Quote:
Originally Posted by Ladogaboy
I refuse to go less than the posted speed on freeways/highways. In my experience, doing so creates more of a danger that it is worth. If I'm on less populated roads with less aggressive drivers, that's one thing, but Southern California freeways are not the place to do so. In my opinion, I'd only consider going significantly less than the posted speed if you feel that the conditions are safe.
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You would have to prove this. The "posted limit" is the upper limit, not the minimum. I drove speed-regulated big trucks and never found it a problem. There is a reason your vehicle has rearview mirrors . . what you have stated, essentially, is that you have not a clue as to how to use them. If you are driving 47-mph on a road with posted upper and lower limits of 70-mph and 45-mph
you are acting within the law. Those overtaking you
have upon them the burden to pass with care, and only at the appropriate times/places. The speeders are
fully outside the law. Faster traffic never has the right-of-way in any lane, at any time.
Look at this another way. In a country where now 64% of Americans don't have the money at hand to cover a $1000 emergency, do you think that all vehicles on the roadway are safely maintained? I don't, and never did. When I see a slow mover ahead it is my
obligation as a fellow citizen to respect any difficulties he may be under, thus treating his movement -- maybe his entire household/possessions are underway -- with the regard I would hope to have.
Learn to use the rearview mirrors, and -- as Diesel Dave in his first post above indicates -- develop observation/action skills you currently do not possess. To extend his words, it matters not whether you are solo and commuting
or with an overloaded U-Haul behind a tail-dragging decrepit Honda Accord doing your best to move to place with more opportunity than what is behind. There is a pace and a rhythm that can be developed,
especially on a commute. Dead easy to do.
Rear view mirrors are future predictors. One learns to "manage" traffic: how it moves around one, how to "encourage" the packs of cretins to stay away, and to learn to avoid the TV-watching, Facebook-obsessed, never-an-original-thought-to-be-encountered "drivers". You'll note that they'll mainly cut back over in front of you to cut off your braking distance. Over time you'll learn to use their unconcious actions against them, but to the benefit of both of you. Their
predictability is reassuring.
A reason we truck drivers learned long ago to utilize such tricks as aiming the right hand headlight high is the cretins, to try and n keep them from cutting over or staying too close ahead. Or, a switch that operates the left beam on low, and the right on high at the same time (being able to revert to normal function). And we (and you) always operate with headlights on. And keep the glass spotless. Daily. Sometimes multiple cleanings daily. Inside and out, smoker or not.
You are not alone, the law supports your decisions, and you lack only an appreciation of tools never used. Get the cretin pack around you and you'll glide up on them at stoplights. On the big road, you'll learn to see them as an overtaking wave -- like a big sidewind -- that'll pass around you as you develop skill.
Rule One:
Never move to the right side of your lane (with the exception of big trucks, and then, not much). If "they" see a
squeeze ahead, they'll respect it. If you move over in your lane, they won't . . and the lack of attention to your situation never develops. This is a critical item. Thus, it is managing, to some extent, the OODA loop. Stay ahead of them, mentally, and your pace and rhythm will develop in accordance.
Good luck.
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