High Speed Rail - Calgary/Edmonton

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Laner99

Nothing angers me more on the highway then those people who are driving in and out of lanes going 140 acting like they need to get somewhere faster then everyone else. I have a vehicle that is speed monitored (work vehicle) so I can truck along at about 115. When I pull out to pass someone going 110 it can take me a bit of time and while I am passing nothing makes me happier then to see one of those 140 joes in my rearview miror losing his mind because he is stuck behind me. There are times when I even let up on the gas a little or make a really slow lane change to let him pass me. That's my pleasure, I love it, it is one of the pure joys in life. Then when they finally get to go around me I give them a big grin and wave. Just as much as 140 joe loves to tail slow pokes on the road I love to hold him up and always will (it's like a fun game for me).

Oh man, you sure showed him. You are a national hero. Children will be writing songs about you for centuries.

[SebC]

This should probably not be in a high speed rail thread, but the worst kind of left-lane crawlers are the ones who are totally oblivious - and there are many. I've actually gone over a km flashing my high beams at someone without them noticing.

Also just because I'm not tailgaiting doesn't mean I don't want to pass. If I'm behind you in the left lane now, and I wasn't there before... that means that if you weren't there I'd be going faster than you, even if I'm maintaining a safe distance.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Laner99

But being wrong never felt so right. Now its time to make my commute home for the day, I am going to drive an extra couple K slower in the fast lane tonight for all of the CPer's out there.

I'm an @sshole and I'm proud of it!!

Well, at least you know you're a dangerous, ignorant, garbage driver.

[GaiJin]

The Autobahn documentary. I wonder if anyone in Alberta transportation has ever watched this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Msq6jwaXr3A

[Bindair Dundat]

And...away we go!!!

THOROUGHLY INCOMPETENT Drivers...

Where to start?

How about here? I drive approximately 150-200 km, EVERY SINGLE day. Most of this is on the Anthony Henday and trust me, there are MANY people that have NO BUSINESS being on a freeway like this. The problem is that the left lane always ends up FUBAR because you have three kinds of drivers out there:

First: When the weather gets bad:

The vast majority are the: "I am not comfortable traveling the posted limit so I'm going to stay in the right lane at 80-90 km/h".
Ten percent of us are like me: "I do this shat every day, I know my vehicle and I have appropriate rubber and the skills to get where I'm going".
The other Ten percent are the problem: "I am terrified... and will creep along in the right lane at 50-60 km/h (without my lights on) so I can force all of the "cautious" people to come up on me and thus be forced into either braking (bad idea) or making a poorly judged lane change into the left lane...
I maintain a safe following distance when operating at speed on marginal roads; my situational awareness is always on "high" while driving. When you suddenly have someone who cannot judge closing speeds accurately flip their signal (or not even bother) and move into your "comfort zone" doing 80 km? Because they are going around someone who should have just stayed in Mill Woods?

This is a serious problem.

Much as there is a GDL system in place for "new drivers", there should be another level of driver testing implemented that recognizes the severe road conditions we face here. One that keeps people incapable of dealing with the task of properly operating a vehicle off of the roads during inclement periods. Put a big sticker on their bumper to this effect...just like the "newbie" stickers they use in BC. If you can't even cut through a windrow between lanes on a residential arterial without pooping your pants?

Why the hell are you allowed to be out there in a multi-thousand pound projectile in the first place?

Under "normal" driving conditions there are still "problems" that serve to impede traffic flow:

First and foremost: A lack of "situational awareness"- It's endemic in this day and age. Watch your rear-view constantly while traveling in the left lane. If you've got a "fast-mover" coming up on you and you're set at "ten over" in the left lane while "passing" the "law abiding citizens"? Accelerate. It won't kick out your cruise and if anyone's going to get a ticket? It will be the "fast mover", not you. Step it up to 120 or 130 and get out of the way. This is how it's done in Europe (or on the Interstates). Puttering along while overtaking the right lane at +2 km/h? Total DBag move.
Next? Following distances: It constantly amazes me as to how many people are ignorant as to this basic principle. This ties in to the above mentioned "situational awareness" theme (which is actually the root of most bad driving behavior). I always have a "plan of attack" in the back of my mind while driving. First and foremost is maintaining adequate braking distance between myself and the vehicle ahead of me.
If I had a dime for every idiot that had the "need" to take this space as his own, I'd be a rich man.
I'm not "hanging back" because I'm a pansy; I'm hanging back so that I have executable options available if things go sideways. This frustrates me to no end.

Driving the QE2 is an exercise in frustration as there seems to be no mandate with regards to driver qualification or even as to the roadworthyness of vehicles allowed on this highway. If you're driving a sh*tpile that can't even go 100 km/h (many of these out there) WHY? Why are there ####ing farmers driving combines and clapped out grain trucks on what is supposed to be the "super highway" in the province?
Most of these major "gripes" could easily be dealt with through legislation...

The "situational awareness" portion is the one that won't change without serious enforcement and this is a slippery slope (to say the least). Enaction of a further GDL (as defined above) is one small step in the proper direction.

Rant off

[Laner99]

Originally Posted by flameswin

Well, at least you know you're a dangerous, ignorant, garbage driver.

That right there is the exact reaction that gives me a smile from ear to ear. Feels so good. Haha.

[Red John]

Originally Posted by Laner99

That right there is the exact reaction that gives me a smile from ear to ear. Feels so good. Haha.

