🚀 go-pugleaf

"Motorists Advocate J.H.P" <jpkt@wxc.com.au> wrote in message
news:9678ii$kih$1@perki.connect.com.au...

> > > The 'keep left unless overtaking signs" are black print over a white
ground
> > > with a black rim.  They are a rectangular shape.  Most of our national
and
> > > state freeway and highways have them posted.
> >
> > Ok, just because you have a stupid law all over your country doesn't
make it
> > right.
>
> Greetings Sanjian,
> The same law is applied throughout Europe, generally for the 'right' of
> course.  A similiar law operates in New Zeland South Africa etc.  More...

Just because it's employed elsewhere doesn't make it right.

> > > Sitting in the middle lane/s of an otherwise empty freeway is just
plain bad
> > > driving, poor lane discipline.
> >
> > For no particular reason, other than your own prejudices in the matter.
>
> The reasons are many and have bugger all to do with my personal preducices
> sir!  In countries which have high freeway speed limits the correct lane
> discipline helps in the overall traffic flow.  That flow is improved,
> drivers know what is expected of them and most behave accordingly.
>
> Believe me it works.  Please, take a holiday in France, visit Germany,
> Belgium, Luxemborg and see 'it' - in practice.  Better still, come to
> Australia we are more than happy to take your money!

Been to Spain, and I wasn't terribly impressed with the system.  Though I'd
love to go to Australia.  Maybe if my ship ever goes that way (I wish).

> > > I guess that with your increased speed limits and speeds, that the
demands
> > > for improved lane discipline measures are growing, as well they
should.
> >
> > No, the demand for more lanes is growing.  Only out of touch politicians
are
> > wanting more restrictions.
> >
> > > You seem to have the speed nowadays but not necessarily the proactive
safety
> > > measures that should go with the increased speed limits.
> >
> > Over regulating driving isn't the answer.
>
> Mate, I agree it's just this particular law has widespread public support,
> it actually aids driving and reduces nervous tension, road rage - call it
> what you will.

Not widespread public support, just among the politicians, who have lost
touch with the people long ago.  The thing is, I don't see more regulation
in this matter helping, but rather take some of the judgement out of the
hands of the driver.  While some may argue that some drivers haven't shown
the ability to excersise judgement, it is necessary to keep the decision
making process on the road, as opposed to letting Richmond make the
decsions.  (Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, BTW)

> > > As a foreigner I am pleased your 55mph limit was done away with those
few
> > > years ago, it will help aid the push for improved vehicle, engineering
and
> > > signage standards.
> >
> > Ok, as someone in Virginia, I can already see that it's a bad idea.  On
> > I-64, we already have too much traffic for the two lanes that the
interstate
> > bottlenecks into at the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel.  Taking one lane
out of
> > service for normal travel is only going to tie things up even more.
It's
> > not like we have too many options to get from the peninsula to the south
> > side anyways, and the other options add about 10 miles onto the drive.
> >
> > I'd be right pissed if I'm crawling at 30mph on the right lane, and the
left
> > is open.
>
> Eh???
> The point is the law 'allows' you to then use the left lane, SINCE you
will
> OBVIOUSLY be passing that slower traffic Sanjian.  It is NOT intended to
> force you to 'have' to drive slowly in the right lane, this would be
> counterproductive.

The problem is, when the row of slow cars extends for a few miles with both
lanes open, it's bound to extend farther with only one lane as a driving
lane, and the other as the passing lane.  Even if it doesn't, I'm going to
be passing for a few miles at a time.  I'm not sure this is what's intended.

> The law is intended to stop drivers from blocking all lanes simultaneously
> when traffic lanes are otherwize relatively clear.  It is deemed that the

If traffic is relatively clear, then there is no real need for the law.
I've never had a problem getting to the lane I need to.  It takes a little
skill, but even in heavier traffic, one can get around the one assinine car.

> left lane (US) is the lane drivers should make a practice of getting out
> of - once they have passed other traffic.  If traffic is heavy, you may
keep
> using the left lane, just make a practice of moving to the right if an
> obvious faster vehicle comes up behind you, IF you have the safe space to
do
> so, otherwize the faster driver will have to wait - a little, till you can
> get back into the right lane.

The way it's currently viewed is that the left lane is the fast lane.  If
you're in it, you better not be being passed.

> You argument about the requirement for the additional traffic lanes
Hampton
> Roads Bridge Tunnel really is a separate issue, I agree you need those
> additional lanes, here for the moment the law applies only when the
traffic
> is lite (light) it does not apply and therefore would not be enforced
during
> times of traffic congestion.

Unfortuantly, the two cannot be separated.  As long as we continue not to
have sufficient lanes, restricting access to some will only compound the
problem.

> I suspect there may be a misunderstanding about the "keep right unless
> passing" signage and practice.
>
> Give it a few years (for drivers to learn and adopt) and you will see an
> improvement in traffic discipline with the 'keep right unless passing'
> practice.  I'll guarantee that one and I reckon I'll make a convert out of
> you:-)

Maybe with some improvements to the roads, but as it is now, it will just
tie the Hampton Roads area into a knot.

--

sanjian@wido(you know the drill)maker.com
http://www.widomaker.com/~sanjain
President P.A.C.  Order of the Mallet
----------------------------------------------------------

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