Drafting

I see what you mean Chris. See I was thinking from the original post that mentioned drafting and what you describe is definitely not drafting. Although it illustrates perfectly how people in crowded cities drive, it doesn't say anything about drafters and how they may cause traffic or block people. I would hate to drive in situations like that where I had to muscle my way in to get to the exit lane for my turn.

 

And this link shows that Boston is 9 and DC is 4..... but don't get your panties all in a bunch.... we are not gonna think any less of you.

And a measurable effect, why don't you just come visit for a week. Drive on 66, downtown DC, and some of our other highways.

I'm done with the penis envy game..... you live in Maine.... I live in DC. I'm going to drive in my area, the best way I can to avoid getting hit, and get where I need to go.

Cheers!

I don't think the drivers are mean, most drivers in Northern VA simply think they are better than everyone else.

And .....

Washington DC is the Capital of Crashes:

Why Washington is the national capital of crashes - Los Angeles Times

 

I think people find it easier to be jerks when they're in their cars than when standing face to face.
But in the car, when people stack up on each others' bumpers to block these cheaters, then wouldn't the cheater be forced to speed up to find an opening or else risk slowing in their lane and getting rear ended while waiting for an opening? Then if they do speed up and find a hole, then all the people who tried blocking them have to slam the brakes to avoid hitting each other because obviously this cheater has to resort to cutting someone off in the line. Time is lost regardless for the blocker. And if the cheater does find that hole ahead of you, then they beat you anyway and you've still lost time and all the effort and risk was for nothing. I think It's a no-win for anyone. If I'm in a lane that people are merging into and the guy behind me rides my bumper to keep someone out, I'll slow and let that person in front of me instead, and then I'll feel good about it because in the end, my obscenely long commute has really lost zero time. Playing angry is a waste of energy and has gotten me nowhere other than stressed out. It's a shame people can't just leave earlier and roll with the flow, makes a much more relaxing trip.


iPhone ? 2

 

True, but then neither of us has a right to F up traffic and risk others' safety by drafting and tailgating either. Is allowing a single car to merge while traffic is still rolling seriously that horrific?
I'm sorry you take traffic so personally. Nobody likes it but it's a fact of commuting. I've been in your shoes, felt like commuting was like going to war, but I've seen so many groups of cars pulled over on the side of rt 15 and 7 in Md and Va over the years with smashed up bumpers maybe for the same reasons. If this mentality of tailgating and fighting each other wasn't around, then we could all hope to be maybe a little safer to get to work and back to the family with no lost time. As for me, I just try to stay out of your way, better to be behind and watching than to be in front wondering if I'm going to get another car totaled from behind.

Good luck in your travels and be safe. I give up.


iPhone ? 2

 

And not going to listen to anyone who might question whether there is a better way than the way you are currently doing it. Nor even try to determine that for yourself. Much easier to assume that everyone else couldn't possibly know anything, and spew insults towards them.

Plonk.

 

Sorry if this has already been mentioned, but the zipper merge is actually better. If everyone gets into the through lane as soon as possible, it actually slows down all of traffic and is less safe. I hadn't read about this until a few months ago. There should really be some public service announcements about this. From wikipedia, with references:

"The late merge method has not been found to increase throughput (throughput is the number of vehicles that pass through a point in a given period of time). However, it considerably reduces queue ("backup") length (because drivers use the ending lane until its end) and reduces speed differences between the two lanes, increasing safety[1]"

Full article: Late merge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Drafting behind trucks...don't you worry about a rock cracking your windshield?


SCH-I535 ? 2

 

Drafting at about 100 feet is not so bad, that's 7-8 car lengths, compare to 10-11 car lengths (Grandma rules) Even at that distance, I still constantly get cutoff by others.
They did that on mythbusters, even at 100 feet, gains are significant.

 

I had my windshield cracked before and the truck was on the next lane. I could be wrong about this but I think that if the truck has splash guards, the rock would be shooting out to the sides, not behind.

