interstate etiquette: a brief primer - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Clk Man · #31 09-22-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

retmil46,
I had a very similar experience with someone alternately tailgating and roaring ahead only to power brake in front of me, and then return to tailgate me. I was able to maneuver him into the left lane as we passed an exit, and at the last possible instant, i hit the ramp and exited the highway. He was too far past it to exit too. I gave him 5 minutes before I re-entered the highway, and saw no more of him.

That was me, I was wondering where you went to.

retmil46 · #32 09-22-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

I admire your restraint man, I can't say that I would have been so patient.

Not so much restraint, but caution - don't know how to explain it via written words, but just something about the way this guy was behaving had "helter-skelter" written all over it - that he was trying to provoke a response in kind, to get attention, which would have encouraged him to try something even more dangerous, possibly even pulling a weapon - that little voice in the back of my mind was screaming "don't even THINK about responding, just pretend to ignore him". That's what I did, he finally got bored and went on, flipping me off because I wouldn't "play" with him - ie, he took his ball and decided to go home.

Except the "teacher" saw him not playing well with others, pulled him over, and confiscated his ball.

I'd say that the state trooper was sitting in the center median, and we went by him while in the left lane, that he'd gotten a good dose of the DB's high beams as well - the blue tinted extremely bright headache-inducing kind - because when he had the DB pulled over, he was pulled up not 10 feet from his rear bumper, emergency lights flashing in full glory, plus his high beams AND spotlight trained right into his rear window, lighting up the interior of that Crossfire like Times Square, and was making the DB sit in place in the drivers seat - I could imagine the conversation - "how you like THOSE high beams, BOY?"

HuskyMan · #33 09-22-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

Interesting:

http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html

keep reading your local newspaper because these are known to change upon written public notice.

cscmc1 · #34 09-22-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

keep reading your local newspaper because these are known to change upon written public notice.

I just thought it was interesting to see how many states do, in fact, have some sort of law on the books regarding left lane usage. It's really not an issue for me -- unless I am passing, or there is an obstruction in the right lane (or a vehicle pulled over on the right shoulder), I am in the right lane.

HuskyMan · #35 09-22-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

Not so much restraint, but caution - don't know how to explain it via written words, but just something about the way this guy was behaving had "helter-skelter" written all over it - that he was trying to provoke a response in kind, to get attention, which would have encouraged him to try something even more dangerous, possibly even pulling a weapon - that little voice in the back of my mind was screaming "don't even THINK about responding, just pretend to ignore him". That's what I did, he finally got bored and went on, flipping me off because I wouldn't "play" with him - ie, he took his ball and decided to go home.

Except the "teacher" saw him not playing well with others, pulled him over, and confiscated his ball.

I'd say that the state trooper was sitting in the center median, and we went by him while in the left lane, that he'd gotten a good dose of the DB's high beams as well - the blue tinted extremely bright headache-inducing kind - because when he had the DB pulled over, he was pulled up not 10 feet from his rear bumper, emergency lights flashing in full glory, plus his high beams AND spotlight trained right into his rear window, lighting up the interior of that Crossfire like Times Square, and was making the DB sit in place in the drivers seat - I could imagine the conversation - "how you like THOSE high beams, BOY?"

I have experienced this type of behavior from truckers traveling between the hours of midnight and six AM. I travel with my CB radio on channel 19 and they will come on and call me every name in the book. crack, PCP, Meth, who knows?

HuskyMan · #36 09-22-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cscmc1

I just thought it was interesting to see how many states do, in fact, have some sort of law on the books regarding left lane usage. It's really not an issue for me -- unless I am passing, or there is an obstruction in the right lane (or a vehicle pulled over on the right shoulder), I am in the right lane.

if there is a shoulder on the road, the right lane is normally safer. If there is an emergency (stopped vehicle, accident, etc), you can easily exit the highway and get out of harms way.

MS Fowler · #37 09-22-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

I admire your restraint man, I can't say that I would have been so patient.

Gotta use restraint--don't know if that crazy driver is packing heat.

MTUpower · #38 09-22-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

This has become so prevalent in the NYC area that it's nearly impossible to get off at a crowded exit. Frequently, the exit ramp backs up onto the right lane of the main highway. The DB's in their shyteboxes will absolutely not wait for the queue and will run their shytebox right up to the point of no return and then shove that shytebox into the line.

