scott wrote:
> you're stuck behind one of these people there isn't much you can do,

Look ahead, recognise it, fall back before you even get to the ramp, and let 
the bozo get into traffic before you hit the gas yourself to get up to speed.


-- 
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
    Eiffel - The language that lets you specify exactly
    that the code does what you think it does, even if
    it doesn't do what you wanted.

Post a reply to this message

Invisible wrote:
> Extra fun: Some guy is doing 65 MPH, so you go to overtake. But as soon 
> as you do this, the driver wakes up and decies to speed up. And no 
> matter how fast you go, you can't get past.

Yep. Or on a road with restricted passing, and going uphill you can't pass 
but going downhill you can, and the bozo decides he'll just press the pedal 
the same regardless of how steep a hill he's going up or down.

-- 
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
    Eiffel - The language that lets you specify exactly
    that the code does what you think it does, even if
    it doesn't do what you wanted.

Post a reply to this message

>> you're stuck behind one of these people there isn't much you can do,
>
> Look ahead, recognise it, fall back before you even get to the ramp, and 
> let the bozo get into traffic before you hit the gas yourself to get up to 
> speed.

The problem is on this particular on-ramp there is quite a sharp corner 
right before it, where the normal speed is about 50-60, so at this point I 
had no idea the person wasn't going to accelerate out of the corner as 
usual.

But yes, I try to use that method whenever possible.

Post a reply to this message

scott wrote:
> The problem is on this particular on-ramp there is quite a sharp corner 
> right before it, where the normal speed is about 50-60, so at this point 
> I had no idea the person wasn't going to accelerate out of the corner as 
> usual.

Yep, we have that here too. And it's uphill, and a blind curve (well, blind 
given it's a 70MPH expressway) for the people not merging, and the merge 
length is only a few car lengths, and there's an exit right after that 
people on the expressway are angling towards too.

I've learned to watch the goobers even before getting to the ramp, and I've 
learned to hang back anyway in case.  But I try to avoid that ramp when I 
have a choice, too, just because it's so poorly engineered.

-- 
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
    Eiffel - The language that lets you specify exactly
    that the code does what you think it does, even if
    it doesn't do what you wanted.

Post a reply to this message

On 6/7/2010 4:26 AM, scott wrote:
> (Note left/right here is for driving on the right, for driving on the
> left countries reverse the left/rights).
>
> Here we have two important rules for multi-lane roads, one is that you
> should only move out to the left to overtake someone, and secondly you
> are not allowed to pass anyone on the right side (there are some
> exceptions for queues etc). I know it's not like this in all countries.
>
> As anyone who has driven probably knows already, the problem comes when
> someone stays in the left lane when they are not overtaking anyone and
> you want to go faster than them. What are you meant to do if you are
> behind them in this situation? What if you are directly behind in the
> same lane, or what if you approach them in the right lane?
>
> What do you do?
>

I typically give the left lane drive plenty of room - I do not like to 
tailgate.  Then when I see they have lost and lots of room to move over 
I will creep up slightly and if the do not move over I will flash my 
lights.  Usually that works without trouble.  If they still do not move 
over I will move over and undertake - tho I loathe doing it - but at 
times there is little other choice.

I am frustrated by people who immediately try to undertake at the 
earliest opportunity - I will get out of their way, when it is safe to 
move over where I am not too close to the car I just passed.

Those who drive in the undertaking lane are causing a traffic hazard.  I 
find it ironic that a lot of them think they are making things safer - 
"I am going fast enough and anyone who passes is an idiot that is going 
to cause an accident."  Yet they do not realize that they themselves are 
causing that 'idiot' to make risky moves that can endanger lives of 
everyone around.



My philosophy is to respect all other drivers on the road.  Give them 
plenty of room and move out of their way when practical and safe.  I 
don't care how fast someone drives - it's just how they drive and react 
to others on the road.

