Driving In The USA (specifically California and Nevada)

[Mark T]

On the 2nd June I am flying to LA and will then proceed to drive to my hotel in Hollywood. I will then be driving from Hollywood to Las Vegas the following day.

I have already spoken to Danoff about the routes I should be taking which has helped me plan my journey, so thanks for that Danoff.

This will be my first time driving in the US. I am aware of the general rules of driving but have a couple of questions regarding certain things I've read about.

Any other helpful hints would be greatly appreciated.

1) Car Pool Lanes - I believe Danoff mentioned this in a PM before but I can't find it now. From what I have read car pool lanes can be used by vehicles with two or more passengers. Do these lanes move much quicker than the rest?

2) I have also read that you can turn right at a red light as long as the path is clear. Apparently this doesn't apply in New York.

3) Generally the two middle lanes are for going forward and the left and right are specifically for there respective direction. Would this apply to say a 6 lane freeway? The two outside lanes being for exit left and right with the four middle lanes for going straight on.

 

[Northstar]

1) Car Pool Lanes - I believe Danoff mentioned this in a PM before but I can't find it now. From what I have read car pool lanes can be used by vehicles with two or more passengers. Do these lanes move much quicker than the rest?

Typically they are faster, although beware some have tolls.

2) I have also read that you can turn right at a red light as long as the path is clear. Apparently this doesn't apply in New York.

Normally yes, if there is an exception there will be a "No turn on red" sign.

3) Generally the two middle lanes are for going forward and the left and right are specifically for there respective direction. Would this apply to say a 6 lane freeway? The two outside lanes being for exit left and right with the four middle lanes for going straight on.

This really varies although what you are describing is typically the case. Turn lanes are normally well marked.

 

[TB]

1) Car Pool Lanes - I believe Danoff mentioned this in a PM before but I can't find it now. From what I have read car pool lanes can be used by vehicles with two or more passengers. Do these lanes move much quicker than the rest?

Not living in a larger city that has car pool lanes, I can't say for sure but I'd imagine the speed limit is the speed limit, regardless of lane. The only thing that might make the CP lane faster is if there are fewer cars on it, there's less chance of a bottleneck.

2) I have also read that you can turn right at a red light as long as the path is clear. Apparently this doesn't apply in New York.

Unless marked as such, right turns at a red light is perfectly acceptable.

3) Generally the two middle lanes are for going forward and the left and right are specifically for there respective direction. Would this apply to say a 6 lane freeway? The two outside lanes being for exit left and right with the four middle lanes for going straight on.

To clarify, are you referring to (A) an exit off of the interstate/freeway onto a city street or (B) from one interstate to another? If (A), then yes, the outside lane, and more typically the right lane, is for exiting. If (B), the 3-lane interstate I was on in Minneapolis yesterday, the far left and far right separated into 2 different interstates while those in the middle lane (me) could go either direction.

My suggestion - stay towards the middle, watch the signs and your mirrors.

 

[CTznOfTime]

i dont know where you are coming from... but it should be easy to drive around here... the only bad thing is congestions! They are everywhere and at every hour!... Being frustrated in normal... i suggest listening to Classical music (91.5 in L.A.) to cool you down and just your surrounding instead of focusing on the traffic jam.

To answer your questions:

1) Carpool Lane:
- If you are driving by yourself, STAY OUT OF IT.
- If you are driving a "green" car (not the color), you may drive in the carpool lane, even if you are by yourself.
- Only use the Carpool lane if you have at least 2 people in the car.
- technically this lane is usually faster than any other when there is traffic jam... unless if there is a major accident ahead that blocks all but one lane to the right... or when someone decide to drive at speed limit when the fastest lane to the right is moving faster..

