Speed Limit in the Left Lane

Gangus2006 · 10-30-2005, 12:06 PM

Seriously, why be in teh left lane if youre going to do the speed limit? Isnt that what the other lanes are for? Its even worst when across 3 lanes there are 3 cars pacing each other, doing the speed limit, so you cant pass them. People need to learn some road etiquette. Maybe its just Massachusetts, but, in my honest opinion, PEOPLE CANT FREAKIN DRIVE!

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Churnd · 10-30-2005, 12:11 PM

The passing lane is for people to pass those who choose to drive under the speed limit, which is legal. I thikn you're legally allowed to drive as slower as 20 under the limit.

oly884 · 10-30-2005, 01:38 PM

As for being polite, yeah, it's nice not to hog the left lane and only use it for passing.

As for being smart, going at or near the speed limit is the way to go. The speed limit is there for a reason, it's not there just to piss people off for being late.

stevrock · 10-30-2005, 02:20 PM

The most dangerous thing about speed is differentiation.
Cars that are going 20 over the limit don't pose any more risk then people driving at the speed limit (highway).
The danger comes from the 2 different speeds mixing together, making things less predictable amoungst the group.

ASU4runner · 10-30-2005, 02:40 PM

Typically, if you're going less than 10mph OVER the speed limit on highways, it's not worth the cops' hassle to pull you over. At least thats how it is in NC. I've gone 2 years now w/out being pulled over. I usually drive 5-10mph over the posted speed limit.

Yota4runner · 10-30-2005, 02:43 PM

Around here You can usually get away with 20 over on most highways and 10 over in the city. But yes like others have said the left lane is for passing.

Nothing frustrates me more then when someone hogs the left lane doing 40 in a 60

ASU4runner · 10-30-2005, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yota4runner

Around here You can usually get away with 20 over on most highways and 10 over in the city. But yes like others have said the left lane is for passing.

Nothing frustrates me more then when someone hogs the left lane doing 40 in a 60

Would you consider it to be rude to flash your highbeams at someone "hogging" the left lane, hoping they'll merge right? OR should you pass them on the right?

msw0085 · 10-30-2005, 02:50 PM

Driving 20 under the speed limit is not safe and not legal... They teach you in drivers ed to not impede the flow of traffic. going 50 in a 65 or 70 is certainly doing that and is certainly dangerous. Also, the only time here Ive heard it referred to as a "passing lane" is on 2 lane, undivided highways.. then there usually is a sign that says "left lane for passing only"

Dublin · 10-30-2005, 04:21 PM

A couple months ago a 10 minute drive turned into a 45 minute drive. the cause was a "Blue Hair" you know the type, all you could see was a tuft of blue hair and the knuckles on the top of the steering wheel. Well she was doing 35 miles per hour following the white dashed lines on a 2 lane 65 miles per hour hwy, each time someone would try passing either left or right side her car would wander that way. Eventually she either stopped in confusion or ran out of gas. And there she sat.

Yota4runner · 10-30-2005, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASU4runner

Would you consider it to be rude to flash your highbeams at someone "hogging" the left lane, hoping they'll merge right? OR should you pass them on the right?

Depends really, if there are no other cars around me I would likely flash to pass and then they would merge right. However if I had to I would pass them on the right. If I'm doing the speed limit and they aren't and I pass them doing the speed limit in the right lane. So be it.

Keggo · 10-30-2005, 04:43 PM

Speed limit is the speed limit though. The left lane is just for passing, no particular speed limit. Just as some others have said, the people you are supposed to be passing are the people that are driving under the speed limit. Now, occasionally, I find myself a tad over... but I've gotten one too many speeding tickets... so, to me, it's just not worth the ticket cost and/or the gas wasted to drive 10 miles per hour's over the posted limit...

Edit: Sorry for the first couple of sentences sounding a tad redundant.

