You're right about the PASSING lane. I saw a very in-depth documentary about the German autobahn that compared and contrasted it with the U.S. Interstate System. There are a number of differences (lower grades, less sharp turns and thicker roads in Germany), but one major difference was lane control.

The Germans enforce lane control very strictly, which leads to lower accident rates - even with at greater speeds (as we all know the famous lack of speed limit).

They also pointed to cultural differences - Germans will follow those rules, they like those rules. Americans want to exert their will on others on the road - hence, those folks who you describe as "control and your craving of it." It's people believing that they can (and should) attempt to regulate how others drive.

I think my rant is about the incredible egos of drivers that drive up to the front of a merge-only lane and cut in. In the grand scheme of things it's not such a bad thing, but what drives me nuts is their apparent belief that their time is more important than the rest of us, that they just can't wait in line. Two major intersections on my commute that this happens - in the morning at four corners in Silver Spring (merging onto the beltway) and Rock Creek Parkway where it splits to Beach Drive and towards Connecticut Avenue in the afternoons. There. I feel better.

Following the previous rant, mine is for people who won't let me over to turn or merge or exit. Last week there was one guy that drove parallel to me - when I slowed, he slowed, when I sped he sped - and I missed my exit because I couldn't get over after trying for 1/2 mile! BE CONSIDERATE! The road is for everyone.

I try to only use the left lane to pass (unless there's a left exit or I otherwise need to use it.) But too many people think the left lane is indeed the fast lane, where the speed limit somehow doesn't apply.

So I often end up with the bad choice of either flooring it in the left lane, where I'm risking a ticket and that's still not enough to satisfy the person behind me who thinks he can go 90+ MPH in that lane, or puttering along behind some too-slow driver further to the right.

Ooh, this topic could cause me to go on for a week in full rant mode.

But I won't. I don't need the high blood pressure.

I think part of the problem with left-lane hogs comes from the now-repealed national speed limit. Once upon a time, prior to 1974, people were good about moving to the right to let others pass. That all changed with the advent of the 55-mph law. The self-righteous people decided that it was OK for them to remain in the left lane because they were obeying the law, don't you know, and forcing others to slow down. (To which I say: You want to enforce the law, join the police force.) Unfortunately, that's still the mindset of some people today. If people are going faster, just move right if it's safe to do so. What's the problem?

"If it's safe to do so" is an important clarification, of course; I-81 in Virginia is a prime example of a road with too much traffic and too few lanes, and because of the trucks sometimes you just can't move back to the right for a while. That's life. But I-81 is also a prime example of the "cruise control pass" where you have Grandpa driving in the right lane with his cruise control at 65 mpg, coming up on a truck doing 62 mpg, so he pulls out to pass but leaves the cruise on, and now both lanes back up. He should at least speed up to the speed of traffic in the next lane, make his pass, then slow back down.

I really wish Virginia would change the wording of the signs that say "Slower Traffic Keep Right." It's too subjective. I think that someone doing 65 mph on the Beltway is "slow" and ought not be in the left lane except to use a left-hand exit or onramp. But some people say, "I'm going 10 over the speed limit, so I'm not 'slow' and it's OK for me to be there." The signs on the Pennsylvania Turnpike are a far better model: "Drive Right--Pass Left--It's the Law." No ambiguity there!

I have a question for user "G." Are you referring to people who drive up a thru lane and then try to cut over to exit at the last minute, or are you referring to people who are merging onto a road who use the whole merge lane?

I ask because in my mind these two things are polar opposites. To stop and block a thru lane to get over just to avoid waiting in line is rude both to the traffic in the exit lane and to the people trying to use the thru lane. Drive through the 9th Street Tunnel at rush hour to see what I mean, but be ready to slam on the brakes and blow your horn.