2) Right turn at the light:
- You generally can make at right turn at the crossroad/intersection, even if the light is red for you, BUT ..... i SAID BUT:
- DO STOP FIRST BEFORE DRIVING THROUGH IT... you have to stop and yield to pedestrians in priority, and to incoming or cross traffic first. Proceed when it's safe to do so.
- DO NOT TURN RIGHT when the light is red AND when there is a sign posted nearby... At some intersection, there will be a sign indicating the unlawful/unsafe action of making a right turn on a red light... so JUST DONT

3) i am not sure exactly what you mean here.... in california, SAdly there is no such things are law and order when it comes to one way traffic on a 2-lane and above.... people just drive however they want... either on the left or right side, whether they go slow or fast, and that is very frustrating...
It seems that Californians dont know to keep right... actually they do the opposite... on the freeway, you will notice there will be more people on the left side of the freeway, driving at speed limits... (putting on make up, shaving, eating, phoning, petting, sexing, etc etc)


oh and NO TEXT while driving, no drinking either....

 

[sumbrownkid]

you will notice there will be more people on the left side of the freeway, driving at speed limits... (putting on make up, shaving, eating, phoning, petting, sexing, etc etc)


oh and NO TEXT while driving, no drinking either....

And these are the very same people that cause "accidents".

If you see one those people on the road, make sure to keep your distance.

Have a great time!

 

[Omnis]

On the 2nd June I am flying to LA and will then proceed to drive to my hotel in Hollywood. I will then be driving from Hollywood to Las Vegas the following day.

I have already spoken to Danoff about the routes I should be taking which has helped me plan my journey, so thanks for that Danoff.

This will be my first time driving in the US. I am aware of the general rules of driving but have a couple of questions regarding certain things I've read about.

Any other helpful hints would be greatly appreciated.

1) Car Pool Lanes - I believe Danoff mentioned this in a PM before but I can't find it now. From what I have read car pool lanes can be used by vehicles with two or more passengers. Do these lanes move much quicker than the rest?

2) I have also read that you can turn right at a red light as long as the path is clear. Apparently this doesn't apply in New York.

3) Generally the two middle lanes are for going forward and the left and right are specifically for there respective direction. Would this apply to say a 6 lane freeway? The two outside lanes being for exit left and right with the four middle lanes for going straight on.

The slow lane is the lane next to the far-right lane. Try and stay to the middle, if not the middle-right. Don't go in the far right lane unless you plan to take the next exit. This way, you make it easier for people to merge on and off the highway. Also, there will be a couple assholes who undertake you instead of overtake you. As said, watch your mirrors.

 

[Danoff]

1) Car Pool Lanes - I believe Danoff mentioned this in a PM before but I can't find it now. From what I have read car pool lanes can be used by vehicles with two or more passengers. Do these lanes move much quicker than the rest?

Yes, they allow you to bypass traffic jams - especially on work days when everyone is driving alone in their car and can't get into the carpool lane. Typically a carpool lane is designated as 2 or more people per car (there are signs). Occasionally there is a carpool lane that requires 3 or more. This will be posted.

They're designated by the diamonds. In LA we even have carpool on-ramps that allow you to bypass stoplights at the top of the on-ramp. You don't technically have to worry about any of this, of course. You could just stay out of the carpool lanes - but traffic in LA is nasty and I thought you might need to get somewhere a little faster.

Edit: Another note on the carpool lanes - you can't cross the yellow line. They'll have a dotted line when you can get in and out. Make sure to get out before your exit (from the freeway) arrives. Usually they have a way in/out every couple of miles.

2) I have also read that you can turn right at a red light as long as the path is clear. Apparently this doesn't apply in New York.

Some states allow this and some don't. In California and Nevada you're in good shape. Most states allow right turns on red unless otherwise posted.

3) Generally the two middle lanes are for going forward and the left and right are specifically for there respective direction. Would this apply to say a 6 lane freeway? The two outside lanes being for exit left and right with the four middle lanes for going straight on.

