Get the F*** Out of the Left Lane

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by 4X4

Getting a little out of hand. My initial point was not to keep pace in the left lane. And yes I admit to speeding. 10 or 20 over is not 150 or 170. Man, you people sure love a good flogging, eh?

If you're only going 110 or 120 in the left lane on deerfoot, maybe you should be following your own advice. From my experience, it tends to be quite a bit faster than that.

[Dynamic]

Originally Posted by Snakeeye

FWIW, my personal best is four semis in one pass on such a highway. Though in my defence, I have driven rural highways a ton, and this was doing down hill in a huge, sloping valley north of Drayton Valley, so I could see the oncomping lanes for miles.

My personal favourite people to hate on rural highways are those that play leap frog. You pass them because they are doing 90 in a 100. They then speed up for no reason, pass you, then slow right back down to 90 again. Well thanks jackass. Now I gotta overtake you again.

I have no problem if you can do it safely but you probably knew the highway and where to pass. Its very easy to tell when someone doesn't know the highway.

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by The Unabomber

Yeah, and my tax dollars helped pay for the Saddledome, why can't i go for a skate anytime i want? Weak excuse.

it's not my logic, it's 4X4's. so yes, weak excuse 4X4.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Dynamic

I have no problem if you can do it safely but you probably knew the highway and where to pass. Its very easy to tell when someone doesn't know the highway.

Aint that the truth...

And usually, you can tell by the little crosses planted where someone didn't know a sharp turn was coming up.

[Tron_fdc]

I'm kinda laughing at the people who openly state they should be allowed to drive in the fast lane at the speed limit because it's perfectly legal, and then turn around and call 4x4 an a-hole for driving to the end of a merge lane and cutting in, seeing as it's totally legal to do that as well. Not to mention that (as one insurance company explained to me) if I drive to the end of a merge lane, signal, move over and hit you, it's equal responsibility because you didn't move over or make a gap. Not a lot of people know or care to know about that.

And it's not just Calgary drivers that are a-holes. I was in Vancouver last week on the Trans canada trying to get around an accident, and with traffic crawling along at about 5 kph I forced my rental into the left hand lane to get around a huge jam. The idiots beside me were driving in the shoulder, almost in the ditch to avoid letting me in. I really couldn't believe how concerned people were about me getting into their lane so I could move out of a stopped lane.

[Aeneas]

It took till about post 176 for the word I was thinking of to come out:
entitlement (I probably spelled it wrong)
Maybe it's just me but it seems like more than ever people think they are entitled to things. That they have in thier head "rights" and "freedoms" which actually do not exist. Because you are doing the speed limit in the left lane, I have the RIGHT to tailgate you. That was my favorite. I am not against the speeding group, I occaisionally speed myself. I use the left lane to pass, then I get back over not just to the middle, but I drive in the right lane as much as possible.

Driving south on QE2 south of Airdrie (and other places, the big hill by...Olds?) there are three lanes. I immediately move to the farthest right lane. Then I use the middle lane to pass, or the left if I have to. Sadly, most of the traffic stays in the middle lane. Why? Inconsiderate, yes I imagine they are. Why don't people move over to the right if there are no vehicles there?

If the slower (even if you are going the limit) people would move over there would be less scenarios for road rage.

So 4x4 I agree with your original point, which seems to be lost in all the vitriol, about the left lane pace car guy. He should move over. However I cannot agree with the speeders have rights crowd, especially when if you say we should follow the law you are called arrogant or on a high horse or worse.

[simmer2]

I speed on Deerfoot, but I don't expect people to move over for me in the far left hand lane. I'd like them to, but I don't tailgate or aggrevate. It's a common courtesy I wish was employed more often, but I won't get my panties in a bunch if they don't.

I started getting way more patient on the road after I saw a program in Australia comparing two drivers; one who swerves in and out of traffic and one who stays in the lane they originally chose. The difference in driving time was around 2min on a 30min round trip.

The place where it really bugs me is on the highway. The highway you are supposed to move over to the right hand lane. I won't tailgate, but I'll generally flash my lights in hopes that they'll move over.

[monkeyman]

Tron_fdc, that is my point exactly. to be honest, i'm not one of those people who drive slow in the left lane, and i don't think i have a right to do what ever i want. It was funny to me as well that 4X4 was doing exactly that. it was ok for him to do what ever he wanted in an ending lane, but it wasn't ok for anyone to drive in the left lane at the speed limit. you can argue both cases should involve common courtesies.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I'm kinda laughing at the people who openly state they should be allowed to drive in the fast lane at the speed limit because it's perfectly legal, and then turn around and call 4x4 an a-hole for driving to the end of a merge lane and cutting in, seeing as it's totally legal to do that as well. Not to mention that (as one insurance company explained to me) if I drive to the end of a merge lane, signal, move over and hit you, it's equal responsibility because you didn't move over or make a gap. Not a lot of people know or care to know about that.

