Curtis - '97 Targa

Sheesh! What ever happened to good manners?

I drive a lovely two-lane 30 mile stretch of country roads back and forth to my office. This is usually a great interlude between home and work. Sparse traffic, pretty scenery, and the occasional opportunity to "clean out the carbon."

The last few days, however, have been ruined by folks with no idea at all of how to behave on a two-lane. Don't they cover that in driver's education anymore?

I was taught that, if you weren't prepared to pass a slower car in front of you, then back off and leave room for someone else who IS passing. It being illegal (I think) to pass more than one car at a time, this was the only way that faster traffic could move on. Lately, though, it seems like people are taking it as a personal offense if you pass them. They speed up to close the space!

Now, I understand them not wanting to pass. They probably don't want to spill their cappucino latte all over the leather while making a phone call and watching the DVD, but, jeeze, don't take it personally when I want to pass.

Sorry for the rant, but needed to blow some steam before an undeserving coworker caught it.

Looking forward to Sebring next weekend.....

C

hn

Being passed is one thing, but by a P can be quite different

Brett - 1996 C4

I bet one reason people are doing this is the actions of irresponsible drivers. I drive a two-lane mountain highway a lot and traffic often gets backed up behind slow drivers. I see a lot of young punks that often try to cut in front of you, no matter how little space there is. Then they go on to pass around blind corners, come close to oncoming traffic, etc.

Of course, once you get out of the mountains, you see they only managed to get about 10 cars ahead. Not much appreciation of risk vs. reward there.

Brett

Edward

Actually, a cappuccino is a different drink altogether from a latte so you can't really have a "cappuccino latte." Just thought you'd appreciate the difference.

Edward

SundayDriver

Only a Californian would make that post (exactly what I thought when I read it ).

Anir

Exactly what went through my head, Mark!!! As an uncultured Texan, I would never have caught that "coffee fau paux"! Now, knowing how to properly roll your tongue on the word "Burrito" is another matter...Or here in Kentucky, the difference between a Philly, Mare, Yearling, Colt, ...

What a great country!

Curtis, your point is well taken. Perhaps, they feel that "defensive driving" means they should defend the space/road in front of them.

D.G..

I have to sympathize with Curtis.

I can't count how many times I've been caught behind a solitary slow driver on a mountain road. When a straight section of road with a passing stripe comes up it's pedal to the metal time for them until they reach the end of the passing area. I know for sure that if I was driving a beater car they would act like a civilized human being and just let me pass.

When this happens I console myself by reminding myself that at the end of the day they will still be driving their pile of junk, and I'll still be driving a Porsche.

Dave

Edward

Anir,

Not ALL Californians are cityboys. Let's see, I like Phillys with extra cheese, don't like Dodge Colts much, I don't often get nightMares, except when my P-car is parked anywhere except in my garage, and a Yearling is about 365 days...So there!


Edward

Mdrury

As an innocent Brit now living in California, I had this rash expectation that drivers would follow the advice given in the DMV handbook and pull over when a line of cars grew behind them. Not so in Northern California it seems. Not only does this advice get ignored on regular two-lane mountain roads, but even when there's big juicy turn-outs announced in advance ( if you know Highway 9 from Saratoga to Skyline, you'll know what I mean ). The only remedy I can think of is to overwhelm these mean-spirited drivers with courtesy and politeness. Maybe they'll get the message. I still find myself "accidentally" taking "detours" on the small mountain roads ( wife:"what took you so long?" ) , so it's always a relief to come across slower vehicles driven courteously. If I'm ever tempted to behave like a jerk-in-a-p-car I resort to creative abuse in my head instead ( so relaxing ). See you in the mountains.

B-Line C2S

Hey Curtis..

I remember reading a while back a statute on the books that everyone on this board might find interesting. I am no lawyer and can't give a direct quote but I will try to paraphrase what the law said.

(This is a state law and if I remember correctly, it exists in most/many of the big states.)

If you flash your brights at the driver in front of you. They by law, must move out of your way or let you pass. If they don't, they can be cited..

I know this doesn't help you directly, I just thought it was interesting and a good thing to know.

I know this post lacks legal jargon and I will try to find some of the states/precedent etc.

Paul M

Michael,

Remember, we Brits are only innocent until proven guilty...

Up here in Oregon we have special signs at various locations to help combat the effects of slow drivers, they say "Passing Lane 1 Mile Ahead." I know where all of them are by heart, and spend the mile between the sign and the lane itself dropping into 2nd or 3rd gear in anticipation... Unfortunately, our beloved State Troopers like to park and eat their donuts at these locations too.

--Paul--

STLPCA

B-Line/Home/C2S:
I am a lawyer, a former state prosecutor & traffic court judge & would be very interested in some factual basis for your post. I've never heard of such a law, cursory research for your home state (FL) failed to find any, & I'd be surprised to find it anywhere in the US. Although, I try to learn something new each day

Anir

Nice one, Edward!!! I stand corrected - you'd do fine in KY!!

