People who drive...please...keep right except to pass!

[KSDisneyDad]

I just found this topic interesting so I wanted to look up this "rule" that requires you to stay right except to pass.

I checked our state's Driver's Handbook and here is what it says about Freeway Driving:

11.6a. Freeway Driving. Freeway driving is different than driving on a regular street mainly because the highways are designed to move a greater volume of traffic at a higher rate of speed.
* Traffic moving at less than the normal rate of speed should always use the right lane.
* To be courteous to vehicles entering the freeway, you should change to the left (or center lane), if you can do so safely without slowing the traffic flow.
* Observe the movement of traffic well ahead of you, around you and behind you. Be particularly aware of vehicles traveling in your blind spot.
* Plan ahead, look for directional and guidance signs.
* Signal at least 200 feet before you change lanes, avoiding frequent lane changes.
* Do not drive across, over, or within any median or island.

The Colorado Revised Statutes have a specific exception for being on the right side of the road for those roads with more than two lanes. It only states that vehicles "proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing" shall be in the right lane. There is even a statute for it being acceptable to pass on the right if a car in the left lane is going too slow.

We do have several places in Colorado where there is a minimum speed limit only for the left lane (mainly going up hills or mountains).

Granted, this is Colorado law and each individual state may differ.

ETA: Just for kicks, I looked at the Florida Statutes and Driver's Handbook. The handbook does suggest that you should stay in the right hand lane except to pass. However, the statutes themselves are part of the "State Uniform Traffic Control" laws and provide exceptions for having to be in the right hand lane. The same as Colorado (and any state adopting the Uniform rules), you only have to drive in the right lane on a freeway if you are going less than the normal rate of speed.

 

[seashoreCM]

I think it is acceptable to stay in the left lane when there is an on ramp coming up. Particularly if there is lots of room that someone who wished to overtake could do so on the right immediately or could make up for lost time after going by the on ramp.

 

[DebT1964]

I soooo agree with OP!! We drive every year from Rochester, NY to Myrtle Beach and this is my DH and my biggest pet peeve!! Especially the people who think because they are going 5 miles over the speed limit they can stay in the left lane - just clogs traffic up and is so frustrating!!

 

[Buzz's Buddy]

I do tend to have a lead foot, but I am only in the left lane to pass.

However, when I am in the process of passing a line of cars, do not expect me to squeeze in just because you happen to drive faster than me. I will move to the right once I have passed the line of cars and/or there is a large gap between cars.

And don't bother sliding your car all the way to the left, tailgating me or flashing your high beams. I see you back there, and that only make me lift off the accelerator.

 

[Cotton's Parrot]

If someone can show me an actual written law, not just a "suggestion" in a handbook, then I'll stay out of the left lane except for passing. If I'm driving the legal speed limit (usually 15 - 20 above it), I have has as much right as anyone else to use whatever lane I want.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I do tend to have a lead foot, but I am only in the left lane to pass.

However, when I am in the process of passing a line of cars, do not expect me to squeeze in just because you happen to drive faster than me. I will move to the right once I have passed the line of cars and/or there is a large gap between cars.

And don't bother sliding your car all the way to the left, tailgating me or flashing your high beams. I see you back there, and that only make me lift off the accelerator.

Yes, to me that's quite annoying. If you are already passing other cars, then what's the issue?!

If you read the Uniform Traffic Control laws, that person behind you tailgating is exhibiting "aggressive careless driving".

I find that there are a lot of similarities between driving etiquette and WDW queue etiquette. Many people just don't care.

If someone can show me an actual written law, not just a "suggestion" in a handbook, then I'll stay out of the left lane except for passing. If I'm driving the legal speed limit (usually 15 - 20 above it), I have has as much right as anyone else to use whatever lane I want.

That was exactly my point in posting those "rules". There is no such rule and it's okay to drive in the left lane as long as you are not going below the "normal speed of traffic".

I believe that this issue is more of an annoyance/pet peeve issue rather than a true law. Unfortunately, there will always be aggressive drivers as well as completely clueless drivers. We just try to relax and go with the flow. I'd rather get somewhere safely than get all worked up about how someone else is driving. Yes, it might be frustrating, but that's just life.

 

[sam_gordon]

Especially the people who think because they are going 5 miles over the speed limit they can stay in the left lane - just clogs traffic up and is so frustrating!!

