Q&A - What if You WANT to do the Speed Limit?

Q&A ImageWhat advice do you have when driving in heavy traffic that is averaging 25 to 30 km. over the posted speed?  I was crossing Lake Okanagan bridge a few days ago  in the right lane and if I went 15 to 20 km. over the 60 km. limit I was by far the slowest vehicle and had other vehicles tailgating me, and giving me looks that suggested I should go even faster!  I don’t like to hold up traffic but how should one deal with that situation without causing a problem?

It makes no difference if your the only one following the law, (speed limit) especially when you are in the correct right lane. All the speeders are the ones breaking the law and risk getting tickets and points, and the tailgaters are also the drivers breaking the law risking getting a ticket and points. Let them look at you anyway they like, you are the safe driver following the law, who cares what they think.

I always find this where ever I go, as I never speed, if I am on a 1 lane each direction hwy at the speed limit and start getting a string of traffic behind me and no passing lane coming anytime soon, I will find the safest place to pull of to the right and let them by me, if there is a passing lane coming I will slow down once I get there to allow the speeders by. The reason being is not that I agree with them speeding, but no sense getting the speeders mad as then they become even more unsafe on the road.

If I am on a 2 lane or more and I am in the right lane, then that is their problem if they don't like me following the law. If they want to tailgate me well then I just start slowing down, as now the road conditions are no longer ideal, which means I have to slow down to lessen the saverity of a crash should one happen. If they one finger salute me on the way by, I just ignore them, why should their bad driving effect me, I know better.

Never allow bad drivers to intimidate you when your driving by the law, just remember they are the unsafe law breakers risking points & fines, not you.

1. Stay in the right lane
2. Signal and pull over on to the shoulder once 5 vehicles line up behind you
3. Slow down in passing zones to below the speed limit - so that everyone who was lined up can pass and be out of your hair sooner.

I think one of the problems on BC highways with passing is that those vehicles that stay below speed limit in the single-lane stretches (turns and curves) inexplicably speed up (often above the posted limit) in the double-lane passing zones. This forces all passing vehicles to pass at "excessive" speed and shortens the time-frame for safe passes (since the passing zone is only some kilometers long).