HOV Lanes ARE NOT a Speedway

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Question to all the left lane speed demons.  If the exit is off the left lane and I turn on my turn signal to move over from the right hand lane where I was traveling @ 65-70, will you climb down my tailpipe or cut me off so I miss my exit?

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Stuck2 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 22 Apr 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Stuck2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2005 at 12:27pm
	Question to all the left lane speed demons. If the exit is off the left lane and I turn on my turn signal to move over from the right hand lane where I was traveling @ 65-70, will you climb down my tailpipe or cut me off so I miss my exit?

USA Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 06 Jun 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote USA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2005 at 12:09pm
	Way I see it is simple: If the right lane is going 60 mph, and the left lane is going 75 mph, and you want to do 68 mph, you either slow down and drive in the right lane or speed up and drive in the left lane. It is not the prerogative of a single driver to dictate to everyone else what speed they should drive. Before anyone says "But the sign says 65," I will note that under Virginia law that is irrelevant. The law in Virginia is that if you are in the left lane, and someone comes up going faster than you, you must give way (once it is safe to do so) on a visible or audible signal (i.e., a few blinks of the left blinker, a flash of the headlights, or blowing the horn at the ignoramus who ignores the first two), even if the other driver is speeding. But even setting aside the law, it's just courtesy--slower drivers move out of the way of faster drivers. The point that scottt makes about how you are in the wrong if you cause another driver to hit the brakes is a great point. That's how it works on the autobahn--if you want to pass, but cannot do so without causing someone who is coming up to pass you to slow down, then you must wait to begin your pass until the faster driver is past you. On the autobahn, with much higher speeds than we have here, this is a matter of safety so that people aren't slamming on the brakes at high speed. Here, it is a manner of courtesy and intelligence, but sadly these things are lacking in many drivers in the DC area. BTW, speaking of giving a visible signal, whatever happened to a blink of the lights to indicate to someone to move out of the way? This used to be universally understood as a standard gesture. Now in Virginia people seem to think the proper method is to pull up and tailgate, and then whip around on the right before the slower person even has a chance to move over.

vabigblue Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 16 Jul 2003 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote vabigblue Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2005 at 11:15am
	As indicated by all these posts, everyone drives differently. It appears that some are aggressive drivers while others are defensive drivers. Me, I'm strictly defensive and will give way until the coast is clear all around before making a move to the left lane or to pass a slower vehicle. I think if everyone kept safety in mind, it would prevent a lot of incidents from happening. 65-70 is the max I'll drive on the HOV or for that matter in the metro area or on the eastern seaboard above the Springfield, Va. area. There are too many vehicles out and with that brings close proximity which increases the possibility of an accident. Remember, safety is paramount.

MDC Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 04 Dec 2002 Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote MDC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2005 at 11:02am
	fed up, Have you noticed that the speed limit in that area when going Southbound is not reduced to 50? It's only on the morning trip that there's a sign. On the subject of passing. My rule is that if you're in the left lane and cars are passing you on the right, you're in the wrong lane. No matter what speed you're going.

jc9 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 25 Jul 2002 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote jc9 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2005 at 10:43am
	I admit I am a fast driver. And when I am on the road, I try to get to my destination as quickly as possible - with 2 excpetions...I never go over 80mph and I never exceed the speed limit by more than 20mph b/c both will qualify for reckless driving (in VA). I agree that there ARE dangerous drivers on HOV, fast AND slow. But, as addressed above, people are going to go faster than "normal" on HOV b/c the speed limit itself is faster than normal (65mph most places). Some places, like south of Virginia, have 65mph as their NORMAL speed limit...why is 55mph the magic "dangerous" speed for Virginia? I guess more cars/more people could be a bit of a defense, but my opinion is they want to make it easier to collect money by ticketing speeders. I personally hate slow drivers more than speeders, and think they are also dangerous; although I do agree that EXCESSIVE speeders are a problem - not to mention the fact that they're usually the ones that swerve and honk and use obscene gestures...not that it makes it ok for me, but I do ONLY speed [:D] I don't punish people for not going as fast as I want, I just silently fume within myself. Finally, I know the mathematic calculation will indicate only an 8 minute savings by going a little faster, but in reality, it can make a bigger difference than that. I find that by going slower, you miss opportunites to get around cars that are NOT going the speed you desire - and therefore takes you LONGER to get to your destination. So factor in that you may only be going 60mph and not only lose the 8 minutes you might have gained, but also the minutes calculated by whatever speed the driver blocking you is going. (that explanation seemed way more clear in my head, looking back I may not have described it very well, hope I don't get slammedfor it! [:I])

