Is the slow lane the new fast lane?

[wallymn]

A bit of a rant....

I drive a lot.. and I have found in moderate traffic that I spend about 70% of my time in the slow lane (on 2 or 3 lane highways) because the fast lane is littered with cars going 1 MPH faster than the traffic in the slow lane...

These rolling road blocks seem to be spaced about 1/2 a mile apart usually someone doing 73 in a 70 MPH zone...

The do not move right when you flash them... so you pass on the right... 90% of the time I am one of 3 or 4 cars passing on the right...


Has the slow lane become the new fast lane because of poor driving habits by others?

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

A bit of a rant....

I drive a lot.. and I have found in moderate traffic that I spend about 70% of my time in the slow lane (on 2 or 3 lane highways) because the fast lane is littered with cars going 1 MPH faster than the traffic in the slow lane...

These rolling road blocks seem to be spaced about 1/2 a mile apart usually someone doing 73 in a 70 MPH zone...

The do not move right when you flash them... so you pass on the right... 90% of the time I am one of 3 or 4 cars passing on the right...


Has the slow lane become the new fast lane because of poor driving habits by others?

Just completed a 1200 mile trip through 4 states and your observation is right on! I almost never passed on the right before (too many years!), but I had no choice this trip, at least 5 times.
I think the biggest cause is cruise control: too many people set it at 72 in a 70 zone and never touch the accelerator...even when passing a line of trucks doing 70.
Most frustrating indeed.

 

[yuhaze]

You are absolutely right!!!
I have ridden in cars with people that - when they transition from the on ramp to the highway, the bee-line straight to the hammer lane (left lane). I've asked a few of them why they do that. They have no explanation.
So, just as you say, rolling road blocks caused by this behavior, fortified by talking on the phone, texting, and lack of IQ (yes, our gene pool is very dirty).

Common sense isn't so common, you know .......

And then comes common courtesy. People throw that out of the window when they start the car. It is too difficult to look, too difficult to try to communicate intentions.

Oh yea, and YOU are NOT INCLUDED in the "it's all about me" world of the driver chugging along in the hammer lane.

 

[Matt Z]

Unfortunately, 95% of the planet has the me first mentality and the highway is only a small example of how people act and think!

 

[ctrcbob]

I've seen signs in some States that say "Left Lane For Passing Only". There should be more of these signs.

In Europe, big ticket for driving in the left lane. They know how to drive over there compared to us.

 

[mcginnpm]

Unfortunately, 95% of the planet has the me first mentality

I'd say 95% of American drivers, but not 95% of the planet. Just got back from 2 weeks in Italy (annual trip to visit the in-laws). Over there it's a huge no-no to pass on the right. Everyone passes on the left and, to a large degree, everyone stays to the right until they need to pass. About the only guys you see "living" in the left lane are the ones doing 210 KPH+. The most dangerous thing on the road in Italy is an American driver!

 

[scottdk]

I've seen many signs on Minnesota highways and other roads that state "Slower traffic keep right"

I'll take what I can get......not that anyone follows this

Of course on the way to work this afternoon a woman driving an Acura MDX (around 65 years of age) was clogging up the left lane. So annoying, since this person probably doesn't even think about anyone else on the road but herself and wouldn't understand why a vehicle behind her is honking, tailgating, and or flashing their lights at her.

 

[yuhaze]

I've lived in Germany for over ten years. May family is from Austria and Hungary.
EVERYONE follows driving rules over there. You simply stay in the right lane unless to overtake someone.
I rented a goldwing in Austria a couple of years ago, saw a slowpoke in the left lane, passed on the right *stupid*. They were a civilian patrol which was allowed to pull me over. Knowing the language, I spoke with them, showed them my international driving license, and got lucky. My family in Vienna were in shocked when I told them this story; they were convinced that I would get a VERY HEFTY fine in the mail.
Here in Texas we have a few sections of highway were signs are posted "left lane for passing only". They are actually effective! I propose that more of these are installed.
I have had personal issues with driving styles here in the states, since I learned to drive according to laws in Europe. Of course I am not immune to exposure, so I've assimilated some characteristics - like passing on the right. grrrrr
I am of the belief that americans are "hardwired" to "bend the rules". I feel that without being able to push the envelope or defy authority in some subtle way, we don't feel right.
Example: speed linit is 60. As of late, I've learned of the 10 percent rule, not the 10 mph over the limit rule. Regardless, we have built in cushions that allow the driver to get away with actually breaching the posted limit without consequence.


