<p class="blogSubject"> On the nature of the third (human) cause of traffic (Draft) </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%" class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Aside from structural issues (that cause irreducible traffic backup until expanded), and uncontrollable factors (i.e. weather), there seem to be three main causes of traffic that are the direct result of human action. One is construction, whose effect is easy to see. The second category would be the realm of accidents, which cause delays in a similar fashion to construction on one hand, and rubbernecking besides. But the third category is the least recognized, and is in fact ignored. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%" class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>I refer to the commonplace presence of slow drivers in left-hand lanes. In a two lane highway, if the right lane is going 55 miles per hour, and the left is going 60, congestion is created. Sadly, while the blame rightfully belongs to the driver who, for whatever reason, feels that going the speed limit in the left lane is perfectly acceptable. This inefficient mindset is reinforced by the speeding laws enacted throughout the country, where efficient driving must give way to the lucrative practice of ticketing speeders. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%" class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>This is not to say that there should not be some method of ensuring that lunatics who seek to weave in and out of traffic at 100 miles an hour be prevented. Rather, those who seek to drive a noticeably but relatively faster speed in the left lanes should be encouraged to do so. If the right lane is going the same 55 mph as before, but the left lane is going 70, there is no way for the traffic to bottleneck behind slow drivers in the right lane (correctly placed) and slow drivers in the left lane (who belong in the right lane).</p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%" class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The question becomes how to create an atmosphere where slow drivers remain in the right lane, except to pass briefly. It seems that the best avenue is to enact separate speed zones for the various lanes. Accordingly, the right lane in a given highway would then be 50-60 mph, and the left would be 70-80. Should there be a middle lane, something along the lines of 60-70 mph would be appropriate. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%" class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>By creating different speed levels, rather than a single speed limit, highways could be made significantly more efficient, even as incidents of road rage caused by slow-moving vehicles in the left lane (and the resulting bottlenecks) diminish. </p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%" class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The key to the success of such a change will be the police. Currently entrusted with the responsibility of catching speeders, the police could subtly enforce the new system by remaining vigilant regarding slower drivers in leftward lanes. Not only would a stigma be removed from those who prefer to (and feel more comfortable to) go fast, but slower drivers would also be forced to comply, for their own safety as well as overall efficiency.</p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%" class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>It will be surely a reaction that the specter of speeding as reckless and dangerous be raised. However, it is not speed itself that is the issue, but other factors that converge when faster and slower drivers are forced to share the same space, without useful governing principles. By separating the slower drivers from the faster, and dedicating lanes accordingly, there will be room for both to maneuver according to the reflexes and comfort level of each one, rather than the current uniform rule that truly benefits no one. Comfort spheres would be achieved for both types of driver, even as both are freed to drive more securely in fact, as well as in theory.</p> <p style="text-align: justify; line-height: 200%" class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>To reiterate, by changing the theory of driving speed from a lowest-common-denominator type of speed limit system to a tiered system designed for efficiency and separation of differently suited drivers, highway driving will become safer and more efficient. While it would face a daunting uphill battle, it is a plan that could reap considerable benefits for all concerned. </p>
I was in germany for a month about 9 months ago. Driving there is like being in heaven. The left lane is always open. If a car wants to pass another car, it does so and immidieately after that it goes back to the right lane, doing so leaves the left lane again open for someone else that wants to go faster, pass, etc. </p> To get a drivers license there, they had to go to class, do 50 hours of driving lessons with an instructor (about 15 dollars an hour) which in the end turns the person into a very good driver.</p>