Not entirely sure what you're getting at here. Generally in LA there is pandemonium when it comes to lanes. Outside of LA you're going to encounter very few left-hand exits from freeways and usually the farther left you get on the freeway the faster you are expected to go. Passing is generally done on the left with slower vehicles on the right. This is a typical interchange in LA.

Here's a more complicated one

This is a left hand exit for the 110 north, center lane stays with the 10 east, left lane of the right exit bails onto surface streets and the convention center, far right lane exits to the 110 south.

1) Carpool Lane:
- If you are driving a "green" car (not the color), you may drive in the carpool lane, even if you are by yourself.

Only if you have the carpool lane sticker - which he undoubtedly will not have.


One final note about driving in LA. Motorcycles are allowed to split lanes. They will freak you out - especially in traffic - so take care to check for insane motorcyclists before changing lanes.

Edit: One more tip about driving in LA. When you exit the freeway, try to keep an eye out to make sure you can get back on. I've found that there isn't always a way to get back on the freeway and you can end up stuck looking for a way back on.

 

[raz_10]

1) Car Pool Lanes - I believe Danoff mentioned this in a PM before but I can't find it now. From what I have read car pool lanes can be used by vehicles with two or more passengers. Do these lanes move much quicker than the rest?

I would say the same as others have said but add to read the signs, here in San Francisco we have two signs:
On (HWY280 and HWY 101) carpool lane is 2 persons or more.
However if you cross the Bay Bridge (HWY 80) the carpool is 3 or more persons per vehicle.

2) I have also read that you can turn right at a red light as long as the path is clear. Apparently this doesn't apply in New York.

Make sure you make a FULL stop before the lines, as there maybe cameras. Those are quick to take a pic and the fine is $250 minimum.

 

[wfooshee]

Not much to add. Just 5 or 6 paragraphs!


Americans have lousy lane discipline, especially in the cities. It's better out in the countryside, but you'll still encounter people who insist on the left lane because they're doing the speed limit. "Slower traffic keep right" doesn't apply to them in their minds because they're doing the limit. They don't quite catch the difference between slow and slower. You'll have to undertake to get by, which nobody here cares about anyway. If you're on an Interstate with 2 lanes each direction, you generally want to stay to the right except to overtake. If there are 3 or more lanes, you'll be in a higher traffic area, and lane discipline starts to decline. The more lanes, the less discipline. God Bless America!

If you're very unlucky, you'll catch up to a mile-long gaggle of traffic being held up by some moron in the left lane running 10 under the limit and clueless. Nothing to do with people like that but shoot them, but that just makes traffic worse.

Traffic generally does about 10 over the limit on rural highways, and most places nobody will bother you for 65 in a 55, 80 in a 70 zone, etc.

On 2-lane rural roads, the center line is either broken white lines, or some combination of a solid yellow line, two solid yellow lines, a solid yellow line on one side and broken lines on the other. That's how we mark passing zones and no-passing zones. If the line is a single broken line, or if a double line has broken lines on your side, then you may overtake if you're clear of oncoming traffic. If a solid yellow line is one your side of the center, or if it's only a single solid yellow, then you may not overtake. Generally you find curves and hills marked as no passing like that, but sometimes a congested area will be marked with double-yellow for miles, and all you can do is trudge through with the other sheep.

If your road has a bicycle lane, it will be a narrow lane marked on the shoulder area with either a diamond or a rider silhouette. If your street has a right-turn lane at an intersection, the bicycle lane will stay to the LEFT of the turn lane, so traffic entering the turn lane crosses the bike lane. Don't pass a bike and then run him over to turn right. It's frowned upon.

Right turns are against the curb, left turns cross the lanes, backwards from the Mother Country. On the freeways, exits are almost always to the right, merging is to the left.

As a pedestrian, look to the LEFT first before stepping into the street.

Carpool lanes are also called HOV, for High Occupancy Vehicles. As stated, they can sometimes remain clear when other lanes are very congested. Even if they are not separated from the main lanes, you can't just merge in and out of them. Many places they are actually physically separate from the main freeway, and take many shortcuts through interchanges and other features.

