left lane hogs
05-20-2003, 11:56 PM
#1
928 Barrister
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
left lane hogs
You all know who you are. You get stressed out and frustrated by the left lane pokes who insist must remain in that lane at all costs.
Well, now you have the chance to vent your frustration by directing it toward an effective remedy, and without utilizing the "one finger salute"! <img border="0" alt="[icon501]" title="" src="graemlins/icon501.gif" />
Here is a constructive way to begin ridding our country of this scourge:
May 19, 2003
Dear NMA supporter,
The press release listed below kicks off our formal campaign to promote lane
courtesy on our highways. This is the first in a series of five releases we
will be sending out between now and the end of June. Each release will deal
with a separate facet of lane courtesy.
The theme for this campaign is, "Do the RIGHT Thing!" (Courtesy of our
Massachusetts State Chapter Coordinator Ivan Sever and NMA Member Bill
Stinnett). We are designating June as "Lane Courtesy Month."
We want this first release in the hands of the press before Memorial Day
weekend. The press is always looking for holiday travel topics and we're
hoping they pick up on our lane courtesy theme. If you can copy and
distribute this release to your local newspapers, radio, and TV outlets it
should greatly expand our impact. Even if this arrives too late for
Memorial Day weekend, please distribute the release to all possible outlets.
This project is being funded by your contributions to the National Motorists
Association Foundation. Thank you for your financial and personal support.
Sincerely,
James J. Baxter
NMA President
Do the RIGHT Thing!
June is Lane Courtesy Month
FOR RELEASE: May 16, 2003
For More Information, contact:
Eric Skrum, NMA Communications Director, 608-849-6000
With summer just around the corner and visions of vacations dominating
Americans' thoughts, our highways will experience a dramatic increase in
traffic. To enhance the travel experience for motorists, the National
Motorists Association (NMA) has designated June as Lane Courtesy Month and
is kicking off the campaign with the slogan "Do the RIGHT Thing!"
Lane Courtesy, also called Lane Discipline, has a powerful influence on
highway safety, traffic flow, and congestion. Arguably, its effect is more
important than speed limits, traffic enforcement, or any other attempt to
control driver behavior. Ask almost any motorist what most raises their ire
when using major highways and the answer will be "failure of slower traffic
to keep right or yield to the right when faster traffic approaches."
The concept, or ethic, of lane courtesy evolved in the United States with
the development of the Interstate System. However, the concept of slower
traffic yielding to the right for faster traffic has its origins in the
older system of two lane highways. Almost all states have a provision in
their traffic law that requires slower traffic, upon being signaled by a
following vehicle, to pull to the right to allow the faster traffic to pass.
Prior to 1973, rural speed limits reflected typical travel speeds.
Consequently, slower vehicles were not driving the speed limit and there was
no rationale for deliberately blocking the progress of faster traffic. The
55 MPH National Maximum Speed Limit changed all that.
After 1973, there was a serious disconnect between speed limits and the
actual speed of traffic. There was also a total breakdown in lane courtesy.
The slower traffic that would normally stay in the right hand lane could now
linger anywhere on the highway, in any lane, and still be traveling at the
legal maximum speed of 55 miles per hour. This counter productive process
was reinforced over a period of 21 years, influencing a whole generation of
new drivers.
In 1995 the 55 MPH National Maximum Speed Limit was repealed and several
states raised speed limits to put the limits more in concert with the
reality of highway travel. However, the almost quarter century habit of
wallowing anywhere on the highway did not disappear with the advent of new
speed limit signs.
The lane courtesy ethic must be reinvigorated, promoted, and recognized for
the contribution it can make toward safer, faster and more enjoyable travel.
We hope the NMA's "Do the RIGHT Thing!" campaign and declaring June as "Lane
Courtesy Month" will reawaken interest and support for this incredibly
important and positive traffic safety concept.
###
This is the first in a series of five releases on the importance of lane
courtesy. For more information concerning "Do the RIGHT Thing!" and other
highway safety tips, please visit our site at <a href="http://www.motorists.org." target="_blank">www.motorists.org.</a>
The National Motorists Association (NMA) was established in 1982 to
represent the interests and rights of North American motorists. It operates
at the national level and through a system of state chapters. The NMA is
supported through the contributions of individuals, families and small
businesses. For more information about the NMA, call 608-849-6000, Email us
at nma@motorists.org, or visit the NMA web site at <a href="http://www.motorists.org." target="_blank">www.motorists.org.</a>
<img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />
Well, now you have the chance to vent your frustration by directing it toward an effective remedy, and without utilizing the "one finger salute"! <img border="0" alt="[icon501]" title="" src="graemlins/icon501.gif" />
Here is a constructive way to begin ridding our country of this scourge:
May 19, 2003
Dear NMA supporter,
The press release listed below kicks off our formal campaign to promote lane
courtesy on our highways. This is the first in a series of five releases we
will be sending out between now and the end of June. Each release will deal
with a separate facet of lane courtesy.
