Why do people drive on the shoulder in heavy traffic? Do they think their time is more important than ours?

Question

Why do people drive on the shoulder in heavy traffic? Do they think their time is more important than everyone else's who’s waiting in line? Do you ever try to stop them? I have done so on two occasions, and I have been cursed at, honked at, and stared at in disbelief. I know this isn’t the best way to handle this situation (not to mention it’s also dangerous, and I feel horrible about it afterwards), but I can’t spend 45 minutes in traffic waiting to go 1-2 miles (not an infrequent occurrence) while these a******s zoom passed me. I am in the exit lane, and the shoulder ends right before the exit ramp, so these drivers must rejoin my lane in order to exit. They are literally cutting in front of me and hundreds of other drivers. How do I go about reporting these drivers (I live in northern Virginia)? Or did I miss the memo that this is somehow legal?

Answer 1

I feel your pain.   Where are the police when you need them? Just keep on doing the right thing.   The one time you ride the shoulder, the police will be there.

Answer 2

I live in Southern Virginia and let me tell you, I only see that stuff in Northern Virginia!  NoVA is a differently world (especially I-495).  Sadly there isn't much you can do.  I know down here, when we have a traffic back up, peole usually drive on the shoulder to exit, that's about it.

Answer 3

I don't know what you do to report it probably the police but I am sure they know it is happening.  But it happens in every large city, every state every day.  In addition to that, my other pet peeve is the drivers who see signs a lane is ending and then speed up to where the lane ends and then force their way in.  I never ever let them in.....I'd hit their car first before I'd let them in.  After all, I am just an important as they are, and I am doing things legally and in the right lane.

Answer 4

for real not worth geting mad at because if they get cought by the cops or hurt someone they get in deep truble but i know what you mean

Answer 5

The problem is it's NOT illegal....it's a virtually unenforceable issue for police because it is so common so people just continue to do it. Yes, VERY aggravating, but sadly there's not much you can do about it that won't get you thrown in jail. Unfortunately there's a lot of inconsiderate ******* on this planet of ours and we're forced to suffer amongst them.

Once a guy was cutting through the shoulder in a car with the company address and phone number decalled on it - so I had his name traced from the plate through some friends I have on the police force and ordered him a s*x change information package from a website and sent it to his office in his name....would have loved to be a fly on the wall when the mailman showed up!

Answer 6

The best way, move out of the area.  That is why I do not live in the West either East coasts.  People are jerks on the road.  Yes you can report it if you call the police on your cell phone and perhaps taking lic plates.  But that is too far.  The best thing is call the police, but they are probably busy on a murder case or an accident caused by idiots like those that you mention. :)