The mention of motorcycles and lane sharing comes from the fact that in the U.S. the only state which allows it is California. It's illegal in all the other 49 states. Since bikes lane-share in Europe, and filter to the front at lights, it's probably not a new phenomenon for you. Keep the lane difference in mind, though; bikes are not supposed to filter on the right, only between lanes, but some do it. A right turn into McDonald's in front of an unseen motorcycle could be bad.

Speed limit signs are ALWAYS white with black lettering, and contain the words "SPEED LIMIT." The yellow signs that accompany some curve warnings are suggested speeds, not legal limits. If you drop to 10 because you see a yellow sign that says 10, you'll get shot. Lately many road departments have started using a yellow diamond with a speed limit sign inside it to warn of a reduced limit ahead. That sign is NOT a speed limit sign, merely a warning that there is one ahead, and that it's posted limit is lower than the zone you're currently in. Saying "Reduced speed ahead" was too complicated, I guess.

Stop signs are ALWAYS red octagons with the word STOP. Some intersections will have stop signs for all directions, and it's up to the drivers to just amicably take turns.

At a traffic light there will many times be separate control for the left turn lane. If you get a left arrow, then the oncoming traffic is being held and you may turn safely. If you have a regular green light, not an arrow, you can turn when oncoming traffic is clear. If you have a red arrow on the left turn lane, you MAY NOT TURN, regardless of oncoming traffic.

 

[Roo]

One thing my sister reported back from a trip to Canada last summer is if you're stopped by the police, don't get out of the car like you would in the UK, or you'll get guns pointed at you. Anyone from the US should be able to clarify if I'm correct or talking out of my backside.

 

[wfooshee]

Yeah. Wait in the car, and obey any instructions they might put on the PA. Roll the window down, keep your hands on the wheel. Do not unfasten your belt until asked for the license and registration. Saying "I had to undo it to get to my wallet" does not hold up; you'll get ticketed for no seat belt.

At night, turn on the interior light. ANYTHING to keep the cop from getting nervous.

The police cannot go through your stuff without Probable Cause, which is clearly defined in the law. If they see bags of white powder in the back seat, or a bong in the console tray, they have Cause. If they smell beer on you, they might have Cause. Driving 60 in a 35 zone with no seat belt only allows them to cite you for traffic, not to search your car or your person or your luggage.

When you rent your car they can tell you which papers to present if asked for registration in a traffic stop.

 

[raz_10]

One thing my sister reported back from a trip to Canada last summer is if you're stopped by the police, don't get out of the car like you would in the UK, or you'll get guns pointed at you. Anyone from the US should be able to clarify if I'm correct or talking out of my backside.

Yes!!!! Stay in your car, pull over and turn off your car...do not make any moves until the police officer asks you for your documents.

Some HWY patrol officers are more freaked out than others, so just sit in your car and wait for them to approach you

 

[CTznOfTime]

@ wfooshee:

It seems that you have the same petpeeves as me... just cant stand those people who constantly drive slow on the left lanes... ARRGHHH and then you wonder why people undertake you...

no consideration toward others at all...

@ Roo:

When being pulled over by the police or highway patrol... stepping outside of your vehicle before they ask you, is requesting to have a gun pointing at you

unless you want to die or be shoot at... just cooperate as much as you can, despite how much you despise them... Prison time here isn't fun...

 

[TorqueHappenS08]

One thing my sister reported back from a trip to Canada last summer is if you're stopped by the police, don't get out of the car like you would in the UK, or you'll get guns pointed at you. Anyone from the US should be able to clarify if I'm correct or talking out of my backside.

Yep, This is vital information, right here.

 

[TB]

Good grief, people. You make it sound like he's going to get pulled over for everything he does!

 

[Sage]

Typically they are faster, although beware some have tolls.

