This is one of the great mysteries of life that I've been unable to fathom. It's not that I'm a leadfoot or a speed demon on the highway; about 15-20% of traffic typically goes faster than me. I try to keep pace with the general flow of traffic.
But then there are the slowpokes - the ones whom everyone seems to be passing. Or they might be on a two-lane highway with no passing - and a whole slew of cars is lined up behind them because they can't pass. I often wonder why they don't just pull over for a few minutes and let the other cars behind them pass. They're obviously not in a hurry to get anywhere.
I also see quite a few people driving inordinately slow because they're texting, even though it's illegal and dangerous to do so.
Sometimes I see a mini traffic jam of vehicles on the highway, being slowed down by a few strategically placed drivers going 5-10 mph slower than the traffic flow. This leads to situations where vehicles tend to clump up, as they're stuck behind two vehicles, one going 55 mph and the other passing it at 56 mph - where the speed limit is 65 mph (and people generally go around 70 or so). So, people who are used to driving at a certain rate of speed on the highway are suddenly slowed down and clumped together rather tightly. At that speed, the slightest error on anyone's part could lead to a multi-car pileup which often happens on the interstates.
Slow drivers seem like they're in some kind of alternate reality, oblivious to their surroundings. That's why I can't fathom it. If I found myself in a situation where every other vehicle was passing me or honking at me or yelling at me as they pass, I would try to piece it together and figure it out. Don't these drivers know that they're causing many other drivers to be aggravated? Or do they just not care?
Sorry for the long rant, but I just had to get this out of my system.
But then there are the slowpokes - the ones whom everyone seems to be passing. Or they might be on a two-lane highway with no passing - and a whole slew of cars is lined up behind them because they can't pass. I often wonder why they don't just pull over for a few minutes and let the other cars behind them pass. They're obviously not in a hurry to get anywhere.
I also see quite a few people driving inordinately slow because they're texting, even though it's illegal and dangerous to do so.
Sometimes I see a mini traffic jam of vehicles on the highway, being slowed down by a few strategically placed drivers going 5-10 mph slower than the traffic flow. This leads to situations where vehicles tend to clump up, as they're stuck behind two vehicles, one going 55 mph and the other passing it at 56 mph - where the speed limit is 65 mph (and people generally go around 70 or so). So, people who are used to driving at a certain rate of speed on the highway are suddenly slowed down and clumped together rather tightly. At that speed, the slightest error on anyone's part could lead to a multi-car pileup which often happens on the interstates.
Slow drivers seem like they're in some kind of alternate reality, oblivious to their surroundings. That's why I can't fathom it. If I found myself in a situation where every other vehicle was passing me or honking at me or yelling at me as they pass, I would try to piece it together and figure it out. Don't these drivers know that they're causing many other drivers to be aggravated? Or do they just not care?
Sorry for the long rant, but I just had to get this out of my system.