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chickengeorge Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2004 Posts: 5634 Location: Spokompton Warshington
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:14 pm Post subject: Holding Up Traffic -Drive You Nuts or Don't Give a Damn? |
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I was driving about 30 miles from Spokane to Coeur D'Alene on I-5 the other night. The freeway turns to 70mph at one point past The City of Spokane Valley and goes from about 6 lanes (including exits and on ramps) to 2.
Driving just past that point, cars start bunching up in front of me, I see turn signals popping on in the right lane and people diving into the left (my) lane. All of the sudden, there is this huge cluster f*ck of tardos to the point that I think somebody is going off the road.
As it clears out and I get to the front of the mess, I see a very clean, lotus white, 1967 beetle sedan. It was being driven by an older guy who had one arm on the door and steering wheel and the other one resting on the passenger's seat. He looked like he didn't have a care in the world.
I would think most VW people would look at that and say, "so what?" or "if you don't like it, go around" or something to that effect.
I was driving my truck and when I blasted past him, the first thing I thought was, "what an asshole", like he owns the highway and can do whatever he pleases. It's worse than somebody with a capable vehicle, passing and moving through traffic.
Does it bother you to be the source of so much anger? I run a stock 1600 and as a general rule, I don't hit the highway in my bug. If I do, I'll blow it up to keep up with traffic. I'm not an aggressive driver, I'm just considerate of other people and hate to have to see everybody go out of their way to accommodate me.
Your thoughts? |
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PatterBon Samba Engine Connoisseur
Joined: September 27, 2008 Posts: 3446 Location: Copperas Cove, TX
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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I've had a few confrontations with slow drivers before and you know you're driving too slow when the guy in the old bug is mad that you're going too slow. I'll either pass slow drivers and if I can't pass them, I high beam them..I know it's an asshole move, but I cannot stand people who consistently drive 10-15mph below the speed limit. _________________ PNW Dub Folk & Kitsap dub Folk (KdF)
Austin Aircoolers VW Gang
2020 Ford F-150
1973 Standard Beetle
1969 Cessna 172K Airplane
1959 Karmann Ghia
US Army CH-47 Chinook Helicopter Repairer |
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notchback Insensitive Jerk
Joined: December 16, 2003 Posts: 7024 Location: Behind the Zion Curtain
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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I'm just wondering how you were on I-5. _________________
zeen wrote: |
Arguing with johnnypan is like mud-wrestling a pig. After a while you realize he just enjoys playing in the mud, winning the contest is not the point. |
FU#3 |
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crofty Judas of the North
Joined: August 09, 2000 Posts: 19672 Location: Land of Whine and Phonies
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 12:42 pm Post subject: |
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I don't waste time thinking what other people think of me.
Just make sure if you tailgate me you have good brakes becasue I will brake check your ass- You have any idea what I can get for this old POS Bus in todays market?! _________________ Your Vanagon sucks, Stop waving at me.
HamburgerBrad wrote: |
I slept on crofty's tent once. I passed out drunk from two bottles of Everett's brother's wine. |
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wuzmop Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2002 Posts: 339 Location: Garland, TX
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:17 pm Post subject: |
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Maybe if people would drive responsibly. When they see a slow vehicle, truck, VW, old lady, otherwise, change lanes at that point instead of getting their panties in a wad, speeding up and running right up on the "offenders" bumper to make a point, then making a jerky lane change causing those that did change lanes responsibly to pile up behind them or swerve to avoid them. Or better yet, the even more considerate move of swerving in front of the "offender" so he has to slam on his brakes further pissing off those behind him.
70 is the max speed, not the minimum. I don't give a crap. My taxes pay for the road too, and as long as I'm being reasonable about it, I'm within my rights. On one lane farm roads, I'll shoulder it and let them pass when I can. If someone can't handle a simple lane change without getting butt hurt about it, it's their problem, not mine. Many commercial vehicles have governors and can't go any faster than my bus. _________________ Robb
67 Bus
66 Bug o' Turd
71 Bus
91 Cabby
www.aircoolers.org |
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thewalrus Big Jack
Joined: March 27, 2006 Posts: 3014 Location: Belchertown, MA
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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crofty wrote: |
I don't waste time thinking what other people think of me.
