Good stuff, guys. I had been following this thread on my phone while I was on the road and wanted to reply once I had time to get out my laptop. I don't have too much to add after all of the replies though.
This particular guy pulled out behind me after he was parked on the shoulder even though he was right next to a truck stop where he could have parked. It was a pretty flat road with room to pass if he really wanted to but he just kept behind me moving back and forth in his lane. So this was one guy I definitely wasn't too worried about, not being too sure what he was going to try to do. I don't know why but these guys you see parking on the shoulder are always the ones trying to pass you and then you'll see them parking on the shoulder again down the road. You'd think they'd just stay rolling if they were in that big of a hurry.
Anyway, it made me wonder about passing on two lanes in general. I do try to share the road and drive defensively as much as possible.
Operating While Intoxicated
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I'm a Texan and while it is legal to pull onto an improved shoulder to allow faster traffic to pass I don't think there is any expectation of it. It's a dumb idea for a variety of reasons. Road debris, gravel, or rocks kicked up on your windshield sucks. Maybe someone is pulled off or standing on the shoulder around the curve ahead. Sometimes there are bridges, culverts, driveways or such where the shoulder narrows.
Pretty sure the "drive friendly, the Texas way" is just an adage.
The only thing I'll pass (well in my truck anyway, I will blow by you in a car) on a two-lane is farm equipment going 5 mph and only if I can see well ahead of me. It's always dangerous for trucks passing trucks. I brake when they pass me, and I've still seen some close calls. It never ceases to amaze me how people will put theirs and others lives on the line to save a few seconds.
Speaking of two-lanes, I always get a kick out of the required turnouts in Washington state if you are holding up so many vehicles.