Quote:
Originally Posted by MPGranger
Am I inconsiderate for doing so?
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First, I wouldn't feel bad for driving the speed limit despite the actions of others and applaud your resolve for sticking to it. It's posted for a reason and it sounds like enforcement is lacking. The law states, 1 MPH over the limit is an infraction.
From personal experience on 3-lane highways, there are 2 distinct scenarios that I adjust to (this is based on 10-under the limit up to the limit itself and cycling speed in that range):
1) Desolate 3-Lane Interstates: In this case, I'll hang out in the right lane unless it looks like someone is approaching in the same lane and (just guessing) wants to exit. I'll take the center lane and let them take the exit at whatever speed they want, or pass on the right. It take another level of attention behind, plus the scangauge, road conditions ahead, etc.
2) Busy 3-Lane Highways: Just observing professional big-rig drivers that are often governed at 61 mph (and in the hilly areas here where they scrub speed), the safest place is often the center lane for them (and consequently for me as well). People come-and-go in the right lane at exits/entrances, and the left lane is there for high-speed folks. Short on-ramps that freak-out the majority of drivers can remain more open for merging. The exception here is that very slow vehicles should probably stay in the right lane (10-20+ MPH under the limit). But as you mentioned, once the speedy folks enter the highway, they can get to the center lane and over to the left lane where they think they kick-in the afterburners.
Wreckless drivers create their own hazards. Attentive drivers prevent them.
RH77