So at work tonight I scored a bunch of railroad ties (good for landscaping!), hefted them into The Bonnie Brae and made for home. Since she was rather heavily laden, I kept my speed under 65 the... whole... way... home... whereas I normally scoot on through at 80 or so.

Anyway, I've always known there are many folks who drive slower than I do--Los Angeles county is the capital of gasping Chevy Astro vans and broken-down Pontiac Grand Ams--but I'd always just thought of them as occasional Non-Player Characters put there to make the game of driving more interesting. I'd never really realized just how many people, people in cars perfectly capable of higher speeds, are content to mosey along at 55. Since I was moving at a snail's pace as well, I had quite a bit of time to contemplate them.

Where are they going that they aren't in any hurry at all? Where have they been that they're so at peace with their pace? Do they walk as slowly as they drive, and if so, does their lack of momentum ever cause them to tip over?

All in all, the Land of Under 65 was a delightful place to visit, but I don't think I'd ever be truly happy living there.

 

My personal experience Subaru drivers are the worst. I swear they sign a contract when they buy their Subaru's to drive at least 10 MPH under the speed limit. I don't know, maybe it is an Alaskan thing since Subaru’s are so popular up here.
It seems that every tree-hugging, granola bar eating, cross-country skier, save the whales nut drives Subaru's. I would rather get behind an handicap driver, at least I know they will drive faster than those damn Subaru drivers!

 

maybe they just like to live....65 with a loaded down truck is a bit dangerous IMO

-jason-

 

Yeah Subarus are the worst and Volvos are a close second. Mercedes Diesels are also bad but less common.

Why is it, that when there is a backup in the fast lane with clear highway ahead, there is almost always a Subarau/Volvo/Mercedes chugging along in that lane keeping pace with the tractor trailer rig in the slow lane? Don't give me 55 stay alive, these ***** typically go 5-10 under the limit.

Oh well, life's a beach and so I drive with my 250 with my head lights on at the far left side of the lane so they shine in the slowpoke's left hand mirror.

Just my not PC opinion,

Jim Henderson

 

Perhaps these people are like me when driving ?

Patient,Disciplined,want to be the BEST DRIVER they could be & don't wish to be part of the Rat Race.

 

Why the rush guys?

Going an extra 10-20 faster only shaves a few minutes off your time, burns more gas and increases your chance for an accident.

I am not sure about the states but here in Canada their is a word over the speed limit that says MAXIMUM not minimum. Which means that any speed up to that maximum is legally allowable.

Yes, of course there are some hiways that also have a minimum speed too and going below that minimum speed you are required to use 4 way flashers.

Yes, going too slow can be dangerous for the people around you.

Yes I am human and I also speed. But not the excessive 80 in a 55!!

The stats in Canada for death on our roads is 4000 people per year. If I am not mistaken, it is 10,000 in the states (but the population is bigger too). If this was a disease we would be demanding a cure, but we have come to accept it as a normal part of life.

We are slaughtering each other on our roads.

I see these people passing me on the hiway, only to get behind the next person in front going 100km/h, then try try to pass THAT person. When we get into town I meet them at the first red light every time, so I have to ask what is the advantage? The SENSE of getting there faster perhaps? Maybe, as I have also done it when in a hurry, and I find the guy I passed doing the speed limit, sur enough, meets me at the light.

Please slow down its not worth it.

I have a question, of the people who have responded to this thread so far, how many of you have been in a serious head on collision? If you have, and you still speed, then the guy who is going the speed limit is not the idiot.

Digger

P.s.
I have been a passenger in two head on collisions. After the second one I was looking for the biggest vehicle I could legally drive and afford. The urge went away after awhile, but I take my time, TRY not to do stupid things, and look after my vehicle and make sure it is safe.

