Doing the Speed Limit and Being Abused For It!

[jbarn]

Disregard.... Hit wrong button

[puma guy]

I was born & raised in Texas. I can't begin to count the number of times I've seen
slower vehicles on a two lane road move right, onto a paved shoulder, to allow
faster traffic to pass. And get this; the faster traffic waves "thank you" and the
slower traffic waves back. It is common courtesy. At least it used to be.

It still happens that way. I had to instruct my husband (who moved here in his teens) in the practice shortly after we got married. I wasn't born here but moved here real young and my dad liked to live on what I referred to as the edge of nowhere -- close enough to the city that he could commute in for his work (tech stuff) but far enough out to have some breathing room. So I learned to drive on two-lane roads, and I still prefer them.

Good for you and your husband. I do the same when I can.

In years past vehicles would move to the shoulder, but I have not had that happen more than a few times in the last 15-20 years. The last time was Tuesday when I drove back from Fischer. I can't remember that last time before that, but I sure remember the times I've been behind someone who would neither driver at posted speed nor move over to allow passing. I read an article once describing the effect of Bill Clinton's "mandated" sped limits in those western states that had no posted limits on long stretches of highway. After speed limits were posted the accident rate increase and driver courtesy such as moving to the right disappeared. I just wish DPS would drive the highways and enforce the left lane passing law and many others instead of sitting inconspicuously along the roads to catch speeders. That seems to be the only violation they care to enforce. Whether that's by directive or not I can't answer. Illegal glaring headlights, blue headlights, blacked out tail lights and windows , driving in the left lane, tailgating, impeding, and on and on go completely unheeded. Rant over!

[mojo84]

In my mind, it's a matter of common courtesy to pull over onto the shoulder if available to give the folks as much room as possible to pass. I also do not believe I should try to enforce traffic laws by obstructing them even if I am going the speed limit.

I know moving over is very common, especially in West Texas. It is also typically appreciated and acknowledged by a friendly wave.

[92f-fan]

In my mind, it's a matter of common courtesy to pull over onto the shoulder if available to give the folks as much room as possible to pass. I also do not believe I should try to enforce traffic laws by obstructing them even if I am going the speed limit.

I know moving over is very common, especially in West Texas. It is also typically appreciated and acknowledged by a friendly wave.

Well said

[Cedar Park Dad]

Keith B,

Without I hope, not sounding argumentative, but trying to get a better grip on understanding: If I'm doing the speed limit, plus 2/3 miles an hour over, I'm obligated to get out of the way of speeders?

Somehow, this scenario sounds bizarre.

Its the argument of the reckless speeder and yes its bizarre. You only have to get over for an emergency vehicle. The argument will be that "slower traffic keeps right" but they forget that that only applies to those using the speed limit as the the law does not recognize lawbreakers.

[jbarn]

I was born & raised in Texas. I can't begin to count the number of times I've seen
slower vehicles on a two lane road move right, onto a paved shoulder, to allow
faster traffic to pass. And get this; the faster traffic waves "thank you" and the
slower traffic waves back. It is common courtesy. At least it used to be.

It still happens that way. I had to instruct my husband (who moved here in his teens) in the practice shortly after we got married. I wasn't born here but moved here real young and my dad liked to live on what I referred to as the edge of nowhere -- close enough to the city that he could commute in for his work (tech stuff) but far enough out to have some breathing room. So I learned to drive on two-lane roads, and I still prefer them.

Good for you and your husband. I do the same when I can.

In years past vehicles would move to the shoulder, but I have not had that happen more than a few times in the last 15-20 years. The last time was Tuesday when I drove back from Fischer. I can't remember that last time before that, but I sure remember the times I've been behind someone who would neither driver at posted speed nor move over to allow passing. I read an article once describing the effect of Bill Clinton's "mandated" sped limits in those western states that had no posted limits on long stretches of highway. After speed limits were posted the accident rate increase and driver courtesy such as moving to the right disappeared. I just wish DPS would drive the highways and enforce the left lane passing law and many others instead of sitting inconspicuously along the roads to catch speeders. That seems to be the only violation they care to enforce. Whether that's by directive or not I can't answer. Illegal glaring headlights, blacked out tail lights and windows , driving in the left lane, tailgating, impeding, and on and on go completely unheeded. Rant over!

DPS enforces those. At least the Troopers I know.

[Texascrewser]

I will generally move over for speeders only because there are usually DPS up and down our back roads, and more times than not a few miles down the road they (speeders) are on the side of the road having a discussion with the DPS.

[MotherBear]

In years past vehicles would move to the shoulder, but I have not had that happen more than a few times in the last 15-20 years. The last time was Tuesday when I drove back from Fischer. I can't remember that last time before that, but I sure remember the times I've been behind someone who would neither driver at posted speed nor move over to allow passing.

We see it a lot along 95 between Elgin and Bastrop -- we drive out that way to my parents' place.

[Cedar Park Dad]

In my mind, it's a matter of common courtesy to pull over onto the shoulder if available to give the folks as much room as possible to pass. I also do not believe I should try to enforce traffic laws by obstructing them even if I am going the speed limit.

I know moving over is very common, especially in West Texas. It is also typically appreciated and acknowledged by a friendly wave.

Maybe the two laners are better in West Texas. Here they go right into a ditch on either side and pulling off is an excellent way to end up in one. I am not putting myself in jeopardy because someone else can't control themselves.

[Abraham]

"I also do not believe I should try to enforce traffic laws by obstructing them even if I am going the speed limit."

