Vent My Frustration About Slow Drivers
I’m so glad to have a place to vent my frustration about those SLOW DRIVERS who use themselves as a PACE CAR..
(I call them “turtles“) or “Sunday drivers“. They only do the posted speed limit, for fear of the police. ( But, do you really want to go through life with sweaty palms?) They will not bother you if you are driving safely. I don’t mind that at all, or if you just wish to drive and enjoy the scenery as I also sometimes do, but when in a “no-passing” zone, they should notice the cars behind them and put their right-hand signal light on, move over a little, and let people pass them!!
This also happens on highways when two of them are side-by-side and block anyone from passing. There are signs that say, “slower vehicles keep right”.
I usually have to sound my horn to the car in the left lane until they wake up and notice what is happening. Usually you can see them talking (with their hands waving) to someone else in the car and are oblivious to what is going on. Please save your conversations for when you can really communicate without being distracted by driving. This is a scary thought, they are in their own world and could not react to a situation safely.
I don’t consider myself a fast driver, just one who is alert and wants to get where I am going…as the school bus drivers and trucks do. People should be able to go any speed that they feel they can safely maneuver, but please, people, LET US PASS!! and USE YOUR REAR-VIEW MIRROR to be aware of what’s happening!
Fast drivers are NOT the ones who cause accidents…reckless and unaware drivers do, and those under “the influence” of something. Driving is a serious matter, and I consider it one of the most important JOBS that I do, especially in this overcrowded world today.
I do not drive for a living, but put it in the highest priority. People also should NOT be talking on the phone while driving…it takes your concentration off of what you are doing. If you have ever had an “adjustment” at the chiropractor, you will notice that he/she asks you a question just before he/she snaps your head to the right or left…that is to distract you to your answer and when you start talking, they can safely snap it without causing harm.
So please, keep your mind on driving safely, and be courteous to others and AWARE of what’s going on around you. Also, remember to use your signal lights well before you make a turn, so that those behind you can anticipate your actions…this is how rear-end crashes happen, and DON’T ride anyone’s bumper! If someone rides yours, just MOVE OVER and let them pass; you will be much safer!
And you Reckless Drivers out there, realize that driving is not a GAME for your amusement, you only get one life, so let’s make it safe for everyone! Thanks for listening, this has been a long time coming, and I would like to hear other opinions on the subject.
- Carolyn (with an excellent driving record)
Tags: accidents, chiropractor, conversations, frustration, hand signal, highways, pace car, passing zone, rear view mirror, scenery, school bus drivers, signal light, slow drivers, speed limit, sunday drivers, sweaty palms, turtles
I am so tired of people calling others who go by the speed limit “slow and reckless” drivers. Excuse me, but, there is a SPEED LIMIT for a reason!! Haven’t you ever noticed the signs posted with a MINIMUM and MAXIMUM speed? Minimum speed (slower drivers) to the right, and maximum (faster drivers) to the left. BUT… that does not give you the right to go OVER the speed limit. I would have to disagree with Carolyn when she said that fast drivers don’t cause accidents, only slow and inattentive ones do. WRONG!! Both do!! And the statistics are there to prove it. Speed kills. There is no getting around that. Yes, I agree that people should not talk on cellular phones while driving, and should pay attention to what they are doing. But I also have a problem with people who think they are ‘above’ the law and don’t have to go by the posted speed limit. If the speed limit is 65, and I am in the left lane going 65, I am doing nothing wrong. If the speed limit is 55 and I am in the left lane doing 55, I am STILL doing nothing wrong. If you want to go slower than 55, you stay to the right. But you are not supposed to go MORE than the speed limit, EVEN IN THE LEFT LANE. That’s why there is a speed LIMIT!!! Anyone remember the meaning of the word ‘LIMIT’??? I get really irritated when I am doing the speed limit in the left lane and some idiot comes up behind me and either honks, or passes me real fast and then cuts in front of me to get back in the left lane. That’s plain stupidity. The speed limit is posted. Get real people and look up the meaning of the word LIMIT if you forgot the definition. Don’t be in such a hurry to GET THERE, or you might not get there at all, and you might stop someone else from getting to where they want to be too. You do not have that right. You have no right in the left lane other than to go the SPEED LIMIT…. no faster!! Slow down, relax, enjoy life, and obey the law.
