TED Community » Jesse Breedlove
About Me
I am a proud American entrepreneur and activist. I believe in making a difference. I have been working on two projects recently. Keep Right USA / America Keep Right and Got Barking? I believe that Slower Traffic Keep Right is the most important traffic law, unfortunately it is not enforced as much as it should be. I also believe that nuisance dog barking is a social issue that needs more attention. I have two children, ages 9 and 6. I love spending as much time with them as I can. I also love biking, the outdoors and playing golf.
- Location:
- United States, San Jacinto, CA
- Current organization:
- Keep Right USA
- Past organizations:
- America Keep Right, Got Barking?
- Gender:
- Male
- I am:
- Activist, Entrepreneur, Parent, Social entrepreneur, Web guru
- Languages:
- English
- My website links:
- Keep Right USA, America Keep Right, Got Barking?
- Universities:
- University of New Mexico
More About Me
I'm passionate about
My kids and making America the country that our founding fathers had intended.
An idea worth spreading
Slower Traffic Keep Right, enough said. Check out my TED conversation about this topic.
My TED Story
I always wanted to get involved with TED but really didn't know how. Not that I can start my own TED conversation I am fully involved.
Comments
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A reply on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
"Keep Right Except To Pass" boils down to driving in the right lane and only using the left lane to pass or turn left. So driving in the left lane would be considered a violation. If you did pass and were driving in the left lane, you would be required to move right after passing whether or not there was an overtaking motorist.
I have tried to keep the conversation somewhat simple. There are many factors when you speak of multi-lane freeways. Slower traffic should keep right. Depending on the amount of traffic, not everyone can drive in the right lane. And yes merging onto the freeway may be more difficult, but overall traffic safety and traffic congestion will improve.
Passing on the right is a dangerous practice. Who is to blame? The motorist passing or the motorist impeding the free flow of traffic? If the motorist passing is exceeding the posted speed limit, they can be blamed. But if the passing motorist is not exceeding the posted speed limit, they cannot be blamed. However, the motorist impeding the free flow of traffic can be blamed in all scenarios.
If this law is not that important, then why are there "STKR" signs on almost all roads and freeways? The signs are there to improve safety, not promote speeding.
You haven't answered my questions.
What would you say to a motorist driving below the speed limit in the left lane(s) about observing the "STKR" law? And how would you justify your position?
I'm trying to understand your position. I have stated several times that I do not condone speeding. I am trying to address this as a safety issue. I will never convince you that this is a safety issue if you can only see this as a speed issue. You seem to be an intelligent man, can you recognize that there is a safety factor at play here?
I have tried to make a convincing argument that this law is important in terms of safety. But to only recognize one side of the argument will not further this conversation.
A reply on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
There are several Fire and EMS Chiefs that fully endorse this program. I have successfully integrated "STKR" with the need to yield to emergency vehicles with lights and sirens on. They are related in some ways. Many motorists that do not obey the "STKR" law are the same motorists that impede the response of emergency vehicles. My organization is saving lives as you are reading this. Check out the following links:
http://www.keeprightusa.com/news.html
http://www.americakeepright.com/ (click on your state)
Mr. Long, I read your bio. Thank you for your service to our country. I would hope that you seek the Truth in this issue. Is it about other motorists exceeding the speed limit, or is it a safety issue? You cannot control what other motorists do, but by obeying the "Slower Traffic Keep Right" law, you can increase safety for yourself and those in your immediate vicinity. This is the Truth as I see it.
A reply on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
I was speaking to a patrolman in Texas one time and he told me that if he saw a motorist in the left lane with several vehicles behind them, he would pull them over and have a talk with them. I asked him at what speed and he said it didn't matter. I don't know what their official policy is, this is just how this particular patrolman said he handled the situation.
"Keep Right Except To Pass" boils down to driving in the right lane and only using the left lane to pass or turn left. So driving in the left lane would be considered a violation. If you did pass and were driving in the left lane, you would be required to move right after passing whether or not there was an overtaking motorist.
I imagine in some states if you are driving above the posted speed limit in the left lane you are not obligated to move right for an overtaking motorist. However, in some states I would imagine that you would have to move right. If a faster motorist wants to pass, he or she will eventually get around you. In the interest of safety would it not make sense to move right and let them pass without forcing them to pass on the right, possibly cutting you off.
