On roads with multiple lanes in the same direction (mainly freeways), I find that P&G tends to confuse other drivers. They will gain on me while I'm gliding, decide to pass, start to pass shortly after I've started my pulse, and then they either get confused or think I'd rather not let them pass because I'm accelerating.
Should I:
- Just ignore them and keep doing my own thing?
- Abort my pulse and slow down to let them pass?
- Attempt to communicate?
- Something else?
That's why I don't like to P+G in traffic. You never know when you might piss off an agressive driver, or when someone might take it personally. I like to look for gaps in traffic behind me so I can start a glide with a decent cushion, then pulse up to speed in time for the next car to catch up. I don't always get good P+G opporitunities, but I take it when I can get it. I also like those mile long exit/entrance lanes on the freeway, it's like a free 'go slow' zone.
I did P&G yesterday on the Interstate a lot. I drove for 6 hours. Some drivers did seem confused by it, but in general, they just kept up with me. I noticed several drivers actually following behind me at 55 to 60 for long stretches of time. It seems like in general, people are driving slower. One guy in a Corolla was actually driving slower than I was... and I thought 10 mph under was pushing it.
Proper driving (according to our driving laws/rules/regulations/driving manners) says that you should choose a constant speed and stick with it. When you are going faster than the person in front of you, you pull a lane to the left until you have passed them. So whenever other people are around (virtually always for me), I keep a constant speed.
-BC
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You can time the pulses and glides to work better with traffic. For example, as a cluster of cars is approaching from the rear, pulse up to just below their speed. Then let up, with enough time for them to realize you're slower and pull out to pass. They pass as you're gliding down to a lower speed - less time spent during the pass. There's usually an empty space behind them where you can glide for a while with no hassles.
If I'm at the end of a glide, I'll usually just glide a bit longer until they pass, or pulse up if that would back up a bunch of traffic. I aim for minimal annoyance.
Semi trucks - I'll go out of my way to make things easier for them. They can't move around as easily as others can.
P&G confusing other drivers
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