HOJU · 10-30-2005, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangus2006

Its even worst when across 3 lanes there are 3 cars pacing each other

out here we call that the "utah block"... left lane here usually means you're going 80-90

4x4taco · 10-30-2005, 06:07 PM

Out west people seem to figure out that the left lane is for passing, except for the flat-lander tourists who hog it. But out here on the east coast, especially here in VA, I really think most of the drivers are so oblivious its dangerous. They sit in the left lane going at or below the speed limit while traffic piles up behind them for miles at times. Do these idiots really not realize this!? If you're gonna piddle along, move to the right lane. I can't believe they pass by the tons of 'slower traffic keep right' and 'left lane for passing only' signs without even noticing. It scares me that they pay so little attention to what is going on that they dont even see these signs.

marko3xl3 · 10-30-2005, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASU4runner

Would you consider it to be rude to flash your highbeams at someone "hogging" the left lane, hoping they'll merge right? OR should you pass them on the right?

The best solution would be to just pass them to the right. But if you really can't or don't want to move to the right (why wouldn't you?), then the next best solution would be to turn on your left blinker in the left-most lane. This is much more polite than using high-beams while the downside is that most people do not get the hint and would just think you are retarded.

In Germany, and other parts of Europe, on a no-speed-limit freeway (autobahn

), when someone comes up behind you in the left lane with their left blinkers on YOU HAVE TO MOVE, by law. But then again, you can't compare USA laws/traffic to Europe.

Highbeams would be the last thing to do esp. because unless the person is looking in the rearview (which they probably aren't), they won't notice the high beams unless it's night-time which would be another reason not to use them since it can cause accidents.

Just my 2c and that's how I do it.

msw0085 · 10-30-2005, 06:55 PM

Ya i saw on tv that it is actually illegal to flash your lights on the autobahn.. you only can use your turn signal

Keggo · 10-30-2005, 07:47 PM

You know... on the best freeway type road in the world (Autobahn), you can get fined if caught passing on the right.

86toyota · 10-30-2005, 07:51 PM

Hijack ,Sorry: Keggo...I like the latest avater,Sweet...End hijack

X-AWDriver · 10-31-2005, 04:24 AM

In Colorado we now have a law that enables police to ticket slow drivers or ones that are impeding the flow of traffic while in the fast lane even if that offender is doing the speed limit.

arjan · 10-31-2005, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevrock

The most dangerous thing about speed is differentiation.
Cars that are going 20 over the limit don't pose any more risk then people driving at the speed limit (highway).
The danger comes from the 2 different speeds mixing together, making things less predictable amoungst the group.

Hey Steve,

with that theory European road would be very unsafe, yet they have way better safety records then we do. I think it has also a lot to do with not hogging the fast lane, signalling before lane changes, and checking if somebody is coming up from behind in the fast lane.
Those habits come natural to people who drive in Europe on a regular basis, here people often don't signal, and don't check mirrors before lane changes.

I don't believe in graduated licencing we have here, I think the only way to get your license is to get lessons for an extended period of time (6 months to a year) with a qualified driving instructor. That's the only way to get good driving habits established before people get their license.

On the other hand if everybody would drive the same speed, it's unlikely anybody would hit eachother.

I always get a kick out of accident reports out of newspapers. The smart police officer will say that "speed was a factor". If there is no speed, no velocity, nothing would ever hit something else.

keisur · 10-31-2005, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gangus2006

Seriously, why be in teh left lane if youre going to do the speed limit? Isnt that what the other lanes are for? Its even worst when across 3 lanes there are 3 cars pacing each other, doing the speed limit, so you cant pass them. People need to learn some road etiquette. Maybe its just Massachusetts, but, in my honest opinion, PEOPLE CANT FREAKIN DRIVE!

That's what the "shoulder" is for.

HOJU · 10-31-2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arjan

Hey Steve,

with that theory European road would be very unsafe, yet they have way better safety records then we do. I think it has also a lot to do with not hogging the fast lane, signalling before lane changes, and checking if somebody is coming up from behind in the fast lane.
Those habits come natural to people who drive in Europe on a regular basis, here people often don't signal, and don't check mirrors before lane changes.

