An Open Letter to Certain “Special” Drivers of US HWY 101, Washington State

Unless we sprout wings and learn to fly, thereby making our vehicles unnecessary, Hwy 101 is virtually the only road to our little neck of the woods here on the peninsula. It is a two lane, low-priority-to-the-state highway with very few passing lanes, wide shoulders or straight stretches appropriate and safe for passing. It is also fairly heavily trafficked and slow moving RVs, log trucks and semi-truck’s with long trains of vehicles behind are a common sight.

I have previously mentioned the high number of fatality accidents that occur and my recent trip to Seattle as well as four years worth of grievances has prompted this letter to certain special drivers of Hwy 101. You know who you are. Don’t try to deny it.

Hey you, back there riding my ass. Yeah, YOU. I realize gas prices are high, but I’m still not going to give you a free ride, so get off my bumper. Do you actually think you’re going any faster by driving three feet behind me than you would be from 50 feet back?

Being so close, you probably can’t see this, but there are cars in front of me, too. Tailgating me will not change this fact.

If you intend to pass, the proper way to do it is by staying far enough behind me to see oncoming traffic without these little forays into the oncoming lane that you seem to enjoy. Once you see an opening approaching you can accelerate and be at or near passing speed when you pull into the oncoming lane to pass. This will allow you to pass in the shortest distance possible and save us all a few minor heart attacks because you misjudged the acceleration ability of your car.

Out here, even passing everyone in sight won’t get you all that far ahead. There was once a truck that passed me and everyone else on road in such a way that other cars were braking and swerving to keep him from causing an accident. An hour later, he was two cars in front of me in the ferry line.

If you choose to drive slowly to better enjoy our lovely scenery, or for whatever reason, really, please take advantage of the pullouts and permission to drive on the shoulder that the state has given you. Those signs telling you that the delay of five vehicles is illegal are not merely decorative.

When we actually get to one of the precious passing lanes and you’ve been driving 50 MPH, don’t suddenly speed up to 75 only to slow back down to 50 at the end of the lane. This is infuriating to your fellow drivers and only contributes to the problem.

When an emergency vehicle is making use of their lights and/or siren, GET OUT OF THE WAY. They may be coming for you some day.

In closing, please use your best driving behavior when traveling Hwy 101. We’d all appreciate it.

Thank you,
Lily