But if traffic is stopped and you're in a lane that ends (a merge lane, or a lane that closes for construction, or the road narrows), I don't see how it makes sense NOT to use the whole lane that's ending and then take turns. If you say everyone has to get over when the first sign says "Lane Ends 1 Mile," then aren't you wasting one mile worth of road? Why build the lane if we aren't supposed to use it? (Note, I am referring solely to merges in stopped traffic. If traffic is flowing freely, of course one should just get over when it is safe.)

Funnily, as an American I never really absorbed the true meaning of a left hand "passing lane" until I'd been to another country. In America, particularly on our multi-lane highways, it's construed as just another lane one can use to get around other vehicles and get to one's destination as quickly as possible. In Switzerland, for instance, it is actually a true passing lane and the use of it is strictly enforced. Whether this is what has resulted in the much more considerate drivers to be found in that country or not, we'd do well to take a page from their book.

One of my personal pet peeves is the disappearing use of turn signals. One of the simplest things a driver can do to protect themselves and others is TO LET OTHERS KNOW THAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO MAKE A MOVE!!! HELLO! How hard is it to flick that little wand on the steering wheel to let those around you know that you're about to merge lanes/switch lanes/turn right or left???? I've heard that some people deliberately don't use the signal because they think people will cut them off on purpose. To them I say: Too bad!! Use the dang turn signal anyway! Geesh.

Backpacks on the trains! People, you don't realize it, but when you wear a backpack on the train you occupy about TWICE as much space. Take it off and hold it at your feet. When you turn around with that thing on, to look out the window or at a map, you are likely to bash someone in the face.

Amen.

Keep right except to pass. Pass and then move back to the right.

That's all I have to say.

Hey MetroSlave, "When you turn around with that thing on, to look out the window or at a map, you are likely to bash someone in the face"

And that's when an ever so slight push on the backpack is beneficial. They teeter a bit but don't fall. Most often realize to remove the backpack.

I wish they'd start teaching people that a left turn signal in the left lane indicates a request to pass. Much more polite than the hi-beams. Though it seems only a few people who I drive up on in the left lane actually get the idea.

While I absolutely could be wrong, I imagine that MHK's comment demonstrates why so many drivers make Steven and me INSANE: some people are either unsure of what to do or are intimidated by other traffic. In their uncertainty, they decide simply to get in the left lane and stay there - no further unpleasant choices to make, no need to use mirrors or turn signals, and if there's an accident it won't be their fault.

Of course I am certain there are an equal number of drivers who are simply oblivious to the interests of others. These are the same people who don't put a "divider" down on the checkout belt at the grocery store, leaving me to keep holding my gallon of milk, 2 quarts of OJ, and 5 microwave pizzas until their needs are met. Weasels.

P.S. Steven, while you're at it, could you battle against 18-wheelers who try to pass other 18-wheelers as we all travel up steep grades? With the number of new ramps and flyovers in use, especially at the Mixing Bowl, I'm often stuck behind one truck going uphill at 53 while passing another doing 50. While I understand truck drivers would prefer to use their momentum rather than brake a bit and downshift, my car is actually able to accelerate - even while climbing. A sign on each hill requiring that "TRUCKS STAY RIGHT" might mean that the rest of us could continue on our ways a little more regularly. Appreciate any help.

Not only backpacks on the metro, but those rolling briefcases that stick out 3-4 feet behind you and cause a tripping hazard.

While I agree about left-lane hogs, many local highways, especially two-lane Interstate 81, do not allow for one lane of traffic to be used only as the "passing lane". Many times I've driven long sections of 81 where both lanes were moving smoothly at ~75 mph or higher. The highway is just that congested. Are you really saying that most of those cars should have driven only in the right lane? That would be crazy.

I just submitted this to Dr Gridlock but I don't think he gets the problem, as others have already attempted to explain it to him earlier in the chat:

The problem where I live is where a cross street has a stop sign but the main street does not. Periodically, cars on the main street will decide to stop anyway to let a waiting car at the cross street enter traffic. Not only does it back up traffic through the intersection just before this cross street, but several rear-ending accidents have just barely been avoided by cars behind the "nice" ones who didn't expect someone to just stop for no reason. If the traffic engineers wanted that intersection to be a 3 way stop, they'd have made it one!

