Rollfast

The answer is spring came. Same as most years. Analyze the thing more deeply.

Chris0516

Motorists' in the D.C.-Metro region drive like they had to be somewhere yesterday. We used to have just AM n' PM Rush. Since 2007 when I came back to the region(why) from Minnesota. It has seemed more n' more. Like there is a Midday-Rush. Maybe it is just that the roads are so congested. I hear motorists' honking at not only me when I road. But a lot at each other. It is more n' more examples of 'road rage' in the region.

But it doesn't make me want to get off the road, or stop 'taking the lane'

phoebeisis

Like others have said
the motorist that hits you from behind
certainly isn't paying attention(texting/eating/fiddling with other electronic distractions)
Taking the lane only protects you from alert motorists
who aren't going to hit you anyway-
The driver who hits someone always says"I never saw you/him/her"
When they hit a HUGE YELLOW BUS- same story "I didn't see it"
It might have hit their retina
but they don't perceive it-taking the lane-not protective

jeichelberg87

So the motorists who attempt to pass with less than 3 feet of space...they do see me and still jeopardize my life at times?

Taking the lane when necessary does protect you from a lot of different scenarios other than drivers behind you. I thought protecting myself and remaining alert is a good idea, regardless?

Maelochs

Further I think it is obvious that a cyclist Right in Front of You in the middle of the lane is harder to overlook than one on the far edge of the road.

rydabent

IMO one word explains the spike in accidents-----------------texting.

Also IMO it has gotten so bad there should be a national law that says if you are texting, and cause an accident, the fine or jail time should be doubled.

ItsJustMe

That won't change a thing. There needs to be enforcement without an accident. Cops on unmarked motorcycles seem to do well in some places.

phoebeisis

Being in the middle of the lane-
is more dangerous than being FAR RIGHT
Because unguided cars spend more time in the middle that far right
The driver that hits you
LITERALLY won't be looking at the road
In the "old days" pre-cell-phone-they might have had their eyes pointed at the road-but still not noticed you because they were day dreaming etc
NOW- they LITERALLY won't see you because they Literally aren't looking at the road(except for a quick every 5 second course correction)
Lane taking never was protective-
it was always based on thinking you could prevent a driver from passing you by moving left
Assuming they wouldn't cross the yellow and blow by anyway-????
Duh-it is a childish assumption-they just go farther left
not as if they are reluctant to break a traffic law-cross the yellow line ??

Lane taking only protects you from alert law abiding drivers who aren't going to hit you anyway-
It never made sense-
Pisses drivers off of course-
so if that is your aim-it works-
Protective-no way-
Very bright Lights
being alert
careful selection of route
are protective
Trying to modify driver behavior-by annoying them-yeah that probably works-but not in a protective way if the various driver blogs are to be believed
Or the outcry to "hang him" when rider hits a pedestrian-
we are disliked