Strange how so many people in over-populated parts of the country have
lost their friggin' minds and drive like absolute lunatics, 99 percent
or more have NEVER spent a minute of time really getting to 'know' their
vehicle on a closed course. Yet they seem to have a false sense of
security, what with their air bags and anti-lock brakes and then think
driving along at these velocities inches off someone else's bumper makes
them a 'good' driver.

I refuse to let the masses hurry me along, speed limits are there for a
reason. If it gets too crazy I pull off and let them by, it's their
death they're hurrying to, and I'll be darned if I'll let them take me
to mine sooner because of their immature behaviour. If the police don't
soon begin a widespread crack-down on the aggressive driving and insane
speeds, my feeling is there will be more massive crashes or pile-ups
like we've never seen before. The death and maiming toll ain't goin'
down, although our 'government' (and I use that term lightly) wants us
to believe it so. I mean, what the hell is the hurry??? Gotta get
somewhere to make more money to buy more stuff to make themselves feel
worthy? It's a never-ending, vicious cycle.

Last trip to Seattle was a refreshing step into a surreal world of
courteous people and safer driving...or was I dreaming this?

Slow-lane Karl

Kim Brennan wrote:
> Different world in the east. 75 mph is tops in most places, and 65-70
> is more standard. I recently took I-70 from DC to Chicago and the
> turnpikes back to DC. If I cranked it up to 80mph  I was passing
> everything in sight. Most of the time I kept it around 70 mph
> (slightly faster than most of the rest of the traffic). After all I
> was pulling a trailer...
>
> Same was true on I-81 north to Canada and on the highways between
> Toronto and Quebec City. Less lanes, less people (paradoxically) and
> slower speeds than Southern California.
>
> I remember taking the 15 from San Diego up to San Bernadino and
> nearly getting run over for "only" doing 75mph. I stayed in the
> rightmost lane and was passed by everything.
>
> On the other paw, driving in the Seattle area, I was nearly pulled
> over by a cop when I was doing 58 mph in a 55 zone. He followed me
> for about 3 miles, before pulling off and turning around to look for
> other prey. In Tacoma/Seattle, anybody doing more than 60 mph stands
> out like a sore thumb.