Just make sure if you tailgate me you have good brakes becasue I will brake check your ass- You have any idea what I can get for this old POS Bus in todays market?! |
X2. If I gave a shit what people thought of me I'd buy a Honda _________________ '73 Transporter 1.7L Dual Carb
notchboy wrote: |
You ran over some #Vanlife'ers hopes and dreams? |
60vwnewengland wrote: |
Looking forward to next weekend, weed, krunk juice, hookers, blow, hanging with bums, philly, ...the awards! |
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79SuperVert Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 9758 Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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A driver who is driving well below the speed limit is dangerous and should at least have flashers or some other indication that he is going much slower than drivers have a right to expect. If you can't do at least 60-65 you have no business being on a 70mph road. _________________ Central Jersey VW Society
Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt.
Last edited by 79SuperVert on Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:56 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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19super73 Hardcore Stock Nazi
Joined: October 18, 2007 Posts: 4351 Location: Cité Soleil
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The Phil Samba Member
Joined: March 05, 2011 Posts: 1371 Location: Tucson
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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I drive my 66 baja bug with a 1641 on the 3 lane city highway in Tucson all the time. I frequently pass people, and frequently get passed myself. I do about 70 mph in it no problem.
My rule of thumb is, is if I can do what you're doing in my raised bug with swing axles faster then you are, you're going to slow. whether it be turning, or just driving. (speed limits in mind) If I can do 50 in a 45, then you should be able to do 45-50 in the same zone. There's no reason for people to do 35 in a 45 and believe me, I see it often. PISSES me off. I wish my car had more balls to over take them _________________ "In case I don't see you, good afternoon , good evening, and goodnight."
My '66 Baja Build Page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=456365
Free from the evils of facebook Dec 2012. No other Social Media. |
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drscope Samba Member
Joined: February 19, 2007 Posts: 15273 Location: Baltimore, Maryland USA
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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At least the guy in the bug was in the right lane. I drive a lot of miles on a 2 lane interstate and there are way too many drivers who like to hang out in the left lane and go slow. That is annoying. _________________ Mother Nature is a Mean Evil Bitch! |
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zozo Samba Member
Joined: October 15, 2005 Posts: 5217 Location: South of Ol' San Antonio
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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Go as slow as you want, just PLEASE in the name of all that's holy, stay out of the left lane. If you are in it, and see traffic behind you, move your ass over to the right lane at the earliest possible moment. Just because you pay your goddamn taxes doesn't mean that you have special rights to inconvenience the rest of us, that also pay taxes.
If I were a betting man, I'd say these same inconsiderate clowns are the ones that also park their shopping cart right in the middle of the aisle at the grocery store, get in the 10 items lane with a cart load of shit, stand and talk (block) in the middle of a walkway, etc, etc, etc. BUT, if you have a party and they music is audible after 9 PM, they're the same dickheads that call the cops because "it's not right". Dicks.
Don't even get me started on truckers. One goes 67 mph, and the one behind him is going 67.00000001, so he has to pass. The problem is, it takes 10 miles of highway to do so. That drives me fucking insane. |
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chickengeorge Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2004 Posts: 5634 Location: Spokompton Warshington
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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notchback wrote: |
I'm just wondering how you were on I-5. |
LMAO. I-90 |
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dubllyou Samba Member
Joined: May 24, 2012 Posts: 1251 Location: Jack & Cee Motors
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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crofty wrote: |
I don't waste time thinking what other people think of me.
Just make sure if you tailgate me you have good brakes becasue I will brake check your ass- You have any idea what I can get for this old POS Bus in todays market?! |
X3. I hate the tailgaters worse than the slowpokes, I can always go around the slowpokes. I had a kid in a Honda on my ass bad once. I was in the fast lane and doing 5 over the posted, I sped up to 10 over and he was still on my ass so I slow down to the posted and he still wouldn't go around (it's my lane). I brake checked him HARD and he damn near bought me a new paint job, his tires a smokin. Turns out the 13" discs on the 'vette I was driving at the time were a little too much for his hotrod Honda. He backed off. _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right...
three lefts do.