The theme for this campaign is, "Do the RIGHT Thing!" (Courtesy of our
Massachusetts State Chapter Coordinator Ivan Sever and NMA Member Bill
Stinnett). We are designating June as "Lane Courtesy Month."
We want this first release in the hands of the press before Memorial Day
weekend. The press is always looking for holiday travel topics and we're
hoping they pick up on our lane courtesy theme. If you can copy and
distribute this release to your local newspapers, radio, and TV outlets it
should greatly expand our impact. Even if this arrives too late for
Memorial Day weekend, please distribute the release to all possible outlets.
This project is being funded by your contributions to the National Motorists
Association Foundation. Thank you for your financial and personal support.
Sincerely,
James J. Baxter
NMA President
Do the RIGHT Thing!
June is Lane Courtesy Month
FOR RELEASE: May 16, 2003
For More Information, contact:
Eric Skrum, NMA Communications Director, 608-849-6000
With summer just around the corner and visions of vacations dominating
Americans' thoughts, our highways will experience a dramatic increase in
traffic. To enhance the travel experience for motorists, the National
Motorists Association (NMA) has designated June as Lane Courtesy Month and
is kicking off the campaign with the slogan "Do the RIGHT Thing!"
Lane Courtesy, also called Lane Discipline, has a powerful influence on
highway safety, traffic flow, and congestion. Arguably, its effect is more
important than speed limits, traffic enforcement, or any other attempt to
control driver behavior. Ask almost any motorist what most raises their ire
when using major highways and the answer will be "failure of slower traffic
to keep right or yield to the right when faster traffic approaches."
The concept, or ethic, of lane courtesy evolved in the United States with
the development of the Interstate System. However, the concept of slower
traffic yielding to the right for faster traffic has its origins in the
older system of two lane highways. Almost all states have a provision in
their traffic law that requires slower traffic, upon being signaled by a
following vehicle, to pull to the right to allow the faster traffic to pass.
Prior to 1973, rural speed limits reflected typical travel speeds.
Consequently, slower vehicles were not driving the speed limit and there was
no rationale for deliberately blocking the progress of faster traffic. The
55 MPH National Maximum Speed Limit changed all that.
After 1973, there was a serious disconnect between speed limits and the
actual speed of traffic. There was also a total breakdown in lane courtesy.
The slower traffic that would normally stay in the right hand lane could now
linger anywhere on the highway, in any lane, and still be traveling at the
legal maximum speed of 55 miles per hour. This counter productive process
was reinforced over a period of 21 years, influencing a whole generation of
new drivers.
In 1995 the 55 MPH National Maximum Speed Limit was repealed and several
states raised speed limits to put the limits more in concert with the
reality of highway travel. However, the almost quarter century habit of
wallowing anywhere on the highway did not disappear with the advent of new
speed limit signs.
The lane courtesy ethic must be reinvigorated, promoted, and recognized for
the contribution it can make toward safer, faster and more enjoyable travel.
We hope the NMA's "Do the RIGHT Thing!" campaign and declaring June as "Lane
Courtesy Month" will reawaken interest and support for this incredibly
important and positive traffic safety concept.
###
This is the first in a series of five releases on the importance of lane
courtesy. For more information concerning "Do the RIGHT Thing!" and other
highway safety tips, please visit our site at <a href="http://www.motorists.org." target="_blank">www.motorists.org.</a>
The National Motorists Association (NMA) was established in 1982 to
represent the interests and rights of North American motorists. It operates
at the national level and through a system of state chapters. The NMA is
supported through the contributions of individuals, families and small
businesses. For more information about the NMA, call 608-849-6000, Email us
at nma@motorists.org, or visit the NMA web site at <a href="http://www.motorists.org." target="_blank">www.motorists.org.</a>
<img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />
05-21-2003, 04:14 AM
#3
928 Barrister
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Randy P:
I have been to Seattle in my 928. I drove all the way through Washington and the air in the car was totally foul from the language emitted as I was consistently held up by left lane hogs. As I drove into Oregon, I smiled with relief. This is not intended to bad mouth Washington generally. I want to return to Whistler, but dread passing through Washington traffic and the lines of what I call "trains" in the left lane poking along.