Anne, I could be wrong but I'm assuming we all are talking about multi-lane highways when traffic is not congested.

It's more of when 95 has all lanes going 65-70 and you can see ahead (the joy of non-flat roads) that it is caused by a few idiots in the left lane.

At the bottom of all our rants I'm sure the underlying problem is lack of courtesy and consideration for others, combined with a disregard for general safety. My peeve is people who drive way too fast in traffic circles such as Chevy Chase Circle. They seem to be so scared of the Circle -- one they use, uh, 5 days a week or more -- that they must accelerate and "get through that dangerous circle asap!", which of course makes it even more dangerous.

My small gripe is people who won't get their money or their SmartCards out of their pockets until they are actually standing at the paybox. C'mon, you complained the entire 5 minutes you had to wait for the bus and you couldn't use that time to prepare to pay? The same darn people do this EVERY DAY.

The worst thing having to deal with metro is trying to leave stations downtown with all of the tourists who have never heard of the concept of standing on the right and walking on the left on escalators. Call me impatient, but it is immensely frustrating.

Oh, yes, and the tourists and even residents who have no comprehension that when they stop at the top of the escalator to get their bearings, talk to friends, or whatever, are potentially causing a people-pileup behind them. I have had to resort to firmly and somewhat loudly saying, "Move forward, PLEASE!"

Almost as bad as the tourist on the metro are the tourists on the streets. They think nothing about walking 4-5 abreast along a sidewalk that is only 4-5 people wide. What about oncoming walkers or people behind that don't want to stop every 10 feet to look at something new (to them).

MOVE IT. I WANT TO GO HOME.

I agree with "that guy."

Also annoying are the ones who seem to think the doors need to close for each person that walks through. As well as the ones who let their dumb kids fiddle with putting the farecard in the slot, causing a backup in the lane.

Just to clarify, the Rich who posted at 1:52 and the Rich who posted the two posts earlier at around 1:30 are not the same person.

Something that I have never understood on metro - when a train pulls into the station and comes to a full stop, sometimes the conductor will announce "train moving forward", and then the train will move all of 1-2 ft, stop, then the doors will open. Was that small adjustment really necessary? I understand that sometimes the train has to move up several feet because the last half of the last car is still in the tunnel, but 1 foot? What's even worse is when the train stops in the station, you're waiting for the doors to open, the conductor makes NO announcement, then the train starts moving again. Have seen several people almost fall down when this happens!

Metro!
When I'm trying to politely get people moving (either down the escalator or to the right) and the person in back of me is pushing me to get them moving. There is only so much I can do, pal! I'm not willing to be charged with assault just so you make your train.

People who RUN in the Metro stations. Are you really so late (every day -- it's the same people) that you have to run? It's very dangerous, esp if you're a woman in heels(!) and I'm sorry that I just had to laugh (to myself) the time I saw you fall down, but you deserved it. You're a danger to yourself and others, so leave your house earlier and get over being Type A.

In some states, the left lane is designated as a passing lane.

Maryland is not one of them.

When people who aren't used to Metro standard 'rules' stand on both sides of the escalator, simply say "please stand to the right". Yes, I agree that it is like using the left lane to pass, but you will almost always see people standing on both sides of an escalator in the mall, right?

When I used to work downtown, we always likened tourists' use of the sidewalk to the laws of physics. Any given size group of tourists will expand to use the full width of the sidewalk they are using. And, of course, since they are preoccupied with gawking and talking, they walk slower and are completely unaware that they are impeding your progress.

Rich (the one who posted at 1:34 p.m.) ... the attitude of using the entire merge lane to merge when traffic is backed up is not a good one. Sure, it's legal. But traffic would move faster if everyone merged as early as they could, not waiting until the end of the merge lane where it's taking turns one by one.

MD Driver is right. There is no "passing lane" in Maryland. It's just a lane, and the left-laners can stay there if they so choose.

Sorry.

