Okay, we have had opinions about how folks in and around Chattanooga drive. So here comes one more. I have a real problem with people that drive behind you on the freeway (no matter which lane you are driving in) so close that while you look in your rear view mirror you cannot see their headlights.
This has happened to me on several occasions on my drive from North Georgia to downtown Chattanooga during morning commutes. Is it not bad enough that I am driving 65 MPH already, and other lanes of traffic are going about the same speed or faster? Look in the book and see how long it takes to stop an automobile in relation to the speed you are traveling.
No wonder we have accidents on the freeways. My suggestion is to have enough distance between you and the car ahead so if, and when you have to stop or slow down abruptly you can without causing a bad day for yourself and others.
Cheryl Bennett
Rock Spring, Ga.
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I can only say that if someone is following that close behind you, you
are obviously going too slow. Common sense should tell you to move over and allow them to pass. I live in Chattanooga and work in Atlanta and I cannot tell you how often I have to ride behind a rude driver that will not get out of the way.
The moral to this story is stay out of the fast lane if you drive slow.
Drew Tapley
Chattanooga
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This subject is a huge pet peeve of mine. The freeway is not a race track. The speed limit is around 65-70 miles an hour. The people who have a need for speed are the ones who are dangerous.
The fast lane is full of people going over 80 miles an hour. The middle lane is full of trucks and the right lane is filled with more trucks. The ones who like to ride peoples' bumper are crazy. Instead of risking hitting them, go around. You are the one that is in a hurry. The cars that ride my bumper, I slow down and make them go around. They hit me, I own their car.
The ones who poke on the freeway are the ones talking on their cell phones. My suggestion is to hang up and drive. Some younger drivers drive while laying their driver seats back.They are driving while lying down and talking on the cell phones. If not talking on their cell phones, they are texting.
I have many bumper stickers to this occasion. One is "If you are going to get this close, introduce yourself first." Another is "I do not want you in my backseat-I do not know you yet."
Just be careful on the freeway. Get off the phone, quit texting and sit up straight.
Laura Crane
Red Bank
ToBSketching@aol.com
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I am aware of the speed limits, max and minimum, in and around Chattanooga. I have not seen a "slower traffic keep right" sign since I was a teen.
The idea of the far left lane being dedicated solely to drivers who prefer to go over all speed limits is ridiculous. I always try to stay out of the way for truckers and signal them when they can get over in front of me. They have the least flexibility in moving from lane to lane, change gears quickly, etc.
Those in the greatest hurry need to leave home earlier to get to their destination without having to break the law and endanger everyone else on the road.
When does it become my obligation to drive faster because someone else hit the snooze button too often? If you work in another city that is your decision and perhaps you need to move there or spend part of the week in a cheap hotel there to ease your work commute.
Ted Ladd
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I found that frequent use of my rear window washer tends to induce tailgaters to back off and go around. It also tends to induce them to show me a single finger as they do.
Ike Conn