Why, Why, Why do people park in the left lane on the highway...

[Ramjet]

and make everyone else go around them on the right? 

Slower drivers should be in the right lanes!!  Easy to pass them on the Valk (now it's Valk related), harder in a cage.

[old2soon]

When you get the answer to this let everyone know please, I drove ever the road for a little over 40 years. Most every state has a sign that says something like slower traffic keep right or keep right except to pass. I have turned a wheel in all 50 states 2 canadian provices and old mexico. It don't make me special or nuthin-but had a lot of years to observe. Near as i can tell-no one anywhere actually worries about which lane they cruise in. They just do. These are the same folks that pull out in front of you-cut you off and try to get ahead of you in any line-driving or walking. I would guess simply put human nature. Either that or we have an excess of not real smart people in the world. Anybody else got ideas on this-i'd be real happy to hear them. Thanks and RIDE SAFE.

[sugerbear]

i think it's a little "me" attititude.

"i do what i want and you can just.............ff"

and.......................just pain stupid people

[bigfish_Oh]

some of us know how to "drive"

but most use a vehicle to get from one place to another without any thought of anyone else

[Tropic traveler]

Because I'm doing the damn speed limit, and you have NO RIGHT to pass me as long as I am!!!

Really, they're just meatheads. Like Archie Bunker said.... dead from the neck up!

[Chrisj CMA]

I can think of at least two good reasons for me to be cruising in the left lane......and my understanding of "slower" traffic is slower than the posted speed limit.

1.  There are 18 wheelers clogging up the slow lane and I can do 3 or 4 mph more than they are doing thereby slowly passing them at a speed of 10mph over the posted speed.....around here that makes me doing around 80mph.  As soon as I would pull to the right in front of a rig twelve cars doing 90 would pass me and make me slow up and be parked behind a rig I dont care to be behind.  So if you want to do 90mph behind me doing 80mph in a 70mph zone and there are trucks in the right lane then you will be passing me on the right hand side........sorry

2. Its raining hard.......Id dont care to ride in trenches of water in the right lanes.....sorry again

[fudgie]

Up here we say 'they must be from michigan'. 

[bigdog99]

or illinois

[JimC]

I am not saying I agree with them, but I can live with them as long as they are doing the speed limit. To me it is a minor issue to go around them. (unless you are in a laarge truck)

MY PET PEEVE: The mutton heads that enter the freeway from an on ramp doing 10-15 MPH slower that he posted limit, then pull in front of you without even looking, forcing you to hit your brakes.

THEN, it never fails, you finally get around them and two miles later they are tail gating you wanting to pass.

Jim

[sugerbear]

Because I'm doing the damn speed limit, and you have NO RIGHT to pass me as long as I am!!!

Really, they're just meatheads. Like Archie Bunker said.... dead from the neck up!

hey i never took you to be a "blue hair", but,  you are from fl

[MarkT]

This is such a problem in CO they passed a law a couple years ago that says
42-4-1013 (1) - Passing Lane (Left Lane Law) " 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 nonpassing lane or turning left, or unless the volume of traffic does not permit the motor vehicle to safetly merge into a nonpassing lane."

Note this is written without regard to your speed.  IOW, even if you're at or above the speed limit, you're still violating if you're not passing: your speed is not a cart blanche to park in the left lane. Seems to me this law used to say something about 3 or more vehicles behind you - looks like it was edited.

In any case, around here, TONS of a-holes ignore the law.  They consider the left lane the "phone lane". They go over there so they can yak on the phone without being bothered by merging traffic.  If I have to go to the right lane to pass, I'll cut back in close in front of them without signalling - before I return to the right lane if there's no one else to pass. Pisses me off.

I love the parasites who use me as their cruise control.  I'm tooling along, cross country, doing 10 over (or so), and these yahoos latch onto my bumper, increasing risk to me and my passengers.  Speed up, slow down, doesn't matter, these yahoos will stay back there - 200-300 miles.  Blocking my rear view.  About the time I accept them back there, it will be a cop who has swapped places with them, and clocked me.  Annoys me I have to either REALLY speed up to lose them, thereby driving faster than I want to, or I have to slow way down and pull into a lane of traffic to get them to adopt someone else.  Then, 20 miles later, I go ahead and pick it back up, pass the idiot and his new host, and he drops his new host and has latched onto me again.