I am not justifying their speed, I am just stating as a motorist, I will do everything in my power to increase my personal safety. I do yield to overtaking traffic at any speed. If there is another motorist in front of me, I generally do not move right for a motorist that approaches from behind. However, there are times that I do, especially if they are driving erratic or tailgating very closely.
(cont)
A reply on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
Of course if motorists would not exceed the posted speed limits, our roads and freeways would be safer. However, getting people to obey the posted speed limit is not the topic of this conversation. And quite frankly getting all motorist to obey the posted speed limit signs would be as or more difficult than getting all motorists to obey the "STKR" law. Neither of which is very realistic.
If all motorists would obey the "Slower Traffic Keep Right" laws at all times regardless of speed, our roads and freeways would be much safer. This is the issue that we face under current traffic conditions. Obeying the posted speed limit is very important, but so is obeying the "STKR" law.
Slower Traffic Keep Right is the law in most states. This is not just my personal opinion. If one motorist chooses not to obey a law because another motorist is not obeying a different law, does this make it acceptable? Do two wrongs make a right?
What would you say to a motorist driving below the speed limit in the left lane(s) about observing the "STKR" law? And how would you justify your position?
I see how you could associate my name with speed. No, I am not related to Craig Breedlove. No land speed records here.
A reply on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
Let me give you a few scenarios.
1. The true representation of current traffic conditions. Motorists drive at different speeds, at, above and below the posted speed limits. This is a very dangerous combination. "Slower Traffic Keep Right" is not only the law, it is also a guide for how motorists of differing speeds can share the road safely and efficiently.
2. If no motorist exceeded the posted speed limit. Motorists drive at differing speeds, at or below the posted speed limit. There would be many motorists driving below the posted speed limit in the passing lane(s) impeding the free flow of traffic. Resulting in the same problem that we have with current traffic conditions without the excessive speed argument. This scenario would be safer than current traffic conditions but not as safe as it could be. This is not a realistic situation unless we can get all motorists to obey the posted speed limits.
3. All motorists obeying both the posted speed limit and the "STKR" laws (Ideal situation number #1). If all motorists obeyed these laws at all times, or roads and freeways would be very safe. This is the situation that we strive for, but it is not very realistic.
4. All motorists driving the same speed (Ideal situation number #2). If all motorists would drive the same speed, impeding the free flow of traffic would not be an issue and we would not be having this conversation. Our roads would be very safe. This is not a realistic situation.
The only way to maximize safety in the first three scenarios is for all motorists to obey the "STKR" laws. If you can agree that "STKR" should be observed in scenario #2. Then why can you not agree that "STKR" should be observed in scenario #1. These scenarios illustrate that this is a safety issue, not a speed issue. We must address this problem under current traffic conditions.
(continued)
A reply on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
You will find a common theme on the MIT state "Keep Right" laws page regarding "Keep Right Except To Pass". "Keep Right Except To Pass" and "Slower Traffic Keep Right" are basically the same with some slight differences.
"Keep Right Except To Pass" is probably a better term to use than "STKR". They both aim to make our roads and freeways safer. "Keep Right except to pass" requires motorists to drive in the right lane except to pass or turn left, and after passing to return to the right lane. "STKR" recommends that slower motorists drive in the right lane unless passing or turning left or to yield to overtaking traffic if they are driving in the left lane.
I should have named this TED conversation, How best to educate the public as to the importance of the "Keep Right Except to Pass law" (also known as the Slower "Traffic Keep Right law") in respect to public safety. This would have eliminated the whole speed argument of this conversation. But it is best to get both sides of this issue to truly address the problem.
There are many motorists that do not know or understand the "STKR" law or choose to disregard it because they are driving at the speed limit and they feel that they do not have to yield to a motorist that is exceeding the speed limit. This makes our roads and freeways less safe.
I am glad that you, "agree that those who choose to drive below the posted maximum speed limit should observe the STKR rule". Why should this not apply to all motorists if it makes our roads and freeways safer?
(continued)
A comment on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
I am not advocating for people to drive faster or for motorists to yield to faster drivers for the sake of speed. I label motorists as slower, not slow. There is a difference.
