How NOT To Drive - My Rant On Respecting The Passing Lane
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”
– George Carlin –
I dropped my granddaughter off at school this morning.
Frustratingly, on my way home, I had the misfortune of getting behind one of those idiots...
Respect the Passing Lane.
Image courtesy of Viktor Kiryanov and http://unsplash.com
Now, don't get me wrong.
I really don't mind slow drivers, although I generally refer to them as "slopes," my neologic contraction of "slow pokes."
However, I despise slow drivers who intentionally interfere with my driving.
What do I mean by that?
In my book, the most egregious sin a driver can commit is not respecting the passing lane.
I was driving on a four-lane highway, two lanes in either direction. Ahead of me were two cars, one alongside the other. Both were driving the same speed, both slow (about 40 miles per hour on a 65 MPH highway).
It should have been my choice to drive at whatever speed I chose. Traffic rules in most countries define the lane closest to the center of the road as the "Passing" or "Overtaking" lane.
This morning, however,
the chap in that lane ahead of me was having none of it. He was driving one of those tiny, super-economical cars. In my mind, I could almost imagine his self-righteous self-congratulations as he prevented me from using an ounce more gasoline than absolutely necessary.
Pulling up behind, I hoped that my proximity would encourage him to accelerate just a bit and move over. Nope.
I flashed my lights at him.
Would he yield?
Not at all.
Flashed my lights again... Nope.
I sounded my horn, and flashed my lights again.
At this point, I saw him look in his rear-view mirror. Rather than move over, he favored me with that world-renowned middle-finger salute.
Now, Jesus teaches us to forgive those who trespass against us, even as we have been forgiven. Nevertheless, clueless drivers like this one make doing so a rather difficult exercise! I was stuck, fuming, behind this obnoxious, ill-behaved idiot.
About a thousand years later,
as we neared an intersection, the fellow on the right moved into a turn lane and I was able to pass the a***ole of the day blocking the other lane.
As I sped through the intersection, I tried desperately to imagine what kind of remedial education might be effective on that dolt and his ilk. For whatever reason, my impression is that Americans in general are the absolute worst at respecting the passing lane. Germans, with their Autobahns, are perhaps the best.
Don't drive "the wrong way."
Image courtesy of NeONBRAND and http://unsplash.com
Be kind to your neighboring motorists.
Don't drive "the wrong way."
Help keep tempers low and maximize safety.
When you aren't passing, stay out of the passing lane.
Oh, and thanks for letting me get this out of my system!
~FIN~
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Yes. Yes. And more Yes! Glad to see more people sharing these 'unwritten' rules of the road. I started a Proper driving etiquette blog a few months back with this idea at the forefront. Don't vote for it cause it's old, but check it out if ya want. https://steemit.com/driving/@intothewild/proper-driving-etiquette-part-one-the-left-lane
I voted anyway.. and for this comment. Great article.
But these rules are written... in many places... and should be common courtesy.
To me, this is an interesting example of the kind of "proper behavior" that doesn't quite fall under FVC in terms of initiation, but is still needed. It's more a "love your neighbor" kind of thing, I think. ;)
😄😇😄
Ha, thanks. The left lane issue is technically written, mostly just on hwy signs though like 'slower traffic stay right', but people think that doing the speed limit in the left lane is ok because it's not slow, it's the fastest legal speed they can go. I have more rules in my head that I try to follow on a daily basis than most people would ever even think of. Like I said in that post, some people drive with a purpose, others just drive.
Common courtesy should be what it's all about. I read somewhere once that said 'imagine if people behaved in grocery stores like they do on the road'. It makes ya think why (most) people can be so courteous when in close quarters, basically face to face in a grocery store. But when there is a veil of metal and glass shielding you, middle fingers and cuss words fly like geese heading South for the winter.
Strangely enough , you have reminded me that before I leave this mortal coil, I desperately wish to write a book entitled " There is always an A..hole" Not just on the roads but in everything you try to do!, Licence Dept., Banks, whereever you need to stand in a queue.
Hey, friend! Put me on the list to buy a copy of your book when it comes out! ;)
And if you need some more examples, please let me know; I'd be glad to offer some case histories! ;)
Will definitely keep that in mind!
This is probably the most frustrating thing I deal with on a daily basis. Move it or lose it grandma!
I know the feeling! Thanks for chiming in...
perhaps you're right about the green energy pretext, but regardless, he's a controller. I commuted all my working life mostly on major highways and I developed a lot of patience. Is the Lord teaching you something, my friend? :)
"Tribulation works patience..."
I shall therefore doubtlessly be one of the most patient people in the Glory... ;)
Thanks for sharing. I have been behind that guy on the freeway my self, and I may mean quite literally. LOL At least you held your self together and didn't pull a pit maneuver on him.
Ah, he was headed north out of Escondido... so maybe not the same guy? LOL... But possibly his cousin?
What the heck is a "pit maneuver?" :O
A 'pit maneuver' is a tactic police use when trying to end a car chase. They use the front end (left or right) of their vehicle to nudge the back side end of the vehicle they are trying to stop. Sending the car in a tail spin and usually ending the chase.
OK, got it! Thanks for the good explanation... :D
agree 100% you got my vote!
Thank you.
WOW! He was an extraordinary bugger! I figured the light and horn would at least make him think it could have been an actual emergency like a lady in labor etc, but yet he was having none of it! Sorry but you cant fix stupid.
Yeah, especially when combined with stubborn... ;)
I do the Washington, DC commute and Hello, Howdy. The beltway is nowhere to be idling on 80. If you don't move it, you will definitely lose it.
I am a pretty peaceful person, but carrying on with a running roadblock is one way to tip the road rage monster here. Just saying.
Keep to the right unless passing
Seriously? How hard is that?
I'd almost think people would be embarrassed not to pull over and let someone pass...
Thanks for visiting and commenting! :D
Haha! Truth! However, you are assuming two things. They are even aware. They have a conscience. I am not sure how they have survived this long as there is no accounting for it. ;)
Here, in the undeveloped world, once you get out of the major cities most roads are one lane each way, with a painted white line down the center of the road to mark the lanes.
Every now and then there is a passing lane, with a "keep left [we drive on the proper side of the road] unless passing.
Or, the people who can't bear to be behind anybody. pick their time and pass on the open roads.
Where there are blind corners, dips in the road, or anything else that could be unsafe there is a yellow line in the center of the road to indicate "No Passing", unfortunately, there are a lot of drivers who consider these areas to be "pass now" markings.
While I don't mind them falling off the road I wish they wouldn't try and take me with them.
Interesting... I've driven in similar circumstances. Down in the Virgin Islands there are many similar roads. In Ireland, the roads are quite narrow in places! Then there are the mountains, even in California in places...
Amen to that! ;)
Glad your OK.
Hope that middle finger gets stuck up his nose lol :)
Thanks for reading, my friend!
More Than welcome :)