Movin' to Texas

A buddy of mine was driving in the left lane at the speed limit a couple of years ago (it was annoying as hell), and got pulled over. This was in Texas. He tried to argue that he was at the speed limit but got the ticket anyway. I was trying not to laugh. He stopped that **** quickly after that lesson.
 
SCCutler said:
I'd add that there is a pretty good body of research on the psychological aspects of drivers who believe that they are justified in "enforcing" and "punishing" other drivers whose behavior is found unsuitable to their ideas of what is right. It is dangerous behavior. I was originally introduced to this body of research when I was attending a Defensive Driving class to get a traffic citation dismissed, and it was the best such class I ever "had" to take, because it makes a great deal of sense. If you realize you're making decisions based upon a punishment principle, it can go a long way towards improving your own driving habits and the safety thereof.
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Are flashing your headlights, tailgating, and waiving the naughty finger actions to "enforce" or "punish" ? When each successive car does yield should they get a group price at 'Speedometer Calibrations R Us"? I guess I need to drive faster so I can be sentenced to this valuable learning opportunity to vacate the citation.

Anyway, since I don't want to bother getting cited to go get educated, what did this course say about the Texan driver phenomena that occurs when there is a posted lane closure ahead that apparently means, speed up until there is nothing but pylons in the lane before merging? Or the belief that the YELLOW traffic light means speed up, rather than 'stop if safe'.
 
mscard88 said:
So why are you hanging out in the left lane? Trying to be speed control?
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There's only two kinds of drivers - the morons going slower than you and the maniacs going faster.

I'm in the left lane to avoid the morons in the right lane. I don't care how fast you want to drive and you don't care how fast I want to drive. But I'm in front of you and I'm not going to slow down and move over with the morons so you maniacs can pass me.
 
bflynn said:
There's only two kinds of drivers - the morons going slower than you and the maniacs going faster.

I'm in the left lane to avoid the morons in the right lane. I don't care how fast you want to drive and you don't care how fast I want to drive. But I'm in front of you and I'm not going to slow down and move over with the morons so you maniacs can pass me.
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I would never expect a "slower" vehicle in front of me in the left lane that is steadily passing the even slower vehicles in the right lane to move over into the slower traffic and slow himself down just for me. However, if the right lane opens up where he could move over without hampering his own drive, he should do so. That's how I handle it when I am passing cars in the other lane and someone behind me wants to go faster. As soon as I can get over without jamming myself up, I do so. I think that is a reasonable way to deal with it.
 
bflynn said:
There's only two kinds of drivers - the morons going slower than you and the maniacs going faster.

I'm in the left lane to avoid the morons in the right lane. I don't care how fast you want to drive and you don't care how fast I want to drive. But I'm in front of you and I'm not going to slow down and move over with the morons so you maniacs can pass me.
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As skydog said, if you're passing the car in the right lane, even somewhat slowly, then you're fine. But if you camp your happy ass in the left lane for a mile or two right next to another car running the exact same speed then be ready to see the whites of my eyes in your rear-view mirror.

I figure if I draft then your friction will be reduced and you'll go about 1mph faster. :)
 
It seems this debate never ends.
Texas law says to keep right unless passing. It does not specify the passing rate.
Slower traffic should keep right unless it is posted to 'keep right' or if they are driving at that speed to comply with the law. People seem to ignore the latter exception.
To answer the merge question, you use all of the available roadway. You merge when the road merges. Zipper style is the most efficient.

People seem to expect the keep right rules to be followed in heavy traffic. EVERYONE can't move to the right when the highway is full, which is often the case in Houston. On the highway I generally stay to the right if I'm not passing anyone. However, if I'm already doing 20 mph over and Johnny Hammerfoot starts tailgating then chances are I'm not moving. We're both breaking the law so he can be inconvenienced. Also, if I'm following at a safe distance I'm probably not going to move over simply to let the guy behind me get in that small space. People in Houston like to do 75mph with 1 car length between each car. It's ridiculous.
 
timwinters said:
As skydog said, if you're passing the car in the right lane, even somewhat slowly, then you're fine. But if you camp your happy ass in the left lane for a mile or two right next to another car running the exact same speed then be ready to see the whites of my eyes in your rear-view mirror.

