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Funny you bring this up. A State Legislator in the state of Louisiana got entirely fed up with slow drivers in his state's superhighways. His legislation got killed though.

Split speed proposal dies in Louisiana

An effort in the Louisiana Legislature to eliminate uniform speeds on all highways in the state has died in committee.

The bill remained in the House Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee at the close of the session June 21, effectively killing it for the year.

....

A separate bill that would have required all drivers in the state to travel at a minimum speed on interstate highways has also died.

The bill – HB273 – remained in the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Safety Committee when the session ended. It passed the House 90-10 in April.

Sponsored by Rep. Pete Schneider, R-Slidell, the proposal sought to set a minimum speed of 55 mph in locations where the speed limit is 70 mph. In areas where the maximum speed is 60 mph, the minimum speed would have been set at 45 mph. Any place along an interstate highway where the maximum posted limit is less than 60 mph, the minimum speed would have been 15 mph less than the maximum posted speed.

Schneider told The Advocate he introduced the bill after numerous occasions when he encountered other drivers on Interstate 12 going 30 mph. Schneider said those drivers pose a threat to traffic by causing other vehicles to swerve around them.

Had the proposal been approved, slowpokes would have received a fine up to $175 and/or 30 days in jail. Repeat offenders could have faced a fine up to $500 and/or 90 days in jail.





jwolf7722 wrote: went to the grocery this mourning. almost got hit by 2 elderly people driving. should there be a time when you can tell someone they should not be on the road. i just get tired of going somewhere and in a 55 a older lady is going 30. there should be a point where they should say look you need to not drive anymore. i know when i get older and if i cant drive properly i would gladly not. i jsut get frustrated trying to drive on sunday mournings and have to try to avoid getting hit.

maybe event show people how to multitask. like using a cellphone while driving, or being able to drink a cup of coffee and drive. its all about being able to multitask. its just something to think about but i think it would actually help. probably never happen in my life time but i wish it would.


You are kidding aren't you? UK just made it an offence to use a handheld phone while driving, personally I think they should ban using a phone while driving altogether. The number of near misses I've had with clots slowing suddenly as they answer a phone or swing out infront of me on the motorway because they have answered the phone is unreal. It is most definitely my pet hate.

You would like the german autobahns, a minimum speed limit and no upper limit. One effect it does have is that nobody lingers in the overtaking lane but pull straight back in before they get rammed by a porsche doing 120 plus, you blink and they just appear.

I really believe drivers tests ought to be mandatory every 5 years after the age of 60. Reflects slow down. I used to work in a Convenience store and you wouldn't believe the near-misses I'd see every day. One man had a stroke behind the wheel and hit the store, one hit the accelerator on accident and hit the store, people backed into people's cars all the time.

What does a person need to do to get a license in the U.K.? Germany? (I am really referring to the new drivers.)

I was kind of surprised at the last written driving test I took. (About 1.5 years ago.) It was much more thorough and "harder" than the previous state I was in. Actually, I found it refreshing!

Some states just want to make sure you know the basics - like - can you read English? :sneaky:

It appears that other states really grill you on the law, procedures, and duties and liabilities in different situations.

At one time I was manager in a superstore with a petrol station attached. We had one woman come in having hit the pump that we should have the kerb painted white so that she could see it. As I was got out the insurance forms and started asking for her details she said the damage to her car was slight and she wouldn't be making a claim.. As I gently pointed out that she had badly damaged a four foot high two and a half feet wide whte painted stationary petrol pump in broad daylight and we would be making a claim against her. watching the realisation dawn was one of the funniest moments of my reatail career.

We also had someone hit the petrol station kiosk (twelve feet by twelve and about ten feet high) with enough foce to dislodge the frame for the shutters. She came in to complain that the frame should not be sticking put so far and what were we going to do about the damage to her car. I confees with that one I was looking for the camera. We ended up getting the police involved as she left hurriedly once it dawned on her what she had done. CCTV is wonderful.Reality is often funnier than invention.

webmaster wrote: What does a person need to do to get a license in the U.K.? Germany? (I am really referring to the new drivers.)


