Say It Isn't So

I recently heard on the radio that Wisconsin as a state has generally slowed down. Although examining the survey revealed it to be laughably non scientific, it did seem to be somewhat believable. The evening commute seems to have more cars with drivers having no other goal other than to impede traffic. This isn't the rambling of some impatient tailgating maniac. One can frequently see a row of three vehicles with traffic backed up forever behind them, but one half of a mile of wide open road ahead of them. They will be either unaware they they are traveling 55 mph in a 65 mph zone, or trying to make a statement.

Never trust a slow driver!

Stay Away From These Guys

Picture yourself happily motoring down the divided roadway. You are probably in the right lane, as you know the left lane is generally for faster moving traffic. You are the only car on the road. You see in the distance another car waiting at an intersection to cross or enter the road you are on. He's still waiting... When you get closer, he decides to slowly pull out... OK, keep an eye on him... He slightly slows down... (Obviously he is aware of that "yield to oncoming traffic" phrase that was briefly mentioned in driver's ed) He is going to turn left, so no problem, the left lane is open, he can have it. NOPE!!! He slowly completes his turn into the right lane (your lane) and safely travels 10 mph under the limit. As you pass him, you notice the tightly clenched fists on the steering wheel, and the concentration being exerted on sighting his path along the hood ornament.

Take a breath, accelerate to the posted limit, and wonder, what else could happen?

Cold weather

With temperatures not getting above -2, seems as there were not many people willing to brave the cold weather today. Traffic was light and moving well.

Seeing as there were few drivers to complain about, (not that I like to complain) I decided to add some information regarding the history and development of our local freeways. Please follow the links to learn why our freeway is configured as it is. I am still looking for more information on why the left lane entrance and exit ramps were thought to be a good idea. (cheaper?)

Today's Right Lane Driver

I have come to notice that an increasing number of drivers that drive in the right lane, although being in the proper lane for slow drivers, have an attitude.
While they are "in their zone" so to speak, they will eventually come to an on-ramp. Many times, motorists are accelerating to get to traffic speeds on this ramp. Our driver of the day however, will pick his target, match their speed, and force the entering motorist to merge behind our motorist of the day.

I am sure there are many reasons this is done.

• Motorist in the right lane is unaware of any merging traffic and coincidentally realizes how slow he is going. He then speeds up, all the time wondering how he is no longer in the right lane. (mistaking the on-ramp for a lane)
• Motorist in the right lane absolutely will not allow someone to merge in front of him. How dare they, anyway?
• Motorist in the right lane is intimidated by the prospect of having a vehicle in front of him closer than 500'

There may be more, but our motorist is now shaken by the ordeal, and decides to merge quickly into the left lane. His problems are now over.

A Lesson on Entering an Expressway

• Patiently wait your turn entering the ramp.
• Gradually build up speed as you traverse the on-ramp.
• As you build up speed, be careful as to not get too far in front of the courteous motorist behind you.
• Do not, under any circumstances, glance in your mirror or over your shoulder.
• When reaching a distance of less than 50 feet of the end of the ramp, firmly apply brakes. Slowly look over your shoulder to see if freeway traffic has stopped to let you in. Take this time to check the motorist behind you to see if he may be communicating with you.
• If after five cars go by without letting you in, you may proceed into the right traffic lane. Your fellow motorists will happily let you in at this point.
• Please proceed slowly to the left lane to ensure fellow motorists entering the freeway adequate room for their entrance.

Why the Left Lane?

The traffic around here has gotten out of hand. The state could save thousands of dollars by removing and not replacing the "Slower Traffic Keep Right" signs. No one is obviously reading them.

Only around Milwaukee will the quickest lane often be the right lane. Can someone please explain the proliferation of slow driving in the left lane? I understand the abundance of our infamous left lane exits tend to encourage slower drivers to be in the left lane, and that is understandable. I am not including these motorists in this discussion.

I am talking about motorists heading west, past the bypass, up the hill wondering why all the traffic is passing them so fast on the right. Or the individuals making a statement by purposely driving slow in the left lane watching the rest of traffic maneuver around them. My favorite is the driver who drives in rush hour every day, probably at traffic speeds around 35 mph. This driver will drive at 45 mph, when there is no traffic jam thinking he is living in the fast lane. He is somewhat nervous about those crazy people driving 55 right next to him. He feels safe because he has a firm grip on the wheel, and as long as there is no car within 300 feet in front of him, and no brake lights visible in any lane in front of him, he will keep plugging along.

Don't misunderstand me. I am not defending the wild drivers careening in and out of traffic, cutting off as many people as they can. The people are as dangerous as the slow one creating the bottlenecks. Normal everyday motorists can become frustrated with unaware or inconsiderate drivers rather easily.

More examples of our driving citezens coming soon.