The Highway Squeeze
Ever find yourself in the Squeeze? It’s one of those little frustrations of highway driving. It probably means you haven’t been paying attention, and now you’re gonna’ pay!
The Squeeze will happen to our more motivated drivers (spell that “f-a-s-t-e-r”), when, for whatever reasons they suddenly come up on a slower driver. You’ve been buzzing along in the passing lane and, like a good little Driverthink driver, you swing back over to the right to let others pass. Suddenly you find yourself behind a slower driver.
Instant Road Hazard situation.
Now you’re stuck behind Slowpoke as the traffic back over in the left lane starts buzzing by you. You look for an opening to pull back over but it’s just not there and thirty to forty cars go sailing on by. You have just been “Squeezed”.
If you’re on a three lane road and you’re in the middle lane, a quick check over to the right reveals traffic over there is also passing you by. Now you’re in a Double Squeeze. Whoa boy!
If you’re on a three lane road and you’re in the middle lane, a quick check over to the right reveals traffic over there is also passing you by. Now you’re in a Double Squeeze. Whoa boy!
It can get even better. There’s the “Moderate Squeeze” and then there’s the “Slow Squeeze”. You’re in a Slow Squeeze. “Pokey” is not only slower but really slow. Let’s say fifty in a sixty-five where average traffic is pedaling along at seventy or better – kind of slow.
Now, not only is traffic whizzing by you on either side but it’s starting to back up behind you. You keep watching for an opening and finally, “Ahaa!” – You see one. Just as you get ready to slide back over and get on with your life, that last car back there in your lane pulls out, closing up your opening. Since the cars behind you get their chance sooner, you wait for all of them - as Pokey just keeps plodding along. Whoa boy!
There are “do’s” and “don’ts” to Driverthink about, when you’re caught in the Squeeze. Remember, you screwed up by getting squeezed in the first place. Now it’s payback time!
First, set your priorities. Your first priority is still getting to your destination alive. It’s not getting out of the Squeeze.
Do – adjust your driving. You’re driving the Slow Lane now. You need to adjust your driving style and mentality, to slow lane driving.
A quick analysis of Pokey is next in order. Is it a clueless driver who’s on cruise control, oblivious to the chaos they’re causing? Perhaps someone struggling with a kid that’s just gotta’ go? Maybe it’s a less skilled driver who’s aware, but totally frightened? Kinda’ nice to get a quick fix on your Pokey.
Don’t tailgate your Pokey. You’re in the slow lane now – drive it. If it’s a nervous Pokey, you’ll just make her more nervous – and perhaps more erratic. You may have to even slow down more (if ever so painful), so you’ll have extra room to make your move when you’re able. I’ve even been known to hit my four way flashers if the situation is really bad.
Most importantly, don’t be a “Cut-off”. The temptation to get out of your trap may be great, but don’t make a dangerous situation worse by cutting someone off. Sit back, break out a game of Solitaire and wait your turn.
So how do we stay out of the Squeeze in the first place?
It’s all about Forward Look and awareness. If I’m in the left lane, before I move over, I want to check a few things. Am I still passing the right lane traffic? What’s going on in that right lane up ahead of me? If there’s a slower moving vehicle up there, I’m going to get squeezed if I pull in behind it. I’ll stay in my lane until I’ve passed it.
It’s all about Forward Look and awareness. If I’m in the left lane, before I move over, I want to check a few things. Am I still passing the right lane traffic? What’s going on in that right lane up ahead of me? If there’s a slower moving vehicle up there, I’m going to get squeezed if I pull in behind it. I’ll stay in my lane until I’ve passed it.
Is there a lot of traffic behind me in my left lane? If I pull out of it, it may take awhile to get back in. Is there someone behind me that’s pushing?
Yeah, the left lane is for passing, but if I’m doing seventy and I’m still passing traffic, I’m under no obligation to do ninety just because someone behind me wants me to. Smokey’s not gonna’ care - if it’s me he nails.
I don’t need to put myself into a Squeeze for him either. I’ll wait until I’ve finished passing the slower right lane traffic. Then I’ll get out of his way – when I’m ready.
Finally, if I’m already in that center lane, am I asleep? Or am I paying attention? The right time to set up a pass on Pokey is when you’re still way behind him and have room to set it up safely. If I don’t see the hazard early enough, I’m probably gonna’ get Squeezed.
The Squeeze. You don’t want to be there, but if you are – get out safely.
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