K-57

There is more to Fast Driving than Driving Fast!

It always amazes me how many times cars pass me on the highway. I drive 60 miles per hour. They Drive 70 or more. How is this possible? Traffic patterns and silly drivers.

I think the record (4 times) is held by a silver Mercedes, over a 60 mile trip. It was on a 6 lane highway which makes it more amazing. This car would look for any hole and drive right into it...only to be in back of a much slower vehicle, like a truck. At one point I had the chance to see just how easily this driver could be directed. The left lane was slowing down so this driver slipped in behind me. I anticipated my center lane to be clear in a few minutes. Even though the right lane looked like the best one to be in at that moment, I knew it would slow up in a few moments when that slow moving truck merged from the entrance ramp ahead. Since I had a clear view ahead I knew the Mercedes could have seen this too. Well, I decided to test my theory (This guy only drives the road right in front of him). The right lane was moving slightly faster than my lane but not enough to make a difference. Since there was no traffic behind the vehicle to my right, I decided to slow a little bit to let the right lane appear to move faster still. Sure enough, that was just the nudge Mr "M" needed. The Mercedes changed lanes to the right. The car previously behind him filled in the gap and the right lane slowed almost all at once. I didn't anticipate the car behind him coming up on me so quickly, I thought he would have a chance to reconsider and move back over. This didn't happen and the traffic pattern changed very quickly. The cars lined up behind me in the center lane and the right lane started to slow. At least 7 cars behind me passed him. In fact, I didn't see him pass me again for 15 minutes. I thought he might learn...until I passed him again 4 minutes later.

When I drive on the highway, I drive according to what the vehicles around me are doing. All vehicles. Five vehicles in front of me at least. All lanes, including what is going on behind me. I don't want to change lanes to the right when a car, traveling 90, comes into my lane from the right (I've seen that happen too).

I wish there were schools that would teach good driving habits. The schools I've been to talk about stopping distances and who has the right of way and when. One class did mention "Anticipate conditions and always have an escape plan" but didn't follow through with very much.

Maybe you have some thoughts about this? If so, click the "Comments" button below and use the "Post a Comment" button.

Thanks and have a great, safe day on the roads!

Tag: Driving

posted by Kev @ 10/06/2004 03:10:00 PM