors there constantly. And flashing someone when you are coming up on their bum, is not rude, it is driving etiquette, to let the slower driver know, they need to move over into the middle lane and let you through. Driving is so much nicer in the U.K. People have a clue. AND... and extensive part of the drivers training is teaching people to look out for motorcyclists.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $53,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 1.5 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
