Our friends to the north agree on the rules of the left hand lane...
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Thursday, January 24, 2008
What is it about Subaru's?
As the saying goes, you are what you drive. Or is it, you drive what you are? Whatever the case may be, I've been noticing something lately as I've been driving around town: People that drive Subaru's don't like to drive at the speed limit.
Now, I'm not talking about those who drive the sporty Subaru's like the WRX or the Impreza - I'm talking about those Foresters, Outbacks, and even Tribecas.
I'm not saying they're speeding - Just the opposite is true. It seems they have trouble distinguishing the pedal on the right from the pedal on the left. If the speed limit is 45MPH, they'll do 40MPH and have a line full of traffic waiting for the next opportunity to pass. And in these parts, that can be awhile. I'd say that in about 90% of my non-scientific observations, whenever I'm behind a line of traffic, the person that's holding up the whole shooting match is driving a Subaru.
These folks need to realise that driving under the speed limit is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, as driving over the speed limit. How you ask? Well, forcing people to pass on a two lane road offers many more hazards than simply driving the speed limit.
So, what is it about people that drive Subaru's?
Now, I'm not talking about those who drive the sporty Subaru's like the WRX or the Impreza - I'm talking about those Foresters, Outbacks, and even Tribecas.
I'm not saying they're speeding - Just the opposite is true. It seems they have trouble distinguishing the pedal on the right from the pedal on the left. If the speed limit is 45MPH, they'll do 40MPH and have a line full of traffic waiting for the next opportunity to pass. And in these parts, that can be awhile. I'd say that in about 90% of my non-scientific observations, whenever I'm behind a line of traffic, the person that's holding up the whole shooting match is driving a Subaru.
These folks need to realise that driving under the speed limit is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, as driving over the speed limit. How you ask? Well, forcing people to pass on a two lane road offers many more hazards than simply driving the speed limit.
So, what is it about people that drive Subaru's?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
A European Driving Lesson
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to drive on the world famous AutoBahn in Germany. Driving on the AutoBahn was the personal highlight of the trip - I mean who else has the chance to legally drive 235 kph (146 mph) on public roads?
Another interesting part of the trip was witnessing the driving etiquette on the Autobahn. The left lane is the passing lane - period. If you're in the left lane, it's to pass someone, and then you move back to the right lane - nobody really cares how fast you're going.
If you need to pass someone, get in the left lane, pass, then move back to the right lane. I was truly impressed to see that everyone followed that rule, even at speeds over 100 MPH.
Why can't Americans do the same?
Another interesting part of the trip was witnessing the driving etiquette on the Autobahn. The left lane is the passing lane - period. If you're in the left lane, it's to pass someone, and then you move back to the right lane - nobody really cares how fast you're going.
If you need to pass someone, get in the left lane, pass, then move back to the right lane. I was truly impressed to see that everyone followed that rule, even at speeds over 100 MPH.
Why can't Americans do the same?
Monday, January 21, 2008
Driving in the Left Hand Lane
Here I am, driving along on the interstate, minding my own business, and like most folks, moving along at something over the speed limit. I'm in the right hand lane, because I know that's where you're supposed to be. As I come up to some slower traffic, I move over to the left lane to pass them and Whammo - I get stuck behind someone 'driving' in the left hand lane.
I have to tap the brakes to take the car out of cruise, and wait. And wait. Hopefully this person is going to pull back into the RH lane. Hopefully.
Why is it that folks insist on 'driving' in the left hand lane? Don't they know that the left hand lane is the passing lane? The driving lane? Yes - that's the right hand lane - that's for driving.
Go to just about any drivers manual and you'll find it there - here's a sample from the NY State manual:
"The left lane is used for passing other vehicles...
...If conditions are right for passing, check in your mirrors and signal your lane change. Before pulling into the left lane, glance briefly over your left shoulder, through the rear side window, to make sure no vehicle is passing you or close behind you in the left lane....
...When passing, move completely into the left lane. Before returning to the right lane, signal and look at your interior rearview mirror and make sure you can see the front bumper of the vehicle you just passed. Glance quickly over your right shoulder to double-check that you can see at least several feet of pavement between your vehicle and the one you passed. Then return to the right lane."
So why do people insist on 'driving' in the passing lane? Move over to the right hand lane people!
I have to tap the brakes to take the car out of cruise, and wait. And wait. Hopefully this person is going to pull back into the RH lane. Hopefully.
Why is it that folks insist on 'driving' in the left hand lane? Don't they know that the left hand lane is the passing lane? The driving lane? Yes - that's the right hand lane - that's for driving.
Go to just about any drivers manual and you'll find it there - here's a sample from the NY State manual:
"The left lane is used for passing other vehicles...
...If conditions are right for passing, check in your mirrors and signal your lane change. Before pulling into the left lane, glance briefly over your left shoulder, through the rear side window, to make sure no vehicle is passing you or close behind you in the left lane....
...When passing, move completely into the left lane. Before returning to the right lane, signal and look at your interior rearview mirror and make sure you can see the front bumper of the vehicle you just passed. Glance quickly over your right shoulder to double-check that you can see at least several feet of pavement between your vehicle and the one you passed. Then return to the right lane."
So why do people insist on 'driving' in the passing lane? Move over to the right hand lane people!
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