Of course, if they're passing someone in the right lane (even if the person in the right lane is going 4 mph over the limit), then they're "allowed" in the left lane.

 

[safetymom]

Driving in the left lane is very very common here in FL. They don't realize that the left lane is supposed to be used for passing someone. I used to get fussed up about this but it seems to be a way of life here.

 

[sharadoc]

I prefer the left lane because I am usually "passing" the line of traffic. I stay a minimum of 8 mph above the speed limit but will follow traffic if it's going faster. I will not constanly go in and out of the right lane if it is clear that I am going faster than the cars in the right lane.

There's nothing I hate more than an aggressive driver who thinks they have the right to tailgate me because I'm not going ENOUGH over the speed limit to satisfy them. I will not be intimidated and I will not be forced to drive differently to accommodate you!

Leap frogging is the other thing that always bugs me. I pass you, then you pass me. That manly testosterone that will not allow you to be "beat", so you show the woman driver in the mini van that you are bigger, better, stronger and more manly!

 

[Tozzie]

The most frustrating thing for me when I drive any distance on the highways are people who have no clue what the rules of the road are in regards to lanes.

The left lane is not the "fast" lane. It is the "passing" lane. Therefore, if you are not passing someone, don't be in the left lane.

I cant stand it when someone just keep cruzing along in the left lane, even if they are doing 90mph. Or worse, those who do the speed limit, and just keep left thinking they have every right to be there because they are doing the speed limit.

Look in your rear view mirrors people. If you see a car coming up behind you. Speed up so you can pass the car on your right, then move right so the faster car can pass. If people did this one simple thing, there would be no road rage, and traffic would flow so much better.

Again, simply, keep right except to pass.

Despite what you think the left lane is not for passing only, in fact there are only 10 states where it is a requirement, here is a website that lists all the states and what the rules are for each of those states.

http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html

 

[DSLRuser]

So you're criticizing folks for not obeying the 'rules of the road' when you don't follow the 'rules of the road'?

Pot, meet kettle.

I will admit, the posted speed limit I do not always follow. It is IMHO too low and outdated for most roads and modern cars. however, i do follow all lane and signal rules.

 

[DSLRuser]

There's nothing I hate more than an aggressive driver who thinks they have the right to tailgate me because I'm not going ENOUGH over the speed limit to satisfy them. I will not be intimidated and I will not be forced to drive differently to accommodate you!

That's just selfish. If someone wants to go faster than you, and there is no one in front of you holding you back, pull right for a few moments and let them pass. They will soon be miles ahead of you and not your worry.

 

[sam_gordon]

I will admit, the posted speed limit I do not always follow. It is IMHO too low and outdated for most roads and modern cars. however, i do follow all lane and signal rules.

Got it. You only follow laws you agree with. You don't see the hypocrisy?

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Despite what you think the left lane is not for passing only, in fact there are only 10 states where it is a requirement, here is a website that lists all the states and what the rules are for each of those states.

http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/right.html

Thanks! Interesting article and I didn't know that in Colorado, the left lane rule applies only when the speed limit is 65 MPH or higher. What's ironic is that such rule is not in the Driver's Handbook that my son is studying right now for his DL test.

That article also explains why when we drive across Kansas, there are signs that say "keep right, except to pass" as Kansas is one of those 10 states.

 

[sharadoc]

That's just selfish. If someone wants to go faster than you, and there is no one in front of you holding you back, pull right for a few moments and let them pass. They will soon be miles ahead of you and not your worry.

It's obvious you're trying to stir up trouble and be aggressive here. You didn't pay attention to what I said. I won't sit there with open road in front of and beside me - I just won't weave in and out just to accommodate someone else.

You've said some arrogant things on here so you know you're going to get people annoyed and angry at you the more you argue back at us. Not even sure why you started this thread. We drivers post on here to discuss tips and experiences driving, and not scolding, arguing or general a** behavior.

 

[cm8]

I do tend to have a lead foot, but I am only in the left lane to pass.

However, when I am in the process of passing a line of cars, do not expect me to squeeze in just because you happen to drive faster than me. I will move to the right once I have passed the line of cars and/or there is a large gap between cars.

And don't bother sliding your car all the way to the left, tailgating me or flashing your high beams. I see you back there, and that only make me lift off the accelerator.

