Reply #28: How fucking arrogant [View All]

[Coyote_Bandit]

If traffic is heavy then the person doing the maximum speed limit has just as much right to drive in that outside lane as anyone else. Granted, people who are driving below the speed limit ought to keep to the right.

Just because somebody thinks they need to drive faster than the speed limit does not mean it is legally permitted. That's why a cop can stop and ticket them, traffic court can find them guilty and impose penalties, and the state department of motor vehicles can assess points against their driving privileges. If they ever want to get a professional license or be bonded they may need to disclose all their traffic violations. If they have a long history of traffic violations that can be a problem because it is an indicator that they have shown blatant disregard for the law. One of my law school classmates had to solicit professors, classmates and friends to testify to his moral character to qualify for admission to the bar for that very reason.

If somebody has to drive faster than the maximum speed limit then they need to pay attention, plan ahead, get their ass in gear, allow enough time to get wherever they have to go and actually leave in time to get there. That is common courtesy.

Speeding, driving aggressively, tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic lanes, passing on the shoulder, not permitting other vehicles to merge into traffic or change lanes is not courteous driving. Courtesy is a matter of showing favor, indulgence, respect and consideration. Those who choose not to abide by the rules of the road - including the speed limit - fail to exhibit this behavior.

If somebody is driving aggressively and I hack them off because I'm driving the maximum speed limit then so be it. That's their problem - and I will exercise the self-discipline to ignore them without making eye contact or offering what might be a well deserved one finger salute. This is a concealed carry state and I have no reservations defending myself against an aggressor should it be necessary - or taking them to court and putting them in bankruptcy if they inflict injury to my person or property.

I live in a state with a similar law. If the speed limit is 65 and traffic is heavy then I'm going to be driving 65 in the outside lane. Folks here do not get ticketed for that and it is common practice. That outsde lane is not reserved for speeders. The assholes driving 70 in that outside lane do get ticketed here. Three of the last five days I've seen the motorcycle cop brigade out on our highways doing just that.

My personal opinion is that traffic and speed laws ought to be more aggressively enforced. It would make the roads more civil. It would be a good source of revenue paid by folks who volunteer to make that payment by their choice of driving habits.