I figure if I draft then your friction will be reduced and you'll go about 1mph faster. :)
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How does one move to the right if a car is next to them?
 
bikert said:
A buddy of mine was driving in the left lane at the speed limit a couple of years ago (it was annoying as hell), and got pulled over. This was in Texas. He tried to argue that he was at the speed limit but got the ticket anyway. I was trying not to laugh. He stopped that **** quickly after that lesson.
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Great! Please ask your buddy which section of the motor vehicle code he was cited for, and what the outcome was.

My memory is crappy, but I think this thread has a question in it about which sections of the motor vehicle code establishes the 'fast lane' and the requirement to vacate a lane for speeding traffic from behind.

Your buddies citation will put the question to bed
 
MadseasoN said:
How does one move to the right if a car is next to them?
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There's an elongated lever beneath your right foot. If you push down on it ever so slightly, that will enable your car to speed up just a couple of MPH until you get in front of the car in the right lane. Then you switch lanes, let off of that elongated lever. And you'll magically return to your former speed.

Alternately there is another pedal to the left of that one. It can be utilized also, but in a different manner.

But, I really do hope your question was a joke. If not, you shouldn't be driving in the first place.....
 
It is actually pretty simple; if you're in the left lane on a multi-lane road, there is faster traffic coming up behind you and you can safely yield right of way by changing lanes to the right, you are obligated to do so, without regard for your speed or the speed of the traffic approaching from the rear. If (on the other hand) you are already passing traffic on your right at a reasonable speed (ie, you aren't pokeying along), you have no problems, because you're already passing - you're in the right (on the left). Of course, when your pass is done, and you can safely change lanes to the right and thus allow passing traffic to go by you, you should do so. What you cannot do is either (1) stay in the left lane and force traffic to pass you on the right, or (2) stay in the left lane and pace traffic to your right, thus effectively precluding passes of any kind - and why would you want to? It just creates congestion and increases danger for everyone behind you and around you.

In congested traffic - typical urban freeway with all lanes at capacity - there is no practical way for this law to have effect, because no one is passing anyone.

Really, it's a common-sense standard, and (again) there is no way to legislate every possible permutation of traffic interaction.
 
rolivi said:
...driver phenomena that occurs when there is a posted lane closure ahead that apparently means, speed up until there is nothing but pylons in the lane before merging?
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OMG that ****es me off!! Its the 'I-gotta-be-in-front-of YOU' mindset. Thats the state game of Texas!
 
JCranford said:
OMG that ****es me off!! Its the 'I-gotta-be-in-front-of YOU' mindset. Thats the state game of Texas!
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It's worse when some bozo decides he has to merge into the non moving lane the instant he sees the lane closed ahead sign. We had people doing that the other night when they were almost a mile from the lane closure. Only problem was the right lane was being closed, but beyond the next exit, half a mile away.
 
rolivi said:
Anyway, since I don't want to bother getting cited to go get educated, what did this course say about the Texan driver phenomena that occurs when there is a posted lane closure ahead that apparently means, speed up until there is nothing but pylons in the lane before merging?
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JCranford said:
OMG that ****es me off!! Its the 'I-gotta-be-in-front-of YOU' mindset. Thats the state game of Texas!
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Zipper merge is the correct way to merge, and here in CO, CDOT has started adding signage to construction zones to that effect. "Do not merge yet"... And then "Merge here", making it specific.

And they'll give you a ticket if you DO merge early, or so I hear.

Better get used to it. Most DOTs are going to switch over to similar signage.
 
timwinters said:
There's an elongated lever beneath your right foot. If you push down on it ever so slightly, that will enable your car to speed up just a couple of MPH until you get in front of the car in the right lane. Then you switch lanes, let off of that elongated lever. And you'll magically return to your former speed.

Alternately there is another pedal to the left of that one. It can be utilized also, but in a different manner.

But, I really do hope your question was a joke. If not, you shouldn't be driving in the first place.....
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Good luck with that. LOL. I'm not going to speed up just so the guy behind me can go past. If the car to my right is keeping pace with me then he's in the wrong lane.

timwinters said:
This I agree with but it's not what's being discussed here.
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Apparently it is.
 
