> > There is absolutely nothing wrong with going below the speed limit in
the
> > passing lane if you are actually passing somebody. With reference to
the
> > passing lane hoggers, speed is really irrelavent. Fast or slow, they
> either
> > have a reason to be there (passing someone) or they don't (not passing
> > anybody, nobody in the right lane near them, no potential cars merging
on
> > highway, no left-turns coming up on the highway).
>
> Agreed, as long as they're passing someone or not creating a backup in
> traffic or if they have a reason to be there such as an upcoming turn. I
> only have a problem when the person is creating an unnecessary back-up in
> traffic and have a line of cars passing to the right of them.

I agree with this also. Not only is it pratical but also safer to only go
into the left lane (passing lane) when needed.

> > I almost always set my cruise control at 5 MPH below the MAX speed limit
> > (the speed limit is a maximum rating, not a minimum). It is amazing how
> > relaxing a drive can be at this speed. I very rarely have to turn my
> cruise
> > off even in midly heavy traffic because 99% of the cars are passing me.
>
> Yes it is the maximum legal rating, but having 99% of the cars are
passsing
> you? I would venture to say it is safer to go with the flow of traffic
> rather than going faster or slower than traffic.

I would agree with this also. It would be safer for me to keep up with the
flow of traffic, but I just can't justify it. Just because 99% of the cars
are breaking the law via speeding doesn't mean I should have to follow them
in breaking the law. If I were involved in an accident I could be found
liable if it could be proven that I was breaking the law by speeding. Many
cars nowadays (not sure if Honda's have these, but GM's do for sure) come
with information that can be downloaded by police / investigators that
contain vital statistics such as speed that can be used against you in a
trial (and there have been many documented cases where that information has
been used against the driver in a trial - the famous Trans-Am accident in
Florida as one example). In the sue happy reality of a nation we live in
today, I prefer to err on the side of both caution and the law.

I only hope you're not in
> the *passing* lane!

Only when needed. There have been times where I have caused somewhat of a
line behind me in the passing lane while I am passing a slower car than
myself. The point is though I am using the lane for its intended purpose.
The passing lane is not a lane for those who choose to exceed the speed
limit and all others are not permitted to pass.