Passing on a 4 lane highway: catch-22?

I've inquired about this on here before, but need more information and opinions to complete a thesis I'm writing on the psychology of aggressive drivers.

It seems to me that the act of passing on an interstate highway is a bit of a catch-22 situation. If you are a speeder, no one will get mad at you for taking too long to pass, but non-speeders will look at you as a reckless ***hole. If you are a non-speeder, speeders will get angry and impatient with you for taking longer to pass than they think you should have (holding them up), but other non-speeders will understand and have patience, because they are in the same boat as you are.

It's a catch-22 situation: you're screwed if you speed because people will see you as an aggressive driver, you are constantly at risk for a ticket and rise in insurance, and you burn more gas. You're screwed if you obey the speed limit because speeders will be impatient with you while passing, and you will get tailgated and given the finger many times. I've tried both methods, and have found out that either way, you are always going to be pissing someone off. There isn't a right or wrong way to do it, because it is subjective; a matter of opinion and personal standards.

What do you guys think? I know you all will have your own opinion of what is the right or wrong way to pass on an interstate (relating to speed), but don't you agree that both sides (speeders and non-speeders) have a solid argument? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Additional Details
rookiepcguyw/issues, I have conducted 3 different surveys in person already. And now this is the second one online. It doesn't matter how you get the data/opinions, as long as you get them, and use them to make your point in the paper. You need a large sample size. In this question, I'm trying to see whether people believe this situation is a matter of opinion, or if they are bold enough to claim they know the right or wrong way.

Vince M

I think the fallacy of this theme is the idea that one is "screwed" because of what another driver may be thinking of them.

Those other drivers are NOT driving your car. They can't, and you can't let them unless you let your impressions of what they might be thinking of you influence your driving behavior.

Four lane strategy is NOT very complex, nor difficult to implement.

Stay within the speed limit.

Don't tailgate.

Stay in the slow lane except to pass.

Plan your passing to allow you to do it within the speed limit and minimize the time spent slowing down the faster traffic.

Adjust your speed up or down as necessary.

Don't concern yourself about how LONG it takes to reach your destination. Leave early enough to give yourself MORE than enough time if it is that important.

And DON'T worry about what other driver may think of you. If you are obeying the law and driving safely, then it doesn't matter what they think. You'll pass them or they'll pass you.

There IS NO catch 22.

seattlesailor2000

i guess im missing something here.....

four lane hwy is two lanes traveling in each direction.

right lane is for all cars to travel in. left lane is for passing. you travel in the right lane, if you come up on a slower car in the right lane, you change lanes into the left lane, pass the slower car and then immediately move back into the right lane. this allows other drivers to pass in the left lane and then move back to the right lane. if we all did this then where's the problem?

simple right?

broham85

"Seattle" is the only one who seems to get it. I'm amazed at how a multi-lane highway can become so congested because people don't know or care about the rules of the road. Just the fact that most people don't know them makes them a serious hazard on the roadways and completely irresponsible, not to mention ignorant and self-centered. How many times have I been slowed up by someone doing 5 or more under the speed limit in the far left lanes? Am I an "aggressive driver" because I am reacting to your disregard for safety and your selfish behavior, and then I pass you on the right because you will not get out of that left lane? If that's the stance and reasoning people will use, then I could care less either and I will react however necessary to get down the road safely and in one piece. I don't understand why the same people who get bent outta shape about speeding (one unsafe act) are the same ones who are commiting another unsafe or multiple acts such as cell-phoning, not signaling, not keeping it in their lane, not using the proper lane, driving in poor weather without their lights on, etc... To fully answer the question, no, the non-speeders are in the wrong because they don't do the speed limit either, they are usually under or not maintaining the speed limit anyway and in the wrong lane for doing so, so it is just a case of ignorant people who don't know or care about the rules, thus congesting traffic flow, causing unsafe situations, and creating aggrevation.

roderunner55

i don't speed, and i know exactly what you are talking about making people mad. i say err on the side of the law. those people who are mad are breaking the law. i used to be a speeder. i got tired of the tickets, and insurance costs.

StephenWeinstein

If there is no way to avoid pissing off someone, what is the argument in favor of speeding? You have given several reasons not to speed, such as fuel consumption and speeding tickets. Whether or not you speed, someone will give you the finger, so that is not a reason to speed or a reason not to speed.

The only valid reason to speed is to avoid being hit by vehicles that are speeding.

USMC VET

you answered your own q? it is subjective and matter of opinion. U also stated u know what spped does to your fue economy and the cost of tickets....let alone the time it takes to write the ticket that is now making you late. dont post this question anymore...this "thesis" should come from hard work and knocking on doors
Old school

The

both sides have an argument, but not great ones

Paul

As for me, it takes longer to pass usually, because I don't EVER go more than 5 over the limit. If that makes some ding-a-ling speeder mad, THAT'S JUST TOO BAD. And if they decide to start some road rage incident, they just MAY find themself looking down the barrel of a weapon. (not MINE, 'cause I don't carry one, but it CAN happen)

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