Feel like a target when using adaptive cruise control

Over in UK where we drive on the left of the road, the rule is whatever your driving speed, keep to the left except when overtaking other traffic.

I believe you will be putting yourself at greater risk of collision if you opt for idea #1!

 

Thanks for the tips on using normal or power mode with the cruise control to make the acceleration less sluggish! Will try it out - I generally keep it on ECO.

 

Please remember that even when in Eco DRCC, you can press the gas pedal to increase your rate of acceleration (to the point of pedal to the metal - which gives you full power regardless of the preset mode) and just ease off as you near your set speed.

 

I think it's the "human" mentality we are dealing with here. Other drivers don't have a system to keep a safe distance. This causes them to follow more closely to other drivers, since they have never been shown what a real safe distance looks like.

This causes them to become stressed and irritated when another driver ahead isn't driving as closely as they would be. They do not understand that even at a closer distance, the time saved by tailgating is negligible.

 

wgary, I understand your frustration. Slower traffic should keep right, but they don't. People should leave safe following distances, but they don't. People shouldn't tailgate other drivers, but they do. People shouldn't cut between you and the car in front of you, but they do. Worse yet, after cutting in front of you, they hit their brakes to make more space. Really? Take a deep breath and calm down.

Keep to the right lane. A good rule of thumb is 3/4 of the time it's better to show more patience with slower drivers, 1/4 of the time you should pass them. Don't pass unless they're driving under the speed limit or you're getting tailgated badly. Better yet, don't pass until they're 10 mph under the speed limit. Don't regret losing your temper. Yes, I know it's a cliche, but don't allow other drivers to control your behavior. Control your own behavior. Leave early, so you're not in a hurry. Getting there safely beats getting there first.

 

Every time I return from the mountains it's a culture shock. I feel the freeways in Oakland are a battleground. If you leave 50 feet in front and not actively accelerating they will cut you. You can activate DRCC, set to single bar, and push down on the accelerator. Good luck!

 

People who have to fight traffic in major cities have my deepest sympathy. OKC has bad drivers, but we're far from the worst.

 

I'm a service tech in the Orlando area and cover the entire state of Florida. I LOVE the DRCC. It was worth every penny. However, I experience the exact same issue. I've found it's best to just stay in the right when you can, and if anyone gets super road rage at you, smile and wave. It often confuses them long enough to miss their opportunity to pass or flip you off. Ignoring them also works incredibly well.

 

That sounds good as long as you don't drive too slowly that you annoy others behind you.

 

I limit the number of people that I give the power to influence how I drive.....or whether or not that I'm in a good mood, and I LIKE being in a good mood.
I don't have an adaptive cruise control....but a few years ago my beloved company DID put a GPS/Cellular data logger into my car, therefore I'm compelled to drive within a few ticks of the PSL, or somebody a lot higher than me (or my boss) in the food chain will get an automated nasty-gram about the little white Prius that's speeding and give all of the lurid details.

One would think that since I CANNOT drive faster than PSL that I would get hateful gestures, tailgaters, and calls to the1-800-HoZmydriving number that......somehow.....isn't on my car.

FORTUNATELY.....
I live where traffic is relatively light and I can still hand-fly the car, which is more fuel efficient anyway.....
I'll usually wind up a safe distance behind a truck that's also being tracked by a data-logger, in the right hand lane, and going about the posted speed limit.
If some low octane driver wants to get between me and the truck, I've discovered a secret hack that's guaranteed to work every time it's tried!!!!!!

I just let them!!.......and then I re-establish my safe following distance.

I arrive at my destination frustration-free, and I actually get pretty good mileage while doing so.
I'm thinking that the DRCC might even facilitate this policy, but since I've never used one I cannot say for sure.....

Advice: Do this....

 

Amen! I've gotta bookmark this:

 

That's exactly how I drive. The few extra minutes it takes to reach my destination, is worth the reduced stress and higher MPG.