I don't believe in graduated licencing we have here, I think the only way to get your license is to get lessons for an extended period of time (6 months to a year) with a qualified driving instructor. That's the only way to get good driving habits established before people get their license.

On the other hand if everybody would drive the same speed, it's unlikely anybody would hit eachother.

I always get a kick out of accident reports out of newspapers. The smart police officer will say that "speed was a factor". If there is no speed, no velocity, nothing would ever hit something else.

I watched a thing about the autobahn on the history channel, and i remember them saying that in Germany and many other European countries, it's VERY difficult to get a liscense. Where in contrast, and dumb yahoo 16 and above can get one in an afternoon at some driving schools. I think they should raise the limit to 18 and make it a law that at 65 you need to take a test again to keep it, and at 70, then at 75 you just loose it! lol

DH6twinotter · 10-31-2005, 10:46 AM

Only time I forgive somebody for driving slow in the fast lane is if they are driving a Toyota with a 3.0. I know from personal experience that it is a bit hard to keep it at 75--especially going up hill.

Otherwise, it drives me crazy when people do this in a lot of traffic. If there is no traffic, I just pass on the right side, so no big deal. I've seen signs in a few places saying the minimum speed limit is 45mph. Mostly on Interstates. Here in NC, I usually drive about 8-10mph over on the highway and I still have a clean record.

I've been in some cities (like DC) where the speed limit is 55 and just about everybody is going 80. Kinda dangerous for travelers going through there--so much lane shifts and construction going on and all the locals go through there at 80! I'm sure it's fun if you know where you are going though.

Anyhow, just my $.02

Daniel

Randomness · 10-31-2005, 11:14 AM

People in Washington are horrible at that. There is ALWAYS some turd going 50 in the far left lane, even if there's no one to the right. That's why I relish my chances to drive in SoCal... No counting traffic jams, I'll be going 85 and in the middle or right lanes, and there's tons of people passing me.

surf4runner · 10-31-2005, 11:23 AM

in CA we call it the fast lane, which ususally don't mean cuz of the traffic.
i will move out of the way (to the right) when some wants me to go faster than the 75 or so that i usually go if they flash their high beams. the freeway past my house averages 85, and it is cop city out here. then the guy who gets pulled over creates traffic w/ all the looky-loos
in baja mexico they will use there left blinker to let ya know that its ok to pass on the left, still confuses me as i dont know what they do when they want to turn left.

bob200587 · 10-31-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko3xl3

The best solution would be to just pass them to the right. But if you really can't or don't want to move to the right (why wouldn't you?), then the next best solution would be to turn on your left blinker in the left-most lane. This is much more polite than using high-beams while the downside is that most people do not get the hint and would just think you are retarded.

In Germany, and other parts of Europe, on a no-speed-limit freeway (autobahn

), when someone comes up behind you in the left lane with their left blinkers on YOU HAVE TO MOVE, by law. But then again, you can't compare USA laws/traffic to Europe.

Highbeams would be the last thing to do esp. because unless the person is looking in the rearview (which they probably aren't), they won't notice the high beams unless it's night-time which would be another reason not to use them since it can cause accidents.

Just my 2c and that's how I do it.

Passing on the right is dangerous....just don't do it. I have noticed that good truck drivers leave their left turn signal on when behind a slower vehicle in the left lane, that seems like the safest most effective way to tell the person to move out of the way. But of course most people don't have a pulse when they drive, paying attention to everything but driving...so they proabably wouldn't notice it or know what it means for that matter. I recently wrote an essay on the driving age and I empasized the need for better driver training. Theres alot of people unprepared to drive out there. mentally or otherwise....Also, I can barely go over the speed limit in my truck, its just too much for it on the interstate, but even in other vehicles I drive 65-70 because it makes a tremendous difference in fuel efficency.

EDIT: I added my paper if anybody wants to read it. Haven't got a grade yet. I appreciate any feedback.

