I would too! But I would have pulled over ono the wide, paved shoulder and let them pass and since the road as you indicate, so clear, it would be a simple and safer maneuver to then pull back onto the road and make the Left Turn.
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It used to be common in Texas on rural two lanes to drive on the shoulder to let faster cars pass. Never mind all the junk that can collect on the shoulder. I think the state has made a point of publicizing that driving on the shoulder is illegal, I don’t see it happen much now.
Fixed it for you.
Where you were “taught”. Who “taught’" you to do that?
Plus, the yellow line on the side we’re facing is solid.
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Yep, nothing unsafe about that. I’ve done it with police officers behind me, never an issue thats just how we drive here.
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I live in California in the 80s, if five or more behind you it was mandatory to pull over and let them pass.
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Well as I read the road markings, in this direction of travel, you would be breaking the law as this side has the solid, unbroken line… However, since “Big Blue” also read the road markings, he can cross the center-line, so as some say, this is a very common maneuver, to allow “Big Red” to pass without slowing down…
And this might be the last thing you see…
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Specifically, California law does require a vehicle to pull over if it’s traveling at a speed slower than the normal flow of traffic on a two-lane highway and has five or more vehicles behind it.
However, the law goes on to say, “You must pull off to the right at the nearest safe location, which may be a designated turnout or a sufficient area where you can safely stop to let traffic pass.”
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Got that, @ChrisTheTireWhisperer . . . ?
If there is a broken line allowing passing, approaching an intersection the line becomes solid (no passing) before the intersection.
Usually the solid line immediatetly reverts to a broken passing line after the intersection.
It is nice to get out of the way and not cause heavy trucks to brake and slow and possibly be rear-ended when unexpectedly slowing.
Safely get out of their way so they can continue efficiently without applying brakes and slowing and then again accelerating up to speed.
An example: Google Maps
I think we are getting a little theatrical here. I don’t think alot of people understand the sparse areas where it is customary to pull this move. There is little to no traffic, you can see way down the road. Lets not make thos into something it isn’t.
Could you describe a situation where a truck, or any other vehicles for that matter, would have to brake so suddenly for a turning vehicle?
When I’m turning, right, or left, I start indicating several hundred feet before that turn, and coast or gently brake to reduce my speed as I get closer. I don’t notice any drivers slamming on their brakes behind me - as long as I prepare for my turn as I stated. And part of that is tied into my 2-3 years running practice of recognizing speed limits as something to aim for, but not to exceed.
Anticipate!… Said my old college roommate.
Thank you!
I am just trying to point out that so many, many accidents occur because they never saw the other car… As I pointed out in the original video, the motorcycle passed me and he even glanced at me, all while riding in the on-coming lane on that curvy road. People who drive like that motorcyclist, drive that way in both directions and if an oncoming speeding vehicle from the other direction suddenly appeared in his lane, he too would have become a hood ornament. You did notice that Mustang that speeded up as soon as I go out of his way at the end of the video? If that Mustang had been going the other way, they might have become “Fast Friends…”
There have been a few accidents where one truck rear-ended another* which was slowing because a car unseen ahead of the first truck was slowing to make a left turn. (When I make right turns my right tires are usually over the white line to get out of the way and truckers left tires over the double yellow line to maintain speed.
*Following trucker’s fault. Driver probably sleepy and used to the steady speed out in the plains.
Had the car decelerated in the opposing traffic lane, the trucks would have continued without slowing and then accelerating back up to speed. There are many tractor-trailerigs heading to and from Texas on that road.
The truck rear-ending the other should have been going a little slower, 3-4mph slower makes all the difference.
Is maintaining speed that important?
Yes, the truckers behind should have seen what was happening but sometimes they do not.ice until too late.
Maintaining speed for their rig and many following.
So when possible I try to stay out of everyone’s way.
I doubt it. Something like that would be the talk of the town for decades…if there were a town…in the picture you can see road where I would make a left turn. The farm was 9 miles of unpaved road off the highway.
I’m sure you’re able to find many examples of doing the right thing and doing what’s legal are 2 different things. Such as drinking and driving. Is it right to have a few beers in the car on your way home? Yet it wasn’t illegal in that state until just 20 years ago…Ban means final toast to legal drinking, driving
Behind the steering wheel.
Obviously you wouldn’t do this if there were any oncoming traffic. We’re not talking about driving on the interstate.
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Absolutely not.
But I would never practice moving into an oncoming lane to make a left turn. I would dutifully slow down gradually, left blinker deployed, as I do on similar roads in Connecticut.
Pictured: Boston Turnpike (Rte 44) facing westbound.
If I were making a left onto the road at left of image, I would start gradually slowing down from 1/4 mile back, and deploy blinker 1/8 of mile back. If oncoming traffic, I would stop, about a car length behind the brown Honda captured in this photo, IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE where I belong.
It is the duty of drivers behind me to observe my deceleration and directional indicators, and adjust their driving speeds accordingly.
I have zero reason to move into either the left lane, the right shoulder, into the trees, or the sky or anywhere else, to commit my left turn.
No kidding! But obviously you had to learn this technique, either from watching others, or inventing it yourself.
I wouldn’t do it, PERIOD, unless a law enforcement official, on scene, instructed me and other drivers to cross over.
My “need for speed” has been tamed over 35 years of driving.
The trees and shadows in your example cause poor visibility, much different environment than the pictures shown of western roads. You have no choice other than to remain in your lane.
If it takes you that long to make a turn and exit the travel lane, post “Rookie Driver” on the back of your car, maybe the drivers behind you will be more forgiving.
Your family can post on your gravestone “Chris was a better driver than the man following him”.
I would conduct as such, on flat land Indiana as I would in that part of CT.
It goes by faster than you think, even at the posted speed limits.
Might as well face it, you’re addicted to speed….!