There's a fair amount to it. First, there is a two-part theory test. In the first

part, you answer multiple-choice questions. See:

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/mockpaper/sample.htm

http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/drivi ... y_test.jsp

for an example. The second part consists of viewing 14 one-minute video clips,

during which the candidate clicks a mouse to indicate a hazard developing. The

earlier a hazard is correctly spotted, the higher the mark.

The next is a practical test. The candidate needs a (legally) suitable car. The test

is done on normal roads. This test lasts about 40 minutes, and many things are

observed/tested by the examiner in your passenger seat. See:

http://www.smartdriving.co.uk/Learners/ ... _Test.html

http://www.learners.co.uk/tests/ptest4.htm

Minor faults (not actually dangerous but not correct) are allowed up to a number

which I think is 16. Any major fault results in failure.

When a new driver passes their test that's that - except that if they collect 6

"penalty points" on their licence in their first 2 years, they lose their licence and

have to re-take an extended, and more difficult test, to get it back. "Penalty

points" are awarded for e.g. not enough depth of tread on a tyre (3 points

PER TYRE), speeding (minimum 3 points per offence).

There's a lot of information "out there".

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/you ... heory_test

Problem is the driving test does not include practical motorway driving. As a result we have large numbers who seem to think there is a slow lane and fast lane rather than an overtaking lane an outside lane you are not supposed to be in unless overtaking something.

I once read somewhere that stasticallyyou make a mistake that can result in an accident every 100 miles. I've done enough stupid things to realise that criticising other drivers is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.

gmc wrote: Problem is the driving test does not include practical motorway driving. As a result we have large numbers who seem to think there is a slow lane and fast lane rather than an overtaking lane an outside lane you are not supposed to be in unless overtaking something.

I once read somewhere that stasticallyyou make a mistake that can result in an accident every 100 miles. I've done enough stupid things to realise that criticising other drivers is a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.


There really isn't a lot extra that you need to know to drive on a motorway,

IMO. It's likely to be in the theory test, anyway, and is in the Highway Code.

The driving test here is far, far more testing than it is in nearly all other

countries.

If the odd police car cruising up the motorway displayed "observe lane

discipline" on the LED display in the rear window it might make a difference

for a few minutes... the trouble is that people are *lazy*. They are also in

their cars, where they feel untouchable, which, combined with inconsiderate

driving, can lead to agressive behaviour. Just sometimes, not often, though,

it would be nice to be a policeman.

As to accidents on the roads, I think that there are hardly any!

There are thousands every year. I see at least one a month-or the aftermath of one last week it was a three car smash caused by people driving too close and shunting in to each other attraffic lights. I do a mix of motorway and in town driving on heavily congested roads. No one injured usually it is just minor shunts. I have had five myslf. Only one was actually my fault but looking at them afterwards realised I could perhaps have seen them coming. Took some advanced drivibg lessons, since then I have avoided dozens just by being more aware of what is going on around me. Knowing you were not at fault is no fun while waiting for recovery.

There really isn't a lot extra that you need to know to drive on a motorway,

IMO. It's likely to be in the theory test, anyway, and is in the Highway Code.

The driving test here is far, far more testing than it is in nearly all other

countries.


Maybe not, but basic things like if you tailgate somebody at 70 and he has to brake then the odds are you will hit the car in front don't seem to register with some people. Or how about, being in a motorway lead in does not give you an automatic right to pull on to the motorway and maybe you should make sure no one is beside you when you pull out. You see some appalling driving. Go along to the IAM meetings. It costs nothing to go with them and they will take you out on a demonstration drive, or one of the free advanced courses that the police run. No matter how good a driver you can always improve.

Never mind motorways we could have whole pages on the subject of roundabouts

Re: accidents:

gmc wrote: There are thousands every year. I see at least one a month-or the aftermath of one last week it was a three car smash caused by people driving too close and shunting in to each other attraffic lights.


There's a cause, then - it's not an "accident". A crash, yes!



Re: Instruction on motorway driving, I think - isn't this "forum" thing clunky?

