1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Why you shouldn't drive slowly in the left lane

Discussion in 'Fred's House of Pancakes' started by JimboPalmer, Jul 24, 2014.

  1. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    A recent poster complained that folks were passing him on the right, my response was that he should have no lanes to his right. Pass and then get out of the left lane.

    Why you shouldn't drive slowly in the left lane - Vox

    "Research shows that many traffic jams result from a surprisingly small number of slow cars obstructing traffic, with their effects rippling outward. A small buildup of cars that can't pass because someone is driving slowly in the left — right next to another car traveling slowly in the right — is the exact type of scenario that can start this cascade of traffic."
     
    ftl likes this.
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2009
    5,131
    1,338
    0
    Location:
    Wilmington, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    +1

    Besides a traffic jam to me it creates a very unsafe condition. Frustrated drivers start making quick, unsafe moves trying to get around these slower drivers.
     
  3. ftl

    ftl Explicator

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
    1,812
    790
    0
    Location:
    Long Island NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    A useful link on that site to the specific "keep right" laws for each state.
     
  4. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,854
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    [​IMG]
     
    KK6PD and ftl like this.
  5. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    2,766
    1,510
    0
    Location:
    Lewisville, TX (Dallas area)
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    On a number of hypermiling articles, I get flamers ranting about people going slower in the left lane. We don't condone it - we allow others to pass at every opportunity.
     
    ftl likes this.
  6. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    When I get behind a "left lane blocker" I go beep-beep to get their attention. If they ignore me, I lay on the horn to annoy them. Driving in the left lane w/o passing is a crime in my state. (Most times they will be courteous & move over.)

    Here are the signs posted in many states:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    http://mindfuldigressions.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/traffic-signs.jpg
     
  7. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
    27,066
    15,372
    0
    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    And from the other side, I regularly drive on 4-lane and 2-lane, one way roads and occasionally find tailgaters with no one in the left, passing lane. So I often change lanes to the left and watch in amazement as the tailgater speeds up and passes on the right. I then change back to the right hand, and though some times they do make a right-turn, a couple of hundred yards ahead, many times they do not. There are right-lane, speedsters who would rather tailgate than change lanes and pass the Prius driving at the posted speed limit. I've never understood it but I don't have too.

    This week I was driving West on Governor's drive, a 4-lane road with a center turn lane. I'm in the right lane doing the posted speed limit and a small car runs up within yards of my rear bumper. Sure enough the left lane was clear. So we're approaching a four story tall hill that leads to the Interstate I-565 on ramp and I change to the left lane. Sure enough, the tailgater speeds up . . . UP HILL . . . and reaches the entrance to the on ramp . . . and appears to slow down.

    By now, I'm back in the right hand lane watching with amusement as they take the on ramp, now a down grade, and DO NOT SPEED UP TO MERGE. This was one of the few times I stayed slow because I did not want to be anywhere near them. Eventually they accelerated into to traffic and I merged in to take the next off-ramp never to see them again.

    The roads are 'the commons' and often we see drivers whom you wonder,"Can they walk and chew gum?" One thing for sure, stupidity is an equal opportunity employer and has no brand loyalty.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #7 bwilson4web, Jul 24, 2014
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2014
    fuzzy1 likes this.
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2006
    21,590
    11,212
    0
    Location:
    eastern Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    These drivers don't care if you are driving a Prius or not.
     
    bwilson4web likes this.
  9. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Ditto. Sometimes they beep at me (or give the finger) as if I am in the wrong. It makes me wish I was a cop, so I could ticket them for aggressive driving. The right lane is the designated slow lane & if someone wants to go faster, they can pass on the 3 lanes to the left.
     
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I think I see why everyone gives you the finger.

    The right lane is not a designated slow lane its the lane you should be in if not passing.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Sep 14, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2014
  11. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    In California the far right lane (out of 5 total) is designated 55 mph for freight trucks & cars towing trailers. It is the slow lane.