What we all need to do is to support National Motorist's campaign to remedy the situation. Visit their website and decide for yourself. There are statistics that have proven that higher speeds do not mean more increased danger; quite the contrary is true: only 8% of the fatalities on American roads occur above 60 mph. Ask someone from Germany where your machine was built.
Think for awhile who benefits the most from the status quo, considering the true statistics.
Italy recently RAISED its speed limits because it found driving faster causes drivers to be more alert and the accident rate to drop. You and all others who are reading this, if you're honest, know this.
The left lane is and should be a passing lane only.
Thanks for listening.
I have been to Seattle in my 928. I drove all the way through Washington and the air in the car was totally foul from the language emitted as I was consistently held up by left lane hogs. As I drove into Oregon, I smiled with relief. This is not intended to bad mouth Washington generally. I want to return to Whistler, but dread passing through Washington traffic and the lines of what I call "trains" in the left lane poking along.
What we all need to do is to support National Motorist's campaign to remedy the situation. Visit their website and decide for yourself. There are statistics that have proven that higher speeds do not mean more increased danger; quite the contrary is true: only 8% of the fatalities on American roads occur above 60 mph. Ask someone from Germany where your machine was built.
Think for awhile who benefits the most from the status quo, considering the true statistics.
Italy recently RAISED its speed limits because it found driving faster causes drivers to be more alert and the accident rate to drop. You and all others who are reading this, if you're honest, know this.
The left lane is and should be a passing lane only.
Thanks for listening.
05-21-2003, 10:29 AM
#5
The problem is that a law is useless unless law inforcement inforces the law. In Utah, we have a law (don't know exactly how it reads), that basically states the left lane on freeways is for passing and it is a violation and you "can" be ticketed for being camped there. However, I have never seen anyone pulled over and ticketed for being camped in the left lane whether going over, at or under the speed limit. In fact, I've watched highway patrol toopers move to the right lane, pass on the right then move back to the left lane and pass on the left (weaving) when a driver is camped in the left lane, never pulled over or even flashed at. Laws are no good unless they are inforced. The only law that seems to be inforce is speeding (crap!).
05-21-2003, 01:36 PM
#6
928 Barrister
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Harry:
The avatar is my company's logo. The company name is Verdant Ventures. It is green because....
well, verdant means green. (I am also a vegetarian, which may have a bit to do with the name choice.) <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
The avatar is my company's logo. The company name is Verdant Ventures. It is green because....
well, verdant means green. (I am also a vegetarian, which may have a bit to do with the name choice.) <img border="0" alt="[byebye]" title="" src="graemlins/wave.gif" />
05-21-2003, 07:15 PM
#7
Pro
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Peoples Republic of Long Beach, N.Y.
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Ron_H:
<strong>Randy P:
This is not intended to bad mouth Washington generally. but dread passing through Washington traffic and the lines of what I call "trains" in the left lane poking along.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Washington State is the worst in the whole country IMO for left lane jerks.. it's sick entertainment watching left traffic nearly create accidents trying to get around them.. I can't even blame the tree huggers for this mentality because Oregun's left lane is OK/go figure.
<strong>Randy P:
This is not intended to bad mouth Washington generally. but dread passing through Washington traffic and the lines of what I call "trains" in the left lane poking along.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Washington State is the worst in the whole country IMO for left lane jerks.. it's sick entertainment watching left traffic nearly create accidents trying to get around them.. I can't even blame the tree huggers for this mentality because Oregun's left lane is OK/go figure.
Trending Topics
05-22-2003, 12:28 AM
#8
only in this place is it like that. I go beserk when I'm travelling across I-90 only to be held up by a pair of SUV's driving side-by - side @ 60 MPH exactly with no one in front of them.
I say you lobby for public stoning or being burned at the stake for this offense.
Must be the PC atmosphere here....
rjp
I say you lobby for public stoning or being burned at the stake for this offense.
Must be the PC atmosphere here....
rjp
05-22-2003, 03:37 AM
#10
Instructor
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Oceanside, CA
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Come on down to our state! We also suffer similar problems here in Arizona. A few years ago I started my own "Do the Right Thing" Program...
When rapidly approaching from the rear, my front license plate says it all...
