One last thread to make all of us THINK. This could be automatic for long term trailer owners, but we always have new trailer owners that might get something out of your post(s).
There are many reasons to travel in a preferred traffic lane on a multiple lane Highway. Some make sense and there is logic behind the choice. Some choices are bad habits from traveling without a trailer in tow. Lets hope that with some discussion we all are given options that might be practical and some options that are not and are dangerous to you and the traffic that should have the right of way.
This is for Four Lane or wider highways. The two lane State Highways are unique in their own way.
For State Highway, two lanes, my suggestion is to travel at the speed limit when you have NO traffic behind you, maybe 5mph below the 65 to 70mph speed limit rated stretches. When traffic is backing up behind you, on a straight away with passing, slow down and let people pass you. Most vehicles drive 5mph or more over the speed limit in rural parts of the road. If the line is... severe... find a truck pull off or a Historic Marker pull out and let them pass. Everyone will be happy and content. I am sure there are other comments that will also be well meant coming...
City two lane in one direction I prefer to be in the left, inside so called passing lane. Traffic can be jammed, so you are not holding up traffic but blocking the view of those behind you. Just leave space in front of you for those wanting to gain that extra position behind the 18 wheeler in front of you. WHY? Because there is nothing worse than traffic coming down the ramp after a red light wanting to merge... seeing you and ALL want to get in front of YOU, even if you are traveling at the speed everyone else is. They are mobile and you are NOT. You might get some drivers who resent your presence on the Highway no matter what you do... but in congested City two lanes... I like the inside lane to prevent being forced to apply the brakes hard to avoid a broadside collision. Any other options?
City three or more lanes. Again the lane in the MIDDLE works the best for me with three lanes or more. Five lanes and I am just heading out of town... the middle until you find the need to move over for an exit or reduction in lanes. My entire strategy is:
1- To prevent traffic from forcing me to apply the brakes hard or move to avoid their cutting in front of you and then needing to slow down 50% of their speed to avoid rear ending the traffic in front of YOU.
2- Steady flow with five car lengths or so creates a safe zone for you. Your stopping distance is much more than you think. After years of navigating through traffic... you will automatically see where you are best. Just avoid those lanes intended for "passing lanes" when another is better. A trailer in tow going the speed limit or ten miles over the speed limit... is seen as an obstacle to many drivers, if not all.
3- My worst hour of beginning and ending a trip is getting the last 50 miles through the City traffic. Absolutely the worst. It is unpredictable and if you are to have an accident, it was not on the gravel road in the mountains... but on the wide City Traffic JAM. We will time our exit out of the City traffic BEFORE RUSH "HOUR" or arrive AFTER. But sometimes you have arrived and must understand how to navigate those who think you are a BIG road block at no matter what speed you are traveling OR how slow traffic is moving.
I am excellent at rural driving. BUT... City wide freeways, traffic entering on your left and sometimes right side... can create some nasty decision making events. Your first responsibility is yourself and family. THEN the traffic behind and in front of you.
Please... add to this Thread. I cannot imagine Los Angeles. Chicago. Although... Las Vegas... down the Las Vegas Strip... is not so bad.
There are many reasons to travel in a preferred traffic lane on a multiple lane Highway. Some make sense and there is logic behind the choice. Some choices are bad habits from traveling without a trailer in tow. Lets hope that with some discussion we all are given options that might be practical and some options that are not and are dangerous to you and the traffic that should have the right of way.
This is for Four Lane or wider highways. The two lane State Highways are unique in their own way.
For State Highway, two lanes, my suggestion is to travel at the speed limit when you have NO traffic behind you, maybe 5mph below the 65 to 70mph speed limit rated stretches. When traffic is backing up behind you, on a straight away with passing, slow down and let people pass you. Most vehicles drive 5mph or more over the speed limit in rural parts of the road. If the line is... severe... find a truck pull off or a Historic Marker pull out and let them pass. Everyone will be happy and content. I am sure there are other comments that will also be well meant coming...
City two lane in one direction I prefer to be in the left, inside so called passing lane. Traffic can be jammed, so you are not holding up traffic but blocking the view of those behind you. Just leave space in front of you for those wanting to gain that extra position behind the 18 wheeler in front of you. WHY? Because there is nothing worse than traffic coming down the ramp after a red light wanting to merge... seeing you and ALL want to get in front of YOU, even if you are traveling at the speed everyone else is. They are mobile and you are NOT. You might get some drivers who resent your presence on the Highway no matter what you do... but in congested City two lanes... I like the inside lane to prevent being forced to apply the brakes hard to avoid a broadside collision. Any other options?
City three or more lanes. Again the lane in the MIDDLE works the best for me with three lanes or more. Five lanes and I am just heading out of town... the middle until you find the need to move over for an exit or reduction in lanes. My entire strategy is:
1- To prevent traffic from forcing me to apply the brakes hard or move to avoid their cutting in front of you and then needing to slow down 50% of their speed to avoid rear ending the traffic in front of YOU.
2- Steady flow with five car lengths or so creates a safe zone for you. Your stopping distance is much more than you think. After years of navigating through traffic... you will automatically see where you are best. Just avoid those lanes intended for "passing lanes" when another is better. A trailer in tow going the speed limit or ten miles over the speed limit... is seen as an obstacle to many drivers, if not all.
3- My worst hour of beginning and ending a trip is getting the last 50 miles through the City traffic. Absolutely the worst. It is unpredictable and if you are to have an accident, it was not on the gravel road in the mountains... but on the wide City Traffic JAM. We will time our exit out of the City traffic BEFORE RUSH "HOUR" or arrive AFTER. But sometimes you have arrived and must understand how to navigate those who think you are a BIG road block at no matter what speed you are traveling OR how slow traffic is moving.
I am excellent at rural driving. BUT... City wide freeways, traffic entering on your left and sometimes right side... can create some nasty decision making events. Your first responsibility is yourself and family. THEN the traffic behind and in front of you.
Please... add to this Thread. I cannot imagine Los Angeles. Chicago. Although... Las Vegas... down the Las Vegas Strip... is not so bad.
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