10-30-2005, 12:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Churnd Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 4,093	The passing lane is for people to pass those who choose to drive under the speed limit, which is legal. I thikn you're legally allowed to drive as slower as 20 under the limit. __________________ -Chris If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. Click here to search! My Website

10-30-2005, 02:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
ASU4runner Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Boone, NC Posts: 535	Typically, if you're going less than 10mph OVER the speed limit on highways, it's not worth the cops' hassle to pull you over. At least thats how it is in NC. I've gone 2 years now w/out being pulled over. I usually drive 5-10mph over the posted speed limit. __________________ '99 4runner Limited 4x4 w/ E-Locker '96 4runner Limited 4x4 SOLD SE4RJ - Pics

10-30-2005, 02:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Yota4runner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Peterborough Ontario Posts: 1,193	Around here You can usually get away with 20 over on most highways and 10 over in the city. But yes like others have said the left lane is for passing. Nothing frustrates me more then when someone hogs the left lane doing 40 in a 60 __________________ [-Chris-] 1988 X-Tra Cab 4x4. V6. Stripped to the frame. 1998 Chevy Chyenne Extended Cab, pretty much stock, except for a few cosmetics.

10-30-2005, 02:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
msw0085 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southlake/Lubbock, Texas Posts: 1,988	Driving 20 under the speed limit is not safe and not legal... They teach you in drivers ed to not impede the flow of traffic. going 50 in a 65 or 70 is certainly doing that and is certainly dangerous. Also, the only time here Ive heard it referred to as a "passing lane" is on 2 lane, undivided highways.. then there usually is a sign that says "left lane for passing only" __________________ TOYOTA\|moving forward 1996 3.4 Litre \| 4-Wheel Drive \| 5-speed Manual Transmission \| Magnaflow Exhaust Deckplate \| Intake Silencer Removal MasterDebater

10-30-2005, 04:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dublin Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Appleton, Wi. USA Posts: 884	A couple months ago a 10 minute drive turned into a 45 minute drive. the cause was a "Blue Hair" you know the type, all you could see was a tuft of blue hair and the knuckles on the top of the steering wheel. Well she was doing 35 miles per hour following the white dashed lines on a 2 lane 65 miles per hour hwy, each time someone would try passing either left or right side her car would wander that way. Eventually she either stopped in confusion or ran out of gas. And there she sat. __________________ 94 4Runner 4x4, V6 Auto, Outlaw II's with BFG 33x12.5x15 on stock suspension (no lift), Kenwood KDC-MVP Sirius/MP3 player, Bushwacker extenda-flares, 1700 watt power inverter, Air intake mod, Radio Shack CB, GPS, Swing arm tire carrier, modified 1st gen Toyota 4Runner Rollbar, Aisin manual hubs, 87 inclinometer, Toyota Brush guard. Where ever you go, there you are. I started out with nothing & still have most of it left.

10-30-2005, 01:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
oly884 Contributing Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 4,703	As for being polite, yeah, it's nice not to hog the left lane and only use it for passing. As for being smart, going at or near the speed limit is the way to go. The speed limit is there for a reason, it's not there just to piss people off for being late.

10-30-2005, 04:43 PM	#11 (permalink)
Keggo Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 1,831	Speed limit is the speed limit though. The left lane is just for passing, no particular speed limit. Just as some others have said, the people you are supposed to be passing are the people that are driving under the speed limit. Now, occasionally, I find myself a tad over... but I've gotten one too many speeding tickets... so, to me, it's just not worth the ticket cost and/or the gas wasted to drive 10 miles per hour's over the posted limit... Edit: Sorry for the first couple of sentences sounding a tad redundant. __________________ - Kevin E. G. SOLD!!! '91 4Runner SR5 V6 5spd: CLICK!! FOR SALE NOW! Proud dad of Kai E. G.!

