First, some background:

I live in Annapolis, MD. I go to school in Baltimore (UB) which is about a 45 minute commute (including navigating Baltimore city and all the nonsense that goes with it). At any rate, about 22 miles of my 35 mile commute are spent on 97N.

The speed limit is 65.

I cruise in the left lane at around 73-74MPH. I just hit the cruise control and start truckin'. Now I feel that I am moving reasonably quickly - 99% of the time, I'm passing the traffic to the right of me (97 varies between being either 2 lanes or 4). I figure if I'm traveling 8 - 9 MPH over the speed limit, the cops aren't going to bother (and so far they haven't - there's always some jerk going 90).

At any rate, I'll be cruising along, happy as a clam, and some jerk sails up on my bumper. Hovers real close for a while, swings into the shoulder in an exaggerated attempt to see around me, and then finally goes around me, flips the bird, and continues on at 90MPH. This usually happens at the section of 97 that is 4 lanes, and I am in the leftmost lane. I understand that the left lane is the fast lane, but is "fast" decided by the most reckless idiot on the road?

Not that I am going to dictate social policy, but once again, I feel that going 74 in a 65 is reasonable. I figure that if somebody wants to go 90, then they can easily cruise around me and we can be out of each other's lives within seconds.

My second complaint, along the same stretch of road, is when it's only 2 lanes. I'm in the left lane, going 74, the folks in the right lane are going 65. I'm passing them at a very brisk pace. Some idiot behind me cuddles up to my bumper and relentlessly tries to push me down the highway. Like I said before, I set the cruise control and go. Am I the jerk? Are these people idiots?

Please be honest.

XXL

 

Maybe you need a bigger truck But seriously, there will always be "those" drivers on the road. The gods only know how bad I was when I was younger. I don't pay any attention to them anymore, you do what you're doing, if the opportunity is present though, you should pull into the unoccupied next lane. That's just courtesy to me,, but not at the expense of getting caught in traffic over there or having to slow down more than 2 mphs for any length of time. Otherwise, drink your coffee,, turn the radio alittle louder and enjoy your commute. Just remember, there are quite a few people in this country that don't have the luxury/choice of being able to commute. In other words, could always be worse

 

I seem to have the same problem when I'm going 70-75 in a 60. I just don't get it I guess. The only difference is the cops, I had some SOB cop pull me over for doing 7 over, i guess it's a little bit different round' this part.

 

Matt, I'm not too far away from ya. I'm sad to say that no matter what speed you travel there's always someone driving faster than you are. I was on my way to Baltimore two weeks ago for a conference--cruising 95N from Burtonsville to 695...same thing...I'm going 75 and some guy in a 90s era Buick Century is flashin high beams at me...I was shocked even that a vehicle in that state of disrepair could travel at such a high rate of speed.

I kept my distance in case parts fell off. Happy motoring.

 

If I'm in a 2 lane and passing people I'll stay there even if I have a bumper buddy. Now if there is no one in the right lane I'll gladly move over and let them go by.

4 lane I'll get in the 3rd and cruise. If you want to go faster go for it.

 

Moving over is the polite thing to do. ALSO, you don't know what kind of loonie is behind you. The longer you block the hammer lane, the more frustrated the guy gets. Sooner or later he's going to bust a move and that's the most dangerous time. So don't be a hammer lane hog, move over.

 

I run 70~75 depending on the amount of cops. In the center or left lane. Around here we have so many truckers that the right lane is suicide, and yes Matt most drivers now a days are real idiots. They are the ones that need to be flipped off not you. You are already breaking the law by running 5-9 over the speed limit. Let them get the 300 dollar speeding tickets. I usually just cruise in the center lane or the lane that it moving my rate of speed. Around here almost all of the idiots are driving bmw suvs, and tahoes. (hope they all hit trees).

 

I say move over and let faster traffic thru. Reckless idiots also are the people that hold up faster traffic. What if there is a sick person and they are going to the hospital? Maybe it is a doctor that has been called in to the ER to see a bleeder? "Fast" is also not up to you to decide, and you are trying to dictate social policy (why not go into politics?).

 

BigMattXXL - What's the problem with you moving over for faster drivers that want to pass you? Seems as you expect slower drivers to get out of your way.

 

The left lane is for passing, if your not passing get in the right line. Basic rule of the road, slower traffic yields to the right. I am sure you would be cussing the guy in front of you if he decided that that 64 MPH was the safest speed for everyone on the highway to be cruising. "I understand that the left lane is the fast lane, but is "fast" decided by the most reckless idiot on the road?" Remember when you are in the left lane cruising at 74 MPH YOU ARE THE MOST RECKLESS IDIOT ON THE ROAD determining the speed for everyone else. You and the guy stuck behind you are both breaking the law, just that you're breaking two laws by speeding and not yielding the right lane to faster traffic.

 

Big Matt,
I'd reccommend moving over to the right lane. 74 in a 65 is hardly moving on some highways around here. If you're not passing anyone in the left lane, get out. It's for passing only. Yes, there are left lane commandos, but there are also left lane hogs.

 

There is always, or at least should be, someone going faster than you. They are providing YOU a service, so let them pass at your earliest convenience. They will flush out any highway patrol troopers in your path for you.

Sticking to your lane because "bygosh you were there first" is a good way to escalate problems. So just let the problem slide on by, the best reqard is seeing them a few minutes later, distracting the local revenuer.

Always go with the flow of the lane you are in. Move right if some one is coming up on you and don't be a left lane commando yourself.

Good rules to drive by.

Jim Henderson

 

BigMattXXL

Yes and NO!

Your are kind of Hypocritical. You expect people to move out of your way but not the other way around. We all share the road and the law says, You need to move to the right and let the faster traffic pass.

 

Well, my options are to go 75 or move over and go 65. Why should I be stuck crawling along if some jerk insists upon going 90?

XXL

 

Where did I say I expect people to move? If somebody's in my way, I go around them. I don't crowd their bumper until they move.

XXL