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MadseasoN said:
Good luck with that. LOL. I'm not going to speed up just so the guy behind me can go past. If the car to my right is keeping pace with me then he's in the wrong lane.
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If he's not passing any one, then he's not in the wrong lane now is he?

And that's cool. I don't have any problem with you staying out in the left lane keeping pace with him. Just prepare yourself for the PIT maneuver if I'm the one who's behind you! :)
 
timwinters said:
If he's not passing any one, then he's not in the wrong lane now is he?

And that's cool. I don't have any problem with you staying out in the left lane keeping pace with him. Just prepare yourself for the PIT maneuver if I'm the one who's behind you! :)
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It's unlawful to pass on the right. If he's not passing anyone then he needs to move to the next right lane. Right? So he's in the wrong lane.

Do they have roads with more than 2 lanes in St Louis? :p
 
MadseasoN said:
It's unlawful to pass on the right. If he's not passing anyone then he needs to move to the next right lane. Right? So he's in the wrong lane.
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Sure, if he's not in the far right lane then he needs to move over one lane. But if you're in the far left lane and you're not passing anyone to your right (with no excuse due to heavy traffic) then you're the idiot no matter what anyone else is doing. Either speed up a bit or slow down a bit so you can move over when someone comes up behind you to pass.
 
SCCutler said:
It is actually pretty simple; if you're in the left lane on a multi-lane road, there is faster traffic coming up behind you and you can safely yield right of way by changing lanes to the right, you are obligated to do so, without regard for your speed or the speed of the traffic approaching from the rear. If (on the other hand) you are already passing traffic on your right at a reasonable speed (ie, you aren't pokeying along), you have no problems, because you're already passing - you're in the right (on the left). Of course, when your pass is done, and you can safely change lanes to the right and thus allow passing traffic to go by you, you should do so. What you cannot do is either (1) stay in the left lane and force traffic to pass you on the right, or (2) stay in the left lane and pace traffic to your right, thus effectively precluding passes of any kind - and why would you want to? It just creates congestion and increases danger for everyone behind you and around you.

In congested traffic - typical urban freeway with all lanes at capacity - there is no practical way for this law to have effect, because no one is passing anyone.

Really, it's a common-sense standard, and (again) there is no way to legislate every possible permutation of traffic interaction.
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I'll ask one last time for the MVC section you're explaining to us. "obligated" exists in the MVC approximately ZERO times. "Must" and "Shall" are all over the place.

Hang on, I think I hear some crickets.
 
I can only cite to Texas - already did that. If you're not passing, and you're in the left lane, you're citeable. Worse, you're causing danger to others - for what reason? Ego? The desperate urge to punish?

Honestly, don't understand.
 
You have not offered anything but your opinion, IIRC "Get out of my way". What section of the motor vehicle code are you quoting, re-quoting, paraphrasing or describing?

There's a thing called Human Factors in Aviation training. One of them is something about Anti-authority that covers an attitude about not needing to follow rules that don't make sense to the person. (Paraphrasing)

Hmmm... Posted Maximum Speed seems like a rule. Rationalization for blowing it off sounds like _______.
 
Look into law enforcement jobs usually good pay, benefits, job security.

USAJOBS.GOV for any job in the federal government.

I think air traffic controllers are going to have an announcement soon.

UPS. Good,pay, great benefits.

The jobs are out there you just have to look. If you are holding out for a aviation specific job, you are really paining yourself into a corner.

You have a fiancé and planning a future. You gotta be able to pay the bills.
 
With apologies, my "opinion" is based upon 24 years of practice of law, with a healthy dose of legislative advocacy and law-drafting. The law says what it says because that's how it was drafted, and all with good cause. The interpretation of the statutes on this subject is not a near thing.

The persistent problem of drivers blocking traffic because they erroneously believe they get to choose which laws matter, and which do not, is the reason the Texas legislature directed the change in signage. People die because of this practice, and the needless and extremely dangerous traffic conflicts it causes.

