I-91 Diamond Lane Rant

[Glenn]

Here's something that's supposed to work.... During peak travel times, the diamond lane is supposed to be an alternative to the slow traveling traffic stuck in the regular lanes. While everyone else is stuck going 45....then stopping, then 45, then stopping. You can be zipping along stress free.

Here's what ends up happening to me. I get caught behind some clown who doesn't want to be around other cars. Now, this doesn't mean they have any intention of getting anywhere quickly, they just don't want to be around other drivers. They like having a jersey barrier to the left...and an open lane to their right. They usually end up going SLOWER then the people stuck in the regular lanes. This p!sses me off to no end. If you're going to get in the diamond, lane, you should be traveling FASTER than the traffic in the left lane of the "regular lanes". Seriously, why is this so hard for people?

Last Sunday evening, I jumped into the diamond lane in Windsor. I get caught behind some dude in an F-150 going 55. Seriously....55 friggin miles and hour. Luckily, we took the car to VT last weekend and not the Jeep. I was able to pass (not sure on the legality of this) when the lane opened up for an entrance ramp.

Anyways, just another example of clueless drivers. These are probably the same people who refuse to move out of the left lane when there's a line of traffic behind them and a wide open right lane.

Sorry, just a little AM rant. :angry:

 

[o3jeff]

They should eliminate them and put in two more lanes for regular traffic.

 

[deadheadskier]

I'm with you. Even on a normal 3 lane highway, unless there's a lot of traffic, you best be going 75 at minimum in the left lane in 65 mph zone.

 

[Paul]

they should eliminate them and put in two more lanes for regular traffic.

this!!!

 

[Geoff]

Suggestion: Move out of that toxic environment to somewhere that traffic isn't the issue and drive the freakin' speed limit using cruise control.

I spent 6+ hours in the car between KMart and Sherbrooke, Quebec yesterday. Other than the lane closures where they had bridges dug up, I never touched the gas pedal or brake. Cruise control on 69 mph. Good tunes on the iPod. Nice view. The only down side was the cow manure that has been spread on every field in the province of Quebec and the state of Vermont. It was OK driving up but everything was fermenting from baking in the sun all day on the way back.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

also...the left lane is for passing....if you ain't passing then move over....its a pleasure driving in Germany b/c they know the rules of the road...no one is in the left lane unless passing then as soon as they pass they move over..

 

[deadheadskier]

also...the left lane is for passing....if you ain't passing then move over....its a pleasure driving in Germany b/c they know the rules of the road...no one is in the left lane unless passing then as soon as they pass they move over..

I'll roll in the left lane until someone comes up behind me at a faster speed than I wish to travel. If the middle lane is going 65 and I desire to drive 75, I don't much see the point of constantly weaving in out of that lane if the left is open and I can cruise along.

 

[bvibert]

They should eliminate them and put in two more lanes for regular traffic.

Yes, they don't achieve their intended purpose anyway.

I'm with you. Even on a normal 3 lane highway, unless there's a lot of traffic, you best be going 75 at minimum in the left lane in 65 mph zone.

This. And even if you're doing 75 and someone comes up behind you then pull over to the right for a few seconds when there's a spot, so the person who wants to go faster can do so.

 

[bvibert]

I'll roll in the left lane until someone comes up behind me at a faster speed than I wish to travel. If the middle lane is going 65 and I desire to drive 75, I don't much see the point of constantly weaving in out of that lane if the left is open and I can cruise along.

Same here, unless the middle or right lane is mostly empty, then I'll move out of the left lane.

 

[gmcunni]

i have a pretty easy commute these days but nothing makes me happier than to be flying along in the HOV lane laughing at the people stuck in rush hour traffic in the regular lanes.

 

[bvibert]

I've never used the diamond lanes, but I always get a chuckle when I see someone who was cruising in one get stuck behind someone moving slower than the traffic in the normal lanes. Sorry Glenn, if it's ever been you that I've been chuckling at. That's the reason why I would normally never consider using it, there's no escape. I like having options.

 

[wa-loaf]

also...the left lane is for passing....if you ain't passing then move over....its a pleasure driving in Germany b/c they know the rules of the road...no one is in the left lane unless passing then as soon as they pass they move over..

I'll roll in the left lane until someone comes up behind me at a faster speed than I wish to travel. If the middle lane is going 65 and I desire to drive 75, I don't much see the point of constantly weaving in out of that lane if the left is open and I can cruise along.

Same here, unless the middle or right lane is mostly empty, then I'll move out of the left lane.

That doesn't fly in Germany because you can be cruising along at 90/100 and someone will come up behind you at 140.

 

[gmcunni]

That doesn't fly in Germany because you can be cruising along at 90/100 and someone will come up behind you at 140.

Aber wir sind nicht in Deutschland. ;-)

 

[deadheadskier]

That doesn't fly in Germany because you can be cruising along at 90/100 and someone will come up behind you at 140.

well, when in Germany do as the Germans do. :lol:

 

[gmcunni]

well, when in Germany do as the Germans do. :lol:

drink beer and wear Lederhosen?

 

[SkiDork]

I always liked european highway mentality.

in US its all about the speed limit.

in Europe its all about staying right.

 

[wa-loaf]

Aber wir sind nicht in Deutschland. ;-)

well, when in Germany do as the Germans do. :lol:

I just kind of feel if you aren't passing someone you shouldn't be in the left lane. Here or there. Not that I haven't been guilty of it myself.

 

[bvibert]

That doesn't fly in Germany because you can be cruising along at 90/100 and someone will come up behind you at 140.

Understood, but we're not in Germany. The likelihood of someone doing 40MPH more than me on the highways here is extremely slim.

 

[gmcunni]

I just kind of feel if you aren't passing someone you shouldn't be in the left lane.

i agree. i do consider myself a courteous driver. i drive the left lane but keep an eye on the rear view mirror and if someone's coming up on me i get out of the way in advance to keep things safe.

 

[bvibert]

I just kind of feel if you aren't passing someone you shouldn't be in the left lane. Here or there. Not that I haven't been guilty of it myself.

I know what you're saying, and I do try to stay in the right lane, but I hate constantly changing lanes if there's no one moving faster than me in the left lane anyway.