8/5/11
I was reading a report from Nielsen today about driving habits - specifically that younger people are more likely to "take to the highways" http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/consumer/planes-boats-and-automobiles-a-look-at-online-preferences-of-u-s-travelers
And it made me remember that I had written a blog on my iPad, which I didn't publish, about highway commutes and travel.
I have put all 75,800 miles on my car in the past 3 years, and most of it has been highway driving. My trips back and forth to my office and other places have for the most part been ordinary and boring. But every now and then, something happens that just makes you go.. hmmm...
Those of you who use EZPass know that it's definitely getting better. Moving from 5 MPH to 20 MPH, and now we have high speed at the bottom entrance of the thruway in NYS (picture above). I find it very interesting how people react to this.
First, they have no idea where the "thing" is. They are looking all around, and swerve out of their lanes, searching for the camera. I'm reasonably sure there are at least two sets of transponders or whatever they are, but could be I'm wrong. Being a trusting soul, I just accept they are there and drive through.
Second, they believe that they are in secret speed traps. They've been humming along at 75 MPH, and suddenly slow down to 55. The speed limit is 65, so they are overcompensating. My thought is that it's not really possible to issue tickets this way, but I'm sure that will be a lawsuit someday if they do, since EZpasses are portable between vehicles.
Third, some believe that they should slow down to the 5 MPH to 20 MPH required at the toll booths, causing major traffic tie-ups, locked up brakes, honking and swearing.
And then there is the COMPLETE STOP. This has happened to me twice; being behind someone who came to a dead stop on the NYS Thruway to make sure their EZPass had been read by the sensor they can't see. This is the most scariest of all and made me wish I never had to drive that way again.
It might be safer to go through the toll booth after all.