Highway speed

[dreadnut]

So I went to Elderly Instruments the other day, about a 100 mile round trip. The freeway speed limit is 70 mph, 75 in some stretches. I find myself going 75-80 + just trying to keep up with traffic. I decided to use a different approach this time - I got in the right lane and set my cruise control at 70.

EVERYONE passed me; I only had to pass a couple of semis. Other than that, I just cruised and didn't have touch the accelerator or the brakes.

The left lane, on the other hand, looked like the Indy 500. People riding each others' tails only to pass them at 80-85 mph when they finally get around the right lane traffic. Today, I was an observer instead of a participant.

The drive was actually much more pleasant, and as an added bonus, when I got home I found that I only used about 1/2 the gas I would have had I participated in the rat race like usual.

Is this an epiphany that comes with age? The old Dutch saying is "Too soon old, too late smart."

 

[GAD]

I have done a lot of highway driving in my life (was a consultant for decades) and you're absolutely right. The only time I see people going anywhere near the speed limit is when there's a known cop around.

I used to joke that the speeds generally seen were the same as the US Highway numbers in NJ: 78, 80, 287, 46, and 23. People would argue that 287 never went that fast because there was always traffic and I'd counter that there was always traffic because of the horrific accidents caused by people trying to go 287 MPH.

 

[Opsimath]

I used to have to be in front of everyone I came up behind on the interstate. Now I don't care, unless it's someone who looks like they are not driving safely or their vehicle looks like something could fall off of it at any time. If that's the case I try to get around them and put as much distance between us as I can. I don't care to follow someone who looks like an accident waiting to happen.

 

[bluesypicky]

YEAH!!!! another traffic thread.
So can I delve into the level of responsibility carried by left lane hogs for inciting road rage, and wait for Al to tell us that he enjoys blocking traffic and will never move to another lane as long as there are other empty lanes the passer can get in if he wants to pass, or is it too soon?

 

[FNG]

If you ain't rubbing, you ain't racing!

 

[dreadnut]

I've just decided to take it easy, I really am in no rush, life is gong by too fast already.

Now if I wanted to be an a-hole on the other side of the coin, I could drive 45mph on the freeway; that is the minimum speed.

But when @I am doing 70, I'm doing the speed limit, so I really don't care if that may be inconvenient for some people, especially since I am in the right lane.

Then there are those who think it is their responsibility to regulate the traffic speed by hanging out in the left lane at 70 mph, rationalizing that people shouldn't be driving over the speed limit anyway.,,

 

[Default]

My commute.

 

[walrus]

I'm interested in staying alive on my commute. I find it more likely to happen in the right lane, minding my own business, listening to some music.

walrus

 

[Guildedagain]

In this here state, the left lane is for passing, so simple logic dictates that if you're passing people doing the speed limit, you're speeding. A great way to meet tough guys in uniform on the side of the road. Of course, enforcement only happens when you don't want it to. How often have you had somebody blow by you at some insane speed only to see them pulled over a little farther down the road? Not often enough.





I'm in love with my car was deemed to be one of the greatest - honest - love songs of all time ;]

 

[dreadnut]

My first car was a '66 GTO, 389 4-speed convertible. It went way too fast.

 

[bobouz]

I used to stray a fair distance north of the limit, but no more. 5-mph over the posted speed is now my preferred zone. I’m going fast enough, no matter what anyone else wants to do - but not fast enough to get stopped!

 

[FNG]

 

[Guildedagain]

I had a '66 Delta 88 coupe in a gold color, Ultra High Compression 425 and a very "free flowing exhaust" that would rattle the windows in your house when I parked outside. I never seen a car go through a tank of gas like that one did. Out on the freeway as you were pegging the speedometer, you could actually see the gas gauge go down at the same time ;]

 

[matsickma]

Love that GTO! Is that a '67?
Rocket 88's were across the street from our house at the Oldsmobile dealership!

When I'm making my weekly run on I95 between Philly and Baltimore I get in the left lane, set speed control to 80 MPH and cruze. About half of the traffic passes me. Only one car has "flipped me the bird" in 3 years!
M

 

[Opsimath]

Only one car has "flipped me the bird" in 3 years!

I thought that meant they were telling you that you're #1 in their book. At least that's what my husband's truck driver cousin says. "Yeah, and he told me I was #1."

 

[Opsimath]

What was it about 1966?

Husband had a '66 GTO with three carburetors. It was before I knew him, back when he used to drag race. His former wife sold it while he was away at basic training. He said they needed the money. Now, of course, he says he regrets getting rid of it.

 

[davismanLV]

My commute.

'57 Olds NASCAR $hit!! I love it!!

 

[davismanLV]

What pisses me off is when I'm just chillin' in the right lane (usually over the speed limit) and someone runs up my a$$ wanting to go faster or just plain not knowing about car lengths per 10 mph? And I have to get over in the left lane and they rush by me to run up someone else's a$$!! WTF?? Who taught these people to drive?? I mean, they're not looking beyond my rear bumper and if something happened, where they gonna go??

 

[Opsimath]

When you leave 1 car length per 10 mph that many cars are going to get in it. So you slow down to allow another 1 per 10 and that many more get in it. Eventually you end up going backwards.

 

[matsickma]

Like your logic Opsimath! Sounds like you are fluent in arithmetic using "imaginary" numbers!

Any GTO would be cool. The three carburetor's would have been called "trips" for a set of 3 two-barrel carburators. Probably the most powerful GTO had a pair of 4-barrel carbs but either would be a cool car.

A guy in my town named "Joker" had a '67. It was the coolest car until he rolled it on the "Hauto" road! Being across the street from the local garage I was often one of the first on the scene to check out the latest wreck. Pretty sure I snagged that Hurst T-shifter knob off the 4-on-the-floor before someone else grabbed it!

Sweet youth!
M