Another metro rant, to add to all of those already up: poll-huggers. They are residents and tourists alike (but of course, usually tourists) who think they own the poll they're leaning on. I've seen people hugging and even SLEEPING against the polls, all while six or eight other people try to find somewhere else to hold on.

What's a poll?

I just moved to MD and it seems that the driving courses here MUST teach something completely different than the ones in VA. The reason I say this is, when MD drivers approach a "yield" sign, they make a complete stop! When there is traffic approaching, yes you may have to stop. But, MD drivers seem to think that EVERY "yield" sign is a "stop" sign. If it were, it would be red, and have eight sides!!

NEW to MD,

They also like to come to a complete stop in the local lanes on 270 when they miss the lines for their exit.

Sorry, that should be POLE

Dan, I don't agree with you because it creates general anarchy when people start moving over at random times. You have some people who insist that you MUST move over ASAP and they stop in the merge lane, or worse, they stop so as to straddle both lanes, so everything backs up. Then you have other people who slow down to merge but don't indicate, so nobody knows whether they're trying to get over or just anticipating the merge. If traffic is already slow, there's no reason not to go to the end and do an alternate merge--traffic is already slow, after all, so it's not like you're slowing it down. As I already acknowledged, when traffic is moving freely it does tend to make sense to move over a little sooner, as it reduces the chances that you'll have to hit the brakes if you run out of room. I was speaking specifically of the slow traffic situation in saying that people need to learn that the proper thing is to go to the end and take turns.

i'm a little concerned about the tone and language used in this blog... and the grammar could use work... "As in, if you ain't passing someone, get out of the lane. Now! And while we're on the topic, if you're going to pass someone, pass them already."

passing "someone" in a car does not mean you pass "THEM" already -- someone is singular!

If the Post is having "blog sweeps week" or something where the blog editors are vying to see who can get the most comments posted, this topic is sure the one to come out on top!

I think the tone is going to be what it is, considering the topic is "What's your rant?" !

As for the grammar, I gave up on correcting people long ago. If you're concerned about the tone and the language on this blog, move over to the next one! HONK!

Uh, "bites," if you want to criticize people for their grammar, perhaps you should learn about proper capitalization. Ever heard of the pot and the kettle?

The people who think the road is for them alone and if they want to drive 25 miles over the speed limit, by gosh, they have somewhere to be and should be allowed to do what they want! I'm talking about people who want to drive 65 on the GW Parkway when the posted limit is 40. I'm in the right lane, driving 50 or higher depending on the flow of traffic. I move over to the left lane to avoid an upcoming backup in the right lane or to allow for merges from the right. But somebody has to pull up on my bumper and force me to go even faster, although it's not safe to do so or we're approaching an area of 30 mph posted speed.

I can't get into the right lane because it's blocked. There's no reason for me to go faster because then I'd be pushing the cars in front of me. Get off my bumper. It's not a racetrack, and no, your time isn't more important than my safety.

I only have one rant for the moment:

Maryland Drivers

Every time I am nearly involved in an accident with someone, whether I am getting cut off from the right lane, or stuck behind the car in the left lane on the Beltway doing 40, or almost getting plowed over by an SUV turning into my crosswalk with the WALK sign flashing, it is invariably a Marylander.

Not to say that they are bad people-- Marylanders, you are fine people-- or that DC or VA produces fine specimens-- just that there seems to be a preponderance of flat-out bad drivers from Maryland. They're not usually rude, just clueless. What's up with that?

I am careful of pedestrians because I walk a lot in DC and don't want to get run over myself! But, I am sick and tired of pedestrians who are waiting to cross the street and stand IN the street rather than on the corner curb. Why must they do that?

Also, those who walk across the street without even looking both ways, just because they have the "walk" sign. Yes, the traffic should stop for them, but they need to be aware at all times rather than lost in their iTunes-saturated world.

Finally, pedestrians who won't obey the "Walk"/"Don't Walk" signs in busy, heavy-traffic areas. Just because they think the traffic is clear, it doesn't mean one lane doesn't have a turning arrow, but idiots always disregard the signs and thus block the traffic that has the right to turn.