You are correct, if the speed limit signs said 55 and everyone drove 55, this problem and this conversation would not exist. However, if the signs said 55 and nobody exceeded the speed limit (thus eliminating your speed argument), there would be many motorists that would drive below the speed limit, still resulting in the issues that impeding the free flow of traffic cause.
Unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world. If we did, nobody would exceed the speed limit, and all motorists would obey the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws at all times. Our roads and freeway would be significantly safer.
Now let's look at how motorists really drive. Some drive at the speed limit, below the speed limit and over the speed limit. There are laws against speeding that are enforced, although ticketing all motorists that speed is virtually impossible. There are also laws against driving too slow on most freeways and highways. The law that we are discussing here is Slower Traffic Keep Right. It is on the books in most states, and some states actually promote and enforce this law, such as Colorado.
Can you agree with me that we are not going to eliminate speeding? Again, I do not condone speeding. So taking this into account, do you think that if motorists obeyed the Slower Traffic Keep Right law under current conditions, would our roads and freeways be safer?
As a young man I did get a few speeding tickets. But now that I am older I am a much safer driver. I usually drive with the flow of traffic, often in the right lane.
A comment on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
If you would have read this whole conversation you would have seen the following statements that I made previously. "I do not condone speeding" and "Many of these faster motorists need to exercise patience and not weave in and out of traffic." This is a traffic safety campaign, not a movement for speeders. I have had this conversation many times about speed vs. safety. So let me ask you some important questions to fully understand your logic.
What is your opinion of motorists that drive below the speed limit in the passing lanes? Do you believe in passing lanes?
I agree that motorists in California often drive 20 MPH and higher above the speed limit. This is very dangerous. Driving with the "flow at the faster speed" to avoid a ticket from the CHP is not a sound driving practice. Would you rather drive in the passing lanes and have all of the faster motorists pass you on the right? Do you think that this is safe?
I do live in California, but I was born is Colorado and raised in New Mexico. I noticed that you live in Arizona. I have traveled through Arizona many, many times and in my personal opinion, Arizona motorists are some of the worst violators of the Slower Traffic Keep Right law. From the Arizona/California border westbound, there seems to be a disproportionate number of motorists with Arizona plates impeding the free flow of traffic (driving slowly in the passing lanes). This is an observation that I have made time and again when returning to California.
If you want to drive the posted speed limit, drive in the proper lane. You are not the speed police, or are you? How can you choose to obey some laws and not others?
A comment on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
I have been fortunate enough to have several Fire and EMS Chiefs not only support this movement but to also formally endorse it. Check out this link http://www.newmexicokeepright.com.
A sponsor would go a long way in spreading this message through the use of billboards, radio and television ads.
A comment on Conversation: How best to educate the public as to the importance of the Slower Traffic Keep Right laws in respect to public safety?
Thank you for your input. Can you elaborate more on your experience with the 'German Autobahn'? Would you consider it safer than the roads and freeways here in America?
Slower Traffic Keep Right is the law in most states. Just because we have our own 'nature' of driving does not make it right. This must change. I do not condone speeding, but the main safety factor that motorists who impede the free flow of traffic cause is that they force faster motorists to pass on the right. This is not the only negative effect that is caused by this issue, it also leads to aggressive driving and road rage.
I live in California and have done my share of commuting. I see it every time that I get on the freeways. Faster motorists are going to get around slower motorists at any speed, whether the traffic is heavy or light. Many of these faster motorists need to exercise patience and not weave in and out of traffic. However, our roads and freeways would be much safer if slower motorists would yield to faster motorists and all passing is done on the left. Slower Traffic Keep Right is not only the law but a guide.
There are many motorists that get in one lane, usually the left or passing lanes, and stay there without any concern for anyone else on the road. This is a dangerous practice.
When I first started discussing this issue with police officers, I would ask, "What do you think about motorists that impede the free flow of traffic?" They would usually answer, "At what speed?" And I would say, "At any speed." This would usually turn into a conversation about speeding. I now answer with, "I'm not talking speed, I'm talking about safety." And now almost every time they respond with, "It is against the law."
Most drivers would agree that Slower Traffic Keep Right is a common practice of defensive driving. How do we get all motorists to exercise this practice on a daily basis? I believe that we can make it a reality.