Enter your search terms Submit search form

Web www.automotive-guide.net
Email to friend
Print this page
As PDF format

Automotive Guide The Mystery of the Left Lane

By: Remko Yntema
Automotive Guide

So, I have been on the road a lot, used to drive an 18 wheeler for a living, a Peterbilt I might say. In my truck driving days, we are going back about 19 years, I have dealt with a lot of traffic. It was reasonable at that time and people had respect for the other road user, well most of them did. That respect made it a whole lot easier to go to work every day. Work that mostly was 15 to 20 hours long. The majority was driving but a lot of time was spent loading and unloading in various weather conditions. In the summer time us truck drivers had to deal with vacationing tourists and in the winter time it was snow and ice. Quite challenging. Never had one accident and never cause one either. Did up a bunch of experience in regards to weather conditions and driving habits and most important courtesy and comradery. I always say every car driver should go drive an 18 wheeler for a year, it will teach them common sense.

After about a million and a half miles and 7 years I said bye-bey to the road (long haul) and started driving locally so i could be home with the wife and kids. Over the years I realized people were getting shorter nerves and bigger tempers when it came to driving; not a good combination so I said bye-bye to the city driving after 6 years and traded my air ride seat for an office chair with the same company.

Well, that was really hard to get used to; no fresh air, no frozen fingers, no open road and less freedom, but I did get a handle on it. By the way, never been a day sick in my life untill I started working in an office. Oh, most important thing was that I quitt smoking, a very wise decision. But now we are getting of subject, this is about drivers and their sillyways.

Still doing lots of miles, 30 each way back and forth to the office. This is when I noticed the change in driving habits and the apparent inexperience of most drivers. And I must admit it really bothers me. What I see drivers do on the road is unbelievable and I really do not know how they ever got their license. The very first change that has to be made is making driving lessons by driving schools mandatory. The second change is to make the minimum driving age 18 years old. Now I know I am hitting a sore bone here, but really there is no other way to get some sense in people and to save lives.

I will do a little test for you drivers here. A common sense reality check if you'd like. Think what you would do in the situation mentioned and answer the question honestly. A. You are driving in the city on a 4 lane (2 each way) street at 10pm and coming up to a red light at an intersection. The traffic is light. Which lane are you in when you come to a stop?
B. Same situation as above but now at 7 am. Which lane are you in when you come to a stop?
C. You are driving on a four lane road, which lane are you in?
D. You are driving on another four lane road, heading out of town. 5 miles ahead of you the four lane goes into a 2 lane. What lane are you in now? (still 5 miles to go).
E. You are approaching the on ramp to the interstate, traffic is normal, and the on ramp is a mile long. Where did you join the interstate traffic?
F: After you joined the traffic in question (E), which lane did you go into right away?
G. You are driving on the interstate (3 lanes 1 way) and your exit is coming up a 1/4 mile ahead of you. How many lanes do you cross to get to the exit.
H. You are coming up to a red light, could be anywhere, there is 2 lanes and the left lane has 6 cars stopped and the right lane none. Which lane do you stop in?
I. You are driving on a 2 lane road which goes into 4 lanes. Which lane do you change into?
J. You are coming home from work and park your car. You do not have a garage, but have a driveway. Where do you park your car?

You have read the 10 questions and you probably gave all the answers. The answers you gave on paper might be different then the actual actions you take when driving. The answers listed below are the actual actions of over 70% of the driving public. The percentage is made up of the behavior I see from the 10 cars I see nearest to me when driving to work. A: LEFT B: LEFT C: LEFT D: LEFT E: The first 100 yards of the ramp F: LEFT G: At least 1, but probably 2 H: LEFt I: You dont change lanes, you stay in the LEFT J: In your driveway. Is it ignorance, stupidity or just laziness? Or is it all 3? Maybe we should put up more signs that read: KEEP RIGHT EXCEPT TO PASS.

Why would you choose a lane with 6 cars in it over one that has none? Why use 1/4 of the onramp when you can use the whole lenght and join with the same speed? Why stay in the left lane when there is still 5 miles in the right? Why do you have to cut over 1 or 2 lanes to make your exit? Why not change into the right lane when it is there and empty? Why do you park in your driveway and not in your neighbours when you do everything else opposite?

Why does this bother me so much. Hey I have the right lane all to my self, but it just puzzles me how people just do whatever the other does and not even think for themselves, or even worse do not even notice what is going on around them. It bothers me because these "left laners" promote roadrage!

So see, I would not want to be a professional driver anymore in todays zoo. Which brings me to my second last question: Why do you DO go in the right lane just in front of a tractor trailer trying to stop for a light. Why? Stupidity comes to mind here.

My last question before closing is: Why do you stay behind 10 cars in the LEFT lane on the freeway when the right lane is empty but do try to go around a tractor trailer in the LEFT lane who actually is passing somebody?

Please people, do think about these questions and answers, it might just save a live or two. And please do not drink and drive or phone and drive.

Have a great trip!

I used to be a professional driver, gave that up when my beautiful wife of 19 years had our first child. Now I work in an office in a major truck dealer ship. I still love driving and like working with computers and html. My newest website is http://www.milliondollarpay.com

Automotive Guide Tag : Driving Traffic Roadrage

Bookmark & Share :