My letter to CSP

[JohnTRourke]

Dear Commander,

The average temperature in Colorado has become unbearable. Having much of the state in flames has not helped matters and I believe it has caused things to become hotter in the areas where there are fires. Please consider turning the state's air conditioner thermostat down so that some of us can get some sleep.

Thanks you

[Fentonite]

I don't see any contradiction... I'm not saying they should govern every single bit of driving, but when there is a law, that is reasonable and just, and it's not enforced to the same standards as say speeding (another reasonable and just law) that frustrates me and others. This isn't asking for more government, and I fail to see how I'm "flip-flopping" at all. Now, if this was pertaining to a law (not sure if we have it here, but they do have it in NY) where you had to have your lights on when you use your wipers, I wouldn't care if they enforced it or not, because it's a stupid law. There's a pretty thick line between less government and anarchy.

I know you won't see it, but you've just made my point. When you find laws personally convenient, you want them enforced. When you personally find a law "stupid", it doesn't need enforcement. Oh well. Happy motoring.

[SAnd]

I think your letter was respectful and level headed. I consider it well written.

BUT

I'm not sure your understanding of the left lane law is correct. The CSP can only enforce the law.

As information on the left lane law-

http://www.coloradodot.info/library/...nebrochure.pdf

There are other laws that could be used if there is a flow problem.

[KevDen2005]

Well written. And I think it's good that you have taken the time to at least address the issue rather than just complain about it to people that can't do anything.

[Ronin13]

I think your letter was respectful and level headed. I consider it well written.

BUT

I'm not sure your understanding of the left lane law is correct. The CSP can only enforce the law.

As information on the left lane law-

http://www.coloradodot.info/library/...nebrochure.pdf

There are other laws that could be used if there is a flow problem.

I think I understand it perfectly... And that's all I was asking was that they be more proactive in enforcement of the left lane law. I've seen it work in other places very well, to include MA, NY, OH, MO, and TX. In fact, as much as I hate the place, NYS (not NYC) has much better interstate traffic behavior than here. Odd considering that they have more uptight people per capita than here. But in NY the NYSPD actually enforces the left lane law, and it would appear that it's regarded as a law worthy of following vigorously.

Fentonite, I wasn't trying to make it sound like laws of convenience etc. more saying that I agree with and support a law and encourage more active enforcement, whereas there are some laws that we all can generally agree are pretty useless, petty, and asinine that shouldn't be even on the books. I'm not asking for more government, I'm asking for more from the government if they're going to use public funding to enforce and maintain the status quo. I don't want more laws, I just don't want them to fail to enforce a law that does actually benefit people. Did that clear it up? I'm not usually one to say we need more laws and more enforcement, but in this case I would like to see them get after it a little more or at least help educate the public to try and not be stupid or at least just exercise a little courtesy and not be so damn selfish.

[buckeye4rnr]

I know you won't see it, but you've just made my point. When you find laws personally convenient, you want them enforced. When you personally find a law "stupid", it doesn't need enforcement. Oh well. Happy motoring.

How is this law convenient to only the OP? This is a law that was written to keep people safe from idiot drivers clogging up traffic by getting in a line across all lanes and going frustratingly slow.

I'm not a huge fan of most laws however Germany got this correct with the law that they will pull you over for driving in the left lane and not moving over for faster vehicles. We have similar laws here(maybe not Colorado, haven't checked) but they're not enforced and they absolutely should be. How many times have you gotten stuck behind some toolbag going 10 under the limit to only end up speeding after you're able to pass? Would you still have done that if the toolbag followed the laws and acted courteously by moving over to let you pass?

Yes, speeding is against the law everywhere, but I imagine if they forced people to use the left lane for passing as was intended, fewer people would speed and they could make up for the revenue lost by increasing the price of being a jackass.

I think I understand it perfectly... And that's all I was asking was that they be more proactive in enforcement of the left lane law. I've seen it work in other places very well, to include MA, NY, OH, MO, and TX.

I just came from Ohio and it was just as bad there. The mountains here don't help but I never heard of anyone getting pulled over for parking themselves in the left lane for the duration of their trip down the interstate.

[Ronin13]

How is this law convenient to only the OP? This is a law that was written to keep people safe from idiot drivers clogging up traffic by getting in a line across all lanes and going frustratingly slow.

I'm not a huge fan of most laws however Germany got this correct with the law that they will pull you over for driving in the left lane and not moving over for faster vehicles. We have similar laws here(maybe not Colorado, haven't checked) but they're not enforced and they absolutely should be. How many times have you gotten stuck behind some toolbag going 10 under the limit to only end up speeding after you're able to pass? Would you still have done that if the toolbag followed the laws and acted courteously by moving over to let you pass?



I just came from Ohio and it was just as bad there. The mountains here don't help but I never heard of anyone getting pulled over for parking themselves in the left lane for the duration of their trip down the interstate.

Thank you! At least someone is not confused, and fully grasped the point I was trying to convey. Many states I've been to have the left lane law (including here in CO) and enforce it pretty well (unlike here). I've done the exact thing you described- this morning in fact- where I get stuck behind a cheesedick doing 10 under and when they move over I went 10MPH in excess as I drove past. This of course was after I gave them a flash where they had safe and ample room to move over an allow me past, and instead of doing so they slowed a bit and flipped me off. Calmer head prevailed and I just waited for him to move over and flew past him.

[Fentonite]

Fentonite, I wasn't trying to make it sound like laws of convenience etc. more saying that I agree with and support a law and encourage more active enforcement, whereas there are some laws that we all can generally agree are pretty useless, petty, and asinine that shouldn't be even on the books. I'm not asking for more government, I'm asking for more from the government if they're going to use public funding to enforce and maintain the status quo. I don't want more laws, I just don't want them to fail to enforce a law that does actually benefit people. Did that clear it up? I'm not usually one to say we need more laws and more enforcement, but in this case I would like to see them get after it a little more or at least help educate the public to try and not be stupid or at least just exercise a little courtesy and not be so damn selfish.

Ok, when I made myself read that with an open mind, it actually does clear it up a bit. I'm just being froggy because I'm in a foul mood and have to go to work soon. Sorry for busting your balls

[20X11]

Wait until you hit the slowdown caused by the Troopers enforcing this law...pulling cars to the side of the road tends to have a more congestive effect.

[Ronin13]

Ok, when I made myself read that with an open mind, it actually does clear it up a bit. I'm just being froggy because I'm in a foul mood and have to go to work soon. Sorry for busting your balls

It's all good, I didn't take it personally... cheer up buttercup! Like my buddy said (he just got out of the service on medical retirement) "'least you gotta job, bro... I'm lookin' high an low and there ain't nothing for a busted up infantryman."

Wait until you hit the slowdown caused by the Troopers enforcing this law...pulling cars to the side of the road tends to have a more congestive effect.

While this is true, it would help put it in peoples head that if they just followed the rules of the road (the written ones, not the George Carlin 'unwritten rules of the road') and practiced a little common courtesy and thus alleviate some headaches on the highways. I personally drive like a European, I'm only in the left lane if I'm passing, which is how multi-lane roads are supposed to be used.