[rodeo1]

yay us !!!!

in western colo. you can earn a big fat sloppy ticket for hogging the left lane.

don't you just love the little blond girls driving 90 in the left lane talking on the phone, with two little ones in car seats, and respect life licence plates. i wonder whos life they are respecting.

[Cliff]

I can think of at least two good reasons for me to be cruising in the left lane......and my understanding of "slower" traffic is slower than the posted speed limit.

1.  There are 18 wheelers clogging up the slow lane and I can do 3 or 4 mph more than they are doing thereby slowly passing them at a speed of 10mph over the posted speed.....around here that makes me doing around 80mph.  As soon as I would pull to the right in front of a rig twelve cars doing 90 would pass me and make me slow up and be parked behind a rig I dont care to be behind.  So if you want to do 90mph behind me doing 80mph in a 70mph zone and there are trucks in the right lane then you will be passing me on the right hand side........sorry

2. Its raining hard.......Id dont care to ride in trenches of water in the right lanes.....sorry again

+1   

[Cliff]

.............................
I love the parasites who use me as their cruise control.  I'm tooling along, cross country, doing 10 over (or so), and these yahoos latch onto my bumper, increasing risk to me and my passengers.  Speed up, slow down, doesn't matter, these yahoos will stay back there - 200-300 miles.  Blocking my rear view.  About the time I accept them back there, it will be a cop who has swapped places with them, and clocked me.  Annoys me I have to either REALLY speed up to lose them, thereby driving faster than I want to, or I have to slow way down and pull into a lane of traffic to get them to adopt someone else.  Then, 20 miles later, I go ahead and pick it back up, pass the idiot and his new host, and he drops his new host and has latched onto me again.

That is sooooooo irritating, never could understand why they do that but it is far too common.

[bogator]

  I spent 44 years driving 18 wheelers OTR and the only thing that I can say is -------they think only of themselves----but I'm just an old man so what do I know?  I use to like to look at the seatcovers though--------I have seen everything going on in cars----- and some goooood seatcovers.-----

[Tx Bohemian]

Slower drivers should be in the right lanes!! 

So what do you consider "slower drivers"?

People going below the posted speed limit or not going as fast as you want to go?

[Oss]

when someone is on your ass and wont back off or being a dangerous menace by weaving or cutting off drivers it is allowed to use your cell phone to connect you with the local police using 911 to put you thru


I have done so in my car when I see some Ahole cut off someone causing them to lose control of their car and LEO's really take it seriously.  Also get a license plate if you can, the state patrol boys appreciate that     I dont use a cell phone when on the bike but I suppose if I could remember the plate I could pull over next time and call

If someone only called when that mother was going the wrong way on the highway a few years ago many lives could have been saved as she drove over 20 miles the wrong way and there were no 911 calls

amazing

Oss.........passing on the wide open right lane on the 3 lane highway

[x]

I can think of at least two good reasons for me to be cruising in the left lane......and my understanding of "slower" traffic is slower than the posted speed limit.

1.  There are 18 wheelers clogging up the slow lane and I can do 3 or 4 mph more than they are doing thereby slowly passing them at a speed of 10mph over the posted speed.....around here that makes me doing around 80mph.  As soon as I would pull to the right in front of a rig twelve cars doing 90 would pass me and make me slow up and be parked behind a rig I dont care to be behind.  So if you want to do 90mph behind me doing 80mph in a 70mph zone and there are trucks in the right lane then you will be passing me on the right hand side........sorry

2. Its raining hard.......Id dont care to ride in trenches of water in the right lanes.....sorry again

There's the "meathead".  His 'understanding' is his rationalization... the law only says, 'slower traffic keep right'.  But the meatheads interpret this to drive any way they want and to inconvenience others, just so that they don't have to inconvenience themselves.
 
