Fine, then its settled.

We'll start a petition to have Jackie Steward as the Secretary of Transportation, to be Co-Chaired with Derek Bell and we'll send it right over to the Bush Camp!!! :D :D

I look back on how fortunate I was to have my father as a speeder role model! Mind you, my father is the type that is technically proficient at any under taking (former fighter pilot). I can still here my Mom, "Slow down!", "Stop tail-gating Him!", etc., etc. It taught me to think about others behavior and His behavior. Conclusion? Here are a lot more morons out there than safe drivers and that should be unsettling for anyone.

Here's the basics;
1) Merging - if clear ahead, nail it to the floor and merge AHEAD of the traffic to the left if safely possible.

2) Cruising - stay in the right most lane period! Only use the other lanes when passing and by passing than means at a speed greater than 5 mph. If you are not going to pass at that speed, speed UP, try it, it won't kill you. Please, please, please, look before pulling into that left lane and for more than a nano-second gauge the rate of the traffic coming up, if you are going to slow that traffic down, wait until you do not.

If you are passing and happen to notice traffic coming up on you rather briskly, (hint, your eyes should be glued to that mirror as if you where about to walk across the street with your loved ones.) please be so kind as to NAIL IT and pull to the right so that you do not impede the progress of others (because when you see one car coming up, their are usually more).

Is there more, probably. Surprisingly, this is all that bugs me about driver behavior out there. It could be much better, but if you think its really that bad then try another country like Thailand! Now that is fun, brings out the aggressive driver to say the least! Once you get back to your home, you should have no problem merging anymore, it will now be the other drivers problem.:D

Last point, I think we need to push Congress to raise the speed limits again. This business of Insurance companies helping develop and giving speed sensing laser guns to police and hwy depts. free for use should be out lawed! I think speeding should not carry a monetary fine, you should simply have to show up at a high speed driving class where your tax paying dollars could be spend to teach you to safely drive at speed (more road coarse need across the country). Then you would be issued a new license plate/license, identifiable by radar, laser, etc, and by sight that would allow you to go on your merry way safely.

Enough said.

Texas: Slower traffic MUST keep right...
 

It's been slow in coming. Texas started by posting signs that said "Don't slow Texas down, keep right except to pass". That has helped a LITTLE. They've started posting signs on I-35 from San Antonio to Dallas reading "SLOWER TRAFFIC MUST KEEP RIGHT", and INFORCING it! Maybe they'll get to the rest of the state soon...

My pet peeve "but I'm going the speed limit!".

Bill Streep
'57 190SL
'92 300E

Texas is the only state I've seen where drivers would pull over on the shoulder of the road (2 lane type road)if they thought that I wanted to pass them. Texas drivers are the most courteous drivers I have ever seen.

P E H

P.E.Haiges,

I believe you meant to say "Rural" area drivers are most courteous, out in the country side this is the norm. If you are in or near any mid - large size city that all changes. I have also witnessed this odd but appropriate behavior in New Mexico and Arizona, but as stated above, you must be away from any city.:)

I have seen the signs as I am originally from Austin, it does help, a little. What they really need is for the Hwy Patrols to start enforcing this with stiff fines, then we'll make some progress. If the Patrol can harass the speeders for speeding, they can harass the slow pokes who park in the passing lanes and can't comprehend what they read on the posted signs.

Yes, it was in rural TX areas that this happened. I think it was near the LBJ ranch. But you will never find this happening in rural NY or NJ.

P E H

Texas Behavior
 

You are oh so right, the rural areas are a joy. The paved surfaces are the best(especially at the LBJ Ranch). A transplanted New Mexican via the Automotive Manufacturing mid-west, now living in Houston. I can always tell when approaching Houston on either I-10 or 45, the cars start tailgating, lain swapping and thier speed increases by 10mph. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston

Donald

Keeping Right
 

I've been all over the country, and rarely do I find people pulling over on 2 lane roads, except in Texas (where it happens ALL the time, except near big cities on weekends - weekend drivers don't know about this common courtesy). I've specifically noticed that when driving into New Mexico from Texas that there are all sorts of signs warning that it's illegal to drive on the shoulder. I've been told that this is for Texans who don't realize that you're not supposed to drive on the shoulder.

As for the note about Texas drivers being courteous... I live in San Antonio, and SOME of them are others... Just got back from Houston... Courteous????

Bill Streep
'57 190SL
'92 300E

Blank dem haidlahtes and ah'll pool over Bubba
 

bstreep, San Antone used to be murder on I-10 and since it's all new and very very nice all I do now is get lost. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston, heading west

Donald

Growing up in Arizona, i remember the law used to be (maybe still is) that on two lane roads slower traffic (trucks, farm vehicles) must pull over if more than five vehicles are following to allow them to pass....maybe it's not just a courtesy issue.

Consider yourself lucky - in NY City, with our fascist Mayor Guiliani, if you get charged with reckless operation they impound your car and sell it! Yes, that's correct, they take away your car for speeding, and it's all legal. Paying for points stinks, but imagine what it's like here.

TXBILL how sweet it is
 

Aren't those 1 way 2 lane feeder roads nice? Away from the cities they may run 10 miles, or until there is another exit/intrance spot. Texas does have goog hi-ways. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald

It's the Law
 

Zoni, I don't believe there is a number of vehicles that determines who should drive in the "SLOW" lane. You drive in the right lane regardless unless you are passing a slower vehicle. When assigned to the U.K. I stayed in the slow lane or you paid the piper, no excuse. It would be nice if some of the U.K. and the Continent traffic laws were used here in the U.S.A. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
just puttin' along

Donald L. Swinford....two lane road, one lane in each direction. Vehicles were supposed to pull off the road at a turnout to let slower vehicles pass.

Telling Our Age?
 

Zoni, boy you are talking about way out in the boonies or telling our age to remember two way roads. New Mexico never had a courtesy as Arizona. The reason, there were no turn outs. Out in the farm areas the farm equiptment had the right of way. They were so wide they covered the whole road. As a youngster when we wanted to pass we would run off the road and kick up more dust than one of our famous dust storms. Heres to You ZONI. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
Just call me dusty padner

Zoni, 2 lane road?
 

Zoni, in the boondocks of New Mexico we had 2 ruts, 1 for each wheel. When a farm impliment was head on you ran of the road and into or onto the mesa. No A/C back then and that big rig stirred up more dust than you can imagine. You rolled up the windows or pulled way off and put up the top. You closed your mouth and covered your eyes. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
just a dust ball