Carolyn - You say you’re a safe driver, but I wouldn’t want to share the road with you. If the driver ahead of you is doing the posted speed limit why should they have to pull over so you can pass? You also said that if you’re being blocked in by two drivers who are side-by-side you’ll blow your horn at the driver in the left lane until he pulls over or speeds up to let you pass. You’ve got some serious road rage going on and are obviously in complete denial about it. If you’re in such a hurry that you’re angry at other drivers for doing the speed limit and you’re honking your horn so you can pass somebody, leave 5 minutes earlier! You said that fast drivers are not the ones who cause accidents - yea, they are or we wouldn’t have speed limits. You mentioned that people should use their turn signals so they don’t get rear-ended. Surprise! If you’ve rear-ended somebody, you were following too closely (probably honking at him too, so he’d pull over and you could pass). I’m concerned that you’ve got an excellent driving record. The fact that you haven’t been caught is reinforcing your idea that you’re a good driver. I’m worried because you really think that the other drivers are at fault for your failure to leave home on time. Please re-read your letter with an impartial eye and try to see how much danger you’re putting everyone (including yourself and other drivers) in. I do agree with you on one thing - I, too would like to hear other opinions on this subject.
Valid points have certainly been brought up regarding exactly what the speed limit is for and exactly what it means — that it’s a LIMIT. I’m actually concerned regarding the thought process behind doing exactly the speed limit in the left lane.
We are all taught to “keep right, pass left” when we learn how to drive. This is designed primarily to keep the flow of traffic going as smoothly as possible. If you are in the left lane and not passing another vehicle, then you simply move over to the right. This is what the left lane is for — PASSING ONLY. It doesn’t matter what speed you are doing — it is just common courtesy.
If you feel you only need to do the speed limit when you are on the roadway, then that’s fine. But it does not give you the right to police others. If others choose to exceed the speed limit, that is their choice, and they will be policed by the law if need be. But if you are in the left lane not passing anyone and only doing the speed limit, you should be moving to the right anyway because it actually is illegal (in many states) to drive in the left lane without passing traffic. Let the police handle those who are speeding or driving recklessly — just worry about yourself.
Believe me, I understand that everyone wants to have a safe drive every time they are in their vehicle. But as we all know, you are not going to be able to control the thought process of others, and irritating someone on the road will just make matters worse. As long as you do everything legally (not speeding, not staying in the left lane), then that’s all you should be concerned with…
This is in reply to Carolyn and Colleen regarding driving the speed limit:
I agree with Carolyn that some drivers like to drive fast. I am also one of those drivers. I do not make a practice of driving and talking on the cell phone. I get very frustrated when I get behind someone doing 65 in the left lane and they won’t move over! Colleen, I also understand that there is a posted speed limit. You are not here to enforce it. That’s what the police are for. I will take my chances on getting pulled over for speeding. I do agree that both fast and slow drivers cause accidents. In Pennsylvania, it is now illegal for you to drive consistently in the left (passing) lane for more than 3 miles. You are to make your pass and move back into the right lane. This allows other cars to pass and move over also, leaving the left lane clear (supposedly). Just because I drive faster than most people when traveling does not mean I am any more a threat on the highway than you. I consider your slowing flowing traffic down to the speed you decide we all should drive is also a hazzard and holding up a lane that is meant for faster drivers (regardless of the posted speed limit). You can drive 65 in the right lane and then pass those driving slower and move back over. Leave the passing lane for those that are doing that please!! There is nothing wrong with moving over a lane and letting someone by you. A driver should not have to hit his breaks, flash his headlights or have to blow the horn to get someone to move over a lane. If you are an attentive driver, you are also constantly checking your rear view mirror while driving. You can tell if someone is coming up behind you faster than you are driving. MOVE OVER and let them by. It’s no wonder road rage has become a problem! Despite what some of you also think….truckers are some of the best people out on the highway. They move over a lane when they see you want to pass, they flick their lights to let you know that you are safely passed them, they turn their 4 ways on when going under 40 mph to alert drivers of their slow speed, they are more than helpful with directions on a CB if you are lost, and most times will stop if they see you are disabled along the highway. Here’s to hopefully less frustrating traveling in the state of PA at least. Thanks for letting me post this here!