See, this dude has said it himself... he would rather block a bunch of cars wanting to go faster than him than being 'parked behind a rig I dont care to be behind'.  

Meatheads are a fact of life in every country I've driven in... just more prevalent in the US... a lot more prevalent.  Because of caring "Christian" attitudes like these.

<Edited> - Oops, I should have probably said 'he drives like a meathead' to avoid charges of 'name calling'... but WTH... too hard to edit the post.

[Serk]

Slower drivers should be in the right lanes!! 

So what do you consider "slower drivers"?

People going below the posted speed limit or not going as fast as you want to go?

For me, speed relative to the speed limit is totally irrelevant... I don't care if you're going 100 over the limit, if there's not a vehicle moving from in front of you to behind you on your right, move to the right.

Simple as that.

[Chrisj CMA]

WOW....Mr walking eagle........so someone wanting to go 20mph over the speed limit should have the priority to force someone to be at risk behind a tractor trailer.........this is just evidence, you just love to criticize people......you make no sense and you show your bottom feeding character, but we all have grown to expect it

[BF]

I hear that the view in the left lane is better than in the right.   



It has always been my understanding that most, if not all, states require that when driving on mulitple lane highways, that you drive in the right lane and the left lane is for passing....ONLY. 

Direct quote from the 2011 version of the Florida Driver's handbook......

"Drive in the right lane and pass on the left. If there are three lanes, use the right lane for lower speed driving, the left for passing."

My dad was in the trucking industry and growing up around that environment (and later driving trucks myself), it was one of the things that was always drilled into me.......the right lane is for driving......the left lane is for passing only.....PERIOD. 

But that's just how I roll.   

[x]

WOW....Mr walking eagle........

 
Are you name calling?  My name to you is Mr. Strong Eagle, SIR.  Yes, I think you are name calling.  It's OK.  You obviously don't get the irrationality of your driving behavior... why would I expect anything better from you on any other topic.  Crawl under my rock.  Walking Eagle.  I "make no sense".
 
Ooops!  You've failed to address my arguments about your behavior and instead resort to ad hominen attacks (http://www.lmgtfy.com/?q=ad+hominem).  Getting boring here... time to walk over to the casino and watch high rollers lose hundreds of dollars a minute.
 
"we all have grown to expect it' - Speak for yourself, doofus (oops, inadvertent name calling).  You take the refuge of a weakling who tries to support his argument by suggesting he is speaking for someone other than himself.

[Varmintmist]

Slower drivers should be in the right lanes!! 

So what do you consider "slower drivers"?

People going below the posted speed limit or not going as fast as you want to go?

For me, speed relative to the speed limit is totally irrelevant... I don't care if you're going 100 over the limit, if there's not a vehicle moving from in front of you to behind you on your right, move to the right.

Simple as that.

+1
 If you are not overtaking someone on your right, then you shouldnt be in the left lane. Also, just because you want to pass someone on the right faster than they guy in front of you in the left is passing, tough noogies. Speed limit has NOTHING to do with it. You all might be running 15 under because of snow or 10 over with traffic, if you are not passing, then you shouldnt be in the left lane.

Everyone should have to drive a truck for a month before they get a drivers lic.

[Chrisj CMA]

 [/quote] If you are not overtaking someone on your right, then you shouldnt be in the left lane. Also, just because you want to pass someone on the right faster than they guy in front of you in the left is passing, tough noogies. Speed limit has NOTHING to do with it. You all might be running 15 under because of snow or 10 over with traffic, if you are not passing, then you shouldnt be in the left lane.

Everyone should have to drive a truck for a month before they get a drivers lic.
[/quote]
exactly! +1

[Tx Bohemian]

Slower drivers should be in the right lanes!! 

So what do you consider "slower drivers"?

People going below the posted speed limit or not going as fast as you want to go?

For me, speed relative to the speed limit is totally irrelevant... I don't care if you're going 100 over the limit, if there's not a vehicle moving from in front of you to behind you on your right, move to the right.

Simple as that.

