Rant: Idiots that flash their highbeams in attempt to get you to move over...

It might be illegal to drive with the flashers on, but it's also illegal to drive over the speed limit. Just sayin'.

One thing nobody's picked up on - if you can't pull over because of traffic beside you, and you can't go forward because of traffic in front of you, and meanwhile traffic is piling up behind you - you have no options. It's a bad position to put yourself in. Pull back into the next lane on the right, wait for the left lane to clear out and then make your pass. You'll get there just as fast.

The reason things work differently in Quebec is that you tend to have a greater variety in speeds, and drivers are used to dealing with it. In the US when most cars are driving within 2 mph of everyone else, you end up with these long, slow "passing" caravans. Well, that plus the fact that everyone in Quebec thinks they're driving a race car. There's a reason the Villeneuves are from Quebec...

internetautomart wrote:

TRoglodyte wrote:

carguy123 wrote: You don't know the other driver's situation. He/she may have had a medical emergency and was just trying to get through. I've had that same situation but have been the guy in the rear and had a D-bag that wouldn't pull over. Not being able to get through could have been life threatening.

If its an emergency use the EMERGENCY flashers, Thats what they're for?

in illinois at least that would be illegal. If the flashers are on , the vehicle must be stationary.

So in illinois a flat tire is more of an emergency than an accidental amputation?

ShadowSix wrote: IIRC when I lived in Germany you would just pull up behind someone and turn your headlights on and they'd pull over and let you pass.

One of the guys who works for me lived in Germany in the early 80's and he said you would see cars come up behind Police cars with lights and sirens on and blip the lights. The Police cars would move right and let them pass. It is the law (or was at the time) that you must move over.

I only do this to people driving BELOW the speedlimit on the left lane. Otherwise, I wait until I can get around them. I actually had someone Friday going 35 in a 65 in the left lane.

NGTD wrote:

ShadowSix wrote: IIRC when I lived in Germany you would just pull up behind someone and turn your headlights on and they'd pull over and let you pass.

One of the guys who works for me lived in Germany in the early 80's and he said you would see cars come up behind Police cars with lights and sirens on and blip the lights. The Police cars would move right and let them pass. It is the law (or was at the time) that you must move over.

There was a time that even here flashing your high beams was the polite way of asking someone to move over. It does seem better than tailgaiting. But too few people know that, so they get pissed off. I used to do it but don't anymore. Actually, anymore I'm the guy that's moving over!

TRoglodyte wrote:

internetautomart wrote:

TRoglodyte wrote:

carguy123 wrote: You don't know the other driver's situation. He/she may have had a medical emergency and was just trying to get through. I've had that same situation but have been the guy in the rear and had a D-bag that wouldn't pull over. Not being able to get through could have been life threatening.

If its an emergency use the EMERGENCY flashers, Thats what they're for?

in illinois at least that would be illegal. If the flashers are on , the vehicle must be stationary.

So in illinois a flat tire is more of an emergency than an accidental amputation?

accidental amputation you call 911, not drive there yourself.

I feel compelled to clear up what is meant by "I passed them on the right".

Most freeways in the US are 3-5 lanes. Some people assume they're the best and automatically gravitate to the left lane regardless how fast or slow they're going. When people come up behind them, get annoyed, and "pass on the right", it means they pass them using one of the three lanes to the right. It does NOT mean they pass using the shoulder of the road.

I don't tailgate, honk my horn, or even bother to flash my lights. The fact that the person is clogging the left lane (I call them "road cholesterol") tells you all you need to know. Since they've already demonstrated that they don't have the common sense to not be there in the first place, not see you coming up, and not move over, they've proven they have poor situational awareness - you know, they're clueless. If your blood pressure rises at all when coming up behind a slow driver, shame on you, they aren't worth it; just go around them using one of the right lanes and be on you way.

I remember one time getting a very "educational" ride with my brother-in-law, where he moved to the left lane and proceeded to drive 55-mph. People were piling up behind him - he never noticed, people came by and gave him dirty looks - he never noticed. They passed on the right and pulled back in a bit close to prove a point, and flipped us off. The sad thing is that if my brother-in-law had a clue, he'd have gotten the point and moved right, but of course, he didn't notice.

I like my 10 wide I-75 just north of I-285, and most of all I-75, 285, 85, GA-400, 78, are all at least 4 wide at all times, if you're getting flashed in the LHL or even brave enough to do anywhere near the limit in the LHL you either have no brain cells or balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls balls of steel (ventrillo harassment, BOO-YA!)