 

A cracked windshield is just money. I'd be far more concerned about getting maimed while submarining under the tailgate. Those North American 'Mansfield' bars are inadequate.

 

Sorry ... Coming in late in the conversation here...

Bisco : Right on.
GWilliam: A broken windshield along with the pitted/dented front end of your new car will undo any savings from drafting.

Chris S: Great advice from the voice of reason.

Dan Carthy: Have you have you blood pressure check recently? I'm being serious. That much stress will kill you early eventually. I hope that your real personality is not what you portray here because you are "Mr Road Rage" incarnate based on your posts!

On the video posted about "Traffic Waves", I can relate. I don't leave such a large gap as in the video but I try to: 1) Let people merge in as need be instead of blocking them and 2) maintain a big enough buffer (2-4 car lengths) during the "creeping" part of rush hour to keep myself (and others behind me) at a steady pace. I hate stopping! I tend to stay in a lane with like minded drivers and our whole line tends to smoothly move. Where as, the left two lanes (the must speed up to the next bumper) keep stoping. I guess that's why they call it "stop and go" traffic!

 

Wow !??! , what exactly is "cut me off" ? If someone moves into the gap in front of you, you slow for a moment and now you are now only 4 sec. behind the car in front of you.

I think there is a definite lack of competition in some people's lives.
And the car is this anonymous thing you can compete with.
Has anyone noticed young women lately?

I recommend bowling, ping pong, darts, softball, just about anything like that, to make you relax while driving.
We're all on this big road together, play nice.


Also,
I have seen too many semi tires come apart in front of me. I never hover near one.
I pass purposefully past a semi and never am I the first car behind one.
I think of Kenny Loggins while near any semi ,, because,, I'm,, "In the Danger Zone",,,,,, (Archer, '11).

 

I too have been puzzled by "cut me off". It's a conversation closer: "no, sorry, he cut me off...". Sounds painful...

What the hell does it actually mean? Oh, someone got in front of you? In your coveted front buffer? Separated you from your destination by a few seconds? Or maybe not, see the "traffic waves" video above.

I've noticed, on the occasions I need to get out of the "slow" right lane, get over to the left for a turn, many's the time I'll see a decent space, put my signal on, and someone back there in the left lane is suddenly in the Indy 500, surging forward to avoid "being cut off".

Yeah right...

 

Whether you agree with Dan or not, he has a point. During rush hours, every car that gets in front of you could end up delaying you by many minutes. I'm even surprised that this needed to be explained. Like yesterday, I was waiting for the light to turn green, it finally did but the driver in front of me was daydreaming or not paying attention. By the time I beeped at her and she got moving, she was able to make the light but I didn't. This kind of things happen all the time, at least to me.

 

g4_,

"Delaying you by many minutes" ???

Com'on,

I can't visualize that.

If someone does not go when the elevator door opens or the light turns green,,
It's socially acceptable to clear your throat loudly or toot your horn. At least I think so...

If keeping any car from merging in front of you is your game...

Might I suggest some healthy competitive activities in your life?

Sharing is caring

 

Bill....facts are facts. I'm just presenting them. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be nice. It's not my place to tell people how they should behave. However, I'm in disagreement with the poster who said letting people pull in front of him wouldn't slow him down. This is only true when traffic is not congested. This is only true if we didn't have to deal with traffic lights or stop signs. In addition, we also have to deal with airheads who don't pay attention to the roads. Telling people to be nice is one thing. But it is a total lie to say letting people pull in front of you won't slow you down.

 

Is it "Many Minutes" or is it 4 seconds?

Com'on, do something else that is competitive other than driving in traffic.

Tailgate all you want. Don't let people in front of you when they politely signal.
Just beware of the 'Domino rear end accidents'. I see one at least once a week.
I only shake my head, "Well there goes the 4 seconds they thought they were gaining".....

Don't share the road, be rude and arrive at your destination knowing that maybe you saved "Many Minutes"
I serious doubt that number....

Have a good non-competitive weekend !