Be a Cluster Buster Not a Cluster Culprit: Surviving the Interstate System

After having to make several trips from my home in the south, northward, over the past few years, I have learned a few things!

When traveling the Interstate system, just because you go from seventy-eight (78) to a hard brake in the matter of about a split second, doesn't, necessarily, mean it's due to traffic!

Six to eight tail lights blocking your way, doesn't always mean there are lines of cars in front of them. Quite possibly... there may not be any other cars in sight, once you've managed to break through and bust the Cluster!

Yes, the Cluster, those annoying slow-ups/back-ups, on the Interstate ---- because people don't know how to drive!

It is too much to ask that they do their passing of slower moving vehicles --- and then get right back over!

It is too much to ask that they do their slow and steady, in the slow lane, and leave the passing lane, as the passing lane, not the biding-their time-for-the-duration... lane!

No, for some unknown reason known to man, they prefer to perch themselves in the passing lane/the fast lane, because they are under the assumption that they are going fast enough!

It is as if, they've jockeyed for this position and, by gosh, by golly, that's where they are sticking for the long haul!

They are doing the speed limit or just under it, a lot over it, then back to around it... because they are either on their phones, conversing with the shotgun rider, disciplining a child in the backseat, attempting to understand the concept of GPS, etc.....

Doing it all at the same time - and in that case, other drivers must understand that, naturally, their speed is going to fluctuate a bit! Their hands are full of everything but driving safely and getting out of your way; totally oblivious to the cluster which has formed behind them!

Also, apparently clueless to the concept of cruise control, which would definitely assist while their minds are on everything but their driving!

It matters not that there are, typically, two or three other lanes. They have pole positioned themselves into that spot on the Interstate, and that's that.

10-4?

Deal with it good Buddy!

Here of late, the slow lane, bottom lane, outside lane, has become the fast lane, the passing lane, the top lane, the inside lane, however you may refer to it....

If you are going to be the one to bust the Cluster, this is the lane that you will most likely have to do it from.

Occasionally, the middle lane will work, it just depends on how many drivers, who already know how this works, are there, waiting for their window of opportunity to cluster bust.

Or the next exit, to hit the backroads!

Also, beware of the truckers who cannot go over seventy (70), but often get behind other truckers (or pole positioners) doing sixty-eight (68) or less. It will take them about ten minutes just to get around one (1) truck! That is... if they haven't already eyeballed other drivers way up the road... going even slower!

Not wanting to be stuck behind those slowpokes... you should anticipate giving them another 10 to 20 minutes to get past them all.

By this point, you've guessed it, the Cluster is behemoth!

If you are way in the back of the pack, you are convinced there must be a deadly crash ahead with multiple cars involved; because, at this point, you are getting nowhere, fast!

Another Interstate culprit is the 120 clubber (my nickname for them)!

These morons drive as if they are at the Daytona or Indy Speedway, driving for money, and a trophy... flooring it, switching lanes, cutting off other drivers...

Drivers who are attempting to drive properly, not cutting off other drivers, using their signals for lane changes, and other things that 120 clubbers do not recognize or participate in. For them, it's either full throttle pedal to the metal, or brake-riding, there's nothing in between!

Because these guys and gals consider themselves the V.I.P's of the Interstate system, and you best not get in their way...

I digress.

To be clear, you can be a cluster buster, in a safe fashion; no reason to go 120 mph, no reason to cut any one off, or jeopardize anyone's safety.

You will have to change lanes and use your signal, often more than once, but you will know when it is the proper time to make your move, and bust the cluster!

Clearing the path --- the hero... until the next cluster over the next hill, or just around the bend!

Be safe out there!