How do you feel about people who set the pace in the passing lane?

Hello Charms, How are you my friend? Thanks for hopping by. It's very sweet of you to be so patient with other drivers. So, when you say that you will signal the driver to overtake, if you cannot switch lanes, how would you make that signal in your country? Here we would double flash our high-beam headlights. What about in your neck of the woods?

Thanks for letting us know that double-flashing is kind of a universal signal for "get on out of the way, pokey driver". Although the vernacular is designed for a bit of humor ... it really is very helpful to know the rules of the road, in other countries. Beeping, even once, on the interstate or fast moving highway, is something that I try to avoid. I suspect that it spooks people who are travelling at high speeds. So, is there a commonly understood language of the number of beeps on your roads. For example, one long beep here (USA) means that you're really aggravated. One short beep is kind of a nice reminder for someone to 'wake up', and get moving, etc...

I will honk the driver only once or double flash my beam light too. The driver will usually respond well to polite driver (like me, "grin") and give way.

Hello Lordwarwizard, Your reference to a provisional license ... in your country, does one with a provisional license have to drive slower than the general traffic? Thanks for sharing!

No no, when someone first passes the test, he will get that funny looking sign to stick at the back of his car. For a year. He is supposed to drive like the rest. But if you see that sign, you know he just passed and so does not have much practical experience. That's why I feel it is only gentlemanly/lady-like to cut him some slack. If you honk him, he might really get stressed out and cause some accidents! :P

Good point about avoiding scaring the bejeebers out of newbies. I can see how having newbie drivers 'tagged' with an identifyer could be really helpful. We have no such delineation in the USA. Yet, I suspect if we had such a tag, people would show them more patience. Or, maybe I'm just being hopeful! Thanks for that info Wizzy. Very interesting!

Hello GreatWhiteBuffalo, Thanks for posting your thoughts about one rig passing another. Very useful info. As for the racing course ... I'd love to take one. Not only would it be a great help in day to day driving, but I think it would be alot of fun as well. I actually believe myself to be a pretty good driver, but there's always room for improvement. I had a great teaher, my Father. He was real big on 'defensive driving' techniques. So, I learned early on to remain very conscious on the road, and to always try to determine which moves the cars around me might make. Driving on the roads isn't so unlike a good chess match.

Hello Angelwhispers, It sounds as though you are a very considerate driver. Ya' know, if you have cruise control, it really helps to fend off those pesky speeding tickets. I know it helps to keep me out of traffic court, thankfully. Tickets are such a bummer!

Hi Sigma, Oh geeze, could I tell you stories about 'drifty drivers' in Santa Fe? Wow, it's amazing! For the longest time, I figured they were just 'high'. But, as I've lived here so long, I don't believe that is the case. They're just 'drifty'. And your description of "asleep at the wheel of life", is so on target!

Hello Kowgirl, So, you do think it's a conscious attempt to set the pace? Hmmm, I'd like to think that it's less manipulative, and more daydreaming as Angelwhispers suggested. But, you may be right. I often see people driving under the speed limit in the passing lane, for long distances, without moving over. Either they're oblivious about what their mirrors are used for, or they don't care that other cars are all over each other tails.

I kind of agree with this. It is pretty scary how many drivers are so unaware of their driving habits. They go through their entire lives the same way. Asleep at the wheel of life.

Hello Whyaskq, Thanks for your perspective! Consideration does seem to be the key, doesn't it? So, would you flash your high beam headlights to remind the person to move over?

What about the turtle that turns into a jack rabbit when you try to overtake them? A real problem to this issue is the harm that a person going slow on the highway poses to themselves if they are deliberately being obnoxious. If the person is deliberately attempting to slow other drivers down, then they are likely to be tailgated putting everyone at risk. Merging traffic can also play into this topic, do you move over for slower traffic just getting onto the highway? YOu have to be alert to all that is going on around you, and if you get over left going down hill just before the climb of a mountain on the other side of this valley how can other drivers help make room for obviously going to be going slow drivers to allow them to get over right making a space because everyone is awake?... Supppose everyone just decides to drive by,,, right? The funny thing is miles and miles of road and it is the piece of road that I'm driving on that the other person wants... This gives me a thought for a new car design, a car that can be driven over, imagine a highway where stacks of cars are driving over each other... LOL... Who needs a fast lane when you can just drive over the car that is in your way, remember the game of leapfrog? Obviously I'm just being silly here, but it isn't silly when people actually cause problems by driving this way...

I dont flash headlights or high beam. That might blind the person and cause an accident. I will definitely overtake the person. If possible, I will just take the place in front of him and then speed off. He can crawl at his own pace if he wants to. But, I am sure he will speed up and try to "catch" me. They hate to be overtaken! That's the mentality of most drivers, right? Hehehehe.. Having some morning fun here :P

Hello Design, Nice to visit with you again. Now, you've hit on one of by biggest pet peeves. Surely, the guy or gal on one's tail realizes how very dangerous tail-gating is. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you KrisNY for venting with us. I hope you feel better now that you've gotten that off your chest. I did the exact same thing when I got to the office today -- 7 minutes late! Arrgghhh! Venting is a good thing (as I take a deep breath, and relax). Whatever happened to courtesy? If I'm not in a hurry, I respect that others might be, and I get on outa' their way.

Hello Vokey, Thank you for your input. I agree that we shouldn't begrudge someone driving the posted speed limit. However, as my original post outlines, the driver in the left lane was controlling traffic at 5mph under the speed limit. This is not only frustrating, but dangerous as well. Thanks again!