"MOVE OVER"
With reversed RED lettering, it appears correctly in the slow guy's rear view mirror. lol Actually, for the most part, it works quite well! Just a friendly reminder to “Do the Right Thing”, eh?
<img src="http://www.pelicanparts.com/swapmeet_pics/dunkel_bros_01/Pic421.jpg" alt=" - " />
Cheers <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
When rapidly approaching from the rear, my front license plate says it all...
"MOVE OVER"
With reversed RED lettering, it appears correctly in the slow guy's rear view mirror. lol Actually, for the most part, it works quite well! Just a friendly reminder to “Do the Right Thing”, eh?
<img src="http://www.pelicanparts.com/swapmeet_pics/dunkel_bros_01/Pic421.jpg" alt=" - " />
Cheers <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
05-22-2003, 09:56 AM
#11
Advanced
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Wynnewood, PA
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Paul, love the front plate. Does it work?
I especially like the looks of righteous indignation of the left lane hog who finally moves over, as if he/she was helping to enforce the law by driving the speed limit or keeping us poor reckless slobs from endangering ourselves by exceeding the speed limit.
I especially like the looks of righteous indignation of the left lane hog who finally moves over, as if he/she was helping to enforce the law by driving the speed limit or keeping us poor reckless slobs from endangering ourselves by exceeding the speed limit.
05-22-2003, 01:36 PM
#12
Track Day
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have the same problem on the Indiana toll roads. Very frustrating.
I must tell you a very funny story concerning a friend of mine who was traveling on the toll road, and had a vehicle camping in the left lane.
My friend is not very patient when it comes to this offense, especially in this case where they were doing 5mph under the limit.
He not only started riding the vehicles tail, but was flashing his lights, etc. this went on for about 2 minutes, and by the way it was a Camaro.
The camaro didn't really do anything for that 2 minute period, and then the red flashing lights came on. Obviously at this point my friend knew that it was an un-marked state police.
I'm sure the expression the officer saw on his face was more than enough gratification to then turn off his lights and chuckle to himself.
He avoided a ticket, and I'm sure will try to watch the next time.
Although I will note even with the officer in the left lane, frustrating when you want to do 5mph over.
Gary
I must tell you a very funny story concerning a friend of mine who was traveling on the toll road, and had a vehicle camping in the left lane.
My friend is not very patient when it comes to this offense, especially in this case where they were doing 5mph under the limit.
He not only started riding the vehicles tail, but was flashing his lights, etc. this went on for about 2 minutes, and by the way it was a Camaro.
The camaro didn't really do anything for that 2 minute period, and then the red flashing lights came on. Obviously at this point my friend knew that it was an un-marked state police.
I'm sure the expression the officer saw on his face was more than enough gratification to then turn off his lights and chuckle to himself.
He avoided a ticket, and I'm sure will try to watch the next time.
Although I will note even with the officer in the left lane, frustrating when you want to do 5mph over.
Gary
05-22-2003, 02:49 PM
#13
Escapee
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Don't feel so bad, in Canada, it is legal and encouraged for people to drive in any lane they want to, anytime. Our Government idiots are just now considering legislation to make the left lane a passing lane only. What a concept. The problem is that those same government idiots will now have to appoint a 45 person task force to evaluate whether it is justified to spend $150,000,000 (which is currently allocated to gun control) to finance a referendum to decide if this law is constitutional. For now, we must continue to run the left lane hogs off the road.
05-22-2003, 03:42 PM
#14
Advanced
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Washington D.C.
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Maryland drivers usually suffer from either of the following:
1) Believing that travelling in the right lane is physically impossible.
2) that the LEFT lane is for driving side-by-side, matching speed, with someone in the RIGHT lane (eliminating even the right-hand pass for annoyed followers).
I experience option 2 in epidemic proportions when in Md. Especially bad on I-95 N.
1) Believing that travelling in the right lane is physically impossible.
2) that the LEFT lane is for driving side-by-side, matching speed, with someone in the RIGHT lane (eliminating even the right-hand pass for annoyed followers).
I experience option 2 in epidemic proportions when in Md. Especially bad on I-95 N.
05-22-2003, 04:02 PM
#15
Advanced
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Olney, MD
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The license tag on the white car reminded me of a personalized Maryland tag I used to see once in a while on a Buick Grand National. On the rear, "TIVOOM" didn't make make much sense but when you saw the front tag in your mirror, "MOOVIT" conveyed a clear message.