Sounds like something I'm of doing on more than one occasion

 

[brymolmom]

So amazing to me to learn that FL has such fast drivers - dh and I always talk about how WIMPY people in Florida are on the roads. It constantly amazes me how many cars end up pulled over to the sides of roads in heavy rain! The first time we were there during a storm I thought that a car had a flat tire or something but then I realized there were a ton of cars pulled over and only due to the rain.

But then again, we drive in blizzards here and don't hesitate to get up and head out the door to work even if 2 feet of snow fell overnight, so I guess we're used to driving in so much worse than rain that we don't think it's a big deal.

 

[WINTER]

Amen. You said it! Today I took my daughter to Indy to fly out and there were so many truckers out there hanging out in the left lane going . . . 62. Geez!

 

[goofy4tink]

I do tend to have a lead foot, but I am only in the left lane to pass.

However, when I am in the process of passing a line of cars, do not expect me to squeeze in just because you happen to drive faster than me. I will move to the right once I have passed the line of cars and/or there is a large gap between cars.

And don't bother sliding your car all the way to the left, tailgating me or flashing your high beams. I see you back there, and that only make me lift off the accelerator.

This would be me. If I can move over to allow someone who is absurdly speeding to pass me, I will. Otherwise, chill a bit and get over it. I am not endangering my life in order to allow someone to get past me at 95 mph. I am in the left lane because I am moving faster than those in the right lane. I am passing other cars.

If someone can show me an actual written law, not just a "suggestion" in a handbook, then I'll stay out of the left lane except for passing. If I'm driving the legal speed limit (usually 15 - 20 above it), I have has as much right as anyone else to use whatever lane I want.

Yep.

I prefer the left lane because I am usually "passing" the line of traffic. I stay a minimum of 8 mph above the speed limit but will follow traffic if it's going faster. I will not constanly go in and out of the right lane if it is clear that I am going faster than the cars in the right lane.

There's nothing I hate more than an aggressive driver who thinks they have the right to tailgate me because I'm not going ENOUGH over the speed limit to satisfy them. I will not be intimidated and I will not be forced to drive differently to accommodate you!

Leap frogging is the other thing that always bugs me. I pass you, then you pass me. That manly testosterone that will not allow you to be "beat", so you show the woman driver in the mini van that you are bigger, better, stronger and more manly!

Oh man...I thought I was the only one who had noticed this one. Can't tell you how many times I've moved out of that right lane to pass a slower moving vehicle. When I get even with that car, the guy driver looks at me and speeds up. Drives me nuts. He then jets out and as soon as I move back into that right lane, he is moving slowly again. Yep, he sure showed me!!!

So amazing to me to learn that FL has such fast drivers - dh and I always talk about how WIMPY people in Florida are on the roads. It constantly amazes me how many cars end up pulled over to the sides of roads in heavy rain! The first time we were there during a storm I thought that a car had a flat tire or something but then I realized there were a ton of cars pulled over and only due to the rain.

But then again, we drive in blizzards here and don't hesitate to get up and head out the door to work even if 2 feet of snow fell overnight, so I guess we're used to driving in so much worse than rain that we don't think it's a big deal.

Problem is that they can't drive in the heavy rain. They drive like nut cakes in the good weather, but let it rain and all bets are off. I spent awhile in Pompano Beach driving my dad around to a slew of doctor's appts last spring. Most were in the Ft. Lauderdale area..I am now very familier with that area. Well...I have never seen so many elderly fast drivers!!! And they weren't particularly good drivers...just old and fast!! Man, you just never knew what they were going to do in any given situation. And let it rain and all bets are off.


Bottom line is that there are speed limits. I will not be intimidated by someone who feels they are more entitled to use the left lane at 95 mph than I am at 70/75 mph. I will move over to allow you to pass as soon as I safely can. I try to drive as if a state trooper were sitting in my back seat...less stressful that way when I see a speed trap.
You don't like my being in that left lane??? Get over it. I have as much right there as you do. I am passing other cars...just not as quickly as you wish to. Where does your wish to pass at 90 mph trump my wish to pass others at 75???

 

[Lewisc]

I will admit, the posted speed limit I do not always follow. It is IMHO too low and outdated for most roads and modern cars. however, i do follow all lane and signal rules.

You may have had a point when the limit was 55mp. "Modern cars" currently being sold are being designed for fuel economy and not for high speeds. Current speed limits of 65-70 seem about right. Many people drive 5-10 above the limit.