Back in 2010 I read an article about lawmakers in Colorado passing a law called the "Left Lane Law" to get people to stop driving in the passing lane. Before it went into effect the police were pulling people over to tell them about the law, and most of the people they talked to said they were driving in the passing lane in order to slow down traffic. The cops were like, "uh, not your job asshole.” This is still a big problem in California and I’m sure bad in other places as well.
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| Highway 80 through Berkeley. SUCKS! |
I can say confidently that I'm an experienced commute driver. Having traversed one of the top 5 worst commutes in the country for a large portion of my adult life. I have seen first-hand on a near daily basis how this type of driving creates more traffic and accidents. It is stupid and unsafe. When people say, as the CO. police said, that they do it on purpose to control the speed of traffic… this one of my biggest pet peeves and I've literally argued with people on the internet over. These assholes think they're doing the world a service by intentionally impeding traffic. "I'm going the speed limit and they should too" Said with the furious footdownedness of a coupon cutting soccer mom.
In heavy commutes its pretty cut-throat and if you're in the left lane, you should be going as fast as possible. That's just how it is. If you're going 80 someone will be trying to go 85 behind you. Get over if you can, you not always can.. but... if it's 4:00 on a tuesday and you're lollygagging at 65 in the left lane, or worse trying to prove a point people will tailgate you and try to pass you on the right and get angry. This is unsafe, creates congestion and back-ups. it's a chain reaction.
Here is a really good article breaking down how different states handle the left lane and the impact hanging out there in the way can have. digitaltrends.com/cars/left-lane-driving-discipline
Another thing that pisses me off is scared drivers. If you get freaked out by traffic or high speeds you need not have a driver's license. When people wont pass a semi truck or bus, or when people drive 100 miles slower in a tunnel. Or people who cant figure out how to merge onto the highway. Or people who hesitate to change lanes. Don’t even get me started on parking lots.
In most places (like where I live in Humboldt) this will never really factor in, but in a major commute area or in a large city this shit doesn’t fly. Put your grown-up pants on or call an Uber. If you are scared of driving, please don’t for everyone's sake.
If you're a scared driver, just google "scared drivers" and see a list of great articles and videos geared to help people like you figure your shit out.
Also this time of year many people who rarely drive in stressful situation, or at all, are out there shopping and traveling and parking. Be aware of idiot inexperienced scared stupid shit-head drivers from Halloween to New Year's Eve. Speaking of New Year's Eve, watch out for drunkies this time of year as well. Just don't drink and drive. or just be like me and don't drink.
This has been you Kirknoggins Public Service Announcement.
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