Author Topic: Reckless driving for the exceedingly cautious? (Read 563 times)

Questor · « **on:** September 16, 2009, 02:56:26 PM »

Can you get ticketed for driving too cautiously in a manner inappropriate to prevailing traffic conditions? I see guys who insist on driving 45 in a 60 in situations where you can't pass them for a long way because of oncoming traffic. Some come to a complete stop at freeway on-ramps where they should be accelerating. Then there are the guys who slam on their brakes to stop when you expect that they would continue through the intersection. Then there are those who insist on accelerating at such a slow rate that it is almost scientifically unmeasurable, but they do manage to get up to 20mph eventually.

You know the kind: hunched over the steering wheel like an Egyptian vulture. Hands strictly at 10-o-clock and 2-o-clock.

Yet somehow they always seem to be putting others in danger. They are the living examples of how driving is a cooperative process between people who are skilled at reading and applying acceptable norms. As exceptions, they really stand out.

55mph in the "fast" lane on an interstate? You can bet they'll be there, while people are passing them at 70mph.

BMoeller · « **Reply #1 on:** September 16, 2009, 03:07:40 PM »

Thats what the BIRD is for as you drive past them.

See these kinds everyday. Maybe they shouldn't be allowed to breed?

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #2 on:** September 16, 2009, 03:30:44 PM »

See all those in the city. I like the guys that pull to the front of a right turn only lane that leads to the on ramp. Except thety aren't turning, they're just trying to cut off the traffic by going straight.

I was behind one of these jerks the other day and a squad car pulled up and made him turn onto the highway. I almost got out and thanked him.

Hooker · « **Reply #3 on:** September 16, 2009, 03:33:26 PM »

Questor Stop bad mouthing my best customers

Pat

greg916 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 16, 2009, 04:41:20 PM »

Reminds me of the hyper-milers. I think more locatalities are making it illegal

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** September 16, 2009, 05:29:39 PM »

What in the world is a hyper-miler?

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** September 16, 2009, 07:05:00 PM »

Quote from: Graybeard on September 16, 2009, 05:29:39 PM

What in the world is a hyper-miler?

People who take off really slow, drive less than the speed limit, and start slowing down way early to try and save gas.

45454 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2009, 08:39:50 AM »

In many states that I've traveled,some have a minimum speed limit,as well as a max speed limit for the interstates.
Yes, a driver can be ticketed for driving too slow ie; impeding traffic flow.Just as well as driving over the posted speed limit.
For example,some years ago,I was heading north on Hwy 99,Modesto,California.Just got on the highway.
Now, this area is 65 MPH.I was in the right hand lane.
The driver was doing 35 MPH ! Yes, that driver should have been pulled over.For what the reason was,I'll never know.(saving gas ??)
The most recent was a few weeks ago.Heading south on Hwy 99 to Modesto.I was near Manteca,when a driver pulled out in front of me doing 45 MPH.Not speeding up.When clear,I passed him/her doing 55 to 60 MPH.
The driver made no effort to speed up to at least 55 MPH.(again-saving gas ?)
Now granted,IF they were having mechanical problems,they should have driven off to the side,as to prevent an impedment of traffic.
But, yes, there are overly cauticious(sp) drivers.
The ones I really don't like,are the ones that are in a hurry,just to be in a hurry.They zip from one lane to the next.These are the ones that are a danger not only to themselves,but everyone that are around them.
And then,there's the idiots;3 lane highway.They'll be in the fast lane,see the off ramp,then zoom across
the other 2 lanes,just making to the off ramp.No signal,not really looking to see where other vehicles are.

Graybeard · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2009, 10:16:53 AM »

How fast or slowly I take off depends mostly on what if any traffic is behind me on the road. I have 381 HP and if needed it will scoot me down the road rat smartly but mostly I take it easy and my gas mileage for all the time I've owned the truck is 17.3 mpg to date.

When on the road I set my cruise control to the speed limit and unless I'm about to run up someone's bumper leave it set dead on the speed limit no matter if that's 25 mph or 70 mph. I will at times run less if I'm just plain in no rush. On four lanes I've been known to run 55 not the 65 limit but always in right lane giving folks a chance to go around if they wanna.

It's seldom I pass another vehicle but it does happen. Left alone the average speed on the state highway I live on the traffic tries to flow closer to 65-70 than the 55 limit. Still some drive at 40-45 and if safe I'll pass them. The road is ten miles long and not a day goes by without muliple wrecks along it. The first year we were here there were 13 wrecks within a 100 yard stretch in front of my house. One was us getting rear ended by a little red car doing about 70 when it hit us after skidding for 100 yards. We were waiting on traffic to clear for us to turn left into our drive. Totalled the red car and bent the bumper on my F150.

greg916 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2009, 12:51:39 PM »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypermiling

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2009, 01:17:37 PM »

I used to try to get there as fast as I could. but as I've aged, gracefully of course

, I've found it's not worth the ticket to get there 20 minutes sooner.

Once upon a time a speeding ticket was a slap on the wrist. Nowadays they ain't cheap.

MGMorden · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2009, 04:59:57 PM »

I find both extremes annoying. I'll typically do limit + 5 most of the time. The if it's a double lane road I don't care - I can go around a slow driver. But if it's single lane and I can't pass then it can be frustrating. One I actually found kind of funny. I live back in the woods and there's only one old country store about 4 miles away (the next is a gas station about 12 miles away). I wanted a soda and a sandwich one evening so I got in the car and drive down there - the speed limit is 55 on this road. About 1 mile up the road there is this car creeping up the road so slow that it barely appears to be moving. As I pass I see 4 old persons in there (I'm talking 80+ years old) with one hunched over the wheel in intense concentration. It looked like they had freshly escaped from the retirement home and were making a run for it. Anyways, there was no oncoming traffic so it was no big deal. I get to the store, and it's rush hour - a lot of people from the local steel plant pass this place coming home and buy stuff - and since I want a sandwich fixed too it takes a while. I'm in the store at least 5 minutes - maybe a few more. I go outside, get in my car, start back down the road and about a half mile down the road I pass them again - still making their way down. In that time they'd only made it another two miles or so. They couldn't have been doing more than 15mph. It's a calm road so I just found it funny during this time

.

