IS THE DARK HORSE ROAD RAGE BAIT?

[Junkyard Dog]

I drive I-85 from Brazelton towards Greenville regularly and if you drive all the way on the right hand lane, you'll be right in the middle a solid line of Class 8 trucks going up and down hills and not very fast. Most other car drivers are awake enough to see this so they migrate to the middle lane and, of course you have enough lane hogs in the far left lane(s) to cause a clusterf__. That's when power matters if you want to get anywhere. Nothing is fair or logical on interstates today or any roads for that matter. If I'm in the Mustang, I look for the rare open areas of the road. One issue is the number of trucks on the roads today. Everything comes on a truck.

In Germany, big trucks are limited to 100 kmh in most locations (62 miles per hour) where there is no speed limit for passenger cars.

Driving to the right still works.

Obviously, if you are 150 kph (93 mph), you are not going to be dangerously darting in and out of the right hand lane every time there is a twenty meter opening, but the cars driving at 150 kph will still, when the right hand lane opens, move over to the right, even if they can see a truck one kilometer ahead driving 100 kph.

It works, because everybody is following the same rules.

Even when it is two lanes, the only persons staying the left lane are those doing extreme high speed runs, because it just is not safe to switch lanes when you are doing 323 kph, and nobody is going to pass you. Nobody. That person, however, is going to need to watch the left hand lane ahead very carefully, because even though drivers in Germany only go left actively to pass somebody, even doing 150 kph to pass a truck, which is actively passing, doing 50% faster than the truck, takes a lot of time compared to the closing speed at 323 kph. Even in Germany you cannot maintain that kind of speed very long.

Speeds like 200 kph can be maintained for very long periods of time, however, and the Germans who are driving at less speed will do everything that they possibly can to stay out of your way.

USA is just not like that.

I would be in favor of a lower speed for tractor trailers in the US.

I would be in favor of higher speed limits for passenger cars in the US, with perhaps eliminating it in many areas (since you are in Georgia, think I-16 between Macon and Savannah).

I would be in favor of extreme punishments for brake checking and other such behavior, and stricter laws regarding driving to the right when not actively passing. If you are to the left of a motor vehicle to the right for a mile, then you are not actively passing that vehicle.

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[Hadelson]

In Germany, big trucks are limited to 100 kmh in most locations (62 miles per hour) where there is no speed limit for passenger cars.

Driving to the right still works.

Obviously, if you are 150 kph (93 mph), you are not going to be dangerously darting in and out of the right hand lane every time there is a twenty meter opening, but the cars driving at 150 kph will still, when the right hand lane opens, move over to the right, even if they can see a truck one kilometer ahead driving 100 kph.

It works, because everybody is following the same rules.

Even when it is two lanes, the only persons staying the left lane are those doing extreme high speed runs, because it just is not safe to switch lanes when you are doing 323 kph, and nobody is going to pass you. Nobody. That person, however, is going to need to watch the left hand lane ahead very carefully, because even though drivers in Germany only go left actively to pass somebody, even doing 150 kph to pass a truck, which is actively passing, doing 50% faster than the truck, takes a lot of time compared to the closing speed at 323 kph. Even in Germany you cannot maintain that kind of speed very long.

Speeds like 200 kph can be maintained for very long periods of time, however, and the Germans who are driving at less speed will do everything that they possibly can to stay out of your way.

USA is just not like that.

I would be in favor of a lower speed for tractor trailers in the US.

I would be in favor of higher speed limits for passenger cars in the US, with perhaps eliminating it in many areas (since you are in Georgia, think I-16 between Macon and Savannah).

I would be in favor of extreme punishments for brake checking and other such behavior, and stricter laws regarding driving to the right when not actively passing. If you are to the left of a motor vehicle to the right for a mile, then you are not actively passing that vehicle.