B-Line C2S

Hey Dan,

This is not exactly the law that I am looking for but it does have some of the info.
I will keep looking and I will try to find the exact precedent that I was talking about earlier.
Hope this helps.

CVC 21753 reads:
Except when passing on the right is permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall safely move to the right-hand side of the highway in favor of the overtaking vehicle after an audible signal or a momentary flash of headlights by the overtaking vehicle, and shall not increase the speed of his or her vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle. This section does not require the driver of an overtaken vehicle to drive on the shoulder of the highway in order to allow the overtaking vehicle to pass.

also..check out this info:
State "keep right" laws
You may use the left lane (when there is more than one lane in your direction) to pass. You may or may not be able to use the left lane when not passing.

A few states permit use of the left lane only for passing or turning left. These have "yes" in the "keep right" column.

Four states require drivers to move right if they are blocking traffic in the left lane.

Most states follow the Uniform Vehicle Code and require drivers to keep right if they are going slower than the normal speed of traffic (regardless of the speed limit; see below).

A few states either do not require vehicles to keep right, or permit vehicles moving at the speed limit to drive in the left lane regardless of traffic conditions.


State "Keep Right" Laws State Keep Right? Law Comments
Alabama slower 32-5A-80(b)
Alaska <SL 13 AAC 002.50 Keep right if below speed limit.
Arizona slower 28-721(B)
Arkansas obstructing 27-51-301(b) Law prohibits obstructing traffic by driving continuously in the left lane.
California slower VC 21654(a) "Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits"
Colorado slower 42-4-1001(2), 42-4-1103(3) Law also prohibits obstructing the "reasonable" movement of traffic.
Connecticut slower 14-230(b)
Delaware slower 21-4114(b)
Florida slower 316.081(2)
Georgia slower 40-6-40(b)
Hawaii slower 291C-41(b)
Idaho slower 49-630(2)
Illinois slower 625 ILCS 5/11-701(b)
Indiana slower 9-21-8-2(b)
Iowa slower 321.297(2)
Kansas slower 8-1514(b)
Kentucky yes 189.340(7) Only where the speed limit is 65
Louisiana slower R.S. 32:71 Must move right if blocking overtaking traffic.
Maine yes 29A-2052(6) Only where the speed limit is 65
Maryland <SL 21-301 If driving 10 MPH under speed limit, or slower than speed of traffic if conditions require speed below limit.
Massachusetts yes 89-4B
Michigan ? 257.634 No keep right law on divided highways?
Minnesota slower 169.18(10)
Mississippi slower 63-3-603(d)
Missouri slower 304.015(3) 304.151 prohibits "obstruct[ing] the regular flow of traffic on...any state highway"
Montana slower 61-8-321(2)
Nebraska slower 60-6,131(2)
Nevada slow 484.373 Move right if "imped[ing] ... movement of traffic"
New Hampshire slower 265:16
New Jersey yes 39:4-88
New Mexico slower 66-7-308(B)
New York slower V&TL 1120
North Carolina no?
North Dakota slower
Ohio slower 4511.25
Oklahoma slower 47-11-301
Oregon slower 811.315
Pennsylvania usually 75-3313(d), 75-3301(b) May also use left lane to allow traffic to merge or "when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow".
Rhode Island slower 31-15-2
South Carolina slower 56-5-1810(b)
South Dakota no 32-26-1 "Slow moving vehicles" keep right
Tennessee slower 55-8-115(b)
Texas slower 545.051(b)
Utah slower 41-6-53(2)
Vermont slower 23-1031(b)
Virginia slower 46.2-804(1) 46.2-842.1 requires vehicles in the left lane to yield to faster traffic
Washington usually 46.61.100(2) May also use left lane to allow traffic to merge or "when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow".
West Virginia slower 17C-7-1(b)
Wisconsin slower 346.05(3)
Wyoming slower 31-5-201(b) Law excepts "one-way streets".


The Uniform Vehicle Code states:

Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic ...

Note that this law refers to the "normal" speed of traffic, not the "legal" speed of traffic. The 60 MPH driver in a 55 MPH zone where everybody else is going 65 MPH must move right. Contrast Alaska's rule, 13 AAC 002.50, allowing vehicles driving at the speed limit to use the left lane, and Colorado rev. stat. 42-4-1103, prohibiting blocking the "normal and reasonable" movement of traffic.

Mdrury

Paul,

How foolish of me to assume that drivers could figure out that turnout=passing lane. Guilty as charged, sir!
In my defence, this is the state ( CA ) that has resolutely refused to number highway exits ( 'cos we're all so smart here - not! ).

Cheers

Michael