Rules of passing?

People in Texas would still prefer you to straddle the lane and shoulder. I ve been in stretches of Texas with a long clear straightaway, and people still wouldn t pass until I straddled the shoulder and the lane

 

Interesting. Yeah, I've done that before to make it easier for people to pass. I was just getting this image of someone riding the shoulder to allow another truck to pass while traffic is still coming in the other direction.

 

I guess that s what those signs mean when they say "Drive Friendly, The Texas Way"

 

Because you don't have disco lights or a badge. If somebody else wants to speed, it really isn't any of your business WHY they want to speed. Maybe they just have a bunch of money burning a hole in their pocket and they are looking to donate a little bit of it to the state? Easing over onto the shoulder and letting them by is the courteous and safe thing to do...because the less you hold them up...the easier you make it for them to get around you...and the less likely they are to get impatient and take a chance passing when it really isn't safe (curves, hills, oncoming traffic, etc...) not to mention, YOU then get to decide how much space you leave in front of you when you slide back in behind them instead of THEM deciding when they are clear and cutting in 6" off your front bumper. Don't worry, the shoulders in Texas are built to withstand the use because it is the law that you can use the shoulder like that...and often times, you'll STILL have more room than you typically do running the 2-lanes in most other states.

 

That's perfectly OK, too. The shoulder is as wide as a travel lane, and can be used as a travel lane under certain circumstances as defined by law.

 

I guess it comes down to the old argument--is it worse to speed or ride the passing lane without passing? LOL. Little bit different situation, but not by much. I can see where you're coming from with the wide Texas shoulders.

 

Yeah I've noticed some of them do 62 or less and some of them go faster--difference between company trucks and leased trucks maybe???

Came up on an Earl T Henderson truck yesterday pulling a Prime trailer, doing about 72 or 73. Not a Prime truck obviously, but didn't realize they could go that fast. Maybe he was governed at 68 and using the SmartPass?

 

Riding the left lane while NOT passing is just as illegal as speeding...so if you cannot or will not put your foot in it to pass, stay in the right lane where you belong.

Riding the shoulder in Texas to allow someone faster to pass is perfectly legal.

 

Exactly. I'm not really sure if you're trying to argue with me or not (hard to tell tone through text), but I was just looking for some different perspectives was all. Not trying to ruffle any feathers. I'm always trying to learn new things out here.