But with so many of us visiting our favorite theme parks by car over the summer, I thought I'd lay a driving-related vote on you this week.
Here's the scenario: You're driving on the Interstate, and there is a car up ahead of you in the lane to your immediate right. That car's driver signals to come over into your lane.
What is your immediate, gut reaction? I'm talking the reflex reaction, discounting any context of what's happening in that other driver's lane, or elsewhere on the road.
What do you do? Do you speed up to get ahead of that driver before s/he can come over? Or do you instinctively let up on the gas, to give that driver more space to change lanes?
Be honest. Your vote is anonymous (though comments aren't). Please click the reaction you feel like making most of the time.
I suspect that this one might provoke some, uh, lively comments. So tell us in the comments what you think about this situation - one we've all seen countless times on the road. And have a great week!
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My choice is not categorized. Therefore, I didn't vote.
I HATE when people in the slow lane just move over and cut me off to let someone on the interstate. Your "courtesy" move is so dangerous. If you want to let them in just slow down in your own lane. It is stupid to jump in front of traffic that is moving 10-15 mph faster than you. If the person merging in can't accelerate in the acceleration lane and get in front or behind you on their own, they shouldn't be getting on the interstate.
How about this one Robert, you leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you, only to have someone pull in, in front of you, making the distance unsafe, so you slow up and make the space safe again, only to have someone else fill in that space again and you repeat this over and over, again and again and again. Not lol.
P.S.- Don't feel bad for being singled out New Yorkers. Pennsylvania drivers are terrible as well.
It's simple: If you speed up, you close the gap, increasing the likelihood of an accident. If you slow down, you widen the gap, decreasing the likelihood of an accident by increasing your time to react to uber-stupid drivers. QED.
It's a practice I learned in Driver's Ed, long before I went to work for the state patrol, and it's one which has yet to fail me in 25+ years on the roads.
Shifting gears slightly (pun intended): Theme parks? In the Pacific Northwest? Foo. Don't need 'em. You've got no fewer than three major zoos to choose from, not to mention numerous smaller places (West Coast Game Park, Bandon, Oregon), plus whale watching, ultralight flying, kayaking, hiking, exploring, day trips to Canada, etc., ad infinitum.
In short -- You've got choices in the region for any number of experiences and activities which, unlike the short-term (and largely superficial) adrenaline rush from a coaster or whatever, will likely stay with you for life.
Some may even change the way you look at life (if you're brave enough to let them). ;-)
Happy travels.
As somehow who lives about 2 1/2 hours from Seattle, I would say get through traffic as best as you can. Those people are in quite a hurry over there.
Hope you enjoy the trip to Great America--its construction season in Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, so make sure you give yourself a little bit of time :)
If they were ahead of me and shifting lanes, then I would probably let them over. If they are next to me, than I have the right of way and I'm probably already passing. They can wait to get over, just as I would if I was in their position.
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