scottt Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Slug Joined: 12 May 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 106	Post Options Post Reply Quote scottt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Jan 2005 at 8:48am
	Fed_up, I'll quote you again. "The driver had more than enough opportunity to reduce the speed". Again, I have to fault you. If he had to adjust his speed because of something you did, then (IMHO) you are in the wrong. If he sped up, then I fault him. But if he maintained his speed throughout your maneuver, and you didn't complete your pass before he was upon you, you misjudged the distance. I turned 16 in Florida, and I'm not sure if it is still this way or not, but if you were on the driving test, and another driver had to use their brakes because of something you did, you failed INSTANTLY. Happened to a few in my driver's ed class. You didn't commit a capital offense, you shouldn't be dragged out and shot, but you did goof. Happens to all of us. :-)

fed up Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote fed up Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jan 2005 at 2:52pm
	I guess I didn't do a good job in descibing the incident I commented on. I shouldn't have used "up on my bumper." As mentioned, I signaled and changed to the left lane to pass (checking my mirrors). The gray car was at least seven to ten car lengths back. I felt that this was more than enough space for me to change lanes and effecively pass the car that was slowing my progress. The driver had more than enough opportunity to reduce the speed. But instead, the driver just kept the pedal to the metal. The driver could see why I had changed lanes and once I passed the car, I merged back into the slower lane. The driver was just too impatient to wait the extra 30 seconds for me to pass.

scottt Members Profile Find Members Posts Senior Slug Joined: 12 May 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 106	Post Options Post Reply Quote scottt Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Jan 2005 at 9:06am
	fed_up, if he was "up on my bumper" like you said, then you did not have "plenty of space" to change lanes and pass the slower car. When looking to change lanes to pass you have to notice not only the amount of space, but how fast the cars behind you are traveling. If he was on you that fast, then he was of course going faster than your (already speeding) 65, but you still cut in front of him.

fed up Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 17 Sep 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote fed up Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 2005 at 10:59am
	By way of agreement with the HOV lanes becoming a speedway, this morning I was driving at approximately 65 mph in the mixing bowl area where the posted speed limit is only 50 mph due to the construction. I was in the right lane (where I am suppose to be). I noticed ahead of me a car traveling much slower than at my speed. I checked my rear view and side mirrors to ensure that I had plenty of space to change lanes to pass the slower car. Once I was in the left lane and in the process of passing the slower car, up on my bumper comes a gray Toyota Matrix (license plate HT WNGS). Before I had a chance to finish passing the slower car I am being flashed headlights. At the soonest and safest opportunity, I signaled that I wanted to change lanes. As I glanced in my mirrors, I noticed HT WNGS was beginning to move to the right lane to pass me, but quickly straighted out once they realized I was returning to the "slow lane." In this area, going 70+ mph is considered reckless driving since the posted speed limit is 50. I was still going 15 mph over the posted limit as it was. There was absolutely no need for this person to do what they did. It was not like I had changed lanes quickly and cut this individual off. There was more than the recommended car lengths between my vehicle and HT WNGS and it was obvious why I changed lanes. Drivers like this particular individual invite road rage and I think we all need to chill just a bit.

WBSlug7 Members Profile Find Members Posts New Slug Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Location: VA Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote WBSlug7 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 05 Jan 2005 at 8:20am
	You guys crack me up, and the boards seem to be a bit stale lately. Again it's another speed thread, and I think what it really comes down to is not so much the speeding than it is the aggressive driving. Because if we all drove the same speed, say 80 mph, but gave enough space between cars and didn't weave all over the place no one would complaint. I'm sure some people are complaining that driving 65 mph is too fast for them too cuz they get sideswiped. It's also the need to be moving constantly, people hate feeling slow and blocked, and that's what happens in traffic. I drive faster than my spouse but with caution, but he's more aggressive at a slower pace, tailgating most cars at 70 mph. So who's worse? It's the new year, even old thread topics need a rest. [:o)] Forget Horner Rd, use Potomac Mills!