Interesting, but svetle - no

gmc wrote: Maybe not, but basic things like if you tailgate somebody at 70 and he has to brake then the odds are you will hit the car in front don't seem to register with some people. Or how about, being in a motorway lead in does not give you an automatic right to pull on to the motorway and maybe you should make sure no one is beside you when you pull out. You see some appalling driving. Go along to the IAM meetings. It costs nothing to go with them and they will take you out on a demonstration drive, or one of the free advanced courses that the police run. No matter how good a driver you can always improve.


There is that, yes. "Keep your distance" was favoured in safety adverts. a few

decades ago. Latterly, "only a fool breaks the two second rule". There are still

a lot of fools about - maybe a "hard core", as the Police like to mention when

referring to drink/driving (where rules in Britian are more stringent than in the

'states). The joining of motorways is in the HWC, I think - will have a look in the

on-line version.



gmc wrote:

Never mind motorways we could have whole pages on the subject of roundabouts


Oh yes. Ever visited Roundabout City, i.e. the town of Milton Keynes?

Bill Sikes wrote: The joining of motorways is in the HWC, I think - will have a

look in the on-line version.


Yup. http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/23.shtml - "Joining the motorway". All

drivers, new and old, are supposed to be familiar with the contents of this

publication. Notes to people not lucky enough to be from Great Britian: In

the Highway Code, the words "MUST NOT" refer to something generally

prohibited by law. "SHOULD NOT" is not prohibited by lay, but contraventions

may be taken into accound in legal proceedings.

O.K. Bill if you want to be pedantic you are right there are many crashes but few accidents

Oh yes. Ever visited Roundabout City, i.e. the town of Milton Keynes


Don't need to I live in West Lothian where there are sufficuent roundabouts that the nearside tyres wear out several months before the offside.

gmc wrote: O.K. Bill if you want to be pedantic you are right there are many crashes but few accidents


That's it!

gmc wrote: (roundabout city)Don't need to I live in West Lothian where there are sufficuent roundabouts that the nearside tyres wear out several months before the offside.


That's it - the wheel trims tend to fall off a lot, too. Never stop on the approach

to a roundabout in MK, 'else people might have to use their brakes!!

At least you folks don't have the kind of road rage that we have in the States.


We do get them though. I got followed for twenty miles by some nutter who tried to force me off the road once and tried to make me swerve by turning in to me on a dual carraigeway. This after he jammed on his brakes forcing me to stop and then getting out his car, not being entirely stupid I drove round him and continued on, he then followed me for twenty miles turning off just as i got near to the police station i decided to head for which was disappointing.

I won't bore you with the why's and wherefores but this was late at night and he had no way of knowing when he started who was in the car, male female, family. I am big enough and have been driving long enough not to be too fazed by his behaviour and having established there was only him in the car I wasn't too worried. But it would have been terrifying to a lone woman or someone with their family in the car, and dangerous if I had responded in kind.

One thing though at least I could be sure he didn't have a gun on him.

Incidentally the poodle sitting at my feet is 31" at the shoulder and seven and a half stone, standard poodles are a whole different animal. ( I was going to say kettle of fish but I reckon Bill Sikes would object to the mixed metaphors)

That's it - the wheel trims tend to fall off a lot, too. Never stop on the approach

to a roundabout in MK, 'else people might have to use their brakes!!


Tie them on

plazul wrote: At least you folks don't have the kind of road rage that we have in the States.


Haven't we? people have been killed, nastily.

gmc wrote: Incidentally the poodle sitting at my feet is 31" at the shoulder and seven and a half stone, standard poodles are a whole different animal. ( I was going to say kettle of fish but I reckon Bill Sikes would object to the mixed metaphors)


A poodle is OK, but a whippet is much better, if you know what one of these

is. Old slang. A *completely* different ketle of parrots.

shave the hair of a poodle and they look like heavily built whippets except theyt have a lot more stamina. I take this one mountain biking, so long as you kept the pace down to his 30-35 miles no problem. He's eleven now but will still go the distance just an awful lot slower.