Post a reply to this message

scott wrote:


> should only move out to the left to overtake someone, 

Are you sure? About the 'only', I mean.  New York State Law does say 
that the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give way to the right in 
favor of the overtaking vehicle on audible signal, 'except when 
overtaking and passing on the right is permitted' (which it probably is 
in the situations you are describing)

and secondly you
> are not allowed to pass anyone on the right side (there are some 
> exceptions for queues etc).  

In NY traffic Law the notion of 'safely' comes into it.  So if you 
cannot pass to the right 'safely' then you cannot do it.  But in 
general, if there are two or more unobstructed traffic lanes in the same 
direction, you are allowed to pass on the right. (Got a copy of Vehicle 
& Traffic Law for State of New York right in front of my eyes here, it's 
Section 1123)



> 
> As anyone who has driven probably knows already, the problem comes when 
> someone stays in the left lane when they are not overtaking anyone and 
> you want to go faster than them.  What are you meant to do if you are 
> behind them in this situation?  What if you are directly behind in the 
> same lane, or what if you approach them in the right lane?
> 
> I always wanted to ask someone in authority this question as appears 
> there is no perfect option.
> 
> For me I usually wait around 5 seconds behind them in the same lane, 
> then usually pull over to the right lane and wait there for a further 
> 5-10 seconds leaving them plenty of space to pull over if they want.  If 
> they still do not move then I usually accelerate and swiftly pass on the 
> right being ready to move over into the hard shoulder if they suddenly 
> decide to change lanes.
> 
> My girlfriend says that I should flash them and not overtake on the 
> right, but IME this is easily interpretted as quite aggressive behaviour 
> and could lead to more problems (eg them still not moving over or even 
> worse deliberate braking or other aggressive behaviour).
> 
> What do you do?
> 
> 

I would pass safely to the right unless I really needed that lane to 
exit or turn, in which case I would just follow the other car.  Which 
brings up something you haven't factored in.  Certainly around metro NY 
multi-lane roadways are complex to the point where drivers cannot assume 
that the left lane will function solely as a passing lane for any great 
distance.  You constantly have traffic entering or exiting the roadway 
from the left, and navigating here is often about lane choice well in 
advance of a maneuver you want to make.

In the hyper-pressurized driving conditions around NYC one common 
practice is to give a soft waring toot before passing, if the 
circumstance seems a little unconventional, (ie. to the right in some 
situations,) or potentially dangerous in some way.

Post a reply to this message

you can read Section 1123 here:
http://ypdcrime.com/vt/article25.htm

Post a reply to this message

On Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:30:47 -0400, Tom Austin wrote:

> Those who drive in the undertaking lane are causing a traffic hazard.

I've found this thread quite interesting; I learned that one should never 
undertake (never heard it called that before; "pass on the right" is how 
it was explained to me), and so I try to avoid doing that myself.

I agree with your philosophy, though, and I wish more people held that 
idea.  When driving a ton or more of metal at 65+ MPH on the freeway, a 
little respect goes a long ways towards saving lives.

Jim

Post a reply to this message

On 07/06/2010 6:28 PM, Jim Henderson wrote:
> On Mon, 07 Jun 2010 12:30:47 -0400, Tom Austin wrote:
>
>> Those who drive in the undertaking lane are causing a traffic hazard.
>
> I've found this thread quite interesting; I learned that one should never
> undertake (never heard it called that before; "pass on the right" is how
> it was explained to me), and so I try to avoid doing that myself.
>

Undertaking implies death and shows disapproval. I never do it.

> I agree with your philosophy, though, and I wish more people held that
> idea.  When driving a ton or more of metal at 65+ MPH on the freeway, a
> little respect goes a long ways towards saving lives.
>

LOL In the UK doing a ton means driving at 100 mph.


-- 

Best Regards,
	Stephen

Post a reply to this message

On 07/06/2010 5:49 PM, Jim Charter wrote:
> In the hyper-pressurized driving conditions around NYC one common
> practice is to give a soft waring toot before passing, if the
> circumstance seems a little unconventional, (ie. to the right in some
> situations,) or potentially dangerous in some way.

It used to be customary here to beep or flash your lights when passing a 


-- 

Best Regards,
	Stephen

Post a reply to this message