You shouldn't have a license.

[stampsx2]

Technically laner isn't doing anything wrong other than intentionally being annoying. By law you can't pass someone if you have to go over the speed limit. The max speed at anytime in any lane is 100 or 110 km/h.

Assuming deerfoot or hwy.

[Laner99]

Originally Posted by Red John

You shouldn't have a license.

I am just a law abiding citizen who drives the speed limit. And if I happen to block a few lanes along the way then so be it. Last week I had to drive to strathmore during some rough weather. I must have past 7 people in the ditch. Everyone of those morons was likely driving to fast on the highway and look where they ended up slammed in the ditch. Haha, those fools got what they deserved. Not me, I drove 85 the entire way and made it there nice and safe. Boooyaaaa.

[Laner99]

Originally Posted by SebC

This should probably not be in a high speed rail thread, but the worst kind of left-lane crawlers are the ones who are totally oblivious - and there are many. I've actually gone over a km flashing my high beams at someone without them noticing.

Ha, I once had a guy flash his beams at me for what seemed like a half hour. No real affect though I have those self tinting mirrors, flash away sucka, flash away.

But let's get back on topic. Come on people, there will not be a bullet train between Calgary and Edmonton in the next 30 yrs. it's crazy talk.

[GaiJin]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

Technically laner isn't doing anything wrong other than intentionally being annoying. By law you can't pass someone if you have to go over the speed limit. The max speed at anytime in any lane is 100 or 110 km/h.

Assuming deerfoot or hwy.

And also Laner is making the assumption that his speedometer is the most correct speedometer of everyone elses on the roadway which is the wrong assumption to be making. If Laners speedo is indicating 110 and really doing 107 km/hr and then blocking someone who's speedo is saying 108 km/hr, Laner is just being a jerkoff by stopping the other drive getting up to the true speed limit.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Laner99

I am just a law abiding citizen who drives the speed limit. And if I happen to block a few lanes along the way then so be it. Last week I had to drive to strathmore during some rough weather. I must have past 7 people in the ditch. Everyone of those morons was likely driving to fast on the highway and look where they ended up slammed in the ditch. Haha, those fools got what they deserved. Not me, I drove 85 the entire way and made it there nice and safe. Boooyaaaa.

You know forcing them to pass you on the right is more dangerous than speeding? Don't be a left lane warrior, it' not your job to enforce speed limits. A friendly heads up though, police have been starting to crack down on vehicles that are impeding the safe flow of traffic.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by btimbit

You know forcing them to pass you on the right is more dangerous than speeding? Don't be a left lane warrior, it' not your job to enforce speed limits. A friendly heads up though, police have been starting to crack down on vehicles that are impeding the safe flow of traffic.

But they would have no grounds to give him a ticket for going the max speed in the left lane.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

But they would have no grounds to give him a ticket for going the max speed in the left lane.

Actually, yes they do.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by Laner99

But being wrong never felt so right. Now its time to make my commute home for the day, I am going to drive an extra couple K slower in the fast lane tonight for all of the CPer's out there.

I'm an @sshole and I'm proud of it!!

No, you're just a terrible driver and a nuisance to Calgary roads.

[topfiverecords]

Came for the discussion about cool trains. Got high speed railed to the grind my gears thread.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

But they would have no grounds to give him a ticket for going the max speed in the left lane.

Yes they would. There is a reason there are signs that say "stay right unless to pass" and "slow moving vehicles stay right".

[Roughneck]

"Left Lane Bandits"


Part 1: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1171911

Part 2: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?playlistId=1.1173582


While a BC report, it has relevance in Alberta due to the same thing being in our motor vehicles act:

Slow moving vehicles
3
(1)
If a person driving a vehicle is driving the vehicle on a
highway at a speed that is less than the normal speed of the traffic
on the highway at that time and
place and under the conditions then
existing, that person shall drive the vehicle
(a) in the right traffic lane then available for traffic, or
(b) as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the
roadway,
except when either
(c) overtaking and passing another vehicle travelling in the
same direction, or
(d) preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private
road or driveway.
(2)
If a traffic control device directs slow moving traffic to use a
designated traffic lane, a person when driving a vehicle slowly
shall drive the vehicle only in that lane.

[Bootsy]

Originally Posted by Laner99

Nothing angers me more on the highway then those people who are driving in and out of lanes going 140 acting like they need to get somewhere faster then everyone else. I have a vehicle that is speed monitored (work vehicle) so I can truck along at about 115. When I pull out to pass someone going 110 it can take me a bit of time and while I am passing nothing makes me happier then to see one of those 140 joes in my rearview miror losing his mind because he is stuck behind me. There are times when I even let up on the gas a little or make a really slow lane change to let him pass me. That's my pleasure, I love it, it is one of the pure joys in life. Then when they finally get to go around me I give them a big grin and wave. Just as much as 140 joe loves to tail slow pokes on the road I love to hold him up and always will (it's like a fun game for me).

Dennis leary summed it up just about perfect when he sang "I drive ultra slow, in the ultra fast lane, while people behind me are going insane"

Let me guess your favorite hockey player is Alex Burrows? You drive like he plays hockey.

[ranchlandsselling]

Originally Posted by Roughneck

"Left Lane Bandits"

Synonymous with CP troll. Troll is so obvious, feeding it not necessary.