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From the President Bill Bauer I hope to hear from you at president@ pnwr.org or call me at 206.972.5639. About anything! This month I���d like to do something different and explore one of my greater ���pet peeves��� of driving in the Seattle area. I���m appealing to those of you who consciously want to be better, safer, and more effective drivers. Of course, none of these driving transgressions belong to any of you, but consider how we can educate others. Apologies in advance for any offense someone may take ��� certainly none intended. Let me know your thoughts. The first is a classic: drivers in the leftmost lane driving slower that the average speed in that lane. Left-lane bandits. Dawdlers. Drivers who seem to not have (and in some cases do not have) rear view mirrors. The oblivious, the socially righteous, the indignant, the uncaring. Note that I did not say drivers that are below the speed limit. The speed limit and average speed are two different things. There is a Washington state law that prohibits obstructive driving, and I believe it covers holding up traffic regardless of the speed limit. Some months back there were several news articles that claimed the state patrol was going to put an emphasis on 8 enforcing this law. Hooorah!! Well, either the number of violators are overwhelming our patrol system or perhaps the enforcement has not been quite as vigorous as implied. The reason for the enforcement and for my complaint is that left lane bandits are a safety hazard. Consider the one you���ve observed. They inspire road rage (���They���re impeding me!���), following too closely (a technique supposedly to get them to notice you. In fact I think it raises their indignant reaction), weaving to the right to avoid them, cutting too closely in front of them (a kind of reprimand, ���ARE YOU AWAKE?���) and they create traffic jams by piling up cars behind them. Besides, it���s not fair to those of us who legitimately wish to travel in the faster lane because it IS faster. If you like slow, move right, far right. The technique I use in the left lane is the same one we teach during our High Performance Driving events: If someone comes up behind me and is there for more than a few seconds, they must want to travel faster than me. I move right and let them by. If I want to be in the left lane after they pass, then, traffic permitting, that���s fine, at least until the next faster car comes. On the track I���m as relieved to let the car by as the car behind is happy to get by me, and I suspect a similar attitude would work well on the street. November 2011 So let���s show a bit of awareness and tell our kids, parents, car pool mates, spouses, in laws and cab drivers to MOVE RIGHT. If you have driving miscues that bug you, let���s start a dialogue. Porsche owners are drivers ��� let���s hear from you. I���ll have another pet peeve next month. Help us run the club well! This month���s ���Help Wanted���: ��� Planning Meeting - Dec. 3: The board and committee chairs will set the 2012 event calendars. LET US KNOW what you like for events. ��� NW Harvest Food Drive Dec. 3: A worthy cause and a great long line of Porsches. Stay tuned for details and competition with the MINI club. ��� Workers��� Party Nov. 12: Everyone who has volunteered for anything during the year: FREE lunch at Caf�� Veloce. Let���s fill it to the rafters! ��� Spiel Editor: Lead our award-winning team to produce our monthly newsletter See you on the road, at the track, in a club meeting, or at an event soon!