Believe it or not husky racing is very popular in Scotland. Not much snow so they use wheeled trailers instead.

I live near a greyhound sanctuary, racing is very popular but a lot get dumped by their owners when they finish their racing careers.

gmc wrote: shave the hair of a poodle and they look like heavily built whippets.


The whippet I was referring to is not any sort of dog.... although it has a muzzle.

gmc wrote: I live near a greyhound sanctuary, racing is very popular but a lot get dumped by their owners when they finish their racing careers.


They can make good pets, but they don't mix with cats....

Sounds as if your dog is going well!

whippet // n.

1 a dog of a small slender breed originally produced as a cross between the greyhound and the terrier or spaniel, bred for racing.

2 this breed.

[probably from obsolete whippet ‘move briskly’, from whip it]

The whippet I was referring to is not any sort of dog.... although it has a muzzle.




?

gmc wrote: whippet // n.

1 a dog of a small slender breed originally produced as a cross between the greyhound and the terrier or spaniel, bred for racing.

2 this breed.

[probably from obsolete whippet ‘move briskly’, from whip it]



?


Old slang... The whippet I was referring to is not any sort of dog.... although it

has a muzzle. Once it was much longer than it is now, it's been trimmed to the

fore-end and has lost the best part of it's stock.

webmaster wrote: What does a person need to do to get a license in the U.K.? Germany? (I am really referring to the new drivers.)


What is the test format in the U.S.A.?

Thinking out loud. I agree with testing. I was going to say after a "certain age" people should be tested for "eye sight", as well as reflexes. But as I'm writing this it occured to me, that everyone's situations (regardless of age) sometimes change. Young people can perminently injure their eye(s), or legs or arms and still do drive. Consequently, "unfit" drivers are the one's that should be kept off the roads no matter what their age is. So testing when renewing drivers licenses would be a good idea. That would filter out the problem drivers. Someone mentioned the "Wrecks" that they saw on the road. Wrecks don't happen from older people going 30 in a 55mph zone, it's the younger people doing "90"+mph in a 55 zone that causes wrecks! You mentioned that you were almost hit by older people, but because they were going slower you were able to get out of their way! If that someone was going "90" you probably would not have had a chance to do your "Post" on driving!.

Cars

plazul wrote: In my youth I worked at a remote guest ranch in the high Sierras near Crystal Basin in El Dorado County Califorinia.

One night I was driving back from the general store and a car came up behind me and started honking its horn. I sped up a bit and it kept tail gating, honking, and flashing it's high beams.

I thought it must be some crazy drunk and I was getting fighting mad. So I pulled over and the car pulled up behind me. I jumped out of my truck, ran up to the car, and yanked open the door. I was ready to clean this guy's clock. (I'm a big guy too.)

Anyway, I actually drew back to bean the driver, it was a dark night so couldn't see him clearly, and the driver screamed, "It's me godammit, it's me!!"

It was my dad. He had driven up to spend the weekend. So, that's my road rage story.


Good thing it was your dad, wasn't it, else you might have got your bloody head

blown off.

Okay gang, I simply hafta weigh in on this one...

I have been driving for 40 some years, first around my family's ranch and now

36 years holding a state driver's license. I have had ONE moving violation

that came at 21 years, and nothing since. No at-fault accidents. On surface

streets I absolutely obey the posted speed limit... only on my occasional long

freeway drives about 2 hours away do I drive 5mph over the speed limit and

that is only a pitiful effort to not have all those fists (and worse) shaken at me.

I just recently was called in for driver's licence renewal, and had to have a vision

test and thumbrint. No written test, and I can't tell you for the life of me the last

time I had one, it's been at least 10 years. I use my cell phone rarely and for

BRIEF conversations. I don't think they are meant to be gabbing away for an

hour. But I would hate to have my ability to use one taken away because others

abuse them. Pulling over to talk when you are on the freeway just isn't

practical IMHO nor is it safe.