Yeah, watch out for carpool lanes labeled “Express” – those often turn into toll lanes.

If you’re going to be in downtown LA at all, beware that a lot of the streets are one-way.

In Vegas, everything is pretty well marked. In LA/Hollywood, you’re going to have to actively search for every sign, so keep your eyes peeled.

 

[wfooshee]

Good grief, people. You make it sound like he's going to get pulled over for everything he does!

Well, there is that driving on the wrong side thing!

 

[CTznOfTime]

Good grief, people. You make it sound like he's going to get pulled over for everything he does!

Let's just hope pray for him that he does not encounter the worst meanest police service of them all ...

Reno 911!

 

[Danoff]

One thing my sister reported back from a trip to Canada last summer is if you're stopped by the police, don't get out of the car like you would in the UK, or you'll get guns pointed at you. Anyone from the US should be able to clarify if I'm correct or talking out of my backside.

You would get out of the car in the UK?? This would have been my first piece of advice had I known that little fact. Absolutely do not get out of the car if you get pulled over until/unless you are asked to do so. If you are asked to get out of the car, you are likely in for a long day. If you get out of the car without being asked, same deal.

 

[opendriver]

Just out of curiosity, what are you going to be doing in vegas? Are you going to be staying at a hotel-casino? If so, you are probably just going to wind up walking everywhere, or taking a cab to one side of the strip or visa-versa.

 

[astrosdude91]

There isn't much to know when driving on US roads. For the most part, everything is well marked with a sign. It's not too terribly different from driving in the United Kingdom. You just mainly have to worry about the other drivers.

Last June, My grandparents took me to California to celebrate my High School graduation. We flew from Houston into LAX, rented a 2010 Mustang Convertible, and drove up I-5 to San Francisco. Then after a few days there, we drove down the PCH all the way to LA. The few days in LA were hectic to drive! Those LA drivers are crazy. There is a popular thing to do at red lights. Instead of stopping with everybody else, people tend to drive in oposing lanes to avoid the traffic! And the freeways in Los Angeles were super packed and super old. Now, I have been to Las Vegas, but I went when I was 9. So my memory is a little vague.

 

[Eric.]

What moron decided it was a smart idea to allow motorcycles to split lanes? That's just asking for stupidity...Can they only do that at stoplights or are they allowed to just blast through on the freeway as well?

 

[Roo]

You would get out of the car in the UK??

If you don't, it's usually the first thing they ask you to do. It means you're both stood safely at the roadside, rather than have the policeman standing in the middle of the road. It also reduces the risk of the driver taking off at any time, although I assume cops in the US have ways of dealing with this (taking the keys would be my guess ). Leaning slightly off topic, why would an American cop would want you to stay in the car?

 

[Danoff]

What moron decided it was a smart idea to allow motorcycles to split lanes? That's just asking for stupidity...Can they only do that at stoplights or are they allowed to just blast through on the freeway as well?

In California (and no other state) they are allowed to do it everywhere. Technically they're not allowed to do it over a certain speed, but most of them don't seem to know or care about this. I have seen a motorcyclist split lanes on the freeway between two cars doing 75mph. I think he slowed down to about 80 to do it.

If you don't, it's usually the first thing they ask you to do. It means you're both stood safely at the roadside, rather than have the policeman standing in the middle of the road. It also reduces the risk of the driver taking off at any time, although I assume cops in the US have ways of dealing with this (taking the keys would be my guess ). Leaning slightly off topic, why would an American cop would want you to stay in the car?

I think they try basically to stay behind or just to the side of you at all times. I'm guessing that they're trying to make it as hard as possible for you to shoot them. If you get out of the car and come toward the cop car they will assume that you're attacking them. I don't think they worry about you trying to escape.