Does anyone in this area REALLY know what the triabgular yellow sign means?

For me it means yield or rather "YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY!" I am not a jerk on the road, I WILL let you merge if is possible for me to slow down without the tail gater behind me ending up in my back seat or I cannot clear to the next lane to my left. And yes, if I just let the car ahead of you unto the particular stretched of road, I GUAGED my speed for THAT car.. not FIVE of you! And sometimes, it would be really nice if you used your signal to merge because YES you can continue forward to that next right exit.

TURNING SIGNALS: Indeed I am psychic but at 8am I would much rather drink my coffee and listen to NPR than predict your lange change, exit, right turn from the far left lane. Your turn signal SOMEDAY might stop me from ending up in YOUR back seat. Really, I am not saying this to be mean but you have to be SUPER lazy or have a disability or sever Carpal Tunnell to not be able to engage in the flick of the wrist it takes to use your signal. I do assume that you have only one hand, or your signal is broken and THAT is why I did not see you signal. SEE? I am trying to be nice but really you are just a jerk and ON YOUR CELL PHONE (without handsfree).

There. I feel better now.. if only for the half hour before I try to get back across town. :)

My rant...those aggresive drivers who drive on your bumber, switching lanes every 5 feet, and cut-off just about every other driver on the raod in the process. These are the people who come flying up on you rear out of nowhere and at the last possible second switch lanes (without signaling of course) by cutting someone off to make thier car fit into that spot that's too small to get over into. Then they decide to cross over all 4 lanes of traffic at once to get into the right lane which is now moving faster (because it's an exit lane) only to cut back into traffic when the lane runs out. Every time they cut someone off that person has to throw on thier brakes, slowing down everyone else behind them. I just love watching people do this in congested traffic. Are they really going to get there that much faster by doing this?

These are the same folks who when traffic gets really slow are constanlty switching between lanes because one is going a bit faster than the next. When their lane slows they jump over into the lane they just left, and on and on. They're just making it worse for everyone else and most of the time I watch these bozos the whole 15 mile strech of 495 that I commute on. Sometime they manage to get 7 or 8 cars ahead of me! Wow they make it to the exit 4 seconds before I do. Totally worth it!

Bikes not obeying the rules of the road! I have no problem with people biking instead of driving. But the rules of the road apply to them, too. How often do you see bikes run stop signs and red lights, weave between stopped cars, and create various other traffic hazards? If they want the privileges of a car, they have to act like one.

1. ESCALATORS ARE NOT STAIRS. They are designed for standing, NOT walking (left, right, or center); continued walking weakens the structure & causes accidents. Either leave a few minutes earlier or utilize the staircases (yes, I know, many metro stations don't have them.)

2. Trains & buses are PUBLIC transportation. People seem to understand this in New York, London, Minneapolis, Paris, Munich & Dublin. It is beyond me why everyone riding DC's transit expects their own little zone of privacy -- if it's that important to you, hail a cab.

3. METRO: You geniuses need to discontinue stops on the red line at both Metro Center & Gallery Place during rush hour. You need a Red-Yellow train that only stops at Gallery Place and a Red-Blue train that only stops at Metro Center. This would rectify the near-impossibility of boarding at one of these packed stations only to have 1/2 the train exit at the next for their connection.

I use to fume about the tourists for not knowing the rules, but then I realized the obvious...they were tourists! They are on vacation away from the hectic lives so why should we complain? I am sure that many of you go to other cities and act like well...a tourist.

Now, what the hotel and tourism industries could and should do is produce a video/public service announcements for tourists on how to "act" in DC. This could be on the hotel's cable system, or what if metro installed video kiosks that broke down the rules of riding to tourists and perhaps even have it built into a special tourist metro pass machine?

Make it easier for tourists and we make it easier for ourselves. DC is not the easiest city to navigate.

Despite how some may feel about tourists, the area does need their dollars.