Driving USA

[LennG]

 
 Driving on the  shoulder is just not a Florida thing. here, in NY, when the traffic gets backed up, these idiots drive on the exit ramps, the get on ramps, just to get maybe 2 car lengths in front.
 
 You are right about talking and driving on your cell phone. Sure it is a law in NY, but to enforce it, would mean the cop would have to put down his donut, get out of his car and write you a summons. Now you ask the impossible.
Just yesterday, I was behind a lady who was in a left turn lane. When the arrow came on for her to go, she was still putting on her make up, while talking on her phone. Despite 6 cars honking away at her, she never moved an inch. probably thinking, 'what's all that noise outside??'.

[Giant Obsession]

As a born and bred Virginian, I will tell you Route 81 is the same amount of lanes as when it was constructed in 1964...I watched it being built living in Winchester.
The amount of traffic on it today is ungodly, especially the commercial truck traffic.  You obviously observed the hilliness of my fair state, at least the western portion.  Wrongly, people stay in that left lane for the inevitable slowing of the trucks while they climb and lose speed.  Instead of then pulling out and passing, they have congregated now in the left lane to avoid this.  It is wrong, but I have watched it evolve over time.  It is also against the law.
 
I now live in Northern Virginia, there you will find real madness, as in most overpopulated metro areas.  You should try I-95 from DC to just outside of Richmond for sheer tailgating at high speeds.
 
I agree, that it is more societal, and basically from a lack of shortsighted planning when these highways were built.  They were built for the time, not 20-40 years ahead.  Why ???  Because the taxpayer would balk at paying for something he would not get to use, even if it is in the public's best interest.
My personal peeve...HOV lanes.  My money paid for that highway, that lane, yet I am penalized if I am alone in the car.  What is next, my entree in the restaurant costs 20 percent more because I am dining alone versus being part of a foursome ??
Worry not Lenn, we are still pretty nice people down here once you get out of your car

[LennG]

 
 I CAN attest to that.

[Giant Obsession]

Lenn,

I have thought of this post often in the last 2 months.  I drive to Winchester from just outside DC to meet my brother and his family.  We then travel to Harrisonburg to see JMU football, we are all grads and season ticket holders.

My brother drives continually in the left lane.  i have repeatedly told him nicely this is against the law and everything else I can think of.  still about 60-70 percent of this 70 mile drive is done in the left lane.  My stomach is usually in knots.

I am the content driver who stays in the right lane or gets back there after passing.  if traffic is heavy, I am content to even go a few miles below the limit and ride with the heavy flow.

My brother, who I am extremely close to, as I raised him is the opposite.   Not reckless, but he does not want to sit in less than the limit flow.  He pulls, passes, and then stays out there because traffic is heavy on the right and eventually he will need to pass again.

I guess it is just a personality difference.  i drive in heavy traffic every day here in DC and surrounding area, he is in Winchester, where you get in your car and go with no thought of prevailing traffic.

Saturday we again will be doing this and I will again be gently reminding him about the left lane lingering.  Fortunately his 2 sons (my nephews) see the error of this drivng and do not mimic it. 

I have no idea what to do because somewhere along the line he also forgot about safe driving distance between cars...1 car length for every 10 mph.

He is a great man, a pillar of the community and he carries very precious cargo...all the family I have.

I am truly at a loss to get him to correct this.

Just wanted to share.

thanks

[ps11yat14]

Hey GO,  Just read your post and noticed you are a JMU grad.  I live in Maine and do not want to come across as a jerk, but did you see the U Maine /  JMU game last Sat.  An amazing finish to a very exciting football game.  Very happy for the Bears and shocked as well.

Bill

[Giant Obsession]

Oh yes, I was there.

Maine has a nice little team, but we have the better abundance of atheletes.  we suffer from coaching that is stuck 10 years ago.

It was a heartbreaker, and the coaching staff was totally unprepared for their 2 point conversion.

We were confused and had a timeout left, but choked and did not call it.  If we had, they would have sent the kicking team out I am sure.  gutsy call, but one I, in the stands, knew was coming.

After we scored in OT, I watched their backup QB, number 12, and 3-4 other players gathered around the coach for a good minute.   I told my brother, if they score, they are going for 2.

When they scored their OT TD, they ran onto the field and put the ball in play asap.

They deserved the win.  God, what a hit that kid took crossing the goal line...like a helicopter.

Congrats to them and a very experienced, savvy coach.

[LennG]

Lenn,

I have thought of this post often in the last 2 months.  I drive to Winchester from just outside DC to meet my brother and his family.  We then travel to Harrisonburg to see JMU football, we are all grads and season ticket holders.

My brother drives continually in the left lane.  i have repeatedly told him nicely this is against the law and everything else I can think of.  still about 60-70 percent of this 70 mile drive is done in the left lane.  My stomach is usually in knots.

I am the content driver who stays in the right lane or gets back there after passing.  if traffic is heavy, I am content to even go a few miles below the limit and ride with the heavy flow.

My brother, who I am extremely close to, as I raised him is the opposite.   Not reckless, but he does not want to sit in less than the limit flow.  He pulls, passes, and then stays out there because traffic is heavy on the right and eventually he will need to pass again.

I guess it is just a personality difference.  i drive in heavy traffic every day here in DC and surrounding area, he is in Winchester, where you get in your car and go with no thought of prevailing traffic.

Saturday we again will be doing this and I will again be gently reminding him about the left lane lingering.  Fortunately his 2 sons (my nephews) see the error of this drivng and do not mimic it. 

I have no idea what to do because somewhere along the line he also forgot about safe driving distance between cars...1 car length for every 10 mph.

He is a great man, a pillar of the community and he carries very precious cargo...all the family I have.

I am truly at a loss to get him to correct this.

Just wanted to share.

thanks

GO

 Sorry to hear about your experiences with your Brother. Age has wizened me a lot, and I am also not in a big hurry to get anywhere. Better getting there in one piece than being the first one there.

To be honest, the experience of driving 81 was put on the back burner. Being back in the NY area, everyday IO go out is an adventure here. Just like everywhere else, everyone is in a rush to get where they are going. so much so, they will drive on the sidewalk to gain 2 car lengths, go the wrong way on a one way street because the traffic light is too long.
 They ahve installed many of those red light camera's in our area and you should here the moaning and groaning. They complain they got a ticket because they didn't come to a complete stop on red, before making a right turn. hey, guys, it's the law. We here have been spoiled for too long,and now they are cracking down, people are besides themselves. After all NOW, they may ahve to OBEY the rules of the road.