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"Fast lane" (?)

FickleBiker

FickleBiker

I ride / I AM
Joined
Sep 16, 2008
Location
inland....
Moto(s)
Bandit 1250S & SV650
I realize how folk may be annoyed by a car in the far left lane of a freeway, going "slow"..... it is after-all referred to as the "fast lane".
-- however --
If a car in the 'fast lane' is just slightly exceeding the posted speed limit (let's say 74 mph in a posted "70"), and a car fast approaching from behind (at say, 80 mph), within his right to expect the slower car to move, get outa the way, or speed up for him?

BOTH vehicles are speeding/exceeding the posted speed limit, is one any more in violation of the law than the other (if the '74' maintains his speed, and the '80' rides the bumper of the slower car)???

In short,
my traffic school (yeeears ago) instructed us that there is no "fast lane", there is instead.... traveling at the speed limit, driving too slow for the conditions, and "speeding". Can a vehicle be accused of driving too slow for the conditions while going 4 mph over the speed limit in the fast lane?
 
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I don't know about the legalities so much, but since the law states that you can't even exceed the speed limit to pass, both are speeding. But also, at the same time there's signs all over the place that say "slower traffic keep right".

And for the record, I don't refer to that as the fast lane. I find that if you refer to it as the passing lane it changes the way people think about the #1 lane.
 
If you can't exceed the speed limit even to pass, then what the hell is purpose of not just electronically or mechanically limiting a car's maximum output to whatever is legal in said state? Or maybe just a maximum of 80 since that's the highest posted speed limit I know of in the U.S. (Texas). And before you go there, Montana recinded the law that allowed people to drive at a "safe and prudent" speed. :|
 
If you are doing the speed limit, you can stay in the left lane (legally).

Slow-Moving Vehicles
21654. (a) Notwithstanding the prima facie speed limits, any vehicle proceeding upon a highway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time shall be driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

(b) If a vehicle is being driven at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at such time, and is not being driven in the right-hand lane for traffic or as close as practicable to the right-hand edge or curb, it shall constitute prima facie evidence that the driver is operating the vehicle in violation of subdivision (a) of this section.

(c) The Department of Transportation, with respect to state highways, and local authorities, with respect to highways under their jurisdiction, may place and maintain upon highways official signs directing slow-moving traffic to use the right-hand traffic lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn.

Amended Ch. 545, Stats. 1974. Effective January 1, 1975.
 
jt2 said:
Your dictionary must define "notwithstanding" differently than mine, then.
Click to expand...
I don't enforce the law, so I may be reading it wrong. But I also read in to the "normal" statement. Speeding is extra ordinary.

(As a reference, regardless of speed, I stay out of the way. I have no problem with those who want to do 80 in the fast lane, as long as they do no endanger me)
 
A white sign with black letters is a regulatory sign. It means you must obey it. "Slower traffic keep right." Slower than what? That is the important question.
 
A division commander for the AlCo Sheriff's office told me (in traffic school, :rofl) that regardless of who's going how fast, if someone is coming down on you from behind, you are legally obligated to move over.
 
I guess it would be a matter of who is LESS in the wrong? If someone is speeding in the fast lane, with another vehicle wishing to pass (whom is also speeding). I guess the lead car would be speeding, failure to obey sign *(slower traffic stay right) AND impeding the flow of traffic?
 
Kornholio said:
If you can't exceed the speed limit even to pass, then what the hell is purpose of not just electronically or mechanically limiting a car's maximum output to whatever is legal in said state? Or maybe just a maximum of 80 since that's the highest posted speed limit I know of in the U.S. (Texas). And before you go there, Montana recinded the law that allowed people to drive at a "safe and prudent" speed. :|
Click to expand...

That's on CA that you can't exceed the speed limit to pass. In Indiana you can get up to 25 mph over the speed limit to pass but must slow back down immediately.
 
The following comment is that of a regular driver, not a law enforcement officer:

Get the fuck out of the left lane unless you are passing someone.

Period, end of story.
 
Kornholio said:
If you can't exceed the speed limit even to pass, then what the hell is purpose of not just electronically or mechanically limiting a car's maximum output to whatever is legal in said state? Or maybe just a maximum of 80 since that's the highest posted speed limit I know of in the U.S. (Texas). And before you go there, Montana recinded the law that allowed people to drive at a "safe and prudent" speed. :|
Click to expand...

A 'speeding ticket' in Montana was a $5 fine for 'environmental damage'. My cousin got one of those when I was out there in the mid 80's.
 
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