Zomby woof wrote: Says the guy who has been commuting 200 km/day on some of north America's busiest highways for the last 21 years. I do it with very little drama. It is simple.

thanks... that made me spit coffee...

Someday I want to visit this utopian world some of you guys apparently live in...

The best ones are guys who flash me when I'm in the truck... in the right lane... one of these days I'm going to clutch-check them...

I don't get why it's so offensive to get flashed. I flash people if they are blocking the left lane and can clearly move over without causing a ruckus. If I get flashed, I move over right away if I can; if not, I speed up a little and move into the next opening. If traffic is totally piled up, I just hold my hand up and shrug.

Coming home from Baltimore on I-95 late one night last week, and traffic is relatively light. I steam up behind a left-lane camper who is 3/4 of the way past a few cars in the middle lane, but not making any more progress. I wait a few seconds behind; no reaction. Flash once, wait another 30 seconds or so. No response. Flash again, a little longer this time. Sleepyhead wakes up, gooses it a little, and moves over. I pass and as I clear his car I thank him with a couple winks of the 4-ways, then signal and move over myself.

What could possibly be offensive about this?

Flashing high beams at other drivers is illegal in most states, whether you are behind them or oncoming.

Besides, it's not too smart.

Speeding is also illegal.

Oooo- I know! Let's put them together!! I think I'll shorten EVERYBODY'S reaction time by speeding, then distract another driver partially blinding him by flashing high intensity lights in his eyes, just because I think he's stupid.

But I don't rant about it when it happens. I move over, and assume the guy had an emergency.

Duke wrote: I don't get why it's so offensive to get flashed.

+1. On the rare occasion that I do, I move over and wave to apologize. Unless they are tailgating. Tailgaters suck.

Duke wrote: I don't get why it's so offensive to get flashed. I flash people if they are blocking the left lane and can clearly move over without causing a ruckus. If I get flashed, I move over right away if I can; if not, I speed up a little and move into the next opening. If traffic is totally piled up, I just hold my hand up and shrug. Coming home from Baltimore on I-95 late one night last week, and traffic is relatively light. I steam up behind a left-lane camper who is 3/4 of the way past a few cars in the middle lane, but not making any more progress. I wait a few seconds behind; no reaction. Flash once, wait another 30 seconds or so. No response. Flash again, a little longer this time. Sleepyhead wakes up, gooses it a little, and moves over. I pass and as I clear his car I thank him with a couple winks of the 4-ways, then signal and move over myself. What could possibly be offensive about this?

It assumes he's a well-balanced individual. Some people take great personal offence at being told via flashing lights that they're driving sucks. In these cases it doesn't matter if you think you're being polite if the other guy has a hair-trigger temper. They're about as bright as a rock in a river causing the water to have to go around them on either side - don't try reasoning with a rock, just go around.

kb58 wrote: It assumes he's a well-balanced individual. Some people take great personal offence at being told via flashing lights that they're driving sucks. In these cases it doesn't matter if you think you're being polite, if the other guy has a hair-trigger temper. They're about as bright as a rock in a river causing the water to have to go around them on either side - don't try reasoning with a rock, just go around.

Yep. Flashing in the New York/Philly area is rare. Short tempers are not. As a result, flashing is damn near a 100% sure-fire way to get brake-checked around here.

Ian F wrote:

Zomby woof wrote: Says the guy who has been commuting 200 km/day on some of north America's busiest highways for the last 21 years. I do it with very little drama. It is simple.

thanks... that made me spit coffee... Someday I want to visit this utopian world some of you guys apparently live in... The best ones are guys who flash me when I'm in the truck... in the right lane... one of these days I'm going to clutch-check them...

That world is more a state of mind than a place. For almost 20 years I've been driving for a living in the NYC area, and for most of that time have been stress free. If I got wound up everytime i had lights flashed at me, got cut off, had a bicycle ride out in front of me ect. I would have had a stroke by now. Whenever I hit the road I get comfortable, head out, and whatever happens happens. Even with the bus when I had a schedule to follow if things happened out of my control the schedule went back in my pocket until the end of the line and we tried again on the next trip. There's no point in raising your blood pressure because of things that are out of your control.

for people defending flashing, slow down, for people pissed at flashing, move over, now everyone shut up (if you take offense at being told to shut up, maybe you should have a good comeback, if you don't mind being told to shut up it's probably because you tell everyone else to shut up and you talk too much).