Stationed in Germany long time ago. Found the autobahns impressive as well as the driver's awareness to driving in the right lane. Just returned from vacation there again. 35 years apart when there in the military. Autobahns still the same. Trucks drive in right lane. Make fast passes and then back to right lane. Car Drivers stay out of left lane unless driving extremely fast. They do not block the left lane. The other important call out is road conditions. The autobahn road surfaces are immaculate--smooth without any potholes. US Interstates in comparison are rolling coaster rides in comparison.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Stationed in Germany long time ago. Found the autobahns impressive as well as the driver's awareness to driving in the right lane. Just returned from vacation there again. 35 years apart when there in the military. Autobahns still the same. Trucks drive in right lane. Make fast passes and then back to right lane. Car Drivers stay out of left lane unless driving extremely fast. They do not block the left lane. The other important call out is road conditions. The autobahn road surfaces are immaculate--smooth without any potholes. US Interstates in comparison are rolling coaster rides in comparison.

I haven't been back recently, although I really want to go. Your updated news that driving there is still mostly the same is very welcome news, indeed.

PS - I left 36 years ago, so we were probably in country at the same time.

 

[Polo08816]

Papo, get out of the left lane.

Problem solved.

Stated simply, stay out of the left lane, unless you are actively passing somebody to the right.

Drive to the right. Pass to the left.



I know you will be tempted to post excuses for each of these two situations I quoted, but if they could pass you on the right, then you should have already been to the right.

Pay attention to the availability of a lane to the right and pay attention to cars approaching from the rear. Don't just drive obliviously staring out the front of your windshield until a car behind you can finally get your attention.

Then observe how these road rage situations simply evaporate.

You are causing them, not your choice of car.

I wish the State Police had a portal where you could submit dash cam footage of terrible drivers and they would make a determination of whether to issue that person a fine only (no points) ticket to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Behavior modification through financial penalties can be effective. So can getting your car seized if you don’t pay the penalty either.

 

[Dxm]

Let idiots pass, that's my motto. Some people just hate Mustangs.

 

[smurfslayer]

Move over should mean all the way to the right. ..

Tooling along in the third lane like a jackass, however, has a deleterious effect on traffic flow. Mrs. MLOC forces everybody who is driving faster than her, no matter how much or how little, to be funneled into that one lane to her left. If somebody is driving 3 mph faster than her, then that driver must go to her left. If somebody is driving 15 mph faster than her, then that driver must also go to her left. Multiply that times dozens of vehicles driving all different speeds over miles and miles and it is easy to see the problem that she is creating.

Traffic flows best when driving to the right and passing to the left, no matter how many lanes are involved.

Ideally, I agree, in reality, poor engineering, and stuffing in as many houses in as little lot size as possible, combined with bribing business with taxpayer funded "tax incentives" have amplified overcrowding to the point of silliness. In most situations, I agree keep right, pass left. That said there are many examples where this is not only impractical but bad.

I-81 through Virginia. It's 2 lanes, plenty of hills for wheezing, fully loaded tractor trailers to drive right, wait until the last minute and jump left, not to pass, but to lose speed up hill as the 2-3 more tractor trailers jump on I81 at about 48-50mph. Now everyone is stuck behind 2 lanes of traffic moving at 15-25mph under the posted limit. The _ONLY_ way to keep the traffic flowing close to the limit is to work with the other 4 wheelers and be right beside the tractor trailers to prevent them coming left. <-- they shouldn't be moving left unless they can maintain the speed of traffic - If anyone has to brake or coast, they shouldn't be moving left ! If traffic stacks up behind them, they shouldn't be moving left. If you do, it's selfish and discourteous in addition to being an albeit unenforced traffic violation.

I drive I-85 from Brazelton towards Greenville regularly and if you drive all the way on the right hand lane, you'll be right in the middle a solid line of Class 8 trucks going up and down hills and not very fast. Most other car drivers are awake enough to see this so they migrate to the middle lane and, of course you have enough lane hogs in the far left lane(s) to cause a clusterf__.

At least there is a middle lane!

