The Finch Formerly Known As Gold

21 January 2003

Laggards and blackguards

They're called "left-lane bandits," and you've certainly seen them, sitting in what's supposed to be the fast, or at least the passing, lane, traveling at a speed which they think to be conspiciously law-abiding. While these characters probably deserve whatever they get, it's probably not advisable for you to administer same, says Moira Breen:

Yes, slow drivers are annoying. They may have a reason for driving slowly. Or they may just be being pissants. But even if the latter is true, tailgating will not make them accelerate. And the driver's pissantry does not abrogate the laws of physics governing stopping distances.

Better, perhaps, to let the lessons be taught by Kenworth and Peterbilt. That massive grille looming seemingly right behind one's back seat has a way of motivating even the most militant member of the Anti-Destination League.

Posted at 11:56 AM to Driver's Seat


I know someone who used to cruise in the left lane like that, who would never move over for tailgaters. I tried to tell her that it's safer to move over let them go on by regardless how she might feel about the rudeness (and I practice what I preach, BTW).

I think she's gotten the message since then, or else she's lying when she complains about me always being right.

Posted by: Kevin McGehee at 3:09 PM on 21 January 2003

On Texas two-lanes, at least, there exists some vestige of lane discipline; if someone is crawling along ahead of you and you loom in his rear-view mirror, he will very likely pull into the breakdown lane (if it exists) and let you by. Don't expect this on I-20 or 35, though.

Posted by: CGHill at 4:17 PM on 21 January 2003

I've ranted about this too, it's one of my biggest peeves...argh, it's frustrating.

Posted by: Marc at 8:44 PM on 22 January 2003

I'm plagerizing that immediately...it's just too good...Anti-Destination League. I love it.

Posted by: Quana at 9:19 PM on 22 January 2003

I can't claim credit for that one. It was in occasional use in Car and Driver at least fifteen years ago, maybe earlier.

Posted by: CGHill at 9:30 PM on 22 January 2003