 

On a really long trip, say 300 miles or more, going 5 or 10 faster than the guy going 50 makes a significant difference. On my 800 mile trip to NM that I used to do all the time. If I went 60 in the 55, the time difference is greater than an hour. If I went 65(still within reason on railroad track straight desert and deserted roads) we are talking about 2 and a quarter hours difference. That is significant when it can make the difference between arriving reasonably alert versus fatigued from the extra couple hours on the road. I used to do that trip each way at least twice a year for about 10 years so I now there was a big difference in my fatigue factor. The year I foolishly did it and arrived more than 4 hours sooner was a delight as far as fatigue. I was much younger then and had a fast car, which was eminently safe t that speed so long as I did my job. There are some cars on the road that are unsafe at 35.

Speed is not the only factor, control and alertness are usually much more important. IMHO a driver who is going 5 to 10 over is probably paying more attention than the fellow doing 50 in the fast lane with a line of cars and semis behind him.

Not condoning speed, but then most highways have graduated speeds in each lane. Typically the right lane is a bit below, the middle is right on and the left is a bit faster. Of course now adays usually only the right is at the limit and often above since the flow of traffic is faster than the limit. It is safer to go with the flow than to act as a moving road block. It is illegal in most states to have more than a handful of cars backed up behind a vehicle, especially if they are in a passing lane. Unfortunately, there is more revenue in ticketing people going over the limit rather than those who are a traffic hazard.

As I always recommend and NHTSA statistics will back it up, moving with the flow of traffic is safest even if it is 5 or 10 above. Pick a lane that you feel comfortable with the flow and let the speeders pass. They are running interference for you.

But heck this thread was about complaining about left lane bandits, those who self righteously go exactly or significanlty below the limit regardless of the traffic backed up behind them or the opportunity to move right.

Slow vehicles stay right except to pass.

Just my non PC viewpoint and no doubt my criminal nature at work.

Jim Henderson

 

Just remember, the guy with the old Mercedes diesel is going as fast as he can. I have always wanted one but never have convinced myself to do it. I'm afraid of the repair costs if anything goes wrong.

 

I guess Canada must be the Mecca for slow drivers

 

It's the law and posted "SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT"

I enjoy helping the law out by letting them (slowbees) know they are doing wrong

I think we should pass a law that says when a bumper mark is on the trunk of a car (yugo,jag,mersadies) the next officer that sees the "mark", a ticket would be issued.


Meat is meant to be eat - if not, y is there bones

 

No, Canadians like to speed as much as anyone. The desire to have the deisel Mercedes is for the fuel economy rather than the speed as our govenrment loves to tax our gasoline.

The government, at all levels, also loves to tax speeders. We have these bloody red light cameras on some intersections now. They mail you a ticket for running the light and for speeding if they get you on film. They also have portable units in SUV's that sit on the side of the street and photograph speeders for tickets in the mail. Just another form of tax by our City government. Of course they like to tell us it is to improve safety.

 

yes in anchorage Subaru driver's ARE THE WORST!!!!!! i want to freaking run them over!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

> If I am not mistaken, it is 10,000 in the states

Actually, it is over 50,000 people a year.

 

when i drive my truck down the highway i do 55-60mph not ne more past 95. why? the truck gets better gas milage, handles better, is quieter, and i just like to drive alittke slower. i aint in no rush. i got my entire life ahead of me. not worth risking

 

I guess Canada must be the Mecca for slow drivers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why do you say that ?

There is a difference from being a slow driver and a driver that doesn't EXCEED the MAXIMUMspeed limit in any given area.


Please, define the meaning of the words "slow or pokey driver"

Do you think that because a person driving LESS than the posted speed limit, that person is slow...........

What's your HURRY !

Also, Red light & Multi-nova Cameras are NOT a form of Tax.

They are just another form of policing.

If people DIDN'T break the law there wouldn't be fine issued.
So what if it comes in the mail...you (or driver of the said vehicle )broke the law & were caught doing that ...Now pay the FINE.

You see...They are attempting to help people realize that when you break the law & if you are caught doing it ,you get a FINE.

Personal note:

Some people just DON'T seem to get " the difference " between a Tax & a FINE for BREAKING The LAW.


I know because, " I DON'T get to pay this so-called tax that some people keep referring to.

Remember........... it is a FINE not a tax