I-70 Denver-bound traffic.. *shudder* (Pueblo, Loveland: home, law, dangerous)

[NoirX252]

I usually ride from first chair, to about 1:30 and am out somewhere right before 2 from Loveland ski area to beat the I70 traffic, but on some days, I decide to ride from open to close.

Which is better?

I-70E traffic with pace car (dumbest idea ever) 4pm... OR
I-70W no traffic, through frisco/breck... and on the 24?.. to CO SPrings...

Without traffic google says the first is 1 hour and 36
the other way is 2 hours and 50, however.. I managed a 3 hour drive with a snowstorm going the 2nd route, so I'm sure I can probably do the 2nd one in 2:30.. or less... in ok weather

PS: Why are there so many accidents on the 70? Last week I saw a horrific accident, which involved a trailer, and 2 or 3 cars, which.. probably flipped over the i70median to oncoming traffic...

[hollyt00]

We almost travel exclusively US24-HWY 9 to Summit County. You have to go over Hoosier PAss, so make sure the weather cooperates, but it's a better drive, imo.

[PokerMunkee]

Roger on 24 to 9. Sucks it's one lane, but plenty of places to pass. Beware of cops though, so don't go too crazy, especially when nearing Fairplay. Takes me around 1.5-2hrs from Woodland Park to Breck'. Traveled it every weekended in the winter before I had kids 2 years ago!

[DOUBLE H]

Speaking of trailers on I-70, I was in Denver for a couple days. Coming back yesterday, a tractor trailer went off the highway a couple miles west of Eagle. I was ahead of it thankfully, but when I tuned into the 10 p.m. news on the Grand Junction NBC affiliate, they showed traffic being backed up for miles.

A little tip here, watch your speed, particularly from the Edwards exit to the Silverthorne exit. CSP is stepping it up regarding speeders.

[NoirX252]

I've noticed this disturbing trend in Colorado, or maybe it's me noticing more things here to compare with back home in NY.

Very often, I find myself cutting through traffic from the right lane. If the sped limit is 75, people on the left lane are doing... 75... lol. I've passed through miles of congestion.. maybe 2-3 exits on the 70 just staying on the right lane...

I think I will start traveling via this new route for the days I'm not carpooling with someone not from the springs, the drive is much nicer. and there is this neat little cafe shoppe? in fairplay.. forgot the name. They have something on the menu called.. something spiced hot chocolate? I forgot.

I got lost and ended up in Pueblo west..? today, it's actually very nice there. A reminder to not believe in stereotypes and rumors. I found the people incredibly friendly.

[PokerMunkee]

Main issue is 2 lane highways are not large enough for the growing population. I25 and I70 are bumper to bumper way too often.

I tailgate people who go the speed limit in the left lane, drives me insane. It does seem like it happens here than most places, but again, we only have two lanes for the most part, so it happens all the friqqin time!

[otowi]

Here's an amazing fact: the speed limit is the speed limit for both lanes of the road - not the right lane only. Really no one should be getting road rage over someone driving the speed limit. For ignoring the left-lane law, maybe, but not for obeying the speeding limit.

Colorado's "Left Lane Law" states:
"A person shall not drive a motor vehicle in the passing lane of a highway if the speed-limit is sixty-five miles per hour or more unless such person is passing other motor-vehicles that are in a non-passing lane..."
However, the law does not give one permission to exceed the speed limit. Please note that this law is only for sections of highway where the speed limit is 65 or greater. For roads or sections with limits less than that, anyone who wants to can be in the left lane and it is as much their right to be there as anyone else.

Yes, practically speaking, one may feel compelled to temporarily get speed up to pass. But really it is a law violation, and you will be held accountable for it should an accident occur - no excuses. And so is it for those who drive perpetually in the left lane, whatever their speed. I think some people's questionable definition of "passing" means they're going to pass 50 cars and then get back in the right lane for 5 seconds, then repeat.

Another law people frequently ignore: Colorado has a Move Over law:
The Move Over Law requires drivers to move over a lane when there’s an emergency situation along the shoulder. If the driver can’t move over, they must slow down significantly to avoid an accident.

[hollyt00]

My problem with 24/9 way is that it makes me want to move out of the city and into the country and start a buffalo ranch out there. Alas, I have no expertise in buffalo or ranching, so I'll keep that dream in my pocket :P

Noir, it sounds like you may have not turned off on the way back, towards Hartsel, but went down through Buena Vista? If so, great drive. Much longer, though :P

[NoirX252]

I'm going to have to look that up.

Regardless of the law, people in the left lane should switch over for a faster car. A disgruntled driver is dangerous.
Not sure how it usually is for a native person from Colorado. But people from other places, lare used to a 10-15+ the posted limit, especially on the left lane. And can get particularly aggressive. It's safer to just move and let them pass. Saw a pickup doing... probably over 100 today on the 70... crazy haha. Where is the black ice? LOL

[Sonic_Spork]

Originally Posted by NoirX252

I'm going to have to look that up.

Regardless of the law, people in the left lane should switch over for a faster car. A disgruntled driver is dangerous.
Not sure how it usually is for a native person from Colorado. But people from other places, lare used to a 10-15+ the posted limit, especially on the left lane. And can get particularly aggressive. It's safer to just move and let them pass. Saw a pickup doing... probably over 100 today on the 70... crazy haha. Where is the black ice? LOL

Some cities...heck, some STATES...are notorious for seriously speeding traffic on interstates. California comes to mind. I've heard that Atlanta is like that, too. I think if there is an element where Colorado drivers commonly break the law, it's probably running red lights. I see that every day. I don't think that a safe, law-abiding driver should have to make way for some belligerent, angry individual who is impatient and willing to break the law to be first instead of next. Sure, it's common sense to observe traffic patterns and pass intelligently. But if you're the guy who is passing everyone pretty much all the way down the road, because everyone else is doing the speed limit and you think that your own special personal speed limit happens to be 10-15 MPH higher...well...all I can say is that the State Troopers will notice, sooner or later.

Now where I come from, Northern VA, the speed limit on the interstate is irrelevant, because traffic is usually so horrendous you'll be lucky if you can achieve the same progress as you could on foot...after my last taste of that gridlock, I have nothing to complain about here in Colorado.