Ok, for me, as a law abiding citizen the speed limit is as fast as you should travel.  Therefore if you are going the speed limit you are "fast" and anyone not traveling the speed limit is "slow" traffic and needs to be in the right lane.

That's simple.

Now if you desire to be a lawbreaker and travel faster, then you need to pick and choose  around the rest of the law abiding drivers.  But don't be a jerk and expect people to get out of your way just cause you don't want to abide by the law.

[Jess from VA]

Probably every State in the union has the general law stating 'left lane is for passing, then get back right.'  I always drive that way, unless all lanes are full (common here).  Yet I have never ever heard of a ticket being issued for it .  Here we have millions of illegals with no license, but cars.  Our secondary four lanes are always busy, and these inexperienced illegals drive left to avoid all the stops and starts from people getting off and on the roads.  But they always drive 5-10 under; result is worse gridlock, and hitting every light.  If you take dramatic action to get around them, you get the ticket, not them.

What we need is a good plague to thin out the herd.  

[Serk]

Slower drivers should be in the right lanes!! 

So what do you consider "slower drivers"?

People going below the posted speed limit or not going as fast as you want to go?

For me, speed relative to the speed limit is totally irrelevant... I don't care if you're going 100 over the limit, if there's not a vehicle moving from in front of you to behind you on your right, move to the right.

Simple as that.

Ok, for me, as a law abiding citizen the speed limit is as fast as you should travel.  Therefore if you are going the speed limit you are "fast" and anyone not traveling the speed limit is "slow" traffic and needs to be in the right lane.

That's simple.

Now if you desire to be a lawbreaker and travel faster, then you need to pick and choose  around the rest of the law abiding drivers.  But don't be a jerk and expect people to get out of your way just cause you don't want to abide by the law.

The distinction is that it's not the "fast lane" and the "slow lane"... It's the driving lane, and the passing lane... As I said, if you're not passing someone, move to the right, regardless of your speed...

If someone is going the speed limit, or even under, as long as they're passing someone, they have every right to be in the passing lane. If someone is not passing someone and just tootling along in the passing lane, then they're breaking the law, regardless of their speed, and need to move to the right.


Texas law on the matter:

Sec. 545.051.  DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY. (a) An operator on a roadway of sufficient width shall drive on the right half of the roadway, unless:

(1)  the operator is passing another vehicle;

(2)  an obstruction necessitates moving the vehicle left of the center of the roadway and the operator yields the right-of-way to a vehicle that:

(A)  is moving in the proper direction on the unobstructed portion of the roadway; and

(B)  is an immediate hazard;

(3)  the operator is on a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic; or

(4)  the operator is on a roadway restricted to one-way traffic.

(b)  An operator of a vehicle on a roadway moving more slowly than the normal speed of other vehicles at the time and place under the existing conditions shall drive in the right-hand lane available for vehicles, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, unless the operator is:

(1)  passing another vehicle; or

(2)  preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

[Varmintmist]

Speed up, slow down, doesn't matter, these yahoos will stay back there
Ohio plates do that.

I have had to make a few runs to WV over the past few weeks and I can count on being the only auto within 2 miles and a OH will come up behind and tailgate me, just sitting there for miles, at least one time per trip on I70 and or I77.
If they do pass after I back it down slowly to about 45mph, I can mostly catch them at 68 but cant pass them at 75.

[R J]

Don't blame the drivers, 95% of them were taught to drive in that lane by their Driver's Ed teacher.

Driver's Ed Teachers need to go to school more and keep current with how to drive.

My daughter was taught to drive out there.    She told her instructor that her dad said she should be in the right lane, he replied, I was not teaching her how to drive he was.   She said okay, but if I get a ticket, my dad will not take care of it for me and it would put a blip on my record.  

She got certified and mom and dad had to reteach her.    Don't know if it done any good or not, but we told her the correct way,  "Drive right, Pass left"

[G-Man]

Now if you desire to be a lawbreaker and travel faster, then you need to pick and choose  around the rest of the law abiding drivers.  But don't be a jerk and expect people to get out of your way just cause you don't want to abide by the law.