In a short drive I had both an old Camry and an old Armada feel they had to challenge me. The Armada even zoomed ahead and dove into a backed up turn lane almost causing a wreck with with his rear stuck out in the through lane.

You know they were "challenging" you, how? It sounds like they had more pace, or they know based on marque what models to be in front of. Like when I was in NoVA and we'd have all the DC plates trying to find the costco on US1, oh there it is - got to change lanes 3x across all lanes to make this turn here... DC doesn't have a costco and a few other major stores because some businesses get robbed a lot in DC.

In Germany, big trucks are limited to 100 kmh in most locations (62 miles per hour) where there is no speed limit for passenger cars.

Driving to the right still works.

yeah.. the grass ain't really greener. it's been a few years since I've been on the autobahn, but not 30 years! I was on the A from Frankfurt to Nuremburg in the teens, and there were plenty of cell yakking SUV drivers clogging up the left lanes. It has been too long since I've been in Bavaria so I can't speak to that general area. I was there in the aughts and it was pretty disciplined then. I'm curious what the cell-phone, social media culture has done to the driving there.

I would be in favor of extreme punishments for brake checking and other such behavior, and stricter laws regarding driving to the right when not actively passing. If you are to the left of a motor vehicle to the right for a mile, then you are not actively passing that vehicle.

It would be nice if DOT would fund enforcement for ONLY this. Unfortunately, it will never happen because the troopers like stationary radar work. It's easy money and easy work. Enforcing lane discipline requires work and by and large, troopers don't want to 'work' for their money. They also get to force "encounters", fish for more violations, etc.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

yeah.. the grass ain't really greener. it's been a few years since I've been on the autobahn, but not 30 years! I was on the A from Frankfurt to Nuremburg in the teens, and there were plenty of cell yakking SUV drivers clogging up the left lanes. It has been too long since I've been in Bavaria so I can't speak to that general area. I was there in the aughts and it was pretty disciplined then. I'm curious what the cell-phone, social media culture has done to the driving there.

Well, that is disappointing. You have ruined all the hope that Hadelson provided.

Now there is nothing but darkness. No light.

 

[Hadelson]

I haven't been back recently, although I really want to go. Your updated news that driving there is still mostly the same is very welcome news, indeed.

PS - I left 36 years ago, so we were probably in country at the same time.

Had a few fast cars used for moving VIP's. One was capable of 160+MPH. American care with all the safety trimmings, huge engine and matching suspensions. Loved running the Autobahn with this and pushing the Germans out of the left lane

Heidelberg 88-91. USAREUR HQ

 

[Hadelson]

yeah.. the grass ain't really greener. it's been a few years since I've been on the autobahn, but not 30 years! I was on the A from Frankfurt to Nuremburg in the teens, and there were plenty of cell yakking SUV drivers clogging up the left lanes. It has been too long since I've been in Bavaria so I can't speak to that general area. I was there in the aughts and it was pretty disciplined then. I'm curious what the cell-phone, social media culture has done to the driving there.

We ran this section a few times. Did see some cell phones, but still very disciplined on the road

 

[Junkyard Dog]

Had a few fast cars used for moving VIP's. One was capable of 160+MPH. American care with all the safety trimmings, huge engine and matching suspensions. Loved running the Autobahn with this and pushing the Germans out of the left lane

Heidelberg 88-91. USAREUR HQ

Not too far away. Bitburg.

 

[Papo]

DUDES! RELAX! Maybe I wasn't clear enought. I wasn't on the left lane. I was on the right lane, signaling to merge into a lane for an exit ramp on the right. The second and third guys passed me on the shoulder, well after I had put on my signal but before we had reached the exit lane. The first guy passed me and the two cars in front of me on a two lane road by going into the oncoming lane when we were stopped at a traffic light. So, relax, I've driven in Europe, and on the Autobahn, and I know driving etiquette very well. I don't stay on the left lane except to pass. You really think I would be driving a Ford Mustang Dark Horse with the handling package if I didn't know how to drive? Gimme a break. Besides, this stuff never happens to me when I drive my Lincoln Navigator. Anyway, I have finally broken in the Mustang, I have 535 miles on it, and haven't had any more incidents. LOVING IT!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.

