Speeding on public roads

100
This is endemic in the USA
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ou know exactly who you are… and self-righteous on top of it, huh?

 

Why do Prius' feel the need to park in the left lane at 5 under?

 

Just got back from Germany.
I was driving 170 mph safely. The experience made me realize how differently Europeans approach driving. It all comes down to personal responsibility.

In much of Europe, people understand that their actions have consequences, and they take ownership of them. That mindset makes things like high-speed driving possible and the penalties are severe for those who don’t follow the rules.

Unfortunately, this is something America seems to have lost. Our legal system often encourages a blame culture someone else is always at fault, and someone else is going to pay for it. Insurance companies have played a big part in that, too.

The Autobahn could never exist here, because high-speed driving will always be seen as dangerous as long as there’s an accident attorney waiting in the wings.

 

Several years ago, we did a long “day trip” from Umbria to Maranello and back, and I was very surprised / disappointed that the left lane etiquette in Italy wasn’t all that great.

 

Bad habits spread — or maybe it’s just the tourists.

My drive from Venice to Rome was pure joy. Only the occasional left-lane camper; and I get it — sometimes you zone out or just forget (I’ve been there). — and even then, nowhere near as bad as what we deal with here.

***

But the blocker move — or worse, the “how dare you pass me” let's race thing — I’ve never seen that anywhere else. We’ve all witnessed it, or let’s be honest, maybe someone here is one of them.

I’m sure at least somebody here does this. Seriously, explain the logic: you’re in the left lane, someone wants to pass, and your reaction is to block or think it's an invitation to race? What’s the thought process there?

I’ve seen it so often I’m genuinely curious. Other than just being an a**hole? Is it an ego thing? Nobody is allowed to go faster then you? If so, say no more.

 

Funny enough, one thing that actually helped here in the Bay Area was charging to use the left lane. It helped.

I’ve seen plenty of funny things when a certain car was blocking the new “pay-to-play” lane — while the free lanes were flying by faster. That was… cathartic.

It still happens, of course (which blows my mind), but hey — sometimes you just can’t fix stupid.

 

I just got back from Italy and driving quite a distance on the Autostrada... We went from Sorrento to Bologna about 6 hours... the drive was un eventful, and relatively quick probabbly averaged about 130KPH... lots of average speed zones especially around Rome.

What I noticed was that Audi drivers have now surpassed BMW as the arrogant drivers in Europe. at some points I was passed by Audi SUV's doing 200KPH that were just closing up on people before they could move out of the way. I'm pretty aware when driving in Europe of surroundings and especially what is behind so I get out of the way quickly... I can report no flashing lights behind me this trip! sadly I was driving a Ford Station wagon... so not much power.... I did have a Lamborghini come past at blinding speed outside Bologna ... probably 260 kPH... ish... I was doing about 175K and he came by like a flash.

 

WA has signs all along the I5 that say "Keep right except to pass. It's the law" They sometimes do campaigns to ticket left lane hogs. Its also law in my province. But the highway has so much traffic its not possible to enforce. Here though the left lane hogs seem to always have Alberta plates.

 

Last time I drove in Italy was about 10 years ago and even back then, if I saw a car coming up behind at high rate of speed and often swerving between lanes to keep speed, it was an Audi. Every time.

 

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The Autobahn isn’t what it use to be either. I’ve noticed in the last few years Idiots over there now also drive slow in the fast lane and will signal in your lane as you approach.
I don’t remember that behaviour in the past.

 

True. It is also very congested, but the spirit remains the same. I was impressed by the organization and ease of driving at high speed. It's not dangerous. I drove for hours without a single close call at speeds of over 100 mph. When I drive on American roads at 70 mph, it's far more dangerous.

When we are at the racetrack, we always say, it's more dangerous driving home than on the track.