Why the middle

One of California's many stupid laws requires you to be in the right lane unless passing. You can see the signs posted as soon as you cross the state line. The bears don't seem to bother much if you are running in the passing lane in the city especially during heavy traffic.
If you are running with little to no traffic in the middle lane, then you are possibly just setting yourself up to get hassled or possibly ticketed by a bear that might be looking for something to do. It's probably best to stay in the right lane when conditions safely permit.

Hey outerspacehillbilly
I totally agree with you about the drivers who speed up while passing on the flat road only to leave you hanging in the passing lane.
I will slow myself down a few MPH to help another driver pass if he or she is barely creeping by me. It only costs me a few seconds and everybody seems happier when I don't leave a driver stranded in the passing lane creating a backup on the interstate.
Courtesy doesn't cost me a penny yet there are days I still wonder why I even try.

 

I agree, if someone is passing me and i see they are struggling to get around i got no problem dropping a couple mph to let them around and just kick it back up after they finish the job. Especially if there is alot of traffic and i see them holding everyone up. There just isn't much courtesy from one driver to another out here anymore though. I remember riding with my grandpa as a kid and from what i remember most drivers were friendly to each other and would help each other out if they needed help. Sure don't see or hear of that much today though. It's too bad. I try to help people if i can but most don't even want you to help anymore they just take it as an insult like your doubting their ability or something. Had a gal trying to back in by me the other day in Nashville at the pilot and she was really struggling. A couple guys were talking crap on the radio to her so I got out and asked her if she would like some extra eyes. Helped her get parked and she was so thankful she offered to but my dinner. I told her i appreciated it but i declined that i was just doing what my grandpa had taught me to do. I've had to have help myself before and was greatful someone was willing.

 

I know how she feels as do most drivers if the truth is told. The other night I was trying to back into a slot, and I couldn't get it due to a tanker fueling up a yard dog at a time. I had a driver talk me through it on the cb as I was at an angle where I couldnt see very well, and since I was having to back with my doors open and reefer set # -17 I was losing even more vision. There are still many good and helpful drivers out there, it's just some of the old timers have developed memory problems and can only remember the "golden" minutes of their lives.

 

All that stuff Gonzo was talking about (plus others) is more reason for me to stay in construction and give up on the road idea for now. I remember how it was before '88, and it's like that era has virtually disappeared.
Seems like in cities it's even worse. Atlanta is like being in the northeast. Come to think of it...half the people here are FROM the northeast. More fake southern accents here than in Hollywood.

 

I'm not "defending myself". There's nothing wrong with it if you're doing at least the posted limit.

Blind spots? We're talking motorcycles and Geo's. Fit a tractor trailer in there and I'll renig. At the end of the day you see every inch of that right side or you don't move. Suck it up and put that extra mirror you need on the hood... sorry it doesn't look nice.

 

I ride the middle lane.... but I do move over.

I ride the lane due to the 4 wheelers going around me on the left and so I dont have to slow down for exiting and merging traffic on the right from each exit. However, if I see another driver coming up behind me, I will move over to let them pass, then Ill get back to the middle lane. I also ride in the lane due to those sudden "exit only" lanes. Get caught in one or 2 of those because some ####### 4 wheeler driver who didn't get laid that morning wont let you over and you will embrace that middle lane.

I dont care about 4 wheelers, if they want to pass, they have the left lane to do so.

So yeah, I ride the middle lane for the most part but I am considerate of other drivers.

 

This is a pet peeve of mine. Consider that about 80% of the drivers (18 and 4) are paid by performance, not time, and there is a reason to allow people to pass by whatever means. And at least they're not holding YOU up!

Studies done on speed limits revealed an amazing fact: on roads that had the limit raised, where it was fairly reasonable before, people STILL drove at the same speeds as before, save for the occasional rod jockey. They found that people will drive for the general conditions of the road, not what the sign says. And that means that most of our limits are too low on the back roads.

It really ticks me off (a bit) when some dork is in the fast lane doing the "limit" on a road that virtually everyone does 5-10mph faster because it's that kind of road. AFAIC, you guys can stuff your self-righteousness where sunlight doesn't enter: the rest of us need to make a living, and my paycheck doesn't start until the toolbox opens. Yours doesn't until the truck moves. Same thing; we gotta get somewhere and we have enough trouble in front of us as it is.

If you're just a crappy driver and can't handle the flow, read the sign on the back window of my truck: "Move Over, Stoopid!"

 

It's the schools and so called "trainers" that are teaching todays newbies... They teach to "stay in the middle" which in by itself is okay.. IF there is no one behind you! What they don't teach is to MOVE OVER.. & CHECK YOUR MIRRORS.. (about every 10-20 seconds min.)..

Most likely today you'll see slow company trucks "camped out" in the middle lane.. they're on the cell phone blabing away with hands moving wildly to emphasise their conversation & no one can see that on the phone.. Or, texting away, playing on the computer on the seat next to them, or propping their left leg up on the dash like some chick on the way to the club.. Watching TV.. reading a book, magazine..ect.

Basicly doing everything they are NOT suppose to be doing.. You try & "ask nicely" on the CB.. they're not listening.. OR want to start a CB Rambo tyrant.. Why not just watch your mirrors and IF you see anyone approaching faster than you from the rear.. MOVE OVER.. let him or her by.. Then go ahead get back in the middle... Too easy... Does anyone do that today?? I don't see it very often any more..

 

If you see me in the middle lane with a permitted load, it's because I am supposed to be there. Many times my permit will read something like "I-465 SBML." That means, I-465, southbound, middle lane. Otherwise, I would much prefer to be over and out of the way.