10-30-2005, 06:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
4x4taco Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 191	Out west people seem to figure out that the left lane is for passing, except for the flat-lander tourists who hog it. But out here on the east coast, especially here in VA, I really think most of the drivers are so oblivious its dangerous. They sit in the left lane going at or below the speed limit while traffic piles up behind them for miles at times. Do these idiots really not realize this!? If you're gonna piddle along, move to the right lane. I can't believe they pass by the tons of 'slower traffic keep right' and 'left lane for passing only' signs without even noticing. It scares me that they pay so little attention to what is going on that they dont even see these signs. __________________ '00 Tacoma TRD TJM T-15 / OME 882 & 1" BL / "custom" intake / 33x10.5 BFG A/Ts on Teflon Chambers / Demello sliders

10-30-2005, 06:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
msw0085 Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southlake/Lubbock, Texas Posts: 1,988	Ya i saw on tv that it is actually illegal to flash your lights on the autobahn.. you only can use your turn signal __________________ TOYOTA\|moving forward 1996 3.4 Litre \| 4-Wheel Drive \| 5-speed Manual Transmission \| Magnaflow Exhaust Deckplate \| Intake Silencer Removal MasterDebater

10-30-2005, 07:47 PM	#16 (permalink)
Keggo Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 1,831	You know... on the best freeway type road in the world (Autobahn), you can get fined if caught passing on the right. __________________ - Kevin E. G. SOLD!!! '91 4Runner SR5 V6 5spd: CLICK!! FOR SALE NOW! Proud dad of Kai E. G.!

10-30-2005, 07:51 PM	#17 (permalink)
86toyota Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Trafford, Pa Posts: 1,158	Hijack ,Sorry: Keggo...I like the latest avater,Sweet...End hijack __________________ Gregg 86 yota extra cab, 4" Pro comp, 33's, cam, header,CF Dual friction, K&N, and so on... (SOLD) 89 toyota 4x4 flatbed MY TRUCK

10-31-2005, 04:24 AM	#18 (permalink)
X-AWDriver Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Littleton,CO Posts: 10,176	In Colorado we now have a law that enables police to ticket slow drivers or ones that are impeding the flow of traffic while in the fast lane even if that offender is doing the speed limit. __________________ '99 4Runner Highlander 4wd E-locker,rear diff and deckplate mod * 265/75/16 Nitto TerraGrapplers * Yakima Load Warrior rack * clear corners/signals * Tacoma skidplate * Silverstar lamps/fogs Alpine CDA-9831,Bazooka EL Series 250w amp,MTX 10" sub

10-31-2005, 10:46 AM	#22 (permalink)
DH6twinotter Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Posts: 1,676	Only time I forgive somebody for driving slow in the fast lane is if they are driving a Toyota with a 3.0. I know from personal experience that it is a bit hard to keep it at 75--especially going up hill. Otherwise, it drives me crazy when people do this in a lot of traffic. If there is no traffic, I just pass on the right side, so no big deal. I've seen signs in a few places saying the minimum speed limit is 45mph. Mostly on Interstates. Here in NC, I usually drive about 8-10mph over on the highway and I still have a clean record. I've been in some cities (like DC) where the speed limit is 55 and just about everybody is going 80. Kinda dangerous for travelers going through there--so much lane shifts and construction going on and all the locals go through there at 80! I'm sure it's fun if you know where you are going though. Anyhow, just my $.02 Daniel __________________ ------------------------------------------------ 1990 4Runner: SR5, 2wd, 3.90 rear, 3VZ-E, auto. 15x8 MT classic II rims, 31x10.50 Bridgestone Desert Duellers ($50!), Cobra CB, 3' firestick Planned stuff: Pre-runner light bar with Hella 500s, small lift Stuff I'd do if I went crazy: SAS, 7mgte or 1UZ swap, and as much offroad goodies as $$ will allow.

10-31-2005, 11:14 AM	#23 (permalink)
Randomness Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Sammamish, WA Posts: 1,385	People in Washington are horrible at that. There is ALWAYS some turd going 50 in the far left lane, even if there's no one to the right. That's why I relish my chances to drive in SoCal... No counting traffic jams, I'll be going 85 and in the middle or right lanes, and there's tons of people passing me. __________________ 95 3.slow SR5 4runner 160K miles \| 32's \| OME \| Optima \| Husky \| dechromed \| ryan \| My Photography Blog

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