That's just plain silly!  What if there is an emergency.  Say a kid fell off his bike and sliced his forehead open and mom scooped him up and dad got the car and all are now coming up behind you while you are obeying the law in the left lane.  Dad, doing 80 to get kid kid to the emergency room, now has to pass you on the right where other drivers are slowing down to get off or speeding up to get on. 

If someone is going faster than you, no matter what speed, YOU ARE THE SLOWER MOVING TRAFFIC, so you should be in the right lane.

[R J]

Speed up, slow down, doesn't matter, these yahoos will stay back there
Ohio plates do that.

I have had to make a few runs to WV over the past few weeks and I can count on being the only auto within 2 miles and a OH will come up behind and tailgate me, just sitting there for miles, at least one time per trip on I70 and or I77.
If they do pass after I back it down slowly to about 45mph, I can mostly catch them at 68 but cant pass them at 75.

What lane are you in partner?   Passing or Driving.

You do know what the letters on the gear selector mean don't you?

D = Dragin
R = Racing

I think ya get de I-de-er.

[Westernbiker]

If someone is going faster than you, no matter what speed, YOU ARE THE SLOWER MOVING TRAFFIC, so you should be in the right lane.

+1  

[John Schmidt]

Ok, for me, as a law abiding citizen the speed limit is as fast as you should travel.  Therefore if you are going the speed limit you are "fast" and anyone not traveling the speed limit is "slow" traffic and needs to be in the right lane.

That's simple.

TX Boho....no, it's not just "that simple."  Granted, most areas have posted limits, and under normal conditions they would apply. But, all of us have traveled enough to know that many times, if you actually DO run the speed limit, you'll get run over. Orlando is a good example....with the exception of rush hour, which isn't. The main road through here is I-4 and has a 55 mph sign posted....on a six or eight lane road. Good luck on that one, if you're foolish enough to only go 55 you'll be on the evening news....at least what's left of you. There are many times I've been running over 70 and barely staying with the traffic. The fact remains, no matter your good intentions....you either stay with the traffic or get out of the way. If the posted limit is 55 or 60 and you're doing the limit, BUT...everyone else is running 70, you had best not be doing just the limit in the left lane. Especially running through Orlando, it will get expensive.

[Tx Bohemian]

Ok, for me, as a law abiding citizen the speed limit is as fast as you should travel.  Therefore if you are going the speed limit you are "fast" and anyone not traveling the speed limit is "slow" traffic and needs to be in the right lane.

That's simple.

TX Boho....no, it's not just "that simple."  Granted, most areas have posted limits, and under normal conditions they would apply. But, all of us have traveled enough to know that many times, if you actually DO run the speed limit, you'll get run over. Orlando is a good example....with the exception of rush hour, which isn't. The main road through here is I-4 and has a 55 mph sign posted....on a six or eight lane road. Good luck on that one, if you're foolish enough to only go 55 you'll be on the evening news....at least what's left of you. There are many times I've been running over 70 and barely staying with the traffic. The fact remains, no matter your good intentions....you either stay with the traffic or get out of the way. If the posted limit is 55 or 60 and you're doing the limit, BUT...everyone else is running 70, you had best not be doing just the limit in the left lane. Especially running through Orlando, it will get expensive.

After reading here and studying up on it I can see where ya'll are coming from.
The cops are there to enforce the law not me. ( in a tips for driving article I just read)

I already have adjusted my driving, to a point (I try not to get that much in a hurry)

If someone pulls up behind me and gives that "distance of respect" (a few car lengths) I will see my way to pull over and let him by. (also in the article)

However if a jacka$$ gets right on my bumper and I'm going the speed limit (or not) he will be in for a long wait to get by.

[Varmintmist]

Speed up, slow down, doesn't matter, these yahoos will stay back there
Ohio plates do that.

I have had to make a few runs to WV over the past few weeks and I can count on being the only auto within 2 miles and a OH will come up behind and tailgate me, just sitting there for miles, at least one time per trip on I70 and or I77.
If they do pass after I back it down slowly to about 45mph, I can mostly catch them at 68 but cant pass them at 75.

