Slower Traffic Keep Right, Pt. 3

So what would happen if all the speed limit signs were brought down and replaced with signs that read “Slower Traffic Keep Right”? I know that some out there have thought that no matter what speed limit sign was put up, drivers would still drive 10 mph faster just like they do today. That argument would eventually loose out as you could continue to raise the speed limit and eventually find a satisfactory speed with which fewer and fewer would want, let alone be able to go any faster. In fact back in the good old days a new road would be built and they would send out engineers to survey the average speed of drivers on a given section then set the speed limit and the next 5 mph increment for which 85% of the traffic was traveling in their natural speed mode for that section. This seemed to work pretty well and still indicates that people will find a speed that feels about right for a given road and the vehicle they are using.

An interesting side note about speed is that the current interstate system that was built in the 50’s was designed for 80 MPH travel. This was for cars that were also designed in the 50’s that had suspension systems, and tires, and brakes that were designed in the 50’s. Cars have evolved some since then and most cars handle and brake better than the cars of 20 years ago let alone 60 years ago yet speed limits in many areas of the country are still lower than they were back before the national 55 MPH speed limit.

Another interesting side note. During the days of the national 55 MPH speed limit, I had on several occasions exceeded the national limit and contrary to popular belief I did not spontaneously combust nor did I have a blow out and go careening out of control off an embankment, nor did I wipe out classroom of school children, or even take out any wondering small or large animals. In fact I have safely, and I stress the word safely, exceeded the speed limit on several occasions were the only consequence of doing so was to arrive at my destination on time or early, refreshed, invigorated and ready for the prospects that destination had in store.

There is talk that Utah will be raising the speed limit from 75 to 80 on some rural sections of the Interstate. This will make it the highest speed limit in the nation if it is true. That honor used to belong to Montana for a short time when its daylight speed limit was set at “Reasonable and Prudent”. This was the closest we have come to having an authentic speed law for a freedom loving nation. Yet, because one man’s reasonable is not always another man’s prudent it became too hard to enforce and it had to be given up. Truly a sad day for the nation.

If you have never driven out in the west, again do not prejudge. There are vast sections of long straight well made and maintained roads for which a modern car could safely travel 100 mph without concern. In fact there is a 36+, mile stretch of I-80 just east of the Nevada border that doesn’t have a single curve or bend or hill or anything. It has its own beauty about it as it runs along the Bonneville Salt Flats but it is a section of road that can be fully appreciated in a lot less time.

Also by way of comparison, I have driven on two lane roads back east that have speed limits set 10 mph faster than would the equivalent road out west. One of the roads I enjoyed the most was on the Blue Ridge Parkway (the greatest thing to come out of the depression) as the speed limit was set at 45 mph. I think they intended most folks to slow down for the corners.

Now one point of note needs to be made here. Road conditions might be such that speeds traveled could and should be lower than speed signs posted. Weather may play a factor in driving conditions as well as traffic congestion and road debris and potholes and any other factor that may be around on any given trip. The deal is that the driver still has to make judgments and decisions based on any given situation in order to make what can be considered safe journey. The driver is still required to be present.

And therein is the hope of the individual. Smart cars, and smart roads and mass transit and rural renewal developments are all there to reduce your ability to have to act on your own cognizance and there are many that will strive to force that issue under the guise of some civil suitability such as safety, ecology, conservation or what have you. But if they can not solve all your mobility needs and you still have to meet those needs on your own and are willing to fight to keep that right as an individual, then we still have a chance.

It is a dangerous path we tread because it is so easy to get suckered into the arguments of giving up freedoms for the common good, but once lost they are seldom won.

Back to Part 1, or Part 2.

This is Ed Nef with a view from the Farr West.

Slower Traffic Keep Right, Pt. 2

I have driven in Germany (among other places), and have found it to be one of the most ordered places to drive in worldwide. For those that have not experienced it, do not prejudge. I admit it has been awhile since my last visit and I understand that things change; I even hear tell that there are speed limits on more and more sections of the autobahn. Whatever your views on speed, be it known that Germany without a speed limit had a better fatality rate per miles driven than the USA did during many years of the national 55 MPH speed limit. What was it that allowed this to be so? As I said before, it is a well ordered place.