I love all the attitudes! To me it is really simple. We all share the road. Share.

I don't tend to drive that fast, usually speed limit plus a few MPH, unless I'm in a place where that is just not safe (yes, in some places, going the speed limit will put you 10+ MPH behind average traffic speed, and that isn't safe). I don't camp in the left lane, of course, but if I do need to pass someone I use it. And if someone wants to pass me while I'm doing that, tough luck. I will acknowledge them and will move out of the way as soon as possible. I do try and time things so that situation doesn't occur, if I can, but that isn't always possible.

Similarly, if I want to pass and someone is camping out in the left lane, yes, I will communicate with them, too, with my lights, blinkers, or perhaps even a horn. I don't really care if it upsets them or if they ignore it, it's the right thing to do. They don't own the road.

I think there are a couple of main concepts. First, let other people do their thing. Two, be aware of what is going on around you. Often by being aware of traffic, you can pretty simply avoid awkward situations. You can also be more courteous that way. For example, if I'm coming to a red light and am in the right lane, but am not planning on turning, I try and move over to the left so that I am not blocking a person taking the right.

I don't know why people feel the need to make everything so complicated, particularly something as simple as sharing a roadway.

robert

I used to flash but once after giving up and passing the guy on the right(a violation of every driving rule) I looked over to see the guy pointing a gun thru the window at me. Luckily there was an exit and I pulled off. There are too many nutjobs out there to get upset and act out anymore. I still run the LHL (it is safer imo since the concrete wall rarely moves into your lane) but I dont see it as my exclusive property.

Well, living in Montreal, Quebec, I NEVER thought I'd see the day where Quebec drivers were complimented. But it has happened. weird.

My general philosophy of driving is that I must execute every maneuver in such a way that it has absolutely no effect on any other drivers or pedestrians or cyclists. Nobody else has to accelerate, lift, turn, or brake because of what I've done. Of course I expect this behaviour in return....

So, in OPs scenario, I point the fickle finger of guilt as the cause of the slow traffic at the car at the front of the pack in the left lane. He is the one who is disturbing the driving Chi.

And of course the turd in the Mustang is guilty too.

Kangaroo court adjourned.

My experience is most light flashers are turds driving poontangs and BMWs.

I don't camp out in the left lane, but in several trips up I-81 though VA and MD, the traffic is so heavy if you get in the right lane, you will never get back out. It really cheeses me off when someone flashes me and I'm the 30th car in the line. I ain't going no where and he isn't either when he gets around me.

spitfirebill wrote: My experience is most light flashers are turds driving poontangs...

heh heh you said 'poon'

Wally wrote:

Ian F wrote:

Zomby woof wrote: Says the guy who has been commuting 200 km/day on some of north America's busiest highways for the last 21 years. I do it with very little drama. It is simple.

thanks... that made me spit coffee... Someday I want to visit this utopian world some of you guys apparently live in... The best ones are guys who flash me when I'm in the truck... in the right lane... one of these days I'm going to clutch-check them...

That world is more a state of mind than a place. For almost 20 years I've been driving for a living in the NYC area, and for most of that time have been stress free. If I got wound up everytime i had lights flashed at me, got cut off, had a bicycle ride out in front of me ect. I would have had a stroke by now. Whenever I hit the road I get comfortable, head out, and whatever happens happens. Even with the bus when I had a schedule to follow if things happened out of my control the schedule went back in my pocket until the end of the line and we tried again on the next trip. There's no point in raising your blood pressure because of things that are out of your control.

Wally is right.

The only people that are miserable and pissed off are the people who choose to be miserable and pissed off.

alfadriver wrote: Must be tough shaving in the morning.

I don't get it.

I do, chuckle

It's illegal to drive over the speed limit. Because of that, I am always going the speed limit on the highway. If I am passing a slower vehicle while going the speed limit, and you flash your highs at me, I care very little. Flash your highs at me while charging at my bumper in an Audi, I care even less. Do it while talking on a cell phone, I care not at all.

I have no problem with the flashing thing if the person does not have anyone near them in the right lane, and is clearly breaking the "left lane pass/right lane travel" law. It should, however, be used as a last resort. Give 'em a few seconds! Where's the fire?

The only time I get worked up when this happens is when it's the "you are below me" Audi/Acura/Porsche/BMW crowd. As I said, I usually just ignore it and concentrate on the road, but the yuppie cars and people talking on cell phones...yea, that annoys me.