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I now interrupt your regularly scheduled WWIII/Nothing Ever Happens to ask a question:
So, the Bike discussion down below generated a lot of angst and heat, so I'd like to poll The Motte on our driving habits a bit (in the CW thread because I do fear we are going to get some strong feelings).
How do we feel about the following:
You should turn on your turn signal every time you switch lanes or otherwise would be expected to use it, even if nobody is around.
Stop signs and red lights need to be fully stopped at, even if nobody is around and you know there isn't a red light camera.
Speed limits should be followed to the letter when possible.
The left lane is for passing only, and also, if you are in that lane and not passing and someone cuts you off or rides your bumper, that is fine.
If someone does not make room for you and you need to come over (and properly signaled) you can cut them off guilt free.
I can break some of these rules (or others) but other drivers should not.
Any other possible driving scissor statements?
If you'd like to be mad at me: Yes, Yes, No, Yes with qualification, Yes, No.
Should. You should be in the habit of doing it and it isn't like doing it has a downside.
Should. Though stopping at a timed red light and then proceeding when you know it is clear is fine in the middle of the night for example. Very little downside compared to a small chance of a very high downside.
No. Speed limits around here are 55-60 but driving less than 70 is actively dangerous due to other drivers.
This one genuinely confuses me and makes no sense. Interstates around here are normally 2 lanes wide, there is always traffic, and there are frequent cloverleafs with on ramps and offramps right next to each other. If people only utilized the left lane for passing traffic would be much worse because of less throughput on the roads and slowdowns due to contention merging on and off the interstate. If anything the opposite would be a better system (the right lane is only for merging on and off the interstate and passing).
No and if you think this I seriously doubt your cognitive abilities.
Obviously not.
There is a large line on cars trying to get off at an offramp or merging. Instead of cooperating and getting in line behind them you defect, drive to the last possible merge point and force your way in because "zipper merges are more efficient". (I disagree personally, but if we could solve the coordination problem I would prefer zipper merges. Since we can't you are just being an asshole and negatively effecting everyone else for your own personal gain.)
Basically all of my thoughts are based on the fact that driving is especially dangerous and probably the most dangerous thing people regularly do. People don't give it anywhere the respect they should. It doesn't make any sense to drive aggressively and unsafely to save 30 seconds on your 15 minute+ commute.
Clarification: "Passing" includes "going faster than vehicles in the right lane", not just "performing a 'passing maneuver' of moving from the right lane to the left lane, passing a single car or platoon of cars that's in the right lane, and moving back to the right lane". An at-capacity two-lane highway following this rule would be composed of two full lanes with the left lane moving slightly faster than the right lane, not a full right lane and an empty left lane.
My state just has (fairly new) laws that say that if you are going slower than the flow of traffic you have to be in the right-most lane and that if you are in the left lane and someone wants to overtake you that you must move over when it is safe to do so. Our signs are like "Slower traffic keep right". Other states have stricter laws.
Like here is a bit from Texas's handbook "Watch for signs on Texas multi-lane highways that read “Left Lane For Passing Only.” These signs let you know that the left lane on a divided highway is not a “fast” lane. It is a passing lane. After you pass someone, move back into the right lane once you’ve safely cleared the vehicle. Impeding the flow of traffic by continuing to drive in the left lane is punishable by a fine of up to $200."
That seems pretty clear about only using the left hand lane for actively passing someone and to move back immediately and not just you can use the left lane as long as you are going faster. If you are going 65 mph and there are 10 cars ahead of you spaced 10 car lengths apart it prescribes that you are in the right lane, then move to the left lane, pass the first car, move to the right lane, catch up to the next car, move to the left lane, pass the car, move to the right lane... in a bizarre game of leapfrog that is incredibly unsafe.
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