Newsgroups: ont.general
Path: utzoo!lsuc!tmsoft!woods
From: woods@tmsoft.uucp (Greg Woods)
Subject: Re: Highway Driving Rules
Message-ID: <1989Apr19.035315.25117@tmsoft.uucp>
Summary: You're all nuts  [1/2 :-)]
Keywords: driving flame
Reply-To: woods@tmsoft.UUCP (Greg Woods)
Organization: G.A.W. Consulting
References: <8904061731.AA21685@ellesmere.csri.toronto.edu> <9111@watcgl.waterloo.edu> <1647@dciem.dciem.dnd.ca> <5822@watdcsu.waterloo.edu> <3098@looking.UUCP> <273@ecijmm.UUCP> <8904181609.AA02831@harbord.csri.toronto.edu>
Distribution: ont
Date: Wed, 19 Apr 89 03:53:15 GMT


Unfortunately I've forgotten to read this group lately (I was too busy?
Nah, that couldn't be it!) and I didn't get into the "driving"
discussion as soon as I'd have liked...

(Sorry Mark, but since I'm going to comment about Ontario drivers, and
I would like to address a segment of same, AND I don't give a damn
what the rest of the world thinks of my driving or Ontario driving,
I'm continuing here.)

There has been a lot of mis-information and "I know best" opinions
spread through this trail of discussion.

First, I believe that, as a previous poster stated, it is NEVER legal
to exceed the speed limit, whether passing, or being passed. 

Second, though I often disagree with posted limits (to the extent that
if in a hurry I can often be found to exceed same by up to 10%, which
has not yet resulted in a ticket), I firmly believe that exceeding the
speed limit should NOT be tolerated.  I don't agree with metric, and I
fight it every step of the way.  Often it seems that 10% over the
metric speed limit is near the previously posted speed in M.P.H.  At
least that's one way of justifying it :-).

Third, the rules about passing on multi-lane highways are quite
simple.  You MUST move over to the right if approached from behind,
AND you are not driving at the speed limit.  However, if you are
driving at the speed limit, you may continue on your merry way.  (I
know, I've also heard of cases where people were fined (in court) for
not getting out of the way.  I don't think all of the facts of these
cases have been presented clearly.)  Of course, any emergency or police
vehicle MUST be given the right-of-way.

Finally, what really pisses me off are: A) people who weave; and B)
people who barrel down (up) on my rear, (even when I'm 10% over the
limit), and begin making like they think I'm the crazy asshole.  In
many cases these people are the cause of traffic jams and accidents.
I insist that it is not my action of following the speed limit, but
that of those who exceed the limit that cause problems.  Traffic jams
are also caused by people who slow on corners and "rubber-neck" to see
various "interesing" things.  Accidents are also caused by people who
signal while (or after) making a move, or worse yet, don't signal at
all.  Problems of both kinds are caused by paranoids who don't know
enough to match traffic speed when trying to merge (of course some
vehicles and circumstances prevent this).

Now that I've said all that, I've got to contemplate safe procedures
for practicing what I preach while riding my motorcycle.  Driving my
full sized 4x4 pickup lets me get away with my "non-standard but
legal" ways, but a motorcycle is a different kettle of fish.  With the
bike I do have a bit more control, and theoretically more maneuvering
room though.

I suppose most of you who've also ridden with me (bike or truck) will
think I've gone completely off my rocker.  You'll know I'm often an
aggressive driver and I think caution speeds are for paranoids and
people who drive little tin boxes with poor tires.  I AM a defensive
driver, but I try to follow the motto "the best defense is a good
offense".

If you've gotten this far, thanks for listening to a VERY frustrated
driver.
-- 
						Greg A. Woods.

woods@{{tmsoft,utgpu,gate,ontmoh}.UUCP,utorgpu.BITNET,gpu.utcs.Toronto.EDU}
+1-416-443-1734 [h],	+1-416-595-5425 [w]		Toronto, Ontario, Canada