 

[raz_10]

If you don't, it's usually the first thing they ask you to do. It means you're both stood safely at the roadside, rather than have the policeman standing in the middle of the road. It also reduces the risk of the driver taking off at any time, although I assume cops in the US have ways of dealing with this (taking the keys would be my guess ). Leaning slightly off topic, why would an American cop would want you to stay in the car?

When they pull you over is usually for an infraction. You are to pull over as far away as possible from the traffic lane (onto the shoulder) So there is no need to get out of the car to talk to the cop. He will either go to the driver side or the passenger side.
If you do get out, they take it as an attack!
If you decide to run they have cameras in the car and most likely they have already pulled at least your license plate on the computer, they will get you eventually.

 

[wfooshee]

What moron decided it was a smart idea to allow motorcycles to split lanes? That's just asking for stupidity...Can they only do that at stoplights or are they allowed to just blast through on the freeway as well?

It's actually done intentionally, and it's allowed everywhere else in the world except the 49 U.S. states.

It's probably based on older air-cooled bikes blowing up if stuck in traffic, and there are rules that are supposed to apply.

Between lanes only, not on the shoulder. A certain common-sense speed over very slow or stopped traffic only.

Some countries/locales even have boxes painted at the front of the queue at intersections for bikes/scooters to filter up to. They get to the front, they go first.

As a 24/7 rider who doesn't even own a car, I can't even begin to express the aggravation at waiting at a light for morons to decide it's safe to proceed, one at a time, when I can see clearly from 7 rows back that it's green, and nothing's coming our way. There's also the fact that the bike out-accelerates any car with even just the laziest of getaways. In traffic, I can't even let the clutch all the way out for half a block, usually.

Generally speaking, the intention of allowing lane sharing is to allow riders to filter through slow traffic. It is NOT meant to allow bonzai moves on the freeway! If a trooper could get to the rider who split lanes in 70mph traffic, that guy would probably lose his bike.

I know a guy who works in Berkeley, crosses the bay bridge to get to work, rides every day. His commute on the bike is a third the time it takes in the car. That's why it's allowed. Reduces congestion and riders get where they're going without being in anybody's way rather than adding yet another single-occupancy car to the staggering lines of traffic going nowhere.

California drivers know it's allowed, and for the most part are accomodating. There are some who look on lane-sharing bikes as asses, but most know it's supposed to happen, and most will even make sure there's room when they see one coming in the mirror.

 

[CTznOfTime]

I for one, always make room for incoming/upcoming motorcycle as soon as i see one in my rear view mirrors!

I can't even begin to express the aggravation at waiting at a light for morons to decide it's safe to proceed, one at a time, when I can see clearly from 7 rows back that it's green, and nothing's coming our way.

I have to agree with you on this... seems that people dont even think when they drive, they just do it because they are so used to it....

What moron decided it was a smart idea to allow motorcycles to split lanes? That's just asking for stupidity...Can they only do that at stoplights or are they allowed to just blast through on the freeway as well?

So many inconsiderate morons on the freeways who are unable to maneuvers their cars to share the roads with motorcycles(, or faster vehicles)
As a driver, you are supposed to be aware of your surrounding and allow/facilite other road users to drive safely...

If you don't, it's usually the first thing they ask you to do. It means you're both stood safely at the roadside, rather than have the policeman standing in the middle of the road. It also reduces the risk of the driver taking off at any time, although I assume cops in the US have ways of dealing with this (taking the keys would be my guess ). Leaning slightly off topic, why would an American cop would want you to stay in the car?

Containment... nothing inside of the vehicle should be outside, and vice versa... trying to keep things as they are... and also fear of violence toward the officer. Stepping outside of the car is considered as a threat!

 

[nk4e]

In California:
You are not allowed on the phone while driving though Cops will be on the phone for "Emergency purposes" Though there are signs that say
" Call 911 to report a drunk driver"
If you are being pulled over by a officer at night, you are allowed to go somewhere with more lighting and in a safe environment
Try to find times when to travel during the highway to beat traffic jams
in Vegas:
The strip is always crowded and be weary of pickpockets
Drive, do not walk unless it is a close distance. Last time I was there it was 118 degree F.
The casino buffets are cheap and vary sometimes but it can also be expensive. 3 dollars for casino water at Circus Circus.
There are tons of family places in Vegas along the strip or somewhat passed it.

