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Re: A Left Lane Laggard Wants to Know
In article <3unsdc$52l@murrow.corp.sgi.com> Corey Alambar <corwyn> writes:
>There. I said it. One of my biggest frustrations on my commute every day over
>17 from Sata Cruz is people doing 45 in the left lane.
I think Highway 17 tends to be almost unique, in that during heavy traffic
periods, the right lane becomes both the slow lane and the passing lane
(although this has been less true as slow trucks have been getting better
about not driving during the commute). Many of the less skilled drivers
don't like merging into the left lane (going 45-60mph), when they are stuck
behind a truck doing 10-35mph, so they stay in the right lane and slow every
body else down. I tend to drive 70th percentile on 17 (bit higher on the curves
and a bit lower on the straights :-) and find that often I do have to pass on
the right, unless I want to do 40mph (cars of limited hp trying to go up
hill if nothing else) following behind cars that don't pull over.
>I have an older car, and riding the brakes could cause some serious
>problems, not the least of which is them not working properly once I reach
>the bottom of the Hill.
You need a new car! Or new brakes! Highway 17 is not a place for a
car with fading brakes. From a slightly different tact, how about changing
your driving style. Even during rush hour, I rarely use my brakes (usually
use them only to warn cars behind me that I'm slowing down). Don't follow so
close, and anticipate what the next several cars in front of you are doing.
Not only does this cause less stress on the drivers (you and people around
you), it is easier on the car and even saves gas (Road and Track had an
excellent article on saving gas while driving about 4 years ago, the key is
that everytime you brake {or use compression braking} you are consuming
extra energy). Since they are not going to pull over for you anyway, bide
your time until you can pass them. -mjm-
References: