Did EyeSight incite road rage?

[GasGuzz]

LoL.
How many times have I seen that… Slowpoke in the left lane on the autobahn -> American driver.

[plain OM]

All I can come up with is that maybe the adaptive cruise control was tapping the brakes to maintain speed, and that was causing the driver behind me to wig out? I know I'd go a little crazy if the car in front of me kept hitting the brakes for no reason.

Question 1: If and when Eyesight applies the brakes (as opposed to taking control of the throttle for speed control), does it also turn on the stop lights?

Question 2: And on the issue of three-lanes and "slower" drivers in the middle lane, what do the laws in your states say about merging into traffic. In some areas I travel, the law says the car entering the right lane from an entrance (on) ramp has to yield to traffic already in the right lane, but for the most part this is ignored. It's especially problematic when the merge lanes are too short, which is often the case. Cars, and trucks, will have their left turn signal flashing as soon as they approach the merge lane, and start drifting over into the right lane at almost the same time, regardless of traffic already in the right lane. I was once put into an awkward situation travelling south on I-95 in a southern state -- I was in the right lane in a line of cars, and boxed in on the left by faster traffic in the center lane, yet a slowly merging car kept coming sideways at me despite my warning, to the point where I had to take evasive action, risking being hit in the rear by following cars. Frankly, from then on I stayed in the middle lane, travelling with traffic at whatever speed it was going as did the OP here, thereby leaving the right lane to the new entrants who act as if they are entitled to that lane regardless of other cars already in the lane. I understand the "slower traffic keep right" rule; so what do your road rules say about merging?

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by plain OM

Question 1: If and when Eyesight applies the brakes (as opposed to taking control of the throttle for speed control), does it also turn on the stop lights?

Question 2: And on the issue of three-lanes and "slower" drivers in the middle lane, what do the laws in your states say about merging into traffic. In some areas I travel, the law says the car entering the right lane from an entrance (on) ramp has to yield to traffic already in the right lane, but for the most part this is ignored. It's especially problematic when the merge lanes are too short, which is often the case. Cars, and trucks, will have their left turn signal flashing as soon as they approach the merge lane, and start drifting over into the right lane at almost the same time, regardless of traffic already in the right lane. I was once put into an awkward situation travelling south on I-95 in a southern state -- I was in the right lane in a line of cars, and boxed in on the left by faster traffic in the center lane, yet a slowly merging car kept coming sideways at me despite my warning, to the point where I had to take evasive action, risking being hit in the rear by following cars. Frankly, from then on I stayed in the middle lane, travelling with traffic at whatever speed it was going as did the OP here, thereby leaving the right lane to the new entrants who act as if they are entitled to that lane regardless of other cars already in the lane. I understand the "slower traffic keep right" rule; so what do your road rules say about merging?

Plain your #2 comment is one of the very few rules of the road I do not agree with from a simple safety stand point. It is much easier for a car already in the lane to #1 see the car entering the road way in Most cases - and #2 slow some to allow them into the lane. Vs the merging car stopping short of the fast moving highway traffic - and then left due to large numbers of fast moving cars with no chance of safely getting on to the highway.

If you have ever driven a large heavy truck towing a heavy load - you don't give a flying F-k what the right lane drivers think they are either going to make room for you or start eating heavy metal. Because stopping means your NEVER GETTING on the highway short of a Highway Patrol doing a traffic break for you.

Better yet I can't understand why people think that staying in the right lane if they have no plans on exiting very soon is a good idea with lots of vehicles entering the highway. Talk about rolling the dice every time a car enters the highway and trying to "Stand your ground" in the right lane. LOL

[scoobydoo2]

Originally Posted by sounddevisor

Having driven a fair amount in Europe as well as the U.S., I am amazed at how often people in the U.S. insist on driving in the left or center lane, even when they are clearly impeding faster-moving traffic. Both the Driver's Ed. course I took in the early 80's, as well as my parents, impressed on me the basic courtesy, regardless of the law, of staying to the right.

