Simple Solution to the Hybrid in HOV Problem - Page 2 - GreenHybrid

foo monkey · #11 (**permalink**) 05-03-2006, 09:11 PM

HOV lanes are not high-speed passing lanes. They are lanes which reward carpoolers when the highway is congested. I use the HOV-2 lanes on 66, all the time, usually with two or more passengers. The thing is, if the HOV is moving significantly faster, say 20 MPH more, than the other lanes, I figure that's good enough. I never go any faster than that, relative to the slow traffic. Why? Because invariably, some jackass tries to jump out into the HOV lanes, to blend in, beat the traffic, and causes an accident. It happens all the time. I see most other HOV riders do the same. HOV isn't about fast. It's about faster than everyone else, when there's congestion.

Double-Trinity · #12 (**permalink**) 05-03-2006, 09:47 PM

I apologise if this was not addressed at me:

Quote:

Originally Posted by foo monkey

HOV lanes are not high-speed passing lanes. They are lanes which reward carpoolers when the highway is congested. I use the HOV-2 lanes on 66, all the time, usually with two or more passengers. The thing is, if the HOV is moving significantly faster, say 20 MPH more, than the other lanes, I figure that's good enough. I never go any faster than that, relative to the slow traffic. Why? Because invariably, some jackass tries to jump out into the HOV lanes, to blend in, beat the traffic, and causes an accident. It happens all the time. I see most other HOV riders do the same. HOV isn't about fast. It's about faster than everyone else, when there's congestion.

Agreed, I even said as much which is why I believe the HOV lanes should allow traffic out everywhere, but not in everwhere, so someone couldn't pass on a whim using the HOV lane, while still reducing the problem of lots of cars exiting all at once the same point.

worthywads · #13 (**permalink**) 05-03-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double-Trinity

What I believe shuld be done is that there should be solid yellow line on the outside (no crossing), and dotted on the inside. This way, drivers coudl only enter HOV lanes at fixed points, but they could exit anywhere to get to a certain onramp. This would cut down on the number of interactions concentrated locally at the HOV entrance/exit points.

Makes sense to me.

worthywads · #14 (**permalink**) 05-03-2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde2575

I am not at all stating that it is not unsafe or dangerous to drive the speed limit in the more left lanes when everyone around you is going 15 - 20 mph faster than you. My point was more that if we all drove the legal limit that this would never be such an issue. It can be any driver, not necessarily a hybrid driver.

I drive 25 miles each way on the freeway 5 days a week and I see how dangerous it is daily as a speeding car swerves from lane to lane to avoid slowing down and that is where the hazard lies. If we all drove the speed limit that would no longer happen.

There was a time when I was one of those speeders and after a ticket or two and a little math regarding the time, I decided it was not worth it. I must be honest though, my hybrid is the reason that I starting figuring out how much time I save (or don't really save) if I go 15 or 20 over the limit. That lack of time saved coupled with the ticket, safety and the gpm made me realize that it was not worth it. Regarding saving time: how many times have we all been passed by a speeder only to meet them at the next light?

BTW, I am a right lane driver at almost all times, the only time that I am not is when I am passing.

Jessica

I know full well the jackasses that swerve from lane to lane including the far right lane I usually dwell and I won't adjust my speed for them, in the proper lane. Glad your not the vigilante, I incorrectly assumed, sorry.

But wishing we'd all drive the speed limit is, dare I say, the same as Just Say NO, or Abstinence ONLY. Only Draconian measures could achieve this, and I think money is better spent elsewhere. Police state, no thanks.

I'm also baffled by the drivers on my daily commute. I can usually time the 11 traffic lights, knowing which ones I can make either through laying back our hurrying,and which I likely won't. Yet I seem to be alone with most everyone else racing to the next red light. I assume everyone else is on their repetitive daily commute too.

Bill Bolivia · #15 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 10:19 AM

Worthywads,

Yet another example of many drivers' inability (or will) to use data gleaned from their own experience. After minimal introspection, it is easy to turn such data into action by making small behavioral changes that improve daily existence and increase the likelihood of longer-term survival. Eh?

BB