    Of course the 55 mph vehicles are technically allowed to use any lane (except the left passing lane), but in practical terms the California trucks & cars with trailers stay in the right lane. It is the place where slow vehicles reside. ;) :) :D
     
  12. MarcSmith

    MarcSmith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2014
    471
    150
    0
    Location:
    Northern VA
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I love the penalty in Colorado...

    you get a 2 point deduction if you mail in your fine within 20 days...

    So if you pay the bribe they lower your penalty... revune....

    but yes slow drivers are a PITA. my trip to/from work is one stretch at 55 (4 lane) and everythying else 35 2 lane.. in my current tank on the cmax I've been sticking to the posted limits. and on the 35mph stretch its usually a mix of speeds from 20-35. I've had folks sniffing my tailpipe and flashing their lights on the two lane road while I'm doing 35, while I've got cars 30-40 yards ahead of me not going any faster...

    Some people just don't like to be behind others. this is why some people hit the merge lane to speed up and pass other cars in traffic, or make turns from lanes other than the turn lanes...

    angry driving has really gotten out of control. the whole "me first" mentality is too much. Iknow that driving a hybrid has really calmed me down. hard to be taken seriously as an aggressive driver in a hybrid...

    I will say that when traveling down the road I will find myself hanging in the left lane from time to time and it takes a car passing me on the right to "wake me up" left lanes are often smoother...
     
  13. dkelly

    dkelly Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2010
    118
    14
    0
    Location:
    Gilbertsville, PA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    First of all, it's not a crime in any state. It's a motor vehicle code violation. Second, it's an infraction to violate the speed limit in any lane. So if I'm passing someone in the left lane, and going at least the speed limit, I have every right to be there, no matter how much I annoy the a-hole behind me.
     
  14. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I've seen police pull-over several people "riding" in the left lane without passing. So I would say if the police are flashing their lights at you & handing you a ticket with a 100-200 dollar fine, then that fits the definition of a crime (A rose by any other name is still a rose.).
     
  15. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    2,766
    1,510
    0
    Location:
    Lewisville, TX (Dallas area)
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    ^ Another one of those: PLEASE ARGUE WITH ME - PLEASE!

    I'm not paranoid about police, are you?
     
  16. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,668
    6,481
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    If you're passing a vehicle, then I would submit that you meet the "except to pass" caveat in the law. Whether you're passing slower traffic or just hanging out in the left hand lane is between you, your fellow drivers, and your friendly LEOs.

    If you're on the right side of right and wrong?
    Generally speaking things will sort themselves out.
     
  17. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    "Section 46.61.100 of the Revised Code of Washington explains that all vehicles shall be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic upon all roadways having two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction. Exceptions to the law include overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when traveling at a speed greater than the traffic flow." -
    PEMCO Insurance – auto, home, boat insurance for Northwest residents
    an insurance company warning it's customers that it is illegal.

    And again in Washington state, it is misdemeanor disorderly conduct (not a traffic fine) to "Intentionally obstruct traffic without authority"
    Washington Disorderly Conduct Laws - WA Disorderly Conduct Penalties | My Washington Defense Lawyer

    In Washington, It is not speeding to pass you on a two lane road, if you are under the limit, no matter how fast I go.

    RCW 46.61.425: Minimum speed regulation — Passing slow moving vehicle.


    (Over 40 years ago, I took Drivers Ed in WA)
     
  18. dkelly

    dkelly Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2010
    118
    14
    0
    Location:
    Gilbertsville, PA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    I made no mention of intentionally obstructing traffic. Just because I'm not passing as quickly as the guy behind me would like doesn't make me a criminal. Maybe I'm inconveniencing him by not going as fast as he would like; he's also inconveniencing me be keeping me stuck in the right lane behind someone slower because I dare not impede his progress.

    Who said anything about a two lane road?
     
  19. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    If you are going +1 mph faster, then obviously you're passing. If you are not going faster than the guy to your right, you are in violation of the law. Simple as that.

    BTW chuck is full of a lot of hate. He could just ignore me, but instead he choses to start fights.
     
  20. Chuck.

    Chuck. Former Honda Enzyte Driver

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2006
    2,766
    1,510
    0
    Location:
    Lewisville, TX (Dallas area)
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    As predicted from the hatemonger/troller calling the pot black...