Mini Rant - Drive right, pass left!!

[CH4]

I'd happily pinch everyone of those idiots for homesteading the left lane. Usually totally HUA - busy chatting on the phone or with passengers.

FWIW, traffic citations in CA have 4 lines and if that wasn't enough, we had continuation forms.

 

[glenwolde]

It's quite simple, they are unconcerned with impeding you. If they stay in the left lane they never have to change lanes to pass.

 

[Jim Watson]

First, because it's the law in most states to stay right if you are moving slower than the flow of traffic.

Second, it's common courtesy. Speed limits are arbitrary numbers, and most people drive to a speed that they are comfortable driving at.

Oh, so right lane is a law, the speed limit is arbitrary and you may drive at a comfortable speed. "Keeping up with traffic" used to be a common whine by the ticketed.

I don't like a lot of disparity in speed. when overtaking a car doing, say, something like 50 in a 70, one should take a few seconds to wonder why. Are they drunk, high, suffering dementia or some combination.

If somebody is driving faster than the speed limit he is committing a crime, give him a ticket. If somebody is driving less than the speed limit, he may be impaired, check him out. If somebody is driving exactly at the speed limit, he probably has something to hide, check him out.

Sitting next to a semi for no good reason is really dangerous.

Or just creeping by, what I call the "cruise control overtake." One of the few things my Mother was afraid of on the road was a truckload of pipe or logs; she had heard of them coming unstrapped and rolling off onto a car in the next lane.

 

[venomballistics]

What I hate is the people in cars who start passing a semi and slow down because they are too timid and fearful to just keep going. Sitting next to a semi for no good reason is really dangerous. Can't handle the close encounter? Pull over, have the car towed to a dealer to be sold, and call for a ride. Those people should not be on the road, ever.

same ...
I essentially "hold the back door" while the slow creeping fool completes their suicide attempt.
After zippy the wonder slug makes sufficient space to do so, I'll pass at a rational rate.
This gives the truck ample time to slide over into the lane, if they have need for it. If not, I have ample space to overtake the truck quickly and efficiently.
It's really a tossup.
If forced to drive alongside a semi or a Kia, the rig usually has a competent driver but an unwieldy vehicle the Kia usually has an incompetent driver and a vehicle that can crash faster.

 

[ridewv]

It's quite simple, they are unconcerned with impeding you. If they stay in the left lane they never have to change lanes to pass.

Well until they come upon another one like them.

 

[mtgianni]

The law in Montana is left lane to pass on a 4 lane highway.
I live 17 miles from the Continental Divide and the ones that get me are the Semi's going 37 trying to pass someone going 35 up the hill. That highway was designed for 75 MPH traffic with 1965 era cars. The race cars from that era have worse suspension than a 10 year old Kia. The legislature has cut the speed limit illegally in many areas of the interstate to 65 MPH because of idiots on their phones. Federal Law says no speed reduction on interstates unless there is construction or are in a town of over 50,000 people. Butte doesn't qualify.

 

[John_M52]

In California it's called "DWA" Driving while Asian. (hope I don't get a demerit) Usually in a Prius at 45 in a 60 zone. But it is everywhere with every race and very annoying. When working the road you'd come up fast on someone's tail in a hurry and they'd sit there, by the time you started going around they would put their blinker on. I like Italy. Drive in the left with your left blinker on when approaching a car in the left lane. They'd better get out of the way or you'll be 6" from their bumper. As soon as you pass move right.

 

[Rustywrench]

Pass left, stay right, road conditions permitting, not a hard to understand concept.

It is here in Washington.. Years ago, there were signs on the Highway, "Keep Right Except to Pass". Now I can count mabey 2, in a 100 mile stretch of Interstate 5 I frequently travel.
I call them "The Keeper of the Speed". Stuck in the left lane at 1 mph below posted speed limit, holding up traffic. When it gets clear to the right, and the person behind passes, it takes 2 or 3 more cars to get their attention, then they promptly jet over right, nearly hitting/cutting off 4th car, trying to come around, then promptly get back left and tailgate person in front of them.
One of my favorite tricks, when stuck behind a left laner, is to approach and get the left tires of my truck onto the rumble strips, just over the white line, and just ride the rumble strip. Eventually, they hear the Noise and will move over. no flashing lights or left turn signal required. Most cases, I notice the vehicle is from North of the border, or Oregon. Expensive SUV or Tesla seem to be Vehicle of choice. I do believe that "DWHUA" should be a ticked offense. "Driving with Head up ASS"...