 

[Papo]

I have found with road rage it's not the vehicle it's 100% the driver.

Hadelson,
Hi neighbor! I live in Bethlehem Twp. Not that far from you. I agree that one of the biggest issues we face is the people who were born with the God-given right to live in the left lane. It drives me crazy. I had a friend I used to ski with and spent many hours driving with. Sometimes 4-5 hours one way. He would never get out of the left lane. His excuse was that he was driving the speed limit. I finally stopped skiing with him. Glenn

DUDES! RELAX! Maybe I wasn't clear enought. I wasn't on the left lane. I was on the right lane, signaling to merge into a lane for an exit ramp on the right. The second and third guys passed me on the shoulder, well after I had put on my signal but before we had reached the exit lane. The first guy passed me and the two cars in front of me on a two lane road by going into the oncoming lane when we were stopped at a traffic light. So, relax, I've driven in Europe, and on the Autobahn, and I know driving etiquette very well. I don't stay on the left lane except to pass. You really think I would be driving a Ford Mustang Dark Horse with the handling package if I didn't know how to drive? Gimme a break. Besides, this stuff never happens to me when I drive my Lincoln Navigator. Anyway, I have finally broken in the Mustang, I have 535 miles on it, and haven't had any more incidents. LOVING IT!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.

 

[Papo]

Truth right here ^^^^....also clogs up traffic and you can't get separation and then increases chances of accidents and road rage...

DUDES! RELAX! Maybe I wasn't clear enought. I wasn't on the left lane. I was on the right lane, signaling to merge into a lane for an exit ramp on the right. The second and third guys passed me on the shoulder, well after I had put on my signal but before we had reached the exit lane. The first guy passed me and the two cars in front of me on a two lane road by going into the oncoming lane when we were stopped at a traffic light. So, relax, I've driven in Europe, and on the Autobahn, and I know driving etiquette very well. I don't stay on the left lane except to pass. You really think I would be driving a Ford Mustang Dark Horse with the handling package if I didn't know how to drive? Gimme a break. Besides, this stuff never happens to me when I drive my Lincoln Navigator. Anyway, I have finally broken in the Mustang, I have 535 miles on it, and haven't had any more incidents. LOVING IT!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.

 

[Papo]

Jokes aside. Im serious about the hat thing it does happen.

I think its definitely the hat. I switched to a winter cap, and things are great now.

 

[Papo]

Papo, get out of the left lane.

Problem solved.

Stated simply, stay out of the left lane, unless you are actively passing somebody to the right.

Drive to the right. Pass to the left.



I know you will be tempted to post excuses for each of these two situations I quoted, but if they could pass you on the right, then you should have already been to the right.

Pay attention to the availability of a lane to the right and pay attention to cars approaching from the rear. Don't just drive obliviously staring out the front of your windshield until a car behind you can finally get your attention.

Then observe how these road rage situations simply evaporate.

You are causing them, not your choice of car.

DUDES! RELAX! Maybe I wasn't clear enought. I wasn't on the left lane. I was on the right lane, signaling to merge into a lane for an exit ramp on the right. The second and third guys passed me on the shoulder, well after I had put on my signal but before we had reached the exit lane. The first guy passed me and the two cars in front of me on a two lane road by going into the oncoming lane when we were stopped at a traffic light. So, relax, I've driven in Europe, and on the Autobahn, and I know driving etiquette very well. I don't stay on the left lane except to pass. You really think I would be driving a Ford Mustang Dark Horse with the handling package and a manual transmission if I didn't know how to drive? Gimme a break. Besides, this stuff never happens to me when I drive my Lincoln Navigator. Anyway, I have finally broken in the Mustang, I have 535 miles on it, and haven't had any more incidents. LOVING IT!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone.

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