What lane are you in partner?   Passing or Driving.

You do know what the letters on the gear selector mean don't you?

D = Dragin
R = Racing

I think ya get de I-de-er.

Driving lane, all by my lonesome, no one in sight fwd or aft running just above posted. You see headlights come up behind you and the tailgating begins close enough so that you cant see headlight over the tailgate. They will sit there all night. So I just start bumping "coast" on the cruise. Drop about 1-2 mph every 30 seconds or so. I have dropped to 45 before they went around. Then you bump back up to 68 and catch them in 3 or 4 min, move out to pass and the race is on. If you start to pass and drop off into the driving lane, you will run up his butt at the same speed.

It will be a OH plate, and it will happen 4 out of 5 times I make the run.

Most folks hold close to the speed limit, run about 3-5 over. With this worthless winter blend @ 3.65/gal and a F250, it really doesnt pay to hammer down, even if you don't get a ticket you can make better time if you make your wee wee stop a little faster than run 10 over.

[Tropic traveler]

Because I'm doing the damn speed limit, and you have NO RIGHT to pass me as long as I am!!!

Really, they're just meatheads. Like Archie Bunker said.... dead from the neck up!

hey i never took you to be a "blue hair", but,  you are from fl

Hey!! Watch that!!!    Sorry, haven't found the sarcasm icon yet. 

I am a rare bird, a Florida NATIVE! I definitely have the gray hair but them there "blue hairs" aint from around here for sure.
Years ago when I was married to a Michigan girl we took a trip to MI to see her relatives. While we were there I got into the left lane of a busy road, paced a big box truck & watched the fun behind me begin.... Big ol' 1976 Cougar with FL plates taking in the "sights".    When the wife & her battle-axe mother asked what the he!! I was doing I said, They come to MY state & do the same damn thing, looking at the "moss on the trees" & the "orange orchards" or whatever the heck a car load of self absorbed yankees look at so I figured I'd give a little back.  I had a ball but the MI sourpusses just didn't get it. Maybe that's why she's an ex! 
Florida has a left lane bandit law as well but there's never a cop around when you need one. 

Now the "native blue hairs" down here drive old pick ups, & wouldn't be caught dead at a roadside 'gator rasslin' & fruit sellin' emporium. 

[Normandog]

If someone is going faster than you, no matter what speed, YOU ARE THE SLOWER MOVING TRAFFIC, so you should be in the right lane.

+1  

Ditto 

[NW roller]

Nobody has mentioned the idiot that sees you coming up on him from the right lane while he is tooling around in the left lane and speeds up so you cannot get around him and almost puts you into the slower traffic infront of you. Stay in the right lane and pa :cooldude:ss in the left.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I'm not going to vote for or against this debate, but do find something interesting..........

Limit means exactly that the limit or most allowed. Why do some feel as long as they are 10 over the limit they can sit there as judge of whats acceptable and control someone from doing 20 over the limit without being a jerk. What gives them the right as they are BOTH over the LIMIT. just saying.........

[G-Man]

However if a jacka$$ gets right on my bumper and I'm going the speed limit (or not) he will be in for a long wait to get by.

But what if that "jacka$$" has an emergency in his vehicle, or is heading to an emergency crime or accident scene.  The fact that he is on your bumper is all the more reason you should get out of the LEFT lane as, again, you are the slower moving vehicle.  Would it make you feel good to know that because you needed to prove something, critical care was detained to save someone's life, because you needed to give him a long wait to get by.

Wow, how selfish can you be?

If someone is coming up on me from behind, I do what I can to get out of their way.  I don't know why they are moving that fast, nor do I need to.  This person needs/wants to get somewhere in a hurry and it is not my responsibility to teach him a lesson or slow him down.  I also don't want to put me, my passengers, or my car/bike in danger by someone tailing me too closely as reaction time decreases as distance decreases.  The bad outcome is not worth giving someone a long wait to get by