passing signal
I understand that in Mexico the truckers turn on their left signal to let you know that it is safe to pass. We in the US. ought to start doing that.
Forum Discussion
beemerphile1 wrote:F450 wrote:
I just thought I would try and help someone behind me pass. I have had people behind me follow me for miles and there were no cars coming. I guess you people don't think that way.
The fact that someone is following you does not indicate they want or need to pass.
If you could see an aerial view of the highway, you would see vehicles generally travel in herds. Even if one or two breaks from the herd, they will drive faster until they latch onto another herd and then slow down again.
I swear it is true, crazy, but true human nature. Of all the people in the world, 99% are followers and don't want to lead.
BTW, I think the turn signal idea is terrible.
In the industry they are called platoons. It's not a desire to travel in herds. That would be like saying people like to wait in line ahead of construction zones. It's just that the faster cars stack up behind slower cars that act as bottle necks.
One interesting idea that is more popular in europe but we are starting to try in the USA that shows great promise is hard shoulder running. It is limited to freeways only but at peak times where the paved shoulder is wide enough, the shoulder will be designated an extra lane that traffic can drive on. It has to be used carefully as there are downsides to it but the extra capacity from the added lane can often outweigh those while costing drastically less than widening the freeway.