 

[Danoff]

. There are some who look on lane-sharing bikes as asses, but most know it's supposed to happen, and most will even make sure there's room when they see one coming in the mirror.

My problem is that bikes seem to think that they have the right of way over cars IN FRONT OF THEM when splitting traffic. They take it very personally if they have to, god forbid, slow down for just a second while someone changes lanes when he's finally found an opening in traffic.

I made a perfectly safe lane change (saw the bike coming, had time, signaled) in front of a bike and got my review mirror (intentionally) slapped out of alignment for doing so because he assumed I didn't see him and assumed that it was out of the question that he slow down even slightly to give me room to change lanes (he also took the time to make sure i knew I was "number 1"). There's a certain level of entitlement among many motorcyclists that makes them think that the normal rules of courtesy simply do not apply to them. As best I can tell, there are brakes on motorcycles, even when they split lanes, and the rules of the road (including right of way) still apply. I have to brake all the time for cars changing lanes, I don't see what exempts motorcycles.

Between this and the guys who continue splitting lanes even when traffic is moving at 75mph I have a hard time not assuming that motorcyclists are asses. I know that there are some who are responsible and respectful, but a lot of them seem to have a deathwish.

 

[wfooshee]

You've picked a really nice area of aggravation. Your lane is stopped, the other lane is moving, you've got a narrow window of opportunity to move over, and you take it.

Good riders look for that, and will accomodate it without too much fuss. Asshats who think they're privileged above all else will do what that guy did. I might "signal" someone if it was a close call, maybe a toot of the horn, maybe a digit, but I'd never touch their car. You never know who's packing out there, do ya?

Personally, if I'm riding next to a line of cars, I'm looking into the mirror of each one as I approach, and if the guy is looking back, he may be looking for a lane change, and I watch out accordingly.

Nevertheless, if the guy had to avoid your maneuver, even just by slowing down a little, then you didn't have room for it and it's all on you. If there was no possibility of interference then no problem. The rider's assumption is that stopped traffic is stopped. Yes, he has brakes, but if he has to use them because of something you did, then he's rightfully annoyed, but if he's annoyed because it might have been a problem if he was further up from where he was, then he needs to be flogged. If he's assuming that moving traffic is staying put, then he's made a bad assumption and may pay dearly for it one day.

Same as any traffic maneuver. You have a responsibility to perform it without interfering with anyone else's progress. If you assume they're gonna slow down or move over for you, then you're assuming they're paying attention, and why would you do that?

That's not limited to bikes, though is it? How many people do you see thrashing themselves in traffic and getting nowhere by it, yet the entire situation is because of everybody else blocking their way? So "entitled" people exist in all types of vehicles.

The things you bring up are part of why I don't like to be known to some of my customers as a rider. It's either, "What kinda Harley do you have?" or "Oh, are you one o' them wheelie freaks I see on Youtube all the time?" All sorts of prejudices get introduced instantly.

I'm neither. I'm an invisible rider that no one I encounter will ever remember seeing after they get home. I'm invisible because I ride as if I literally was invisible, making sure I'm not in any situation where a driver can kill me and then say "But I didn't see him, he came out nowhere!" (Which, BTW should be translated in any court of law as "I couldn't be bothered to look.")

The kind of rider you describe, who splits at 75 on the freeway, who thinks the roads are his private playground and why doesn't someone get all the stupid cars off of it, those are the guys who I really wish something could really be done with. Cops can't catch 'em unless they ride just as stupidly, and helicopters are damned expensive just for motocycle enforcement.

I think we've gotten quite a ways off topic, though. Maybe a new thread if it continues?