I have a RANT .

[Buggs67]

IDK about all other states, but the law here is that you drive in the right hand lane unless passing. The right lane (of three) is NOT for entry and exit, it's the slow lane. The middle lane is to pass those slow-pokes. The left lane is to pass the slightly faster folk in the middle lane. Except for "slow vehicle" lanes the middle lane is NOT to hang out for the duration of your trip. Truck drivers HATE people who think that way, because the middle lane is THE ONLY CHANCE they have to pass.

American drivers (mostly) suck. They take offense if you pass them even in passing zones on 2 lane county roads. They hog the left lane and try to run you off the road if you try to pass on the right. They speed up to keep you from passing on the left. I've driven in Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy as well as Canada. Metro NY and LA drivers are the worst. The closer you get to the heartland the better more courteous the drivers get.

 

[dave1949]

You have got to be kidding. 62-63 on an Interstate? I hope you at least stay in the right lane.

You won't find me in the right lane going 62-63 on an interstate because I'm usually going a long ways, about 935 miles, and 10 mph adds up over that distance. That's why people mis-using the left lanes of an interstate aggravate me.

It's true though, if you travel that 2-3 mph below the speed limit you are safer and less stressed. Of course you should be in the right lane. It's not so slow your vehicle is a hazard, yet people can overtake you in a reasonable time. Cars can enter/merge into the right lane easier than trying to catch-up with 70-75 mph traffic.

If you go through a commercial freight company's driver training, that's what they will teach you. A lot of long-haul trucks are governed at 65-67 mph. Some at 70-72 mph. When you see a truck passing another truck forever @ 65 mph, it's often because they are running against the governor. Some companies will fire drivers for exceeding the speed limit routinely. The truck's speed is recorded on the on-board GPS tracking units and can be uploaded to the company at anytime.

 

[Buggs67]

You won't find me in the right lane going 62-63 on an interstate because I'm usually going a long ways, about 935 miles, and 10 mph adds up over that distance. That's why people mis-using the left lanes of an interstate aggravate me.

It's true though, if you travel that 2-3 mph below the speed limit you are safer and less stressed. Of course you should be in the right lane. It's not so slow your vehicle is a hazard, yet people can overtake you in a reasonable time. Cars can enter/merge into the right lane easier than trying to catch-up with 70-75 mph traffic.

If you go through a commercial freight company's driver training, that's what they will teach you. A lot of long-haul trucks are governed at 65-67 mph. Some at 70-72 mph. When you see a truck passing another truck forever @ 65 mph, it's often because they are running against the governor. Some companies will fire drivers for exceeding the speed limit routinely. The truck's speed is recorded on the on-board GPS tracking units and can be uploaded to the company at anytime.

You did say 2-3 below the limit, that's 62-63. In my motor home I set the cruise at 68-70, sit in the right lane and everyone passes me. Low stress and better mpg.

 

[300UGUY]

IDK about all other states, but the law here is that you drive in the right hand lane unless passing. The right lane (of three) is NOT for entry and exit, it's the slow lane. The middle lane is to pass those slow-pokes. The left lane is to pass the slightly faster folk in the middle lane. Except for "slow vehicle" lanes the middle lane is NOT to hang out for the duration of your trip. Truck drivers HATE people who think that way, because the middle lane is THE ONLY CHANCE they have to pass.

American drivers (mostly) suck. They take offense if you pass them even in passing zones on 2 lane county roads. They hog the left lane and try to run you off the road if you try to pass on the right. They speed up to keep you from passing on the left. I've driven in Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy as well as Canada. Metro NY and LA drivers are the worst. The closer you get to the heartland the better more courteous the drivers get.

Keep to the right may be the law, but on a lot of urban expressways, they have the right lane designated as "local". And some areas, trucks are limited on speed to 65 or even 55. In rush hour, those speeds can be optimistic!! I used to commute 110 miles per day, almost all xway. I agree a lot of drivers suck, I think it ought to be much more difficult to get and keep a license. My neighbor drove like Mr. McGoo for years, he should never have been on the road, for a least 5 years.

 

[dave1949]

You did say 2-3 below the limit, that's 62-63. In my motor home I set the cruise at 68-70, sit in the right lane and everyone passes me. Low stress and better mpg.

I find that hard to believe on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph. You never pass anyone? You must be one lucky guy.

 

[Bird]

All this talk about speed and speed limits makes it obvious that many of you are not old enough to remember the oil shortage and national speed limit of 55 mph of the 1970s.:laughing:

 

[k0ua]

All this talk about speed and speed limits makes it obvious that many of you are not old enough to remember the oil shortage and national speed limit of 55 mph of the 1970s.:laughing:

I remember it well.

"I can't drive 55!" With apologies to Sammy Hagar

 

[dave1949]

All this talk about speed and speed limits makes it obvious that many of you are not old enough to remember the oil shortage and national speed limit of 55 mph of the 1970s.:laughing:

Yep, the Ohio HWP loved that. Speed limits are creeping up. I have to laugh when I use the US Rt. 20 bypass around Fremont, OH. It used to be 55, even after the national double nickel ended, and they watched it like a hawk. Now it's 65, people drive 70, and they don't patrol it like they used to. Same road, no improvements, more traffic.

We could have some benefits from a 55 mph limit obviously. But as long as the alternatives to driving a personal vehicle on medium to long trips are lacking and/or unattractive, the push will be for higher road speeds is my guess.

Generally I think speed limits and enforcement react to traffic accident and fatality stats? With surround air bags and seat belts, better crush zone frames, better braking and suspensions, etc., I would guess many people are surviving crashes now and with lesser injuries than they would have earlier.

The next big change I think will be more collision avoidance technology. The semi my brother drives has that now, when it's engaged it applies the brakes if the distance from the vehicle ahead is too close. He is not a fan so far, it may need some refinements. Lane crossing warnings, front distance braking, are common options now on cars.

 

[300UGUY]

I have a freind of mine who is working on driverless cars fo GM. He says if they want to, it could be implemented within 10 years. But there is resistance.

 

[Buggs67]

I find that hard to believe on a road with a speed limit of 65 mph. You never pass anyone? You must be one lucky guy.

Well I have to pass some. But most cars on the rural Interstate are doing at least 70.

Around here it's a free-for-all. Left lane people are doing 80, until they come up behind a left-lane-loafer. Sometimes on the NYS Thruway I find I move better in the right lane (of 3). "Keep Right Except to Pass" is forgotten around here. And once you cross the bridges to NYC/LI all rules go out the window. I avoid the Metro area.