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"...

 

[Smoke]

I'm bad about this. I set my cruise control at 5 miles over the speed limit and get in the left hand lane and go.

Generally, there's nobody coming up on my ass. If there is, I get over.

I'm not sure if that counts

 

[Dermako]

Whole heartily agree about the idiots in the left lane.
They can be classified by many names but are all the same in my opinion.
Before I retired I was a road warrior and spent a lot of time behind the wheel.
I guess I have mellowed in my old age and am amused at what other drivers do to the lefties.
About the only thing I haven't seen is shots fired and I am surprised at that.

 

[ridewv]

I'm bad about this. I set my cruise control at 5 miles over the speed limit and getting the left hand lane and go....

I'm not sure if that counts

It counts, Smoke. Don't be one of them.

 

[Jimbo41]

Shall we expand this discussion to merging technique, especially at on ramps?
Why is it so hard for folks to figure out that they need to pick a spot and accelerate into it, that slowing down to merge sucks for everyone.

Most ramps remind me of the grocery store checkout where about one in three people won't think to produce their credit card or check book or currency until the cashier tells them their total. Sure it only adds 30 seconds to my wait, but it's a little irritating that folks are so thoughtless.

 

[ridewv]

Oh my, following the people (often old people) that will drive down the on ramp at 30 mph sometimes coming to a stop when they see cars in the right lane they are supposed to merge in with! Then there I am having to enter a 70mph highway from a standstill.

 

[65-2x2]

I live in Florida and drive frequently on Interstate 10. My wife and I call them "fast lane homesteaders." Not to unfairly pick on Texans, I have noticed that many if not most of them have Texas tags... They drive from Dallas to Jacksonville in the fast lane at 69 MPH, without checking the rearview mirror to see traffic backed up behind them all the way to the horizon. I have always thought that it would be a hoot, when one of them is in a pickup, (not uncommon) to pull up beside them, get their attention, show them a (dummy) hand grenade, then with a big evil grin, pull the pin and toss it in the back of their truck!

 

[MelvinWalker]

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.

This is a joke right? I didn't see the sarcasm tag and wasn't sure.

 

[NYlakesider]

Oh my, following the people (often old people) that will drive down the on ramp at 30 mph sometimes coming to a stop when they see cars in the right lane they are supposed to merge in with! Then there I am having to enter a 70mph highway from a standstill.

Been caught like that a few times. My solution as I normally have a big engine vehicle is to floor it, whip to the right pass them and get in the traffic lane. Little hint, go faster on the ramp than the traffic is on the main road and its much easier to get into the line. Many times I see the slowpoke driver still sitting on the approach ramp as I continue my journey!

PS, I'm a old timer!

 

[kamloops67]

I've noticed that the left lane campers are usually driving Subarus, Prius and Teslas.

Or they are white one ton flat deck ford dually super duty with Alberta plates
Yeah , it's a thing .

 

[ridewv]

There's one lady in a gray Subaru that must live around here that I now recognize. Whenever I am behind her I pull over at the top of the ramp and wait until she somehow manages to get on the Interstate before I proceed. She's actually come to a stop before and when she doesn't she's trying to enter at 35 mph.

 

[eb07]

Lots of California plates do this in Arizona. Frustrating.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

In Utah they have signs posted reminding people of the courtesy of the passing versus the driving lane.

Drivers were much better in the past than today. Actually courtesy is a thing of the past.