Miata Mailing List: December 1995, Message #18
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   From: Brian Porter 
Subject: Long damn thread that isn't Miata related about left-lane hoggers.
   Date: Fri, 1 Dec 1995 10:15:21 -0500

> And he is not the only one!  Ok!  Enough!  It is obvious that I was
> midunderstood!  This email stuff is so dangerous!  I did not say I *don't*
> move for people who want to go faster than me!  Actually, I am more or less
> talking about an attitude!
> 
> This is what I privately wrote to Bernie, but it looks like I should send it
> to the list, too:
> 
> Ok, that may be the rule on the high speed circular track, but we are
> talking freeways, and people need to not be so angry on them.  As I said,
> when I can, I usually do move out of the way of people who want to go faster
> than me.  I guess what I am really talking about is the attitude.  On
> highspeed tracks -- that's one thing.  In society, I really think people
> should work together and try to accomodate each other.  If someone wants to
> go faster than me, I move.  If they come right up on my tail and demand I
> move, sure, I will probably move, but I do believe they shouldn't *expect*
> me to move.  I know this won't be a popular opinion, but, although I know
> the left lane is considered the fast lane, the speed limit *is* 55 (at least
> in Texas for the moment), and people do have a right to get in the left lane
> and obey the law and not be harassed by people who want to go faster.  (To
> be honest, I usually don't go 55 either.  But I don't come pushing up behind
> people who want to.)  

You shouldn't be there in the first place if there is a suitable place 
for you to move into on the right. Your not a public official whose job 
it is to enforce speed limits, you're in the wrong business if you wish 
to play traffic cop. Again, I apologize if I came off harsh but I deal 
with idiots on a daily basis who think it is perfectly acceptable to 
remain in the fast lane ALL day at 45mph. It is dangerous. It be a large 
improvement in traffic flow if everyone practiced these simple rules.

Again, I do not park my car on someones bumper and am quite courteous. We 
have to be.. (My grandmother and yours may still have their license) I 
allow sufficient time and I try to display this daily.. If your in the 
damn left lane and there is NOONE to your right for miles, YOUR the one 
who has a problem. Safety is the issue here, not my right to go 100.. Its 
my right to make sure the idiot who has made me pass on the right (because 
they won't move) doesn't sideswipe me when I'm in their blindspot. I've 
seen probably 10+ accidents from idiots passing on the right, and that 
same poky moron causing the traffic problem moves in their way (unaware). 

I don't want to seem harsh here but it is a serious problem and one that 
I have to deal with daily so I have a little more reservations than most.
Nothing personal here. I agree with your position on anger and driving.. 
If more people had your attitude on that than driving would be much more 
pleasant. BUT THEY DON'T and they won't.

(I like my cars "dent-free" and I also like them more than most people. 
So I may get hostile if one could avoid putting them (my babies) and me 
in jeopardy) Don't you find that driving 10+ faster than everyone else is 
SAFER? The traffic isn't around you as much (you only have to deal with 
them in one direction in front of you (basically)). 

> 
> I do see your safety points and, for the most part, agree.  I just feel
> people should not drive angrily and demand that people get out of their way
> -- especially when the "slow" one is simply obeying the speed limit.  If a
> person want to be the one who breaks the law and possibly get a ticket, then
> I feel it is his responsibility to get himself where he wants to be.  He
> shouldn't harrass me and shoot the finger simply because I didn't move out
> of his way fast enough.  Like I said, I am always willing to work with the
> fast ones and will move out of their way.  But it would be nice if they
> worked with me, too, and didn't just demand.  (Of course, they don't all
> demand.)  
> 
> Anyway, as for your high speed track rule:  I really don't think there are
> any rules on Houston roads!
> 
> Ok, call me Pollyanna!  
> 
> Anyway, take care!  And if I see *any of you* coming up behind me, I will
> move out of your way!  How about that?!
> 
> See ya!
> 
> Lynette 
> 
> 
> 
> 


Brian Porter
Net Daemons Associates, Inc.                         (617) 937-3338 (PH)
400 W. Cummings Park, Suite 4250                     (617) 937-3775 (FAX)
Woburn, MA  01801-6509                               brian@nda.com