Drive Right, Pass Left. Can you do that?
What some people do when they are driving absolutely infuriates me. In most states, well at least in Delaware, the rule of the road is Drive Right, Pass Left. You can’t imagine how hard that is for some people. A lot of people. Some drivers have this mental block that stops them from realizing there are other people are on the road with them. I mean, I’m not saying I’m in a rush to get somewhere, but shit I know when to get out of the way so traffic can keep moving. Those that drive in the left lane will be the first to say another person is driving aggressively. Well they are, because you are in the wrong lane. By driving in the left lane when not passing, you, my friend, are causing another driver to go around you by passing in the right lane and possibly causing other traffic issues. You know why they ask people to pass in the left lane? It’s because the driver is on the left-hand side of the car. It’s easier to see someone pass on the left, than on your right. The only place that passing on the right should be considered respected, is on a racetrack.
In Middletown, DE. they have widened rt. 301 from 1 lane to 2 lanes in specific areas. Now mind you, the road was widened on the right so that slower cars/trucks can get over to the right and allow other cars/trucks to pass on the left. Great idea, right? Keeps traffic flowing, right? Not for some drivers. Some drivers stay in the left lane forcing the quicker thinking, quicker moving drivers to pass on the right. Completely opposite of why the lane was installed in the first place. Really! If you are afraid of driving faster, then stay on the right. If you are really afraid of driving at all, then help support Uber, Lyft or any other ride share service.
Now I understand that some people stay in the left lane because their turn or exit is on the left. Well that is just fine. If that is the case, then speed up so you can exit faster and get out of the way. Passing on the left is one of those areas where my wife is exceedingly polite at. No matter where we are driving, DE., PA., NJ., CT., MA., She drives right, passes left. When she does pass on the left, even just one car with an empty left/right hand lane in front of her, she moves to the right until ready to pass again. If there are multiple cars to pass, then pass and move over. This isn’t aggressive driving folks, it’s polite driving.
Traffic Circles. They do work.
Delaware has recently been installing traffic circles to reduce traffic lights and keep the flow of traffic moving. It works if people know how to use them. The person in the circle has the right of way. They are already in the act of making a turn or continuing to go straight. Some drivers will speed up to the circle with reckless abandon and think they can get in the circle before someone else or just in front of the car already in the circle. Is it because you are impatient or feel this innate desire to puff up your ego and make someone else feel small? Well, go ahead and get off on that. Sooner or later you will get in an accident and hurt yourself (in that case you deserve it) or worse, hurt someone else (they don’t deserve to suffer because of your ignorance). Be polite and just fucking wait your turn.
Then there is this other group of drivers who approach a circle, red triangle yield sign showing, and they come to a stop when no one is in the circle. Really! First of all, the red triangle yield sign means: Slow down, be ready to stop, and let traffic (including people walking, or riding bikes) pass before you proceed. It does not mean STOP! When put into practice, when coming to a circle, if someone is in the circle, then be prepared to stop and allow them to proceed. It also means that if no one is in the circle, then you proceed with caution. You do not have to come to a complete stop. The purpose of the circle is to keep traffic moving.
Finally, remember to share the road. There are runners, walkers & bikers out there. They have as much right to the road as you. If you come up on someone, then slow the fuck down and move over. Don’t speed past them because of your impatience or ignorance. It’s the polite thing to do. If not, you’re going to hurt someone. Remember what I said about that.
If you’re in a rush to get to where you are going, then you should have started out sooner!