Nice!

Yep, that's what folks who prefer to drive the speed limit and only fudge a few miles an hour over are trying to do. Yeah, they're stealth traffic law enforcement. Hey, maybe they could get a cheesy badge something akin to a CHL badge...Yeah buddy!

I wonder how many condemning the driving of the law abiding are the ones with Radar Detectors, who think nothing of speeding where ever they happen to travel and have contempt for those observing the legal limit?

As in: "Get outta my way boy, ya bother me, with yer dern speed limit driving. Why you're a menace with that glacial pace drivin - Me, I like to push folks off the road with my warp speed vehicle and if you don't like it, well quit driving."

Speed limit?

"Hock, spit, patooey on you folks!"

[cb1000rider]

Abraham,
Speeding enforcement, IMHO, is much more about revenue than it is about public safety... There are exceptions, of course, but generally if you're not moving at the same speed as average traffic, that's less safe than busting the speed limit by 10 mph.

If the driver you reference was doing Mach 1, then that's different, of course.

I've had really fast vehicles - motorcycles that were capable of 60 in under 2 seconds, cars that were capable of 60 in 4 flat. And I've had really slow vehicles - including 4-door cars under 85hp as well underpowered RVs. Vehicle capabilities do influence driving style, at least in my case. Largely it changes my cruise speed as well as conditions in which I'll pass. The <85hp car, I had to plan to pass at least 1 mile in advance, literally. I don't think I've ever passed on a 2-lane road in the RV unless someone pulled off. I've largely given up speeding as I got older, mainly as I see it as "voluntary taxation" - even with high end radar detectors. If I need to save time over a long distance, I find another way to travel.

Generally, the speed of traffic on a highway is at least 10 over and in most cases, probably more like 15 over on average. I've got an RV now, and if the speed limit is 55, I drive it 55. If it's 65, I drive it at 60. From there, I generally don't exceed 65 mph, regardless of what the posted speed limit says because it's a lot of vehicle and because I pay a big fuel penalty above 65 mph. I do a *lot* of pulling off on the shoulder and I've found that Texas is generally one of those states where drivers are likely to do this as courtesy. Doing 55 in a 55, I don't feel entitled to keep my lane even if I'm at the posted speed limit. Legally, I can do it, but I don't... And I'd like to say that I'm just that courteous, but largely it's about my own safety. If I keep that lane, they'll eventually try to pass - and that pass may or may not be safe. Pulling over encourages them to pass when I think it's safe and when I'm expecting it.

One other consideration:
In Austin (and Fort Worth, Edinburgh, Beaumont, El Paso, Helotes) there is a 3-foot bicycle rule. That is, you're breaking the law if you're less than 3 feet away from a bicycle.
Bicycles have the same legal right to be on the road as cars (on most roadways) and aren't capable of meeting posted speed limits. There are places in Austin where you can be behind a bike on a 2-lane road, no passing, for 10 miles or more. Unless that bicyclist pulls over you cannot legally pass which can mean that you're stuck back there for a half hour or more. Should the bicyclist stay in the traffic lane, as he's legally allowed to do so or pull over? I had one case where they wouldn't pull over and I wouldn't make the illegal pass - so we stuck it out like this for more than 30 minutes.. Kinda an exercise in being stubborn on both sides.

[android]

The law says you "may" drive on the shoulder to allow someone to pass if it is "safe and necessary."

It does not require you to do so.

I know some country road drivers consider it a "courtesy" to pull to the shoulder, but I doubt they will stop to help when you get a flat or other car damage from debris common on shoulder. I'll stay on left side of the fog line, thank you very much.

[Oldgringo]

I was born & raised in Texas. I can't begin to count the number of times I've seen
slower vehicles on a two lane road move right, onto a paved shoulder, to allow
faster traffic to pass. And get this; the faster traffic waves "thank you" and the
slower traffic waves back. It is common courtesy. At least it used to be.

It still happens that way. I had to instruct my husband (who moved here in his teens) in the practice shortly after we got married. I wasn't born here but moved here real young and my dad liked to live on what I referred to as the edge of nowhere -- close enough to the city that he could commute in for his work (tech stuff) but far enough out to have some breathing room. So I learned to drive on two-lane roads, and I still prefer them.

all around. In our wanderings, we avoid interstates if any way reasonably possible.

[Jaguar]

Dang, that was you? Sorry bro.

[chasfm11]

all around. In our wanderings, we avoid interstates if any way reasonably possible.

We do the same. We drove from the Dallas area to Rapid City, SD last Summer and used 2 lane roads wherever possible. Some of that was much better than others. In OK many of the 2 lane roads boarder on suicidal for a large RV. In Kansas and Nebraska, it was a much different story.

I do not want anyone who wants to go faster than I'm driving behind me. I'll do anything that I can to allow them to get in front of me. If the road is clear, I put my right turn signal on, get as far off the 2 lane road as I can and stop if necessary to let them by.

I've also had the opposite - people who just would not pass. On a 4 lane highway, with noone else visible a 1/4 mile in front or behind, I've has some "splendid person" perched right behind my towed car. Usually, I slow a little and turn my flashers on. Sometimes that works. On one trip, I signaled a lane change then moved to the inner lane (again - no other vehicle is in sight) and then slowed and put my flashers on - 8 times. I've had people follow me even then. When someone follows you through lane changes and continues to tailgate, they are seriously messed up and I want as far from them as I can get. Outrunning them just isn't one of my options.