Theoretical Method of Driving Faster Without...

I better place some disclaimers first. First, I am quite sure no person reading this exceeds the posted speed limit. Second, I urge everyone to drive very carefully and safely. Trying to conduct one's life after being disassembled into several pieces is inconvenient and inconvenient. Third, if by some act of poor judgment you try this method and then have an unhappy conversation with a police officer, no guarantee, warranty or willingness to reimburse traffic fines or other penalties is offered or implied. Fourth, I don't know you, and any claims otherwise are delusional.

Here is a theoretical method. I'm sure no one you know (or for that manner, I know) has ever attempted it in practice.

Step 1. In busy but freely moving traffic, locate a vehicle that is going faster than the speed limit. Not exceptionally faster, but noticeably faster.

Step 2. Get behind observed driver and follow, but at a slightly slower pace. That is fast enough to move through traffic more quickly than you would have otherwise, but not so fast as to call more attention to yourself than the "leader" you are "following."

Step 3 & Step 1. At some point, the "pole driver" will get too far ahead of you to continue as a leader. Don't try to keep up or even compete. Take your winnings and find another "leader" to follow.

Variations:

1) Keep track of license plate numbers of leaders.

2) Expensive variation: invest in such toys as dash mounted cameras or radar guns that record observations.

3) Follow a leader who weaves in and out of traffic. Be sure to use turn signals and observe safe distances.

4) Be a leader and invite others to follow you.

5) Form a club and take turns leading and following. (I believe this is known as traffic roulette)

Comments: 14

q p. Feb 6, 2007, 9:11pm EST

You will not believe me, but I did actually know someone who practised this fail-safe method. It worked wonders for her punctuality and her time-card thanked her vociferously for it. Then she was crushed to death on the Autobahn, I kid not. However, if there's any way to go before one's time, it's on the Autobahn.

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Random Name Feb 6, 2007, 10:43pm EST

I deny everything I said, but I speak truth.

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Kathleen ♥ L. Feb 7, 2007, 12:30am EST

Whatever works... although I have seen days, usually near month end, where there are 4-5 cops along a half-mile long stretch of freeway and as one speeder passes, cop #1 pulls him over, then cop #2 pulls over the car following said speeder and so forth until there's a line of cops with speeders on the shoulder over the next quarter mile or so...

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♯ ♪ Feb 7, 2007, 9:04am EST

You are amazing, RN! So logical! It's exactly what I do!

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charles thiesen - gather's only god, proud to be from gay-supporting Massachusetts Feb 7, 2007, 11:35am EST

If I've got to get somewhere far away quick I always look for empty trucks and pop in behind them. They've go fast until somebody on their CB tells them there's a cop ahead.

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Dame Ruth, Chief Executive Elitist D. Feb 7, 2007, 12:20pm EST

I've noticed that the cars traveling most rapidly through traffic generally have a revolving red light on their roofs. If they're also clearing the way with a siren, we'd certainly get where we're going in record time.

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Aniko Feb 7, 2007, 12:41pm EST

Doesn't everyone already do some variation of this? I always make sure there are people going faster than me and watch out for unreasonably slow behavior ahead. There's almost always a good reason when everyone suddenly starts driving exactly at the speed limit. But what Charles says about trucks and their access to more precise information is a good point! This is not Not foolproof, of course, but I've never been stopped yet, and there are always people going way faster than I do. I also don't weave, and I get out of the fast lane if someone is coming up doing 120 mph behind me, let them pass, wish them good luck, and then get back in.

I expect my luck with the cops will run out not on the freeways, but here in our town, where the posted speed limit is 25, everyone is doing 35, and the cops stop people randomly when they feel like it. They do have their favorite places though, and they're quite predictable about the times as well.

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Sandy (Site Psychic™) Knauer Feb 7, 2007, 12:52pm EST

I have some very disappointing news. The one time in my life that I received a ticket, I was doing exactly as you advise - staying a safe distance behind the "pole driver". I have always believed that cop pulled me over because he couldn't catch the first guy. So, if I were to play this again, I think I would have to be the leader.

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Random Name Feb 7, 2007, 1:07pm EST

I don't have time to comment more at the moment, but this strikes me as exactly the type of calm, precise, deep sensible analysis America needs at this time of crisis. Next: bipartisan national commission (meeting will be conducted as each member talks on his or her cell phone while driving). I am so proud of all of you words fail me.

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Jiya S. Feb 7, 2007, 1:27pm EST

Sandy, we're ready to play follow the leader with you!

I would caution doing any kind of speeding near the end of the month -- here, the police have a monthly quota of speeding tickets that they have to fill. If it's been a slow month (literally), speeding tickets are handed out right & left at the end of the month.

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Aja M. Feb 7, 2007, 3:17pm EST

i like leap frogging...it's fun, but if someone asks you if you want to play squash the bug...say no.

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Jai S. Feb 21, 2007, 7:23pm EST

Random;
For a moment I thought you were writing about my driving habits. I was stopped twice for speeding. The first time was when I drove from Las Vegas to Los Angeles in the 80s, (too dumb and stupid then) we gambled all night in LV and ended up driving to LA in the morning trying to make it to a meeting we had by noon. Second time in Florida between Orlando and Tampa was caughts in a speed trap (I did not know), was wondering why everyone was slowing down. Bit too late to realize what was happening - cost me $150 for going 50 in a 35 mile zone. Was busy eating fried chicken and talking to my daughter. I offered some to the the cop, he did not thing it was funny!

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Selene N. Jun 8, 2008, 5:09am EDT

Amusing article and comments too.

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Theoretical Method of Driving Faster Without Getting a Ticket

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