3-lane interstate manners???

[jgmklmhem]

Since we have had threads getting on to people for driving in the left lane and now there are even laws in some states that forbid using it as a driving lane for anything other than passing...I was wondering what are the 3-lane interstate rules example: I-75 heading towards Disney. I personally drive in the center lane ( just over the speed limit)...leaving the left lane for passing and the right lane for merging and slower traffic. Just a curiosity question.

 

[tlgoblue]

I wish more people had your common courtesy and good sense. I find it amusing when I get behind someone who seems to have bought their lane along with their car.

 

[HisEllyNelly]

I personally drive in the center lane ( just over the speed limit)...leaving the left lane for passing and the right lane for merging and slower traffic. Just a curiosity question.

Thats how I always drive. Thats how I was taught so I just assumed thats how it was supposed to be done. Dont think most people do though.

 

[yeartolate]

I wish more people had your common courtesy and good sense. I find it amusing when I get behind someone who seems to have bought their lane along with their car.

While I clearly understand, at what point above the speed limit is it ok (assuming it is legal)to stay in the far left lane?

I was in an accident before Christmas - a 21 year old gal thought that 85 in a 65 zone was too slow - she attempted to pass another car and totaled 3 cars while doing so (including mine - and I was in a "slow" lane) Although my injuries were "minor" I still am unable to return to work (dislocated thumb) - all because 85 was not fast enough.

I see this kind of crap all the time going down to Disneyland on !-5. It is 2 lanes. So either you are going 55 with the trucks (ewww) or in the fast lane. Posted limit is 70. I have seen drivers harass people in the fast lane for going under 90. Good grief. If you wanna get there earlier, leave your house sooner.

Rant over!

 

[Immelman]

you're doing it correctly. a huge problem down here are cars going 60 in the far left lane, when the limit is 70. so you've got all kinds of 'diagonal driving' trying to weave around the idiots. don't the rules of the road read 'right lane except to pass"? it applies to all 3 lanes. the far left lane is the buzz zone, at least 10 MPH over the speed limit, and be ready to move over if someone wants to pass you.

 

[Charade]

I LOVE this topic. I'm getting my popcorn.

 

[disneychrista]

I have NEVER heard of not being able to use the left lane for driving.

 

[Immelman]

I'll provide the , the only thing I hate about living in FLA is the tourists and the people "in heaven's waiting room" driving BELOW the speed limit in the far left lane.

 

[Immelman]

I have NEVER heard of not being able to use the left lane for driving.

really. right before we moved from Illinois the governor promised to crack down on all who fail to observe this basic rule of the road.

 

[disneychrista]

really. right before we moved from Illinois the governor promised to crack down on all who fail to observe this basic rule of the road.

I just checked out the California DMV Website and I found NOTHING where it says I can't drive in the left lane. It only says that

When you drive slower than other traffic, do not drive in the “fast” lane. Move to the right when another driver is close behind you and wishes to drive faster.

When you drive a bus, tow a vehicle or trailer, or drive a truck with three or more axles, you will be traveling slower than other vehicles. You must drive in the right-hand lane or in a lane specially marked for you. If no lanes are marked and there are four lanes in your direction, you may only drive in either of the two lanes closest to the right side of the road.

 

[jgmklmhem]

I LOVE this topic. I'm getting my popcorn.

I honestly wasn't trying to start anything...I was just curious because only 2 lane roads are normally discussed...

 

[Immelman]

I just checked out the California DMV Website and I found NOTHING where it says I can't drive in the left lane.

so do you drive in the left lane or do you yield to faster drivers?

 

[Immelman]

actually, I don't care how you drive in NorCal. just don't rent a car down here.

 

[Feralpeg]

I also try to drive in the center lane on a 3 lane highway. If it is a 2 lane, I stay in the right lane unless someone is merging and I know they will be a problem. I try to drive at the speed limit.

My problem is those drivers who have to get ahead of everyone no matter what speed people are driving. They weave in and out of every lane. They are always speeding.

I pretty sensitive to driving issues right now. In the Orlando area, we seem to be going for a new record on traffic fatalities. So far, we've averaged out at least one a day in the greater Orlando area. That's not to say one has happened every day, but it averages out that way. For instance, yesterday there were four people killed in an accident. Their bodies were so managled (sorry for the graphic), they have not been able to identify two of them even from fingerprints or dental records. The accident involved a car and a large dumptruck.

People drive to fast here. Everyone speeds. Hardly anyone signals. And, before we start bashing them, most of these accidents have not involved tourists or senior citizens.

Slow down folks. Nothing is that important! If your late? So what? Start earlier!

 

[Hagred]

You're describing what I affectionally call "Detroit Driving Mode". Ahhh...Detroit driving! I get to my destination 10 minutes earlier than planned just by keeping up with traffic. (No choice - move or be moved)

In getting back to the original question, I believe courtesy dictates that it's OK to drive in the center lane and the extreme right and left is reserved for those merging in and moving faster. Get in, get out. (In Detroit, incoming traffic can come from either left or right)

For extreme situations (people wanting to go 90 or 100 mph), I resort back to my father's mantra, "The only person you can control is you" and I do what he does: let EVERYONE get in front of me. That's where they're going to wind up anyway so I drop my speed back to 70 and let them all fight it out up there (making sure I have plenty of time to stop if/when they crash).

 

[jrydberg]

In the DC area, you can't reserve lanes for anything. Need 'em all just to keep traffic moving at a crawl.

 

[Towncrier]

It is a rule on the Ohio Turnpike that the extreme left lane is for passing. You are not supposed to stay out there for an extended period of time. But that's a special rule for that stretch of highway. Besides. Everyone ignores it.

My rule of thumb for driving changes depending on the time of day. In rush hour, if you are in the high speed lane and you are not on the bumper of the car in front of you, you need to pull over. Regardless of how fast or slow that left lane is going, there should be no gaps. If you don't want to drive with the lunatics, stay right. No matter how many times I "remind" my wife of that rule, she just doesn't seem to get it.

 

[disneychrista]

so do you drive in the left lane or do you yield to faster drivers?

Both!! I drive in the left lane but will also move over to the right lane if someone comes up behind me and wants to go faster.

 

[katerkat]

I hate driving in the middle lane because then someone can cut me off from both sides. You can almost always find me in the far left on our 3-lane.

 

[KarenC]

really. right before we moved from Illinois the governor promised to crack down on all who fail to observe this basic rule of the road.

He did. It is against the law to drive in the left lane of an Illinois interstate unless you are overtaking vehicles in the right lane.

http://www.isp.state.il.us/media/pressdetails.cfm?ID=161