No Respect On The Freeway

Interesting. My family's cars were an '82 Volvo 760GLE, an '85 Ford Bronco II, a late '80s Chrysler Minivan, a '94 Camry, a '97 Avalon, and a '98 Sienna Minivan. Most were gas guzzlers of one type or other--the Bronco II got down to something like 12 mpg at its worst--but the Camry was supposed to be the high '30s and it really only ever got into the mid-20s on mpg. To be fair, none of the cars were ever really well-maintained, let alone according to manufacturer's prescribed schedules, tires were always incorrect pressure, fluids all off, etc..

 

I'm glad you agree. I loveee the aerodynamic-ness of the Prius.

Oh gosh... You could say that again. The traffic in Socal is soooo bad. My ICE actually has to kick on while being stuck in traffic. Idling is such a waste of gas.

 

Would that be like prius lovers evaluating the hummer, thinking that right wing, gun loving, wife beating guys with lack of IQ are the only ones that think they need to drive one. (both the quote and my statement are stupid!)

Who cares if someone wants to turn a prius into a race car. I don't care if you turn a hummer into a fuel efficent hybrid, or electric car. this is a free country and I hope it stays that way. We can live life, try crazy things with cars or other inventions, and sometimes we disagree.

 

I see plenty of undecorated hummers which I make no further judgments about beyond: it's kinda big.. must use a lotta gas. There are more giant Ford trucks here who, based on all the stickers and decorations adorning their entire vehicle are more likely to fit that stereotype you described.

I'm not sure what about my statement you find stupid. In the other cars I've driven for the past 8 years, cars behind me rarely made it a point to pass me, let alone get immediately back in my lane in front of me, which 90% of cars do while I'm driving the Prius. I don't know what you call it, but it certainly isn't love.

And none of this is a criticism against disagreement or a "free country". We all have to drive on the same public roads though and it's not very safe to alter your driving behavior because of the specific make/model of a car you see as opposed to a driving pattern.

 

Do cars try to cut in front of you and fling up rocks to crack your windshield?

Here's my cracked windshield. Let's see if I can post up pics now. Funny thing is it sounded like a tiny rock hit the day before the crack came out. I guess with this seemingly thin, chintzy glass, I'll need to keep a really good eye on the windshield. Clean and inspect it a lot.

 

see above

 

Can pebble kickup be controlled that well that someone can maliciously choose to do it? Hmm.. this makes me wonder if there's anything like a clearbra for windshields.

 

I have read about wraps for windshields. I don't have a link but it should pop up in a search easy enough I would think I had a perfect 3k mile windshield in my Kia Soul last February until one night driving in heavy rain around Orlando something flew up from a Corolla and put a big spider web crack in it The windshield wrap came to mind right then. Should have had it on... Might do it on my new windshield once I get it.

Mike

 

There Just looking for a leader into the next speed trap. That is why they slow down once they pass you.
They want you to pass back and go faster.
Set the cruze at the pace you want (if its dry)
Smile on!
Tunes on!
Shades on!
Concealed gun loaded!
Enjoy!

 

Why would it be unloaded?

Good tip about the Cruise Control.
You would think that with all of the nanny-state mandated safety devices out there the OEMs would be forced to have a windshield wiper lockout circuit that disables the cruise control and illuminates the headlamps.
I'm always amazed at the number of people I see getting yanked out of a ditch on an interstate after a thunderstorm.


Aw crap!
I probably just gave some overworked government bureaucrat (10 hrs/wk) a new thought!

 

I'm a fairly new driver and have only spent 4 hours total on -a CA freeway driving a C. I didn't really experience any of the negative behavior discussed. But I also was driving on a weekend. And I either was going around speed limit in the right lane until I got comfortable enough and then migrated kept pace with everyone in the left lane.

I hope whoever is driving in such a way outgrows that behavior as hybrids become more common. It seems silly to endanger others around you just to make a point about how much you hate a type of car. People forget they're directing tons of metal when they drive...


iPhone ?

 

Toyota glass is some of the best glass out there. You want to see real problems with glass drive a Benz.

 

Just stay in the middle lane or the right lane. Left lam is for passing and fast traffic. When I am in my Prius I always in the middle or right lane.

 

Just stay in the right lane, most places, trucks are not allowed in the left lane so you're in their way if you poke along in the middle lane.

 

Prius drivers need to remember... it is ok if you are trying to save gas by maintaining at low(er) speed, but please do so in the right lanes. I have seen way too many prius driver go slow on a fast lane... or keep their speed at 30 mph on a 35 local.

If you are one of those drivers, dont blame others to start the road rage. Because you started it....

Otherwise, go ahead and pass those suckers.... I did it a couple times and those drivers learned their lessons and stayed behind me happily thereafter

 

In NJ, keep right, pass left. It's the law, please don't drive 65miles in the left lanes. I seen plenty driver in the left lanes just to cruise.

 

In Mass the left most lane is for passing only and our State Police can and will pull you over and ticket you just for using it as a travel lane - no matter what you drive or how fast. I do like that many states now allow hybrid drivers to use the HOV lanes - even with just the driver in the car. With most of our HOV lanes actually separating from the main highway lanes once you enter them (and being just a single lane) once you are there you can't just cut back to the regular highway lanes. This makes it lots of fun for Prius owners as once they are in the HOV lane they can travel at 65 with impunity while watching all those who illegally use the lane as single drivers in regular cars just pile up behind with no places to pass. And with usually at least one state trooper monitoring the HOV lane it's just matter of time before they are all spotted and busted - one o f the nicer ways to get my day started right.

 

So its bad to get into the left lane if not speeding, but ok in HOV lane where there is nowhere to pass and slow down? this seems odd to me. We have no HOV lanes in our area, I dont think any in oregon. but is seems weird that if you get in the best lane and you can drive slow.

 

You shouldn't.

That said, driving slower in carpool lanes here, at least in Northern California, isn't that much of an obstruction since isolated carpool lanes still seem to be less common than adjoining ones. It's impractical and rather hazardous to drive too fast in the HOV lane during actual traffic. When there is no traffic, the driving pattern just returns to a default of it being a high-speed lane (occasionally obstructed by people who are oblivious, ignorant, or just don't care).

It does occur often enough that 2-3 slowpokes in the left lanes, combined with people driving normally around the same speed in the right lanes, manages to "clog" most cars attempting to pass forming a cluster that's difficult to break through.

 

If you're in a area with more than 3 lanes or one that has an HOV lane, then the normal "keep right" rules go out the window, as apparently does common courtesy and common sense. In some cities, they even have exits on the left side of the interstate, which makes the whole left lane/right lane argument kind of moot.
However (comma!) if you're lucky enough to live outside these megalopolis' then the thundering herd is a little easier to manage.
The Uniform Vehicle Code states that:

Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic​

As always, Wikipedia has a pretty good summary if you're really interested...
PASSING(!!!) lane

Of course....there are 50 states and each one has to be 'a little' different, and in the United States they pretty much give you a license just because you have 15 or 16 candles on your birthday cake.