"I drive 55mph" on the 65mph interstate.

[Sven7]

There's no better way to test it out in your area than to try it once, or twice, or for an entire tank. As long as you keep to the right, don't cut people off when you have to get out of a lane, etc, you'll be fine. I drive 55mph now and if my lane is ending I always wait for those coming up on my left to pass before I get over. I keep an eye on the mirror to keep track of who's around me.

It's really easy; the more visible you make your car, the less people tailgate, but then I'm going to start talking about "urban camouflage". From what I can surmise, people don't want to follow "official" looking vehicles for the same reason they don't want to drive next to cop cars.


Reflectors par Tyler Linner, on ipernity

[Xist]

Only semis seem to tailgate my dad's F-150, but I still try to drive Bacon where I can.

[101Volts]

The only way to do it is to do it and ignore the one-finger insults given to those who aren't speeding. Some people may honk at you because you're obeying the speed limit (And are under it) and they're not, But you're not breaking the speed limit like they might be even if it's not enforced and you'll have more reaction time if there is a problem such as a blowout. And do be prepared in case someone does yell at you over it; Yelling insults back isn't going to put water on that fire.

And do consider my location; I'm in rural Pennsylvania and I have driven on I-80 and Rt. 28 and near Pittsburgh and around town. I've actually never driven out-of-state as the driver as of this post.

[Fat Charlie]

I don't like obstructing traffic. I don't count doing the PSL in the rightmost available lane as obstruction, but I try to be reasonable.

Of course, with the horrible aero of the dodgeball victim that I'm driving right now, my speeds are a lot lower than they were in the Bobsled. Tough.

[bestclimb]

Depends. If I have to go out during rush hour I travel at the speed the other drivers are going in the slow lane. Usually from 60-70 in the slow lane in a 65 psl. The highway is densely packed enough that if I were to drive 50-55 I would be causing an impediment and anyone wanting to travel any faster would have to merge into a lane where the speed is well over 70 without much room for it. I could shrug my shoulders and say it's my right to go slower and too bad for them who did not merge soon enough but that line of thought causes frustration, increased risks by other drivers and makes theirs as well as my drive less pleasant there is enough frustration in this world without me adding to it.

When off peak times I drive at about 55 or slower or faster depending on how I am valuing my time and what else I need to get done that day. When the highway is not packed it is pretty easy for someone to merge and I cause no back up.

[justme1969]

For imposing you will upon others that way. If you are capable of going the speed limit and take pride in obstructing traffic you are just as bad as the 100 mph driver in congested traffic. And just as dangerous! When I am towing and traffic builds up behind me I pull off temporarily letting it go.
I see no joy in frustrating other drivers or forcing them to do things on the road that causes road rage.
No thanks Ill maintain speed and wave as the normal traffic goes bye every day.

[Frank Lee]

If they can pass it's not really an obstruction.

And if they can't, tough noogie.

[night9]

I feel like if drivers can't observe whats going on ahead of them and they get "stuck behind you" then its their fault for not being an attentive driver.

[elhigh]

+1 to pretty much everybody.

If I can steel my nerves to hold an ironclad 55, I can push my truck to nearly 40mpg. 40! If I could do that with my Honda, God only knows what I could achieve.

The cruise control helps a lot when it comes to resisting peer pressure, but it never gets the kind of mileage I do. I can gain a little by hitting cruise and holding a moderate speed, or gain more by controlling speed myself and planning ahead, but don't enjoy the ride as much.

Slow down, people! If you're running late, whose fault is that? Not mine - so get off my butt!

[Sven7]

Originally Posted by justme1969

For imposing you will upon others that way. If you are capable of going the speed limit and take pride in obstructing traffic you are just as bad as the 100 mph driver in congested traffic. And just as dangerous! When I am towing and traffic builds up behind me I pull off temporarily letting it go.
I see no joy in frustrating other drivers or forcing them to do things on the road that causes road rage.
No thanks Ill maintain speed and wave as the normal traffic goes bye every day.

No one here is driving 55mph out of spite.

What's most dangerous is that many drivers exceed their driving skill and do not give themselves enough time to react. Yes, this can be a problem for those of us who choose to drive at slower, legal speeds, but it is not caused by the slower speeds. It's caused by those who don't know their limits.

And yes, if you are driving below the speed limit and people can't pass you, as in a two lane road or heavy traffic, you should either pull off to let them by, or speed up to the de facto speed limit. Be aware of their driving conditions as they try to pass you.

Fast, inattentive drivers can be a problem. The solution: be courteous, defensive and predictable.