If it improves your mental state to look in your rear-view at a line of cars that cannot safely pass you, when you could easily accommodate that pass by yielding, you might well ask yourself, "Why?" Understand this: you're mistaken, but assuming (solely for the sake of discussion) you were correct, what possible reason would you have for wanting to persist in the practice? It causes dangerous congestion, accidents, death and dismemberment. The reference to human factors is well-chosen; give it some serious thought.

If you think the law should be, "only traffic slower than the posted limit is obligated to yield right of way to faster traffic" (or words to that effect), feel free to lobby your state rep or senator for that change in law.
 
rolivi said:
Great! Please ask your buddy which section of the motor vehicle code he was cited for, and what the outcome was.

My memory is crappy, but I think this thread has a question in it about which sections of the motor vehicle code establishes the 'fast lane' and the requirement to vacate a lane for speeding traffic from behind.

Your buddies citation will put the question to bed
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It was a couple of years ago. The cop said something along the lines of "The reason why I pulled you over is you were in the left lane which is for passing only". There had been signs saying "Left lane for passing only". $200 fine. I don't know about highways that don't have that sign.

I'm not sure why you're arguing this point. If you really want to educate yourself do some searching on the internet and you will find all you need. Three seconds got me to this link.

http://www.txdot.gov/driver/share-road/highway-driving.html

Watch for signs on Texas multi-lane highways that read "Left Lane For Passing Only." These signs let you know that the left lane on a divided highway is not a "fast" lane; it is a passing lane.

After you pass someone, move into the right lane once you've safely cleared the vehicle. Impeding the flow of traffic by continuing to drive in the left lane is punishable by a fine of up to $200.

Only other comment I'd make is it is pretty clear you've never driven in Europe. You wouldn't survive long there hogging the fast lane. They don't tolerate that kind of bad driving there at all. Here in the US you can get away with it and clearly you have been.
 
Ticketing for riding the left lane is done under Section 545.051 of the Texas Transportation Code.
 
Update: I've been a bit sick since I got here, doc thinks there might be something underlying... Hoping it's nothing too bad.

On the positive side, I got two calls today - one from a place at DFW for tooling/admin support (part time 16/hr) pending hiring manager contact and another 20 mins later from a job I applied for last month in Wisconsin for an airport management trainee position (full time, 17-18/hr, 1 year) with a phone interview Friday.
 
Good luck OD. Sorry things didn't work out for you in Colorado. Hope you resolve your health issues and find the job you want.
 
Paging @AggieMike88
Mike, you are hangared with Business Air right?
U.S. Aviation said BA may have a spot open. I don't think OD should have to move to Wisconsin.
We need him locally if not only for his animated GIF creation abilities.
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
We need him locally if not only for his animated GIF creation abilities.
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I forgot about that. It is one of my prime exports. That and screaming mushrooms.

Also if I get the offer, I think it'd be a great experience in building my reputation and having hands on management experience. Never been to Wisconsin though.
 
overdrive148 said:
I forgot about that. It is one of my prime exports. That and screaming mushrooms.

Also if I get the offer, I think it'd be a great experience in building my reputation and having hands on management experience. Never been to Wisconsin though.
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I hear that place is pretty cheesy...


sorry...
 
SixPapaCharlie said:
Paging @AggieMike88
Mike, you are hangared with Business Air right?
U.S. Aviation said BA may have a spot open. I don't think OD should have to move to Wisconsin.
We need him locally if not only for his animated GIF creation abilities.
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Yes to being in a Biz Air hangar.

Let's invite him to East Side some night.
 
Not aviation related, but I might have a full time item coming open that's $15/HR and could become very long term.
 
AggieMike88 said:
Let's invite him to East Side some night.
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I'm down!

cTASlS1.gif

You just gotta...touch the numbers.
 
And go find @pilottangocharlie (Tyler Chapman) and see how you can network through him. He has been making lots of local airport contacts as he builds up his ferry pilot experience.
 
Just remember, that red handle in 25MV is not what you pull to start the engine.
 
It has been a while, I'm glad I'm not rusty!

Also it's about 50 mins to Denton Auto Salvage from here according to Google without traffic. Hmm
 
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