Wade
vwo60 wrote: |
You cannot polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter. |
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thext94 Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2010 Posts: 1003 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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Whenever I'm driving the old lifted '88 Suburban in the city I get some people tailgating me, mostly off the line at red lights. The thing isn't a speed demon and it gets 10 mpg on a good day, so I don't like to hammer it once the light turns green. I get up to speed at a reasonable pace, but still have Kias behind me jerk into the other lane and floor it pass me. And then once I'm up to speed I pass right by them again... |
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chickengeorge Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2004 Posts: 5634 Location: Spokompton Warshington
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject: |
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wuzmop wrote: |
Maybe if people would drive responsibly. When they see a slow vehicle, truck, VW, old lady, otherwise, change lanes at that point instead of getting their panties in a wad, speeding up and running right up on the "offenders" bumper to make a point, then making a jerky lane change causing those that did change lanes responsibly to pile up behind them or swerve to avoid them. Or better yet, the even more considerate move of swerving in front of the "offender" so he has to slam on his brakes further pissing off those behind him.
70 is the max speed, not the minimum. I don't give a crap. My taxes pay for the road too, and as long as I'm being reasonable about it, I'm within my rights. On one lane farm roads, I'll shoulder it and let them pass when I can. If someone can't handle a simple lane change without getting butt hurt about it, it's their problem, not mine. Many commercial vehicles have governors and can't go any faster than my bus. |
Interesting....
This is the response I expected from most. I would feel ashamed of myself, but that's me. |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32574 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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chickengeorge Samba Member
Joined: August 18, 2004 Posts: 5634 Location: Spokompton Warshington
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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djkeev wrote: |
If there is a minimum speed he should be doing it.
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Legally, yes. But morally, it's not right IMO.
My point is that the driver probably thinks everybody speeding by him, honking at him, is an a-hole. He's doing the minimum and he's paid his taxes and so on and so on. When in fact...he's the a-hole and he needs to keep up or take another way. |
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djkeev Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32574 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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chickengeorge wrote: |
djkeev wrote: |
If there is a minimum speed he should be doing it.
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Legally, yes. But morally, it's not right IMO.
My point is that the driver probably thinks everybody speeding by him, honking at him, is an a-hole. He's doing the minimum and he's paid his taxes and so on and so on. When in fact...he's the a-hole and he needs to keep up or take another way. |
So we are at the most basic driving philosophy? The ....."Lead, Follow or Get Out of the Way" mindset?
Well.........
I guess he is choosing not to lead,
He is also Choosing as well to follow
And by keeping in the right lane......
Is getting out of the way.
What's the problem?
Granted, I wouldn't do this driving technique, if I'm going to mosey along, smell the roses and take in the sights, I want to enjoy the ride on a scenic back road.
Dave _________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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ALLWAGONS Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2000 Posts: 4186 Location: Pasadena CA/DTLA soon China
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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I drive about 800 miles round trip in a couple of days twice a month. Most of it on I-5. I tend to drive 70-75ish. Heck, I don't move out of the way for Chippies! on the other hand, I am always looking at the big picture, if I see someone driving slow on the fast lane, I timely switch lanes and don't even acknowledge the slow driver. Why waste my time and why raise my blood pressure? I've been doing this since 1988 and Thanks God I've never had an accident. But I've seen plenty of weekend warriors flip their cars or loose control and wipe out by switching back and forth just to get one car ahead. Live and Learn. _________________ I'd be UNSTOPPABLE if not for Law Enforcement and PHYSICS.
I recycle old cars and parts, other than when I rot, that's as Green as I am going to get.
Thanks to my Tesla driving neighbors, I feel more relaxed driving my SUBURBAN and old VW's.
NON INFLUENCER APPROVED |
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RocketA Samba Member
Joined: March 29, 2011 Posts: 453
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Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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79SuperVert wrote: |
A driver who is driving well below the speed limit is dangerous and should at least have flashers or some other indication that he is going much slower than drivers have a right to expect. If you can't do at least 60-65 you have no business being on a 70mph road. |
Obviously you only drive your VW on sunny days and weekends in a Santa hat and fisherman's sweater.
There's no moral or safety obligation to stay off the freeway if you can't (or won't) go 60-65 on a 70mph road. Highways set minimum speeds. If you're in the slow lane doing whatever speed you like at or above that minimum then you're legally driving. Really you're just endorsing the asswipe mentality of "if they aren't going 30mph above the speed limit then I'm tailgating". Is that what you do when you get all sporty in your Miata? |
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