And it's not just Calgary drivers that are a-holes. I was in Vancouver last week on the Trans canada trying to get around an accident, and with traffic crawling along at about 5 kph I forced my rental into the left hand lane to get around a huge jam. The idiots beside me were driving in the shoulder, almost in the ditch to avoid letting me in. I really couldn't believe how concerned people were about me getting into their lane so I could move out of a stopped lane.

Ok maybe I missed a post but I dont think anyone who said that merging at the last second is "a" holish and then also said that it is ok to drive 100km in the fast lane.

[Flames89]

I am actually SHOCKED that there is even a debate on here. I would have assumed all CPers would be "just use the left lane to pass" people. It is the 2nd most important rule of the road, 1st being don't follow so damn close that you have to use your brakes while on the highway....

[lifer]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

Maybe it's just me but it seems like more than ever people think they are entitled to things. That they have in thier head "rights" and "freedoms" which actually do not exist.

Like how everybody seems to feel like they have the right to abandon their vehicles directly in front of the Subway on 58th ave SW between Blackfoot and McLeod. I mean, there are only 5 no parking signs there, and there is still room for one lane of cars to drive past these "parked" cars if they move slowly and carefully. I mean, why should these people drive the extra 45 feet to the parking lot that is 'reserved for Subway customers'? Especially considering that if they park 45 feet farther away, they have to walk an extra 45 feet as well. Can you imagine? 90 feet!
I could love to see these cars all get ticketed, or towed. There are far too many lazy, arrogant pricks around who think that rules are made so that everybody else stays out of their way, and they can continue their lives unimpeded by these rules.

As for the speeding topic, I'm one of those guys who uses it to pass other cars, and I get out of the left lane as soon as possible. If somebody behind me wants to drive faster than me, I get out of their way as soon as can be reasonably expected. I appreciate other drivers who act the same way. that hardly makes me unique though, as I realize everybody thinks they drive properly, and appreciate others who drive similarly.

My other driving complaint. I expect that a city with a lot of people, and busy traffic patterns like Calgary would have drivers who understand how to change lanes. People are too busy on their frigging cell phones to signal before they change lanes, or if they bother with the formality of signalling, they think that gives them the right of way and switch lanes without bother to check if they are about to sideswipe somebody. I had some fat woman yell at me on Crowchild because I didn't make room for her in my lane right before the right lane is forced onto Memorial. I would have a problem if somebody did that to me too, but the thing is, I would signal with my signal light, so that people knew I was trying to get in. This cow decided it was best to signal by aiming her bumper at my passenger door. I'm from a small town in BC, and it is much easier to drive around in, yet people there also seem more careful wiht their signals and shoulder checks.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Flames89

I am actually SHOCKED that there is even a debate on here. I would have assumed all CPers would be "just use the left lane to pass" people. It is the 2nd most important rule of the road, 1st being don't follow so damn close that you have to use your brakes while on the highway....

From what I get out of all of these posts is most people agree that the left lane should be used to pass, be courteous and dont think that you own the road...either speeders or slow drivers.

[return to the red]

Originally Posted by lifer

Like how everybody seems to feel like they have the right to abandon their vehicles directly in front of the Subway on 58th ave SW between Blackfoot and McLeod. I mean, there are only 5 no parking signs there, and there is still room for one lane of cars to drive past these "parked" cars if they move slowly and carefully. I mean, why should these people drive the extra 45 feet to the parking lot that is 'reserved for Subway customers'? Especially considering that if they park 45 feet farther away, they have to walk an extra 45 feet as well. Can you imagine? 90 feet!
I could love to see these cars all get ticketed, or towed. There are far too many lazy, arrogant pricks around who think that rules are made so that everybody else stays out of their way, and they can continue their lives unimpeded by these rules.

the ironic thing is that those same people are probably the ones that go to subway because it is a healthier choice then Burger King or Mcdick's, yet they won't walk that extra 90 feet from their cars.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by lifer

Like how everybody seems to feel like they have the right to abandon their vehicles directly in front of the Subway on 58th ave SW between Blackfoot and McLeod.

Oh, don't even get me started on the people downtown who stop their cars in a "no stopping" zone to pick up or drop off somebody.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by Burninator

Besides it's not like when you are going 100kmph or 110kmph you are safe, risk free and moral (laugh) and when you are going 120kmph or faster all of a sudden you cross this line and become a scofflaw menace to society bent on destroying morals and could care little about who you hurt or kill on your 120kmph path of destruction.
.

