🚀 go-pugleaf

In <6orfqv$i6t@sjx-ixn2.ix.netcom.com> tomlinsc@ix.netcom.com (Chuck
Tomlinson) writes:

>>Furthermore, I don't see how even a confirmed "left-lane bandit" can
>>actually cause an accident.  These bandits tend to go at a steady speed,
>>making no lane changes and doing no sudden braking or acceleration.  I
>>don't see how they would cause an accident.  

>A LLB leaves faster traffic with no alternative but to pass him on 
>the right.  For the lack of one lane change, the LLB forces multiple 
>lane changes....

>A natural consequence of the LLB's discourtesy is the frustration 
>and anger of the drivers who are forced to pass the LLB on the 
>right (or worse, are forced to remain behind the LLB).

>By forcing multiple lane changes and/or increasing drivers' 
>frustration, the LLB is (unnecessarily) fostering a dangerous 
>situation which could (but does not necessarily) lead to a crash. 

If this reasoning is correct, then every time motorists are "forced" to
slow down or change lanes, they can blame somebody else for accidents.
E.g., contruction vehicles involved in highway repairs; slow-moving
vehicles cleaning streets; houses being moved, taking up 1.5 lanes;
orange cones forcing vehicles to give up "their" lane (the famous left
lane that motorists seem to think they own) and merge right; stalled
vehicles; cargo dropped on the highway; roadkill carcasses that "force"
you to slow down or change lanes; rain, fog, snow; and many other
things.

So are we supposed to sympathize with motorists who get mad at such
obstructions and get into accidents?

"It wasn't my fault!  Those orange cones took over my lane and I got
mad!"

In fact all these things are part of living and part of driving, and
nobody has any moral right to get mad at them and have an accident and
then blame somebody else.  I know people do get mad and do have
accidents, and if you haven't gotten my drift already, here it is again:
Those motorists who get mad at obstructions and have an accident are
100% responsible and they are not going to convince me to let them cast
off the blame on somebody else.
-- 
Rahul Dhesi <dhesi@spams.r.us.com>
a2i communications, a quality ISP
    "Any idiot can avoid automobile accidents that are his own fault.  It
     takes skill to avoid accidents that are the *other* person's fault."