Since we are ranting, I'll throw in my 2 cents worth.
It is not a "God Given Right" to exceed the speed limit. On that I agree, But
neither is it a "God Given right" to take it upon oneself to control
traffic by driving the speed limit in the fast lane and expecting everyone
behind you to slow down to comply.
I think most fast lane violators do so out of ignorance rather than trying to
influence anyone's driving habits. When I moved my Son back home from
Film school, I followed him home and he spent a lot of time in the fast lane
while people were attempting to pass him. When I asked him why, he said
that he was never informed that the left lane was not for continuous driving.
I think he does it right now (at least I hope so, since he has to
compete with LA freeway traffic on a daily basis).
Yesterday, I witnessed a late model rice burner piloted by a youngster with hat
on backwards driving about 60 in the fast lane (75 mph speed limit).
I thought the semi coming up behind him was going to abbreviate the car before
he finally took the hint and moved over.
Maybe we should lobby the Drivers' Education schools and licensing agencies to
make sure the people are aware of this issue!
Joe
Steven Newell wrote:
> If losing control at high speeds and crashing into another car, or
> causing an accident through aggressive driving, were examples
> of personal choice, I'd agree. But if you kill my wife and children*
> because you want to drive 90 mph on I-25 through downtown
> Denver -- MOVE TO GERMANY AND DRIVE THE AUTOBAHN!
>
> And high speed driving on U.S. highways isn't a god given right,
> nor is it part of the social contract. While on open interstates it
> is generally both reasonable and required by law that slower
> drivers stay to the right, it is not either practically or ethically
> neutral to tailgate a slower car stuck behind another slower car
> -- or one that is passing a slow truck, or in the left lane because
> there's a left exit ahead. I'm frequently in the left lane, moving
> slower than other cars, because that's what I have to do to get
> to work. Sometimes I'm in the left lane because I believe I'm
> least likely to be hit by another driver changing lanes. This is
> actually legal on urban interstates. Not infrequently, I'm in the
> left lane because it's fastest, and I'm driving with traffic.
>
> While I've read that on the Autobahn, emergency vehicles are
> dispatched with a coroner on board since they often don't
> expect to find a living driver or passenger in a high speed crash.
> Sorry, but that simply isn't the expectation when driving I-70
> through Kansas.
>
> *the wife and kids are fine, thanks. Ocassionally they are in the
> left lane, though. Dark green/blue Discovery SE7, please give
> it room. <g>
>
> --
> Steven Newell
> Denver, CO
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