Move over or slow down

As far as the lane reduction goes, we're not trying to get in first. We're forcing the traffic into a single lane, the lane they're supposed to be in. All the signs say merge, or merge here, and all the 4 wheelers are trying to run right up to the construction before cutting in. If you force everything into the lane it's supposed to be in, traffic flows on through. If you let them jam up trying to merge at the last second, traffic backs up for miles and everyone gets to sit.

And if I get into the left lane knowing that upcoming car, who's a ways back when I start to move over, is going to jump in the right lane and fly by the cop on the line at 70mph (or more), and the cop gets hit, who's fault is it? Technically, the 4 wheeler. But, I could have prevented that.

Anybody who hits the shoulder on the narrow side at highway speed and looses it doing something retarded shouldn't be driving at all. That is not my responsibility.

It's not about rights, it's about morals. Standing aside and letting bad things happen just because we won't be blamed if we do nothing is just a sad way to live.

 

I'm curious how you "know" that car that is "a ways" back is going to "jump in the right lane"? And how do you "know" (pre-event), that you can prevent it?

Surely you could make much more money in Vegas than as a truck driver?

 

You misunderstood my statement. I was talking about the 4 wheelers trying to be first...well and some truckers who don't give a #### about anyone else anyway. You have no authority to try and "force" traffic to follow the rules..if that 4 wheeler or trucker side swipes you getting around..guess who is at fault..you are for straddling..NOT MAINTAINING YOUR LEGAL LANE..its called rules. As I said, I understand yours, and every other truckers frustration in this situation. But we don't have the legal right to be traffic monitors, we have the MORAL, and intelectual sense to not be the cause of issues on the highway.

Traffic still backs up for miles without forcing an issue of lane superiority or size intimidation!

You could have prevented what? that 4 wheelers stupidity? Wrong..he/she is still as stupid as they would have been with you (now driving illegal) straddling the line, as they are blowing by the vehicles on the side! There is no "technically" in this scenario, the other vehicle, passing on the right, made a decision to be in proximity of potential harm. Where do you have the right, morally or legally to dictate proper highway procedure, and who has granted you the authority to "force" your knowledge, and/or experience, onto some other driver. Your experience has given you better insight of what "could" happen in many scenarios, you training and experience has taught you how to be defensive and maintain control of YOUR environment around YOUR vehicle, not to rule over the roads with your knowledge and/or experience.

While this is true...if you are the one that "forced" the movement onto the shoulder by straddling, you have made yourself part of the problem, and put yourself in a position of joint responsibility. If your actions of straddling, impeding traffic, (in CA they have a law on the books of "out of lane") have been witnessed, you will be beyond jointly responsible, you will be responsible for causing the incident.

It is about legality, common sense, and good judgement. Your moral obligation is to maintain control of YOUR vehicle, being safe and legal in all your driving. You do not have a moral obligation to attempt to remove any POSSIBLE incident because you foresee a "what if" situation, you have experience and/or training to be aware of the "what if's", and BE PREPARED to deal with the "what if" when and if, it begins to happen.

 

If your entire point is that I have no right to tell anyone what to do, then you have no right to tell me what to do. You have two choices. Sit there and stare at my bumper, or get out from behind me.

 

You just mixed up two different situations. If I'm going into construction in the left lane, I'm maintaining my legal lane. The rule is MERGE, not run by stopped traffic at 70mph cause you just have to get to starbucks 2 minutes faster.

But not as much, as I said.

I am controlling the environment around my vehicle. You're worried about the car blowing by on the shoulder, if it blows by on the right and hits what's on the side, why won't that knock it into my truck? It's right beside me either way. You're telling me I should use my training but not to at the same time.

I didn't force anything, they would be behind me as I come over. I'm not talking about running up the center of the highway for a mile like a douchebag. Just get over as I pass but not all the way, and then back to the right.

You just contradicted yourself again. I am dealing with a what if as it begins to happen.

 

Nope, I don't get any. I'll give you an example of right and wrong. If you see some guy beating a kid, and you go hit him, the law says you are wrong. That's assault, you go to jail. He has to hit you directly first. If you do nothing, you won't get in trouble. Which is right?

 

The law is the law.

 

As far as blocking off traffic and forcing it into the correct lane, on several occasions I've noticed two trucks doing just that, but they're a half mile or more behind the rest of the traffic. That stupidity needs to stop, also.