If enough of them do it (and they do), the line may never move forward for all those that are several hundred feet back.

I never let the DB into the line............they can go pound sand.

I recently waited 20 minutes at the exit for the Brooklyn Bridge (off the FDR) due to such behavior. Finally gave up and went to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel and paid the $5.00.

I'm really glad that I don't carry a gun.................

I see this all the time when I'm in NY and I DO NOT let them in, In fact I roll down my window and give them a big **** eating grin and when I can I tell them it's a florida state mandate to piss off NY drivers. I make friends everywhere!!

MS Fowler · #39 09-22-2011, 08:42 PM

I have seen drivers in PA and upstate NY begin to line up when the sign says " Right Lane Closed 2 miles".
Don't see that in MD, or anywhere on I95, but out in the country, courtesy still exists.

Also, in Nova Scotia, the pedestrian REALLY has the Right of Way--or did last time I was there. Walking down the street, and making a move towards the curb as if to cross the street and all traffic would stop and wait patiently. Learned to be careful and not approach the curb unless I really wanted to cross the street.

Hatterasguy · #40 09-22-2011, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retmil46

Making the move from San Antonio back to NC last week, it's quite obvious that 95% of the drivers on the interstate these days don't understand even that simple concept - I even ran into a couple vehicles near Hickory NC on I-40, that were deliberately running beside each other at 10 mph below the speed limit for close to 5 miles, just trying to piss off all the "furiners".

Then you've got the group at the opposite extreme, who feel that the left hand lane is specifically reserved for them to run at autobahn-like speeds, and "how dare you try to pass a semi at only 75 mph and hold me up from flying along at 90 mph". At least 5 times when I was passing a semi with at least a 5 to 10 mph speed difference - ie, going past it at a fairly good clip - here comes Speed Racer flying along at 90 mph, comes screaming up just 3 feet from my rear bumper when I'm halfway past the truck, and starts flipping their high beams on and off, wanting me to floor it and GTF out of their way so they wouldn't have to waste 20 seconds of their life waiting for me to pass the semi.

Hey if I'm going along at 150 and you pull out in front of me, I'm going to be a bit pissed!

I think their should be a law that lets me fire a couple of warning shots into cars in front of me that are going slow.

Hatterasguy · #41 09-22-2011, 09:50 PM

Brian you need to update to something with a bit more mass. Than when the DB's try to force their way over you can just keep going straight and run over them, saying they were in your blind spot.

My dad ran over one in a dump truck because they decided to cut around him in the gutter as he was making a right turn. Well dump trucks have big blind spots, thought he hit a curb as he flattened the front of their car.

Brian Carlton · #42 09-22-2011, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Brian you need to update to something with a bit more mass.

Wonder what the insurance tab would be for that?

I'd love to take it to Manhattan.

Hatterasguy · #43 09-22-2011, 10:16 PM

I think it might be able to challenge the cabies for right away and win!

If not we can upgrade you to a T72, nothing argues with a T72.

cscmc1 · #44 09-23-2011, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuskyMan

if there is a shoulder on the road, the right lane is normally safer. If there is an emergency (stopped vehicle, accident, etc), you can easily exit the highway and get out of harms way.

If there's an EMERGENCY, I'll make a quick decision, but I'm talking about a police car pulled over on the shoulder, or a truck sitting on the shoulder, etc... then I'm just going to merge to the left lane. And yes, the right lane is where folks should be if they're just "cruising." The right shoulder is the one to use for emergency stops, too. Why you see folks on the left shoulder with a flat tire or looking at maps is beyond me. DANGEROUS!

retmil46 · #45 09-23-2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Hey if I'm going along at 150 and you pull out in front of me, I'm going to be a bit pissed!

I think their should be a law that lets me fire a couple of warning shots into cars in front of me that are going slow.

I've contemplated getting a paintball gun for the same reason. And doing the "tailgater" mod to the rear windshield washer for the Speed Racer types.

Considering what I just read on Autoblog, that OnStar is data mining info on vehicles, even after people have discontinued the service, and selling it to law enforcement and insurance companies, some of these Top Gear contestants may be a little bit PO'd when they get their next insurance bill.