On the flip side, on the interstate drivers can take the other extreme. If the speed limit is 70 in the interstate I'll still do limit + 5, but depending on the area people will be almost running you over at that speed. I was down in Miami on the interstate about a year ago - doing 75-ish. I'm being passed by everyone. One big SUV even pulls up behind me flashing headlights and hitting the horn. When I refuse to go any faster he takes the first gap to the right and then pulls back in coming within 1 ft of my front fender. Another occasion - about 2 weeks ago actually, I'm going to Atlanta via I-20. I'm going 50 right now (it's a 45 mph construction zone - though no workers appeared to be around that day) and some idiot comes up behind me doing 90+ and actually pulls around into shoulder (and partially the grass bank) to pull around.

As to the original question though (tickets being issued for overly cautious driving), I think you can only be ticketed for it when a minimum speed is specifically set - usually on interstates, and usually it's down around 45mph.

Questor · « **Reply #12 on:** September 17, 2009, 05:01:54 PM »

Generally I find that I cannot drive fully 65 miles per hour in the grassy median during rush hour, so I seldom exceed 45mph, but that's still 42mph faster than everybody else. I used to drive on the shoulder, but it got too crowded with other cars, mostly with drivers who were too cautious.

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2009, 05:38:10 PM »

Quote from: GRIMJIM on September 17, 2009, 01:17:37 PM

I used to try to get there as fast as I could. but as I've aged, gracefully of course , I've found it's not worth the ticket to get there 20 minutes sooner.

If ya wanna get there 20 minutes sooner then just leave 20 minuters earlier. Amazing how that works.

Sourdough · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2009, 06:51:11 PM »

One thing I have to say, driving in California is sure a lot easier than driving anywhere else. Slow cars and trucks drive to the right and faster as you move left. I went up what they call the Grapdvine last year, going south from Point McGoo heading to LA. Started out in the right lane with the Semis, suddenly as we started going up hill they slowed from 65 to 35MPH. I started moving left, 55MPH, farther left, 75MPH, Farther left, 90MPH, Then finally all the way left, 110MPH. That little Mazda RX-8 just hummed right along, hanging in there with the rest of em going up that mountain, Ferrari's, Porches, Mercedes, Lamborghini's, all exotics, no Mustangs or Camaros there. They were one and two lanes to my right.

45454 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 17, 2009, 08:08:49 PM »

Sourdough heading north on Hwy 99 from the Grapevine can get interesting too.
Been through there a number of times.North and South.
Heading to Florida in December 1990;Going uphill with a loaded 1970 Ford E-200 Van and a U-Haul 12X6 trailer at midnight was fun....I think.3 speed,302.Was moving to Perry,FL to my Aunt and cousins
home.
Decided in Ontario,CA,wonder how much was my gross weight ?
Some days later,at the Mariana,Florida 76 Truckstop,I got on the CAT SCALE.
Left my dog inside while being weighed.11,240 lbs.No wonder I was crawling up that big bridge over the Misssippi in Louisiana ! Minimun speed;35 MPH.I could only do 25 MPH.Tried to make a run at it.Some good this did.
I still have the weight ticket from the CAT SCALE somewhere.
Those drivers were patient. At least we were moving.
And Bill, yes I went through the tunnel in Mobile.
In Kommiefornia: The max speed for 18 wheelers, and those with trailers,auto,or small trucks is 55 MPH.
And it's posted that way.The rest is 65 MPH,no trailers,and 70 MPH in some areas.
What I like,is Arizona ! 70 for all.Yeah, they drive fast,but most are polite to let you in when a lane change is needed.

williamlayton · « **Reply #16 on:** September 17, 2009, 09:42:12 PM »

How fast is immaterial too me--if it is 60 and the traffic moving then it is sixty.
I will not drive in a group of cars---way too many accidents happen like that.
If the traffic is doing 85 I drive 85. Dang near got blown off the road up in Montana for driving 75.
Blessings

rak55 · « **Reply #17 on:** September 18, 2009, 02:51:35 AM »

in PA my aunt got a ticket for driving too slow for conditions when she was doing the 55 mph speed limit on a highway that they normally drive 70 mph all the time but when cops are around, she was holding up the traffic and the officer had to use his lights and siren to get thru traffic so he could get back to station at shift change and couldn't make it because of her so he stated.

MGMorden · « **Reply #18 on:** September 18, 2009, 03:19:17 AM »

Quote from: rak55 on September 18, 2009, 02:51:35 AM

in PA my aunt got a ticket for driving too slow for conditions when she was doing the 55 mph speed limit on a highway that they normally drive 70 mph all the time but when cops are around, she was holding up the traffic and the officer had to use his lights and siren to get thru traffic so he could get back to station at shift change and couldn't make it because of her so he stated.

She could probably get a good settlement out of that if she wanted to get a lawyer. Just because a cop makes an arrest or writes a ticket doesn't mean they're legally able to. Sounds like the cop was just trying to flex a perceived sense of authority.

BBF · « **Reply #19 on:** September 18, 2009, 06:08:45 AM »

In my Province they require the 4 Way Flasher to be used if dropping below a certain speed limit on the highway.