[ZTWsquared]

NOS2Go4Me,Sep 14 2009, 09:45 AM Wrote:Passing on a two-lane is WAY different than multi-lane passing and most sensible drivers treat each as a very different scenario. Multi-lane passing: I'll cruise by relatively slowly (compared to the other driver) when noone else is behind me. If I have others tagging along, I might quicken the pass but nothing ridiculous.

Two-lane passing: look, signal, tromp it (how much depends on the road and other factors). Am I 30+ over when passing a semi? You bet! I'd definitely defend myself in court by saying that asking me to pass a slow vehicle at the posted limited on a two-lane is akin to suicide / attempting vehicluar manslaughter.

If you can't control your vehicle at 130, you shouldn't be behind the wheel. I just wish there were more tracks and more ways to teach people the proper methods of handling a vehicle, competently, at 140+ km/h. Then these folk would go out there and realize that they don't need to be doing 130+ in a 100 zone, etc.
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I agree about the difference in passing on a two-lane vs. multi lane highway Adam ... but to use your example: in terms of the speed I think 30 over the other guy's speed is reasonable; not necessarily 30 over the limit.

If the other guy's doing the limit or close to it, then technically there is no need to pass at all (from a legal POV) ... so if you do and you go over the limit, there is no "safety" defense that will work for you. And you'll notice that this was not the defense that netted this woman an acquital.

OTH if the guy's only doing say 70 in a 100 zone, passing him at 100 will take virtually no time and no distance at all ... and still within the legal limit. The only time you get into real trouble passing on two-lane roads is when the passee is going fast - then the distance / time required to pass is long.

My bet is that this lady was passing a truck that was already exceeding the speed limit ... and that's why she needed to go 50 over to get past him. Once committed to the pass, I guess I can see the need ... but in terms of making the decision to pass in the first place, I have a hard time condoning this.

I've been saying for over 20 years that our training and licensing standards are way too low (ever since I travelled to Europe and drove extensively there) ... it is the generally s***ty quality of drivers on our roads that justifies the authorities keeping limits a lot lower than what our cars are safely capable of doing - and frankly the rationale for this stunt driving law.

The problem isn't the legislators, or the quality of our cars ... it is the nuts behind the wheel.