Our society promotes illicit behavior, right?

 

[wallymn]

I like the idea of signs for Left lane only for passing, In MN and FL it is common to see signs like "slower traffic keep right" but that leads idiots to think 66 in a 65 is not slower traffic (when passing the guy in the right lane)..

I think the better answer is cops start pulling people over for parking in the left lane... How many traffic jams would be avoided? How many millions of hours would be saved a year if this were done nation wide?

 

[bradyb]

Yep!

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[STREETS]

In traffic congested area- we need every bit of every lane.

 

[ctrcbob]

I'd say 95% of American drivers, but not 95% of the planet. Just got back from 2 weeks in Italy (annual trip to visit the in-laws). Over there it's a huge no-no to pass on the right. Everyone passes on the left and, to a large degree, everyone stays to the right until they need to pass. About the only guys you see "living" in the left lane are the ones doing 210 KPH+. The most dangerous thing on the road in Italy is an American driver!

I sometimes drive in Italy where they have an unwritten rule that says;
"Nobody is allowed to be in front of you". I've seen Italian drivers pass you on the sidewalk (in cities). They do have one great unwritten rule though. On the Autostrada, when you are passing a car in the left lane, and a big Alfa or Mercedies comes up on your tail, as long as you keep you left turn blinker on, they will not blink blink their lights at you, because your blinker is telling the following car that you are passing and you will move over once you finished your passing. I've seen Italians pass on two lane roads, with cars coming toward them, with the center line going right down the middle of their car, because it is expected that the car being passed will move to his right, and the oncoming car will move to his right, and the passing car makes it right through the gap.

In France where I go every couple years, they now have started to do the American thing. Radar traps. Never used to be like that, but now they use Radar more than ever. Was entering a very small village when I saw a car coming toward me blinking his headlights. Said to myself "I wonder if it means the same here as in the US"? It does, as the police had set up just a bit further in town.

 

[mcginnpm]

I've seen Italians pass on two lane roads, with cars coming toward them, with the center line going right down the middle of their car, because it is expected that the car being passed will move to his right, and the oncoming car will move to his right, and the passing car makes it right through the gap.

Been there...done that. It's like magic! You pull up behind someone on a 2-lane road and put on your turn signal. Then, like Moses parting the sea, the guy in front of you squeezes to the right shoulder...the oncoming cars squeeze to their right, creating a virtual passing lane down the center...and you pass up the middle. I once saw an Italian driver pass a car at the same time it was passing another car...with oncoming traffic, turning a 2-lane road into a virtual 4-lane road! It's incredible how much Italian drivers are paying attention to everthing around them, and responding to it, as opposed to American drivers, who are asleep at the wheel!

 

[robthoke]

I've thought about asking the Govenor of Fl if people there are taught to cruise in left lane. Unfortunately it's not just Florida, but too many people feel the left lane is theirs alone and if anyone want to pass them, they need to do it on the right. Ohio, however is different. You will get a ticket if you are not passing someone. Colorado has a snail law. If you want to change my mood quickly, make me stay behind you because you refuse to move over when I want to pass. You are not my moral concious and you need to be aware of others around you.

 

[ImInPA]

There seems to be a herding instict among SUV/Minivan drivers. It becomes a "synchronized swimming" event when they encounter other SUV/Minvan drivers. Take deep breaths, turn the volume up and hope their exit comes up soon.

 

[STREETS]

I stay in the left lane 75% of the time- even in Ohio. Road is smoother, no truck tire ruts plus I generally exceed the posted limit by 5-7 mph. Of course if someone is coming up behind at a quicker pace, I let 'em on by.
I think in my younger years it was 4 or 5 years since someone actually passed me!

 

[ShoNuff]

Yes, the "let them by" part seems to be the problem with 90% of the drivers who stay in the left lane. No consideration for other drivers. If everyone simply followed this rule, interstate driving would be much more enjoyable (and safer) for all concerned.

{on the soapbox} Of course, lack of consideration for others seems to be epidemic in our society in all respects not just with regard to driving {off the soapbox}. There, I feel much better now.