Been requested to assist in a study for an insurance company I work with. Would appreciate any response, as I need to be able to poll 1250 folks by mid July. Also, have a side question I would appreciate responses to: Do you feel that "fast lane rules" apply to secondary roads (like Westheimer) or just to freeways?
I voted, "I use the fast lane but yield to faster traffic, no matter how fast I am going". I would add to that though, that I do not get over for faster traffic if it would cause me to have to slam on my brakes. Ex: I am going 85, the person behind me is probably wanting to go 95, but the cars in the right lane are going 65 or 60. There is no way I'm getting over and slowing down to 60 just so someone can pass me. I wait until there is a break in traffic and then get over for them. 2nd: Just freeways or country roads.
I chose "Other" because as long as I'm not getting off at the next exit you will always find me in the "fast lane." I am almost always speeding, I go about 7-9 mph over most of the time just to be safe, and if I'm already going that fast and quite often faster and you come up behind me then you can kiss my a**. Either slow down or go around becuase at the speed I'm going you shouldn't be on tail like that. Bottom line, if I'm going at least 5-10 mph over then you can go around, if not then I'll yield, but probably won't be in the lane in the first place. Edit: In my opinion, I think the "fast lanes" only apply to freeways. On roads like Westheimer I figure the slower cars should be in the right lane, but other than that it doesn't matter. Pugs
Keeping in mind that this is for a real work project (i.e. I am not trying to be argumentative at all here), how do you feel when you are behind someone in the fast lane, that is going 5 MPH over the limit and refuses to yield to you, who wants to go faster (even if only slightly)? Do you go around them, but be mad about it? Or do you go around them and be content since their policy is similar to yours?
It depends what mood I'm in. Usually, I figure since they are going over the speed limit then it's ok for them to be there and I'll just go around when I get the oppurtunity. Pugs
Thanks for the response. Very helpful. Trying to determine how many have the "i set the standard" mentality. Thats where you are in the fast lane and feel you are going to the maximum safest speed (no matter what the speed is) and feel that anyone who wants to pass you is driving too fast and that no matter how fast the person in front of you in the fast lane is going, they should always yield since they are driving to slow (in your opinion). Ill be interested to see how many of the 2,500 are ultimately trying to control the speed of traffic in the fast lane all by themselves.
I voted, "I use the fast lane but yield to faster traffic, no matter how fast I am going". If I was behind pugsly8422, who was going 85, and I'm wanting to go 95, and he doesn't move, well, he should expect to get swiped. The 'fast' in fast lane is a dynamic term. The fastest of drivers at any given time during any given stetch of road is designated to use that lane. Even if you are rocking out at 100mph, get out, if you can, when you see someone coming up behind you.
I hate those people that dont yield. Unless it will be harmful to yield in that situation, move your ass into another lane.
I use the fast lane when I am passing. If I am passing a long line of cars and another car speeds up behind me I will not squeeze into the slow lane to let them pass. If I am going over the speed limit and passing cars I will stay in the fast lane until I can move over to the slow lane without slowing down. If cars ride my a** I won't speed up -- I'll slow down a little. I feel this is only a safety measure to compensate for their idiocy.
totally agree....with the exception being that I wont get vindictive and "swipe" them if I am forced to go around them when they refuse to move over. It normally is a moot point....like pugs...I normally drive anywhere from 5-10 mph over the limit on freeways...just fast enough that I am going slightly faster than the average speed of the surrounding traffic. I also dont feel that fast lane policies apply to anything but freeways/highways. Do I wish that drivers on multi-lane surface roads would stay right if they are going right at the limit or slower? hell yea..but I dont expect it... need any clarification codell? Since we have always took your truck, you havent had the pleasure of riding with me to see my driving first hand...but you can ask Smeg whata experience it is to have to trust my driving skills.. He had the misfortune to have to ride with me right after I got the SS...I was still feeling out the performance aspects of it then..
I voted for passing only, but that's really just out of the city. I pick the lane that seems to be flowing the fastest when I'm in the city. I don't think the "fast lane" applies on streets like Westheimer.
I agree with the first part. As for the 2nd question, it depends on the road. Westheimer is to busy and has too many reasons for left turns. I live in Austin now off of Parmer Ln. For those of you that know Parmer, the east side is 65 mph. There is little congestion. It is a 4 lane rd. I do think that it should apply in this case. Unfortunately, I am apparently in the minority as many drivers on this road (and throughout Austin) barely go 55 mph, let alone the speed limit, in the fast lane.
I know I'm going to get shot one day....If someone comes up behind me when I'm going that fast and rides my tail for a few minutes before trying to pass I'll usually speed up when they do. When they're forced to get behind me again I'll usually slow down, sometimes to the speed of the car next to me. If I'm going that fast and your going to be an a** about it then so am I Pugs
See, I really think "fast lane rules" should somewhat apply to surface streets (not specifically Westheimer....just used that to define what I mean by "secondary road"). I travel alot on 1960 and Highway 6. The problem I have is, since there are so many lights and businesses, its not practical to expect to stay in the right hand lane, especially say, when you are using HWY 6 to get from I-10 to 290 without stopping. The speed limit is around 45, but so many go 35-40 in the far left hand lane. In reality, I find it more efficient to use the middle lane, since you tend to avoid traffic turning left and right into businesses and turning lanes.
I'm a pretty nice guy on the road. I wave when people let me in. I don't zig-zag in and out of traffic and I only drive reckless when I'm drunk.
"The wave" would have been an excellent Seinfeld episode. Its very important when driving on the freeway. If you don't wave at someone when they yield to you, you might as well as shoot them the bird IMO, because they are both equally offensive. If I go out of my way and slow down to yield, you better acknowledge my efforts.