And, because I live in Brooklyn and do a fair amount of driving in New Jersey, I can confidently say that there is no way one could deduce the existence of that law through observation of actual drivers in the wild

...hmmm...after spending time all around Europe, I agree with the Europe thing but drivers there, especially Germany are much better...sorry...way better drivers overall than we plebs in North America. They have to be ...Autobahn @ 220kmh +. They know when to move over and know that slower traffic keeps to the right. But North American drivers are, overall, much more ignorant drivers too, which means that we don't tend to stick to the right if we are going slower than the cars around us due to a feeling of entitlement...entitlement to drive where ever, how ever we feel like...me included. Might as well paint myself with the same brusch.

When in Rome...

[fun2drive]

I don't believe that Eye Sight braking causes the brakes to come on. My BMW which has a cruise control that brakes automatically as well doesn't do this. Can anyone verify that the brake lights come on? I think I might test this out with a friend following me to see for myself.
Where I live in Florida the left lane is the slow lane, no kidding I make better time in the right lane.
I lived in Europe and drove my BMW there at speed all the time when possible which isn't as possible as many people think. In Europe you don't get the warning of traffic issues like repairs for miles on end. You pop over a hill doing 240kmh and see a lane closed you are standing on the brakes. That is normal and why most European countries require a lot more driving experience than slow speed maneuvering to simulate parallel parking and a few stop and goes.

This is a failling of our government to require a higher standard of driving. I seldom want more government but there are way too many people that can't drive for jack and got their license with no refresher ever.

I don't take offense to reference to "typical BMW" drivers because I don't live in Ca but remember there are a number of asses out there in all makes and models.

Realistically we are all facing years more of road repair from decades of not improving the roads which I think tries one's patience. Not a lot of road rage in North Dakota by the way....

[Se7enLC]

Originally Posted by Hudsoner

Same here, people around here seem to think the middle lane is the slow lane. The right lane is the driving lane, all other lanes are passing lanes!

I would have been as mad as the above described trucker!

Maybe it's a regional thing. That's not really the way things work in New England, typically. The leftmost lane is definitely for passing - if the person behind you wants to go faster, get out of their way! The right lane is for on and off-ramps. If you're the jerk driving in the right lane for 100 miles, you're just getting in the way of people trying to enter and exit the highway. The merge distances around here can be incredibly short, and the last thing anyone needs is another car in the way that isn't even trying to enter or exit. If I'm in it for the "long haul", I pick one of the middle lanes and I go the same speed as the car in front of me. Really, I try to always go the speed of the car in front of me. If you are behind me and want to go faster - too bad! I want to go faster, too, but the car in front of me isn't, so I can't either. If you want it bad enough to pass, feel free, otherwise sit tight and enjoy the ride. No reason for lights and horn, just pass quietly like an adult.

[Se7enLC]

Originally Posted by fun2drive

I don't believe that Eye Sight braking causes the brakes to come on.

Well that's terrifying. EyeSight can brake from full highway speed right down to a dead stop at the same rate as the other cars on the road. If it's doing that without brake lights that's downright DANGEROUS.

[pohnjarker]

from your story, i dont see any reason he could have been upset at you, maybe the guy in front of you. i've traveled plenty between Dallas and Knoxville and have seen truckers fly by on the left way too many times to count so honking at you in the middle lane is retarded.

i prefer the middle lane as the left is for passing and the right is for exiting/entering the highway. I learned in drivers ed to stay in the right lane at all times but that doesnt seem always the safest lane. however, if i have to pass you because you're going too slow in the left lane and wont move over...be ready to see my middle finger as i pass by you since you're in the wrong. the funny thing is...those people get pissed.

[imwjl]

I could see the brake lights on from EyeSight last night.

I've had somebody behind me do a double take when it held a steady 40 on a steep downhill and the rest of the world near me was coating by faster. I posted about this also saying the rest of them were speeding to a concentrated traffic enforcement set up.

Adjusting the car length button can smooth the operation.

There are times EyeSight is not as smooth as I'd be and that's traffic where it might be best to have full control anyway. I'm glad I have it and find it worth far more than the appearance packages that were among the choices I had.

[Ali_pine]

So far this thread has mentioned the idiot – Truck Driver – BMW (performance car) drivers – Left lane drivers – right lane drivers – silver haired drivers – just plain idiot drivers – lousy drivers – fast drivers – half fast drivers - Slow drivers – poor merging drivers ---- WHO DID WE MISS???