Germany has some core rules that they make sure drivers know, not just have a passing familiarity with, before they are issued a license. When all the drivers know the rules and are expected to play by those rules, then you can safely make expectations for what the other drivers will do in most any given situation. This makes for a much smoother driving experience no matter what the speed.

Drivers in Germany know how to use a turn signal, know how to use rear view mirrors, know how to yield to the right of way and know who has the right of way at any given intersection, they know proper passing techniques, they know how to merge, and they know that slower traffic keeps right. Not only do they know how to do these things, they actually do these things. That may be the key difference.

I think that traffic laws and driving habits are a metaphor for a society, and slower traffic keep right is one of the greatest indicators of the state of a nation. Slower traffic keep right is an indication of the harmony that exist within a society.

There was a comedian (I wish I could remember his name) that had a bit about anyone driving faster than him was crazy. “Look at that driver, he’s nuts. Driving that fast is going to kill someone, he must be insane.” While anyone driving slower was a moron, “Would you look at this guy, c’mon all ready, were not getting any younger, what an idiot.”

Slower traffic keep right is a way to allow all drivers to peaceably coexist on the roads today at the same time. Those that wish to travel faster can as well as those that wish to travel at a more leisurely pace. This is a way to recognize that we are not all the same, that we all have different skills and abilities and needs and desires, and that each drivers’ needs can be met despite those differences. This also allows for changes in needs and skills and desires of the driver to meet whatever needs apply at the time.

Slower traffic keep right reflects the abilities of the drivers and the faith of the lawmakers in turning over trust to those drivers. How much daily detail decision making ability is left in the hands of individuals and how much is mandated or dictated or directed and actively enforced is a real indicator of how much freedom a nation enjoys. That is why I think traffic laws are a pretty good reflection of the level of freedom and liberties a nation’s people have. The tighter the reigns are held on simple daily tasks, the less likely headway will be allowed in other areas and aspects of life.

On to Part 3, or back to Part 1


This is Ed Nef with a view from the Farr West.

Slower Traffic Keep Right, Pt 1

Slower traffic keep right. How simple is that? It is probably one of the most important rules of the road and yet it seems to be harder and harder for people to play by that one simple rule. In fact, I find it often faster to be driving in the slow lane because there is less traffic there.

This is not a new phenomenon; I have observed it for many, many years now. It used to be confined to big cities and heavy traffic congestion areas but it is expanding into all roads traveled. I used to think that it was just a Utah thing also since they have some of the worst drivers on the road but I need to correct that as the bad habits observed in Utah are not that uncommon on most of the US roads now. It is highly disturbing, and I will comment on other habits later but for this time I want to focus on the most obnoxious of poor driving etiquette, the Left Lane Bandit.

I did not come up with the label Left Lane Bandit; I think that it was coined by a writer at Car and Driver a few decades ago. The irritant had just started to appear and this was and still is the best way to describe it. It took heavy roots during the national 55 MPH speed limit though I am sure it had presence long before that. You can hear instances in some of the old car songs.

Basically it is when a vehicle insists on driving in the passing lane even though it is not passing anyone and there are other vehicles that are traveling faster than they are, or at least trying to travel faster. Not only is this dangerous it is down right rude.

Granted, some drivers just don’t know any better. I have talked to some of these Utah drivers and found that they were taught in driving school (which was part of the high school system) that they were to travel in the other lane to allow other drivers to merge onto and off the freeway. (This was probably the only way they could think of to teach new students how to merge since they don’t do that very well either.)

I have also talked to drivers that think it is there right to travel in that lane, they are going the ‘speed limit’ and there is no reason for them not to let the world revolve around them. This is a biggie for some and was even more so during the national 55 MPH speed limit. It also created what I termed the ‘rolling roadblock’ were two or more cars (depending on the number of lanes available) would travel down the road side by side at the ‘speed limit’ without regards to anyone else on the road. This would make for one heck of a blockade and a whole lot of frustration. This has become less common since they raised the speed limit in many states though if you do happen on to one, beware because there is usual a traffic cop at the head of it.

Continue on to Part 2.


This is Ed Nef with a view from the Farr West.