Nah, you have to be going at least 135 in a 110 zone before you are a scofflaw menace to society. It goes like this:

Drives below the speed limit: Possible self-toucher, mentally deficient

Ambles along at the speed limit: Fascist lackey of the corporate overlords, snitch and self-righteous do-gooder.

Usually does around 10 km/h over: Thinks he/she is smarter than the police; insufferably self-congratulatory. Probably showers infrequently and frowns at babies.

Does 20 km/h or more over the limit: Of questionable moral fiber, easily swayed by popular opinion and likes Justin Timberlake. Often applies stickers to vehicle in order to improve performance and attract the stupider members of the opposite sex. Own mother sighs and looks heavenward when this driver is mentioned.

Does 50 km/h or more over: Would be giving Hitler and Stalin a run for the Evil Genius of All Time trophy, except for he (invariably a he) is not very smart. Eats puppies and kittens like popcorn, is on Satan's Facebook friends list.


Seriously, though, if you are an excessive speeder it is a moral issue; you are simply selfish and inconsiderate of other's welfare. Obviously any time you get in a car and drive at all, you increase the chance of accidents for everyone else, but that doesn't excuse the deliberate actions of those that drive as if their right-of-way supersedes all others.

Again, it is a question of attitude - stay with the flow of traffic; keep sufficient distance between yourself and other vehicles; drive smoothly without quick, sudden changes in lane, speed, or direction; obey traffic signals; merge properly and make room for merging traffic; do not drive too fast for road conditions, and be courteous.

Even the best driver has difficulty doing all of this all the time, but those drivers who openly claim that they break some of these rules and that if you don't like it, too bad - well, these are the people that need to stop believing their own propaganda and realize that, as drivers, they suck.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Ok maybe I missed a post but I dont think anyone who said that merging at the last second is "a" holish and then also said that it is ok to drive 100km in the fast lane.

In reference to 4x4 admitting he drives to the end of the merge lane....

And that's the biggest a**hole thing to do. You come on here complaining and whining, you think that you own the road and other drivers owe you favors.....get a grip. The speed limit is 100 on Deerfoot, show me something that says that if i drive the speed limit on Deerfoot in the right lane that i'll get a ticket. You can't, so it's legal to do! Me doing that is no different than you trying to get ahead of a jam by taking a road that closes so you can get 10 or 15 cars up.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by jammies

Nah, you have to be going at least 135 in a 110 zone before you are a scofflaw menace to society. It goes like this:

Drives below the speed limit: Possible self-toucher, mentally deficient

Ambles along at the speed limit: Fascist lackey of the corporate overlords, snitch and self-righteous do-gooder.

Usually does around 10 km/h over: Thinks he/she is smarter than the police; insufferably self-congratulatory. Probably showers infrequently and frowns at babies.

Does 20 km/h or more over the limit: Of questionable moral fiber, easily swayed by popular opinion and likes Justin Timberlake. Often applies stickers to vehicle in order to improve performance and attract the stupider members of the opposite sex. Own mother sighs and looks heavenward when this driver is mentioned.

Does 50 km/h or more over: Would be giving Hitler and Stalin a run for the Evil Genius of All Time trophy, except for he (invariably a he) is not very smart. Eats puppies and kittens like popcorn, is on Satan's Facebook friends list.

That was really funny.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by The Unabomber

Constantly doing something creates a comfort zone, that's from my experience anyway. So if you watched that you drive 100 for a week or two then the next thing you know your going 100 without looking at the dashboard. It's probably hard on your brakes going 120 and always having to brake because someone is going 100, think of the wear and tear you will save on as well by simply going the speed limit.

I just don't think that there is an excuse to speed, and there is no reason to complain about people going the speed limit.

I wasn't complaining. I'm more than okay with live and let live. If you want to drive the speed limit fine, I have no complaints with that.

[The Unabomber]

[quote=Tron_fdc;988895]In reference to 4x4 admitting he drives to the end of the merge lane....

Did i say that i do that Tron? I am making a point. I don't drive in the left lane unless i'm passing someone, but i hate it when people are roaring up behind me and riding my ass because i'm not passing someone fast enough. I also hate people who drive to the end of a merge lane to get a few cars ahead so they don't have to wait like everyone else.

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

In reference to 4x4 admitting he drives to the end of the merge lane....

Yes, I get that part, I was the one that blasted him for saying how inconsiderate drivers are yet he does the same thing. I am saying that I didn't see anyone including myself who took 4x4 up on his comment say it was perfectly alright to drive slow in the left hand lane.