Crazy driving
On our way back today from our trip from the U.P. of Michigan, the highway was filled with rv's of all types going home I presume. We were traveling with my wife's parents ahead of us with their truc...
Forum Discussion
turbojimmy wrote:
Yes this. I typically maintain the same speed as *most* traffic. There are always people going a lot faster and occasionally a lot slower. One exception is when everyone is moving at 80 MPH (which is typical in NJ in a 65 MPH zone). 80 MPH is possible but not enjoyable (or recommended) in my old Allegro. The other exception is on long, steep hill climbs. With those, there are usually dedicated slow lanes for the climb and I tuck in behind the trucks.
Merges - just a nightmare. I maintain a constant speed so as not to throw anyone off. I don't change lanes either. I think people see this as "bullying" (not "letting" people on the highway) but I think it's more dangerous to put my rig out in the left lane where people are going a lot faster than it is to potentially inconvenience someone by having them merge behind me. But people just don't seem to know how to do it. They always want to seem to match my speed and ride along side until the acceleration lane ends, then they either cut me off hard, or ride in the shoulder and cut behind me. I get plenty of horn honking and hand gestures. I don't get it.
Fist, I'll give you 10-1 odds it only feels like traffic is averaging 80mph. It may feel like it and there are probably a few cars doing it but highly unlikely the average is that fast.
Second, I said pick up the pace. It's the difference in speed that creates the danger. So lets say the average really is 80mph...if you are doing 55mph, that's a 25mph difference. If you pick up the pace to 65mph, you cut that difference by 40% and significantly reduce the risk (and potential road rage).
Hill climbs are a special case. As long as you can keep up with the semi's just get in line with them if you don't want or can't keep up with the passenger cars. Passenger car traffic usually slows down and they are typically accustomed to the slower truck traffic, so it's not so bad.
Shifting over for merging traffic: It's a judgement call. If it's busy, I do the same thing. Stay in my lane and let the merging traffic figure it out. If it's light traffic and there is not going to be a problem getting back into the right lane after the merge, I will shift over. If there are 3-4 lanes and lots of closely spaced ramps, I will stay one lane over but then I really make a point of keeping up with traffic.