My 78 year old father is a great driver. My mother unfortunately had to be

prevented from driving due to her Alzheimer's. My 80 year old uncle was just

made to take a written test and passed, even though to ME he seems a bit

shaky to be driving... I have not ridden with him as the driver, so I don't

know how good he is. I think experience and physical health are all very

important factors. My father has always driven all kinds of vehicles, pulling

a 4-horse trailer with thousands of pounds of horseflesh and equip. inside,

and a cabover camper on the truck!

I think what it all boils down to is yes, we should have more testing but I

don't think anything can be said to hold true for all of any one age group.

I would trust my father to get me anywhere safely, and no he doesn't drive

30mph in a 55mph zone.

Sorry for the length.

:driving:

RosiePosieTook wrote: im only 18 and im a horrible driver, i highly doubt i could past the driving test right now if i took one (thankfully I only drive in emergncys) but there are alot of other people my age who just can't drive.


If you're a "horrible driver", surely the thing to do is to take some driving lessons,

even if you've already passed your test, and improve? If you haven't driven much,

and you only drive in emergencies, then surely what skills yo do have will just

go rusty!

I'm surprised that there are lots of people your age who can't drive - here in the

UK it seems that everyone wants to drive as soon as they reach 17!

valerie wrote: Okay gang, I simply hafta weigh in on this one...

I would trust my father to get me anywhere safely, and no he doesn't drive

30mph in a 55mph zone.


Surely 55 isn't the minimum limit, though? Over here, it is occasionally said that

the speed limit is a safe limit, not a target! There are times when one doesn't

*want* to drive fast.... people can overtake, after all. People should make

allowances for other road users, IMO, and not get "het up" because someone

doesn't want to drive at the limit. If I get stuck behind someone, fine... I'll

overtake when I can.

California law says you are to drive "Only as fast as it is safe" and the 65 on

the freeway is the maximum. Slower traffic keep to the right.

The drivers I've encountered like you, Bill, are few and far between. I myself

keep watch on my rearview mirror, and if I see someone coming up behind

me, I get over. Then I figure I'm out of his hair and he's out of mine. This on

multi-lane where there is somewhere to go... if I can't get over right away,

I signal (usually by holding up first finger... as in "Give me a minute") and then

move over as soon as possible. But people's patience is apparently very thin.

I never go anywhere in a hurry any more, it's just not worth it to me. I am

a rarity, though!

:driving:

valerie wrote: California law says you are to drive "Only as fast as it is safe" and the 65 on the freeway is the maximum. Slower traffic keep to the right.

LOL! Good way to cause a crash over here!

[QUOTE=valerie]The drivers I've encountered like you, Bill, are few and far between.




valerie wrote: I myself keep watch on my rearview mirror, and if I see

someone coming up behind me, I get over. Then I figure I'm out of his hair

and he's out of mine. This on multi-lane where there is somewhere to go...




That's best practice.... over here, on a 3-lane motorway, there are people who

are styled members of the "middle lane owners club", who will, on a three-lane

motorway, sit in the middle lane, overtaking traffic on the inside lane, but not

moving over when there is a large gap... this is very irritating, as it effectively

reduces the 3-lane road to a two-lane one (you are not supposed to overtake

on the inside here) - do you get the same thing?

It's worth noting that here in the UK roads are likely to be much narrower and

more twisty than in the U.S.A.



valerie wrote: if I can't get over right away, I signal (usually by holding up

first finger... as in "Give me a minute") and then move over as soon as possible.

But people's patience is apparently very thin.




Crikey, over here a one-fingered gesture would be very likely to provoke!

http://www.wepraisehim.com/redlightgranny.html

valerie wrote: I never go anywhere in a hurry any more, it's just not worth it

to me. I am a rarity, though!


Um, I sometimes am in a hurry. I'm afraid that I have been known to slip into

super-yobbo mode and drive like a maniac too, but not often! "Better late than

never" as a maxim has something to recommend it.

Crikey, over here a one-fingered gesture would be very likely to provoke!


How sad to see the two fingered salute following in to disuse. At least the french still get it.

gmc wrote: How sad to see the two fingered salute following in to disuse. At least the french still get it.


They deserve it!